Hawaiian City Garden

Charming, blue-collar Hilo is the unsung Hawaii SFGate Home Business Sports Entertainment Travel Jobs Real Estate Autos SFGate News Web by Charming, blue-collar Hilo is the unsung Hawaii Eric Brazil, Special to The Chronicle Sunday, August 25, 2002 now part of stylesheet -- Printable Version Email This Article Hilo, Hawaii --Because Hilo gets 130 inches of rain a year, lacks white-sand beaches and has a history of being clobbered by tsunamis, tourists tend to bypass Hawaii's second-biggest city. Big mistake. Hilo, the county seat of the Big Island, with a population of 47,000, has authentic South Seas charm, a vibrant local culture, a rich history and some of the grandest sights anywhere on the planet. Located on the windward side of the island, Hilo has taken a backseat as a tourist destination to the Kailua area on the Kona Coast, with its dry climate and reliable sunshine, luxury hotels, world-class sportfishing and famous coffee. Hilo's physical setting is spectacular, with false-fronted, early 20th century downtown buildings curving along Kamehameha Avenue around palm-lined Hilo Bay, and 13,796-foot Mauna Kea -- snow-crowned in winter -- rising majestically in the background. The city's tropical gardens are perpetually abloom with orchids, ginger and anthurium, and its orchards are heavy with avocados, bananas, guava and macadamia nuts. Just up the road, the active volcano Kilauea steams and smokes and sends molten lava streams snaking seaward. Unlike Honolulu, which is beset by many of the mainland's intractable big-city problems, or Kailua-Kona, with its array of glitzy shops and tourist hustle, Hilo is your basic working-class American small town, except for its decidedly tropical atmosphere. A city with a day-old-bread store smack in the middle of its main street does not put on airs. Yes, Hilo has sprawl. Development, including a huge shopping center with a Wal-Mart, creeps inexorably up Highway 11. But at the city's old, slightly ramshackle, multiethnic core, the beat is slow. Pidgin, the local dialect, is widely spoken here. The Wiki Wiki market advertises "Poi -- We Always Get" in its front window. An arborist in the Puna district bills himself as "Da Puna Pruna." One of Hilo's most colorful and distinctive institutions, the Suisan fish auction on the waterfront at Banyan Drive and Lihiwai Street, was recently closed and doesn't expect to reopen. But visitors can still experience fresh-from-the-producers action at the daily farmers' market on Kamehameha Avenue, where flowers, tropical fruit and vegetables, smoked fish, local cheeses and even some livestock are for sale. We saw a baby goat sold for $50 and led away on a rope leash by a father who evidently intended it as a family pet. Old-town Hilo, between Ponahawai Street and Wailuku Drive, extending three blocks back from Hilo Bay, is an easy stroll. But a car is handy for attractions on the edge of town, notably Rainbow Falls and the Boiling Pots on the Wailuku River, and the tropical gardens that lie just beyond the city limits. One of Hilo's don't-miss attractions is its Pacific Tsunami Museum. Hilo was devastated by two deadly "tidal waves." In 1946, 91 people died and most of the city's business district, an entire residential area, its railroad and the royal fish ponds were destroyed. In 1960, a 35-foot swell, born of an earthquake off the coast of Chile, 6,000 miles away, killed 61 people and destroyed 537 buildings. The museum features awe-inspiring photographs of the damage created by the tsunamis and a video, with scenes from both, plus interviews with survivors. "We're overdue for another big one," said Nani Pierce, a museum docent and survivor of the 1960 disaster. Hilo figures to be better prepared next time, since the installation of a fine-tuned early-warning system, plus the creation of clearly marked evacuation routes leading to higher ground. "First there's a warning," Pierce said. "Then 'it's coming' and finally 'watch out, it's here.' " Another worthwhile attraction is the Lyman Mission House and Museum. Built in 1839 by Congregationalist missionaries, it is the oldest wood-frame building on the island of Hawaii, and it contains an impressive aggregation of furniture, household implements and artifacts from