Hawaii Beach Guide

Hawaii is 3,900 Miles away southeast of Tokyo and Hawaii is approximately 2.550 Miles away southwest of Losangles. Hawaii is isolated in the Middle of the Pacific Ocean

Hawaii has the world's longest Island Chain.Hawaii has 8 major islands Oahu ,
Hawaii,
Maui,
Kauai,
Molokai,
Lanai,
Kahoolawe, and Niihau) and a series of smaller ones.

Hawaii Beaches are the best beaches among the other world beaches, and its no wonder that these islands of aloha, where the climate is as welcoming as the people, are a wonderful place to vacation with the entire family. There's plenty of small surf breaks for beginners, and even small tots can catch a ride at some of the more popular beaches. Tide pools and coral reefs are there for exploring.

Beach characteristics: The islands contain a variety of beaches of different sizes, shapes, sand colors and wave conditions. Pick a beach according to the activity desired on a particular wave day.

Sand type: Range of colors from white to black and grain from fine to coarse. Dark beaches can be hot to walk on.

Water description: Average water temperature at Waikiki is 77 to 82 degrees, winter to summer. The big news is waves, particularly during the winter when huge swells come rolling down from the north. High surf conditions can cause shorebreaks, rip currents and sleeper waves.

The Big Island is overlaid with scores of ancient lava flows and trimmed with dozens of beaches in a spectrum from white, to amber, to gray, to black, to olive green. Diversity best describes the geology and climate. In fact, 11 of the world's 13 climatic zones are found here, from tropical rain forests and sparkling waterfalls, to snowcapped mountains and desolate moonscapes, to sprawling ranch land and rolling meadows.

The Big Island is also rich in history. Here is where King Kamehameha, who united all the islands under one leader, spent the last seven years of his life. Here is where the first missionaries landed and where the very first Christian church in Hawaii was constructed. Here is where Captain James Cook met his untimely death. A visit to the Big Island will fill you with wonder and awe as you experience this place of beauty, history, and extremes.

Tropical breezes cool you while you sunbathe on beautiful beaches, turquoise and aqua blue waters lapping the white or black sand. But before you start packing your bags, remember the adage safety first and take a moment to review some important precautions.

One of the most breathtaking places to vacation is the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii is the land of beauty, sunshine and tropical breezes. Hawaii is also a unique historic culture, whose islands contain numerous interesting sites and attractions of historical value. These sites date back years and even centuries before Hawaii became the 50th state admitted to the United States in 1959

In the center of Honolulu visitors eagerly arrive to tour the Iolani Palace. The palace was the residence of the royal Hawaiian monarchy from 1882 to 1893. As the guests of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, socialites, diplomats and other prominent figures, attended extravagant balls, pageants, musicals and gala events.

Kalakaua was the last king of Hawaii and had the palace built at a cost of almost $360,000. This was an unheard of amount for the year of 1882. It was nothing less than the palace of his dreams, designed by four architects and constructed by skilled craftsmen from all over the world. The design of European architecture was enhanced by verandas of the late Victorian era, which surround the Palace.

While the Palace was designed and decorated with the traditional Hawaiian flavor, the King continually updated the palace with modern conveniences. The palace kept up with the times by taking measures to ensure a modern plumbing system. Just seven years after Thomas Edison created the first electric light bulb; the palace had electric lights installed. The palace was connected to a telephone system a mere four years after Bell invented the telephone.

The Iolani Palace has a décor that is fit for a king as well. Furnished with Davenport pieces made from Hawaiian woods, delicate porcelain from England and Japan, high quality brass from India, the best china from France and the purest crystal from Bohemia, this lavish palace speaks for itself. The walls are donned with oil paintings of former kings, queens and other European royalty.

In 1969, the United States decided to restore Iolani Palace to its original state of grandeur. To date more than 1,000 relics have either been restored or duplicated for visitors to view inside the palace.

Moving on to the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii, visitors will discover Puuhonua. Puuhonua is an area containing several historical points of interest. Even the rocks of Puuhonua, Hawaii are of historical value, as many of them are named for gods and have significant cultural legends attached to those names. Visitors may play an ancient Hawaiian board game, on several stone tables built by Puuhonua ancestors. There are also carvings etched in rock from islanders of the past for tourists to examine.

One tourist attraction in particular is the Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. This site preserves a sacred area of Hawaiian culture.

In English translation, puuhonua means "place of refuge." Puuhonua o Honaunau was the place where lawbreakers of the tribal law of "kapu" could find refuge and be granted absolution from the kahuna pule, which is a priest. The sacred rules of kapu encompassed many diverse taboos. For example, men and women eating together was taboo and anyone casting a shadow on the chief's palace grounds were in violation of sacred law. Violation of kapu law meant suffering the wrath of the gods and the penalty was death. Puuhonua o Honaunau was the loophole of kapu. It was the sanctuary of forgiveness, where one could find refuge, absolution and begin a new life.

The Great Wall that separates Puuhonua o Honaunau from the chief's palace grounds is dated back to around 1550. This structure was built of stone and held together by lava. It is 1,000 feet long, 10 feet high and 17 feet wide. The wall was built as protection from the mainland. As an added measure of protection, statues of temple gods were placed facing the sea to ward off naval attacks. At the end of the Great Wall lies a temple built approximately in 1650 called the Hale o Keawe Heiau. Past chiefs, 23 in all have been laid to rest at Hale o Keawe Heiau. The islanders believed that the spiritual energy of each deceased chief were contained in their bones. Therefore, burial in the temple would increase the holiness of the sacred area of Puuhonua.

Most of the islanders were converted to Christianity and the kapu system was abolished in 1819. The area of Puuhonua was then abandoned. Many years later the area was rediscover. Only the Great Wall remained intact. The remainder of Puuhonua o Honaunau was restored using sketches by European explorers from the past.

Also on the temple grounds are the ruins of two former temples, the A-lealea and the Old Heiau. The reconstructed village at Puuhonua o Honaunau contains wooden houses for both chiefs and common residents. The royal canoe landing at Keoneele Cove, once only used by royalty, is now a popular tourist attraction. Swimming is now permitted to all.

The history of Hawaii is not contained in these two areas alone by any means. Each island has something of significant historical value to offer visitors. Each island also has its own historical story to tell to fascinate young and old alike.

Hawaii is a land containing beauty, history, mythology and culture like no other place in the world.

Keeping these precautions in mind and invest in a book about Hawaii's beaches and marine life. If you're planning on snorkeling, you can purchase a plastic waterproof guide that will help you to identify the marine life. Before you know it, you'll be warning other tourists to "watch out for da wana!"

Hawaii really is a gentle place compared to most. A little knowledge and common sense will ensure you a safe and happy vacation.