Oahu is the most populace of the Hawaiin Islands and as you drive around, it is hard to believe that you are sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean because it actually feels more like you are still on the mainland, a very busy mainland at that! Employment is very high here although it is difficult to understand which industry is the main provider of work. Possibly agriculture because the climate allows them to produce a wide variety of items including pineapples, macadamia nuts, sugarcane and coffee. In fact at one time, Oahu produced almost 66% of the pineapples consumed worldwide and as you drive to the north past the Dole Plantation, you can still see hundreds of acres of fields laid down to production of this fruit.
However, having now spent a couple of days driving around the island, we are pretty convinced that tourism comes an easy first. Waikiki in particular is rammed with hotels but you discover so much devoted to the visitor as you explore a bit farther afield than the capital, Honolulu.
I feel one needs to use the term explore somewhat loosely because as Linda and I set off to visit the very north of the island yesterday, we found ourselves arriving there after just 40 miles of motoring! It really isn't very big at all. Mind you, the drive away from the mania of the South was lovely although we did arrive before any of the coffee shops had opened!
It doesn't take long to find stunning beaches, they appear around every corner and the nice thing is that they are made very accessible for resident and tourist alike. We never once saw a need to pay for parking even though you were going to spend the day laying on pure white sand and swimming in warm turquoise seas under cloudless skies. Scarborough and Blackpool could take a lesson from Oahu as they have the nerve to charge you despite them only providing brown water, claggy sand and overcast skies!! Before anyone verbally assaults me, I do love Scarborough...honest.
We did make a couple of interesting discoveries today, the first being the Waimea Falls Park and the second being the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The park set in the sacred Waimea Valley provides a beautiful one mile walk through lush tropical gardens, almost Jurassic Park like, until you reach the main attraction, the Waimea Falls. Reaching these did provide a little disappointment because the water flow wasn't great but if we had brought our swimming gear with us, we could have actually plunged into the pool below the falls to cool off. So many people were doing this and we did feel rather envious of them. Maybe next time?
The second discovery was the Polynesian Cultural Centre, which after asking a few questions turned out to be not what we quite expected! This is one of Ohau's most popular tourist attractions and we believed was there to pay homage to the incredible Polynesian influence on the growth and development of the Hawaiin Islands. However, as we walked around and observed things, we felt something was a little different here and it all came out when we asked one of the guides! It is effectively a Polynesian theme park owned and run by the Church of the Latter Day Saints more as a fund raising exercise to support the students at Brigham Young University in Hawaii than a homage to the Polynesian people! I have no problem with the Mormon faith or any other faith for that matter but for some reason this did sit rather uncomfortably with both of us and unlike the Waimea Valley, we won't be making a return visit.
But it was lovely to explore and to discover the stunning beaches and impressive mountains and valleys. Nature really worked its wonder on this place but speaking to a born and bred Oahu resident, apparently mankind is doing much to destroy it! My overall verdict will come after our four days on The Big Island but in the meantime we continue to have a lovely time.
However, having now spent a couple of days driving around the island, we are pretty convinced that tourism comes an easy first. Waikiki in particular is rammed with hotels but you discover so much devoted to the visitor as you explore a bit farther afield than the capital, Honolulu.
I feel one needs to use the term explore somewhat loosely because as Linda and I set off to visit the very north of the island yesterday, we found ourselves arriving there after just 40 miles of motoring! It really isn't very big at all. Mind you, the drive away from the mania of the South was lovely although we did arrive before any of the coffee shops had opened!
It doesn't take long to find stunning beaches, they appear around every corner and the nice thing is that they are made very accessible for resident and tourist alike. We never once saw a need to pay for parking even though you were going to spend the day laying on pure white sand and swimming in warm turquoise seas under cloudless skies. Scarborough and Blackpool could take a lesson from Oahu as they have the nerve to charge you despite them only providing brown water, claggy sand and overcast skies!! Before anyone verbally assaults me, I do love Scarborough...honest.
We did make a couple of interesting discoveries today, the first being the Waimea Falls Park and the second being the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The park set in the sacred Waimea Valley provides a beautiful one mile walk through lush tropical gardens, almost Jurassic Park like, until you reach the main attraction, the Waimea Falls. Reaching these did provide a little disappointment because the water flow wasn't great but if we had brought our swimming gear with us, we could have actually plunged into the pool below the falls to cool off. So many people were doing this and we did feel rather envious of them. Maybe next time?
The second discovery was the Polynesian Cultural Centre, which after asking a few questions turned out to be not what we quite expected! This is one of Ohau's most popular tourist attractions and we believed was there to pay homage to the incredible Polynesian influence on the growth and development of the Hawaiin Islands. However, as we walked around and observed things, we felt something was a little different here and it all came out when we asked one of the guides! It is effectively a Polynesian theme park owned and run by the Church of the Latter Day Saints more as a fund raising exercise to support the students at Brigham Young University in Hawaii than a homage to the Polynesian people! I have no problem with the Mormon faith or any other faith for that matter but for some reason this did sit rather uncomfortably with both of us and unlike the Waimea Valley, we won't be making a return visit.
But it was lovely to explore and to discover the stunning beaches and impressive mountains and valleys. Nature really worked its wonder on this place but speaking to a born and bred Oahu resident, apparently mankind is doing much to destroy it! My overall verdict will come after our four days on The Big Island but in the meantime we continue to have a lovely time.
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| Waimea Falls |
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| See The People At The Falls |
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| A Beautiful Setting |
Be OK When It's Finished!
Botanical Gardens
Quiet Reflection
Beautiful Beaches Everywhere
Mmmm...! This One Left Me Thinking
Having just come back from the US and particularly Utah we realise how much influence the LDS have.
ReplyDeleteDavid and I figured out why you both are really there - its the Iron Man competition. We think you two could ace it with all your adventures!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe’ve been found out by you Drena! We are just here for training at the moment.
ReplyDelete