the period when the impact of newly arrived people of European ancestry was first being felt in the Hawaiian Islands. Dining in Hilo can be an adventure. And it can be cheap. At Cafe 100 on Kilauea Avenue, we filled up for $4 each on loco moco -- a cholesterolically lethal, but tasty, concoction of fried meat under a mountain of gravy-soaked rice, topped with a fried egg. Cafe 100 serves 17 kinds of loco moco, including the Super Loco, which includes Spam, linguica, kim chee, two fried eggs and a side order of macaroni-potato salad. Low International Food, which occupies the corner of Kilauea Avenue and Ponahawai Street and specializes in unusual breads -- mango, guava, taro, coconut -- also serves something called a gravy burger. Being fainthearted haole mainlanders, we passed. Banyan Drive, a 15-minute stroll or a short drive from downtown Hilo, is a destination in itself, with luxury hotels, Uncle Billy's lounge -- which has a nightly Hawaiian musical act -- a nine-hole golf course and one of the most delightful public spaces anywhere, the Liliuokalani Garden. Meticulously landscaped, clean as a pin and free, the Japanese-style garden is situated on the edge of Hilo Bay and has been constructed to permit tidal movement in the pools set among its walking paths and flowering shrubs. Fishing is permitted. The banyan, ironwood and palm trees throughout the garden resound with birdsong -- principally mynah birds, which, along with mongooses and feral cats, are a dominant wildlife species on the Big Island and the bane of indigenous fauna. There are swimming beaches near town, but better ones are 45 minutes away on the Puna Coast, southeast of Hilo. Among them is Alalanui Park, where we soaked in a terrific, sandy-bottomed thermal pool, protected from crashing surf by a breakwater -- a good thing to remember when the tsunami alarm goes off. If you go-- GETTING THERE: Hawaiian and Aloha airlines fly regularly to Hilo from Honolulu.-- WHERE TO STAY: We stayed at the Hilo Hawaiian, 71 Banyan Drive, Hilo, HI 96720; phone, (800) 367-5004; Web, www.castleresorts.com . We got the Internet rate of $119 a night for an ocean-view room. Official rates are $149 for an ocean view, $183-$277 for suites, $119 for a garden view. We also stayed at the Dolphin Bay Hotel, 333 Iliahi St., Hilo, HI, 96720; (808) 935-1466; www.dolphinbayhotel.com . $72 a night for a standard double, which includes a kitchen; $99, for two-bedroom doubles. Shipman House B&B, 131 Kaiulani St., Hilo, 96720; (800) 627-8447; e-mail, inn keeper@hilo-hawaii.com ; Web, www.hilo-hawaii.com . This elegant "old Hawaii" landmark, built in 1800, is set on 5 exquisitely landscaped acres on a ridge above the city. It's worth a visit even if you don't stay there. Doubles, $145-$175 a night. Wild Ginger Inn, 100 Puueo St., Hilo, HI 96720; (877) 212-8276, www.wildgingerinn.com . Twenty-seven rooms within walking distance of downtown. Private rooms $45-$69, but the inn offers "shared accommodation" for four to six people per room at $15 apiece.-- WHERE TO EAT: Seaside Restaurant, 1790 Kalaniaole Ave.; (808) 935-8825. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5-8:30 p.m. Reservations recommended. A terrific restaurant -- not much on decor, but splendid seafood raised in the owner's ponds in the backyard lagoon. Dinner for two with wine, about $60.-- WHAT TO DO: Pacific Tsunami Museum, 130 Kamehameha Ave., (808) 935-0926; www.tsunami.org . Adults, $5; students, $2; children under 5, free. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Lyman Mission House and Museum, 276 Haili St.; (808) 935-5021, www.lymanmuseum.org . Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.-- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Big Island Visitors Bureau, 250 Keawe St., Hilo, HI 96720; (808) 886-1655, www.bigisland.org . Eric Brazil recently retired as a reporter for The Chronicle. Page C - 14 Get up to 50% off home delivery of the Chronicle for 12 weeks! EARLY SPRING PATIO FURNITURE SALE Order now at fantastic savings for Spring delivery Allegro Classics Bay Area Donate a car to Habitat for Humanity Your car donation helps build homes for families in need. 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Hawaii Travel By Stephen

