#Things to know about Maui vs. Big Island

[ninetimesnetwork]

Things to know about Maui vs. Big Island

Things to know about Maui vs. Big Island

The second-largest Hawaiian island, Maui, is a popular vacation destination with 30 miles of immaculate beaches. Maui boasts lush rainforests, farm-to-table cuisine, world-class golf, and its stunning shoreline. Compared to the Big Island, Maui has more to offer in terms of resorts, a classic beachfront, and nightlife. Compared to the Big Island, the scenery is a little more consistent.

Even though there aren't any ski lifts to get you to the peak, it is feasible to snowboard and ski at the top of Mauna Kea. Big Island has much to offer in terms of exploring volcanoes, hiking, and different scenery.

MAUI AND THE BIG ISLAND IN A NUTSHELL:

It would be unfair to summarize an island in a single post, but to plan a trip, it's crucial to understand how the islands stack up against one another and what they have in common and what they might lack. You may use this to plan your trip, pick the island that best suits your needs, and arrive with realistic expectations. The Big Island and Maui are briefly described here, followed by a comparison of how one compares to the other.

BIG ISLAND

On the Big Island, environmental variety is everything. From the magnificent white and black to the snow-covered peak of Mauna Kea at almost 13,000 feet. There are around 266 kilometers of shoreline on this enormous island. The island can support a wide range of climates due to its vast size. At sea level, experience warm weather; at the summit of the Mauna Kea volcano, experience icy temperatures.

Good to know about the Big Island: 

Due to the significant distances between areas of interest in the Big Island, renting a car is required to move about. For instance, the distance between its two main hubs, Hilo/Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the east and Kona on the west coast, is between 1.5 and 2 hours by car.

Don't overlook these three items: 

Explore volcanology at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; get up close and personal with nature on a night swim, snorkel, or dive with a manta ray; On Mauna Kea, observe the sunset and the night sky.

MAUI

Maui epitomizes all people associate with Hawaii, including its expansive white-sand beaches, active volcanoes, palm palms, and agricultural landscape. Maui doesn't have a large metropolis. Therefore, even though it gets a lot of people, it generally maintains a quiet and collected atmosphere. Instead, it provides visitors with various little seaside villages to discover, each with its distinctive character. Two sizable volcanoes, a whale viewing, and nesting area, and isolated regions like Hana are all part of its natural scenery.

An important fact for Maui: The "up-country" lifestyle of Maui, which refers to the band of tiny farms on the foothills of Haleakala, is one feature that is sometimes disregarded. For instance, the town of Kula, which is made up of several small farms, provides an alternative.

Don't overlook these three items:

Take a boat journey out into the Auau Channel.

Enjoy the beaches of the south and west Maui.

Hike around Haleakala Crater (especially during whale season).

IF YOU LIKE... WHAT ISLAND SHOULD YOU SELECT?

Choosing which elements are most significant to you will determine the island you visit. The Big Island and Maui contrasted as follows:

ADVENTURE OUTDOORS: BIG ISLAND

When it comes to outdoor opportunities, Maui is no slouch. It has a variety of chances in and around the water, as well as Haleakala, a volcano that rises to a height of 10,000 feet. But Big Island just cannot be beaten in this aspect. The size of the island is comparable to that of Connecticut.

BEACHES: Maui

This is a non-contest. The Big Island's youthful, rugged, volcanic shoreline provides very little silky white sand, whereas Maui's shores have some of the state's greatest beaches. Maui is the obvious pick if you're craving beaches.

BIG ISLAND: VOLCANOS

The only active volcano in Hawaii is Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The Big Island, composed of five volcanoes, is the only island in Hawaii. The University of Hawaii in Hilo has a renowned volcanology department, and scientists from all over the world come to work there. Some of the most powerful telescopes on earth are located atop Mauna Kea, the highest volcano in the world.

MAUI'S FOOD, DRINK, AND NIGHTLIFE

Despite its vastness, the Big Island only has Kona and Hilo as its primary eating and entertainment centers. Although Kona has a lot of pubs and restaurants, the overall diversity is lacking (the majority are unpretentious beach cafes with identical menus). Hilo is a typically relatively sleepy town. However, it does have a few wonderful local attractions.

On the other side, Maui offers a wider variety of food options. Its hotels in Kaanapali and Wailea provide premium eating options, while its little beach villages, including Lahaina, Paia, and Kihei, are sprinkled with local eateries.

TYPE: MAUI

Maui offers a variety of different things. This region has two volcanoes, pristine beaches, offshore islands, world-class surf breaks, whale migrations, and several little coastal communities. The island is small enough that you may participate in a variety of activities in a single day without having to make a lot of trips, which is not always feasible or practical on the Big Island. Consider Maui for your trip if you want to experience a little bit of everything, thanks to its diverse offerings and excellent lodging choices.

Big Island aliment, libation, and nightlife

Even though there aren't many places to go out on the Big Island, Kona has a thriving nightlife. Kona's nightlife has a more relaxed atmosphere, making it less scary. The atmosphere in Kona is perfect for anyone seeking a more carefree, enjoyable experience. Hilo, however, has various eating alternatives, whether a casual lunch or a few drinks.

The Big Island has the broadest selection of genuine Hawaiian experiences. Maui is the ideal choice if you're searching for an island with a smaller environment but lots of outdoor activities.

Adam Miller R(S) 81648

808-866-6606

Jessica Miller R(S) 81811

Jessica and Adam Miller are licensed real estate agents on Maui. They are with Real Broker, LLC and their team is Nine Times Network.

We take great pride in not being like every other real estate agent you'll meet. 

(more about Nine Times Network)

Mahalo for reading our blog. If you have any questions about Maui real estate or if you are looking to buy a home, sell a home or invest in Maui real estate, we would love the opportunity to speak with you.

[risenwraith]

#145 Checking in...

An old family friend emailed me because of the fires if Hawai'i - she was worried.

For a while when I was staying at the Oast she had visited several times and we'd chatted and exchanged news and stories. We haven't said much since my father's death - very much my fault.

She emailed saying 'I've been thinking go of you - I hope you're safe!'

I explained the difference between the fires on Maui (really horrifying) vs the Big Island (just bad) where I am. Also that Waimea is half way up a mountain so mostly immune to lava flow and fire.)

I happily told her I'd finished chemo and was starting radiation - yey for treatment but boo for the six weeks of travel and inconvenience that it means. (Yes, I know. I am privileged complaining about travel time taking an hour each way.)

I then had a horrible moment wondering whether she even knew I had breast cancer? I'm not sure she did, which means I just kinda blithely splatted it on her all at once without meaning to.

Fuck.

Unless you are super organised with updating anyone and everyone in your life, then there will be old friends who didn't get the memo about any of your treatment unless you purposefully told them.

I didn't really tell anyone if I could help it at the start. Then when it was inescapable knowledge I made an announcement to those who had to know. And then I just mostly wrote things here. Which means here may be a few people who have no idea about any of it.

