Top 5 historical sites in Hawaii

Say “Hawaii” and most people think beautiful beaches, tropical drinks with paper umbrellas and surfers. Hawaii is all that, plus some of the most interesting and poignant historical sites found anywhere in America. The top five historical sites in Hawaii mark both human achievements and human tragedies.

1. USS Arizona Memorial, Honolulu, Oahu
More than 1.5 million people visit the USS Arizona Memorial each year. The solemn memorial was built over the site where the battleship USS Arizona sank with all its crew in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Dedicated in 1962, the site became a U.S. National Park Service area in 1980. The center offers interpretive programs, including a documentary film about the attack and the boat trip to the memorial.

2. Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Moloka’i
Kalaupapa marks two tragedies of Hawaiian history: the forced removal of indigenous people in 1865 and 1895, and the forced isolation of people suffering from leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. The first episode broke ties with the land that had existed for 900 years. The second broke apart both families and the spirits of some sufferers until the arrival of Father Damien (Joseph De Veuster), who restored dignity and worth to Molokai’s victims. Established in 1980, the park provides the physical setting for these stories.

3. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Kona Coast, Hawai’i
This park was established in 1978 to preserve and interpret traditional Hawaiian culture and practices. Some 45,000 visitors annually take in its impressive sights. Comprised of 1,160 acres, Kaloko-Honokvhau NHP includes the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement containing parts of four different ahupua`a, or traditional sea to mountain land divisions. The park protects examples of heiau (religious site), ki`i pvhaku (petroglyphs), hvlua (stone slide), and kahua (house site platforms).

4. Royal Hawaiian residences, Oahu.
Not many people know that Hawaii was once a sovereign nation governed by a royal family. Iolani Palace State Monument
in Honolulu and Queen Emma’s Summer Palace, just outside of Honolulu, mark this royal past. Iolani Palace was the official residence of Hawaii’s last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, and even served for a time as her prison when the monarchy was overthrown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Queen Emma’s Summer Palace is actually a frame Victorian house with a colonnade. Queen Emma, the wife of Kamehameha IV, inherited the house from her uncle, John Young II. Her home has been restored to resemble a 19th century with gardens, furnishings and accessories and artifacts of the Hawaiian royal family.

5. Battleship Missouri Memorial, Oahu.
“The Mighty Mo,” as she’s called, has literally carried history on her decks. Commissioned in 1944, the Iowa-class Missouri was built for firepower, which she delivered from her massive guns in the battles of Iowa Jima, Okinawa and the Korean War. Japan surrendered to the United States aboard the Missouri. She was decommissioned in 1955, but after extensive refurbishment, the Mighty Mo was brought out of retirement in 1986. In 1991 she was deployed in the Persian Gulf, where she launched Tomahawk missiles during Operation Desert Storm. Her last mission came Dec. 7, 1991, when she led a contingent of ships into Pearl Harbor to mark the 50th anniversary of the Japanese attack that brought America into World War II. She was finally retired in 1996.

 

Tips for Hosting a Truly Memorable Luau

The word “luau” means “feast” in the Hawaiian language. Luaus mean more than just good food, though – they mean a gathering to share good fun as well! So here are some tips for hosting a truly memorable luau.

First, set a budget and allow plenty of time to plan and set up the luau. In Hawaiian tradition, real luaus took months to prepare because Hawaiians didn’t have any of today’s labor-saving devices. So take advantage of calendars, calculators and party supply stores.

And since a luau is a practice of South Pacific culture, think “tropical” when setting up party plans. Use decorations such as tiki torches along with palm tree cutouts, shells, candles, leis, straw hats, grass skirts, silk flowers, and brightly colored streamers. In other words, go “coconuts” with bright tropical décor.

Hold your luau outside if at all possible. Should space or weather cause the party to move inside, be sure the decorations and food are portable. Make life and clean-up easier for everyone with paper and plastic utensils.

