The Inside Scoop: Family Fun in Hawaii

Interview with Lucy Vieira, Director, Away by TTI Travel


Why did you choose Hawaii?

Lucy Vieira: My daughter – one very cold day this winter she was flicking through TV channels and stopped at a program on HGTV Hawaii Living, she was so captivated by what she saw that she would not stop talking about Hawaii and we decided to make it our annual family spring holiday.


Tell us about your itinerary:

LV: We visited Maui, The Big Island, Kauai and Oahu.  Each island left its own mark on us.  Maui- its flower-lined roads, turtles the size of a small car and driving the Hana Highway; The Big Island – the quaint beach village of Kona completely different from historic Hilo on its opposite side, not to mention its waterfalls and Kona coffee of course; Kauai – its natural beauty; Oahu – banyan trees with trunks at least 6 feet long, the famous Waikiki beach, Pearl Habour, the surf on the North Shore.


What was the most memorable moment of your whole experience?

LV: Cruising the Napali coastline of Kauai –spectacular, spectacular sea cliffs ranging in the most vibrant of yellows, browns and greens; definitely the most breathtaking passage we have ever cruised through.


What surprised you most about the destination or experience?

LV: Definitely my connection to the culture and heritage of Hawaii.  I knew the natural beauty of Hawaii awaited me but was completely captivated by its story, history and people.  The more I learned the more I wanted to learn – the European influence, the tie to Tahiti, the history of the hula and  the celebration of simple living.

I was also very surprised by how much the visit to Pearl Harbor touched me – the day we visited there was a 94 year old veteran doing a book-signing; he connected with my daughter and spent almost 20 minutes with her telling war stories; they were very sad but he was so lit up and proud to have been a part of it. Very, very touching.