Hawaii, the island of many dreams…this is where people want to go to unwind, relax and enjoy the feeling of the sun, sand and beach on their bodies while they sip on a cocktail made most probably out of pineapple juice. There is also another, can we say intriguing, side to Hawaii, and that is the fact that it is full of volcanoes.

The Hawaii volcanoes are probably some of the most well known volcanoes in the world. Scientists and tourists alike can be found flocking the islands as it is one of the few known places with live volcanoes. After all, not many of us can say we went and visited an actual live volcano can we? Each Hawaiian island has at least one volcano on it, and many of these islands still have active Hawaii volcanoes.

It is believed that the Hawaiian Islands are at the end of a chain of volcanoes that started forming more than 70 million years ago, and it is no wonder then that these islands are also a place of great history. The lava that is found around the Hawaii volcanoes probably dates back millions of years, and the amount of information researchers can gain form just one of these islands about the way the world was back then is immense. Even as old volcanoes die, new ones are being formed in these islands.

The threat posed by Hawaii volcanoes has grown over the years. As the active volcanoes continue spouting lava, the height of land in the ‘Big Island’ of Hawaii has grown to 4,000 m and the threat these Hawaii volcanoes pose to humans are quite high as well. Over the years, land development has expanded towards the more hazardous parts of the island, meaning that more and more people are being put at risk due to eruption of the Hawaii volcanoes. Airborne lava fragments pose a significant risk to living things as well.

Then there is the worry of volcanic gases that escape during eruption of Hawaii volcanoes and the threat of ground cracks and settling. If flowing lava is suddenly sent into the sea, the effect it can have on the land mass and the water is quite scary as well. All these can pose great harm to those nearby active Hawaii volcanoes.

Have you ever been on vacation in Hawaii and found yourself just sitting around just wishing you had more to do? You know the feeling, you are at some great resort but there are only so many times you can go to the beach. Next time you go to Hawaii you should consider a charter fishing trip. You may think I have been out on a boat before but on the island of Hawaii, it is a day trip that you do not want to miss. In this article we cover the  certain basics when chartering a boat. As Hawaii is not just a hop, skip and jump away, you want to make your bases are covered and you get all of your questions answered.

Obviously the first thing your need is a boat. Hawaii has hundreds of charter boats throughout the islands, so availability will not be an issue. The companies that charter boats have certain criteria that they have to follow in order to run their business. The boat must be inspected for proper gear, maintenance, and repair history. They are also inspected for their experience level. You should know that in Hawaii you may come across the huge marlin fish. Make sure your crew knows how to handle these impressive fish. You really don’t want to pay for a charter and catch a marlin fish that the crew cannot handle.

Charter boat prices will vary widely. Do your homework before you enter into an agreement. Prices will vary depending on where you are staying and where you want to fish. For instance, Kona has the lowest prices but the most competition for marlin fishing while Lahaina is the most expensive.

If you are fortunate enough to catch some fish make sure you know what the policy of the skipper is. Most of the charters will leave it up to you to do whatever you want with your catches. If you want to take them home or if you want to cook them for dinner, it should not matter as long as you make your requests up front. Some of the skippers may expect a tip. Also be aware that the people in Hawaii have a deep-rooted tradition of selling Billfish and this practice can offend many anglers. Today, many charters are willing to throw the Billfish back (at the customer’s request), but don’t be surprised if this is not the case.

When you go on a charter fishing trip in Hawaii, it is the boat you are paying for, not the number of fish you catch. Don’t expect a refund if you have a quiet day. A Hawaiian boat charter is to allow you to have an experience out on the water enjoying the scenery while trying to catch a fish. If you have not gone fishing before be aware that it is an unpredictable sport and you may come up empty when you look in the catch bucket.

Here are some of the things you need to provide and what the charter boat will provide. Most boats will provide you with tackle and equipment, but that is all. Most often you need to take along your own snacks and drinks. You should also invest in some good quality sunscreen, which is waterproof and commonly used on boats. Another item that is essential to fishing are sunglasses. Your sunglasses should be polarized so that you can see the fish clearer than other glasses. Lastly, bring an extra towel and t-shirt because you will probably get wet.

When thinking of snack food leave your bananas at home. Hawaii, as well as many other fishing places, has a strict policy against bananas being onboard. They are thought to bring bad luck, so do not try to test this theory or your day may be extremely unpleasant.

If you are thinking of a Hawaii fishing charter do your research on the islands that you want to fish and then book a charter through a major company that has a trusted record.