[alexotravel]

Hawaii’s Big Island – The “Big Island” of Hawaii is (you guessed it) the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and offers a stunning array of beautiful scenery for you to explore. Check out the best sights and activities on the island  here! When ready  browse vacation packages to Hawaii’s Big Island #hawaiian #Hawaii #HawaiiTravel #hawaiilife #HawaiiTravelTips #Hawaii #Vacation #Travel Hawaiian Islands has developed into a lively city.  In the heart of the city there’s a statue in honour of King Kamehama The Third who in 1840 moved his government residence from the island of Maui to Honolulu on Oahu  thus unifying the island kingdom.  In later years the Victorian Iolani Palace became the new  residence of those who ruled Hawaii. Hawaii wouldn’t be Hawaii if it were not for its world famous surfers when during the winter season the northern part of Oahu with its Waimea Bay  Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach is extremely  popular with surfers. A total of a hundred and thirty two islands  atolls and reefs make up the island group of Hawaii.  Only a twenty-minute flight from Oahu and Honolulu is the fourth largest island  ‘Garden Island’ or  Kauai.  Like no other island in the archipelago  Kauai is full of contrast:  while temperatures on the palm beaches are mostly summer-like  dry and warm  the interior of the island is one of the moistest regions in the world. Apart from pleasure boats it’s mainly canoes and kayaks that travel on the waters of the southern and northern sections of the Wailua River  an adventurous and also very popular way of exploring the interior of Kauai.  Picturesque insights into the Hawaii of bygone times are provided in the small village of Kamokila  an original Hawaiian village that has been reconstructed in every detail. The Haleakala National Park contains the world’s greatest dormant volcano and the clear night skies of this unique region have made it ideal for the observation of stars and satellites. What could be better than to observe the colourful transformation of the landscape while lying on a beach surrounded by palm trees and falling under the spell of this enchanting island paradise?  Aloha Hawaii! -------------- Thanks for all your support  rating the video and leaving a comment is always appreciated! Please: respect each other in the comments. Hawaii Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit for vacation  but there are definitely some things to know before you go. I grew up in Hawaii and lived here most of my life  so it's surprising how little people know about Hawaii before they travel here. Hawaii isn't just a tropical island with grass shacks and coconuts. So here are 10 things that I think people should know about Hawaii before they visit: 1. Be prepared for the weather 2. Each island is different 3. Things that are banned in Hawaii 4. Traffic 5. The diverse population 6. More than just beaches 7. Expensive 8. "Hawaiian" versus "From Hawaii" 9. Hawaii's history is complicated 10. Pidgin English Hawaii Travel Guide - 13 Tips for a FANTASTIC Trip to Oahu Hawaii's Big Island Vacation Travel Guide Oahu Hawaii Travel Guide: Everything you need to know Honolulu, Hawaii Travel Guide Top 10 Reasons to Visit Hawaii | How to Travel Maui - BEST Maui Travel Guide!! Hawaii Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go (2020) Best Island to Visit in Hawaii for First Time Best Hawaiian Islands to Visit? Oahu vs Maui vs Big I

[niamsuggitt]

The Ides Of August 2017

Yo! What’s up? I’ll tell you what’s up, and it’s the goddamn Ides of August! Yeah, that’s right, I’ve written some words about all of the various media I’ve been checking out for the past 30 days. It’s been a bit of a rough month personally (hence this being late), but that does mean I’ve had a lot of time to watch a lot of films, including, for the 2nd month in a row, a trip to the actual in-the-RL cinema.

There’s also the small matter of the return of Game Of Thrones, more Nintendo fun and an intriguing fantasy novel from one of my new favourite writers.

Let’s do this thing.

—

Movies

Lots of movies to talk about this time around! I’ll start with more of my Universal Monsters Box-Set, as I watched 2 of ‘em. First up was The Invisible Man (James Whale 1933). I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The special effect of making Jack Griffin ‘invisible’ were very impressive for the 1930s, and it was refreshing that the main character was basically just an unrepentant dick with his power. He really is a darkly human monster and Claude Rains is a lot of fun and gives a great performance, especially as you never see his face until he’s dead. It was in line with my only previous experience with the character, Moore and O’Neill’s League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which takes it even further (that rape sequence is horrific). I was also very pleasantly surprised to see Henry Travers, Clarence from It’s A Wonderful Life appear as Dr Cranley.

I then watched Bride Of Frankenstein (James Whale 1935) which was also very good. I really liked the opening sequence, which shows us the real world origins of Frankenstein, as Mary Shelley tells her story in the Villa Diodati. It’s a great moment when it’s revealed that the same actress, Elsa Lanchester plays Shelley and ‘The Bride’. I was less keen on the scenes that basically undo all of the ending of the previous film, as both Frankenstein and the Monster survive, but once Doctor Pretorius appears and the story really kicks in, I was back on board. The main thing people talk about when it comes to this film is the queer subtext, and it really is strong. Pretorious is a very gay-coded character, and you really can read a lot into his and Frankenstein’s relationship. Boris Karloff’s performance as the Monster is just as iconic as ever, and it was great to see him do a bit more in his scenes with the blind hermit. They were like an extended version of the little girl in the first film. I was actually surprised by how little we see of the title character, she appears, screams and dies. But still, it’s another iconic horror moment and an all-time great look. I would say overall that the first film is better, but I can see why some people prefer this film, if you like the auteur theory, there’s a lot more of Whale in this one.

I stuck with the monsters, but got a lot more contemporary next, with Kong: Skull Island (Jordan Vogt-Roberts 2017), which was a lot of fun, if flawed in some ways. I am a big fan of King Kong, going back to some GCSE coursework I did comparing the original film to Peter Jackson’s remake. One thing I appreciated about this film was that it wasn’t a remake, but instead used everyone’s favourite giant Ape to tell a new story, and in particular, an anti-War story. The decision to set this during Vietnam is a great one, and it gave us some fantastic imagery of Kong fighting helicopters. The action scenes here really are great, very stylish and fun. The Vietnam setting also provides a truly great soundtrack that thankfully doesn’t go full-on Suicide Squad in terms of needle-dropping. The main flaw with this film is that some of the characters, in particular Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson, who are ostensibly the leads are boring and don’t actually do that much. You probably could have removed Hiddleston entirely and it wouldn't change much. Thankfully, the rest of the cast helps to elevate things, with Samuel L Jackson, John Goodman and particularly John C Reilly, who plays a WW2 soldier who’s been trapped on Skull Island for decades delivering great performances. But the real star here is of course Kong, who not only looks real, but is fucking huge, way bigger than other versions. Any time he’s on screen is brilliant, and the fights are, as I said, incredibly cool. I was initially a little wary of this being a shared universe with Godzilla, especially as the tone of this and Gareth Edwards’ film are very different, but I can’t deny that the end credit sequence was cool and the prospect of this Kong and that Godzilla fighting each other is tantalising. I suppose it’s the same as the Marvel and DC cinematic universes, just the idea of Batman Vs Superman or King Kong Vs Godzilla is enough to at least pique my interest. So far the so-called ‘Monsterverse’ is better than the DCEU, but far off the MCU. But it’s only 2 movies!

Speaking of Marvel, I then watched Logan (James Mangold 2017) and was absolutely blown away. It’s not only the best X-Men movie by far, but also one of the best superhero films I’ve seen, and I have seen pretty much all of them at this point. I think what makes Logan so good is that it really has that weight of history that the best superhero stories have behind it. We’ve seen Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Patrick Stewart as Professor X on our screens for 17 years, nearly 2 decades now. Some people who were able to go to see Logan in the cinema were not even born when X-Men came out. So seeing these characters and actors age and (eventually) die really has an impact on us as a viewer. It also allows Jackman and Stewart to deliver far more nuanced and powerful performances. I can’t see it happening, but Stewart deserves awards recognition in my eyes. His senile Professor X is just heart-breaking. The other great performance in the film comes from Dafne Keen as Laura/X-23, who is fantastic, despite not saying much at all. Her action scenes in particular are excellent and surprising. That applies to much of the film, which really does have some impactful scenes, I really don’t think Logan’s claws caused so much blood to spray in previous films! The story here is refreshingly simple and light on mythology, but it works, and helps tie the story and character into the classic Westerns Mangold is drawing on. There’s a reason why they watch ‘Shane’ in the motel. Wolverine is comics’ original ‘Man with no name’ and this film really is true to those roots, delivering some truly iconic images of the character for me. I really can’t wait to watch it again, but Logan really is a great reminder of how great a character Wolverine is. I love that in 2017 the X-Men franchise, which has given us a fair amount of pablum is, with this and Legion and even Deadpool are stretching the kinds of superhero stories we get on screen.

