Lahaina Downtown - Maui - Hawaii

Aloha!

Lahaina town is Maui's real downtown buzzing with restaurants, shops and boating activities. It is far from being quaint and aloof. It is buzzing with people all day, everyday. However 9 am - 10 am is relatively less crowded ( A local shopkeeper told me). Lahaina has it's own charm and is a place not to be missed on Maui Island. Even if you are not a lover of crowded places, this town though just 1.5 miles long, will have some reason to charm you.

There are shops catering to different tastes. You can buy souvenirs and local artifacts.
One section of Front Street (the happening downtown street) is always buzzing with salesmen trying to sell water activities and/or trying to lure unsuspecting tourists into timeshare presentations by offering free breakfast and some free or discounted tickets. It is not a bad idea to visit any one timeshare location if you have too many days (example a week at Maui) or else it is a sheer waste of half a day.

Lahaina does not have exotic beaches or the aroma of pineapples in the air but still has a charm of it's own. It's a must-visit place on the island to experience water activities, various cuisines at water-front restaurants & cheap street/window shopping.

Mahalo!

Punaluu Black Sand Beach - Big Island, Hawaii

Aloha!

The land of crystal clear water, palm trees, pineapples & plenty of sunshine also boasts of Punaluu Black Sand Beach. When I first visited this beach on the Big Island, I couldn't believe my eyes.The sight is magnificent & one to behold. The black sand glitters along the shore & I almost pinched myself to believe & absorb the scenic wonder .

 I saw turtles resting on the sand & sun-bathing, unfazed by the numerous tourists trying to get a little close to them to capture the scene. There was a board that advised visitors not to go too close to the turtles & let them enjoy their time on the pristine sand. Some turtles were camouflaged in the sand.

Punaluu beach is a long stretch of black beauty. I had been to a black sand beach in Mauii too. It was a small one with too much gravel & hardly any people around. Big Island wins when it comes to Black Sand Beach. I cannot describe in words the wonder and amazement when I first picked up a fistful of sand and let the bead like black grains slip off my fingers while staring at the turquoise water. I was completely astounded by the surreal beauty of black sand.

It is a great place to relax, admire, unwind & be absorbed. Definitely add Punaluu Black Sand beach on your Big Island's places to visit list.
Mahalo!

Starbucks Coconut Mocha Frappucino

Aloha!

Sheer tropical indulgence, decadent mocha infused with Hawaiian coconut and topped with whipped cream. It's like a sinfully delicious Hawaiian party in one's mouth.

Highly recommended if you are visiting any Hawaiian island. I waited to have one at the airport just before bidding farewell to Oahu Island. Big mistake! They had regular drinks but not this special. Hence no points for guessing what did I do when I visited Hawaii for the 2nd time & landed at the Big Island... Yep! Straight to a regular Starbucks for tropical satisfaction.

Mahalo!

Picture taken from the internet

Hawaiian Words - Learn the Basics

Aloha!

I always wanted to be a linguist. My passion & quest to learn new languages (if not in entirety, then at least the basics) lead me to exploring the Hawaiian basics.There are certain Hawaiian words that instantly caught my attention. The very basics that I heard in local conversations & songs. Sharing a few words to help you enjoy your visit to the islands even more. Enjoy learning the language of 'paradise'.

Of course I have discussed 'Aloha' & 'Mahalo' in a separate article. Here are the other words.

• Hale (HA - leh) - A building or house
• Hana (HA-na) - work
• Hula (Hoo-la) - Hawaii's story-telling dance 

• Kai (kigh) - the sea
• Kane (KA-neh) - boy or man. You will read this word outside public restrooms for men.
• Keiki (KAY-key) - child or children
• Kokua (KO-KOO-ah)- Help

• Lani (LA-nee) - heaven or sky
• Lei (lay) - Neclace of flowers, feathers or shells (described in detail in my article below on Lei)
• Lu'au (LOO-OW) - Hawaiian feast (described in detail in my article below on Lu'au)

• Moana (mo-AH-na) - Ocean

• Nani (NA-nee)- pretty, beautiful. In India, maternal grandmother is called nani. All grandmas as pretty beautiful at heart. I love the mixed up meaning of Hindi & Hawaiian.
• Nui- It could mean great, important or big.