Tips For Hawaii Travel Web EzineArticles.com Submit Articles Watch the Video -- Members Login Benefits Recent Articles Expert Authors Experts By Location Read Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Author TOS Terms of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS Blog Forums About Us What's New Contact Us Affiliates Link To Us Privacy Policy Site Map Search All Options Search Article IDs Search Article Titles Search Articles Search Expert Authors Search Article Keywords Search Article Summary Advanced Search Email Address: Your Name: Got an Ezine Marketing or Email Newsletter Question? AskChrisKnight.com HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure Tips For Hawaii Travel By Stephen Kreutzer Article Word Count: 374 [ View Summary ] Comments (0) Hawaii is a tropical paradise that is often frequented by travelers. A popular vacation, Hawaii travel has much to offer visitors. The sandy beaches and beautiful ocean views are only part of what makes Hawaii an ideal destination. Hawaii offers a great local environment and is known for their friendly hospitality. There are some important things a traveler must know before hitting the beaches in Hawaii to make their stay the best it can be. Clothing: Hawaii has a casual atmosphere where comfort is the style. Clothing is usually loose and flowing. The climate varies throughout the islands, but this loose style will be welcomed and comfortable no matter where a traveler goes. Weather: Hawaii usually had highs in the 80s and night time lows in the 60s or 70s throughout the year. The sun can get very strong and sunscreen protection is recommended. Rain is not too big of a hassle on the islands as the rainiest time of year is from October to May and when it does rain it does not usually do so for long periods of time. Customs: Hawaiians are famous for their hospitality. Leis are given to visitors as a symbol of friendship. Hawaiian language is easy to pronounce as each syllable is simply sounded out. Visitors will see native language all over on signs and in shops. Restrooms are usually labeled Wahine for women and Kane for men. Rubber sandals are the most popular footwear and shoes of any kind should be removed upon entering a home. Warnings: As an island in the ocean, Hawaii faces some threats of severe weather. There is a system on the island that all travelers should be familiar with when visiting. Sirens in combination with radio and television warnings alert people to tsunamis, hurricanes, windstorms and other severe weather conditions. Directions given through the warning system should be followed. These helpful tips for Hawaii travel will help a person get the most out of their Hawaiian vacation. This beautiful US state offers a tropical and safe atmosphere that makes for a wonderful visit. About the author: Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides Hawaii travel information on Your Hawaii Vacation ! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Kreutzer Other Recent EzineArticles from the Travel-and-Leisure: Category: Travel guide - Get Ready to Travel! San Jeronimo, Peru [A nice place to visit; or retire] Polo in Barbados - an Energetic Island Pastime Travel Tips For People With Crohn's Disease The Ozarks of Eastern Missouri Driving in and around Torrevieja Aspen Nightlife Visit Florida Japanese Travel Guide Mild Manners San Diego Vacation Guide Ice land Traveling to and Within Spain Andalucia Health & Safety Tips for Travelers Most Viewed EzineArticles in the Travel-and-Leisure: Category Cheap International Plane Tickets Dubai Lifestyle - The History of the City and Day to Day Life in Dubai Harbour Island Bahamas - Best Kept Secret Frankfurt Germany -- 12 Insider Tips Chicago Traffic Reports A Guide To Life In Bulgaria Guide to Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy The Dreaded Swimsuit The Dominican Republic The Real Truth Guide to Lake Iseo, Lombardy, Italy Where are Florida Condominiums for Sale or Rent? Travelling To Spain - The Spanish Regional Travel Guide Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica European Masks German Castles -- 4 of The Most Incredible Ones -- Part I This article has been viewed 74 time(s). Article Submitted On: January 16, 2006 Please Rate This Article: Select Rating Excellent Very Good Interesting Fair Could Use Improvement Number of ratings: 0 Rating: 0 © EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide. EzineArticles.com is a Member of the EmailUniverse.com Network

