Category: Hawaii Hiking & Outdoors

The annual Geminid Meteor Shower is at this moment heading toward planet Earth, set to streak Hawaii’s night skies on December 13-14. The celestial event is considered by astronomers and amateur stargazers to be the best of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. There is no better place to view the stellar spectacle than right […]

During a trip to Maui in late September, some of our group set out on a couple of hikes that were, simply, marvelous. There are countless hiking trails on the Valley Isle, but the Waihee Ridge Trail and the Waiakoa Loop Trail were chosen as our hiking destinations in Maui for a couple of important […]

The completion of improvements to the Koko Crater Stairs hiking trail made headlines in the local news media last week. It has become a popular hike for residents and visitors over the past few years. High traffic had degraded the trail, which is made of railroad ties. The trail is much safer now thanks in […]

A couple of weeks ago when settling in at a West Maui condo, I started looking into tee times at various golf courses in the area. Several are legendary, home to PGA events and some of the most dramatic views you’ll see in coverage of the pros on major networks. Green fees and club rental […]

Have you ever heard of Nakalele Blowhole Maui? This is one of the most amazing sights on the island, and it’s part of a day exploring the west side. Here’s a recap of our adventure seeing this cool spot and how you can include it on your next Hawaii vacation. Nakalele Blowhole Maui Nakalele Point […]

The Royal Hawaiian Golf Club in Windward Oahu is a stunningly beautiful and maddeningly challenging eighteen holes sculpted into the rainforest. It was opened in 1993, with the venerable architects Perry and Pete Dye providing the design. A recent redesign was masterminded by Aussie golf legend Greg Norman. For golfers it is a singular, savage […]

There is nothing we enjoy more than connecting Hawaii visitors with the natural beauty and wonders that the Aloha State has to offer. (Well, perhaps nothing more than enjoying them ourselves.) Here on this blog, on the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, and in person, through video, or live planning sessions, we encourage our visitors to […]

Anyone planning a Hawaii vacation this summer should be well aware of the multitude of daytime activities available. Snorkeling, surf lessons, hiking, museum tours, even simple strolls on the beach: these are the things that people come to do and see in the Aloha State. But what about after the sun goes down? The truth […]

It’s probably true that the first thing that comes to mind when planning a Hawaii vacation is not camping. White sand beaches? Sure. Tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and rainbows spanning remote valleys? Absolutely. But camping? That just sounds like work! I’m on vacation! It’s true, camping is not everyone’s cup of tea (or steaming mug of […]

Yeah, it’s out there. But for Oahu visitors who love golf, the long drive from Waikiki to the Ewa Beach Golf Club is always worth the trip. About a 25-mile drive from the Hawaii Convention Center in Waikiki, the course is gorgeous, challenging, and it enjoys almost-always perfect weather. The course is located at the […]

The Na Ala Hele Trail & Access Program was begun by Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Wildlife in 1998. The program monitors and maintains a network of hiking trails, many of them ancient and predating Western contact in the Hawaiian Islands. We’ll list some of our favorites below. Concern […]

The view from the summit of Mauna Loa on Hawaii Island is beyond compare. On a clear day, the horizon stretches out endlessly before you at 13, 678 feet above sea level. On an exceptionally clear day you can see the actual curvature of the earth itself. It is astonishing and absolutely unforgettable, and it […]