Kauai’s “Garden Island”. Let

TEOK Investigations Educational Programs EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON THE GARDEN ISLAND OF KAUAI & THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII HOME CONTACT US REQUEST INFORMATION MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS TEOK INVESTIGATIONS Investigate the Hawaiian Archipelago and learn about its many unique environmental systems Learning more about the nature of your surrounding environment can be very rewarding. Doing it in a tropical paradise like Hawaii is a lot of fun. The islands are so interesting and so sensuous. Few destinations stimulate all of your senses more easily and more completely. It’s a place that makes learning, especially learning about science and the Earth’s fragile environment , easy and enjoyable. As you review the summary of each of our 2006 educational programs and training seminars you will be introduced to some of Hawaii's amazing attributes. You also will notice that we provide educational experiences at many different levels on both the “Big Island” of Hawaii and Kauai’s “Garden Island”. Let us increase your knowledge about your surrounding environment in an enjoyable and refreshing atmosphere. KAUAI SCIENCE OF ECOSYSTEMS Take a closer look at areas THE SCIENCE OF ECOSYSTEMS will focus on during your seminar GEOSCIENCE ON THE BIG ISLAND Take a closer look at areas the GEOSCIENCE ON THE BIG ISLAND will focus on during your seminar HOW OUR SEMINARS WORK All of our programs involve a mix of lectures that provide orientation, background and field trips that emphasize “hands-on” activities. You spend most of the time outside interacting with the environment, your trip leader and co-participants. Group transport and hikes are designed to allow plenty of time for observation and discussion; not to just go somewhere.When you stroll through a forest you will learn to see more than just a beautiful mix of trees and plants and the numerous shades of green, you will increase your understanding of evolution. When you walk along a beach you will begin to see more than just a pile of sand, you will begin to understand geologic time. When you snorkel among the corals, fish and turtles of a reef your leader will have prepared you to observe your surroundings better than you ever have before. Field trips that emphasize “hands-on” activities. HOME ARCHIPELAGO MAPS KAUAI / HAWAII FACTS INVESTIGATIONS RESERVATIONS, APPLICATIONS & INFORMATION TOLL FREE: 1-888-233-8365 LOCAL: 808-742-8305

Hawaii Resort at Waikiki

The Imperial Hawaii Resort at Waikiki, Honolulu, HI - Ratings & Reviews - Yahoo! Travel Primary Navigation Overview | Hotels | Things to do | Restaurants | Map | Flights | Cars | Deals | FareChase Honolulu, HI: Search Travel Travel > United States > Hawaii > Oahu > Honolulu > Hotels > The Imperial Hawaii Resort at Waikiki > Write Reviews Email this page Print Write a review of The Imperial Hawaii Resort at Waikiki, Honolulu, HI Rate & Review - The Imperial Hawaii Resort at Waikiki, Honolulu, HI -- Back to The Imperial Hawaii Resort at Waikiki, Honolulu, HI main page Tell us what you think! Overall Experience: awful excellent Service: awful excellent Cleanliness: awful excellent Location: awful excellent Value: awful excellent Write a review: * Give your review a title: (Example: We can't wait to go back!) * What did you like or dislike about this place and why? Note: Any review that violates our guidelines will not be posted. * REQUIRED Do you think this place is also great for... (optional) Families Singles Students Business Beds Pool Spa Internet Connection Romance Luxury Hip/Trendy Scene Nightlife Tell us about you: Do not display who I am (Your name will appear as 'A Yahoo! User.') Where are you from? (optional) (Example: San Francisco, CA) When was your last visit? (optional) Month January February March April May June July August September October November December Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 * REQUIRED Things to think about: How was the service? Was your room comfortable? Was the location convenient? Aim for 2-3 paragraphs Things to avoid: ALL CAPS Off-topic or irrelevant comments Personal attacks Personal info (email, phone number, address) About reviews: Yahoo! reserves the right to refuse or remove any review that does not comply with our Review Guidelines .