One director who also stretched the superhero genre is Christopher Nolan, and up next I took a trip to the cinema to see his latest film, Dunkirk (Christopher Nolan 2017) which really gave me a lot to think about. I’m still mulling it over weeks later, which to me is the sign of a good film, and whilst I am conflicted about some of the messages, I really think it’s an incredibly profound and effective experience that really got across the horror of war and the Dunkirk evacuation in particular. Everything, from the soundtrack to the cinematography really put you in the shoes of the soldiers and I felt incredibly tense throughout. I particularly liked that this was a WW2 movie where you don’t see a single Nazi soldier. You see some planes, but that’s it. The threat they pose is all-encompassing, and you don’t know where they are coming from. All you get is the bombs, or the bullets coming through the hull of the ship. It really helps the paranoia and isolation the men must have felt, and means you can buy the scene where Harry Styles thinks Aneurin Barnard might be a spy (he turns out to be French). The way Nolan shot the aerial battle sequences and the sea also contributed to that feeling, where they are actually rather empty. At times, the English Channel looked like that endless ocean planet from his previous film, Interstellar! I thought the performances from everyone were very strong, whether from acting heavyweights like Branagh, Rylance and Hardy, or the younger actors. I mentioned Harry Styles earlier, and he’s actually very good here, and I think his casting works on a meta-level as well, because if Styles were to have been alive back in 1940, he wouldn’t have been able to become a popstar, he would have gone off to war. It really made me think about, despite the many problems of 2017, how lucky we are to be around today as opposed to then, something I was already thinking about given that the 100th Anniversary of Passchendaele happened the same week. My great-grandfather fought there when he was younger than I am now! That’s why I think the message of Dunkirk is a powerful one, it shows that even in retreat, we hailed these soldiers as heroes and eventually regrouped and won the War. It’s not jingoistic like many war films, contrary to what Nigel Farage may tweet! My only real issue is that it took me a while to work out how all of the storylines were taking place at different timescales and not at the same time, so when Cillian Murphy interacted with Fionn Whitehead’s character I was very confused, but I think that’s more on me that the film! Overall, Dunkirk worked for me, and is probably my favourite Nolan film since Inception.

Things are getting a bit heavy, so let’s lighten up with Moana (Ron Clements and John Musker 2016), another thoroughly delightful Disney musical from the same team that gave us Frozen and Tangled. This was a funny and fun romp with some great animation and a very strong vocal performance from The Rock as Maui. One thing I appreciated about this film is that it bucked the trend of Disney Princess stories and didn’t feature any romance at all really. Moana’s journey is to help her family and her people, not to fall in love, which is a modern touch I appreciated. The music was good, nothing here is quite as immediately iconic as ‘Let It Go’, but I found ‘How Far I’ll Go’ and ‘I Am Moana’ to be powerful songs. I’m obviously not the target audience for these films anymore, but this is certainly one of the better kids cartoons I’ve seen lately. There are enough jokes to get you through, and like I mentioned, the animation and look of this is brilliant. At times it reminded me of The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and there can’t be much higher praise than that!

Nearly done! I then watched The Incredible Jessica James (James C. Strouse 2017) on Netflix, and found it to be a very strong, modern romantic comedy with a truly great central performance from Jessica Williams. I had liked Williams as a correspondent on The Daily Show, but she really shows she can act here, as she really shines in every scene of this. She’s not only very funny, but able to handle the more dramatic parts of the story too. Not that this story is incredibly dramatic, it’s actually very straight-forward, and I imagine that many people are sick to death of hip sexy young people falling in love in Brooklyn. For me though, the performance of Williams elevates this above those familiar elements. The supporting cast is also strong, Noel Wells from Master Of None is great, and whilst I still find it weird that Chris O’Dowd is getting so many Hollywood Rom-Com roles, he’s great too. And of course Lakeith Stanfield is good as Jessica’s ex, he’s showing up in more and more lately, and he’s always good. It’s going to be a long wait for more Atlanta. I also liked how this film used social media. So much of modern romance is done online, and making Tinder, or unfollowing your ex on Instagram a plot point was intriguing, and something I want to see more of. It felt much more true to life than many films, and hopefully won’t date things too much. This isn’t ‘You’ve Got Mail’.

And finally, I re-watched Get Out (Jordan Peele 2017) again on DVD and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. Particularly how knowing the twist allows you to see earlier scenes in a new light. Like when you first see Allison Williams convince the Cop not to check Chris’ ID, you think she’s being cool and not-racist. But then you realise… she doesn’t want the Cop to know Chris was with her so they can trap him! Genius.

Television

There’s really only one place to start with TV, and that’s the return of Game Of Thrones (HBO) for it’s penultimate season. I am sort of conflicted about the season so far. On the one hand, GoT remains the best-looking, most lavish TV show on the air right now, and it’s gotten even bigger this year. The Dragon attack on the Lannister Army in Episode 4 was one of the most epic things I’ve seen on the small screen, and can probably rival most movies in terms of the CGI on the Dragons. It’s also been fantastic to see so many long-awaited moments and reunions, it’s been literally years since the likes of Arya, Bran and Sansa have been in the same place. The same goes for Tyrion and Jaime. And it’s been a lot of fun to see Daenerys actually interact with characters she’s never ever met before like Jon Snow and to see the series really cut to the meat of the story there. But therein lies my big issue with the season, and I think it’s because we really are ahead of the books now and we lack that wider context for these bigger moments. Because the show moves at a much quicker pace and has changed a lot of elements, previously, when they did that, we as fans knew the wider context and meaning because we had seen it in the books. But now, we haven’t, so things are just… happening. Awesome things for sure, but I can’t help but think that George RR Martin’s original versions will be better. The books have always been more humane and had more heart than the show, which takes the cynicism and darkness a bit too far. It’s odd, initially I thought that the show getting ahead of the source material would lessen my excitement for Books 6 and 7, but it’s having the opposite effect, I now want to read The Winds Of Winter more than ever. It’s certainly going to be different, especially because the show has cut so much meat off the bone. But I’m supposed to reviewing the show, not hypothetical novels. What else? I think the show has taken another step up in terms of editing and directing, I think that freedom from the novels has allowed them to do different things, like the toilet cleaning montage with Sam in the Citadel. That was a great sequence, and one I think they should do more of. Not the shit, but the montage, especially since so many people are complaining about how quickly people seem to move across Westeros now when compared to previous years. I don’t mind that too much, but it does add to that feeling off things just happening. But nevertheless, Game Of Thrones remains one of the best things out there in any media. I can’t quite believe there’s only 2 episodes to go this year. Hopefully by the time Season 8 rolls around my issues will have been resolved because I’ll have ben able to read that book!

Also in terms of new stuff, I watched the premiere of the revived DuckTales (Disney XD) and very much enjoyed it. Like most people of my age, I watched the original when I was a kid (even though it ended in 1990, UK Kid’s TV still repeated it a lot), particularly the movie where they get a Genie Duck, and as an adult I’ve gained a new appreciation of the Duck Family thanks to learning about the importance of the Carl Barks and later Don Rosa comics. I try to fight against my own nostalgia a lot of the time, but when that classic theme tune hit, I was hit with a proustian rush of it, it was great. But even as an adult, this new show has a lot going for it. It’s funny, the animation is strong and the voice acting is great across the board. David Tennant as Scrooge McDuck is one of those choices that is almost too good and having Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz and Bobby Moynihan play Huey, Dewey and Louie is also great fun. It is a bit weird that Donald Duck is the only one to speak in the classic way, but I think it works because Donald really is a unique weirdo. The show isn’t back properly until September, but I’ll certainly watch it, if only to hear Paul F. Tompkins appear as Gladstone Gander.

