Although not native to Hawaii, mongooses are well established on Hawai’i Island (aka; The Big Island), Oahu, Maui, and Molokai. In recent years, there have even been a few found either dead or captured alive on Kauai. 

How the mongoose got here is an interesting story. In the 1800s up into the mid-1900s, Hawaii’s most valuable commodity was not pristine beaches and beautiful scenery. That commodity was sugar cane. One of the major problems Hawaii sugar plantations battled during this era was rats chewing on sugarcane stalks for their sweet taste. This infestation destroyed significant amounts of this most valued of crops.

Mongoose Arrival in Hawaii

In 1872, Big Island sugar planters uncovered an article on Caribbean sugar growers’ success in controlling their rat problem. Sugar planters there had introduced the mongoose from India into their fields. This supposedly was successful in significantly reducing the sugar cane damage caused by rats. Initially, 72 mongoose from Jamaica were brought in and were raised. Their offspring were shipped to plantations on other islands, first Maui, then Molokai, and finally Oahu. 

However, none were introduced on the island of Kauai.

Not everyone on Big Island was in favor of bringing in the mongooses. They felt there should be more research on how mongooses were faring in the war on rats in the Caribbean. And that the research should be completed prior to bringing the animals. Unfortunately, those warnings went unheeded. 

So the mongooses were brought to Hawaii and released into the fields to kill the rats. However, there was one small problem. Rats are nocturnal animals, meaning they’re only awake at night. Mongooses are only awake during the day. So the two never came in contact with each other. 

The Idea of the Mongoose Controlling the Rat Population was an Epic Fail!

Instead of ridding the cane fields of rats,  the mongoose began destroying some of Hawaii’s most native species and fauna. Many bird populations and turtle eggs declined as the mongoose would feed on unprotected nests. It continued to get worse when the mongoose started reproducing and needing food for their young ones. Special fencing was put up just to keep them out of nature sanctuaries and reserves.

Mongoose in Hawaii are not a cute and cuddly animal. If you see them they will most likely run and hide in the bushes. However, they can be very vicious if cornered so it is best to give them plenty of space. If they feel they’re in danger, they may very well become aggressive and will leave a nasty bite.

The next time you see one of these little critters scurrying through the bushes or jumping out of a public trash can, you’ll know what they are and how they got here.

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Vacation Rentals

A vacation rental might be a better option if you are traveling with more than one couple, as a family, or a group of friends. The cost tends to be cheaper than renting more than one hotel room if you are staying for a longer period. Many rentals require a minimum stay, usually 3-7 nights. A Vacation Rental can also help cut costs on food.  With  a Vacation Rental you can buy groceries and cook rather than going out for meals.

Rentals also offer more privacy for a more intimate experience with friends and family. You can “meet in the living room” (or kitchen) rather than going to the lobby to meet your party. In a hotel room, you’re likely confined to one room. That makes it difficult to stay up and hang out if there are people who prefer to go to sleep early.

However, if you enjoy the amenities that a hotel offers, you may want to reconsider. Breakfast is usually not provided, and the owners of the rental may not clean your room during your stay without an extra fee. You will not have a front desk to help you, so you may on your own. At Ola Properties some of our Ko Olina vacation rental homes are in buildings with a front desk. Also, we have people answering phones 24 hours a day in case of emergencies.

Hotel Room

If you are not planning a long stay or are traveling alone or with one other person, a hotel may be a better option for you. In a hotel, you’ll likely have breakfast included, they’ll clean your room, change your sheets, and give you fresh towels at no extra charge.

In addition to amenities, you’ll have round the clock assistance from the front desk. If you have questions, they will be there to answer them, and you are usually provided things such as robes, toiletries, and slippers.

Privacy tends to be less available in a hotel, due to other guests and being confined to a single room. It’s not likely that you will have a kitchen, so you’ll need to budget for the cost of meals, which can add up to a significant amount of money.  However, if you don’t mind spending extra money for the convenience, a hotel room will do you just fine.

If you decide a Vacation Rental is the best option for you, browse our Ola Properties Vacation Rental Page to book your next stay on the Leeward Coast of Oahu.

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A Nimitz Beach Day is a Necessity

When you spend your day at the beach at Nimitz Beach, you’re virtually guaranteed an isolated paradise where you and your family can frolic with carefree abandon in the turquoise waters that surround our favorite hometown! Located right across the street from the Coast Guard station, this is the spot where the locals come to play while the tourists are busy staking their claims on the larger, more popular beaches in the area!

Don’t Break the Bank When You Eat

Eating out for every meal (something you don’t have to do when you stay in an Ola Properties vacation escape!) can be expensive, but the high cost of living on Oahu has taught the locals where to find the deals. Koa Café, located at 91 Kapolei Parkway 5431 #425, is open every day of the week for breakfast and lunch, and with its reasonable prizes and convivial atmosphere, it’s one of our favorite spots to dine. Serving classic meals with a Hawaiian twist, we’ve yet to have a bad meal and very rarely have ever had to wait for more than a few minutes.

