Introducing Travel Weekly’s new Hawaii editor, Christine Hitt: Travel Weekly

Christine Hitt

Aloha mai kakou. Warm greetings and aloha to all of you. As the new Hawaii editor for Vacation Weekly, I want to introduce myself and also share some of my most loved items to do in Hawaii.

I grew up on the island of Oahu, so my 1st occupation in the journey market was as a lei greeter at the Honolulu Airport. I was the to start with man or woman to draw smiles from the faces of weary travelers soon after their long flight. In those very first times answering visitors’ questions about in which to get the most effective dim sum and which is my preferred island, I did not know my career would go on on that path, only now as a author.

Due to the fact 2007, I’ve been composing about the Islands for residents and people. My do the job has appeared in Honolulu Journal, Hawaii Magazine, Hana Hou, Flux, LA Instances, PBS, SFGATE, Southwest Airways and many other publications.

On the Island of Hawaii, the cabins at Namakanipaio are a enjoyable choice to staying at the Volcano Dwelling. Photograph Credit rating: Christine Hitt

I’ve had the privilege of checking out the key islands numerous situations, apart from Kahoolawe and the “forbidden island” of Niihau of training course. But I did go Niihau and its offshore island of Lehua on the Niihau and Napali Tremendous Tour with Holoholo Charters. A one of a kind tour, it really is a person of the only ways to see Niihau up near, aside from Niihau Helicopters’ 50 {6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667}-day excursions.

I’ve not normally had the prospect to create about my own private suggestions, so I’m fired up to share some a lot more have to-dos and hidden gems that site visitors may perhaps be missing in my record below. 

Kauai

Spending the day off the Napali Coast of Kauai is my favourite ocean adventure, and I usually advise Makana Charters, which is Indigenous Hawaiian-owned and -operated. 1 of the significant advantages of likely with this operator is that its captain shares Hawaiian record and legends of the coastline that have been handed down from his own spouse and children customers and friends. 

On the north shore, Hanalei Bay is as heavenly as people today describe it to be. I have in no way experienced a lodge home watch be so overwhelmingly lovely that it built my eyes h2o like the time I stayed at the St. Regis Princeville Vacation resort, now referred to as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. While the vacation resort is currently under renovation, these similar or similar views can be viewed at other resorts and condominium qualities nearby. 

Eventually, a check out to Kauai isn’t really full without having stopping at Hamura Saimin in Lihue, the Fresh new Shave in Lawai, Taro Ko Chips in Hanapepe and Aloha Exchange in Kalaheo.

Maui

On the Road to Hana, it really is essential to watch the clock, for the reason that there are so quite a few matters to do in the true town of Hana, such as traveling to the black-sand seaside of Waianapanapa Point out Park. You also want to save time mainly because you will not want to miss the waterfall hike at Kipahulu, a handful of miles previous Hana. The 4-mile-roundtrip, nicely-taken care of path takes you previous many waterfalls through a bamboo forest to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. It’s worthy of missing a few of the before stops to get these finished at the close.

If you truly feel like splurging, the Hana-Maui Vacation resort is the ideal spot for a remote getaway, and I advocate its Oceanfront Bungalow With Scorching Tub suite. The resort’s ambiance is pleasing to honeymooners, but family members will also love the huge rooms and quick obtain to space attractions. 

Look at also traveling into Hana, as it cuts hrs off your day, and the flight is as scenic as a sightseeing tour. There are no rental cars in Hana, but it truly is possible sometimes to uncover one particular on Turo. Or if you are keeping in Hana, request the hotel about shuttles or transportation possibilities to see if they fulfill your wants.

Oahu

A single of the greatest techniques to get to know the people today of the land is by jumping in and volunteering, and my go-to recommendation has often been Heeia Fishpond’s Saturday community workdays on Oahu’s east aspect. Designed about 600 several years ago, the fishpond is a key example of Hawaiian aquaculture.

There are not as numerous waterfalls on Oahu as on its neighboring islands, but the most straightforward and safest way to get to one particular is at Waimea Valley on the North Shore. It is also a large botanical backyard with about 5,000 plants. 

The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls provides scenic views of an obtainable waterfall on the Island of Hawaii. Image Credit rating: Christine Hitt

Lanai

My preferred seashore in all of the Islands transpires to be the white sands of Hulopoe, appropriate in entrance of the 4 Seasons Vacation resort Lanai, where by the sand is delicate, the beach is cleanse and dolphins perform offshore.

Lanai’s 4-wheel travel excursions are distinctive in Hawaii and supply a exciting adventure. With only 30 miles of paved street, the island’s sightseeing calls for driving on bumpy grime streets, these kinds of as on a stop by to Keahiakawelo (aka Backyard of the Gods). The 4 Seasons Lanai gives off-roading excursions if you would instead not drive you.

Island of Hawaii

Of all pursuits on the Islands, checking out Kilauea is actually the encounter to top all other people, simply because it’s not usually that you get to see an active volcano. Keeping at Volcano Household places you suitable in the center of the motion, but if for some explanation it is really unavailable, the close by rustic cabins at Namakanipaio are snug and cleanse. Attendees are also able to hold out in the Volcano House’s lobby when they want WiFi or shops to demand telephones.

In Hilo, the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls is a single of my most loved Significant Island accommodations, established right following to a waterfall that’s even lit up at night. The guestrooms are furnished easily, and the outdoor house gives lots of room to wander and check out the stream. Complimentary breakfasts are involved on the patio overlooking the waterfall, and swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding are also possible.