The Best Hawaiian Island for Cheap-Ass Backpackers

Traveling always comes with romantic notions – dreams of tanned skin and white teeth, laughing and clinking beers with your new found buddies on the beach, finding yourself as you trek through the wild and having experiences that you can dine out on for the rest of your life.

We all believe that backpacking makes us cool.

Fast-forward to reality and you suddenly find yourself alone and crying into a plate of noodles in a dirty hostel somewhere in far flung Asia, where you may or may not need a tetanus jab after using the shared shower.

Backpacking is equal measures awesome and terrible.

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You have to put up with weirdos in dorm rooms, counting out pennies to afford lunch, and spending days feeling like you are dragging a dead horse along thanks to the size of your bag.

But then there are the moments where you find yourself watching whales frolic off shore, standing up for the first time on a surfboard, and spending an evening letting luau pig melt on the tongue -then you know it’s all worthwhile.

Hawaii has a bad rep when it comes to cost as being a pricey place to play – but this guide can help you to select the best Hawaiian island for those who don’t have cash to burn…

 

Note to Self – Tourism Can Mean Cheap

You may have dreams of flitting from island to island, but let’s face facts – unless you are really good at long distance swimming (even then the sharks may stop you), then you probably won’t be able to bounce from place to place.

We suggest that the best island for a home base is actually Oahu. Even though Oahu and its capital, Honolulu, are thronged with the most tourists, it is also the biggest spot, with plenty of adventures to be had. Size means opportunity and options and this can also mean the chance to save.

On Oahu, because of the tourist industry, businesses will be more competitive, meaning that you can get rooms and food for cheaper than the more isolated spots. If you want value for money, then Oahu is the best Hawaiian island for backpackers.

Note to Self – Resorts are for Honeymooners Only

You may dream of raising an all-inclusive cocktail as a team of waiters fan you on a beach, but save it for the honeymoon. Resorts will blow a hole in your wallet before you can even ask how much.

This is another reason to pick Oahu, it is home to hostels. Sure, you will have to share a room with a bunch of strangers, but you will enjoy the same idyllic spots, views, and surroundings for a fraction of the price. Plus, if you sip enough Big Swell IPAs before bed you won’t even hear the snoring of your fellow cheapskates.

Dorm beds in Hawaii aren’t the cheapest in the world, in-fact you can still expect to painfully part with no less than twenty dollars for a place to lay your sunburnt head. But, when you compare it to the zillion other hotels and resorts offering a bed for at least double or triple that, you will save yourself a small fortune on a tour of Hawaii.

The Waikiki Backpackers Hotel also offers free pizza and beer a couple nights a week, along with free coffee (the real coffee, not that freeze dried soil like powder that makes you want to pull out your tongue), and has a convenience store a few doors away meaning that you can stock up on groceries rather than hitting the high class restaurants.

Not to Self – Hide Pineapples Down your Pants

So, if you pick a hostel with a free breakfast you are sorted for most of the day, just make sure to order an extra-large stack of pancakes, and hide a pineapple in your pants.

Photo by Ed Morita, Eat The Street

Only here’s the tricky bit, you can dine for cheap in Oahu if you pick the early bird specials. So that means that you will have filled up on a free breakfast, but now its 4pm and you are seated at a restaurant trying to stuff enough food in your face to last until midnight.

If you can’t face the idea of dinner before 6pm, then the food trucks will literally become your knights in shining armor. On the last Friday of the month you can head down to the Eat the Street gathering where more than forty trucks congregate to offer their edible wares to those with a few short dollars in their pockets.

Let’s not forget that Hawaii is the land of plenty when it comes to fresh fruits. If you are happy to survive during the day on fruits from the farmer’s markets, and fresh fish from the shoreline – then you are sure to save a bundle and have a cheap time in Hawaii.

Note to Self – Nature Doesn’t (Shouldn’t) Have a Price Tag

Hawaii is brimming with amazing activities to keep you entertained. Sadly, they mostly come with a price tag that is a little high for cheap ass backpackers to reach. Zip lining, scuba diving, whale watching cruises, and parasailing will not only get your heart beating, but may actually cause your bank manager to have a heart attack.

Let’s remind you of all the wonderful things you can do that are free and will help your budget in Hawaii.

Beaching…beaching is bitching. You simply rock up, claim your sandy spot, and spend the day reading books, snoozing and leaping into the sea. It’s awesome and you will never get bored of it.

Walking – you can still explore the rainforests, watch whales, and go wild in the wilderness without the need for a price tag to be hung around natures neck. Grab a map, a good pair of shoes, and speak to some locals about the best hikes and trails to carry yourself on.

