Aloha Jim,

Yes, there is a helicopter tour that flies from Maui over to the Big Island and Volcano National Park.

Big Island Volcano Air Tour Ultimate Experience

Fly from Kapalua in the moring or Kahului at sunset and experience the wonder of Hawaii’s only active volcano, Kilauea! This must-do activity offers the safest and most sure way to see lava flow; if you’re lucky, you might even see snow caps on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

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Mahalo for asking here on Hawaii Questions

Based on Census Bureau’s estimate, Hawaii’s population in 2007 was 1,283,388.

Bassed on the charts below Hawaii welcomes between 550,000 to 650,000 visitors monthly

(based on 2007 reports).

With the economy the way it currently is, and high fuel prices affecting the price of

flights, tourism has drastically dropped the last few months. September 2008 only recieved

around 461,000 visitors compared to 552,000 in 2007. This is a drop of 15.6 percent from

the same month last year.

Ironically the average daily spending by tourists while in Hawaii didn’t change. It

remained at about $189 per day for both years during the month of September.

Source: http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/visitor-stats/tourism/

Fishing Options

Fishing Maui is thus one of the biggest pass time and leisure activities. Using a bait, you can drift down anywhere between 50-200 feet down, in order to catch few tinier reef fish like Nabeta, Aweoweo and several others like Barracuda, Gray snapper and Trigger fish to name a few. However, fishing Maui may be lucky for you as you may just land up with a big fish in your hand. Fishing Maui is also a common pass time for the locals and a large scale activity. These fish are good enough for eating purposes too. You get these boats at competitive costs after meeting with some standard requirements. Fishing Maui is total fun and you never got to miss it.

On the other hand you also have the shore and reef fishing option while fishing Maui. This is one of the biggest crush of any tourist. Fishing Maui through the reef and shore route offers immense freedom, no liability, reservation or time limit. You can enjoy the benefits all alone in your own company. This is completely suitable for those looking for full-fledged fun and frolic. You can enjoy marvelous sceneries and silent environment apart from catching fish.

Boats to be hired and costs

You always have two options; one to hire a private charter and secondly to share a boat. Of the two, it’s important to note that private boats offer freedom for couples while the shared boats have other tourists on board. There are 4 seats on these share boats and one may have to settle with irritating passengers whom you may not be very comfortable with. Moreover, these boats do not leave for water unless the boat is filled to its capacity. The costs may be anywhere around a 1000$ for private charters considering an 8 hour trip. However, for share boats an approximate of 200$ per person is the standard rate for 8 hours.

Information you can equip yourself with

You may be wandering, how long you should go fishing Maui. The longer, the better would be the instant answer. Usually, a 6 hour time frame while hiring a boat is recommended. The child accompanying you must be at least 6 years of age. In case you have paid the money and haven’t gone fishing Maui due to unhealthy weather, refunds are not guaranteed to happen. However, if you face violent water you can request for a silent area. Fishing Maui can be fun when you are equipped with the necessary knowledge in advance. The captains are very friendly and fishing Maui promises to be pleasurable with so many offers.

Website url:- http://www.maui-activities.com/

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Here’s a quick tour of Hawaii with some highlights, hotel information and the key to an amazing Hawaii vacation. Here’s the secret: find an inexpensive package that will get you a ticket to the island, a hotel, and a beach tour or restaurant all in one. Tons of places in Hawaii advertise their business by packaging with a hotel or airline. Below you’ll find some good picks.

First of all, for the golfing enthusiast, you can find the Unlimited Golfing Package from Prince Resorts Hawaii. On three Hawaiian islands, you can visit any one of 5 breathtakingly beautiful golf courses with a total of 99 holes and golf the day away. With a breakfast buffet included, you can’t go wrong with the Prince Resorts Hawaii. Next, you don’t want to leave Hawaii without catching one of those famous waves. Pick Ohana Hotels, and you can “Catch a wave in Hawaii” over a five night luxurious stay.

One of the most famous things about a vacation in Hawaii is the delicious Hawaiian cuisine. For example, Tiki’s Grill and Bar is one of those restaurants. With the look and feel of a ’50s or ’60s Hawaiian tiki bar, this restaurant is a great place to go for delicious food and a breathtaking view of the beach. For more information on Hawaii’s delicious restaurants and restaurant reviews where visitors talk about their favorite Hawaiian cuisine, visit www.myhonoluluhi.us.

For those more interested in Hawaii’s history and archaeology, visit Bishop Museum, home to more that two million Hawaiian artifacts. The museum now has a location at Hilton Hawaii Village Beach Resort, so it is easy to visit and view the amazing history of the beautiful state of Hawaii. With exhibits dating back to 400 AD and leading up to Hawaii’s modern history, the museum includes weapons, shark teeth, historic sufboards, and feather lei capes worn by Hawaiian nobility. This is truly a great tourist site for some unique Hawaiian history.