• 'Ohana (oh-HA-na)- Family
• 'Ono (OH-no) - Delicious, the best. This could get confusing if you don't know the Hawaiian meaning & wonder why is someone saying (OH-No) to something that is sooooo delicious. This confusion between English & Hawaiian 'Ono helped me learn this one.

• Pali (PA-lee) - A cliff
• Pono (PO-no) - Proper, correct. Could also mean excellence or goodness.
• Pua (POO-ah)- Flower
• Pupu (POO-POO) - appetizer, snacks. Thinking about how it sounds in baby language almost kills my appetite. You know what I mean.

• Wahine (vah-HEE-neh)- Woman. You will read this word outside public restrooms for women.
• Wai (why) - Fresh Water
• Wikiwiki (WEE-kee-WEE-kee) - to hurry up, very quick

Mahalo!

The Interesting Hawaiian Language

Aloha!

The Hawaiian language is melodious & gentle. Once you visit Hawaii, you feel encapsulated with the local lingo & traditional songs. The length of certain words might scare you off but if you try to read the words in parts, it's not so difficult after all. The words are almost exactly pronounced as they are written. In fact, I personally enjoyed learning some local words during my visits to various islands. Interestingly, the Hawaiian language has only 12 alphabets- 5 vowels (A, E, I, O, U) & 7 consonants (H, K, L, M, N, P, W).

Their state fish has the most interesting name. Try pronouncing it, it's fun! HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A

Couldn't do it? Lost hope? Aah! It's very simple. As I said, break the word in parts.

Pronounce Humu twice (hoo-moo). Pronounce Nuku twice (noo-koo). Pronounce A (ah) once. Pronounce Pu (poo) once & eventually say A'a (ah-ah).
                                                                    Voila! You did it!

Mahalo!

Ukulele-Hawaiian Musical Instrument

ALOHA!!!
Music runs deep in the Hawaiian culture. It surrounds you everywhere from the moment you land on any island in Hawaii. It truly springs out the festive nature of the locals. Dance & music is as integral to them as eating daily.

One of the most interesting Hawaiian musical instruments is Ukulele. Size doesn't matter as this is a mini looking guitar but a powerful one creating melodious rhythms. I bought an Ukulele as a keepsake during my 1st visit to Honolulu & play it for fun occasionally. The local musicians create magic with Ukulele and one transcends instantaneously to the tropical feel.

From Waikiki beach in Oahu to all hotels on Waikiki coast, muscians play Ukulele to entertain and entice their guests. You can't escape the melodious Ukulele on your visit to Hawaii.
Enjoy!
MAHALO!!!

Hawaii - ABC Stores

Aloha!

This store was my one-stop-shop for almost everything that I needed on the islands. ABC stores are at every nook and corner in almost all Hawaiian Islands especially in Waikiki, Oahu. The stores offer fancy merchandise for tourists with pictures or map of Hawaiian islands on them ranging from postcards, cups, caps, t-shirts, towels, key-chains, imitation Hawaiian jewelry, tote bags, purses etc. You can buy a gift or memorabilia of any price range/budget at ABC Stores.

Also, in case you didn't read my previous article on the list of essential items to pack for Hawaii & there are any items that you forgot to carry, you'd find them right here. Swimwear, flip-flops, swimming floats, shorts, cotton clothing, surfing boards, sunscreen lotions/gels, aloe-vera gel etc. Something that would definitely catch the eye and tempt the shopping bug in you is Hawaiian shirts & shorts for men as well as Hawaiian sarongs & dresses for women. Those bright colors and exquisitely large floral prints are hard to miss.  All women would definitely and almost instantly buy the delicate and beautiful flower garlands, bracelets and hair accessories. It's a MUST!

Enjoy shopping & adorn the Hawaiian specialties and feel one with the islands. It's a natural sense of belonging at Hawaii.

Mahalo!