Solar Powered Vacation Rental Near the Best Beach in the World

Hamoa Beach (picture, right, by Beach Bum Paradise) in Hana, Maui, Hawaii, has consistently been voted one of the best beaches in the world. Here's what James Michener had to say about it:

Paradoxically, the only beach I have ever seen that looks like the South Pacific was in the North Pacific. Hamoa Beach on Maui Island in Hawai'i; a beach so perfectly formed that I wonder at its comparative obscurity. Formed into the shape of a half moon, it is rimmed by boulders of lava and guarded by tall volcanic needles. Pandanus [Hala] trees line the shore, which offers a crescent of black and silver sand.

It takes some serious carbon output to get to Hawaii, no matter where you're coming from. And then there's even more driving to get out the famous Road to Hana. But once you're out there, just 2 miles from Hamoa beach, is this solar powered Hana Maui vacation rental house: The Hana Country Cottage.

The Hana Country Cottage: Solar Powered Maui Vacation Rental

It sure won't feel like you're reducing your carbon foot print! This place has 2600 sq. feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 4 luscious acres. It's a pleasant one mile walk to the Venus Pool, a popular swimming hole near Hana. And the solar power means that much less carbon to offset!

The house is decorated in antiques and warm country furniture. The ocean views, like this one from one of the bedrooms, are awe inspiring! The tropical gardens are beautiful and green. The whole atmosphere is one of relaxation and serenity that you just can't get at a busy resort or condo complex.

Visit the web site for the Hana Country Cottage for details on rates and terms, and to see a great compilation of things to do on the east side of Maui, while you're staying there.

Spectacular New Photographs of Kauai

Another bonus for anyone actually paying attention to this little-known blog that I inherited from an internet marketing client who moved on to other things: spectacular new Hawaii pictures from the Island of Kauai.

One of my clients, who has a Kauai Hawaii beach house rental that is literally the gold at the end of the rainbow, just sent me new high-resolution pictures of the house and various shots from around Kauai. This shot proves that her Hawaii beach accommodations are literally right smack dab at the end of the rainbow. Look closely, because there are actually two rainbows.



I'll be posting some of these pictures over at my computer backgrounds photography blog soon, but this is a little bonus for you readers of this blog: head over to this Kauai vacation rental beach house web site now, and you can download the full-size, high resolution pictures (for private use only) right now!

Be sure to go to the page about the island of Kauai, where you'll see some of the fabulous sunset shots (like the one above) that inspired me to write this post. And how about this nice shot of the ocean with a boat leaving its wake? It inspired the simple but effective background for the header of this blog.

Maui weddings

Get Mauied! Maui weddings can be practically anywhere you want. You can take your vows on a beach at sunset. You can get married in a small Maui church. Or you can hike up next to a jungle waterfall for a memorable marriage ceremony in the fresh island water mist. It's up to you. Check out these great Maui wedding locations suggestions. But, unless you're an expert on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, getting married there can be a daunting task.

That's why I recommend getting a Maui wedding planner. A Maui marriage ceremony can be surprisingly affordable. Paradise Maui weddings has Maui wedding packages starting at $300!

Paradise Maui is a big site with lots of information about Maui, and all the islands in Hawaii, including activities, accommodations, and discounts. Check it out! Even if you're not getting married, you can benefit from what Paradise Maui has to offer.

A little bonus preview for viewers of this little-known and used blog...

Thought this would be the perfect place for the first mention of a new site I've been working on. This site, about volunteering while on vacation in Hawaii, is the brain child of my friend Cherie Attix, who was recognized by O Magazine for her voluntourism efforts.

The new site, which isn't quite ready yet, will focus on various groups and organizations that have programs for volunteers in Hawaii. Since Cherie lives on Maui (she runs the Hale Hookipa Inn Maui Bed and Breakfast in Makawao), the site is, for now, Maui centric. There are so many volunteer projects to choose from just on Maui! From the top of Haleakala (bunkhouse lodging provided) to the beautiful Maui beaches, there's a volunteer project that right for you and your family. In fact, many of the volunteer possibilities are perfect for children, and give them an opportunity to learn while they help.

If you'd like to help us with this project, please let me know! This is a great way to give something back to the culture, environment, and community in Hawaii where you vacation!

Asia, Hawaii, and South Pacific travelers are often sailors

After all, what's the point of traveling through the Pacific Ocean if you're not going to do a little sailing? And, at the risk of sounding campy TV themeish, the weather can start getting rough. Hopefully, your tiny ship won't be lost, but while you're out there braving the elements, there's nothing that says you can't be comfy and dry while you do it!

Whitecaps Foul Weather Gear is the Online Sailing Gear Store. They have all kinds of gear for all kinds of sailors, including foul weather gear for racing sailors and cruising sailors, drysuits and wetsuits, Sailing Shoes and Socks (very important and versatile), sailing gloves, sailing accessories like bags and sunglasses, and portable hand-held GPS units and marine radios.

The stylish sailing clothing makes great all-weather clothing for many outdoor activities and water sports, like fishing, diving, swimming, and more, all likely adventures for someone heading to the south seas. The site is run by a family of avid sailors and features only quality gear. This is gear for the serious adventurer. Enjoy!

Hawaii Beach Weddings

My friend Klaus runs Paradise Maui, where you can go right now to find out how you can save money by opting for a small, romantic wedding in Hawaii, instead of a big church wedding. And without all those guests flying around the world to be there, you'll have a much smaller carbon footprint for your big day.

Plus, you'll be right there in paradise for your honeymoon!

I talk about the advantages of a Hawaii beach wedding in my Hawaii blog today.

Rather than just letting it go to waste

This little blog was abandoned. I'm going to give it a home now, and use it to announce travel news and info for the south pacific and Asia regions, including Hawaii.

First up on the agenda is a new Hawaii blog from our old friend, Cherie Attix, who runs a historic bed and breakfast on Maui, in the Hawaiian Islands. Cherie is a conscientious community member on Maui who cherishes her environment and works to make it better every day. The grounds of the Hale Hookipa Inn Maui Bed and Breakfast are all organic and feature delicious tropical fruits!

Cherie's new blog will feature her adventures on Maui, which are always of great interest to anyone who loves the tropical islands of Hawaii and the south pacific. I hope you'll check it out!

SIFTING THE SAND ON HAINAN ISLAND CHINA

While luxuriating on the beaches of Da Dong Hai and Yalong on Hainan Island, I saw workers from the hotels come to the beach daily with a screen the size of a medium window frame, and a shovel. They would shovel the first thin layer of beach sand and toss it into the screen sifting the debris. Meter by meter, they sifted the whole length of the beach.

Their beaches are immaculate; uncomparable even to Hawaii.

Typhoon Season in Hainan China

July through October is typhoon season in Hainan China. In Sept of this year the worst typhoon in 32 years struck Hainan like a flash. It was not pleasant, although not as severe as hurrican Hugo, Sept. 17, 1989.

I have suffered through both. Still, the first choice is to get out, and as a tourist coming to Hainan, my advice is to avoid this season.

Factoids from Hainan China

My Chinese friend in Hainan tells me the Chinese thought they were the only people in the world, until the opium wars.

10,000 years ago the Mongolians migrated across the Bering Straits to what is now America. We called this base race Indians when America was "discovered."

During the Cultural Revolution, 80% of the population had no food whatsoever.