Maui Snorkeling

Snorkel Maui: A Snorkel FAQ Some Snorkeling Frequently Asked Questions 1) What is snorkeling? 2) What is the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving? 3) Why do people snorkel? 4) Is snorkeling safe? 5) But don't I need to be a good swimmer? 6) What equipment do you need to snorkel? 7) Hey! I have my equipment. What should I do now? 8) Can you go underwater with a snorkel? What if I want to get closer to things? 9) What conditions are good for snorkeling? 10) How do I take care of my equipment? How should I store it? 1) What is snorkeling? Snorkeling is swimming with fins, a mask, and a tube called a snorkel that allows you to have your face down in the water and still breathe. 2) What is the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving? Snorkeling doesn't require tanks and other expensive equipment like regulators. Scuba diving allows you to breathe underwater, while snorkeling allows you to breathe while you are on the surface with your face down. Snorkeling doesn't require any certification, while scuba diving requires certification. 3) Why do people snorkel? Because it's loads of fun. : ) Fair enough? 4) Is snorkeling safe? One of the wonderful things about snorkeling is that people of all ages can participate. And one of the great things about Maui and the other Hawaiian Islands is that there are many great places for beginners to try out. 5) But don't I need to be a good swimmer? Well it sure can't hurt, but it's not required. It is recommended that you do have some comfort and experience when you are in water though. A few things to consider is that your fins help you a great deal in terms of movement, and they float. : ) As well, the mask that you wear will have air trapped in it will helps you float as well. If you don't feel safe enough, you can also rent floatation devices, as well as boogie boards that you can lay on top of. Many of the snorkeling spots on Maui on right off shore and are in water less than 5 feet deep. It just depends which sites that you go to, and your comfort level with water and your equipment. 6) What equipment do you need to snorkel? Well, there are 3 main things that most snorkelers use. A) Mask This is what you put on ummmm your face. This allows you to see underwater without getting your eyes and nose wet. It's important that the mask is a good fit when renting or buying a mask. If the mask doesn't fit well, you will experience some leakage of water in the mask. I would highly recommend using a mask that has a "silicon skirt". The skirt is the soft substance that is molded to fit your face, and prevents water from entering the mask. You can also rent or buy masks that use rubber ask the skirt, but the seal is not nearly as good as the silicon, and is quite simply a dated technology. Ask your local snorkel or dive shop about choosing a mask that fits well. They will know what to look for. B) Snorkel Well, this is what makes you a snorkeler. A snorkel is a hollow curved tube that is placed in the mouth that allows you to breathe while you are face down in the water. So basically, while you looking down into the water, the snorkel is sticking out of the water on one end while the other end is in your mouth. When looking for a snorkel, I would recommend asking for what is called a "purge" snorkel. C) Fins This is what makes life a lot of fun. Fins allow you to swim like a fish. Yeeeha! There are 2 kinds of fins, but for snorkeling in warm water, most people will do just fine with the close heeled kind. The open heeled kind is more for Scuba Divers which requires a special boot (bootie), or for colder waters. Any ways, make sure that the fins are a good fit, or else you will either be cutting off circulation to your feet, or they will easily come off. Make sure that they are a snug fit, but you should be able to wiggle your toes. 7) Hey! I have my equipment. What should I do now? Well, it's a good idea to get comfortable with your equipment before you go out to the reef. Try out the equipment at your Hotel pool. The first step is getting used to the mask. One thing about masks is that they have a tendency to fog up. You can either apply anti-fog goop (available at all snorkel shops) to the inside of the mask, or you can use your own spit. It sounds gross, but spit works quite well for preventing the fogging up of your mask. Make sure that the spit/anti-fog goop is spread across the full surface of the glass on the inside of the mask. Now wash it out in the water. This should prevent, or at least greatly reduce any fogging up of the mask. When putting on the mask, make sure there are no hairs