#Hawaiki Tropical Beach

[findsunbiz]

Samoa, country in the central South Pacific Ocean, among the westernmost of the island countries of Polynesia.

According to legend, Samoa is known as the “Cradle of Polynesia” because Savai‘i island is said to be Hawaiki, the Polynesian homeland. Samoan culture is undoubtedly central to Polynesian life, and its styles of music, dance, and visual art have gained renown throughout the Pacific islands and the world. The country’s international image is that of a tropical paradise inhabited by tourist-friendly flower-wreathed peoples. Yet this belies the economic, social, and political challenges of this diverse and evolving Pacific microstate. Samoa gained its independence from New Zealand in 1962 after more than a century of foreign influence and domination, but it remains a member of the Commonwealth. The country was known as Western Samoa until 1997. Its capital and main commercial centre is Apia, on the island of Upolu.

Close kinship ties within the villages traditionally bound Samoans into a collectivist society, but a cash economy developed following European contact, mainly based on agricultural exports. Tourism, services, and light manufacturing became increasingly important after 1950. Other major sources of capital now include remittances from Samoans living abroad (mainly in the United States and New Zealand), which account for as much as one-sixth of household income, and grants from the United States, the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and other foreign entities.

Agriculture accounts for two-fifths of Samoa’s gross domestic product (GDP) and nearly two-thirds of the workforce; however, production does not meet local demand, and large quantities of food are imported. Major crops include coconuts, taro, pineapples, mangoes, and other fruits. Typhoons caused widespread damage in the 1990s to several crops, including taro, which was also devastated by taro leaf blight. Cattle, pigs, and poultry are raised for local consumption. Forestry has made increasing contributions to the economy, partly because of the government’s replanting programs. The Samoan fishing industry remains small, based primarily on catches made from outrigger canoes.

Samoa has few natural resources apart from its agricultural lands, surrounding waters, and pleasant scenery and climate; nearly half of the land area is covered by forests. Hydroelectric power provides most of the country’s energy needs; petroleum-fired thermal generators account for much of the remainder.

Samoa’s diversified light manufactures include beer, cigarettes, coconut products (mainly creams and oils), corned beef, soap, paint, soft drinks and juices, and handicrafts. Most are produced for local markets. A Japanese-owned electric assembly plant, which opened in the 1990s, is Samoa’s leading employer after the national government.

The currency of Samoa is the tala, which consists of 100 sene (“cents”). The money supply is controlled and regulated by the Central Bank of Samoa, which was established in 1984. Samoa also has several commercial banks. Banking and finance account for only a tiny fraction of employment, although numerous companies have registered in Samoa since offshore banking services were initiated in 1988.

Samoa has a persistently negative balance of trade. Major trading partners include New Zealand, China, Australia, the United States, and Japan. Food, industrial supplies, machinery, consumer goods, and petroleum products are the main imports. Coconut products, copra, cacao, and beer account for a majority of exports.

Government (including education) and tourism are the foundations of Samoa’s service sector. Tourism has been an increasing source of foreign exchange, with a steady supply of visitors from American Samoa and growing numbers from New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Europe. Popular tourist sites, in addition to Samoa’s white-sand beaches, include Mulinu‘u, where the parliament and traditional meeting and burial grounds are located; Fuipisia Falls, which descends some 180 feet (55 metres); and Vailima, where the last home of the 19th-century Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson (and for a time the residence of the head of state) serves as a museum.

Nearly two-thirds of Samoans are farmers or agricultural workers. About one-fifth of the population works in government, tourist, or other service sectors, and the central government is Samoa’s single largest employer. There are several trade unions in Samoa, though only a small percentage of the country’s workforce are members. The majority of the country’s workforce are men, but women are expected to play an increasing role. In 1991 the Ministry of Women’s Affairs was established to encourage and promote women’s employment.

More than half of the government’s revenue comes from taxes, and nearly one-third is from grants. In 1994 a value-added tax on goods and services was introduced amid great protest.

International flights connect the islands with American Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. Regular shipping services link with ports abroad, including those in Hawaii and California to the northeast and Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia to the southwest. About two-fifths of Samoan roadways are paved, including many coastal highways and the major streets of Apia. There are no railways.

