Hawaii: Vacation and Life

Since moving to Hawaii four years ago, I've learned a lot about this beautiful and exotic vacation spot. I've discovered that living in Hawaii is different from vacationing here, but this hasn't kept me from enjoying this gorgeous corner of the world in all its uniqueness. Hawaii boasts of year-round hiking, pristine beaches, and ideal weather.

HubPages has provided a limitless opportunity for sharing the place I call home with other people. I've had a lot of fun putting together these hubs, and I hope you enjoy them as well. So far, I've covered hikes, best beaches, vacation destinations, Hawaii life, and the first missionaries.

One of my favorite hikes on Kauai is the trail through the Alakai Swamp, a high-altitude swampy bog near Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth. I've combined photos from three different trips through the swamp along with a description of the trail and a history of the trail's origins.

You think a vacation in Hawaii is expensive? Try living here! With outrageous rent and electricity bills (not to mention gas prices), it seems like the money comes in only to go out again. But living in Hawaii is not impossible. Check out these tips to see if you could live in paradise!

No one told me (or maybe I wasn't listening) that life in Hawaii is not like vacation. Paradise has its ups and downsides, and here I wanted to explain a little about the reality of living in Hawaii. Did you know that Hawaii is the most isolated land mass in the world? Or that sunshine could be a downer? You'll want to check this hub, if only to see the picture of a cane spider.

Many areas in Hawaii receive a good amount of rainfall throughout the year. Mount Waialeale on Kauai is said to be the wettest spot on earth. Even though Hawaii doesn't experiece the four seasons of the mainland, we do have what we call the Rainy Season. I love this time of year, but there are some things to be aware of, so check out this hub!

Growing up on the mainland, with sunshine in the summer and snow in the winter, Christmas in Hawaii is hard for me. When the mall starts shooting out fake snow at night, you know something is wrong. But despite the setbacks, I have discovered some ways to survive a warm holiday.

Turning from tourist to resident, I have seen both sides of the story. This is a brief list of tips for tourists who don't want to look like tourists. Trust me, you're going to want to take my advice.

Vacations only last so long, so make sure you get to all the best beaches before you have to leave. I've compiled a list of the best beaches on Kauai, categorized for things like sunsets, whale watching, and snorkeling. I've included some of my own photos as well.

You probably have heard of Kona Coffee, but what about Kauai Coffee? Kauai has been growing coffee only of recent years, but it sure is good. If you are ever on Kauai, be sure to drink your fill. Here I've listed some great places to drink coffee on Kauai.

One of my favorite spots on Kauai is Queen's Bath, a beautiful swimming hole set among the lava rocks of the North Shore. Read this hub to find out how to get there, what to wear, and when you can swim. You might even spot some sea creatures while you're there!

One of the best ways to see the Hawaiian Islands is to hike. Kauai has some beautiful trails, and Kalalau is one of the best. Be sure to check out this hub for directions, pictures, and tips.

The story of Lucy Thurston and her sacrificial life is a very impressive one. Reading her story inspired me to write an article about it. Lucy was a woman of determination and spirit who gave up everything to serve her husband and the people of Hawaii.

Hawaii is known for its delicious tropical fruits: pineapple, mango, papaya... But one of my favorites is passion fruit, or lilikoi as we call it here. This hub will show you how to use lilikoi and separate the juice from the seeds. Don't miss the lilikoi martini recipe at the end!