stuck it between the silicon part of the mask. Hair will break the seal that keeps the water from entering the mask. Also keep the strap in the middle of the back of your head, and don't have the strap too tight. Now, put on your mask and look under water while you're standing up. You're looking underwater. No fish yet, but soon...... Soon. ; ) Next, attach the snorkel to your mask strap with the clip that's on the snorkel. Put the snorkel in your mouth and breathe. Don't try to breathe with your nose or else the mask will quickly fog up. Breathe through your mouth in relaxed, normal breaths. Now try breathing with your face in the water. Nothing to it, right? Take as long as you want to get used to breathing underwater. That's the biggest mental hurdle for first time snorkelers. Are you comfortable yet? If so, put on your flippers and give it a try. With your face down and body stretched out, start kicking with your fins. Remember to keep your legs straight while you lightly kick. You don't have to thrash around to swim well. Stay relaxed, and swim around the pool, getting used to breathing, kicking, and looking around. 8) Can you go underwater with a snorkel? What if I want to get closer to things? Although many snorkelers dive underwater, I have found that some people would rather not, or don't find the need to do so. If you see a fish several feet below you though, and you want to get a closer look, you'll have to dive down. By doing this, your snorkel will fill up with water, and you will not be able to breathe until you clear the passage of your snorkel of water once you have resurfaced. It sounds a bit iffy, but it's a common thing for more experienced snorkelers to dive down and fill their snorkel with water. To clear the snorkel of water, you must resurface, give a good strong blow of the snorkel as your head reaches the surface once again, and the top of the snorkel has penetrated the surface of the water. This should clear most if not all of the water that has filled the snorkel, and allow you to breathe normally through the snorkel once again. If you use what is called a "purge" snorkel, (which I would recommend), you will rarely get water back in your mouth. I would also recommend trying this technique first in a pool. Once you get comfortable doing this as well as the other techniques mentioned, you will feel more confident, and will have a more positive relaxed experience out on the reef. 9) What conditions are good for snorkeling? The best times to go are when the waves are minimal, and it's sunny outside. Not only do large waves make things more challenging to get around and potentially dangerous, but a disturbance such as big waves also make the water murky, greatly decreasing visibility. There are just some times when I've had to cancel a snorkeling trip because the waves were to high. A good rule of thumb is if there are surfers in the area, it's probably a bad day or place to go snorkeling. Bays often offer more protection from a surge (big waves). The ideal snorkeling conditions are waves at 0-1 feet. Listen to the radio for a marine forecast, which should mention these kind of conditions. It's also best to go snorkeling when the sun is out. Sunlight increases visibility, and brings out the true colors of fish and coral. It brings out the 'wow' factor for fish and overall experience. But the sun also brings out the 'sun burn' factor. If you're not wearing some sort of wet suit, shorty, or other coverings, make sure that you've got your back, neck, shoulders, butt, and thighs covered in sun block. To make things a bit easier, I would often just wear an old junky shirt. 10) How do I take care of my equipment? How should I store it? Protect your equipment from light, heat and fumes. Sunlight is known to damage the silicon parts of the mask, making the seal brittle. Heat also degrades the mask, as well as snorkel. After you finish snorkeling, make sure your equipment gets washed off with fresh water. Salt water that dries will start wearing away at your equipment. Many beaches will have a place to do this. If not on the beach, make sure you wash the equipment off back in your hotel room that day. It's also a good idea to wash your mask lens with soap or toothpaste every once in a while. This washes away any grease that causes your mask to fog up. Just make sure that you've washed it out good so there is no residue. Don't pile heavy objects on top of any of your equipment. Prolonged weight on top of a mask, snorkel, or fins can warp them. To avoid bent fins, they should lie flat, and not on their tips. Keep walking in your fins on land to a minimum.

