Travel And Leisure
Things to do on Oahu – Learning about Hawaiian Culture, Marine Animals and History
The Hawaii Ecotourism Association (HEA) defines ecotravel as “nature and culture-based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and supports the well-being of local communities.” Here are a few of my top picks for things to do on Oahu that are eco friendly and that teach (in very fun ways!) about Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian animals and Hawaiian history.
Hawaiian Culture, History and Science
Bishop Museum and Planetarium: This is one of my favorite things to do on Oahu!The Museum has recently completed construction of its new Science Adventure Center! New attraction aside, this museum located in downtown Honolulu is the number one place to learn about the culture, history and natural science of Hawaii.
It’s also the perfect place to get an overview as well as in depth knowledge of places you will visit on the island. The premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, the Bishop Museum holds collections of 24 million cultural objects and natural history specimens (one of the largest in the world), of Hawaii and Polynesia.
From archaeological to Hollywood in Hawaii exhibits, the museum has enough to keep you occupied and learning all day. “Please touch” exhibits bring history to life. Photography, including flash and video taping is allowed. And in keeping with eco-tourism standards, serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum.
New Science Adventure Center! The Bishop Museum’s 17,000 square-foot science center offers interactive exhibits found nowhere else in the world, including a three-story walk-in volcano with hidden chambers and lava eruption and a 30,000 gallon aquarium with interactive activities. You will see here how intricately science is related to the natural environment and to Hawaiian culture as well.
You will also find ongoing activities to choose from throughout the day, including garden tours, Hawaiian music and dance, “Living Stories,” and planetarium shows, such as “Explorers of Polynesia” and “The Sky Tonight.” Rest under the shade trees in the beautiful courtyard with its well manicured lawn and native Hawaiian plants.
All of the above, including the new Science Center, is included in the price of admission: $15.95 for teens and adults, and $12.95 for children over 4 to 12.
Budget Travel Tip: Membership could save you some money and will get you extra perks. A Family Membership runs $50 and includes free admission for 1 or 2 adults and their children and grandchildren under 18 (to the Science Adventure Center as well). You can apply for this online.
USS Arizona Memorial The National Park Service’s memorial to the tragic loss of life in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The USS Arizona Memorial interpretive program consists of a 23-minute documentary film and a boat trip to the USS Arizona Memorial where oil from the wreckage below still bubbles to the surfac
Visitors should expect crowds and arrive early. Tickets are free, but they are handed out on a first come, first served basis and can be gone by noon on busy days. Strict security measures prohibit all bags and items that offer concealment. The Website is packed with information on the memorial itself and the history of December 7, 1941.
Iolani Palace: Located in Honolulu, this late 19th century palace was the royal palace of the Hawaiian Monarchy. The palace reflects the tastes of its builder, King David Kalakaua, the Merry Monarch, a patron of the arts. His sister successor, Queen Lili`uokalani, was later imprisoned here when the Hawaiian Monarchy was overthrown. It was during her imprisonment that she composed her haunting song of farewell, that later became the signature song of Hawaii, “Aloha ‘Oe.” On most Friday evenings the Royal Hawaiian Band (the same band that introduced “Aloha ‘Oe” to the American public) provides free concerts on the lawn in front of the palace.
The self-guided tour of the palace’s galleries is $6 per adult and $3 per child (Grand Tour (docent guided) is $20, adults; $5 for children). The Friends of the Iolani Palace’s Website has a plethora of images and articles, as well as tour information.
Hawaiian Animals
The Waikiki Aquarium This marine research and education center is one of your best bets for leaning about Hawaiian animals and for seeing the rare and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. More than 420 species of marine, Hawaiian animalsare represented. You’ll have close-up views of reef sharks, Hawaiian monk seals, rays, reef fish, jellyfish and many other ocean inhabitants. Jack London was among the Aquarium’s early patrons. If you love marine life, don’t miss this!
Admission: $9, adults; $6, students and seniors; $4, teens and persons with disabilities; $2, ages 5 through 12. You’ll find coupons worth a couple bucks off in some of the free publications listed in the Resource section. For a virtual tour visit their site.
These recommendations for things to do on Oahu come from my Hawaii Eco Budget Guide to Oahu. Here’s what one reader said about this book:
“I can’t tell you how much money we saved. I would say we probably had a better time than your average tourist. I lived on Oahu for about three years during my early years in the Navy. I chuckled to my fiance that I did more during our trip compared to the three years I lived there…”
Evan, Bellingham, Washington
One more tip (from my “Blue Hawaii” chapter): After you’ve learned about Hawaiian marine life at the aquarium, go rent one of those $9 a week snorkel sets from Snorkel Bob’s and have fun out on Oahu’s reefs! It’s just one more of the hundreds of free and low-cost things to do on Oahu!