Hawaiian Food

Hole-in-the-Wall Tour - Hawaii Food Tours  You are here: About > Travel > Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors Travel Go Hawaii Essentials Which Hawaiian Island Suits You Best? Clickable Map of the Hawaiian Islands Beach Guide Hawaii Pictures Clickable Map of Maui, Hawaii Topics A Hawaii Vacation Planner Big Island of Hawaii Kauai Maui / Molokai / Lanai Oahu / Honolulu / Waikiki South Pacific Culture, History & Language Hawaii Lodging Hula Luau Maps and Weather Pearl Harbor Photos, Video & Cams Recipes Shopping and Gifts Buyer's Guide Tastes of Paradise from Hilo Hattie HilHilo Hattie Dresses and Sarongs Multi-Day Guided Tours Top Hawaii Guidebooks Top Maui / Molokai / Lanai Guidebooks Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular Nudist Beaches in Hawaii Hawaii Photos Hawaii Pictures Life's a Beach in Hawaii - Our collection of photos of peopl... Hawaiian Island Scorecard What's Hot Top Picks in Hawaiian Coffee Kamehameha the Great Kalua Pig Waikiki Beach, Oahu - Life's a Beach in Hawaii - Hawaii Beac... Best Beaches 1999 Related Topics Air Travel Cruises Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Surfing / Bodyboarding Travel with Kids Hawaii Food Tours - Presented by Matthew Gray's Gourmet Adventures Tour From John Fischer , Your Guide to Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Hole-in-the-Wall Tour - Hawaii Food Tours Sugoi (Local-style Bento & Plate Lunch) Photo Courtesy of Hawaii Food Tours << Previous | Next >> Hawaii is the great melting pot of the United States. Nowhere else will you find so many cultures and ethnic groups all living together. While many of the cultures have mixed and mingled over the years, each culture maintains much of its ethnic heritage in its food. The Hole-in-the-Wall Tour takes you to four of the following restaurants: Pho Nam (Vietnamese) Zaffron (Indian) Sugoi (Local-style Bento & Plate Lunch) Antonio’s New York Pizzeria (Pizza & Cheesecake) Liliha Bakery (for the Hawaii-Famous Coco Puff Pastry) Scattered in four separate areas of metropolitan Oahu, these restaurants show you that good food is often found in the most unlikely places and that not all good food on Oahu is found in Waikiki. It really doesn't matter if you like all of the food you sample. There will be plenty of items that you will enjoy. For example, I am not big on vegetables and much of Vietnamese cuisine is heavy on vegetables. On the other hand, I really enjoy a good plate lunch and Sugoi was the perfect spot for a great Bento box with spicy garlic chicken, beef teriyaki and hapa rice. If you've ever had pizza in Hawaii, it's usually pretty bad, but Antonio's is owned and operated by two brothers from New Haven, Connecticut who make pizza like it should be made and cheesecake and cannoli to die for, As for the Liliha Bakery.... Well, you have to taste one of their coco puffs! This tour is offered daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The cost is a bargain at $59 per person. Finding a Good Place to Eat When on Vacation Matthew Gray - Chef, Food Critic, Expert Guide Hawaiian Feast in Paradise and Gourmet Trilogy Tour Hole-in-the-Wall Tour - Hawaii Food Tours How to Book Your Hawaii Food Tour << Previous | Next >>   Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Tips to Losing Weight Guide to Distance Learning How to Travel for Less PHOTOS: Italy PHOTOS: Hybrid Cars What's Hot Top Picks in Hawaiian Coffee Kamehameha the Great Kalua Pig Waikiki Beach, Oahu - Life's a Beach in Hawaii - Hawaii Beac... Best Beaches 1999

Hawaiian wedding here on

