Vacation in Your Own Way… Possible at Hawaii

by: Sylvestor Johnson



Nestled in the archipelago of the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii entices travelers with its natural beauty. Amidst the nineteen islands, eight islands including Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui and the Island of Hawaii are famous. Unwind yourself on the white powdered sea-shores of Hawaii. And if you want to make your vacation in your own way, then opt for vacation rentals instead of hotels, wherein you can relish your vacation with solitude and comfort.

In Hawaii, many apartments, villas, homes bungalows are taken by travelers as vacation rental. Unlike hotel, these rental condos have emphasized on providing more space. Generally at hotels, travelers get one or two rooms. But, at Hawaii vacation rentals, travelers can get more space. Whether, you are traveling with your family or a group of 15-16 people, every time at vacation rental abodes, you will find out ample place as well as more comfort. And for that, you would have to pay same amount that a hotel would charge.

Relaxing, lying on the sandy seashore, enthralling the azure beauty of sea, watching the magnificent colors of sunrise and sunset- all you can do in seclusion and without any disturbance at the private beaches of Hawaii vacation rental condos. Besides, at these abodes you can avail swimming pool, hot baths and many more facilities.

You prefer cooking. Staying in hotels, cooking foods is just impossible. Since, vacation rentals homes in Hawaii provide a kitchen, thus over there you can easily cook your foods. Do not think that for accessing kitchen at these abodes, you will have to arrange necessary kitchen equipments. All abodes, taken as vacation rental, provide a well- equipped kitchen wherein you can avail all kitchen accessories including microwave, barbeque grill, mixer-grinder and other necessary amenities.

Spending all time on beach, at golf course or shopping malls is tiresome. In case of hotels, you cannot get much indoor entertainments. All rental abodes have accented on indoor entertainment as well. Not only T.V, but all sorts of entertainment, like, music system, DVD players, variety books, different movies etc. you will find out at these vacation rentals. Even more, at some vacation rental dwellings in Hawaii, you can access the internet too.

It’s really interesting- isn’t it? If you are interested in staying at vacation rental abodes during holiday, then browse the web. In Hawaii, at all famous tourist destinations, you will get vacation rental abodes in different sizes and ranges. Just choose an abode that perfectly matches with your criteria and relish vacation in Hawaii in your own way.

Mauna Kea in Hawaii - Driving to the Summit of this Grand Volcano

by: Steven Anderson


The summit of Mauna Kea is called Puu Wekiu and it is at an elevation of 13,796 feet. This is the highest point of land in the Pacific Basin. An interesting fact about Mauna Kea is that if measured from the bottom of the ocean floor, it reaches nearly 30,000 feet which would make it the tallest peak on earth.

Visitors flock to Mauna Kea for a variety of reasons. There are 11 domes and 13 telescopes at the peak of Mauna Kea which attracts professional and amateur astronomers alike. Others come for the amazing viewpoints, unique bird watching and rugged hiking. Others come to Mauna Kea just to say they did so.

The drive up Mauna Kea takes about an hour. At the start, the driver will see typical Hawaiian tropical vegetation. As you pass sea level, the landscape changes to grass pastures and then into raggedy looking forests of koa and ohia trees. These thin out at 6,000 feet and the landscape becomes dominated by barren lava flows. The sub alpine regions found after the 6,500 foot level still support a few koa and ohia trees and even the rare mamane tree. All vegetation beyond 8,500 feet becomes very scarce.

The mountain is home to some excellent bird watching. The rare, yellow-crowned palila bird can be seen here. The endangered Hawaiian honey-creeper can be seen here as well. This bird only feeds on the seed pods from the scarce mamane tree. Less rare, but still interesting birds such as the uau (Hawaiian petrels), nene (Hawaiian geese), io (Hawaiian hawks) can also be seen on Mauna Kea.

The first step to reaching Mauna Kea is to drive Saddle Road (Route 200). This road is listed as off-limits by many of the car rental agencies. Thrifty will allow its rental cars on saddle road but advises against this practice. The roads are narrow with little or no shoulders and there are no emergency phones on this route should you encounter a problem.

You take the turn off from Saddle Road to Hale Pohaku and the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station. This leg lasts 7 miles and takes the traveler to 9,300 feet. This section can be driven by a normal car but it does feature very steep and windy roads. If you are driving a Thrifty rental car, the Visitor Center is as far as you are allowed to go. Harper's Car and Truck Rental (harpershawaii.com) does rent vehicles for the exact purpose of getting from the Visitor Center to the observatory.

Please remember to bring warm clothing on this journey. Even in the summer temperatures can reach the low 40s. Also make sure to fill up the gas tank before you go. The steep grade and thin air pushes the car into very poor gas mileage and there is nowhere to fill up at the top.