Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: Lisa Nikodym on December 01, 2004, 07:23:22 pm

Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: Lisa Nikodym on December 01, 2004, 07:23:22 pm
What island(s) are you going to?  The big island is great for volcano-related stuff (unusual photo opportunities!) at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, though it's on the east side of the island and most of the big beach resorts are on the west side.  The island of Kauai has the most gorgeous jungle/river/mountain type scenery (Waimea Canyon State Park, Na Pali coast trail, Kalalau lookout, Alakai Swamp, etc.).  Maui has some pretty nice stuff too, but it's more crowded and touristy.  If you haven't decided on an island or two yet, I recommend getting a guide book to find out which one(s) has/have the things you're most interested in.

Unless by "Hawaii" you mean the Big Island (of the same name), in which case the most photogenic things on the island I know of are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, and, if you're interested in such things, snorkeling on the west coast.

Lisa
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: Evan on December 02, 2004, 08:02:36 am
My vote would be Kauai.  My wife and I did very little beach going.  The other place there is the National Botanical Gardens - LOTS of very unusual plants.  That island IS jurassic park since a lot of that movie was filmed there (as well as many other movies).  There's also helicopter tours (if you're up for that).  You really haven't seen that island unless you do that - though there is some risk.  Since we are both camera nuts, the best helicopter tours are by Inter-island (NO DOORS!!!).  I was literally hanging out the door (with seatbelts) taking pictures and trying to take it all in.  They use a small helicopter with two people in the back and two in the front plus the pilot.  The only semi-bad seat is the middle front next to the pilot.  A boat tour of the Na Pali coast was also very good.

The other option is to island hop, but we decided against that because it takes up a lot of time with all the security these days.  We had also spent plenty of time on an airplane already since we traveled from Connecticut (the five/six hour time change is a killer coming home).

The best tour book that everyone uses there is Kauai Revealed.  Amazon Link (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0971727910/qid=1101992432/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-0862193-0726509?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

Hope this helps!
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: kaelaria on December 02, 2004, 09:25:09 am
I'm mostly interested in seeing the sights - night life is unimportant.  We will island hop via helicopter somewhat, as we want to take some tours regardless.  My parents will be with us, so a no-door ride is unfortunately out of the question LOL!

I want to get in some rain forest, some big wave surfers, volcano, waterfall - everything I can while I'm there.  I plan to be up and about every minute of daylight every day!

My buddy here at work is from Hawaii and still has a place there.  He's given me lots of tips regarding some general spots, etc. - but as far as photography he's only knowledgeable with respect to underwater.  His father's (still there) GF is an acclaimed reef photographer.  Unfortunately I'm not yet scuba certified (may be by next spring though), nor do I have any underwater equipment, nor do I think I want to dedicate a day to reef photography, at least this trip.
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: kaelaria on December 04, 2004, 07:03:25 am
Thank you!  Those books will be a great starting point!
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: kaelaria on December 01, 2004, 12:54:13 pm
I'll be going to Hawaii for a week next spring - where are the 'must see' spots?  Any good sites to check out with locations, sights, etc.?
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: kaelaria on December 01, 2004, 08:47:28 pm
We haven't decided on any specifics yet...that's why I'm asking around now

We live on the beach here in Clearwater FL, so we aren't interested in hanging around there on one too.
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: nnmmaa on December 02, 2004, 09:00:20 am
kaelaria,

I think you might receive  more valuable advice if you discussed what activities and types of photography you prefer.

As another poster mentioned, the Hawaii Revealed Series is a very good starting point for planning your trip. The next issue is how long will you be there? If you are only there for one week  ??? , staying on one island is best. It takes the better part of a day to travel one isle to another, when you consider all the elements.