Now for another cartoon about kids going on adventures with an older relative that has an entirely different tone… Rick And Morty (Adult Swim) is properly back for Season 3 now after the premiere on April Fool’s Day. So far I’m really enjoying this year, because it’s just as insane as previous years, but also delving far more into the darkness at the heart of the characters. This week’s superhero episode was just fantastic, not just because the superhero parody element was so good, but also because of how Rick was just straight up the villain. Pickle Rick was also a standout episode. The violence was insane (I think the rat slaughter shocked me more than the Dragon War in the same night’s Game Of Thrones) and the discussion of therapy at the end was just incredibly bleak. I can understand why some people are thinking the show has been fumbling a bit this year, but I’m still digging it, and it’s certainly not going down the same path Season 3 of Community did. At least not yet. I hope Dan Harmon can break his cycle of going up his own ass, and so far, for me, he has. Perhaps it’s going up Justin Roiland’s ass instead? And that’s just a better ass?

In terms of continuing shows, Preacher (AMC) is still thoroughly enjoyable in Season 2. I am a bit disappointed that we aren’t actually getting to the road trip aspect of the show, and instead have spent most of it inside a dingy New Orleans apartment, but I suppose that’s budgetary. The actual story has been very good, with the threats of the Saint Of Killers and Herr Starr and The Grail being handled very well, and faithfully to the comics. The character work has also been very strong, Jesse, Tulip and Cassidy have all had to deal with some heavy shit, and it’s been very interesting. I’m particularly worried about what is going to happen with Cassidy and his son Dennis, who has become a Vampire too. It’s going to be tragic. This character focus is really the best thing about the show, because like I’ve said before, whilst, story-wise, it’s very different from the comics, in terms of characterisation and tone, it’s incredibly faithful to Ennis and Dillon. I think that’s why I don’t mind the divergences here as much as I do in Game Of Thrones.

Now for my catch-up viewing! I finally got around to the last 3 episodes of the first series of Inside No. 9 (BBC Two) on DVD, and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. It’s just great to have each episode be entirely different. ‘Last Gasp’ was perhaps the worst of the series, but it was still enjoyable and had a great performance from Tamsin Greig. ‘The Understudy’ was a great Shakespearean send-up and man, the final episode, ‘The Harrowing’ was a real shock. It was barely a comedy, just straight-up horror. I kept waiting for the comedic twist to come, and it never did! Brilliant stuff. I have Series 2 to watch and then I’ll have to buy the 3rd. I really can’t believe I didn’t watch this when it originally aired, what was I thinking?

I’ve also finally tackled Vikings (History Channel) Season 3. I watched the first 2 seasons in fairly quick succession last year, but somehow never found the time to continue. Now I have that bit of time, and also an iPad so I’ve been streaming the shit out of Ragnar and his friends. I really enjoyed this season, Vikings has always been very consistent, but it took a step-up here I think. Travis Fimmel’s Ragnar remains a very underrated performance, you never know what he’s planning, and I also continue to thoroughly enjoy King Ecbert’s scheming. It’s going to be very satisfying if and when he finally gets his. I also like how the series continues to surprise by having events that you’d think would be save for a climactic finale happen at unusual junctures. Big characters that have been around since the first episodes die in the 3rd and 6th episodes of the season, and it really does keep you on your toes. So much so that I almost bought Ragnar’s ‘death’ in the finale, before realising it was just a ploy to get into Paris. The whole Paris storyline was great, in particular the battle scenes. The one that took up pretty much an entire episode, ‘To The Gates’ was just brilliant, and really bears comparison to some of the best battles in Game Of Thrones or Spartacus. The new French Villains are less exciting (Count Odo’s sadomasochism came a bit out of nowhere, and it was weird how only that scene in the entire series had nudity right?) but I imagine they will be fleshed out in Season 4. The same thing happened with The Saxons. The only real negative in this season was the weird appearance of Kevin Durand as a character who might be the actual Odin. In a series where the conflict between the Norse Gods and Christianity plays such a big role, having one side appear as ‘real’ just didn’t work for me.

Music

Only one CD to talk about this month, but it’s kind of a big deal, in that it’s the new one from Arcade Fire, one of the world’s biggest bands. So far I haven’t been able to listen to Everything Now (Sonovox/Columbia 2017) as many times as I’d like (though I am listening to it now as I type this. Right now. Right… now) but I think I like it rather more than what the general consensus seems to be, and certainly think it’s a return to form after ‘Reflektor’ which I never fell in love with. It’s not up there with ‘The Suburbs’ or ‘Funeral’, but frankly, few albums are. For me, this is a very enjoyable record with some interesting new developments for the band. Yeah, the title track does sound rather a lot like Abba, but I don’t mind that, and I would put ‘Signs Of Life’ up there with Arcade Fire’s best songs. You can really tell that Thomas Bangalter from Daft Punk produced those tracks, they feel much more dancey. I do think some of the meaning behind the songs and the cultural commentary is a bit wanky, but on the record itself, it doesn’t get in front of the music itself. I think Arcade Fire are kind of suffering from Jonathan Franzen-syndrome, where people focus way more on the interviews and news around the work, than the work itself. Who cares about fidget spinners and whether or not they enforced a dress code or if it was a joke or not. Just listen to the music and forget about ‘the discourse’. I know it’s hard, and I’ve certainly failed to do that here, but still, I’m going to make an effort.

Books

I’m going to keep this short because I wrote more general thoughts last week, but I really did blast through the back half of 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History Of Protest Songs (2010) by Dorian Lynskey. It’s a fantastically readable book and even though it’s over 500 pages long, it never felt like a chore. I was up the the 1970s last time, and this month I read from then, through the 80s and 90s and up to Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’. The focus of the book spreads a bit wider, as the focus of the protest movements becomes harder to define and the culture as a whole became more diffuse. So the chapter that is nominally about U2’s ‘Pride (In The Name Of Love)’ is actually more about Bruce Springsteen and Live Aid than those loveable lads from Liverpool, and the Steve Earle track becomes about the musical response to 9/11 and the Iraq War as a whole. It’s still interesting, but does lack the immediacy of the anti-Vietnam and Civil Rights songs from earlier. If anything, that’s my only criticism of the book, in that Lynskey’s history only goes up to 2003, and is a bit too much a part of the ‘end of history’ neoliberal consensus era. With recent events showing that to have been completely wrong-headed, this is one history that will certainly benefit from an update in a few years, once we’re able to see the true impact of Trump and Brexit and all of the other huge events. That’s if there any good protest songs to come of the current climate? Last month I said there aren’t any and that’s still the case. Maybe Lynskey could sub in a podcast and write about Chapo Trap House?

I then took a turn back into fiction, in particular fantasy with Saladin Ahmed’s Throne Of The Crescent Moon (2012). I picked this up after being very impressed by the first few issues of Ahmed’s Black Bolt, which he does, along with the amazing artist Christian Ward for Marvel. He’s giving new life to the Inhuman King, and it’s probably the best comic to come along as part of the big Inhuman push we’ve had over the last few years (I sort of don’t count Ms. Marvel or Moon Girl as Inhuman books, even though I probably should). This novel is a fantasy, but what sets it apart from the standard is that it isn’t set in a quasi-medieval European setting, but in a Middle Easternish universe. A lot of fantasy novels have these oriental settings, but most of them are set apart from the ‘real’ action, like Game Of Thrones’ ‘Essos’, but here, the main focus is the magical Arabian Nights, and I found the setting to be very interesting, and something cool and different. But setting is only a part of it, the characters Ahmed uses to populate his world are well-developed, and I found Adoulla to be a very strong central character that went against cliche. He’s not a young chosen one, he’s a middle-aged magician who can’t really be bothered. I think the closest comparison I can think of for Ahmed’s book is Scott Lynch’s ‘The Lies Of Locke Lamora’, as both are not sprawling epics where people go on quests, but tighter stories where the action mainly takes place in a bustling metropolis. The scope of this story is a lot smaller than I expected, but that just means the focus is sharp. You can certainly tell there is a wider world going on, and I am excited to see how that is developed in future novels. If you like modern fantasy and what something with a little different spin on it, this is definitely worth a read, and it won’t take 3 months to read like a lot of others. And seriously, pick up Black Bolt, it is great.

