Hawai'i

| Highlights | Nature | Health | Camping | Links | Tour |

Hightlights

Don't miss ...

• Volcanoes National Park and flowing lava on Big Island
• Haleakala National Park and a hike into the crater on Maui
• The Road to Hana and the rain forest on Maui
• The old Hawaiian cultural places, mainly on Big Island
• Snorkling or diving with sea turtles, corals and a lot of colorful fish
• Enjoying a Mai Tai (a long drink mixed from dark rum, blended rum, golden curaçao and lime sirup) at sunset

Hawaiian Nature

'a'a pahoehoe	In its molten state the rough, jagged, clinkery 'a'a lava has less gas, is less fluid, and has a lower temperature than the smooth, billowy pahoehoe lava.
'Ohi'a lehua	Tree or bush with brilliant red hairy blossoms. Considered to be sacred to the fiery goddess Pele. Probably Hawai'i's most abundent native tree.
Hapu'u	This stately tree ferns unique to Hawai'i may grow to 20 feet high, with fronds 12 feet long. Silky fluff called pulu that covers young fronds was used by early Hawaiians as an absorbent dressing for wounds.
Ka'u	The endangered Silversword is only blossming once in its lifetime. It can be found in the Haleakala crater.
'a'ali'i	The hard wood of this native tree was found useful for making digging sticks and house posts.
kahili	This ginger was introduced intentionally as an ornamental 50 years ago. It quickly spread and now displaces native understory plants.
Nene	The Hawai'ian goose probably evolved from an ancestral Canada goose. Populations of this Hawaiian state bird are declining because of habitat loss, predation by ontroduced mongooses and cats, und being run over by vehicles. Found today only in Haleakala NP and on Big Island.
Wana	The sea urchin is very common. Stepping on its spines is dangerous and painful.
Centipedes	Centipedes and scorpions may be found under rocks or in dead wood or compost - or even in your camping gear. Bites are quite painful but not dangerous (unless you are allergic).

Health

• Hawai'i is close to the earth's equator and exposure from ultraviolet light is very intense. Do not underestimate the danger of a sunburn. You can also be burned in the shade and in the water. Use sunscreams with a Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of 15 or more, wear a T-shirt, socks and a hat with a broad brim.
• Both, lava and corals are very sharp and can easily cut your skin. So better do not touch it. If you got injured, wash with treated water and apply an antiseptic. Else, there might develop more serious problems such as blood poisoning. Namely lava is a fertile soil for bacteria.
• Mosquitoes are an endemic species brought to Hawai'i by European sailors in the last century. So be prepared. Moreover, there had been some cases on Dengue fever in the area of the Hana coast on Maui.
• Enter and exit the water from sandy beach areas only (to avoid steping on a sea urchin).
• If the coast guard issues a warning of watery pests such as portuguese man-of-war, box jellyfish or stinging seaweed: believe them and stay out of the water.
• There are no streams in Hawai'i clean enough to drink from. Laboratory analysis has proven they are contaminated with human and animal feces, containing Giardia lamblia, leptospirosis and other parasites. Therefore do not drink it unless treated. Be also aware you can become infected by swimming or wading in fresh water.
• Rock climbing or mountain climbing is never done in Hawai'i. The young volcanic rock crumbles and would-be climbers can easily tumble to their deaths. Also, be aware of falling rocks when chosing your camp site.

Camping

1. Camping is only allowed on official campgrounds.
2. For the offical campgrounds in the National Parks, i.e. Hosmer Grove, Kipahulu (Haleakala), Namakani Paio and Kulanaokuaiki (Volcanoes), no permit is required. Just come and build up your tent.
3. Backcountry camping is possible in the National Parks, but a permit is required. It can be obtained for free in the Visitor Center.
4. All other campgrounds are operated by state or county parks. Permits are issued Department of Land and Natural Resources / Division of State Parks and by the County Parks & Recreation Departments for a nominal fee of about 5$. The only problem is you have to go to the offices in Hilo, Lihu'e, Wailuku or Honolulu during office hours in order to obtain them - you cannot get a permit on site.
   For the Wai'anapanapa S.P., however, it is possible to register on-site.
   On Big Island, County Park permits can also be obtained from the County of Hawaii web site.
   Tip: If you plan early, obtain your permits in advance by mail, or through the internet.

WWW Links

• Government of Hawaii: www.ehawaiigov.org/visiting/html

Hawai'i 2002 Tour

| O'ahu (1) | Big Island | Maui | O'ahu (2) |

 

O'ahu (1st part)

Waikiki: Diamond Head Crater (www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dsp/brochures/DiamondHeadSM.pdf) (at sunrise)
Waikiki: Bishop Museum (www.bishopmuseum.org)

Fri, 24-May

Sat, 25-May

Waikiki: Shopping

Hawai'i - Big Island

Vulcanoes N.P.: Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu, Kalapana Trail (at moon light)
Namakani Paio Campground

Sun, 26-May

Mon, 27-May

Tue, 28-May

Wed, 29-May

Thu, 30-May

Fri, 31-May

Maui

Papalaua Co. Wayside (Camping) (30.5 mi)

Sat, 1-Jun

Sun, 2-Jun

Mon, 3-Jun

Tue, 4-Jun

Wed, 5-Jun

O'ahu (2nd part)

Thu, 6-Jun

Fri, 7-Jun