This is part two of my article about landmarks of Hawaii. In this article I will talk about beautiful landscapes and scenery of Hawaii.
First things first, just to understand things further, according to my research the word "mauna" is a Hawaiian term for the word ' mountain '. Thus Mauna Kea when translated into English means ' White Mountain ' and Maun Loa, when translated means "long Mountain". In this article I'll use a lot of local terms of Hawaii, but if I can find a translated version, then I'll include it here.
Let's start with the Big Island's Mauna Kea, Hawaii. In comparison with the other volcanoes in Hawaii, Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano. Along with Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea is one of the two highest mountains you can find in the Pacific. In the measurement of its base on the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is considered the highest mountain in the world, as it stands at a height of 33000 feet tall, much taller than Mount Everest. Its peak is the highest point in Hawaii and based on their mythology, the peak of Mauna Kea is considered the holiest.
Haleakala Volcano on Maui or the Oriental is an active volcano, but not erupting enormous shield that makes more than 75% of the island of Hawaii. In Hawaiian Mythology, believed that the hollow part of the Summit of Haleakala was home to the grandmother of demigod "Maui". According to legend, her grandmother helped him capture the Sun to force him to decrease his journey through the heavens to lengthen the day, thus the name "house of the sun" came to be.
This mountain rises in the middle of Haleakala National Park. The Park is divided into two sections that is the Summit area and the coastal Kipahulu area. Inside Haleakala National Park you can find various flora and fauna and also the Haleakala Observatory.
Located in Alalakeiki channel between the Islands only of Maui and Kahoolawe, is Crescent-shaped island of Molokini. This island is a part of a partially submerged volcanic crater that erupted about 230 thousand years.
According to ancient mythology of Hawaii, Molokini was a beautiful woman. Molokini and the goddess of fire Skin were in love with the same man and his jealousy. Pele cut her rival in two and she turned to stone. His head being the cinder cone "pu'u olai" by Makena beach.
This place was once used as a location for the practice of military target of the United States during World War II, but was later banned due to a large public outcry. The crater is a sanctuary for luscious coral reefs and about 250 species of fish. Today, this place is considered as the best place to go diving with your excellent visibility as deep as 150 feet. He also became a Sanctuary for seabirds of the State of Hawaii.
Whew! Do you think this is all you can find in Hawaii? Well, check out part III of this article where I will focus on the most historic places, and goes much deeper into discovering the history and culture of Hawaii. Don't worry about getting there, I suggest when looking to vacation packages, chose those that include city tours or adventure tours.