Games

I feel like I’m finally getting into the real meat of The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (Nintendo Switch 2017) as I’ve actually started to do the main quest instead of randomly dicking around Hyrule. I’m now doing one of the ‘Great Beast’ stories having accidentally ran into a Zora during some of that aforementioned dicking around. It’s a bit of an adjustment going to a bit more of a traditional Zelda structure here, but I do welcome it. At times, the sheer scale of the game can be a bit overwhelming and I can't decide what to do. I wen through the same thing with GTA V if I recall correctly, before eventually knuckling down and completing the thing. I don’t have anything else to really say about how good this game is though, it’s superb and at this stage I’m just going to be updating you on my progress. I hope it doesn’t take too long, it took me over a year to beat Ocarina Of Time, and that’s a much smaller game! But then again, I was 12 then.

I’ve also played a bit more of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch 2017) as my Cousin is back from China and wanted to play. It’s so much fun, particularly on multi-player and I’m enjoying slowly but surely unlocking more cool vehicles and extra stuff to play as. I also really like the fact that some classic tracks from older games are on here. I didn’t realise how well I remembered Mario Kart Super Circuit from the GBA, but it’s been buried there in my sub-conscious all this time.

And finally, I bought an Apple iPad this month! I’ve been meaning to get one for ages and I had a bit of a cash surplus so decided to be spontaneous. So far I’ve mainly used it for streaming video and surfing the web, but I do have one game, Football Manager Touch 2017 (iOS 2016). So far I’m very impressed, it’s exactly the same as the classic Football Manager… only on the iPad! For me, FM has gotten a bit too fiddly on the computer in the last few years, so this slightly more streamlined version is welcome. I just hope I don’t get too addicted like I have to past incarnations. I’m thinking the portable nature of the iPad will help with that, I can’t play for hours on end because the battery will run out! I’m only in pre-season with Sheffield Wednesday so far, but I did win one friendly 5-0, I’m definitely going to smash promotion, I can tell.

—

So there you have it. I’ll be back in September. Dunno what I’ll have to talk about, I’m in a bit of a funk so probably just… ‘I played Football Manager for a month straight and now it’s the year 2040 and everyone’s a regen’. I saw an article on Vice the other day where 2 guys played a Management sim for a thousand in-game years. This is my goal.

See you then!

[fallen-gravity]

Food for thought(s)

Because I really enjoy how rambly you get when you receive one of these, here’s another: Maui has got to be so incredibly /Bitter/Alienated/Others/ about the humans. He’s just spent 1000 years alone on a almost-desert island and before that he’s been alive since, y'know, the beginning, when humans couldn’t stand straight because the sky was too low. Like he said, “Humans never change”. In both good and bad.

Now, we all know how much he likes Moana (not that it’s hard to like her, look at how good she is!). So what if, in a hypothetical Alternate Universe, they took some time as a break on Te Fiti(the island) before Moana returned home. And they shared life experience. And at some point, Maui realized “Hey, that kid remind me of kid-me”. (I’m as much of a sucker for the outtakes than you and I particularly like the “New Maui” line in Unstoppable) And they start to draw lines between the job of a Demi-god and the job of a Chief, which can be mostly divided in:

-They both help people

-They both want to help people, even if the people don’t necessarily see their help as good. (“Don’t Cross the Reef” VS People’s first reaction to fire)

Basically, the job’s ingrate. In Moana’s book “The Junior Novelization”, Maui outright say and I quote: “We’re here because I keep listening when humans beg for my help. I’m done.” After Te Ka put a dent in his hook so I believe that while he was on his forced vacation with nothing to do (beside sculpting that huge statue and counting days) he had more than the time to think through some pretty harsh realizations about humans and his relationship with them.

EDIT : THE FOLLOWING TEXT WAS ONLY MEANT TO GO ON FOR THE TWO BIG CHUNK OF MAUI’S SPEECH, BUT MY BRAIN DID HIS THING AND NOW IT’S A MONSTER.

Consider the following: “So, to become chief on your island you’ve got to put a rock on a pile of rocks to make your island higher or, as your dad put it “to raise if from the sea”?“

"Pretty much yeah. There’s a few more things but that’s the main one.”

“Heh. I think I should feel honoured that one of your ancestor started a tradition like that after me but I’m too discouraged for that.”

“Discouraged? You?”

“Well, yeah. These tradition your people got, like not going beyond your reef, it probably started after I took the heart. So one of your ancient chief had to do something to make sure to bind your people to the island. And that had to be hard to do because your ancestors, the wayfinders, they loved the sea. They stayed on it as long as they could. They might have decided to stop wayfinding when the darkness got too big but it’s beyond stupid to go on the farthest island they could find and just decide to stay there forever, waiting for the darkness to catch up and leaving they descendant without a mean to escape should the darkness ever get there.”

“When you put it like that, it sure doesn’t sound bright but what’s the link with my putting my stone on top of the others?”

“I’m getting there, Curly, I’m getting there.”

“So, at some point, your traveling boats were hidden and your people, except for the ruling family, forgot they used to go on the ocean. But changes like that, they take many generations to happen. So one of your chief ancestor had to change the tradition from "We wayfind like Maui taught us” to “We raise the island from the sea like Maui did”. And eventually your people made themselves new traditions. Island-related traditions. And they forgot about the darkness. Even the chiefs, they probably only had a vague idea that something bad was out there.“

Expecting an answer of some kind, Maui turned to Moana, who was sitting to his right. She was staring at the sea in front of her, her jaw slack and with a faint air of deep sadness about her. As if sensing that his attention was on her, she turned her head:

"Why?”

Her voice was faint, almost a whisper.

It carried so much heartbreak.

So much anguish.

Her meaning was so very clear.

“Mortals almost never think further than three generations in the future, Mo. Their lives are too short.”

She vacillated.

Opened her mouth.

Almost spoke.

Closed her mouth, reshaped her thoughts.

“What can I do?”

A wry smile stretched his lips for a moment.

“First, You’ve got to accep that whatever you will choose to do, it will hurt you. Maybe not the same type of hurt, but hurt all the same.”

“Heh?”

“If you decide to go with what you were told all your life, with what your parents and the elders of your village want, they will be happy and your will hurt yourself.- She opened her mouth to protest but he raised a finger. - Shh, I’m not done. You might have been raised to be chief, you might be good at being at chief but you’re not mean to be chief. That’s not who you are.”

All that he said with his eyes locked on hers, watching her reaction.

Her gratefulness was like a wave.

Poweful.

Overflowing.

All-Encompassing.

He grabbed her in a hug just as she reached for him.

“So, choice two is that you do what you love, what makes you happy. Then those on your island who cling to tradition won’t like you at all: it will be too big a change, too fast a change. They will want to hurt you for that. Not physically, you’re too strong for that, but do you know what it does to have hostile glares follow you everywhere, to have people who used to love you question your every action, your every motive? To have powerful members of the community using their influence against you? Do you think you know how far your people might go to stop you breaking so much traditions, to upset their whole way of life? The young ones might follow you, the ones that crave adventures, the ones young enough to know what it’s like to want to experience something new.”

She settled against him.

“Maui?”

“Yeah?”

“I think I’m going to take my time getting back. I’m going to have to stop and restock often, too: the village is going to suffocate me when they realize I’m not dead, I’d better not make it worse by appearing to be at less that perfect health.”

“Well then, I’m going to come along a part of the way. Now that I started making my mortal bitter, I might as well finish the job. And I’ve got to make sure you find enough islands to feed yourself. But I’m not coming within sight of your island.”

“I don’t expect you to, I wouldn’t want my demi-god to face the anger of my tradition-enamored people.”

