When my family and I could feel the warm fine sand, the gentle cool breeze, witness the crystal clear aquamarine ocean and swaying palm trees, and smell the sweet fragrant scent of plumerias, we must have gone to heaven. The enchanting beauty of this Hawaiian island, Maui, gives us a sense of warmth, peace, and serenity. In search of paradise, we explore the infamous Road to Hana, snorkel with underwater marine life, and journey back in time to experience the true customs, traditional cuisine and the original song, music and dance of Hawaii at a luau.
We begin our thrilling adventure by traversing down the legendary Road to Hana, surrounded by spectacular views of slithering cliffs, stunning beaches and dramatic seascapes, towering waterfalls
…show more content…
and plunging pools, and endless lush green tropical rainforest.
Our goal is to see as much as we could along this scenic road before nightfall creeps in. This narrow, twisting, snake-like coastal road can be quite hazardous because of the hundreds of sharp curves, dozens of one-lane bridges, blind turns, and dangerous cliffs. I quickly realize that I am carsick after a few hairpin turns; fortunately, my mom has nausea meds in her backpack. Rolling down the car windows to breathe in the fresh sea air mixed with the fragrance of white ginger and sweet guava as well as to enjoy the sound of birds singing and waterfalls thundering help in combating nausea.
Driving on the serpentine road, we come across the black sand Waianapanapa Beach. This place is strikingly breathtaking because of its unique black sand beach surrounded by a shimmering, aquamarine ocean and a vibrant green landscape. It amazes us how the
terrain changes from large rocks, to medium, to small, to coarse sand, to fine silky smooth sand as we get closer to the water. Additionally, it is quite a rare opportunity to step foot onto a sand beach consisting of black lava pebbles. We could feel the fine sand scratching under our feet. The powerful white-crested ocean waves are very much responsible for hammering the lava into these tiny, smooth lava pebbles. As we continue down this road, we locate the gorgeous double-tiered Wailua Falls. This picturesque, towering roadside waterfall, draped with tropical foliage, is approximately nine stories high and majestically plummets downward into a pool that is more than three stories deep. That afternoon, a brilliant colorful rainbow miraculously appears by extending its multicolored arm out from the base of the falls into the mist. Towards the end of the highway, we discover the popular Seven Sacred Pools, a stunning expanse of waterfalls and pools. The water breaks into a mist of tiny droplets and falls like soft silk into the pools. Tourists of all ages crowd around the pools – jumping, swimming, wading, and just cooling off. We just wet our feet before our long drive back. The crystal clear water is somewhat cool but not cold. When we stand close enough to the waterfall, it cools our faces with mist. The multiple pools of wonder look like they were strung along the hike like a string of pearls. Turtle Town at Maluaka Beach becomes one of my favorite places to snorkel. Snorkeling feels like an eagle flying over the countryside because we are floating above an underwater city. The calm crystal aquamarine water is filled with bright colorful corals and incredible underwater marine life. Many assorted colorful tropical fish such as the yellow Tang, the Rainbow Butterfly fish, and the Bluestripe Butterfly swim quite close to us. Additionally, several friendly giant green sea turtles greet us by swimming around us, giving us an opportune moment to take outstanding underwater photos. Turtle Town inherited its name due to the high population of turtles. It is quite an amazing experience to be able to view the exotic world beneath the surface. To celebrate my 15th birthday on the island, my family surprises me by going to a Royal Lahaina Luau right on Ka’anapali Beach. It is an evening of authentic Polynesian dancing and chanting as well as feasting on Hawaiian cuisine. This festivity takes place outdoors during the evening hour. The place is adorned with flickering Tiki torches and colorful, fragrant native floral centerpieces along with a dazzling tangerine sunset that colors the sky over the crystal aquamarine ocean as a backdrop. A few Hawaiian dancers in their traditional costumes greet us with shell leis. I feel somewhat disappointed because we did not receive a lei made with fresh scented flowers. While sipping our delicious non-alcoholic Mai Tais, each adorned with a bright, rich purple color orchid, we smell the tantalizing aroma of the Kalua pig roasting away in an Imu (an underground oven using hot coals and layers of leaves or mats to cook food). My stomach growls due to hunger, and my mouth waters to taste this yummy smoke-flavored pork. Before dinner can be served, an Imu Ceremony takes place where two men remove the layers of cloth and banana leaves from the pit oven to reveal the roasted pig. They then transport the pig on a stretcher to the kitchen for shredding. Some of the authentic Hawaiian dishes served at this luau include: Kalua Pig, Lomi Lomi Salmon (diced with tomatoes and onions), Huli Huli (barbeque) Chicken, Lau Lau (pork, chicken or fish wrapped and steamed in Ti leaves), Ahi Poke (fresh raw tuna with green onions and Maui onions), Poi (taro root mashed with water into a pale purple paste), and Haupia (coconut custard). After dinner, the talented performers entertain and amaze us by showcasing the myths and stories of Polynesia with song, dance, and music. For the finale, the show closes with a dramatic fire dance in which a male dancer twills and tosses a single or double-bladed knife lit on fire. Day after day, we have warm and gentle trade winds, perfect weather in the 80s, and incredible blue skies with cotton ball clouds; but unfortunately, our dream vacation draws to a close. We find the native Hawaiians to be warm and friendly and treat everyone like family, the Road to Hana to be a thrilling and terrifying ride due to its winding and serpentine roads that can leave one’s hair standing on end, the experience of close contact with the majestic sea turtles to be out of this world, and the beguiling sunset with an ocean view as a backdrop at the luau with bountiful feasting and great entertainment to be an unforgettable way to spend my 15th birthday. Visitors just like us flock to Maui in search of paradise.
