Category Archives: Hawaii

Amazing Candies and Cookies made in Hilo

11 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by in Big Island Candies, Hawaii, Hilo

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After flying in to Hilo airport, we picked up our rental car to drive up to Volcano National Park. On the way,  our first stop was Big Island Candies which was only a short drive from the airport.

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The minute I walked in the door I was impressed. The shop is beautiful.

 

Big island candies
Inside the shop
Inside the shop

We were greeted by smiling staff offering us samples of chocolates and shortbread cookies and small cups of complimentary coffee were also offered.

I was first introduced to Big Island Candies years ago but this was my first visit to the shop where their delicious delicacies are made.

The huge selection of candies is quite amazing. As well as the very popular chocolate with macadamia nuts, they have chocolate dipped local treats like chocolate dipped arare, chocolate dipped cuttlefish, chocolate dipped iso peanuts, chocolate dipped li-hing mui, chocolate dipped mochi balls, chocolate dipped animal crackers, and li-hing mui cookies plus many more.

After sampling several of the different chocolates I decided that the chocolate macadamia nut crunch, which are made with milk chocolate and dark chocolate,  were my favourite.

The prices are not cheap but they are all hand made on the premises, are made using top quality ingredients also the packaging is unusual and very beautiful.

As you walk further in to the store, behind glass partitions, you are able to view the workers actually hand dipping the goodies. You can see the cooling tunnel, the chocolate melting machine and the packaging. It was all really very interesting to watch.

 

Making the candy
Making the candy
Making the candy?
Making the candy?

Created and run by a local Big Island family, Big Island Candies prides itself on Omiyage- creating the heart of gift giving. An omiyage is a Japanese traditional gift or souvenir you give to friends and family after returning home from a trip. This Omiyage is so much more than just an edible souvenir, though. The content of the boxes is ridiculously divine but the brightly coloured and designed Omiyage boxes make these chocolates and cookies the perfect gift for sharing.

 

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Inside the shop

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Very beautiful inside the store

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Exquisite Presentation

After an extended visit to this delightful store, giving us time to sample several of the products, we left with a great selection of Big Island candies and big smiles.

New Version of the old International Market Place – Waikiki

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Hawaii, International Market Place Waikiki

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Since my last trip to Hawaii there has been a big transformation in Waikiki. The International Market place which is located on Kalakaua Avenue in the heart of Waikiki is now new, upscale and very modern.

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Kalakaua Entrance to International Market Place

I have very mixed feelings about the International Market place now. If you are a first time visitor to Waikiki you may think that the new market place is wonderful with its beautiful open space. And it is. However it has lost its old traditional charm. Thank goodness they have kept the original banyan tree which still dominates and is the main feature. But the old Hawaiian feel and street vendors are gone. I missed the Auntie’s stringing leis and the Hawaiians carving Hawaiian tiki statues. I missed the true international flair it had back in the day.

 

Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree

When I lived in Hawaii, the international market place was often our meeting place, particularly in the evenings and quite often it was where we spent the entire evening. There was always something happening and it was fun and remained like this for years.

 

International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place

However, It is now a beautiful open air environment with high end shops and many restaurants on several levels.

The ground floor has benches and chairs scattered about, so it’s easy to relax and enjoy just being there. Water features are everywhere, which make it feel fresh and calming. There is also a variety of trees, palms, potted plants and other vegetation. At the front near the Kalakaua entrance, you will find a new Don Ho statue where you can take photos with the local legend.

 

International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place

I have fond memories of the old international market place and while I miss the old one, there are certain aspects of the new market place that are simply delightful. It is still a great place to sit and take a break from walking or Waikiki traffic. You will find comfortable seats, lounges and benches on all levels of the market place. Stop and visit Don’s Tree house in the historic banyan tree which was planted in the mid 1800’s.

 

Tree House
Tree House
Tree House

 

 

Stay cool under the Banyan tree
Stay cool

It seems that no matter how hot the day is, it is always cool and refreshing in the market place under the magnificent banyan tree.

From Summit to the Sea – Chain of Craters Road, Kilauea.

04 Monday Dec 2017

Posted by in Chain of Craters Road, Volcano National Park, Hawaii

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We drove from the summit of Kilauea to the sea.

 

Chain of Craters Road which is a 19 mile/30km winding paved road is located within Volcanoes National Park. Driving along this long well paved road just shows you the devastation that a lava flow leaves behind. It’s amazing to see the scenery and be able to stop at many places along the road to take photos that is if you don’t get blown away with the strong wind. There were times that it was almost impossible to hold my camera still enough to take a photo.

 

Along Chain of Craters Rd
Along Chain of Craters Rd
Along Chain of Craters Rd
Along Chain of Craters Rd
Along Chain of Craters Rd

The road starts up at a high elevation and you drive all the way down to the ocean. It is an amazing experience to see Mother Nature (and Pele) at her best. When we departed from our cabin in Kilauea Military Camp it was about 9 degrees C and when we arrived at the end of the road it was about 25 degrees C. The change in altitude made such a difference to the temperature and the changing landscape was incredible. The following week after we were in Volcanoes National Park, it snowed.

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This road has had parts covered by lava several times due to eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano.

 

Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs
Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs

You can’t get lost; it’s a single, two-lane road from the “top” of the park to the “bottom.” The highlights are all well-signed. You decide whether you want to merely take a photo from the car, or walk to explore. There are many trails leading into many different areas. This entire area is hauntingly beautiful and different from almost anywhere else on earth.  It felt like we were driving on the moon. But then when we stopped at many lookouts along the way I started to feel that I was on top of a very large dark chocolate brownie.

