Hawaiian Marketplace

Petroglyhs are rocks carvings of symbols and images made by prehistoric tribes. The literal translation of the word “petroglyph” is rock carving. The etymology of this word takes us back to the ancient Greek civilization, particularly from the Greek words “petros,” which means stone and “glyphein” which means to carve. These ancient art on stone and molten lava material are known locally as k’i’i pohaku. These images in stone provide a look at the old Hawaii, though there are limited evidences as to their real origins.

The actual age of the Hawaiian petroglyphs have yet to be determined, although a chronological pattern can be established based on the styles of these ancient stone carvings. The earliest forms are the simple stick forms and the triangular shapes, which are the dominant styles in Hawaiian petroglyphs, are believed to have been done much later.

After the time that westerners set foot on Hawaii, stone carvings of cattle and horses started to appear and became a popular style during that period. Among the islands of Hawaii, the Big Island has the most number of petroglyphs. The specific locations with the highest concentration of these stone carvings include the pãhoehoe lava, interior sections of cliff walls, cliff faces and in the areas around the Island that are inundated with lava as well as ancient trails.

Big Island of Hawaii

Pu’uloa – This site is located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park along the southern section of the Kilauea Volcano. Pu’uloa boasts of the most number of petroglyphs in a single location in all of Hawaii. There are about 23,000 pertroglyphs scattered in an area along the end of the ocean and towards the fringes of the Chain of Craters Road. Pu’uloa, which literally means “long hill,” is also considered to be a place of longevity. The implication of this attribution to this place is directly related to the practice of locals leaving a piko, or navel cord of a baby, to give children the best shot for long life. The most common petroglyphs found in this place include human representations, circles, holes, feathered cape motifs and canoe sails.

Puako – This is another popular petroglyphs site on the Big Island which lies along South Kohala and is a stone’s throw away from Holoholokai Beach Park. You can get the necessary information and area map on the petroglyphs site at Mauna Lani Resort. There is an existing viewing site that offers the most amazing view of the petroglyphs and a trail that provides a convenient access to a section where the most number of petroglyphs are found.

Anaeho’omalu – This petroglyph site is found some 4.5 miles on the southern region of Puako in an area which is near the Waikoloa Beach Resort. It is around half a mile off Highway 19. Information and area map are available at the Royal Waikoloan and several hotels in the area. Anaeho’omalu collection of petroglyphs includes images of canoes, humans as well as circles and abstract forms.

Ka’upulehu – This popular Big Island petroglyphs site is found within the Kona Village Resort grounds. There are distinct features of Ka’upulehu which are not found in other petroglyph locations, and there are indications that this site was used for a purpose which is different from other petroglyphs sites. The dominant stone carvings in the area bear sails which could mean that the place may have been used as navigation or sailing school before.

Kaloko-Honokohau – This is another popular petroglyph site on the Big Island which is found in the National Historical Park of Kaloko Honokohau. The site showcases some of the more recent stone carvings which include a captivating image of a full-rigged ship. You can reach the site from Highway 19 right after the exit going to Honokohau Harbor.

Kahalu’u – This petroglyphs field lies some 5 miles off the southern part of Kailua-Kona. While this petroglyphs site is relatively accessible, it is recommended that you visit the place during low tide as most of the stone carvings lie on a flat lava region that is inundated by seawater during high tide. This amazing set of stone images includes diverse human forms, phallic symbols and other abstract forms. Specifically, this collection of stone art forms is found some 200 yards on the southern portion of the park pavilions.

Island of Maui

The popular petroglyph sites in the Island of Maui include Kahoma, Lahaina, Haleakala and the southeast region of Maui specifically along the Waiohonu Stream. There is also another set of petroglyphs which are located at Olowalu. These are stone art forms that were carved out straight from the face of a cliff. This is one of the most visited petroglyph site in the Island of Maui, although vandalism is an emerging concern of late. You can reach Olowalu by driving south along Highway 30 going to Kahului and turn off along Mile Marker #15. Take the dirt road just behind the Olowalu General Store toward the overall direction of the Olowalu Valley. The petroglyph site is about a mile off Highway 30.

Island of Oahu

The top petroglyph sites in the Island of Oahu are those found in the Nu’uanu Petroglyph Park, which lies along the western portion of the Nu’uanu Stream. The main inspiration of most of the stone carvings is the ghost dog, locally known as Kaupe. Another petroglyph area presents some challenge for those who want to view the stone art forms, as one has to scale a slippery and rocky terrain.

Island of Kauai

This is also one of the more popular petroglyph sites and is found along Mahalepu’s Koloa Beach. One of the interesting aspects of the stone art forms is the presence of human figures with heads facing seaward. Another important petroglyph site on the Island of Kauai is the one that lies along the Wailua River, which is just beneath the Temples of Refuge.

Island of Lanai

Ancient stone carvings on the Island of Lanai are found in several locations. Most of these petroglyphs are located in the regions of Luahiwa and Kaunolu. These are the specific sites that are believed to have played an important role in the past. Interestingly, the boulder Keaohia bears many stone art forms while other boulders nearby don’t feature any stone drawings at all. Majority of the petroglyphs in the Island resemble birds and evidences tend to point to its reference to a particular local mythology, Halulu, which is a man-eating bird.