Ii, John Papa., Mary Kawena Pukui, and Dorothy B. Barrère. Fragments of Hawaiian History. Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1983. Print.
As a native Hawaiian, Kristiana Kahakauwila has extensive knowledge on Hawaiian customs and culture. Though she was not raised in Hawaii, Kristiana is still connected to the culture. Her upbringing in California did not separate her from the customs of Hawaii. Kristiana has a master’s in fine arts and a degree in comparative literature. Her degrees and background with Hawaiian culture led her to write the book “This is Paradise,” which is composed of multiple short stories. Each short story unveils a new layer of Hawaiian culture that many people tend to overlook. Before the first short story begins, Kristiana sets the tone for the novel with the cover of the book.
While sitting on the beach looking into the ocean, rubbing the sand and enjoying the beautiful weather at Cabana’s beach; in beautiful Hawaii on the west side of the island of Oahu is a blessing. Listening to “Hawaii 78” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole at midday at three-thirty pm sparks a sense of uneasiness to a Native Hawaiian, Who are my ancestors? Who is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole? What is the land used for? Has Hawaii really changed, what is the difference between today and one hundred years ago? The importance of the logo “Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono O Hawaii” http://www.netstate.com/states/mottoes/hi_motto.htm
The Hawaiian culture is known throughout the western world for their extravagant luaus, beautiful islands, and a language that comes nowhere near being pronounceable to anyone but a Hawaiian. Whenever someone wants to “get away” their first thought is to sit on the beach in Hawai’i with a Mai tai in their hand and watch the sun go down. Haunani-Kay Trask is a native Hawaiian educated on the mainland because it was believed to provide a better education. She questioned the stories of her heritage she heard as a child when she began learning of her ancestors in books at school. Confused by which story was correct, she returned to Hawai’i and discovered that the books of the mainland schools had been all wrong and her heritage was correctly told through the language and teachings of her own people. With her use of pathos and connotative language, Trask does a fine job of defending her argument that the western world destroyed her vibrant Hawaiian culture.
A serious rebirth in Polynesian culture and traditions arouse after the voyages by the Hokule'a. In 1975 a replica of a Polynesian voyaging can...
...e" (Trask xix). This incident beautifully illustrates and signifies tourism's impact in American society. Like most Americans, this woman uses a discourse that has been shaped by tourist advertisements and souvenirs. The woman's statement implies that Trask resembles what the tourist industry projects, as if this image created Hawaiian culture. As Trask asserts, Hawaiian culture existed long before tourism and has been exploited by tourism in the form of advertisements and items such as postcards. Along with the violence, endangered environment, and poverty, this exploitation is what the tourist industry does not want to show. However, this is the Hawai'i Haunani-Kay Trask lives in everyday. "This is Hawai'i, once the most fragile and precious of sacred places, now transformed by the American behemoth into a dying land. Only a whispering spirit remains" (Trask 19).
While walking down the beach, the white, warm sand mushes between your toes. The sun’s radiant rays beam off your glowing skin. The sound of waves crashing blocks out the external world. There is no other place like the gorgeous tropical islands of Hawaii. The wide range of flowers, cuisine, and wildlife makes it one of the most diverse places on Earth; however, the unappealing aspects Hawaii makes it one of the most dangerous in the world.
Brown, DeSoto. "Beautiful, Romantic Hawaii: How the Fantasy Image Came to Be." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts. 20 (1994): 252-271.
...Hawai`i’s economy is very dependent on tourism, however many locals are possessive of their land, and as they stereotype tourists, many do not accept others as they have a unity for their own. Numerous individuals feel the desideratum to fit the local stereotype because they prefer not to be labeled as a “haole”. It becomes tough and rather intense for an individual, because becoming haole betokens that you forgot and disregarded the local or Hawaiian quality values and ways of routes, as well as the flowing stream of life in the islands. We need to remind ourselves that regardless of where we emanate from, our skin tone, race, physical characteristics, and so forth, everybody ought to acknowledge just for who we/they are and treat one another like 'ohana and show "aloha", and subsequently, we can determinately verbally express "This is it. This is Paradise" (33).
Jovik, Sonia P. and James O. Jovik. (1997). “History.” Atlas of Hawaii. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, p.408.
The Polynesian peoples have a lifestyle quite different than that of any other culture, as living on an island requires a level of flexible adaptability in order to cope with such a different, sometimes difficult environment. We see the way diverse cultures build their lives around their circumstances and how they respect them in their cultural myths and stories. The Polynesian legends emphasize the physical environment that they live in. They are quite different than any other region in the world, but the beauty and individuality of the Polynesian culture is prominent as seen in their mythology.
Hawaii, a place where tourists sip on their Mai Tai and enjoy strolls on soft sandy beaches overlooking the crystal blue ocean that reflects the sun-oh-so-nicely. A place to send the kids off to Hula lessons while the parents can finally get that outdoor massage they deserve. How could someplace resemble paradise so closely? No wonder it’s a signature vacation spot for families all over the world. One might ask how one of the world’s most
Our research here at dealsresults reveals that 68% of our customers think the Hawaiian Islands as the destination for a perfect vacation. It is hard to pin point what exactly attracts vacationers to this exotic archipelago. What is there not to be excited about? The undulating ocean waves, the long and winding beaches, the radical cliffs or the breathtaking mountainous terrains. The Hawaiian people are the most welcoming on earth. Once you are there you will not feel like leaving. There is so much to do, which will leave you enthralled. You may want to kindle romance in your life, watch the whales, play golf or savor the delicious local Hawaiian cuisine.
Part of the Kona coastline includes the start of Kailua Kona past Kealakekua Bay. If you wanted to drive through there, it may take you at least an hou...