 

Lava
The road
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Looking like a chocolate brownie

Before heading off, we stopped at the visitors centre. There is as much information available as you could possibly need and the rangers are so helpful and passionate about the entire area. There are maps and all the information that you would need for exploring the entire national park and of course this drive.

 

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At the end of the road, is where the lava flows in to the ocean. This flow of molten lava has created the Holei Sea Arch. The lava flow from the Volcano has added approximately 500 acres to the Island of Hawaii over the past 20 years. Near the arch, begins a rather long walk-able trail which takes you all the way to the place where fresh lava goes into the sea. This part I can only read about as the trail was far too long for me to try to take on. Just before we reached the Pacific Ocean the road just ends where lava covered it some years ago. It is very surreal to just see a road disappear under rock.

 

Hōlei Sea Arch
The end of the road
Where the lava meets the sea
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Hōlei Sea Arch

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No words and no photos can do this justice!  You have to see it to believe it.

 It is exciting, and mesmerizing and just plain fabulous.

Returning to Paradise – Hawaii

03 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by in Hawaii

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Yes I am going back to Hawaii

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I enjoyed Hawaii so much last November that I am returning.

The flight over from Australia to Honolulu is so easy. It is only just over 9 hours flying time which is a pleasure compared to the 26 hour flight to Europe. It is a direct flight, Brisbane to Honolulu. For us Aussies, that is so nice.

So here is a little reminder of what I will be seeing again very soon.

Waikiki Beach
Waikiki

This time I am adding San Francisco to the trip. San Francisco is actually the main reason I am going. When my Hawaii friend Linda learned that I have never been to San Francisco she suggested that we go together some time. Well, now is some time.

So of course you will be hearing from me from Hawaii and San Francisco, with lots of photos.

 

Magical, Amazing – North Shore, Oahu

02 Tuesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Hawaii, Pupukea North Shore Oahu

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On this trip to Hawaii I had a “bucket list”, and on the top of this bucket list was a visit to my favourite beach on the North Shore, the beach is at Pupukea.

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The first time I visited the north shore was in the month of June. I was expecting to see the huge surfing waves that I had seen many times on the tv back in Australia. Imagine my surprise when I saw Waimea bay for the first time.  People were diving off the big rock into the smooth mill-pond type water.  There were no big waves at all, not even a swell.

When I lived in Honolulu and house guests stayed with me a special day out was to take them for a drive around the island.  Of course, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and Haleiwa were regular stops.

Situated between Sunset Beach and Waimea is Pupukea which  is about an hour drive from Waikiki. Pupukea Beach Park is a marine life conservation area with several great spots to play. I have spent many good times on Pupukea beach.  Lounging on the beach is always popular but my favourite activity is exploring the rock pools and many times I have donned snorkelling gear and lost myself in the beauty of the water and all its hidden treasures.

This place is a hidden gem. The water is so clear and there are plenty of fish, live coral and other creatures to see. The water is very calm and reasonably safe so you don’t need to be a great swimmer like at other snorkelling locations. There are restroom facilities with showers, so it is easy to change in and out of swim clothes . There is also plenty of parking up the top from the beach either on the side of the road (Kamehameha Hwy) or in a parking area.

Be sure to take swimming shoes because the rocks are very sharp. It would be very difficult to walk across the rocks bare footed to reach the actual swimming area. There is also a tide pool area good for little kids.

You could easily spend a full day here. There are not many places to eat at Pupukea but it is not far to drive to Haleiwa, Sunset or Waimea. There is a Foodland supermarket across the highway from the beach.

The drive to the north shore is interesting with many spectacular sights along the way.  There are several ways you can go. We drove from Kailua however from Waikiki driving along the coast around past Diamond Head, Koko Head, Hanuama Bay is very scenic.

As with most days here in Hawaii I saw many beautiful rainbows while driving out to the north shore and this day was no exception.

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Pupukea beach is truly heavenly.

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Aloha from Hawaii

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Hawaii, Honolulu

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Only a 9 hour direct flight from Brisbane is Honolulu.

Yes, I am back in beautiful Hawaii.  As many of you know this is where my passion for travel began. I came to Hawaii on a vacation and stayed 11 years. Yes, many years ago I fell  in love with these beautiful islands which was Very easy to do.

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It has been a very long time since my last trip and certainly well overdue. Although I am now a tourist, this trip is not about being a tourist but in fact catching up with friends and doing the local things.

The weather is simply perfect. The sun is just as hot as ever but with the trade winds blowing the climate is just right.

Since arriving a few days ago my feet have barely touched the ground.

My first day included lunch at a local style restaurant where we enjoyed the very famous Mahi Mahi which is a local fish. Although it has been many years since I lived here,  I felt quite at home sitting in this little restaurant.

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From  there it was a walk along Kailua beach looking over to Kaneohe.

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I spent a morning on my favourite beach on the south side of the island, Sans Souci, which is just along from Waikiki. Sans Souci Beach is paradise at the foot of Diamond Head.  There is plenty of free parking if you get there early enough. I always enjoyed the walk along the wall on the waterfront which leads to little private beaches where you can swim in crystal clear clean clean water. There is a park for picnics or barbeques, lots of space for playing etc and also showers and toilets right by the beach.

I spent a day at my favourite shopping centre, Ala Moana, which is a shopaholic’s paradise with many different types of retailers and a great selection of eateries. You can easily catch a bus to here from Waikiki beach.

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Another special day was church with my friends. This church, in Kaneohe,  I thought, was very unique as it is on a golf course, and so very picturesque with the Ko’olau mountains as the back drop and views of the ocean in the distance.

Kailua and Kaneohe are on the windward side of the main island Oahu and about 30 minutes drive from Waikiki  or Honolulu via the Pali highway. A delightful escape from the hustle and bustle.