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There are three airports on Maui, Kahului Airport, Kapalua Airport, and Hana Airport, so getting there is not a problem.

Hotels

Hotel Hana-Maui does everything right to make you feel welcome, relaxed and in touch with nature. Room service was quick and efficient.

Grand Wailea Resort The hotel has one of the top beaches in the world, fabulous pools, and a great golf course with spectacular views of the ocean and Mt. Haleakala.

The Fairmont Kea Lani is a great place for honeymooners and family vacationers. Situated on 22 landscaped acres facing Polo Beach, The Fairmont Kea Lani is a luxury all-suite and villa resort.

There are also several places that you can stay in Maui, such as vacation homes, condos and more. Accommodations are never heard to find. Most reasonably prices as well.

Activities

Taking a scenic drive is one of the more popular Maui activities. The island has an abundance of scenic views, ranging from tropical plants and waterfalls on the eastern end of Maui to desert-like landscape inside the Haleakala Crater.

Maui is famous for its golf courses, which offer scenic ocean views and well-maintained fairways. Kapalua on West Maui offers three championship golf courses, including the Plantation Course where Mercedes Championships are held every year.

Numerous companies based in Lahaina on West Maui offer boat tours, such as glass-bottom boat tours, whale watching, fishing and snorkeling and scuba diving. You can usually find information about these activities through your hotel once you get to Maui. On the other hand, visit the historic town of Lahaina and sign up in person in the Lahaina Harbor.

Maui offers beautiful scenery, coastal trails, and mountain hikes. You can sign up for a guided hike through your hotel, or explore the island on your own.

For more information, visit www.mauiinfocenter.com” target=”_blank”> The Maui Info Center

David Chandler

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Technorati Tags: Hawaii, Maui, vacations

Business travel to Hawaii can be made easier with a few tips to save you time and money so you can work in a few hours of R&R.

Tips for Business Travel to Hawaii

If you are traveling to Hawaii from outside of the United States, keeping extra copies of your passport on hand will speed up your trip through customs. Once the customs agent verifies that the copy matches your original passport, you are waved through without waiting for the agent to make his own copy. Keep your passport, tickets and receipts in the same place.

Carry your laptop with you. If needed, your wireless laptop can access the airport’s WI-FI network to make last minute flight changes, locate a hotel room or secure a rental car. This can save you from standing in line to make changes should your flight be delayed or canceled.
Bring along your laptop’s charger so you plug in while waiting for your fight.

Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Airport security is tight and may cause delays in boarding. If you are one of the first passengers boarding the plane, you are less likely to be bumped from an overbooked flight.

Re-book your seats and print out the confirmation to verify your seat purchase. This can help straighten out any confusion over the airline’s flawed booking system and get your boarded faster.

You can request a specific seat upon check-in. You can request for a seat near the exit or bathroom or far away from the noisy galley and heavily traveled path to the restrooms allows you to work during the flight without needless distractions.

Plan your travel route from the airport to your destination before leaving home and get an approximate estimate of the cost of the cab fare. Keep this cash handy and make sure the cab driver does not give you the scenic tour.

Pack for only half of the days you will be staying in Hawaii and take advantage of the hotel’s laundry service.

Roll up your socks and place them inside your shoes to increase the room on your luggage and keep your shoes from crushing blows by baggage handlers.

Call your hotel before packing and inquire what items the hotel provides. Most hotels provide a hair dryer, iron, and coffee maker in the room.

Keep in mind that Hawaii weather is very mild, but November is the rainy season. Pack your swimsuit, a rain jacket, umbrella, and dress for warm weather.

These tips for business travel to Hawaii will help your trip go smoothly and free up a few extra moments to experience the Hawaiian culture and scenery during your trip.

Technorati Tags: business travel, Hawaii, Kauai, kauai condo rentals

Maui has plenty to offer. As you explore the island, you’ll notice the vast variety of scenery including crisp, sandy beaches with gorgeous blue sea water, a 10,000-foot peak of the Haleakala Crater, lush greenery, along with shopping areas, museums, and restaurants.

Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii and has an estimated population of 118,783. Its county seat is Wailuku. The county is comprised of the islands of Moloka’i, Maui, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe.

Enjoy Exciting Outdoor Activities in Maui

Maui has numerous outdoor activities you can enjoy such as snorkeling, biking, whale watching, parasailing, and more. Ever thought of biking on a volcano? In Maui, you can bike for 38 miles while only pedaling for 400 yards on Maui’s largest dormant volcano, Haleakala.

Whale watching is one of he most popular activities in Maui. You will take a boat to where the whales play and swim, and watch as 40-ton whales flap their tails and swim by gracefully. Take a Maui vacation between December and May to catch a glimpse of the whales.

