HAWAI’I
74 FEBRUARY 2017HALEAKALA NATIONAL
PARK
The sun rises everyday over our heads but
it’s rare if any get to witness the beauty
concealed within the House of the Sun or
better known as ‘Haleakala’ by the
Hawaiian locals. Native Hawaiians have
lived on and cared for the land around
Haleakala for over 1,000 years with
important cultural sights and ‘meles’
(songs/chants) to mark the history of the
landscape. Between the 1930s and 1940s,
the federal government of the United States
sponsored the Civilian Conservation Corp
which was heavily engaged with a variety
of projects at the park.
The national park is a rare and sacred
landscape home to uncommon species of
pollinated geraniums found nowhere else
on earth. Among them are the silver
geranium, many-flowered geranium,
geranium hanaense, and the prized
geranium arboreum said to be the rarest ofLE’AHI, DIAMOND HEAD
HIKE
For a scenic view of Honolulu and an
adrenaline high from hiking, the climb to
the summit of Leahi, the Diamond Head
State Monument of Oahu is an absolute
must for those who wish to view the
picturesque views of the island and enjoy
the blustery winds at the top.
From the summit, unobstructed views of
the entire Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean canthe four. The geranium arboreum is said to
be critically endangered with less than 50
individual plants populating the hills.
Visitors to Haleakala may also wish to
arrive early to capture the much anticipated
sunrise scenes of which draw hundreds of
tourists every day. Visitors in personal or
rental vehicles would need to make
advance reservations ahead of time in order
to make the sunrise viewings (book at
recreation.gov).KUALOA RANCH
Get behind the scenes of all things Hollywood
when you visit Kualoa ranch, the location of
many television shows and Hollywood films.
Whether it’s Jurassic Park, Tears of the Sun,
50 First Dates or TV specials such as Hawaii
Five-O, Magnum PI and LOST, many of these
scenes will appear remarkably familiar to any
cinematic enthusiast or “moviephile”. The
4,000-acre ranch features dense rainforests
and broad open valleys that make for an
unforgettable picturesque scene. Also
included are magnificent views from
beautiful white sand beaches to verdant cliff
faces which are open to exploration either by
hiking, an ATV or if one is feeling particularly
adventurous, horseback.
Understanding that environmental
protection plays a big part in its future vision,
the ranch established the “Aina Pono
Foundation” in 2009 which serves to help
preserve the characteristics of ancient
Hawaiian culture.A sunrise at Haleakala
is one to be remembered forever74 FEBRUARY 2017