HAWAII

Makapuu Beach

Weather - One of the most consistently pleasing aspects of Hawaii is the climate.  The high temperature is in the low 80s in winter (very cold) and the high 80s in summer (very hot).  Evening temperatures are only a few degrees lower than daytime, so it's pleasant every evening.  In winter it's the rainy season, but even in summer, the clouds build in around the islands by noon each day.  The trade winds this far south blow from the east, so the east or windward side of the islands have the most rain, while the leeward or west side have the least rain.  This is the opposite of North America and is a bit disorienting to visitors.  One striking feature is that the airport and many hotel foyers are open to the elements.  The driest area is Kona on the Big Island.  As you head north, the islands get more lush, but also have more chance of rain in winter.  The sequence from south to north goes Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kaui.  Hawaii is busy in the summer with Hawaiians taking vacations and it's busy around Christmas and in winter with tourists.  

Kihei, Maui

History - Hawaiians were united by one King, Kameamea, in the late 1700s and share the same language, which was written down by missionaries.  The language has had a major influence and is noticed as soon as your Hawaiian Airlines flight crew starts using the phrase "Mahalo" for "thank you" on your flight over.  Hawaiian language is consistently applied, so the same names appear on multiple islands and within similar location names.  For example - "wai" means freshwater and is part of Waikiki which sits on a freshwater lagoon and Waimea which refers to a freshwater canyon on Oahu and Kauai.  "Napali" on Maui and Kauai both refer to cliffs.  There are few native Hawaiians left and there is a large contingent of immigrants from southeast Asia and the Pacific.  Some locals cannot afford to live on the island any more and are moving to places like Las Vegas.  There is also quite a lot of resentment toward the missionaries, as their descendants now own most of the land on the islands.  The pineapple and sugar cane are largely gone from the islands, as places like Thailand can produce these crops at much lower cost.  The main crops now are macadamia nuts and Kona coffee.

Language - The Hawaiian language is Polynesian based with 5 vowels and 8 consonants .  The language nearly disappeared, but is regaining momentum with Hawaiians and tourists alike.  Some popular words are:

• Aloha - hello, goodbye and love all rolled into one word.

• Maholo - thanks.

• Hula - dance.

• Howle - a foreigner or visitor.

• Lu'au - an entertainment dinner feast with meat wrapped in taro leaves and cooked underground.

• Lania - porch or balcony.

• Moana - ocean.

• Ohana - family.

• Pupu - snacks or appetizers.

• Waimea - water canyon, a common reference on several islands.

• Humuhumunukunukuapua'a - triggerfish, the state fish and a symbol of Hawaii.

Shore Excursions in Hawaii: