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In Search of the Perfect Oahu BeachThe and Hawaii ... Travel Ezine, dated 08/29/01, by Lisa Weber
++++ In this Issue ++++ 01. Title Article - oahu beaches 02. Travels deals - cruise, packages, and the park shore 03. Hawaiian Word - akamai 04. Hawaiian article - mokolii island 05. Website - hawaiiCAM 06. Featured Links - Aloha everyone, sorry this week's issue is a little late, but I just came back from a short island hop to Oahu. I stayed with some friends on Ewa Beach and hung out in the water forever. SUN TIP: While walking on Waikiki Beach, I saw hundreds of visitors who were extremely sunburnt - I *know* that's painful and can decrease the enjoyment of any trip. Don't waste valuable time in the sun by laying out in it, stay in the shade until you actually are doing an activity. For sunblock, I use Coppertone Water Babies SPF 45. I have fairly light skin, and I barely even got a tan after about 6 straight hours in the sun while using it. Believe me, after a few days you will still get a golden, healthy-looking tan, while hopefully avoiding a burn. I personally always choose sunblock (not sunscreen) with an SPF of at least 30, because I am in the sun a lot. Remember, it won't start to work for about 20 minutes after applying so always apply before you get to the beach and reapply after getting out of the water and/or toweling off. Hawaii is close to the equator, and the hot hawaiian sun will burn you if you don't take extra precautions even when just walking around outside. THE LAVA FLOW: Well, the new cinder road to the lava is in danger of being covered by lava. Pele has changed course and is heading straight for it. The entire area is currently closed. Hopefully, the lava direction will change again or the county will build a new road and viewing area so it can open up soon. I'll keep you updated. BIKING THE BIG ISLAND: A friendly tip from the nice people at Hawaiian Pedals - if you want to bike around the Big Island, the best way to start from Kona is North on Highway 19. Highway 190 is not very safe for bikes, and Hwy 11 South towards Kau has a lot of uphill action. Winds will be nicest in the morning, but normal tradewinds at 10 to 15 will not affect your trip much. Campgrounds are far between, and propane supplies are even farther, so come prepared. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ 01. --- In Search of the Perfect Oahu Beach ---The perfect Oahu beach can only be perfect for you, and that depends on what you want to do ...Do you want to just hang out and people-watch, maybe grab a bite and dip in the water? Waikiki Beach. Do you want to go where the locals go, avoiding the crowds but not want to travel far? Ala Moana Beach. Do you want to body surf? Sandy Beach. Do you want to learn to snorkel? Hanauma Bay. Do you want to learn to surf? Waikiki. Do you want to learn to windsurf? Kailua Beach. Do you want to watch big waves? Any beach on the North Shore in the winter. Do you want to relax or kayak? Lanikai and Kailua Beaches. You get the picture ..... there is something for everyone. Waikiki Beach is probably the most famous beach in the country, but it frequently gets a bad rap for how crowded it is. Waikiki is very crowded, especially on the weekends, but it really is a nice beach. It is long and protected, with clear waters and nice scenery, and it is within walking distance of dozens of hotels. The weather is almost perfectly hot with light breezes. The water is almost perfectly calm with occasional small shorebreak for ther kids to play in. There are areas of decent waves for surfing. Each far end is much less populated, allowing for quiet time. There are enough stores, restaurants, and bars lining it that you won't run out of water or sunblock. And ... the best part is, anything you want to do you can. You can rent boogie boards and water toys right on the beach, you can sign up for an outrigger canoe ride right on the beach, you can sail on a catamaran from right on the beach, and you can sign up for surfing lessons - right on the beach. Picture and warnings for Waikiki Beach Ala Moana Beach Park is right next door to Waikiki Beach, and just as nice, if not as protected. It is bordered by a large park with areas for picnicing and relaxing. There are plenty of surfers and fisherpeople to be seen, and a local ambiance. Nobody here will rent you anything or teach you anything, but you can get away from the crowds. Picture and warnings for Ala Moana Beach Sandy Beach, located on the South Shore just minutes past Honolulu heading East is for experienced surfers only - less experienced water people get their backs broken here. If you don't have the experience necessary, hang out and watch the