Next, be sure your guests know the party theme of “Hawaiian luau.” They can get out their flashiest Hawaiian shirts, shorts, sarongs, grass skirts, surfer baggies, sandals and any other island gear. Be sure you greet each guest with a hearty “Aloha!” and a plastic or silk flower lei.

When it comes to beverages, plan to offer tropical cocktails like Pina Coladas, Mai Tais and Daiquiris. Have non-alcoholic versions of these drinks as well, along with pitchers of iced tea or punch with plenty of floating fruit slices. Serve the drinks in coconut shells if possible, and be sure to top them with little cocktail umbrellas!

Get out plenty of pineapple and fresh fruit chunks for the food menu. Pineapple juice makes a great marinade for meat as well. Check online recipes sites for authentic Hawaiian delicacies. Some traditional foods include poi, Lomi salmon and chicken long rice.  Beef and pork with a teriyaki sauce marinade is also a sure winner.  A whole roast pig turning on a spit is an impressive option, but only attempt this is you’re brave or experienced. A local butcher shop should be able to help you find a pig suitable for roasting. If the pig is too much of a challenge, then stud a nice big ham with pineapple rings and cloves.

Fun at a real luau involves games and tests of skill and strength. If youngsters are invited, consider having them string their own leis with fake flowers and fishing line. Give a Hawaiian twist to familiar games by playing “Hot Coconut” instead of “Hot Potato,” or “Pin on the Piggy’s Tail.” Grown-ups and older children can join in spear-throwing contests with darts or racing around an obstacle courses (no fire-dancing, please!). Prizes for these games can include small, tropical-themed toys and gadgets for the kids, or some Kona coffee, one of Hawaii’s greatest exports, for the adults.

No Hawaiian luau would be complete without island music. Party stores often have CDs of beach tunes and Hawaiian songs, as do libraries, friends or online music sites.

The most important thing to remember about a Hawaiian luau is that it’s all about the fun and conviviality – for the hosts and the guests.

 

Top 5 Ways to Build a Shish Kabob

Its name has roots in the Middle East, but today shish kebob means has a global reputation as a skewer full of mouth-watering food.

Several sources site Turkish and Armenian as the original languages of the term “shish kebob” or “shish kebab,” but it’s linked to an Arabic word meaning “cooked meat in small pieces” and an Aramaic word meaning “to char.” Whatever its word roots, the top 5 ways to build a shish kabob spell out “delicious” in any language.

1. Lamb shish kabob.
This classic dish is probably closest to the original recipe that sparked so many culinary inventions. Lamb shish kabob consists of pieces of lamb alternating with green peppers, large mushrooms, cherry tomatoes or slices of medium tomato and white or red onions. Lamb is cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes and marinated in oil and spices of choice, then threaded onto the skewer with vegetables and grilled until done.

2. Beef shish kabob.
This version substitutes beef for lamb in an otherwise classic recipe. Sirloin is the preferred meat cut for a beef shish kabob because it will hold together well on the skewer. Beef often lends itself to some experimenting with the marinade to create interesting new tastes. Cooks have traded out the traditional oil marinade of lamb kabobs for soy, wine or even Hawaiian teriyaki sauce for beef kabobs.

3. Chicken shish kabob.
Chicken shish kabobs offer cooks the opportunity to get really creative with flavors and spices. Only white meat chicken is used for this type of kabob. Marinades have featured pineapple juice mixed with dry mustard, brown sugar and soy sauce; a Japanese “yakitori” version with soy sauce, sake, molasses and grated onion; and a spicy “shish taouk” featuring lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, black pepper and cayenne pepper.

4. Shrimp shish kabob.
“Shrimp on the Barbie” has become an Australian cliché, but it’s still one of the most popular forms of shish kabob. A classic version uses no vegetables at all. Instead, one pound of shrimp is marinated two hours in olive oil with garlic, lemon, pepper and chopped parsley, and then grilled for just five minutes. Devotees report this recipe “bursts with flavor.”

