In Hawaiian, “Aloha” means “Hello,” “Good-bye” and “Love.” I never knew that. Most utilitarian for the Hawaiian people to avail themselves of multiple meanings for their words. Just one of the things I learned on our recent 12 day trip to this enchanting archipelago in the Pacific.
We got lucky. The weather was gorgeous…days of 80 degrees, with some even in my preferable zone of the high 70’s. Clear with a lovely breeze. No rain. This proved fortuitous since January is Hawaii’s rainy season.
I didn’t know that ahead of time; it would have been wise of me to check. Why is that important? Talked to one man who said he’d come one year and had 9 days of rain during his two-week stay, in January. So, 12 days of uninterrupted sunshine was a truly lucky break indeed.
Here’s what other things we learned about Hawaii:
- Since it’s a string of islands (we came in on Oahu where sits Honolulu), one must island-hop to get to the other islands that collectively form this state. It’s easy enough to do, if an added expense. We went to Maui as our other destination, a truly beautiful island that’s way more laid-back than the big island. There, we snorkeled and hung out on white, sandy beaches.
- Hawaii’s a big destination for seniors. They’re everywhere, and many drive, with ease, in motorized wheelchairs on wide, crowded sidewalks– even in Honolulu. Many families comprised of parents, grandparents, children rent condos together, via sites established for that purpose. Renting these is often waaayy cheaper than stays at the usual resorts.
- Because we stayed in the resort Hale Koa (literally “House of the Warrior”–the military hotel on Waikiki Beach), we enjoyed the reduced rate for military folks (we did this is Shades of Green, in Orlando, too—another military resort) but we also noted the true cost to our country from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We saw many young veterans who’d lost limbs. Some were double amputees who lost both legs, a common occurrence in wars where landmines were weapons of choice.
- Pearl Harbor’s a big draw. We went to pay our respects…visited the USS Arizona memorial (one where men are still entombed in the sunken ship.) I’ll have a separate post on this.
- Hawaii’s expensive. Because it sits in the middle of the ocean, all products must be shipped in and out. It’s obvious why every nation wanted it for its strategic value (Indonesian countries, United States, etc.). It seems to sit halfway between everywhere in that section of the world.
- The coral reefs right off Hawaii’s coastline aren’t as spectacular as they once were. Twenty years ago I took my kids snorkeling in Cozumel where we delighted in the schools of splendid, multi-colored fish. Now, the world’s reefs are colorless and bland and the fish are similar (likes attract likes?) According to the Nature Channel, we kill these reefs due to our practice of dumping fertilizers and other pollutants into the ocean (Cuba’s coral reefs are lone survivors because this dumping hasn’t occurred ).
- Hotel luaus are less-than-spectacular. It makes sense: Hotel food and entertainers are presumably not top in their respective categories. In future, I’d only go to a luau put on by a group that just does luaus. Old Lahaina Lua, in Maui (recommended by Zagat, Frommer’s, and Hawaii Magazine,) is generally considered the best, but you’ll need to purchase tickets ahead of time. Pricetag? $103.00 (tax?)
- Hawaii is breathtaking in its beauty (the water really is crystalline-blue and so-o clear)and its climate is about as perfect as anything can get. I recognize why it is such a destination for vacationers.
- If you go, and you must fly from the East coast, the distance will take approximately 12 hours of flight time. Then, there are the lay-overs. Makes for a high-stress day…not so bad on the way over, but difficult on the other end. You might want to break it up, stopping over in San Francisco for a few days (I wish we had.)
- When I said ‘Hawaii’s expensive,’ I meant it….It is a prime destination for shoppers of luxury items. I saw countless young women sporting Louis Vuitton bags (they cost thousands). All the other fancier stores are there, too….Armani, Chanel, etc. There’s a central Mall in Honolulu that’s worth a visit just to see the World Shopping Experience (I’m not a shopper but I found it truly fascinating.)