Island of Molokai

Majority of the important petroglyphs in the Island of Molokai are found in a small area which is near the Ka Ule o Nanhoa, the famous phallic rock. This is found in the Pala’au State Park along the northern shore of Molokai.

First time trips are always exciting, especially if your destination is someplace like Hawaii. However, before you start packing your bags there are a few things you should be aware of, like the best way to get there, the best places to visit and of course the thrilling Hawaii activities to try.

By Boat or By Air

To get to Hawaii, you basically have two options. It is either by plane or by boat. Coming there by boat means cheaper fare and a longer trip, depending on where you will be coming from. But no matter how near or far you are from Hawaii, traveling there by boat would still take you hours or even days to get to your destination.

On the other hand, if you choose to travel by air it can be a little expensive but the ride will be more comfortable and definitely much faster. Most people prefer riding a plane, especially those who are too excited and who cannot bear to wait much longer to set foot on this paradise.

No matter which transportation you choose, try to get some rest and relax a little on your first day in Hawaii. Enjoy a good meal and take pleasure in the serenity of the place. Whether you arrive there at noon time, evening or early in the morning, getting some sleep will refresh your mind and body and give you enough energy for a more enjoyable stay in Hawaii.

Top Attractions, Fun Hawaii Activities

For every traveler or vacationer, it is important to have a list of the top attractions of the place one will be visiting. Well, Hawaii can give you a handful of stunning and breathtaking places to visit.

If snorkeling is your kind of thing, then Hanauma Bay should be on top of your list. Snorkeling is just one of the many fun-Hawaii activities you can consider. Hanauma Bay is situated in Oahu and is one of the most visited places in Hawaii. Aside from snorkeling and taking amazing photos, you can also do fun stuffs like scuba diving and the Hanauma Bay duck adventure.

Your visit to Hawaii will never be complete without their stunningly beautiful beaches. Lanikai beach is hailed as one of the finest beaches in the planet. Numerous couples prefer to have their wedding here in Lanikai Beach. Other lovely beaches to check out are Kailua Beach, Sandy Beach and Waialae Beach park, and do not forget to put on your list the ever famous Waikiki Beach.

If you think their beautiful beaches are not enough to satisfy your thirst for fun, then a stop in Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park should do it. This is known to be the number one family attraction in Hawaii. The highlights of this adventure park are Keiki Move, Hurricane Bay, Shaka, Waterworld, Kapolei Cooler and Volcano Express. This is suitable for all ages so no matter how young or old you are you can definitely find a spot for you here.

Other fun Hawaii activities you can do are parasailing, kayaking, helicopter and air tours, sunset cruises and a lot more.

The sight and sound of ukulele is really hard to miss when you visit Hawaii. This is pronounced as YOO-ka-LAY-lee if you are a native of Hawaii and is spelled as ukulele. This is Hawaii’s most prominent musical instrument. You can find people playing this instrument on the streets and in some local restaurants. Visiting Hawaii will never be complete without hearing any rendition from a ukulele.

Normally, ukuleles are made of wood; however, nowadays it is no longer odd to find a ukulele partially or even completely made by plastic. Cheaper ukuleles are often made of spruce or ply, while the more expensive ones are typically made from mahogany and other exotic woods.

How it all started

It was in 1880 when ukulele was developed. It is a guitar-like instrument, but is smaller in size. Macaronesian immigrants were the ones who introduced this instrument to Hawaii. The first ukulele makers were Augsuto Dias, Joao Fernandes and Manuel Nunes. It was reported in the Hawaiian Gazette that Madeira Islanders had been entertaining the Hawaiians with their concerts every night playing with their ukuleles.

Ukulele also means jumping flea. It was given that name because people who play this musical instrument have hands that look like they are dancing from the fingerboard. This had really impressed the natives and this had started their love and amusement for the instrument.

However, the last monarch of Hawaii Queen Lili’uokalani had given a different translation to the source of ukulele. She said that it simply means the gift that came here, basing it from uku which means the gift and lele which also means to come.

The Spread of Ukulele in Hawaii

The reason why there is a widespread use of ukulele in Hawaii is all because of the endorsement and zealous support of King David Kalakaua. The king’s first encounter with this popular instrument was by Fernandes. However, he learned to play the instrument with the help of Diaz.

Since King Kalakaua was very fascinated by this enthralling instrument, he suggested that this guitar-like instrument be played during important gatherings. Being the patron of arts, it was not hard for the Hawaiians to wholeheartedly accept the ukulele. In fact, many royalties had taken time to learn this musical instrument. Some of the crowned heads who trained to play the ukulele are Princess Likelike, Queen Emma, Prince Leleihoku and also the last Hawaiian monarch.

