Hawaii’s most popular state parks

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’re heading to Hawai’i and want to find out the state parks travelers find the most appealing, check out Hawai’i Tourism Authority”s “2007 Hawai’i State Park Survey.” According to the findings, 10.1 million people visited Hawai’i State Parks in 2007, 2/3 of them out of state visitors. The survey helped produce a 98 page PDF file report with loads of information useful to the state park folks, as well as tourists who want to head where people are not–or to where people are.

The survey asked visitors to rate sites as well as mark items they think state parks should have. Top on the list is parking, followed by interpretive signage and then restrooms. Most people head to parks looking for a view, although residents have an added motivation of a family outing and spending time with friends.

One page of the file reports on visitor ratings of the islands according to scenery, cultural spots, hiking experience and flora and fauna. Since 2003, satisfaction with the parks has generally gone up, and across the board, O’ahu, Hawai’i Island, Maui, and Kaua’i are closely rated in their appeal. What this says to me, is that no matter where you head, you’ll feel satisfied–provided you find parking. For the list of the top 10, keep reading. For another Hawai’i natural treasure, check out Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. It might be a World Heritage site one day.

Top 10 State Parks

1. Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside, (O’ahu) the highest volume park with over 900,000 people visiting annually.
2. Wailua River State Park (Kaua’i)
3. Hā’ena State Park (Kaua’i)
4. Diamond Head State Monument (O’ahu)
5. Mākena State Park (Maui)
6. Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area (Hawai’i Island)
7. ‘ Īao Valley State Monument (Maui)
8. Waimea Canyon State Park (Kaua’i)
9. Nā Pali Coast State Park (Kaua’i)
10. Ka’ena Point State Park (O’ahu)

Ferries for Hawaiian Island Hopping

by Jamie Rhein on

Years ago when I went to Hawaii to visit a great-aunt and uncle who lived in Kailua on O’ahu, my uncle arranged for a three day trip to the Big Island. The package deal included airfare, a rental car and a motel room. This was a low-budget, low-keyed jaunt and a high point of our vacation. (I’ve been thinking about Brook’s musings about the difference between travel and vacations. We landed in Hawaii after spending a week in Taiwan and a week in Japan. That felt like travel. For some reason, Hawaii felt like a vacation. I’m still musing myself about the difference.)

Anyway, when we went to the Big Island, we flew. To get to the Big Island flying is the way to go. However, according to this USA Today article, ferries are to start operating between O’ahu and Maui and Kaua’i. These will be the high-speed type that can also take cars. Eventually, there will be one to the Big Island, but that one isn’t due to open for a couple years. On the Hawaii Superferry Web site you can make reservations. The first departure is slated for August 28.

Although these inter-island ferries sound like a good idea, all is not well with this transportation venture. The humpback whales are a concern since the ferries may interrupt their migration. Also, if people can bring their cars with them, what will this do to tourism? That’s my thought. Will more cars choke up the roads? Or maybe this will be a tourist boost. Still, people do need some way to get from here to there unless we are all willing to stay home.