“Hah, listen to yourself! "Tradition-enamored”! Your people won’t recognize you.“

Moana removed her head from where she had squished it against his neck and looked at his with a serious face.

"If I were to be transported to my island right now, I think they would have some trouble, that with me going to Lalotai and facing Te Ka. And, anyway, I think I’d rather be bitter with a better understanding of things than blissfully naive.”

“Now you’re being mean.”

“That didn’t stop you.”

“I’m an immortal demi-god, I don’t count. Unless you’d like to try to become a demi-godess?”

“I can’t leave my people without a chief, they’ve spent the last sixteen years preparing me. They don’t have a spare hidden somewhere!”

“Mo, you’re aware that chefs usually have more than one kid? If you count from your gramma’s great-gramma, there are plenty of possible chiefs on your island and that’s not talking about about any possible children that could be orn from the right two people. And that is if they would remember what happened in a couple generations.”

Moana rolled her eyes and returned her head where it was, her answer barely audible with how muffle it was:

“Please don’t tempt me!”

Maui’s chuckle shook them both for a long moment.

[anestiefel]

Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island Is Better for You?

Getting There and Around

Along the Road to Hana, Maui/Oyster

Traveling to Hawaii, sadly, isn’t fast. Even those coming from the West Coast will have to endure a six-hour flight, and it’s double that for folks traveling from the East Coast. Since most flights arrive in Oahu, whether you’re off to Maui or Kauai, you may have another leg of the journey. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, though, you may find a more direct route.

Maui: You can fly nonstop to Maui’s Kahului Airport from as far east as Chicago, which helps make it a bit simpler to reach Maui from many mainland U.S. destinations. Travelers from New York City, Boston, and other East Coast cities will likely have to connect from a city on the West Coast or through Oahu (there are nonstop flights from NYC to Honolulu, located on Oahu). Once you land, Maui is generally easier to get around than Kauai. You can drive (or take a bus) around much of the coastline. In all likelihood, the only long drive that you’ll have to endure is the the Road to Hana or to the Haleakalā volcano. Everything else is likely to be pretty close at hand, especially if you’re staying in the big tourist area at Lahaina.

Kauai: Kauai is best for slightly more intrepid travelers. There are considerably fewer nonstop flights to Kauai, and all are from the West Coast. But that’s only half the battle. Kauai is generally considered one of the least developed islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. Only 20 percent of the island is accessible by car, and most of the coastline can’t be seen from any road. For instance, the island’s most famous destination — the dramatic Na Pali Coast. While you can get a glimpse of the dramatic cliffs here after a short walk from a parking lot, but properly experiencing it comes with an overnight hike, a boat tour that is notorious for making people seasick, or a doors-off helicopter ride — a prospect that might be too pricey (or too daring) for some.

Weather on Kauai and Maui

Waimea Canyon, Kauai/Oyster

Average high temperatures at sea level are a few degrees warmer on Maui than on Kauai, which is 225 miles to the northwest. And we do mean a few — 79 versus 82 degrees in December, for example. There is, however, more of a difference when it comes to rainfall.

Maui: Most of Maui’s main resort areas and attractions get reliably sunny days all year round, especially the south coast near Wailea. Although Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua are slightly more fickle, the island sees negligible rain overall. A word about temperatures: If you venture to the top of Haleakalā volcano (more than 10,000 feet above sea level), you’ll need a windbreaker, hat, and gloves, especially at night. It will be cold, no matter how balmy it feels at your hotel.

Kauai: Kauai gets more rain than Maui, especially from December through March. The exception is the south shore around Poipu, which many tourists prefer during the winter. The catch is that the most beautiful scenery is on the north shore, near Princeville and Hanalei. But showers tend to be brief — true throughout all of Hawaii — and you may be treated to an Instagram-destined rainbow afterward.

Scenery on Kauai and Maui

Sunrise at Haleakalā National Park, Maui/Oyster

When it comes to dramatic Hawaiian scenery, Maui and Kauai are both essentially exactly what most travelers imagine. Stunning coastlines, towering mountains, and lush jungles abound on both islands. However, the main difference between the two islands comes down to the variety in the landscapes, which Maui wins by a narrow margin.

Maui: All in all, the scenery on Maui is more accessible than what’s found on Kauai. That starts with Haleakalā, a dormant volcano taking up about 40 percent of the island, offers beautiful, desert-like views via the Sliding Sands Trail. It’s easily accessible by a road that takes you up to the top. (Several tour companies also offer a bike-down option.) It’s the place to watch the sun rise, but sunsets or stargazing usually draw fewer people. The Road to Hana, a narrow, twisting highway, is often lauded as one of the most captivating drives in the world, passing black and red sand beaches, jungles, a bamboo forest, waterfalls, and a grove of rainbow eucalyptus trees, which look like they’ve been spray-painted.

Kauai: With plains and jagged mountain peaks that are cloaked in thick, emerald vegetation, it’s no wonder why “Jurassic Park” was filmed on Kauai. But the eye-catching scenery isn’t all that Kauai has going for it. As we’ve already told you, Kauai is best for travelers who are more independent and adventurous. The island has a far more rural vibe than Maui (keep an eye out for the wild chickens), and lacks some of the more touristy trappings found there. Waimea Canyon on the western side of the island — dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” — is jaw-dropping 10-mile long stunner that’s 3,000 feet deep. Hiking down into the canyon is doable, but strenuous. We’ve also already told you about the visits to the Na Pali Coast and the off-the-grid experience they offer.

Beaches on Kauai and Maui

Kalapaki Beach at the Kauai Marriott Resort/Oyster

For many travelers, a Hawaiian vacation without some beach time is unthinkable. You can loll away on Maui or Kauai, but the experience will play out a bit differently on each. (Technically, Maui has more swimmable beaches than Kauai.) Whichever swath of sand you land on, know this: It may remind you of a beach in the Caribbean, but the water here is noticeably cooler.

Maui: The waters are less rough around Maui than they are around Kauai, especially in the winter. Maui has a bounty of spectacular– albeit sometimes narrow — golden beaches, plus black and red sand options. Among them is Makena Beach (also known as Big Beach) from which you can see the Molokini crater. The surf here also tends to be gentle enough for timid swimmers. Wailea Beach is home to some of Maui’s poshest resorts, such as the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, the Andaz Maui at Wailea, and the Grand Wailea – A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Accordingly, A-listers, like John Stamos, Adam Sandler, and Jessica Alba, have been spied here. Kapalua Bay Beach, near the Montage Kapalua Bay and The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, is a popular spot for boarding and kayaking, as well as swimming and snorkeling among parrot fish and turtles.

Kauai: Here, you’ll find more wide, soft, white-sand beaches, due to the fact that Kauai is geologically older than Maui. However — like many things on Kauai — some of the most beautiful and uncrowded beaches are hard to reach. For example, you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to traverse an unpaved road and sand dunes to reach the secluded, 17-mile stretch of sand at Polihale State Park. Upon arrival, you’ll be rewarded with views of the beginning of the Na Pali Coast as well as Niihau, the state’s only privately-owned isle. The dunes, some 100 feet high, are an impressive sight, as are the waves. With the exception of Queen’s Pond, which is protected by a sandbar, the rest of the beach is too dangerous for swimming. That fact — or the trek to get down here — may be why the beach is almost always nearly empty. Meanwhile, Kalapaki Bay on the eastern coast is a prime spot for surfing, sailing, and canoeing. The Kauai Marriott Resort is adjacent to the bay. On the north shore, Anini is the most noteworthy beach. The water here is calm, since it’s protected by Hawaii’s longest reef. At two miles long, it’s rarely crowded, especially at the west end.

Activities on Kauai and Maui

Kalalau Trail, Na Pali Coast, Kauai/Oyster

The list of outdoor pursuits is long for both Maui and Kauai, and many activities overlap. Fishing, snorkeling, hiking, surfing, sea kayaking, golfing, and boating make both islands an adventurer’s paradise, but here are some distinctions to keep in mind.