If you really want to immerse yourself in a little culture then you can head to the Royal Hawaiian Centre for free lessons on the ukulele, lei making, and hula dancing.

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Last and not least; if you want to hop, skip and jump around Oahu, then take the public buses. Car rental can be pricey and who the hell wants to drive on vacay anyway? Save your cents for those happy hour cocktails and jump on the bus instead.

The post The Best Hawaiian Island for Cheap-Ass Backpackers appeared first on Live Your Aloha Hawaii Tours & Activities.

source http://www.liveyouraloha.com/adventures/best-hawaiian-island-cheap-ass-backpackers/

The Sunflower Fields in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Six Shameless Things You Could Do at the Sunflower Field Oahu on the North Shore

**2018 Hours: The “Sunflowers in the Country” tours will run from noon to 2 p.m. weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends.**

Trade the blues of the Pacific for some inland greens by visiting the sunniest spot on Northern Oahu – the Waialua Sunflower Field. You may have seen dozens of sunflower field before, so you wisely asked your touristy self, “what makes this field so special?” You can’t answer that without going, can you?  While not one of your typical things to do when visiting Oahu, it’s definitely something that should be on your list if you want to see some of nature’s beauty.  So pack up and leave the rain clouds behind! It’s time to face the sunshine (and some photo ops in between) in the somewhat hidden Sunflower Field Oahu!.

 

Wait, where’s Waialua?

Don’t be ashamed to ask. Even some locals can’t pinpoint the exact location of Waialua without the help of Google Maps. Trust us, the hidden location makes it more special because not all can proudly say that Waialua took their breath away! That’s basically more brownie points for you.

So, which wardrobe should you actually enter to go to Waialua? Considering that Honolulu and Waialua are located at opposite ends of Oahu, you will likely think that they are from two different dimensions. Fortunately, that was a bit exaggerated. In fact, this website calculated the total miles (even the fuel consumption and costs!) that you need to cover if you wish to drive down to the place from Hawaii’s bustling capital. Still feeling lost? Then take that goddamn bus, taxi or plane, and be done with it!

Once you step out of your car, the lack of traffic, crowds and commercialized hubs would instantly make you think that Waialua is a tropical ghost town. Even the producers of the controversial Lost series agree that the eerie setting is perfect for mystery and suspense, as seen in a total of four episodes aired during Seasons 1 and 2 of the show. Before you chicken out and make a run for it, make sure to visit some attractions for Instagram’s sake!
Waialua may be too quaint for the likings of tourists and too-blessed-to-be-bored locals, but the spot is actually a treasure of agricultural abundance! Once a renowned Sugar Town, its land area is now home to varied kitchen favorites, like coffee and bananas. But it’s obvious you won’t give a dime to see those! You want to be where the action is! And by action, we mean weaving through a field of gold, dodging angry bees and wishing you won’t trip over snakes. If that sounds like a fantastic weekend for you, then waste no time in heading towards Sunflower Field Oahu.

Seeking the sunflowers during summer

It’s common sense that tells you sunflowers bloom in summer and fall. It’s how the natural world rocks, so who are you to question that? With confidence, you drive to Waialua on a bright summer day in August, the hottest month in the Hawaiian calendar, humming to the tune of Rupert Holmes’ Escape. You even announced your trip on social media, imagining all the poor, lonely souls stuck in their day jobs. However, upon arriving, not a single flower is in bloom. In fact, you could only see green stalks for miles. So, where did all the gold go?

Sunflowers in Hawaii are pretty unique, because they are in full bloom between the period of November and December. Yes, you calculated right. They thrive under the winter sun, enjoying the 77 °F temperature that is typical on Oahu’s north side. You completely forgot that Hawaii has all-year round sun! As you shake your head in shame, you vow to visit Waialua again after two or three months. Hopefully, the field staff already forgotten the name and face of their eager visitor.
Showing up without a reservation

Reservations aren’t just for restaurants. In the case of the Sunflower Field Oahu, you need to contact the owners to schedule a free viewing. You read that right! You don’t need to pay to witness such an unconventional scenery. But, it is highly necessary for tourists to call ahead and discuss if the sunflowers are just peeking out or showing their full faces for the world to see. You don’t want to be that lost puppy milling by the fence, wondering if the flower farms will accept hard-headed tourists.