My favorite is Kauai. It is very scenic, but the flip side to that is that it is not as developed as Maui or Oahu  :) ! No night life or traffic to speak of. To me, this is the most scenic of all the palces i have been. The color of the light is amazing; you can just sit and stare at all the colors of green. I always recommend a walk on the little-known Kilau Ridge Trail. Easy, gradually rising walk through unbelievable scenary. Doesn't matter if it is rain or shine, either. In fact, most of the time you get some of both. And of course there is Key (spelling?) beach, Hannalie, and Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park. Could go on and on.

You'll have a great time.
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: stealththinker on December 04, 2004, 01:14:54 am
Quote
I'm mostly interested in seeing the sights - night life is unimportant.  We will island hop via helicopter somewhat, as we want to take some tours regardless.  My parents will be with us, so a no-door ride is unfortunately out of the question LOL!

I want to get in some rain forest, some big wave surfers, volcano, waterfall - everything I can while I'm there.  I plan to be up and about every minute of daylight every day!

My buddy here at work is from Hawaii and still has a place there.  He's given me lots of tips regarding some general spots, etc. - but as far as photography he's only knowledgeable with respect to underwater.  His father's (still there) GF is an acclaimed reef photographer.  Unfortunately I'm not yet scuba certified (may be by next spring though), nor do I have any underwater equipment, nor do I think I want to dedicate a day to reef photography, at least this trip.
First answer your questions:

- Nightlife is pretty much restricted to Oahu, the other 6 inhabited islands are very much "primitive" at night, with the exception of some luaus.

- island hopping in helicopter is gonna cost you $$$ and besides Maui-Molokai/Lanai, inter-island heli-trips are "custom orders" and some are even restricted by the government. Inter-island jet flights are cheap, some $30 per leg kamaina rates if you can prove some sort of residency there (thru your friend?). However, since you got only 1 week, I strongly advise you stay put on one island, max two. It's simply too much to see there. Oh, the only no-door chopper ride you can get is "Interisland" on Kauai.

- Best rain forest is on Kauai, Big Island second. Biggest waves are typically good between Kahului and Paia on Maui and the famous North Shore of Oahu.

- Active volcano is only available on Big Island, and whether you can see surface flow or ocean flow depends on your luck. But your chances are normally good.

- Waterfalls are everywhere. Only Lanai and Niihau are no good for this, but your probably won't even thinking about going there anyway.

- You can get some good pics by just snorkelling around. Take a small cam, such as the Canon's, they sell a good housing for <$200.

Here's my top picks for photography, not in any order of preference:
- Haleakala sunrise (Maui)
- Road to Hana (Maui)
- Volcano NP (Big Island)
- Mouna Kea (Big Island)
- Napli coast (Kauai)
- Waimea Canyon (Kauai)
- Hanalei Bay (Kauai)
- Waikiki Beach & Honolulu cityscape (Oahu)
- Pearl Harbor (Oahu)

There are tons more I wanted to list here for you. There are so many things there and it's hard to pick. The above is just what pops up instantly off my head when I think of an island.

The best thing you can do to prep a HI trip is to spend $60 and get all four books from www.wizardpub.com (available in most bookstore chains). These are the most complete, accurate, and useful references I've ever seen on visiting Hawaii. They come in all color pages, detail maps, tons of pics, and won't miss a single spot for good photography recommendation. You'll find it's the  best $60 you ever spend on anything Hawaiian ...

Any further questions let me know ...
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: BillColorado on December 13, 2004, 11:23:15 pm
If you go to Oahu, definitely go to the Valley of the Temples.  It is a big multi-cultural cemetary, but there is an incredibly beautiful Japanese temple there that backs up to a mountain.  I got an amazing photo there that is still one of my favorites.
Title: Trip to Hawaii
Post by: dnone on December 16, 2004, 06:31:29 pm
hi kaelari,

definetely go hiking (!good boots!) by the coast into the active volcano area, amazing sights, amazing sounds - hissing exploding vapour mixed with the waves crashing ashore, great diving sites, mauna kea in-and-over the mists.. and if only for a week, you'll have plenty (sea&surfers) to see  :)

have agreat trip - and a good flight!

dn