Unique Places in Hawaii (State of)

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If you walk along the neighborhood of Kalihi, Haleiwa, Kaneohe or Wahiawa, you will see a lot of mango trees laden with fruits during the months of July and August.

The mangoes are good to eat when they are still dark green (not ripe). We eat the mangoes green and slice them in small bite sizes and dip them with vinegar and salt!

Some Filipinos in the islands cut them into tiny slices and add some fish sauce on it and eat it with rice, rish or fried meat!

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When you don't know how to surf and wanted to learn, there are surf boards that you can borrow and some instructors can teach you. There are some locals at the beach who are teaching tourists how to surf.

For those who already know how to surf, there are surf boards for rent at the beach. But, if you are already a pro, then go to Maku'upu Beach or Sandy beach to surf. The locals are out there braving the huge waves! Or, they usually go to Haleiwa.

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There are so many Banyan trees in Honolulu but the most gorgeous tree so far is found in Punahou Drive. There are also other trees in Waikiki but, because of limited space, the parks department usually cut the roots out. There are also Banyan trees in some parks of Oahu fronting the Ala Moana. The Banyan tree have roots that are huge and they sprout from the huge branches. The roots connect from one Banyan tree to the other that looks like a runner.

There are also Banyan trees in Lahaina, close to where you wait for your ferry boat.

The Banyan trees are good shades in the summer because the trees are thick with their leaves and they are gigantic trees!

I am not sure if this is native to Hawaii but definitely, it is a beautiful tree to check it out!

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I am sure you will find some place to watch the sunset. But, my family were watching the sunset at the Aloha Center where we went walking and sitting underneath "logo" trees.

The sunset was actually beautiful over there what with the silhouette of the ships.

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We had our tickets to watch the 4th of July fireworks at the Waikiki Beach on board a catamaran.

While we were waiting for our catamaran (we were there an hour early!), we checked out the different boats at the Hawaiian Maritime Center which is only a block away from where we were.

There are several old boats docked here.

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My daughter requested that we should go to a beach where Hawaiian residents swim. What could be the most secluded beach closest to Waikiki? (Other than going to the north side of the island).

We drove on the Kalana Ole Highway passing the Diamond Head, the Blue Hole, the Hanauma bay, Sealife Park and down to Makapu Beach!

The beach has a cove covered by mountains on the right and sloping hills. There were two sheds before getting down to the beach. I finally found out that these were actually two separate bathrooms!

I walked past rocks on a path between shrubs. There were several surfers and sun tanners on the beach. Some were just watching the surfers! My daughters and husband hit the waters and drunk a lot of sea water! Aloha! (A-loo-ha) Welcome to Makapu Beach! (This beach has huge waves and you need to be a strong swimmer or surfer! If you are not, you end up gulping sea water!).

The University of Hawaii Main campus is beautiful. The East West Center is located inside the campus. This is a research organization for Asia, the Pacific and the United States.

The East-West Center has an art collection of Asia and the South Pacific! The library holds the the best library about the Philippines (Ilocano) in the United States (if not the world).

Close to the East West Center is a Japanese Garden. The Koi in the pond are wonderful to see! The garden has an elongated stream that is parallelled by Japanese bonsai trees. Just a walk on this path is refreshing. It is really good for the soul!

Sometimes, newly wed local residents come here to have their wedding pictures taken!

East West Center is located at 1601 East West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96848.

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The Big Island (Hawaii), the largest and youngest island in the State of Hawaii offers visitors many Things To Do. We chose to horseback ride in Waipio Valley. Waipio is a good example of what Hawaii was like many years ago, not much change, no commercial activities. Once populated my taro (kalo) farmers until the tsunami in 1946 and 1953. Life is slow in Waipio, quiet, everyone waves to each other, no sirens down here. Today you can visit Waipio by horseback. Na'alapa Stables offers horseback rides twice a day. After a steep van ride down in to the valley, you saddle up for a leisurely tour through trails and streams of Waipio. You will see Hi'ilawe (water fall), taro patches (kalo lo'i), wild horses, and various plants and fruit trees of Hawaii. Get a way from the Kona-Waikoloa resorts. Enjoy a relaxing time by horseback. Let someone else trot for you. The horses are well kept and behaved. Our wranglers were friendly and comical at times. Bring your camera, wear a good pair of shoes, neckerchief and a cowboy hat. Check-in is at the Waipio Valley Artworks. Contact Naalapa Stables at 808-775-0419 or visit their website at http://www.naalapastables.com/waipio.html