Hawaii Wedding Countdown Checklist

Bride's - Destination Weddings: Hawaii: Oahu choose a quick link ----------------- accessories bouquets bridesmaid dresses budget cakes ceremony destination weddings dresses favors flowers food guest lists hairstyles honeymoons invitations jewelry makeup message boards music photos real weddings receptions registry veils wedding dresses Find all your wedding vendors near you select region: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas CA - Central CA - North CA - South Canada Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida GA - Atlanta GA - Other Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico NY - Hamptons NY - Metro NY - Upstate North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon PA - Central/West PA - Philly Area Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee TX - Austin TX - Dallas/Ft.Worth TX - Houston Texas - Other Utah Vermont Virginia Washington DC Washington State West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Getting Married in Oahu view honeymoon article Why Here? Home to Honolulu, killer surfing, and into-the-wee-hours night-life, this buzzing outpost appeals to beach bums looking for a big-city fix. Sweet Spots One of the most elegant lodgings on earth, Halekulani specializes in perfection, from the bridal suite in its new marble-lined spa (spacious enough for a gaggle of bridesmaids) to the view of Waikiki Beach from its orchid-shaped pool. After a garden ceremony and a reception replete with filet mignon, sushi, and macadamia tartlets, you’ll start to see how Halekulani (translation: House Befitting Heaven) got its name. Halekulani: Weddings from $2,500; doubles from $325; 800-367-2343 or halekulani.com Enter these two words in your nuptial planner: Mike Doi. The concierge of the Outrigger Waikiki is also the property’s crack wedding coordinator. Ministers, chapels, park permits for ceremonies at Diamond Head Crater or the Hoomaluhai Gardens—Doi will make sure you get to celebrate just about anywhere you’d like. Bonus: A proponent of à la carte pricing, Doi is also known for saving couples big bucks. Outrigger Waikiki: Weddings from $490; doubles from $290; 800-688-7444 or outrigger.com —Sallie Brady Hawaii Wedding Countdown Checklist Hawaii Wedding Style Real Hawaii Wedding: Holly & Jeremy Getting Married in : Oahu Maui Big Island Kauai Molokai Lanai Brides.com Home | Fashion | Beauty | Wedding Style | Etiquette & Planning | Registry Ideas | Honeymoon | Real Brides Local Planning | Shop Online | Prizes and Offers | Newsletter | Privacy Policy | -- Advertise With Us | Contact Us Brides magazine In This Issue | Subscribe | Customer Care | Media Kit | Bookstore Fairchild Bridal Group Wedding Planning Sites: Brides.com | ModernBride.com | ElegantBride.com Prom Planning Site: YourProm.com Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy .© Fairchild Internet, Inc. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Fairchild Internet, Inc.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaii's Volcano Parks Let Visitors Go With The Flow Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search , Section Navigation , Content . TBO.com Life TBO.com WFLA The Tampa Tribune Search: Keyword Site News | Weather | Hurricane Guide | Things to Do | Sports | Jobs | Cars | Homes | Shopping | Classified Travel TBO.com Life Travel Hawaii's Volcano Parks Let Visitors Go With The Flow Skip directly to the full story . By TANYA BRICKING LEACH For The Associated Press Published: Dec 18, 2005 ADVERTISEMENT More from this channel: This feature requires the Macromedia Flash Plugin. Please visit http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer to download this plugin. Search our archives: Type keyword(s) 30 days 6 months 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 All Past 7 days most viewed | Tribune archive from 1990 VOLCANO, HAWAII - About the time jagged edges started poking through my T-shirt as I wormed my way through a tight spot in a lava tube, I began to wonder: What am I doing here? We could have been relaxing on the famous Green Sand Beach at South Point of the Big Island of Hawaii. But in the spirit of adventure, we were instead exploring the world underground. I had convinced my husband that it would be neat to go hiking to see flowing lava at the Kilauea Volcano on the first night of our weekend getaway, and then get up early the next morning to go caving in 1,000-year-old lava tubes. He was agreeable, even after twisting his ankle on the initial hiking excursion, which lasted past midnight. Once we got back to our cabin at Volcanoes National Park, we understood why each room had a Jacuzzi. But we weren't about to let our sore muscles get the best of us. Watching the orange glow of waxy-looking lava hiss into the ocean had intoxicated us. We wanted to see tunnels formed by the molten stuff. The Dawn Patrol So we caught just enough sleep to wake at the crack of dawn and drive to South Point in search of a labyrinth of lava tubes at a place called Kula Kai Caverns. To get there, we punched in a pass code and entered a remote neighborhood built on lava rock. Then we saw our guide's landmark, a thatched hut that looked like something out of "Gilligan's Island." Our tour guide, Kathlyn Richardson, led us into the yurt and handed us spelunking helmets, lights, gloves and kneepads to gear up. We looked like coal miners without the soot, and we were about to go on a two-hour spelunking tour. So she tested us a little. Would we like to try shimmying up parts of the cave and crawling around in tunnels? We