The Ambassadors of Aloha
From locals documenting their life to the surfers and sunbathers across the islands, here is your insider guide to Hawaii.
We have got the decadent Instagram shots of these sun-chasing Hawaiian hippies, who fill us with travel envy and stoke the fire inside of us that is telling us to take a trip to Hawaii.
ALISON TEAL
@alisonsadventures
Back to the beach! #Bingin ????@hisarahlee
A photo posted by Alison Teal (@alisonsadventures) on May 14, 2015 at 2:23am PDT
Alison Teal is the solo traveller from TV program Alison’s Adventures where she travels, with surfboard in tow, around the world to explore different culture’s take on the environment, sustainability and happiness.
But home is always Hawaii. This is her insider guide to the place where she is most happy.
Why I love Hawaii… Hawaii is the best of all worlds. The Big Island alone has almost all the world’s ecosystems so in one day you can experience deserts, dry forests, tropical rain forests, mountains, tundra, lava fields, and fresh and saltwater marine environments. Meaning you can actually ski, surf, and play Tarzan all in one day!
My favourite image is… as I’m duck diving a traditional handmade wooden alaia surfboard through timeless underwater clouds.
The best-kept secret of Hawaii is… if I told you it wouldn’t be a secret anymore!;-) Experiencing sunrise on Mauna Kea (the tallest mountain in the world from sea level) is magnificent. Feeling as if you are above the clouds. It is an important mountain and we must respect and protect it.
You will feel like a local if you… Buy a pair of local flip flops. But make sure you call them slippers and not flip flops. Open a coconut using a rock and put your fins and mask on after you get in the ocean.
The best place to eat an authentic Hawaiian meal is… The Poke Shack or the Kava bar in Kona
The one place that will wow you is… Waipio valley lookout and the active volcano
The ultimate Hawaii beach is… Hapuna beach because it’s where I took my first steps. It’s also the longest light sand beach on the Big Island.
The most underrated road trip journey would be… Instead of driving along the coast to Kohala, drive up through Waimea and take the windy Kohala bypass road between the land of the Paniolo. On the Waimea to Kohala bypass road the temperature often drops to the 60’s and you see the whole coastline while you cool off and usually enjoy a magnificent rainbow!
JACK MAROTE
@jake_of_all_trades
A photo posted by jakemarote@gmail.com (@jake_of_all_trades) on Oct 27, 2015 at 10:52am PDT
When adventuring with @kimi_swimmy, you better be prepared for anything!
A photo posted by jakemarote@gmail.com (@jake_of_all_trades) on Oct 6, 2015 at 10:58pm PDT
Jack was born and raised in Hilo on the Big Island but now lives on the North Shore of Oahu. A freelance water surf photographer, at the age of 27 he has garnered a huge following on Instagram at more than 104,000 followers with under and above water shots.
I love Hawaii because… it has so much to offer. I can go hunting up in the mountains and diving in the ocean, all in the same day to gather food for dinner. In the winter months on the Big Island, you can snowboard and surf all in the same day. The beauty and adventures that Hawaii has to offer is endless.
My images portray… the good, simple life whether it’s swimming in the ocean or hiking in the mountains. It’s basically a limitless free adventure park.
You will feel like a local if you… have a barbecue down at the beach with some friends while listening to local Hawaiian music. Just make sure to clean up when you leave!
My perfect day in Hawaii would be spent… hunting in the mountains in the morning, and then cooling off at the beach in the afternoon with family and friends.
The one place that will wow you is… the summit of Mauna Kea. I like to go up there for the sunset and stay until the stars come out. Pack warm clothes though!
For a great night out go to… Addiction Night Club in the Modern Hotel. But I’d much rather make a bonfire on the beach with friends
For a food truck fix, stop in at… Oahu’s North Shore for Pupukea Grille, Seven Brothers, and Giovanni’s.
DALLAS NAGATA WHITE
@dallasnagata
A photo posted by Dallas Nagata White (@dallasnagata) on Jul 7, 2014 at 11:15am PDT
Dallas was born and raised on the island of Maui. She lives in Honolulu, Oahu and has a prolific community of Instagram followers. The 28-year-old Dallas started using the photography app when it was relatively unheard of back in 2011. Here she tells us her insider tips…
I love Hawaii because… of its big, beautiful skies, the variety of landscapes to explore, and the wonderful multicultural community that we have.
My favourite image is… “Lava Kiss”, my only image to go viral, which features my husband and I kissing in the rain next to a Kilauea lava flow.
The best-kept secret of Hawaii is… that Diamond Head isn’t just a backdrop for Waikiki – there’s a lot of stuff to do in and around it, including hiking the crater, the Kapiolani Community College farmer’s market, and the relaxing, less-crowded Diamond Head Beach.
The best place to eat an authentic Hawaiian meal is… Highway Inn in Kakaako, Honolulu.
My perfect day in Hawaii would be spent… on a boat snorkeling and sailing, then having happy hour cocktails while watching the sunset.
The one place that will wow me is… Volcanoes National Park – there’s nothing like watching an active volcano in action!
For a great night out, go to… Honolulu Night Market, a monthly outdoor event that features food, shopping for fashion and local products at pop-up boutiques, and live entertainment.
The ultimate Hawaii beach is Makena Beach, aka Big Beach, on Maui. It’s the wide, sandy beach where locals go, which is great for swimming when the surf isn’t up.
For a food truck fix, stop in at Honolulu’s monthly food truck rally, Eat The Street! Each month there’s a different theme, so there’s always something new to try.
Get your Hawaii fix and follow Hawaii tourism @alohadownunder on instagram to see best of the Hawaiian Islands including inspiring photos and short videos!
And for even more exciting adventures throughout Hawaii, check out the Agent’s Ideal Hawaii, or take the quiz to find out which Hawaiian Island are you? Better yet, brush up on the Four Ways to Sell Hawaii. And don’t forget tips to mix and match Hawaii.
And of course check out Hawaii Tourism’ YouTube Channel here for more Agents of Aloha goodness.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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