BLUE HAWAII & A Good Cup of Joe*
                                                                  (photo of Andy Peterson)

I will never forget my first trip to Hawaii. People always talk about their amazing trips to Hawaii, so I decided to get my act together and go.  I booked a package deal to four islands with three and half weeks in Hawaii. After obtaining my rental car and finding myself on a simple two-lane road, I navigated about a half hour’s drive east to the beach on the beautiful island of Maui. I was feeling the jet-lag and I was pretty exhausted as well from my job and life in Los Angeles, so I could hardly drive. Suddenly the bright blue ocean comes into view and I’m driving along side the beach. It was so beautiful and I was so tired that I pulled my car over on a little drive-off area. I grabbed my towel and walked up the embankment. Looking around at the blue water, and feeling the gentle wind that was blowing the nearby palms I stood there and laughed, saying out loud, “No wonder everyone comes to Hawaii, this is fantastic.”

I threw my towel down on the soft white sand and with a happy sigh collapsed in exhaustion. Looking sideways out towards the blue water, I took a big breath of fresh air, closed my eyes and slept for the next three hours letting the island heal me. Waking up, I jumped in the ocean and swam for an hour. I couldn't have imagined a better way to arrive in the Hawaiian Islands. 
After four fabulous days snorkeling and sailing on Maui, I made my way to the Big Island.  First order of business, a good cup of joe! Kona Coffee was on the top of my list. Although I am a self-professed lover of green tea, once in a while there is nothing like a good cup of the brown savory brew, especially in Hawaii and especially in Kona, known for its Kona Coffee. This became my vacation ritual: 1) cup of joe 2) snorkel at beach  3) sleep at beach  4) drive around to see everything while listening to IZ and Hawaiian radio  5) eat fresh fruit  6) smile a lot  7) learn about the islands and people  8) take lots of pictures  9) look out across blue waters 10) enjoy colorful sunsets and 11) wear flowers in my hair.

Everyone has their own Hawaii story and traveling back to visit, I have several of my own. It’s so easy to see Hawaii, each island has easy rent-a-cars and simple roads to follow that take you to the small local towns, volcanoes, beaches snorkeling and hiking. No wonder Hawaii is one of the top vacation destinations.  With wonderful vacation packages, Hawaii has lots of great deals to accommodate travelers. It’s also a huge cruise line destination and looking out at  the large majestic ships off shore is something to see as well as a popular way to tour the islands.  Hawaii is also a crossroads in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with Asian travelers from Japan, Korea and the Phillipines.  It is truly a place where East meets West with it's roots from Polynesia and the influence of Asian, and American cultures apparent throughout the islands.

Hawaii will work its magic on you.  Driving the backside of the Big Island, the long strands of Pele’s volcanic hair reaches in curves and waves down to the ocean.  Groves of palm trees sway and talk to you in the wind. Turtles swim and float with you in the water.  Seeing red/orange hot lava flow down the hill in Crater Park will change you forever and the night stars are so bright above, you hold your breath taking in the majesty of it all.  Hawaii is a place of nature, romance, relaxation and history, truly an island paradise across a blue sea. This is my friend Wendi, who graciously allowed me to share pictures from her family trip to Hawaii. Photos submitted: Andy Peterson looks out at the magical blue waters of Hawaii, Wendi snorkeling in the water, she loves to swim. Palms of beautiful Kauai, Garden Island. "Hana," -turtle photo by Alana Peterson.

*A cup of joe is an American nickname for a cup of coffee.

Some helpful info and links:
 

Although there are so many things to do in the islands, here are a few of my favorites: (+see Elvis Blue Hawaii Video below)

Maui
Kanapaali Beach – swim, sleep
Lahaina- catch a day boat to Lanai and snorkel all day

Big Island
Kona- snorkel at Kahalu'u Beach Park
Fair Wind II- catamaran ride to Captain Cook’s Bay, snorkel and eat on the boat
Crater Park- visit the center and spend a day at the volcano, see the lava and stars at night
Hilo- dinner and botantical garden walk
Visit a coffee plantation

Kauai
Eat at Mediterranean Gourment on Kuhio Rd, Hanelei
Kaua'i Museum- learn about the history of Hawaii
See the waterfalls at Hanalei, eat lunch, snorkel
Drive to South end of Island to see across to Niihau
Visit Kilohana plantation and enjoy some pineapple and papaya
Swim at Poipu Beach and hand drum at the Marriott

Oahu
Visit Pearl Harbor and learn history of  WWII
Swim Kailua Beach
Drive around the island
Snorkel at North Shore
Snorkel at Hanauma Bay Reserve
See Honolulu, a fantastic city with Kava Bars and Waikiki Beach

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