Adventure Travel; "Into the Pacific"

Waimea Valley on the North Shore of Oahu, is known through ancient Hawaiian culture as the "Valley of the Priests." This valley, was set aside as early as 1092 AD, for the Kahuna Nui (High Priests), because of its' lush environment, free flowing streams and waterfalls and it's location geographically.The valley holds significance in Hawaiian religion and pays homage through its' religious sites to the four main gods, Kāne,Kū,Kanaloa and Lono. Throughout the centuries, this valley has continued to be held sacred in Hawaiian culture and the history is evident through the historical landmarks and religious sites heiau (places of worship)dispersed throughout. Visitors and locals such as ourselves, enjoy visiting and exploring the botanical gardens, historical and religious sites and the beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike! On our most recent trip to the North Shore of Oahu, the kids and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit this beautiful location...

Across the Pac... An epic move with t... By Rose Cusack Book Preview

Waipio Valley is one of the most beautiful spots on the Big Island and historically known for it's sacredness in Hawaiian culture. A small group of native Hawaiians still reside in the quite solitude of the valley, nestled between the mountains, with a gentle flowing river whispering stories of old into the ocean's depths. Although the valley is sacred, visitors are allowed to hike or drive down the winding road, after viewing the breathtaking scenery from the overlook. We had been to the overlook, yet had been hesitant to hike the steep path with our 4 and 5 year old! Sundays are for adventures after all, so we decided to throw caution to the wind and to my husband who would carry children if need be! As we entered the paved road, it did feel different than a normal hiking trail. Paved and domesticated, the trail provided us with a beautiful view of the windswept valley and ocean, as we rounded the corner. A 25 percent grade decline greeted us and we felt the slight burn in ...

Since we weren't able to go on an adventure this past weekend, I have compiled a list of the top places to view while visiting the Big Island; 1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; with an active volcano, in which visitors are guaranteed an epic experience, in which the hot, molten lava bursts forth with aggressive force from the caldera and enthralls many in the evening hours with its brilliant glow. Furthermore, the hiking areas will provide hours of outdoor entertainment, from the short hikes through the naturally formed Thurston Lava Tube, to the longer treks into the back country and down Kilauea Iki trail to the lava lake . This is a place which remains for most as a top item in their bucket list! 2. Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area; from body boarding the endless waves, to viewing the gorgeous sunsets, visitors are captured by this place in beauty, nature and the thrill of an ocean experience. One may either visit for the day and for those who love camping, try their cabi...

                                For this past week's outdoor adventure, we ventured just down the road and hiked into Ha'ena Beach. Also known as Shipman Beach, this beautiful white sand oasis is a 2.5 mile hike through the jungle, opening out to a breathtaking view of the ocean. It never gets old, because every time you hike this, you feel a renewed sense of yourself, in complete connection with nature and the ocean! I took videos and photos to document our time on the trail, as my kids always have interesting pointers or thoughts to share:)! One interesting part of the hike, are the historic walls, overgrown with moss and dating back to the 1800's. This trail is an ancient hiking path, which adds to the sense of excitement as one journeys onward. What were those people's thoughts so many years ago and did they feel the same as they finally saw the ocean? Another fascinating feature of the trail, i...