The quarantine has been lifted, but there are still lots of hoops to jump through. You have to complete special paperwork, make sure it is filed and received by their animal control and approved so many days prior to your arrival, you must enter the islands through Honolulu to claim your pet prior to 5:00pm on arrival day (or then they have to stay in quarantine for least 24 hours and you have to pay for it) and they must fly cargo. Too many regulations for a visit and I'd never put my small babies in cargo!!!
We did the helicopter tour while in Kauaii. It was fabulous and the only way you can see all the cliffs and many of the waterfalls up close. I've heard the one on the Big Island is also really neat, but you only see the red lava flow at night.
Take your time on each island, otherwise you only get a taste and you'll be exhausted. There is literally so much to see and do that you could be running from sun up till sun down every single day!!!!
Snorkeling/snuba/scuba at the Molokai crater off Maui is a good thing to do, but if you are into snorkeling or you are certified to scuba - there are many great places you can do this on your own without incurring a whole day and lost of $ as well. And, truly the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui is really the best there is. The dance is authentic and very good, as is the food. We've been to luaus on every island at all the recommended places and they don't even come close to comparing. Plus, our daughter has been a Polynesian dancer for 11 years, so we know our dancing.
For everyone wondering, yes there is Polynesian dance in Michigan!!!! Our daughter is actually VERY good at it and wants to make this her career. She will be visiting with a professional Polynesian dance troupe just outside of San Diego in August to audition for a permanent fulltime position starting in January!!!
__________________  Sissy & Angel |