Hawaii Dream Vacations by Abby

In today’s crazy times, finding the best value and "bang for your buck" is more important than ever.  But so is the need for some much need rest and relaxation!

Although no one can deny that money is tighter these days, a vacation to Paradise doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  The tips below will allow you to stretch your well-earned dollars farther.

• Avoid flying Friday through Sunday.  By scheduling your departure and return flights midweek, you could save hundreds of dollars in airfare alone.

• If possible, take your vacation in the fall or early spring.  In Hawaii, the most expensive time to travel is between December 15th and January 5th.  Airfare prices during this timeframe are usually more than double what they are in the fall and spring months, and hotel rates are significantly more expensive as well.  The summer months, from June through mid-August, although not as overpriced as the winter holidays, are still more expensive than the rest of the year.

• Look for special promotions with added values.  Many hotels will offer a free night if you stay a certain length of time, daily buffet breakfast for two, resort credits, and other complimentary ammenities.  These are always a better value than booking the room only at the standard rate.

• Work personally with a professional travel consultant who will be able to customize a package for you based on your specific travel preferences and budget, and to guarantee that you’re getting the best value out there.  Travel professionals are constantly informed of the latest promotions and most truly want you to have the best vacation for the best price.

• Book your airfare, hotel, and transportation as a package.  Travel wholesalers frequently offer special discounts if you book several components of your vacation together, which usually costs less total than if you were to book each part separately.

• Purchase a vacation package with a flexible payment plan.  Depending on how the various components of the trip are put together, many vacation packages only require a minimum deposit to book, with the final payment due anywhere from 75 to 35 days prior to your departure.  This may allow you to invest in a vacation that you may not have originally thought you were able to afford.

• Rent a car and explore the islands on your own.  Hawaii has very reasonable rental car rates, and for about $30 a day you can go where you want to and spend a day at your leisure and experience the islands like a "local."

• Don’t be afraid to splurge every once in a while!  While the $8 Mai Tais may not necessarily be worth the price tag, a $200 helicopter ride over an active volcano will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.  Some experiences truly are worth saving for.

So what are you waiting for?  That dream vacation really is possible, even today, with a little extra planning and some flexibility.

Abby Lapointe
Personal Travel Consultant
abby@hawaii-aloha.com
808-237-5263
800-843-8771 ext 23

Freestyle cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line has recently taken on a whole new meaning. 

"Freestyle 2.0" is NCL’s fleetwide initiative to improve their ships and guest satisfaction, and the results have truly changed the cruising experience.

In early 2008, the Pride of Aloha and the Pride of Hawaii were taken out of Hawaii, and the Pride of America is now the only cruise ship that sails solely throughout the Hawaiian Islands roundtrip from Honolulu.  In the past, this ship has received mixed reviews from travelers, particularly those accustomed to a more formal cruise atmosphere.  However, guests will have really been impressed with the "new" ship.  The Pride of America departs Honolulu every Saturday evening at 8:00 pm for a 7-day cruise, returning to Honolulu the following Saturday morning at 7:00 am. 

The major enhancements include an upgraded dining experience, upgraded staterooms, upgrades to the pools areas, upgraded to onboard activities and entertainment, and additional recognition, services, and amenities for guests booked in balconies and suites.

Upon boarding, guests are now greeted with complimentary sparkling wine and mimosas.  All staterooms now have the new NCL Bliss Bed, which features Euro-top foam memory toppers on new, thicker mattresses, as well as upgraded linens and bath amenities.  The variety and quality of the food in all restaurants has been improved, and there’s a new focus on lobster being served at least twice a week in the dining rooms and on all specialty restaurant menus.  The Pool Deck experience has been improved, and the kids’ programs have been expanded.

Cruising is definitely an excellent value, and a great way to really experience the four main Hawaiian Islands - Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i and Hawai’i.  Cruise ships are floating resorts, where you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, transporation between the islands, accommodations, and so on.  Your cruise fare includes all-you-can-eat meals, daily entertainment, and a wide variety of first-class onboard amenities.