The sunflower field is owned by DuPont Pioneer, a world leader in hybrid seed production; thus, classified as private property. The flowers were grown as test crops, but once analytics are gathered, the field of gold is opened to the public for pleasure viewing. Make sure to visit their Facebook page for updates, or contact them thru (808) 637-0100 ext. 149. Can’t use a local phone? You can also email them at mailto:waialuasunflowers@pioneer.com

It isn’t just about reserving a spot and making sure that sunflowers are out to greet you. The caretakers will also provide valuable information, such as the exact address of the property (more accurate than Google Maps!) and what you need to observe while roaming the field.

Running naked across the field

Rows upon rows of lush greenery and golden crowns will truly excite anyone, even those who are not into flowers. Even guys forget their masculinity and gamely pose in the field for photographs, even lifting a hand to ‘softly touch’ those amazing floras. The yellow color also encourages happy vibes within the vicinity, and it is pretty infectious once you see tourists with big smiles on. You can’t help but be light-hearted and friendly and sometimes, crazy enough to pull scandalous stunts!
With the happiness hard to contain, you *might* consider pulling your clothes off and running across the sea of golden crowns. If you do, you will get a serious reprimand from the field staff! But, not because of showing off in your birthday suit. They are more concerned about all the sunflowers you have knocked over during your ecstatic rampage. Since the plants are being used for hybrid studies, farmers need to maintain them at top notch conditions for better results.
Paying fines for damage is unheard of, but not entirely impossible once you’ve actually done the wicked deed. So, contain that elation until you reach Honolulu and release that energy while doing extreme sports, like parasailing.

Picking flowers for souvenirs

Humans share a common habit of keeping things they consider beautiful –from jewelry to poetry. It is in our nature, so why resist? However, you should probably lay your hands off when the beautiful things in question are sunflowers bred for hybrid testing. Remember that the sunflowers you see didn’t just grow out of nowhere. They were planted and cared for by DuPont Pioneer –the very company who gave you free admission to roam around and take millions of pictures with Hawaii-bred sunflowers!

Aside from the analytics involved, DuPont Pioneer’s sunflowers are cultivated to produce cooking oil. A harvest of sunflower seeds is equivalent to gallons of cooking oil for food and cosmetic purposes, which means they are too valuable to be considered as ornamental souvenirs alone. Cutting sunflowers won’t just result in a shameful scolding from the staff; you will absolutely pay for the damages you have caused!

If you are adamant to take something memorable to remind you of your afternoon stroll through the sunflowers, keep an eye out for typical mementos made just for tourists –key chains, photographs and magnets.

Getting in the photographer’s way

The Sunflower Farms north shore of Oahu is a favorite subject of landscape photographers, especially when weather conditions permit the best lighting. On a tour alone, you may meet a dozen or more professionals attempting to take a lucrative shot. They mean business, so it’s probably wise to keep out of their way, unless you want to incur their wrath by photo bombing their angles!

Even if you have a modelesque body and a face that is worthy of the front page, the picture you photo bombed is still considered a wasted shot. So, be wary and respect their space. If you are asked to pose, then by all means, unleash your inner Tyra Banks!

Being ignorant

Not all tourists who visit the Aloha State had the chance to explore the sunflower field up north, which is why guides and reviews are tricky to find. You can research up to the nth page of Google, but nothing beats common sense and preparation to ensure that your visit will go as smoothly as possible.

Safety is always a priority, not just in the Waialua Sunflower Field, but anywhere you choose to have fun at. Bring security essentials, such as flashlights, mobile phones, list of contacts in case of emergency (hotels, transportation services, local police station etc.) and even pepper spray. Never venture out solo, or late at night. Stop ignoring the signs of danger! If your senses tell you to run, make sure you are headed in the right direction.

While you are being extra careful not to hurt the plants and animals at the Sunflower Field Oahu, you should also take care of yourself. Since your visit will most likely fall during the winter months, the sun is not as scorching as it normally is. But, it is wise to carry at least 2 liters of water for hydration and light snacks to boost your stamina. Carry a light rain jacket or umbrella to shield you from the elements. The north shore of Oahu is considered as a “wet zone”, since drizzles are commonly experienced in the location throughout the year.

Suffering from pollen allergies? It’s funny you read this far, considering that there’s no way you can visit Hawaii’s gorgeous sea of yellows without killing your nose off. If the medicines still won’t give you a chance for this natural encounter, then you have the ‘go’ signal to sulk in a corner while browsing through Sunflower Field Hawaii photos.

The post The Sunflower Fields in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore appeared first on Live Your Aloha Hawaii Tours & Activities.

source http://www.liveyouraloha.com/ultimate-guide-visiting-oahu/north-shore-sunflowers-82914069/