By: Cindy Blankenship
About the Author:
For details, maps, links and many, many more things to do on Oahu – - and to see how you can have an eco friendly, very pocket book friendly vacation in Hawaii, check out my 2007 edition of the Hawaii Eco Travel & Budget Guide to Oahu at http://www.CoconutRoads.com
Aloha, Cindy Blankenship
From Fossil Fun Games to Hands-On Activities – Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand USA – Part 2
The Animal Kingdom is another of the four theme parks in Disneyworld Florida. The park focuses more on Walt Disney’s passion for the natural environment and its proper care, conservation and research. It is the biggest animal themed park in the world. In the seven areas of the park we focus on each of them and their attractions. We take a look into DinoLand USA. The first inhabitants of this planet ruled the earth. Dinosaurs created an impact on prehistoric times. This area of the theme park enables to get to know its early beginnings. Here are some of the attractions that are part of this area that are more hands-on:
Fossil Fun Games – This is an area where kids and adults play in traditional boardwalk games for prizes. Some of the games that are for everyone’s challenge are Bronto- Score basketball game, Comet Crasher goblet-toss game, Dino-Whamma mallet strength game, Fossil Fueler water-squirt game, Mammoth Marathon racing derby game.
Kids Discovery clubs – Kids will love this area as it encourages them to be hand-on with a six different varieties of activities. They can choose to construct dinosaurs from piles of bones, do some scavenger hunting, look at the world from the bug’s perspective and even become a wildlife detective. Every activity completed, kids earn a stamp and they receive a bonus for completing everything.
Primeval Whirl – Of course a theme park without a roller coaster would be so dull. This ride is like a spinning time machine that give you dips, risky turns, and crazy curves. The coaster spins on its own round and round path and you never know which way would it twirl.
The Boneyard – This playground is set for kids to combine play and applying some fun knowledge about dinosaurs. You can be pseudo palaeontologists for the day where they can discover fossils of some of the usual dinosaurs such as Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex and even the Woolly Mammoth. There are even slides around its multi-level maze to discover, a xylobone where kids can play a musical instrument made of fossilized bones and many areas of discovery.
TriceraTop Spin – This wholesome kiddie ride is perfect for everyone. It seats four passengers. It flies around a giant top as you encounter cartoon comets and some dinosaurs pop up. Your kids would enjoy it as they can navigate this ride whether to go even higher or lower.
By: Terry Van Hooven
About the Author:
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Enjoy Your Animal Encounter During Your Torquay Holidays
Your Torquay holidays can be the most memorable vacation that you can have this year. Because of the numerous tourist spots and attractions in the place, there will never be a dull moment during your Torquay holidays. From your holiday cottages, the scenic spots are very accessible. You can drive, get a cab or ride in public transport vehicles to reach your desired destinations. If you are an animal lover or you simply want to promote respect to animals to your kids, you should go to the famous zoos of Torquay. This can be an opportune time to educate young children about the importance of caring for animals. Instead of seeing the animals only in science books, you will have the chance to experience a close encounter with the animals. Here are some rare animals that you will see in the zoos.
Auk
Auks are birds belonging to the Alcidae family. Because they are similar with penguins, many people mistakenly identify them as one of them. If you want to see the auks, you can drive to Living Coasts Zoo. This is very accessible from the holiday cottages. Visiting the zoo is one of the best ways to spend your Torquay holidays. Because the management is able to preserve the wild animal, you can enjoy your day out with your whole family. The Auk Cliff houses the several auks in the zoo. The habitat is the home of the rare animal. They keep the place as natural as possible to let the auks feel at home.
Tufted Puffins
If you want to see tufted puffins during your Torquay holidays, visit the Living Coasts Zoo while staying at the holiday cottages. The animals came from North America and very similar to the native puffins of other countries. Because of the strong nails, they can easily climb up the rocky surface of the Auk cliff. When you visit the Living Coasts Zoo, the tufted puffins are worth spending time with. For sure, you children will come back to the holiday cottages with their hearts filled with joy.
Pigeon Guillemot
Pigeon guillemots are birds with red legs and feet. They are famous for diving below 150 feet underwater for more than one minute. The animals are must-see during your Torquay holidays. They offer you with priceless happiness and rare opportunity to appreciate the different habitats of animals. Because the zoo is easily accessible, reaching the animal sanctuary will never be a problem. The Living coasts zoo is open during the day. If you happen to come in bigger groups, make sure you schedule your Torquay holidays well to maximize your vacation.
By: Mary Ruthrina Ofalla
About the Author:
Visit Blue Chip Holidays to know more about Torquay holidays.