In addition to the train ride, the railway station has outdoor exhibits of freight cars and engines as well as a gift shop. If you have ever felt your heart beat a little faster at the sound of a diesel train engine, or wanted to ride in a train across a tropical island, the Hawaiian Railway and Museum are a great place to visit.

The Hawaiian Railway offers 90-minute train rides every Sunday. Tickets for adults are $10, and tickets for children ages 2-12 and seniors are $7. The ticket office is open beginning at 11:30am. Departure times for the train are 1pm and 3pm from the Ewa Station. For additional inquiries, contact the Hawaiian Railway at 808.681.5461.

As a key leg of any triathlon, biking has become especially popular for visitors in the Hawaiian Islands who aspire to undertake this grueling long-distance endurance sport, whether they seek to compete in the Ironman Triathlon or compete at a smaller scale. Cycling as a competitive sport in its own right has also popularized biking. It’s certainly not all about competition though, and can just be a way for visitors to explore more of the island on their own or with friends.

Below is just a short list of bike shops in Maui:

Island Biker Maui: www.islandbikermaui.com
Offering bike rentals and bike sales. Call 808.877.7744 for additional information

Maui Easy Riders: www.mauieasyriders.com
Offering bike tours through Haleakala and the Road to Hana. Call 808.344.9489.

Maui Downhill Bicycle Safaris: www.mauidownhill.com
Based in Kahului and offering bike tours through Haleakala Volcano National Park. Call 808.871.2155 for reservations

The Koko Head Shooting Complex offers visitors the opportunity to fire pistols, rifles and shotgun, as well as practice archery with a bow and arrow. In addition to target ranges, the club also offers skeet and trap shooting. The Complex is favored by a number of gun clubs, some of whom will also offer instruction with various firearms, but you will need to find someone who will accompany you or let you borrow a firearm, as there are no gun rentals at the Complex.

Visit the Koko Head Shooting Complex website at www.khsc.com for a complete list of allowed and prohibited firearms, safety rules and hours of operation. For the latest information regarding hours of operation, contact the Complex directly at 808.395.2992.

http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/aqs-checklist-5.pdf

Hawaii’s new quarantine program allows pets to be directly released at the airport if the
pet owner follows strict procedures prior to the pet’s arrival. FYI – it will take at least four
months to qualify an adult pet that has had at least one rabies vaccination and at least 10
months to qualify a newborn puppy for this program.
There are a few exceptions to the quarantine program: Animals originating from other
rabies-free areas that have prevention, control and surveillance methods that are equal to
or more strict than those of Hawai‘i are exempt. At the present time, the only countries
judged to meet these criteria are the British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand.
WHAT ARE THE HOTEL OPTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG:
Waikiki: Aqua Waikiki Wave and Aqua Waikiki Pearl
Both hotels welcome dogs up to 40 pounds (18 kilograms) in Waikiki. Upon arrival the
hotel provides your furry friends with tail-wagging treats, in-room food & water bowls,
doggie liners, doggie bed and a toy for your dog to take home. For your convenience, the
pet-friendly floor is located on the second floor. To keep the hotel safe and clean for your
four-legged travel companions, both hotels require a small fee of $25 per night, with a
$100 security deposit that is refundable upon checkout after inspection of your room.
Honolulu: Pagoda Hotel
Pagoda Hotel is now welcoming dogs up to 40 pounds. Pets must be supervised at all
times. Upon check-in you will receive complimentary pads to help keep your room clean
and we require a small fee of $25 per night, with a $100 security deposit that is refundable
upon checkout after inspection of your room.
Molokai: Hotel Molokai
Hotel Molokai is proud to welcome pets up to 15 pounds. To keep the hotel safe and clean
for your four-legged travel companions, your pet must be caged while in the room and the
hotel requires a small fee of $35 per night, with a $100 security deposit that is refundable
upon checkout after inspection of your room.
MORE USEFUL INFORMATION:
The airline is responsible for bringing all arriving animals to the Airport Animal Quarantine
Holding Facility (AAQHF). Pets allowed to fly in the passenger cabin will be taken by
airline personnel upon landing and will be transported to the AAQHF. Pets qualifying for
direct release will be processed at the facility, which is located on the Ewa Service Road
that runs between the Interisland Terminal and the Main Terminal.
IMPORTANT! Pet owners are responsible for transporting all pets released from the
Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) to their vehicles or the Interisland
terminal. Airport security regulations do not permit animals to be let out of the transport
crate on airport property. Pets must be picked up and loaded into a vehicle or onto a
baggage cart in their transport crate. Therefore, vehicles must be large enough to
accommodate the intact crate with the pet inside. There are no baggage carts or porters
in the immediate vicinity of the AAQHF.
For complete information regarding what it will take to bring your pet to Hawaii, visit

http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

An easy to reach trailhead, the hiking path can be reached via Upper Manoa Road. Parking is $5 by the Tree Top Restaurant, although every once in a while there will be an available space or two elsewhere for free. The whole hike runs 1.5 miles through the rain forest from the trailhead to the waterfall and back and can be completed in less than two hours at an easy pace with plenty of stops for pictures. Bamboo groves and large Banyan trees line the trail, and the Manoa Falls themselves can be quite impressive after a good rain, before and after the dry summer months.