Samoa has several thousand telephones in use, as well as international phone connections via undersea cable and satellite. The number of cellular phones in use has increased rapidly since the mid-1990s.

Finally, I will leave a link which includes all companies and enterprises in Samoa, for those who want to research and discover more about this country. Thanks for reading.

All businesses address in Samoa: https://findsun.net/WS

[us-states-en-blog]

Hawaii

This article is about the U.S. state of Hawaii. For the island for which it is named, see Hawaii (island). For other uses, see Hawaii (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Hawaiki. Coordinates: 21°18′41″N 157°47′47″W / 21.31139°N 157.79639°W / 21.31139; -157.79639 Hawaii (English pronunciation: i/həˈwaɪʲi/ hə-WY-(y)ee; locally, [həˈwɐ(ɪ)ʔi]; Hawaiian: Hawaiʻi [həˈvɐjʔi]) is the 50th and most recent state of the United States of America, receiving statehood on August 21, 1959. Hawaii is the only U.S. state located in Oceania and the only one composed entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean. Hawaii is the only U.S. state not located in the Americas. The state does not observe daylight saving time. The state encompasses nearly the entire volcanic Hawaiian archipelago, which comprises hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 miles (2,400 km). At the southeastern end of the archipelago, the eight main islands are—in order from northwest to southeast: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui and the Island of Hawaiʻi. The last is the largest island in the group; it is often called the "Big Island" or "Hawaiʻi Island" to avoid confusion with the state or archipelago. The archipelago is physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. Hawaii's diverse natural scenery, warm tropical climate, abundance of public beaches, oceanic surroundings, and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists. Because of its central location in the Pacific and 19th-century labor migration, Hawaii's culture is strongly influenced by North American and Asian cultures, in addition to its indigenous Hawaiian culture. Hawaii has over a million permanent residents, along with many visitors and U.S. military personnel. Its capital is Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu. Hawaii is the 8th-smallest and the 11th-least populous, but the 13th-most densely populated of the fifty U.S. states. It is the only state with an Asian plurality. The state's coastline is about 750 miles (1,210 km) long, the fourth longest in the U.S. after the coastlines of Alaska, Florida and California. More details Android, Windows

[kazheadrest]

The Luxurious Kona Coast

The luxurious Kona coast of Hawaii is the home of Kaz Headrest. So we thought we would start our Travel in Comfort series right next door.  Hawaii has some of the best beaches and finest resorts in the world and Kona is home to several of the most elegant.

Kukio Beach with snow-capped Mauna Kea Mtn. Big Island

“Kona is a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. The youngest island in the archipelago, the Big Island is believed to be the first island Polynesian voyagers from the Marquesas Islands discovered 1,500 years ago. The oldest archeological site in the state is  at Ka Lae (South Point).

Legend has it that the Big Island was first discovered by Hawai’iloa. Hawai’iloa was a Polynesian navigator, who eventually lent his name to the state. Other stories have it that the Big Island and the rest of Hawaii was once the realm of Hawaiki. This is supposedly where people go in their afterlife as this was the gods’ realm.”

“In the Hawaiian language, kona  means leeward or dry side of the island, as opposed to ko‘olau which means windward or the wet side of the island. In the times of Ancient Hawaiʻi, Kona was the name of the leeward district on each major island.” However the luxurious Kona coast is special in all Hawaii.

The ancient Hawaiians knew that the Kona coast was special place and just north of Kailua Kona they built one of their most beautiful villages Honokohau. “At Honokohau, ancient Hawai’ians took advantage of abundant freshwater springs to site a large community centered around fishing, fishponds and taro fields. Now the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park preserves a vast complex of important archeological sites, including several heiau, fishponds, fishtraps, house sites, burials, a holua (sledding track), a Queen’s Bath and abundant petroglyphs.”

 .                                                                “The reconstructed Kaloko Fishpond spotlights theond spotlights the “The reconstructed Kaloko Fishpond spotlights the enormous construction projects the Hawai’ians were capable of undertaking in their heyday. A kuapa, or rock wall, separates the fishpond from the ocean, with a gated opening which allows fresh tidal waters to pass in and out of the pond, but through which the growing fish cannot swim. Aquaculture of this magnitude could feed thousands of people; however, other foodstuffs besides fish were grown at Kaloko. Looking around the countryside from the Kaloko fishpond it is possible to see many elevated planter boxes made of the local basalt rocks, in which taro was gown. Taro, prepared as poi and baked as unleavened bread, was a staple food for the early Hawai’ians.”