There’s nothing like seeing Maui from the air. Take a helicopter tour of Maui to see mystic waterfalls, green valleys, and breathtaking mountains from the air. Then, for more laid back entertainment, enjoy a Maui luau, which is a Hawaiian feast where you can “hula” dance the night away!

If you’re a golfer, you’ll be amazed at the well-groomed courses in Maui. There are more than 16 courses, with several listed as the world’s best courses. Imagine seeing a Maui rainbow or feeling mist from the sea while playing your favorite sport! Just a few golf courses in Maui are Kahili Folf Course, Royal Kaanapali Golf Course, The Bay Course, The Plantation Course, and the Wailea Blue Course.

Maui Vacation for Families

Bring your family along for a Maui vacation - there’s plenty to do with the kids. At the Maui Ocean Center, you can see sharks and sting rays up close in a 750,000-gallon water tank that surrounds you. The sharks swim overhead and all around as you watch them safely through the glass. Then you can take a train ride on the Lahaina-Kaanapali Railroad (Sugar-Cane Train) from the 1890s.

For learning and exploration, take the kids to the Paper Airplane Museum or the Hawaii Nature Center. Then, just spend a relaxing day with the kids swimming and building sand castles at one of the lovely Maui beaches.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway to Maui, or a family Maui vacation, you’ll find the island to be relaxing and inviting with plenty to do no matter what your interests.

Technorati Tags: Hawaii, Hawaii Vacation, Maui, Maui vacation

Actually Hawaii has more endangered plants and animals per square mile than any other place on earth. It is sometimes referred to as the “Endangered Species Capital of the World.”

Some examples of endangered animals include 5 different species of turtles, the Hawaiian Monk Seal, Oahu Tree snails, 30 species of birds and around 279 plants.

There are an estimated 10-30 million species of insects worldwide (most still to be discovered and described by scientists). The following link will show you the estimated number of species going extinct while you view the webpage.
http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/endangered/numbers/numbers.html

Source: Hawaii Biological Survey

Technorati Tags: endangered, endangered animals, endangered plants, endangered species, Hawaii

To answer the second question:
Hawaii was named Hawaii several hundred years before it was made into a state.

According to Hawaiian legend, Hawaii Loa was a Polynesian chief who sailed more than 2,400 miles across open water from the Marquesas Islands, in the South Pacific near Tahiti, to discover the Hawaiian Islands in the A.D. 400’s. Upon his return home he organized an expedition to return to explore and settle on the islands. He settled on the what is now the Big Island of Hawaii named in his honor. His sons Kaua?i, O?ahu, and Maui, settled on the islands that now bear their names.

The replica voyaging canoe Hawai’iloa, was named after the legendary navigator. This canoe was built and sailed to prove that Polynesians were bold, intentional navigators, not the hapless voyagers blown off course that some theories of Polynesian migration claimed. The canoe Hawai?iloa is now docked at Honolulu Harbor. It is often sailed on long voyages throughout the Pacific Ocean in hopes of studying voyaging techniques used in antiquity.

Technorati Tags: Hawaii, Hawaii Loa, Hawaiian legend

This is a hard one to answer. Depending on how it is sounded out and if any ‘Okina is used.

Here is a breakdown of the words within the name.

Kua means ‘back’ and lani means ‘heavenly’.
Ku means to ’stand’ and alani is the word for ‘orange’.
or
Ku`a`lani would be ku (stand) a (turn on) lani (heavenly)

So ‘Heavenly back’ looks to be the literal meaning.

What month is the best to visit Hawaii?

Which month is best is largely based on what kind of activities you want to do and what you would like to see and do while visiting Hawaii. An example is whales migrate to Hawaii in the winter so whales are more commonly seen in the winter months ~ December through April.

You can browse through the Hawaii activities in the left menu (separated by islands) and see what is available.

There really is no clear cut answer to this except:
Every month is a good month in paradise!

What month has the least amount of tourists?

As you can see by the chart below May and September are the slowest months for tourism while July is the busiest.

Image Source: Hawai‘i. Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Keep in mind that the amount of visitors will vary by which Hawaiian island you are visiting. Oahu and Maui receive over a million visitors a month while the Big Island averages around 600,000 and the smaller islands Molokai and Lanai receive well under 100,000. once again it depends on what you want to see and do on your Hawaiian vacation.

Aloha was founded by Ruddy Tongg in 1946 with a single war-surplus plane. Before it’s shutdown Aloha offered 700 flights a week between the Hawaiian islands, and 140 more flights to six cities on the US west coast.

The shutdown is being blamed on the rising high cost of fuel and cutthroat competitors. Hawaiian Airlines and Go! are both honoring Alohas passengers with tickets for a short time.

Gov. Lingle is trying to stall the closing on behalf of around 1,900 employees who will be laid off without any notice and of course the passengers left holding the bag.

Sources: Independent UK and
The StarBulletin