Release Your Inner Thrill Seeker

There’s something about vacations that make you want to shed all your inhibitions and do something a little wild, crazy, or even, slightly dangerous, and the Coral Crater Adventure Park, located at 91-1780 Midway Street, while perfectly safe, is the spot where you can experience a bit of all three! Offering a variety of exciting activities ranging from rock climbing and off-roading to zipline tours and adventure towers, your inner daredevil will come out from hiding with gusto!  A favorite with the locals, Coral Crater can get a little busy at times, but it never seems to get out of control.

The Right Choice is Clear

Our Kapolei vacation escapes are guaranteed to make your Hawaiian getaway a magical experience. Designed for families, our properties are comfortable, stylish, spacious, and warm. What are you waiting for? Contact us today to book your dream vacation rental and to learn more about Kapolei attractions!

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History of the Hawaiian Culture

The history of the pu dates back to prehistoric times and was shrouded in supernatural glory. It is believed that a group of biologically small native Hawaiians known as the Menehune of Waolani in the beautiful Nu’uanu Valley right here in O’ahu were controlled by Chief Kiha using his mighty conch. The royal conch was stolen from the Chief and legend goes that the Menehune blew the conch so insistently at night that a thief from the chiefdom stole the shell back, but chipped it on his way back.  

Communicating with The Shell

The conch was initially used to signify the beginning of the new year known as Makahiki in which a royal entity known as Ali’i or ‘royalty’ arrived on Earth. The ceremony dictated that the shell must be blown in the four cardinal directions, North, South, East, and West to represent the coagulation of the powers of the na Akua or gods. But further than this, the pu represented practical communication uses. When blown correctly, a conch may be heard from miles away and was useful for those in the sea to communicate with their brothers and sisters on land. 

Technique is very important when using a pu or conch. Volume and pitch are controlled mostly by the user’s lips and hands rather than the force with which he or she blows. Traditional technique suggests holding your lips slightly apart while humming to create a “raspberry”-like sound. The hand can then be used to affect pitch and volume in the opening of the shell.  

Today, the shell is used for many of the same ceremonies you may play traditional music for, such as weddings, baptisms, or funerals. There are many festivals around O’ahu today that emphasize the conch and its importance to Hawaiian culture. Be sure to visit the websites below to find a local O’ahu event to see the modern day pu in use. 

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You are planning your yearly winter vacation and you want to spend the holidays somewhere truly different. Why not escape the winter weather with a trip to a fabulous tropical island? Don’t bother breaking out your passports, come and enjoy a Hawaiian holiday trip. The Hawaiian island of Oahu is the perfect place to spend the holidays, and Ola Properties can find you the ideal vacation home to stay.

Our Homes

We offer many rental options, including condos, houses and even homes that are located on the golf course. Inside you will find big bedrooms with comfortable mattresses and plenty of closet space. Many of our bedrooms come with their own enclosed patios. We have Master Bathrooms that come stocked with toiletries. Those bathrooms contain spacious showers and his and her sinks.

Our living rooms are the perfect place to unwind after a day of touring the island. You will enjoy plenty of comfortable seating in the living room. You can enjoy a movie on your flat screen television or sit around and post pictures of your magnificent vacation online with the homes free Wi-Fi.

Although Oahu is home to many great restaurants, you may want to enjoy a home cooked meal. Our kitchens come stocked with state-of-the-art appliance as well as pots, pans and plates. You can enjoy your holiday dinner around a dining room table or dine alfresco on the lanai.

Amenities

You can spend your Christmas laying out in the sun on one of the beach towels / blankets we provide. You can change outfits as many times as you like because we provide washers and dryers in each unit. You won’t have to spend much time cleaning the kitchen, because every home has a dishwasher. If you hate to look for parking, be sure to ask for a home with its own private garage.

Attractions

A lot of people come to Hawaii just to lay on the beach, but there is so much more to do in the state. You can go hiking in the mountains along the shore, where you will find breathtaking views of Oahu. You can go snorkeling or surf on the tasty tropical waves. You can pay your respects to the soldiers of World War II when you visit Pearl Harbor. You can visit the rain forest or just drive around the island and look at the beautiful waterfalls

Our holiday house rental in Oahu, Hawaii are very popular and fill up fast, so call us today at 808-726-2878.

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Warm breezes, swaying palm trees, pristine beaches, and warm Pacific waters welcome you during Oahu winters. With the sun shining high overhead and temperatures hovering in the high 70s year-round, every month is ideal for a tropical beach vacation on Oahu. Pack your swimwear and a jacket for evenings with cool ocean breezes, and come ready for a warm Hawaiian winter getaway. Check out these fantastic and fun winter activities on Oahu.