In any hike in Hawaii, there are at least three essential items to bring. The first is good shoes, as any trail that wanders through a rain forest will often have slippery rocks and wet mud after the rains. Bug repellant spray or wipes are important too. While it’s fun to stop and have a quick bite, no one enjoys being bitten. Third, be sure to bring your camera! The lush and wild tropical environment is beautiful and restful, and every picture you take is a vivid memory of your vacation.

Extra Tips for Safety
Fresh running water must be treated chemically, as all water in the islands is subject to leptospirosis. Hiking boots, sunscreen and insect repellant are all an absolute must. Because this trail is located in a lush, tropical valley, it is not advisable to attempt this hike near sunset. The sun always drops quickly, and the shade of the rain forest will envelop unprepared hikers in almost complete darkness much faster than some might anticipate. Have fun, but be safe!

Providing one of the best views of Honolulu and Waikiki from the summit, the trail to the summit of Diamond Head was built in 1908 as part of Oahu’s developing coastal defense system operated by the US military. Although less than a mile from the trailhead to the summit, the elevation gain is a steep 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. Continuing along a fortification wall designed to prevent erosion, the ascent continues to a lighted 225-foot tunnel. This tunnel is the entrance to the Fire Control Center built in 1911. There are bunkers at the summit as well as a lighthouse. The view at the top is well worth all the effort, and provides an elevated view that extends from Koko Head Crater to Wai’anae. During winter you may be able to spot the humpback whales that migrate to the Hawaiian Island waters to breed and give birth to their young every year.

To avoid the heat of the midday sun and to secure a parking spot, it is a good idea to plan your hiking in Diamond Head early in the day. The park is open from 6am-6pm and the latest you can enter the hiking trail is 4:30pm, as the gates are locked when the park closes for the day. With the exception of service animals, pets are prohibited from entering the park.

A $5 fee is assessed per car, and $1 is the price of admission for pedestrians.

Extra Tips
The hiking trail is particularly uneven and is very steep in some areas. The last 1/10 of a mile is stairs, which feel like they go on forever.

Garden enthusiasts might prefer the lower trail, starting in the Olomana subdivision and traversing a muddy trail around exotic tropical plants. A highlight of this path is the large grove of torch ginger clearly visible from the trail. Be warned that this path runs adjacent to private property in several places, please make certain to stay on the paths and not venture into someone’s backyard. A slightly longer and higher trail begins on the Kailua portion of the Pali Highway exit heading into Kailua, then leads to the Maunawili trail on your left. This path is much more commonly travelled, a bit less muddy and has some great expansive views on the way to the waterfall. There are many hikers who use this trail, and while it’s not a long hike, be sure to bring your own water.

Those who feel particularly adventurous and not afraid of the slippery rocks can actually scale the side of this low waterfall and enjoy the view of the pool from the top, or enjoy swimming in the pool beneath the falls.

Directions
To get to the Maunawilli Falls, take H1 westbound from Waikiki and take the Pali exit. Over and through mountains, turn right on to Auloa Road, head left on Maunawili Road. Park and follow the signs to the trailhead.

Extra Tips for Safety
Fresh running water must be treated chemically, as all water in the islands is subject to leptospirosis. Hiking boots, sunscreen and insect repellant are all an absolute must. Be ready to get muddy, as the rains and streams keep the trail fairly wet.

Hawaii is famous for the distinctive island flair that permeates every aspect of the culture and its products, including clothing and other textiles. Hawaiian shirts are colorful light buttoned down collared shirts that are often particularly flashy. Muumuus are loose fitting dresses of Hawaiian origin. Hawaiian quilts are a combination of traditional Hawaiian designs with fabrics and sewing techniques introduced by American missionaries. The elaborate designs evocative of the South Pacific are beautiful and make for wonderful gifts.

Hawaiian lei garlands and heirloom jewelry are also excellent examples of authentic Hawaiian-made products. Leis are garland necklaces woven or braided together from beautiful locally grown flowers, vines and fern fronds. Hawaiian heirloom jewelry takes many forms, and can include ankle bracelets, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings, and watches. These are usually hand-made and adorned with Hawaiian designs and motifs. Prices are determined not only by the inherent value of the precious stones or gold, but also the intricacy of the designs. Hawaiian heirloom jewelry remains a romantic and enduring symbol and memory of the Hawaiian monarch period.

Celebrated annually every August, the Made in Hawaii Festival features some 400 vendors from across every island displaying and selling Hawaiian-made goods. The festival is held at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The festival is more than just an opportunity for shopping, this is a celebration of culture complete with music, entertainment and cooking demonstrations.

While the beach is also fun for body boarders and surfers, it is best for swimming and snorkeling. The steep drop off of the shoreline and the surrounding reefs are home to many exotic tropical fish. Be careful to avoid stingrays and jellyfish that also make their home in these gentle waters. Dolphins are also known to frequent the deeper waters beyond the beach, and humpback whales are also a common occurrence during their winter migrations.

The beach also accommodates camping right on the sand, and is one of the few places where you are allowed to do so. Permits are issued by the Lanai Company and are valid for not more than seven days at a time. If you are looking to spend some time out under the stars, there are probably few places better suited to beach camping. Hulopoe Beach also includes a great park area complete with picnic tables and barbecue grills ideal for enjoying meals near the ocean. Restrooms and showers are also available, providing a bit of modern comfort for camping enthusiasts not eager to rough it during a relaxing vacation.

Extra Tips for Safety
Under no circumstances should you attempt to climb the nearby Sweetheart Rock. The sides are very steep and covered in jagged edges too difficult to accommodate hand or footholds.