Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Hawaiian Vacation: The Souvenirs and Popular Spots by Sammy Maseko

Hilo Hattie's is the big souvenir store. Unlike, the name suggests there are not located strictly in Hilo. It's a big chain store that has several locations on just about all of the islands. Hilo Hattie's is famous for all different types of souvenirs, but their crowning glory is, of course, the Hawaiian shirt. Every tourist needs a Hawaiian shirt. You will also find the other stapes, such as homemade chocolate covered macadamia nuts. These are sure to please every grandma. They also have a wide assortment of hula dancing dolls, perfect for your brother-in-law.

Ukuleles are popular Hawaiian souvenirs. These are miniature guitars that have been prevalent in Hawaii since ancient times. Again, just like the hula lamp, you can spend anywhere from about thirty bucks and up (really up). Some of these Ukuleles actually cost thousands of dollars. The work ukulele actually means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian. This refers to the way the player would strum around the strings.

The popular Hawaii-Pearl harbor

When visiting Hawaii most people think of lush tropical trees and white sandy beaches. After all, Hawaii is the perfect spot for relaxing and sipping fruity drinks. However, there is one somber tourist spot that should not be missed. It is the memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Since the 2335 US soldiers died in the Pearl Harbor, the mood at the memorial is somber even today over sixty years after the attack. The park does a nice job of filtering the average number of 4500 guests through the memorial daily. Upon arrival to the memorial you are given a ticket and told when your entry to the movie theater will be. The time of year of your visit determines your wait time. During the summer months when crowds are at their highest you may have to wait a couple of hours. But, there is plenty to occupy your time. There is a museum that contains memorabilia such as letters from soldiers to loved ones and uniforms. The museum also has photos of Japanese planes as well as map showing the destruction of the harbor.

Hawaii volcanoes national park

Kilauea Caldera is the youngest and most active volcano on earth. The landscaping is amazing complete with hardened lava and dozens of craters. The park has 140 miles of hiking trails and is open to the public for camping. The park is over 333,000 acres of land so plan to stay a while if you truly want to explore the park. If you don't have a lot of time, you should plan to at least drive through the park. It is worth the hour or so that it will take you to see everything. The volcano erupts regularly, so in most cases you will get to see some sort of lava flow. However, don't expect to see eruptions spewing into the sky like in the movies. The flow is fluid and constant, not nearly as dramatic as Hollywood depicts.

If and when the lava reaches the ocean, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid permeate the air. These gases are toxic. Every one should be careful, especially pregnant women, young children and people with upper respiratory problems. The smell of sulfur is strong in the air.

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