Aloha!

December 26, 2012

Cold weather always makes me dream of warmer places, and it's been cold! The Big Island of Hawaii is one of those places that I could escape to any time (if it weren't for work and those pesky airfares, that is). How can you go wrong with Hawaii? It's one place where you can go to a different world, different climate, and different culture without needing your passport. The fact that it's a little slice of paradise makes it just about perfect!

The island of Hawaii (often called the Big Island) is a wonderful vacation getaway. I like to go places that offer plenty of outdoor activities, and Hawaii fits the bill for me. On a recent trip, I hiked into the Kilauea Iki crater of a volcano, kayaked through underground irrigation ditches, snorkeled with the honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle), and sunbathed on a beautiful white sand beach. I also had plenty of time to enjoy the gorgeous sunsets, sip Kona coffee, stroll through the streets, listen to local Hawaiian musicians, and take in a Luau! There is so much to see that I feel like I barely scratched the surface.

If you are feeling like you need a little bit of paradise, check out our Lonely Planet publication Discover Hawaii the Big Island. It will give you some great places to visit and ideas for planning your trip. You can even learn a bit of the Hawaiian language by visiting Mango Languages in our Research Databases.

A hui hou,

Tracy W.
Smithville Branch