Aloha Maui Weddings in Hawaii Maui Wedding Hawaii Wedding Maui Wedding Your Maui wedding awaits! Testimonials : Hear what our clients have to say Packages : Hawaii Maui Wedding Beach Packages Photos : Aloha Maui Wedding Photo Page Add this page to your favorites Aloha It's more than a Hawaiian word that means "Love, Hello or Goodbye". For us, it means the spirit of friendship and family. It also means respect, integrity and honesty. These values have become the foundation of our business philosophy. As a professional wedding planner in business now on Maui for seven wonderful years, we have come to really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of such an intimate and special occasion as someone's wedding. We enjoy developing heart to heart relationships through the planning stage. It's such a pleasure to assist our clients with their own unique dream of a Hawaiian wedding here on Maui. Watching an incredible Hawaiian sunset at a lovely beach or at a private location after a wedding ceremony , we're always struck by how fortunate we are to live in Hawaii and be surrounded by such beauty in our island paradise. Why We Love Our Wedding Business and Why It Loves Us Back! We'd like to be your Hawaii wedding planner. As a destination coordinator, we know our island well. We live here and we specialize in the highest quality personal and professional planning services. We know you have a dream of what your romantic wedding will be like and we want to make that come true - with Aloha. (Photos Courtesty of Kaua Photography ) We invite you to contact us online or give us a call at 1-888-822-9700 (or 1-808-572-9326) . Aloha! We're Aloha Maui Weddings . Your Maui wedding is special and we know that. You deserve to speak personally with a planning professional who can make the process stress-free and enjoyable. Make your vision of your perfect ceremony, romantic and personalized with the spirit of Aloha including receptions, privately-catered beach dinners, vow renewal and commitment ceremony planning. We love our business and look forward to serving you with integrity, enthusiasm and joy. Call us for a personal conversation.: 1 888 822-9700. If you don't reach one of us right away, just leave a message and we'll call you back within 12 hours. You can choose a Package or we can provide a custom quotation for you based on your own unique vision. We welcome your call or email and look forward to meeting you one day. Congratulations and Blessings of Aloha. Easy Payments : We accept personal checks for initial booking payments only. We also accept Master Card, American Express and Visa. Cancellation policy: The planning process and the booking of wedding vendors, floral orders etc. takes valuable time. Your minister and wedding vendors would have reserved their time especially for you on the date of your wedding. Please review our cancellation policy below: Our Initial Booking Payment is non-refundable. Cancellation 7 days prior to wedding date, we will refund 1/2 of Remaining Balance Due. Cancellation 48 hours prior to wedding date, no refund will be made. ©2005 Tranquil Light Corporation 55 Aloha Aina Place Haiku, Hawaii 96708 1-888-822-9700 (or 1-808-572-9326) . "To plan each couple's wedding as if they are a precious family member or friend." This simple credo garners them praise from couples around the world - often before the big day" We had a recent email from someone recently that the reason why they chose Aloha Maui Weddings to coordinate their wedding was because we had patiently answered their questions without having received an initial booking deposit," Vice President Fay Hovey reflects. " We want people to know right from the start that we're interested in giving them as much information that we can so that they can make clear decisions about their plans. So often, they choose us to coordinate because we were the people that really helped them visualize and solidify the vision of their wedding and what was possible to do." This philosophy and their dedication to serving their clients with the Spirit of Aloha is paying off in referral business as dozens of couples refer their friends and family members to Aloha Maui Weddings and in marketing and networking opportunities that come their way. Top left to right: Rev. Paul Rambo, Rev. Ramone Mullen, Teodoro Mullen on-site coordinator Bottom left to right: Briana King, wedding coordinator, Rev. Chanti Mullen, Rev. Fay Hovey - owners and officiates and Lena Sebag - wedding coordinator Home | Photos | Services | Packages | Testimonials | Links | Newsletter | Site Map ©2005 Tranquil Light Corporation 55 Aloha Aina Place Haiku, Hawaii 96708 1-888-822-9700 (or 1-808-572-9326) . --

Hawaii Hotels Hawaii US

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