Enjoy a Whale Watching Tour

If you’re traveling to Oahu during winter, it is the perfect season for whale watching. These gentle giants migrate to the Hawaiian waters from Alaska between November and May, with peak sightings during January to March. Nearby Ocean Joy Cruises and Ko Olina Ocean Adventures  offer boat tours geared specifically toward whale watching. Cruise alongside dolphins and sea turtles and watch blue whales as they breach and play. Enjoy the beauty of the unspoiled Wai’anae coastline and take in an epic Hawaiian sunset from the sea. Whales can also often be spotted along the horizon from some of Oahu’s shorelines as you lounge on the beach.

Head to the Beach

The beautiful Ko Olina Beach Park and Ko Olina Lagoons offer the luxurious beach experience you’ve been dreaming of. These white crescent sand beaches are protected by rock barriers, creating a tranquil oasis perfect for sunbathing and swimming. The calm, protected waters are perfect for families traveling with children or those looking for a relaxing day soaking up the sun. Try the popular activity of paddle boarding, skimming along the top of the turquoise blue water while getting in a great workout. This is also a great spot to swim with Hawaii’s beautiful sea life. Rent a snorkel mask and fins and descend into the underwater world to swim with tropical fish and sea turtles. A 1.5 mile paved path joins this strip of beaches, providing flawless coastline views on a morning walk or jog.

Contact Us

At Ola Properties, we specialize in luxurious vacation rentals in the oceanfront resort areas of Ko Olina Resort and Makaha. We have a large variety of beach villas, condos, and townhomes available for rent, many of which provide breathtaking ocean views or relaxing views of the golf green. Our rentals are in perfect proximity for enjoying all of the best beaches and activities that west Oahu has to offer. Please contact us at (888) 737-4188 or (808) 726-2878, or via email at Rentals@OlaProperties.com to book your vacation rental and to start planning your winter Hawaiian getaway!

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Beautiful Hawaiian Words 

Words in Hawaiian can have many layers and may be interpreted in slightly different ways depending on context. Aloha, for example, can mean both hello, goodbye and love, but can also be used to convey kindness, mercy, and compassion. Mahalo, as well, means thank you, but it may also communicate admiration or esteem.

Another word often heard that can express more than just a simple meaning is “kokua.” (Not to be confused with the word “kukui” which is the name of the candlenut often used to make leis.) Kokua means “help.” It’s deeper meaning, however, is to extend help to others in a sacrificial way, with no intent of personal gain. It means to cooperate and pitch in without regard for self and to have consideration for others. The word kokua may also be used to refer to a person who helps or a caregiver. Often, you will see signs that say, “please kokua,” or please help. You may also see “mahalo for your kokua,” which simply means thank you for your help or for being considerate, but in full complexity of definition it might mean something more like, “I admire and appreciate your spirit of cooperation.”

Kokua can be both a verb and a noun. You can both be a kokua and practice it. Sometimes offering your kokua is a common-sense action, like not littering at a public park or opting not to walk across private property to access a beach. Others may offer kokua to you if you ask for directions or suggestions. You can be a kokua by doing things that are considerate and helpful, particularly to another person. There are many opportunities to give kokua, and you will find when you offer it, it is often given back to you. Kokua is a concept that you can take with you wherever you go, during your stay in Hawaii and when you leave.

Let Us Kokua!

In Hawaii, people do things with aloha, and that includes being helpful and respectful to others in the spirit of cooperation. Let us kokua! If you need assistance booking your Oahu vacation, please contact us.

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Before the Hawaiian people had a written language, they told stories through chants and dance. The chants, or oli, told stories about myths, births, deaths, love, prayers, battles, or rituals. Oli was considered sacred. There are many different styles of chanting, used for different purposes depending on the topic of the chant. Dancers had simple movements that accompanied these chants. The focus was on the chants, but the hula choreography was part of the storytelling — a big part of Hawaiian culture.

When the first Europeans came to Hawaii in 1778, they noted the hula, and this is the first written record of it. British explorer Capt. James Cook wrote about seeing women dancing on Kauai. Men danced, too, however. The strongest men dancers were trained as warriors.

With the Europeans came traders and Christian missionaries. Queen Ka’ahumanu converted to Christianity and, deeming hula a pagan ritual, banned hula in public places in 1830. After she died a couple years later, though, people ignored this rule. When Kalakaua became king in 1874, he officially declared that hula could be performed in public again.