5. Fruit and/or veggie kabobs.
While it may be sacrilege to meat lovers, there are vegetarians out there who love nothing better than skewer full of grilled fruit or vegetable slices. Here’s where there are no holds barred to the recipe. Simply cut up favorite veggies and fruits, season as desired and grill until lightly charred on the edges. Kabobs of this kind are often served with a sweet or savory dipping sauce.
Veteran kabob cooks add that the kind of skewer used for kabobs is very important. Most prefer stainless steel skewers rather wood ones because they say the meat and vegetables will cling better to metal. However, wooden skewers have their fans as well. Whatever type of skewer is used, coating it lightly with oil before threading the meat and vegetables will help the meal slide easily onto the plate.

 

Top 5 Unforgettable Vacation Spots in Hawaii

From the first “Aloha!” Hawaii holds a stunning array of unforgettable vacation spots. Travelers who want to get the best of Hawaii will want to give themselves sufficient time to visit some of the 50th State’s most stunning sites.

1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, The Big Island (Hawaii)

The number-one choice of island visitors is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Home of Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, the park draws some 3 million visitors each year. Photographers will relish the opportunity to get pictures of ever-erupting Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano. Nature lovers will be stunned by immense Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano. The Kilauea Visitor Center offers the latest information on opportunities for camping and hiking, plus road conditions and safety precautions. If sightseeing times limited, take the scenic Crater Rim Drive, an 11-mile road around Mauna Loa’s summit. Whatever you do, be sure to stay clear of “Pele’s hair.” That’s the Hawaiian term for streams of glowing lava, which original Hawaiians thought were the tresses of their fire goddess, Pele, who lives in volcanoes.

2. The Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu

The Polynesian Cultural Center in La’ie, about an hour’s drive from Honolulu near the North Shore, offers what every visitor wants: a genuine Polynesian luau. In addition to its exotic food including teriyaki ribs and its entertainment, the cultural center boasts seven different Polynesian villages to give guests good insights into the life of Hawai‘i, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, the Marquesas, Tonga and Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa), people.

3. The island of Oahu

Home to fabled Honolulu, Oahu is often the first stop for many visitors. Besides the vibrant cultural mix that is Honolulu, Oahu is home to such legendary attractions as Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay, known around the world as a prime snorkeling site. Visitors can interact with marine life at Sea Life Park at Makapu’u Beach, or reflect on World War II history at the Arizona Memorial. For those with a hankering for more contemporary pastimes, Honolulu is known for its shopping, dining and entertainment establishments.

4. The island of Maui

The magical island of Maui draws people to it for all sorts of reasons. Some come in the winter to view humpback whales at play. Artists revel is events such as the Maui Film Festival and the Maui Writers Conference, while party animals head straight for Lahaina with its first-rank stage shows and exquisite restaurants. Athletes will find Maui the perfect spot for windsurfing, kite-boarding or a vigorous round of golf. Adrenaline junkies can jump into a canyon on a zip line, bike down a volcano or pilot a personal sports sub underwater. Those with a mystical bent won’t want to miss Haleakala, well known among holistic healers and followers as the strongest natural energy point in the United States.

5. The NaPali Coast, Kauai

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a visit to the stunning NaPali Coast on the island of Kauai, the oldest and fourth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands. NaPali’s wild and uninhabited cliffs symbolized the unspoiled natural beauty of Kauai. Besides NaPali, Kauai boasts all kinds of natural wonders, from mountaintop rain forests to coral reefs and uncrowded golden beaches along its 111-mile coastline. Geologists estimate that Kauai emerged from an undersea volcano in the Pacific some five million years ago. Today it has one of the wettest places on earth, Mt. Wai’ale’ale, which gets an average annual rainfall of 460 inches. Don’t bother with an umbrella, though; rain showers are brief, followed by glorious “sun breaks” often accompanied by rainbows.