If you're looking for paradise....

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Mark Bergin

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EMC Lifestyle - The Hawaiian word Aloha means both hello and goodbye. I always wonder if this is because no one wants to leave Hawaii.

From a geographic standpoint, it really is heaven on earth.

Whenever I hear someone say things like, "I wouldn't want to go to Hawaii, it's too touristy," I know they've never been there.

Hawaii offers some of the most isolated locations on earth, where you can truly get away from it all. Sure, there are crowded locations like Honolulu, a big American city. And in Honolulu you've got Waikiki Beach, one of the busiest in the state. Even so, it's pleasant. It's exciting walking along Kalakaua Avenue, the main Waikiki street, late at night. It's got a big city feel, but with ocean-fresh air blowing on your face. Remember, there are no major factory centres for at least 2,500 miles.

The air is fresh and the water is a deep aquamarine blue. People have looked at my photos and told me, "You've obviously used Photoshop. Water's not really that colour anywhere." Nope. No adjustments. The water really is that colour.

Arriving at the Honolulu airport is a treat. After a lengthy flight, you'll emerge from your plane and smell something odd. Take a deep breath. It's the beautiful scent of tropical flowers. Despite its size, Honolulu airport is partly an outdoor affair.

People meet their family and friends and many tour operators greet guests at the airport with a lei, the traditional flower necklace. It's a wonderful tradition.

I've learned some unwritten rules regarding the lei from native Hawaiian friends. The lei is a welcoming gesture or a celebration of affection. To refuse a lei is an insult. It's also considered rude, an insult even, to remove a lei in the presence of the person who gave it to you.

If you have severe allergies, perhaps explain your allergy issue to the person offering you the lei and suggest that a companion wear the lei offered to you.

Another rule is that you should never throw a lei into the garbage. You can gently toss it into the sea or a river or bury it in your garden.

Hawaii has ancient sacred traditions. Learn as many as you can and treat the land and people with respect.

It is considered in poor taste (with resultant bad luck) to remove rocks or sand from Hawaii. The U.S. Post Office in Hawaii receives thousands of pounds of rocks and sand each year, returned from visitors who learned about the bad luck the hard way.

Respect the local traditions and you'll have a wonderful trip.

There are several islands to choose from. Most first-time visitors stick to Oahu, home to Honolulu and the state's international airport. I'll keep most of my comments relevant to that island.

If you have trouble pronouncing Hawaiian names, you only have to remember to pronounce every syllable/vowel exactly as it looks. And "w" is pronounced "v". For example, ku'uipo sounds like koo-oo-ee-poe.

Try to take in Hula dancing and Hawaiian music. If you've ever heard the soothing music of Israel (Iz) Kamakawiwo'ole, especially his version of Over the Rainbow, you'll have an idea of the depth and quality you'll hear. Music and dance are everywhere on the islands. Enjoy. Pick up some CDs of artists you enjoy.

You'll have numerous accommodation options. If you want to be near the action, there are lots of expensive hotels on Waikiki's waterfront. But don't expect a lot of peace and quiet. You'll get the noise from the street and all it's nightspots. Oh, and thousands of fellow-vacationers from all over the place tromping through your hotel lobby to get to the beach on the other side of the hotel. On the other hand, you can get drastically less expensive and first class rooms/suites a block or two off the main drag. The Outrigger chain has particularly nice rooms at decent prices. The Outrigger Luana Waikiki is a few blocks from the beach. The price is about half of a beach hotel. So is the noise level.

I've often stayed at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio at 2500 Kuhio Ave. It's two blocks from the beach and you get a view of either the beach/ocean or the mountains. Not a bad choice. If it's available, it's always my first pick.

Depending how restless you are to explore on your own, you may want to rent a car for a couple of days. To get around Waikiki, I'd walk or take the bus. In one day in a car you can feel like you've travelled around the world. From Waikiki, drive along Pali Highway into the mountains. Along the way you'll pass through jungle forests, view majestic and spectacular views from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout at the mountain top, then descend to the other side, a desert, sheltered from rain by the mountains, which literally divide the region into jungle and desert. On your route along the coast, visit Hanauma Bay Beach Park and snorkel or walk in those shallow turquoise waters and watch thousands of tropical fish swishing past you in the water.

On a longer drive, you can explore the North Shore and watch or take part in some of the toughest surfing in the world at places like Banzai Pipeline. You'll see many native Hawaiian children on their boogy boards or surf boards riding the waves like pros before they're even teenagers. You can also take tour buses to these locations.

Along that same route, you can visit Byodo-In Temple, Waimea Falls Park and the Polynesian Cultural Center, a 35-acre cluster of villages depicting the day-to-day life of South Pacific island cultures. It's staffed by Brigham Young University students who grew up in the islands represented.

If you're a history buff, whether it be American military history or Native Hawaiian and Huna history, there's much to see. Don't miss a chance to visit Pearl Harbor. It's a moving experience to stand at the Arizona Memorial, literally above most of the 1,177 crew entombed below you in the ship.

When to go: Many people like to visit Hawaii during the cold winter months. But I've always more refreshing to go in the middle of a miserable hot summer. There's nothing like leaving Northeastern North America's brutal humid and hot days for Hawaii's cooler and drier weather. Remember it's almost the same temperature there in January as it is in July. But because of rain and other issues, the best times to go are actually between May and October. And the cool breezes on a summer's night can bring relief if you're used to sweltering in Ontario in July or August.

What to bring back: There are the ever-present and pleasant Hawaiian clothing patterns, but two of Hawaii's best delicacies are Macadamia nuts, especially the chocolate covered variety, and Kona coffee. That's not the 10 per cent wimpy stuff we get in North America, but the 100 per cent Kona coffee. To die for. It's grown in the mineral rich volcanic soil of Hawaii. If you have a special loved one, you could bring back the traditional gold bracelet or ring engraved with ku'uipo, the Hawaiian word for sweetheart or lover.

Hawaii, like many ancient cultures, is an oral culture. Traditions pass between generations through storytelling. You'll even hear radio announcers saying "Let's talk story." They're simply saying, "Let's chat," or "Tell me about your day."

When you get home, you can talk story with your friends and relatives.

I bid you Aloha Oe (Farewell to thee, greetings, love to you).




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