Around the end of the 19th Century, though, Hawaii and its culture faced more troubles. A group of American businessmen took over Hawaii in 1893 and overthrew Queen Liliuokalani, and before long native Hawaiian language was banned from being taught. Even though the language was banned, hula was not, and the focus of hula shifted from the chants to the dancers. Hawaii became an American state in 1959, and shortly afterward, people became interested in hula and traditional culture again. Today, schoolchildren can learn Hawaiian in language immersion schools. As more islanders become fluent in the native language, the focus of hula may shift back to the chants again.

That leads to the point that there are two forms of hula. Hula Kahiko is the way hula was traditionally performed, accompanied by rhythm instruments like sticks and drums. Hula ‘Auana combines hula choreography with more modern or Western styles of music and instruments like the ukulele and steel guitar. These different sides of hula also affect the ways dancers dress, with Hula Kahiko using more traditional regalia.

Hula is “aloha in action,” and a vital part of Hawaiian culture. Be sure to see a hula performance while you are vacationing on Oahu.

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Neomonachus Schauinslandi, more commonly known as the Hawaiian Monk Seal, is not only one of the rarest seals found in U.S. waters but one of the most endangered species on the planet. These beautiful animals are native to Hawaii and are primarily found inhabiting the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  

Habitat

While most seals like to keep things cold, the Hawaiian monk seal is downright tropical and prefers the warm waters and sandy beaches found on the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands. They spend most of their time in the water but like any good beach-goer, they like to rest on land and occasionally make their way onto the beaches of Ko Olina.

Description

These adorable seals, who are often compared to dogs, are carnivorous mammals that can grow to be 5-7 feet long and between 350 and 600 pounds! They may live to be 25-30 years old. The monk seal earned its name for the wrinkly folds around their necks that look rather like a monk’s cowl. The females are slightly larger on average than the males. They are mostly silvery-gray in color. 

Diet

They like to dine on fish and other seafood they collect from the ocean floor. Crabs and lobster, eels, octopus and squid are their favorites. They are particularly fond of the deep-water coral reefs off the coasts where they can forage for food using their vibrissae, or face full of whiskers, to find prey in the murky water. They will sometimes dive over 900 feet to find food. True beach-loving animals, the adult seals prefer to eat at night, so they can sunbathe during the day. 

Breeding

Hawaiian monk seals breed offshore but pups are born on the atolls and beaches. Mom has only one pup per year and she is very dedicated to it for the first stage of their life, even going so far as to stop eating to stay with her young for about 40 days while nursing. Her baby is on its own once weaned, which due to food shortages and environmental factors, is a very dangerous time for the adolescent monk seals. They are black in color before their first molting and about 30 pounds at birth, but by the time they are on their own, the pups may weigh 200 pounds! 

Endangered Status

Hawaiian monk seals are considered critically endangered. According to the Minnesota Zoo, who have five of them on exhibit, there are less than 1,100 left in the wild. It is suspected that at least one other variety of monk seal is already extinct. The Hawaiian monk seal has suffered from a loss of coastal habitat as well as being accidentally caught in fishing nets and hunted by tiger sharks. Their numbers are expected to drop beneath 1000 in the next few years. 

At Ola Properties, we do our bit to help by providing vacation packages to the Minnesota Zoo for charity auctions and by purchasing specially packaged cookies.  Part of the proceeds from the cookies are donated to Monk Seal Foundation. We then use the cookies as welcome gifts for our guests.

Hawaiian monk seals are beautiful and interesting creatures that are worth seeing and worth saving. They are just one of the many unique treasures that Hawaii has to offer. 

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Origin of the Shaka Sign

According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, prevailing local lore credited the gesture to Hamana Kalili of Laie, HI, who lost the three middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Kalili was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved into the shaka as children imitated the gesture.

Another theory relates the origin of the shaka to the Spanish immigrants, who folded their middle fingers and took their thumbs to their lips as a friendly gesture to represent sharing a drink with the natives they met in Hawaii. Yet another theory relates the origin to visiting whalers who signaled a catch with a “tails up” shaka.

Shaka and its very positive associations may simply derive from the popular World War II “V for Victory” hand sign, in Hawaii often held up and rotated rapidly back and forth, “shaken”, hence shaka.

The late Lippy Espinda, a used car salesman and Oahu-based entertainer, has also been named as a possible creator of the shaka. Espinda, who frequently appeared as an extra in Hawaii Five-O as well as the The Brady Bunch episodes shot in Hawaii, used the term and the sign during his television ads in the ’60s. Though the claim that he is the originator of the shaka sign is debatable, he is credited with increasing its popularity and of Hawaiian Pidgin as well. The shaka has achieved great popularity in Australia, primarily amongst teenagers on social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook.

(Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Experience the Shaka Way of Life

Come experience the Hawaiian Shaka for yourself and start planning a West Oahu vacation! Browse our selection of West Oahu, Ko Olina, and Makaha vacation rentals today.

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