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Among the most breathtaking resorts on the luxurious Kona coast is the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai . “The resort was opened in 1996 and makes use of natural materials indigenous to Hawaii, including rattan, bamboo and lava rock.” It was among the 100 of Travel + Leisure’s world’s best resorts awards in a readers poll and ranked in several “top lists” by Zagat Surveys. Condé Nast Traveler placed the resort on their “Gold list” for best resorts since 2005. Needless to say this amazing resort is one of the most luxurious in Hawaii.

The Four Seasons serves delicious cuisine at “three restaurants: Hualalai Grille, Ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge, and Beach Tree Bar & Lounge. Menus typically feature Big Island-grown and raised items such as avocado, goat cheese, red and yellow tomatoes, mushrooms, lobster, white organic honey, and baby abalone.” You can “enjoy a tempting variety of styles throughout the week, from Tuscan cucina rustica and beachfront barbecues to Asian-Pacific cuisine and Polynesian pupus (appetizers).”

Relax and rejuvenate at the Hualalai tropical garden spa, which features “eleven different types of massages and facials.” The facility integrates tropical gardens with cool interior spaces and feels distinctly Hawaiian. “Enjoy relaxing by a quiet stream in the open-air Waiea (Water of Life) garden. Or savor the lap pool, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges, all set amidst lush greenery. Your choice of massage and body treatments may be enjoyed outdoors or in an exotic “hale”, secluded for privacy. You can customize your treatment with a variety of local Hawaiian ingredients, including black lava salt, hibiscus and crushed macadamia nuts along with scented oils and botanicals.”

The Four Seasons pays homage to the Hawaiian culture at the Kaʻupulehu Cultural Center. There visitors can learn about Hawaiian culture and history with programs and lessons held throughout the week. Guests can take ʻukulele classes and learn the art of hula and lei making. The center also hosts a collection of Native Hawaiian art, including 11 commissioned paintings by artist Herb Kawainui Kane.

Probably the most famous amenity on the luxurious Kona coast is the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature Hualalai Golf Course at the Four Seasons. The course has been designed with extreme sensitivity to the land.  “Winding over 7,100 yards, this carefully groomed course begins in a lush kipuka (oasis) and then flows across brilliant green fairways contoured against black lava. Finally, the course returns to the ocean, where the finishing holes capture the drama and the beauty of direct seaside golf. After an exhilarating game, relax in the clubhouse where tropical refreshments, ocean views and a club-away-from-home experience await you.”

From 5 Star resorts to ancient Hawaiian villages, the Kona coast has everything you need to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable vacation. Check out our previous story on how to make your flight to Hawaii as comfortable as possible and stay tuned for our next story on the Luxurious Kona Coast.

Aloha

From 5 Star resorts to ancient Hawaiian villages, the Kona coast has everything you need to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable vacation. Check out our previous story on how to

Sponsored by Kaz Headrest. Check us out on Amazon.

[kazheadrestcom]

The Luxurious Kona Coast

The luxurious Kona coast of Hawaii is the home of Kaz Headrest. So we thought we would start our Travel in Comfort series right next door.  Hawaii has some of the best beaches and finest resorts in the world and Kona is home to several of the most elegant.

Kukio Beach with snow-capped Mauna Kea Mtn. Big Island

“Kona is a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. The youngest island in the archipelago, the Big Island is believed to be the first island Polynesian voyagers from the Marquesas Islands discovered 1,500 years ago. The oldest archeological site in the state is  at Ka Lae (South Point).

Legend has it that the Big Island was first discovered by Hawai’iloa. Hawai’iloa was a Polynesian navigator, who eventually lent his name to the state. Other stories have it that the Big Island and the rest of Hawaii was once the realm of Hawaiki. This is supposedly where people go in their afterlife as this was the gods’ realm.”

“In the Hawaiian language, kona  means leeward or dry side of the island, as opposed to ko‘olau which means windward or the wet side of the island. In the times of Ancient Hawaiʻi, Kona was the name of the leeward district on each major island.” However the luxurious Kona coast is special in all Hawaii.

