Students' motto for our trip - "e-l-e!" ("Everybody loves everybody!")
Kona sunset (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
Kona sunset (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
Queen Lili'uokalani (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
Duke Kahanamoku on Waikiki Beach (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
Royal Kahili at the Bishop Museum (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
Diamond Head (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
Note: Hawaii is very protective of its natural environment, so even though we are not traveling to a foreign country, each of us will have to make a declaration prior to landing of what we are bringing into the Islands. This will be done by completing a form provided by the airline. There are similar restrictions for departing the Islands for home. Click on the link directly above for further information.
Hawai'i or Hawaii? Here's what Lonely Planet has to say: "The 'okina punctuation mark ( ' ) is the Hawaiian language's glottal stop, which determines the pronunciation and meaning of words." In the Lonely Planet guides, " ... Hawai'i (with the 'okina) refers to the island of Hawai'i (the Big Island), to ancient Hawai'i and to the Kingdom of Hawai'i pre-statehood. Hawaii (without the 'okina) refers to the US state."
Tipping Tips:
Housekeeping - $1 - $3 per day of stay
Servers in restaurants - 15-20%
Hotel Concierge - $5 +
Hotel Door/Bell - $1 - $5
Taxi - 15-20%
While these businesses are recommended for affordable souvenir shopping, don't forget the benefit of supporting local small businesses as we travel around the Big Island.
And they mean it! (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
No, this is not a scene sent back from the Mars Rover ... it's from Hawaii on the Big Island and is called Devastation Trail. (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)
Pele - Goddes of Volanoes (photo by Eric A. Kidwell)