In the picture to the right is a young woman sporting a Louis Vuitton bag (click on pic for close-up shot), the apparent fashion accoutrement of the young, a bag whose prictag runs into the thousands. Hawaii makes evident the current trend among young business types of ”Conspicuous Consumption.”
Now, my question: “Have you been to Hawaii?” What were your most treasured memories? Got any tips for would-be, future travelers to Hawaii?
I loved my visit to Hawaii. Walking on the beach every morning, watching the town come to life is still a very pleasant memory.
But poi — what was that? I think it’s the trick Hawaiians play on all the tourists, convincing them that a flavorless purple paste is a regional delicacy.
Thank you for that! I, too, think poi is a fun, inside joke on tourists who all sit about smacking their lips in reaction to the bland nasty (true Hawaiians must find this hysterical.) And yes, walking along the gorgeous aquamarine water, at daybreak, (why is ours so brackish in NE?) is pleasant enoguh indeed and a wonderful start to any day.
Really…that’s all you have to say about luau’s..what about the fun couple you met and sat with!!
)))) I love the website!
mahalo!
Colleen…So happy to see you here, my fellow Hawaiian Luau guests…Yes, I didn’t mention the absolutely delightful couple (you and Frank) that we met that night, the basically only good part about that evening, in my humble estimation. I loved having you as mates, with your fun…your boundless energy…the laughs. Where will we go on our next trip.
Mahalo, back to you!
See my reply above, Colleen…Thank you for the words of love about my website..I hope to see you here more, as we journey along the path of life (and remember, float past us your next vacation plans and we’ll all join in. I know we could have an absolutley wonderful time!!! We did that night and the food wasn’t even any good (tho’ I did do 4 desserts–I kept going for the gold.)
Fun fact to learn the Hawaiian word “Aloha” has three separate meanings, “hello,” “good-bye,” and “love.” I wonder if part of the draw to Hawaii for marriage, honeymooons, and romantic getaways (along with the natural beauty of the islands) is the fact that lovers need not worry if they are coming or going. After all, “Aloha, Aloha” covers both ways. Did the “Hello Love/Good-bye Love” ever come up in conversation during your vacation?
That generic use for some big, hot-button words is pure genius in my estimation, but no, it didn’t come up. We’ve always known that love and hate are so-o darned close (hence the comic-tragic faces representing theatre), but it must be confusing when young man says “goodnight,” to a new sweetheart, in Hawaiian. Is she confused? Is it meant to be this way? Leaves the guy (or whomever) definite wiggle room…or should I say hula room? Thanks for your comment…
It definitely is a paradise! I spent a long weekend on the island (where the airport is) years ago. I was on my way to
Tokyo and wanted to break up the trip. One of the major industries in Hawaii is weddings! Japanese, rich US and native couples flock to Hawaii for their weddings, ranging from intimate-on-the-ocean to huge weddings that fill an entire hotel. Hawaii is in the middle between the US and Japan, so there are a large number of Japanese tourists.
It definitely is a paradise! I spent a long weekend on the island (where the airport is) years ago. I was on my way to
Tokyo and wanted to break up the trip. One of the major industries in Hawaii is weddings! Japanese, rich US and native couples flock to Hawaii for their weddings, ranging from intimate-on-the-ocean to huge weddings that fill an entire hotel. Hawaii is in the middle between the US and Japan, so there are a large number of Japanese tourists.
Glad you brought up point that Hawaii is a destination-wedding spot. In fact, first night we were on Maui, we met a couple whose daughter got married in Hawaii the year before…and they weren’t rich (that I know of!). I can only imagine the expense involved as all those people agree to pony up for flights, food, stays at hotels, transportation, etc. And as for the Asians frequenting Hawaii, many of the young girls are the ones who buy those Louis Vuitton bags (I’m not racial-profiling if I’m saying something good–right?) I mean, if they have the money and wish to spend it that way, I guess it’s their right…