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  If you’re taking a trip to Hawai’i, then you probably have some idea of how magnificent the Pacific Ocean is. This majestic body of water provides the setting for countless adventures and memorable vacations. The climate in this region is one that people across the world may envy, and the water itself is home to millions of unique plants and creatures. The land nearby has been populated for several centuries, and this makes sense since the land and water offer the perfect backdrop against which to live, work, and play. Exploring some interesting facts about the Pacific Ocean may help you to explore how complex and fascinating it actually is.   Depth and Size Unless you’ve seen the Pacific Ocean up close, you may not realize how enormous this body of water is. It’s the largest ocean on the planet, and it…

Body Glove Hawai’i has terrific employees that have seen it all on their whale watching and snorkeling trips. In preparation for your holiday in Hawai’i, our team compiled a list of questions that may come up, everything from a typical day at Body Glove to the best dance moves they have seen on a cruise.  Enjoy!   1. Do you have any advice for first time snorkelers?    Relax. The more you relax the better your experience. Choose a spot with calm water. Make sure you defog your mask with spray or spit. Check the seal on your mask to make sure its good. Don’t smile when you have your mask on to prevent the seal from breaking. If you have facial hair, use Vaseline to help create a better seal. (Jermie Betts – 1st Mate & Alec Armijo – Crew) 2. What are some…

The Big Island of Hawai’i is an island of superlatives. It is the youngest but also the largest island of the Hawaiian chain with the world’s tallest mountain, the world’s most active volcano, is the southernmost point in the United States, and then there are some of the most magnificent coastlines. There is more to see and to do than the average vacation schedule can hold! You might plan to return soon or just stay a little longer! Just to give you a few more reasons … Did you know that the Big Island of Hawai’i is home to four other National Park Service managed attractions? Explore the history of Hawai’i Island and feel the magic of these ancient places: Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site: Perhaps you have seen the large stone structure when driving north on highway 19 just before…

Guess where one of the most talented musicians on our island spreads his magic several times per week? We are proud to be one of the locations that Bula Akamu blesses with his amazing voice. Soulful, passionate and with a voice spanning several octaves, Bula is at home in a variety of genres and especially when you experience him live, you will find that his enthusiasm and love for music is contagious! Bula graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and has since released 2 albums “Innovation” and “Wahi Pana”. Meet Bula and his music several times a week on the Body Glove Historical Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a local-style, made-from-scratch dinner buffet by our Chef Jason Lofland, amazing insights into the history of Kona and its southern coast shared by one of our historians Michaela or Kalei, and let the…

In 1986, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home brought the plight of the humpback whales to the big screen. However, it was actually in 1970 when these whales were listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Conversation Act. Just recently in April, 2015, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed to revise the endangered listing for humpback whales. Conservation efforts have worked to bring back the population of this species, especially in the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Pacific regions. A Brief History of Whaling and Regulations From the 1920s through the 1950s, humpback whales were heavily hunted and exploited. In 1946, commercial whaling was regulated by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. It took another 20 years for them to prohibit commercial hunting of humpbacks. By this time, efforts were being made to protect whales…

Are you planning a visit to the Island of Hawaiʻi and thinking of trying snorkeling for the first time? If you are, you are in for a treat, as a whole new world awaits you. The waters off the coast of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi are crystal clear, warm and home to many unique species of tropical fish. Snorkeling is the perfect way to get up close and personal with the magnificent beauty of the ocean. First time snorkelers will be in awe at the magical experience of swimming and interacting with wild marine life. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the most out of your snorkel experience. Good equipment Use equipment that fits properly. There’s nothing worse than a leaky mask or uncomfortable fins. Test your mask by placing it on your face out…

The Makahiki is an ancient Hawaiian festival, honoring the Hawaiian god Lono. The festive holiday spans four consecutive lunar months, from approximately October through February. The focus of the season is a celebration of the ʻaina (land), fertility and the harvest. This Hawaiian tradition coincides with the fall and winter holidays celebrated by other cultures around the world, and like many other world festivities, it celebrates peace, abundance and gratitude. However, unlike most other global holidays, early Hawaiians celebrated the Makahiki for a full four months by distributing food, playing games and enjoying a long period of peacefulness. During this time, priests would take down the tikis of Ku, the god of war, and erect the tikis of Lono, signaling the beginning of the Makahiki season. Prior to European contact, Lono’s priests reenacted the god’s circuit around each island, stopping at each boundary…

The Hawaiian islands are a jewel in the Pacific and there’s no place on earth that inspires the imagination in quite the same way. It’s not just gorgeous beaches and perfect weather, though: Hawaii also has a rich local culture and history. Among the most important figures in the history of the islands is King Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great, who rose up out of legend to become a crusader in battle, a skilled diplomat, and a true leader for his people in a time of great cultural changes. Keep reading to learn more about the king responsible for uniting the islands of Hawaii! The History of King Kamehameha the Great  Kamehameha was born into a royal family in North Kohala. His mother was Kekuiapoiwa, the daughter of a Kona chief, while his father was likely Keoua, the…

To the non-native, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Hawaii is an island state primed for a splendid vacation—with a warm tropical climate, natural scenery, oceanic vistas and sandy beaches. However, to truly experience Hawaii at its best, you really should consider the taste of the Aloha State’s cuisine. Like the local culture and history, the food here is diverse, with a blend of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Polynesian, and European influences all making their way to the dinner table. Here are some of the foods you absolutely have to try when you visit Hawaii. Poi There is perhaps no other Polynesian food on this list more significant than this thick paste made from the tubers of the taro plant. Poi is the primary staple food of Polynesia and it came to Hawaii with the first Polynesian settlers. Primarily…

As a guest, you’ll hear a lot about the multitude of climates that exist throughout the Big Island of Hawai`i.  I think it’s safe to say that, as locals, we’re all pretty impressed with our island’s diversity. But the number of climate zones you hear about varies depending on the person you’re talking to. What’s up with that? Here’s the scoop: out of the five climate zones that exist in the world, four of them are represented right here on the Big Island. What are the different climate zones? There are five major climate zones in the world. Here’s the breakdown: ·       Humid Tropical Climate ·       Dry (Arid and Semi-Arid) Climate ·       Temperate Climate ·       Continental (Cold) Climate ·       Polar Climate On the Big Island, the only climate zone that is not represented is the Continental (Cold) Climate, the one most of our guests are…