Westworld Alberta

Winter 2013

Westworld Alberta

Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/198651

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polynesia The Spirit of ALOHA Get a taste for Hawaiian culture, whatever island you visit By Janet Gyenes Culture runs deep in the Hawaiian Islands, where the rhythmic sounds of the ukulele accompany the undulating movements of the hula. Cowboys still ride the range and remnants of royalty endure. Not to mention a volcano goddess with a red-hot temper. HAWAII, THE BIG ISLAND Kailua-Kona Sweet Dreams Member Grace Henderson, Leduc: "A malasada is a Portuguese confection, popular in Hawaii, that's like a doughnut without the hole. A lot of places sell them, but Leonard's Bakery in Honolulu, which has been on the same spot since 1952, makes the best." Before it became the staging grounds for the Ironman World Championship triathlon, KailuaKona was home to another kind of elite: ali'i (Hawaiian royalty). King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands, lived on the Kamakahonu lands and worshipped at Ahu'ena Heiau, where he died in 1819. On these hallowed lands, retreat inside the King Kamehameha Beach Hotel to explore its collection of photographs, feathered helmets and gourd rattles (later, enjoy the hotel's Island Breeze luau). [side trip] ~ Take a guided trip South of Kailua-Kona More than 400 years of history are on display at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Hisacross Kealakekua Bay to the spot where torical Park, an ancient sancCaptain James Cook tuary. This home to Hawaiian met his end at the royalty features remnants of hands of native Hawaiians in 1779. farming and fishing villages, along with three hōlua slides, royalty's tropical answer to tobogganing. 22 W e s t W o r l d a l b e r ta | w i n t e r 2 0 13 p22-29_Hawaii.indd 22 Volcano Village and Hilo Kilauea Caldera is the stillpumping heart of Volcanoes National Park, where lava has been flowing continuously since 1983. Some say the eruptions are the wrath of the fire goddess Pele, who makes her home at Halema'uma'u Crater. Head to the Jaggar Museum at nightfall to see Pele's feisty spirit in action: a glowing lava lake the size of a football field. [side trip] ~ Hilo may be Hawaii's wettest city, but the rain is forgotten in April during the Merrie Monarch Festival, a week-long event dedicated to preserving and promoting ancient (kahiko) and modern ('auana) forms of hula dance. Kohala Detour past Upolo Airport, to the northern tip of the island, to visit Kamehameha I's birthplace and nearby Mo'okini Heiau, a 1,500-year-old temple. The artisan village of Hawi, just to the southeast, is the starting point of the annual Kamehameha Day floral parade in June. Waimea Wake up to the rooster's song in Waimea (also called Kamuela) and you'll likely spot some paniolos – Hawaiian cowboys – working on the range at the stillactive Parker Ranch, which covers more than 52,000 hectares and has around 26,000 cattle. Delve deeper into cowboy culture at Dahana Ranch, 14 km to the east, and help drive a herd of cattle. brandon tabiolo/getty images 13-10-15 9:52 AM

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