Maui: Good snorkeling can be had on Kauai, but on Maui, it’s great. There are more top-notch sites here, and more are easily accessible from beaches. Sea turtles are often part of the underwater show on Maui. Po’olenalena Beach, in the southern part of Maui, arguably offers the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii. To the west, Kahekili Beach and Kapalua Beach are nearly as rewarding in terms of the variety and abundance of undersea life you can see. Catamaran cruises at sunset are also exceptionally popular while you’re here. Day hikes and waterfalls, along with great swimming holes, are all along the Road to Hana.

Kauai: While Maui has the edge in snorkeling, Kauai — also known as the Garden Isle — is a hiker’s haven. Note that some of the treks are suited to experienced hikers — such as the Kalalau Trail, a 22-mile, minimum two-day trek along the Na Pali Coast — but there are still some places where newbies can set off and see staggering sights. For instance, the easygoing Kuilau Ridge Trail takes only about two-and-a-half hours to hike, and offers views of Mount Nounou and, if it’s not cloudy, Mount Waialeale as well. Kauai also has something Maui doesn’t: navigable rivers. That allows for river kayaking, with popular picks being the Wailua River and the Hule‘ia River, which takes you through the surrounding National Wildlife Refuge.

Wildlife on Kauai and Maui

Snorkeling at Sheraton Maui Resort/Oyster

Both islands provide plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, including colorful tropical fish, manta rays, and green sea turtles. (The latter, while certainly not unknown on Kauai, tends to favor Maui.) Here’s what else to consider if viewing wildlife is a priority.

Maui: Humpback whales, migrating down from Alaska, put on quite a show off of Maui’s coast during the winter months. In fact, in some places you can see them breaching without leaving your hotel room. It’s easy to book boat or even kayak tours to get up close and personal with these beloved marine mammals. While it’s possible to see humpbacks in the waters off Kauai, Maui is largely considered to be the better vantage point.

Kauai: What you might see in Kauai, however, is a monk seal. The total population of the critically endangered animal is down to 1,200 — most live around the uninhabited northwestern Hawaiian islands. However, they’ve started popping up on beaches all around Kauai. These blubbering beauties are commonly spotted basking on Poipu Beach, including at the Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection. (You’ll need to keep a safe distance, for your sake and theirs.) The odds of seeing one in Maui, several hundred miles away from the seals’ principal feeding grounds, is slim at best.

Overall Vibe on Kauai and Maui

Road to Hana, Maui/Oyster

Tropical, relaxing, and exciting — Maui and Kauai have a lot in common. But which one you choose will come down to your vacationing style and who you’re traveling with.

Maui: If you are traveling with your family or another group with a range of ages and interests, Maui can be the clear choice due to the variety of entertainment and activity options it offers. If you’re honeymooning, you’ll have plenty of company, for better or worse, as Maui is newlywed central. For first-time visitors to Hawaii, Maui will likely offer more of what you’re expecting. For one thing, many picture themselves staying on the beach, and that’s easier to do on Maui, which has a greater number of beachfront properties at various price points. You can find ample nightlife here, as well as fine-dining establishments and high-end shops like Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton. (You’ll also find chain restaurants, such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which can be a positive or a negative, depending on your outlook.) In short, Maui is more touristy, but that’s not a bad thing for some people.

Kauai: Kauai is your pick if the great outdoors and a lack of major development is your idea of paradise. You’ll find a real sense of solitude here. Come to Kauai if you’re looking to really unplug and don’t need a hopping bar scene or days spent shopping. For active, outdoorsy travelers seeking a true escape, Kauai is likely to be heaven on earth.

Our Maui Hotel Pick: Travaasa Hana

  The grounds and oceanfront at Travaasa Hana, Maui/Oyster

One of the most popular hotels in Hawaii (and, to be honest, the entire United States), the Travaasa Hana takes luxurious Hawaiian vacationing to new heights. This all-inclusive resort is located at the end of the Road to Hana, and feels light-years away from the real world. It’s stand-alone bungalows are hard to top on Maui if you’re after secluded romance.

Pricing for Travaasa Hana, Maui

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Our Kauai Hotel Pick: The Princeville Resort

The view over Hanalei Bay and mountains from the Princeville Resort/Oyster

Overlooking Hanalei Bay, The Princeville Resort is a classic stunner with plenty of modern style. It’s easily the most elegant property on Kauai, with spacious rooms, beautiful pools, high-end dining, and a prime location along the island’s North Shore. It’s a family-friendly option, but there are enough amazing amenities here for a romantic adults getaway too.

Pricing for Princeville Resort

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You’ll Also Like:

12 Things You Should Never Do in Hawaii

The 12 Best Beach Hotels on Maui

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[sarahrobkiwi]

Date:       July 2015

Position:      19°49′40″N  155°28′05″W

Conditions: Dry and sunny on one side, warm and wet on the other

Mauna Kea Map

Chevy Sparks don't fly

At 10000ft altitude, a Chevy Spark runs out of puff.  So does the person driving it!  That is because said driver realises that if she wants to get to the top of Mauna Kea, she will have to a) climb a further 4000 ft up a gravel road or b) hitch a lift.  Guess that what happens when you take a rental car where it shouldn't go.  Thank god the rental company didn't think to check instatwitface after the car was returned - hired by one careful lady driver on the wrong side of 40 - what could possibly go wrong!

As it was, poor wee Blueberry (the Chevy mentioned above ) got abandoned on the side of the road, while I contemplated my immediate future.  I am all for adventure sports, but, getting older and lazier by the minute, climbing was not the favoured option.  The lack of vehicles out for that particular scenic drive was disappointing.  Following a contour line instead of gaining altitude, I found a wee knob to climb that looked back towards the Pacific Ocean.  

An hour beforehand

Mauna Kea was a last-minute decision made while scoffing a late breakfast of fried rice in a rest area on the coast road, looking at Haleakala on the island of Maui, feeling pretty choice about where I was.  Looking over my shoulder, I noticed there were no orographic clouds on the summits of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa that morning.  Instant change of plans!  My drive to see King Kamehameha's statue was postponed while I went on a big trip!  Kicking myself that I didn’t rent a 4x4 at this point, I thought I would see what Blueberry could do as we all know, rental cars are the best, and go everywhere - well almost everywhere!

Views

The views are spectacular.  All the little hills you don't pay much attention driving between these two massive volcanoes to turn out to be cinder cones. Mauna Loa dominated the view from rocky outcrop where I was sitting.  Its height from the sea floor means that as a single entity, it stands higher than Mount Everest. In a cold winter, you can ski there!  Crisscrossed with lava flows, the more recent look black, against a background of red dirt and yellow grass.  Spinning back around, Mauna Kea rises behind a dark red rock.  And Mauna Loa is higher.  Visitors before me had left offering to Pele.

In for a penny, in for a pound, I decided.  Blueberry should attempt the two highest peaks in Hawaii in one day.  Looking across the valley to Mauna Loa, I figured the observatory I could see must be a similar altitude to my current situation - easily achievable, and if the road was sealed further, I should get higher.

Now a funny thing happens as you drive down Mona Kea.  You notice lots of things you don't see when driving up.  Namely, all the lava flows crisscrossing the valley floor, and cinder cones that you just drove past without paying much attention too.  I kept hearing my granddads voice in my head complaining about the water in the bottom paddock when the river flooded.  In Hawaiian terms, the complaint would go along the lines of “god dang it Flo, gotta move the sheep cause the lavas back in the bottom paddock”.  

