Little-known facts/activities

DID YOU KNOW:

In Hawaii, Santa shows up in a bright red outrigger canoe, (a magic one of course) which carries him across the wide sea and right up onto the beach.

The word "Aloha" has several different meanings - welcome, goodbye, love, and friendship.

Hawaii has its own time zone (Hawaiian Standard Time.) There is no daylight savings time. During American football season, the first round of any NFL Sunday game starts at 7:00 in the morning, because of the time difference with the rest of the United States.

The most celebrated holiday on Maui is Halloween.

INTERESTING PLACES YOU MIGHT MISS:

Wai'anapanapa State Park
In Hana at end of Wai'anapanapa RoadIf you make it to Hana, be sure and check out this fantastic beach park with its great views and many activities. 'Iao ValleyEnd of 'Iao Valley Road (Highway 32)Dramatic valley featuring Iao Needle.

Banyan Tree Park
In Lahaina at the beginning of Front Street. You've never seen a tree like this before. It is so big it shades almost an entire acre of land.

Whale Watching
During December to May, all of Hawaii's waters are full of humpback whales but Maui has always been known as the best island for whale-watching. You can see them from most shores easily enough – try the Pali Lookout on Hwy 3- between Wailuku and Lahaina.

Oheo Gulch (more commonly referred to as The Seven Sacred Pools)
In Kipahulu near Hana, these are a series of falls cascading into several large pools before reaching the sea providing great swimming and sightseeing opportunities - an excellent example of what people come to Hawaii for.

Wyland Galleries
66-150 Kamehameha Hwy. Hale'iwa Village -(808) 637-7498Hyatt Regency Waikiki, 2424 Kalakaua Ave. Waikiki - (808) 924-3133Wyland Kalakaua Center, 2155 Kalakaua Ave., #104, Waikiki (808) 924-1322 The Wyland Galleries feature the art of Mr Wyland (the amazing ocean scenes) and other nature-featured artists. Fun to look around.

Haleiwa and the North Shore
Home of the Banzai Pipeline and some of the biggest waves in the world. The big waves and the quaint surfer towns make a drive to the north shore wonderful free entertainment.

Kawaiahao Church
957 Punchbowl Street Honolulu White coral church built in missionary times. Free tours, services in Hawaiian and English every Sunday.

Lava Tree State Park
Off Hwy 132 in lower PunaShort self guided tour around tree molds made when lava covered living trees to quickly for the holes to be filled, or by splashing up on the side of the trees.

Rainbow Falls
In Hilo, off Waianuenue Ave., below the hospitalPractically right in Hilo town, these falls are picture perfect.

Waipio Valley
Past Honokaa Town, at the end of Highway 240.The Valley of the Kings is practically perfect with its stream running through it and its black sand beach and wild horses. You'll have to hike or take a 4 wheel drive down, or just enjoy the view from up top.

Waimea Canyon
Hike any of dozens of trails in Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". There is a river, dozens of waterfalls, and countless unique and gorgeos attractions within this canyon.

Spouting Horn
Two miles past the Ho'oai Heiau on Lawai Road near Poipu, just past the Allerton Garden Visitor Center. It is two holes in the laba tubes under the ground, one of which makes a low 'dragon-moan' when the water rushes in – and the other one causes the ocean spray to shoot up in the air - sometimes 30 feet high.

Wailua Falls
Kapaia Valley
These twin falls were made famous by the opening credits in Fantasy Island.


LITTLE KNOWN MUSEUMS: New York City

South Street Seaport Museum
The New York City Police Museum
Lower East Side Tenement Museum, The Cloisters, Museum of Television & Radio
The Museum of the City of New York
New York Transit Museum