The ancient Hawaiians knew that the Kona coast was special place and just north of Kailua Kona they built one of their most beautiful villages Honokohau. “At Honokohau, ancient Hawai’ians took advantage of abundant freshwater springs to site a large community centered around fishing, fishponds and taro fields. Now the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park preserves a vast complex of important archeological sites, including several heiau, fishponds, fishtraps, house sites, burials, a holua (sledding track), a Queen’s Bath and abundant petroglyphs.”

 .                                                                “The reconstructed Kaloko Fishpond spotlights theond spotlights the “The reconstructed Kaloko Fishpond spotlights the enormous construction projects the Hawai’ians were capable of undertaking in their heyday. A kuapa, or rock wall, separates the fishpond from the ocean, with a gated opening which allows fresh tidal waters to pass in and out of the pond, but through which the growing fish cannot swim. Aquaculture of this magnitude could feed thousands of people; however, other foodstuffs besides fish were grown at Kaloko. Looking around the countryside from the Kaloko fishpond it is possible to see many elevated planter boxes made of the local basalt rocks, in which taro was gown. Taro, prepared as poi and baked as unleavened bread, was a staple food for the early Hawai’ians.”

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Among the most breathtaking resorts on the luxurious Kona coast is the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai . “The resort was opened in 1996 and makes use of natural materials indigenous to Hawaii, including rattan, bamboo and lava rock.” It was among the 100 of Travel + Leisure’s world’s best resorts awards in a readers poll and ranked in several “top lists” by Zagat Surveys. Condé Nast Traveler placed the resort on their “Gold list” for best resorts since 2005. Needless to say this amazing resort is one of the most luxurious in Hawaii.

The Four Seasons serves delicious cuisine at “three restaurants: Hualalai Grille, Ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge, and Beach Tree Bar & Lounge. Menus typically feature Big Island-grown and raised items such as avocado, goat cheese, red and yellow tomatoes, mushrooms, lobster, white organic honey, and baby abalone.” You can “enjoy a tempting variety of styles throughout the week, from Tuscan cucina rustica and beachfront barbecues to Asian-Pacific cuisine and Polynesian pupus (appetizers).”

Relax and rejuvenate at the Hualalai tropical garden spa, which features “eleven different types of massages and facials.” The facility integrates tropical gardens with cool interior spaces and feels distinctly Hawaiian. “Enjoy relaxing by a quiet stream in the open-air Waiea (Water of Life) garden. Or savor the lap pool, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges, all set amidst lush greenery. Your choice of massage and body treatments may be enjoyed outdoors or in an exotic “hale”, secluded for privacy. You can customize your treatment with a variety of local Hawaiian ingredients, including black lava salt, hibiscus and crushed macadamia nuts along with scented oils and botanicals.”

The Four Seasons pays homage to the Hawaiian culture at the Kaʻupulehu Cultural Center. There visitors can learn about Hawaiian culture and history with programs and lessons held throughout the week. Guests can take ʻukulele classes and learn the art of hula and lei making. The center also hosts a collection of Native Hawaiian art, including 11 commissioned paintings by artist Herb Kawainui Kane.

Probably the most famous amenity on the luxurious Kona coast is the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature Hualalai Golf Course at the Four Seasons. The course has been designed with extreme sensitivity to the land.  “Winding over 7,100 yards, this carefully groomed course begins in a lush kipuka (oasis) and then flows across brilliant green fairways contoured against black lava. Finally, the course returns to the ocean, where the finishing holes capture the drama and the beauty of direct seaside golf. After an exhilarating game, relax in the clubhouse where tropical refreshments, ocean views and a club-away-from-home experience await you.”

From 5 Star resorts to ancient Hawaiian villages, the Kona coast has everything you need to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable vacation. Check out our previous story on how to make your flight to Hawaii as comfortable as possible and stay tuned for our next story on the Luxurious Kona Coast.

Aloha

From 5 Star resorts to ancient Hawaiian villages, the Kona coast has everything you need to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable vacation. Check out our previous story on how to

Sponsored by Kaz Headrest. Check us out on Amazon.

from Blog – Kaz Headrest https://www.kazheadrest.com/blog/the-luxurious-kona-coast/