awe-inspiring body and boogie board surfing. Due to the heavy waves, beachcombing is also very good here. Picture and warnings for Sandy Beach Hanauma Bay, located on the South Shore in the Koko Head area is one of the few beaches in the islands you will have to pay (small fee) to go to, but it is normally worth it. The bay is a collapsed volcanic crater, protected from surf with unparalleled underwater reef and fish views. This is *the" place to learn to snorkel or scuba. The park is closed on Tuesdays, and it fills up fast, so try to be the first ones there. Picture and warnings for Hanauma Bay Kailua Beach is in Kailua on the East Shore. It is in a residential area that also offers good deals on bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals. I highly recommend this area as a place to stay. The beach is long and white, with normally good swimming conditions. This is one of those places you could hang out all day at, with ample shade and recreation. Close by is Lanikai Beach, which is also a residential beach with fine white sand and clear blueish-green water. Both of these beaches are ideal for kayaking on calm days. Picture and warnings for Kailua Beach Sunset Beach is on the North Shore, and home to those huge waves where the extreme surfing competitions are held. Sit on the beach in the winter and feel the ground shake with each wave. Swimming and snorkeling can be excellent in the summer months, and there are small tidepools for the kids to play in. Pictures and warnings for Sunset Beach There are a number of long, dry, beautiful beach parks on the West Shore of Oahu. Very few of these cater to visitors, so be sure and bring your snorkels or boogie boards. If you are making a trip to the west side, the beach parks will surely draw your eye and invite a stop, but otherwise I wouldn't recommend a special trip unless you've already seen everything else there is to see on Oahu. One exception to this is the lagoons at the Ko Olina Resort. These have public access so you can visit even if you aren't staying there. Just tell the security guard you are going to the beach. The parking spots fill up quickly, so go early. The lagoons are perfectly-shaped crescents of hot, white sand with protected water access. This is a great place for young children to learn how to enjoy the ocean, as there are normally no waves or shorebreak to scare them. There are no lifeguards here though. See the picture on the right, of the beach in front of the hotel. A word of warning - The ocean is never a safe place, and that goes double for the oceans in Hawaii. Always swim with someone, in lifeguarded areas, and keep an eye on children. Never turn your back on the waves. If you stay safe, the beaches on Oahu can be the most memorable part of your trip. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ HawaiianCoffeeBeans - Bring the taste of the islands to you. Fine selection of Hawaiian coffee shipped directly to your door. Online discounts, free shipping, fast friendly service. It's a vacation in every cup. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ ---Internet Travel Deals Watch---** check the web sites for details and restrictions--------------------------------------------- Free airfare with Hawaii cruise --------------------------------------------- West coast to Hawaii Packages --------------------------------------------- Park Shore, 4 nights for $369 --------------------------------------------- Vacation Deals, plus 1 cent inter island airfares --------------------------------------------- BeanTeacher.com - Hawaiian Aloha Shirts for the Hawaiian at heart. Bowling Shirts with a Tropical, Retro Twist. Nearly 100 alluring styles - Plus Sizes our specialty. Come by and visit - We'll save a shirt for you! -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ ---Hawaiian Word of the Week---akamai - (ah kah my) - smart, cleverThis word is used sometimes in everyday conversation in Hawaii - I have personally always wondered if the folks at http://www.akamai.com/ have Hawaiian roots. 04. ---Hawaiian Article/Information Watch---Mokolii IslandA kayak trip to this island off Oahu 06. --- Hawaiian Website Watch ---HawaiiCAMAmusing features and bright pictures of Hawaii 07. --- Featured Links ---ALOHAGOODIES.COMMolokai Paniolo Hale Lodging Land and water tours on Kauai Snorkeling Tours on Kauai A Cottage in Paradise, on the Big Island Have a story or a question you'd like to share? E-mail me at ezine@andhawaii.com . Until next week, Lisa. http://www.andhawaii.com Disclaimer: This ezine is for informational purposes only. Please consult the appropriate professionals for more information. Copyright (c) 2001. All Rights Reserved. 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