© Daniel Ramirez

Located just north of Kane'ohethe small town of Ka'a'awa can be found on a narrow belt of land nestled between toweringgreen mountains and a calmingblue ocean. You can reach Ka'a'awa (pronounced Ka-a-a-va) by taking the around-the-island Kamehameha Highway to the area that consists of simple homes and businesses catering to the small local population.

The beaches in Ka'a'awa never disappoint. Here you find Kanenelu BeachKaleoio Beach Park and Ka'a'awa Beach Park. The waves rarely get too largeso bring your snorkel gear for finding plenty of colorful fish that love to hide in the reef.

The most notable tourist attraction near Ka'a'awa is Kualoa Ranch. Situated in the expansive and famous (for its rich Hawaiian history and use for films) Ka'a'awa ValleyKualoa Ranch offers many activitiesfrom horseback riding and ATV tours to hula lessons and a movie site tour. Reservations are requiredso pick a day to spend the morning enjoying the valley at Kualoa Ranch. You'll also learn about the movie history in Ka'a'awa Valleyas many films and TV shows (including Jurassic Park and Lost) were filmed here.

Across the street from Kualoa Ranchyou'll find the Tropical Farms of Hawai'ianother popular destination. Take a tour of the macadamia nut farm and outlettaste some true Hawaiian macadamia nuts and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian tropical forest that surrounds the farm.

If you're looking for a piece of old Hawai'i charma visit to Ka'a'awa should be on your list. As you head towards the north you'll leave the city behind you and be engulfed in the rich landscapethe sounds of the waves lapping on the shoreand the simple life of Hawai'i as it once was. Stop for an afternoon at the beachwalk through the small townor take a break at the Crouching Lion Inn or Uncle Bobo's Smoked BBQ nearby for some lunch.

- Chantal M. Shelstad