were game. Let me just say my previous experience in caves was limited to a guided tour years earlier on a heavily traveled pathway at Kentucky's Mammoth Cave. Although it is considered the granddaddy of American caves - and the longest cave in the world - I saw only the easy-access "tourist" part of it. No shimmying through narrow passageways was involved. And I had seen Thurston Lava Tube, a major attraction on the drive around Crater Rim Drive at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But that was just a peek into a cavelike shell. I had never seen much of caves or could explain the difference between stalactites and stalagmites. Somehow, the idea of exploring a pitch-black volcanic cavern still appealed to me. That's just the kind of tourist Kula Kai Cavern founder Ric Elhard wants to educate. "I started crawling around in caves when I was 12 years old," said Elhard, a California native who bought property on the Big Island because he knew there were caves underneath it. He and other cavers have since mapped out miles of lava tubes that crisscross the area. "We're not doing big numbers, but we saw huge potential," Elhard said. "We want to be more of an educational tour. We want people to learn and understand about the archaeological aspects of caves." Treks Of Your Choice He and other guides lead small groups, even children as young as 5, through parts of the caves on tours that last from easy half-hour strolls to more challenging half-day explorations. When my husband and I were there, it was just the two of us, following Richardson into a braided maze she knew by heart and getting a taste of massive chambers and small spaces formed by volcanic gases rising through cooling magma 1,000 years ago. A National Park tour, it is not. It's a fledgling operation that's loosely organized, and sometimes the battery-powered lights on the well-used equipment go out. But it's definitely an adventure tour. We broke a sweat, despite the cool 68-degree temperature inside the cave, and had to watch our footing navigating craggy rocks that seemed to grow out from above and below. One of the most interesting parts was when we turned off our head lamps and sat in the dark, listening closely to dripping water and the sound of ourselves breathing. I'll admit I liked climbing and scrambling over loose rocks much better than belly-crawling through the tight spots. The crawling part made me think about being swallowed by hot lava as I tried to untangle myself from its pointy fingers. Underground Point Of View But squirming around on my hands and knees gave me a feeling not just for overcoming claustrophobia, but also for looking at a volcanic island from a different perspective. I thought about the cave dwellers who must have used the spaces for shelter. I wondered how long the kukui nuts, which contained oil that Hawaiians used to light like candles, had been left on the rock shelves that we passed. I pictured the lava flowing through the walls I could now touch. The tour captured my imagination. Yes, I could have spent the day relaxing on the beach. What I did instead made me feel like an explorer. And to me, discovering a world I had never seen before made the vacation feel complete. FOR LOVE OF LAVA KULA KAI CAVERNS AND LAVA TUBES: www.kulakai caverns.com or (808) 929-7539. Located off Highway 11 in Ocean View, Hawaii. Tours by appointment ranging from $15 half-hour walking tours to $95 half-day tours. The two-hour spelunking tour is $65. Discounts for Hawaii residents and groups. Wear a T-shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. WHERE TO STAY: For the full Kilauea experience, stay in a B&B in Volcano Village or in a cabin at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. •Carson's Volcano Cottages: www.carsonscottage.com or 1-800-845-5282 or (808) 967-7683. B&B accommodations, from one-room spaces to family cottages with kitchens and storybook cottages nestled in the tropical rain forest. Breakfast is served in a dining room beside the fire. Rates range from $115 to $170 a night. •Volcano House: (808) 967-7321. This historical hotel sits on the edge of a crater, and the rooms are heated by volcanic steam. Rooms range from $95 to $225. Its cabins are among the few available in the park, but the rooms are a bit worn. Cabins are $50. •Kilauea Military Camp: www.kmc-volcano.com or (808) 967-8333. A joint services recreation center in Volcanoes National Park, open to military members and Department of Defense workers and retirees. Rates are based on rank, and accommodations range from dorms to cottages. WHERE TO EAT: After a spelunking tour, drive to the Kona side of the island for food. •The Coffee Shack: A casual coffeehouse with a sweeping view of the ocean. The staff is friendly, and the portions are big. •Cafe Pesto in Hilo: Whether you're in Kawaihae near the harbor on the scenic South Kohala coast or in historic Hilo on the Big Island's east side, find this restaurant. It has gourmet pizzas, an assortment of pasta and seafood. Most items are about $10. •Ken's House of Pancakes: Ken's is like a local Denny's. It's open 24 hours a day, and most items are less than $7. Write a letter to the editor | Subscribe to the Tribune | Place an Ad Online TBO.com AdLinks Site Tools Advertise with us Web site feedback Make TBO.com my homepage RSS Feeds: Feed for this channel All feeds/RSS FAQ Most Popular: This feature requires the Macromedia Flash Plugin. Please visit http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer to download this plugin. 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