The use of ukulele was not only limited to royalties. Even the farmers and fishermen had the opportunity to enjoy the sheer bliss of just playing and listening to the ukulele. Because ukulele had been warmly accepted in Hawaii, just after a few years, ukulele’s popularity had reached other places and slowly captured the hearts of the whole world.

Your visit to Hawaii will never be complete without being serenaded with a ukulele. So do not be surprised if, all of a sudden, a group of men just sings you a song accompanied by their famous four-stringed musical instrument.

Romantic getaways, in general, would include watching the sun rise or set from wherever you have booked your vacation. As Hawaii is one of the world’s best places for romantic getaways, it just makes sense that Hawaii Sunsets are also one of the best in the world.

Capture the Beauty in Pictures

You can only be so grateful that there are digital cameras nowadays. You can now capture Hawaii’s sunset in all its beauty in as many pictures as your memory cards will let you. Despite the thousands and thousands of pictures taken by professional and amateur photographers in Hawaii, it still remains one of the most shot scenes in the world – and each one still comes out different from the rest.

If you plan to take sunset memories from your Hawaii vacation, make sure you head to the west side of the islands well ahead of time. You don’t want to be there when the sun is already starting to set – you need more time to find the perfect view and angle for your photos and you need to set-up your camera and your tripod before the spectacle in the sky begins.

Once your camera gear is set-up, sit back for a while and enjoy what you are about to see. The intense hues of orange, yellow and red during sunsets in Hawaii will leave you open-mouthed in amusement. Those Hawaii postcards and sunset photos that you have been seeing all your life will suddenly become more real than ever – they, after all, may have not been edited in the computer!

Beautiful Anywhere, Anyhow

Sunsets are beautiful anywhere – some places just make it so much more beautiful than others. Sunsets in Hawaii, however, are the best because you can get views of tropical sunsets over the horizon, along a street lined with tropical trees, from a mountain’s peak, on top of a building, at a beach or from a deserted island. You can literally see sunsets with different views and angles for every day of your vacation.

A famous sunset spot is at the Kona Inn Restaurant in the Kona Inn Shopping Village in downtown Kailua-Kona. From there, you get a view of the Kailua Pier amidst boats and rolling waves from the wide open area of green grass and palm trees next to the sea wall. Also in Kona is the Anaehoomalu Bay, which is lined with palm trees that make for perfect subjects or backdrop to the sunset.

In Oahu, top spots where tourists go to are the beach parks of Nanakuli, Kuhio, Maili and Pokai Bay, as well as Makua Cave and Yokohama Bay. If you are in staying at the Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki, go up to the top floor and enjoy a spectacular view of the sunset against the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. Stay a little longer after the sunset and you will see a magnificent view as Honolulu South Shore’s skyline lights up for the evening. The Kakaako Waterfront Park offers a more solitary view than others, but still gives a sight to behold.

Point is, no matter where you go in Hawaii, you are bound to see a sunset that will take your breath away. And from them on, you just know… sunsets will never be the same again.

Going on a vacation, even in the best places in the world, does not always have to cost you an arm and a leg. As many people say, the best things in life are free. Though it will be a little bit of a stretch to expect to get a free vacation all the time, you can check out some of these tips on saving money in Hawaii and still have the best vacation ever!

Fail to plan, plan to fail

While it’s exhilarating to just go out on an adventure and be spontaneous about vacations, it is not always the best thing to do if you are working on a budget. The first thing you need to do when have a limited budget is plan the trip properly. You don’t have to plan out every single detail of your trip but at least get the basics in order, such as where you will stay and what activities you want to engage in.

International hotels and resorts are wonderful places to stay in, but that does not mean that you have to stay there to have the best experiences. Local Bed and Breakfast places, for example, can give you an even better experience as the owners or managers can give you more personalized services as well as give advices on what to do while in the area. Hawaii is a haven of beaches, waterfalls, forests and the city – you want to see as much of it as possible and the locals can lead you to the most pristine places.

To get you to some places, you will need to join tour groups. It is inevitable, so you might as well book ahead of time to take advantage of the special discounts from tour operators if you book at least two weeks in advance. For other areas where you need to take a car, you should rent one that is just the right size for you. You don’t need to drive a fancy sports car or an SUV to get around Hawaii. Plus, using a compact car gives you better mileage for your gas consumption!

The Net, the Books and the Coupons

In this time and age, you can virtually find anything and everything over the internet. Great deals on air fares, accommodations and package tours are all over the internet you will get a headache from having too much information on your fingertips. Take an aspirin and go through all of them carefully. Each of them has their pros and cons – so be patient and choose the best package for you. The one that is advertised as the cheapest may actually have hidden charges on them, and the one that is a few dollars more expensive can actually give you so much more value for your money.

Even with all the great deals you can get from the internet, do not forget that the good o’travel books are still there for a purpose. The people who put these books together do it for a living, so they are bound to give you a few great tips for your trip. Upon arrival at the airport in Hawaii, grab a couple of their tourist maps and brochures, no matter how well planned you think you are. These things do come with coupons to give you special discounts on many establishments and would have the latest update on things you can do in Hawaii that the internet is yet to catch up on.