Mauna Loa

There is a little hill beside the highway,  surrounded by black lava flows, and it wasn’t too hard to imagine it as an island in a sea of lava.  I headed around that to tackle the road up Mona Loa.  I had a rare attack of the sensibilities when I looked at the way ahead.  Unlike Mona Kea, which is a lovely two-lane road until it runs out of seal at 10000 ft, the drive up Mona Loa carves through lava flows - that reminded me of snow drifts.  The sign said to be aware of oncoming traffic.  Oncoming traffic would be looking out for other ridiculously oversized SUV’s driven by intrepid tourists, rather than a wee Chevy Spark, driven like it was stolen.  Having pulled off a stellar three-point turn on about half a foot of roadway, I headed back on to  Saddle Rd.  

Ancient pathways

Now the whole point of the late start in the morning was to sleep in and have a cruisey day.   Yesterday I had driven from Kona to the Volcanos National Park and back - another whole story, and I was tired.  Being the sensible person that I am, I decided on a rapid circumnavigation of the Big Island.  Saddle Road bisects one of the old Hawaiian pathways.  When the paths crossed aa lava flows, they cleared tracks by moving the loose cinders aside.  Where it was a pahoehoe flow, cairns were laid to mark the way.  I walked a short way down the path through the scrub. Next time, the whole track!

Windward vs Leeward

There is a very cool demarcation between the windward and leeward sides of the islands.  The leeward sides are all dry and barren scrublands.  The windward sides are wet and juicy rainforest.  There is almost a line across the island that one of the ancient Hawaiian pathways runs alongside for a bit.  You are driving along in bright sunshine through grasslands, then splat, straight into the cloud, rain and forest.  

The drop down into Hilo was punctuated by outbreaks of the sun, amid the tropical rain - all in the space of about 20 minutes.  This means there are some serious waterfalls to check out and check most of them out I did.  It is funny watching people walking around in tropical rain trying to keep dry.  It is impossible.  And it's warm.  Leave your towel handy for when you get back to the car to sit on.  Don't bother getting dried off because you are going to do it all again shortly.  Or the sun might appear again!

The Coast

There is a charming scenic drive along the coast just north of Hilo - the old Mamalahoa Hwy.  Being serious about sight-seeing, I thought this would be a good one to take.  Against the advice of my GPS, I set off down a labyrinth of one-way bridges and jungle along a coastline I could hear but not see.  Driving through tropical rainforests is otherworldly.  My photos do not do it justice.  The Greens are greener, the flowers scream “look at me”, and birds look like they have crashed into a rainbow.  My photos need a whole lot of work in Lightroom to get everything looking like it does in my memory!  Apologies for the sad examples of my work attached!

Rejoining the modern Mamalahoa Hwy,  my return to Kona it was a blur of waterfalls, rain, more rain, coastal villages before dropping back into Kona and a well-earned beer!

[alisonwriter]

It’s impossible to compare our two destinations: Sequoia National Park and Kauai, Hawaii. Which did we like better? Which was more fun?

Sorry there’s no simple answer. It’s more than a matter of sea turtles vs. black bears, crowded or uncrowded. The two places are about as different as you can get.

One thing they had in common is that it was possible to get away from people in both locations, and that’s something we like. We don’t travel to eat at restaurants or to visit museums. On these trips we’re going for the natural beauty of the destinations, to feel a part of the landscape and to be as far from deadlines and demands as we can get. When judging by this criteria we certainly succeeded.

I’ll try not to bore you with a multitude of photos of beautiful empty beaches, but on the east side of Kauai they are plentiful. Too far north and too far south the beaches are much busier. We stayed in between the busy areas in a town called Kapa’a, (which we didn’t know how to pronounce until nearly our last day) where a wonderful 4-5 mile paved bike trail follows the old pineapple railroad route right along the beach. Our guesthouse had an arsenal of beat up beach cruisers to choose from. Since we had done a lot of hiking in the Sierras, biking fit the bill here.

Underwater in Kauai

One disappointing aspect of Kauai was the absence of coral. Mike has been to Maui where he says the coral was beautiful, but we spoke to some local folks here who pointed to Kauai’s frequent rainfall and subsequent runoff as one significant reason why there’s little coral found here. We saw some large sea creatures like seals at Poipu (south) and turtles at Anini (north) but there were few places to snorkel and see other sea life (Poipu beach near the Sheraton was one of the best places we found for tropical fish, and there’s also a beautiful hiking trail along the edge of a cliff there).

Before I prattle on about the trip and its logistical challenges let me slow down and say swimming with sea turtles is incredible. Watching colorful tropical fish feed on rocks and hide under ledges is amazing. We had some fun boogie boarding — and we got trashed by huge waves but walked away.  And I even got to chase wild pigs around in the yard of the place we stayed (trying to get a photo of them, which was very amusing). So any critical comments that follow should be kept in context.

Hiking in Kauai

My assumption was that we’d hike in the Sierras and swim in Hawaii but we managed to mix both in each place. To my surprise there are many hiking trails in Kauai’s mountains. I’d hoped to do the Giant’s Chin for its views of the coast but we ran out of time. Also, stretching across the west-northwest coast of the island is a canyon with many hiking options but we only nibbled at its edges.

My big kahuna on this trip was the Kalalau Trail that departs from the northernmost accessible beach in Waineha on the north shore and hugs the sides of steep mountains along the coast. In October it’s muddy — very muddy! The day I hiked it we had rain squalls every 30 minutes or so. While not unexpected and not unpleasant, it turned the trail into a morass of slippery red muck that will quickly cake up the lugs on your shoes and turn them into skates. The conditions made the right gear so important: quick dry wicking fabrics (never cotton!) and decent shoes with deep lugs; a hat, sunglasses, and a pack with some food, water, and other supplies (more on this below).

As tempting as it was to dive in and hike it, Mike only did the first half-mile due to a foot injury, and that was smart. This trail is hyped online and every day there’s a lot of people making their way along its rugged route. The majority only go to the secluded beach at the 2 mile mark which doesn’t seem far but the conditions slowed me to 2 mph, about half my normal walking speed.

Just before the secluded beach is a river. I carefully removed my sneakers and carried them across, only to realize that there was no way to scrape the sticky muck off them. Therefore every subsequent river crossing (there were many) was a welcome opportunity to lighten the heavy load of mud on my shoes as I wore them through the water and was happy they remained comfortable and drained quickly (they’re Salomon Sense Pulse).

From the beach, the historic valley is another 8+ miles, which I would not have made it to in my allotted time, so I chose to hike in toward the mountains to a waterfall about 3-4 miles away. This trail was quieter, following the river through some heavier foliage and past thick bamboo groves. I hit my turnaround time before getting to the base of the waterfall but I didn’t mind. It was enough hiking for me, with 2,800 feet of elevation gain.

I’m planning a separate post on the interesting and alarming gear observations from the trip, but I want to return to the topics of the backpack and preparedness. I’ve done plenty of spur-of-the-moment hikes without putting a lot of thought into it, but in these 7.25 miles I ran out of water right at the end. I generally have a few packaged snacks buried at the bottom of my backpack just in case. So I was adequately prepared but so many other people weren’t. Lots were suffering through the choice of flip flops for the trail, which didn’t perform well in the mud. Most weren’t carrying water or supplies. Then I met three women on the trail carrying a baby in nothing but a diaper, headed for the secluded beach they’d heard about. That was not just ridiculous but irresponsible. I warned them in no uncertain terms that the trail was poor due to the rain and then I went a little further: “I wouldn’t take a baby in there,” I said sternly. I hated being such a spoilsport but seriously folks??

That evening the property managers at our place told us about friends who got stranded on that secluded beach when rain in the mountains made that river rise and impassable. That night 60 unprepared, cold, and hungry people spent a night on that beach, they said. Who thinks of those possibilities?

At some point in the future I’d like to go back to Kauai to hike. I would like to be prepared and have the right gear and enough time. It’s a beautiful trail and a rewarding hike, but it deserves to be done right.

Mountains and Sea, part I It's impossible to compare our two destinations: Sequoia National Park and Kauai, Hawaii. Which did we like better?