"We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise.  A few things we really liked:
- not having to "dress up"
- taking the tender to shore
- seeing the red lava flow at night
- the Aloha Cafe - never had to wait in line to get food, could eat outside, had tons of choices including shrimp cocktail, asparagus, vegetarian, you name it.  After one trip to a sit-down restaurant and the Cadillac Diner (way too noisy), we ate in Aloha exclusively and couldn’t have been happier
- making our own flower leis on the ship (free!), and having them last for the entire time we were on board
 
There are probably more things, but it was a great trip.  Lucking out to have a handicapped room thrilled my husband no end.  The ship was clean, the staff friendly, we loved it."

Swimming side by side a green sea turtle, smelling the constant perfume of a plumeria tree, and witnessing fiery red lava as it flows into the sea - a trip to Hawaii is truly a therapy for your body, mind, and soul.  Today, more than ever, it’s important to minimize our ecological footprints as much as possible when we travel to make sure the magical destinations we love today can be preserved and enjoyed in the future as well.

Below are some tips to help travel smarter and lighter on your next Hawaii vacation.

• Fly non-stop whenever possible, or take a flight with the fewest connections.  In addition to saving time, a high percentage of a plane’s carbon emissions come from take-off and landing.  Unless you’re coming by boat, the only other way to get to Hawaii is by plane, but you can reduce your carbon footprint by choosing the most direct flight.
• Respect Hawaii’s natural environment.  Hawaii’s breathtaking landscape, varied ecosystems, and fairly preserved tropical beauty are some of the major reasons people visit.  However, extensive tourism is threatening delicate flora and fauna, such as coral reefs.  Be respectful of the "aina" (land) when hiking, snorkeling, or scuba diving.  Never walk on the reef, and be mindful not to disrupt the plants and animals that call Hawaii their home.
• Choose green hotels, or stay in Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, or on working farms.  Many hotels and resorts in Hawaii are truly committed to conserving our natural resources by implementing various practices that conserve and save water, energy, and lower the amount of waste produced. Some hotels, such as the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, are taking extra measures by providing towel and sheet changing cards which ask that guests consider using their linens more than once.  Other green hotel chains include the Sheraton, Hilton, and Marriott, just to name a few.
• Experience the island culture and promote our communities by eating locally.  Farmer’s markets are abundant in Hawaii and a great way to taste amazing new foods, and because of the favorable farming climate, many gourmet restaurants use local and organic ingredients in their cuisine as well.
• Bring a piece of Hawaii home with you by shopping for souvenirs in local shops.  Not only will you find unique island treasures that you can’t find anywhere else, but you’ll also be supporting the island’s small businesses.
• Participate in walking tours and hikes.  Many tour operators offer a great selection of activities that allow you to experience the islands to the fullest with minimal impact on the environment.

Abby Lapointe
Personal Travel Consultant & Hawaii Destination Specialist
abby@hawaii-aloha.com
1-800-843-8771 ext 23

United Airlines has slashed prices for airfare from Chicago O’Hare to Maui this fall.

If your travel dates are flexible, these heavily discounted package prices are definitely worth considering a last minute vacation to Paradise!

Castle Kamaole Sands - from $871/person

Kaanapali Beach Hotel - from $971/person

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa - from $1,290/person

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa - from $1,380/person

All packages include:

Valid for certain departure dates Sunday - Thursday in late October and November

These prices won’t last long and seats are already filling up quickly.  Call today for the best price and selection.

Abby Lapointe
Personal Travel Consultant
Hawaii Aloha Travel
1-800-843-8771 ext 23
abby@hawaii-aloha.com

To get the most value out of your Hawaii vacation and to really experience the most of the islands, taking a cruise is one of the best options out there.  Cruises are like floating resorts, where you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, inter-island flights, accommodations, and what you’re going to do for meals every night.  Your cruise fare your stateroom accommodations, transportation between the four main islands of Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and the Big Island, all-you-can-eat meals, daily entertainment, and wide variety of first-class onboard amenities.

The Pride of America, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, departs Honolulu every Saturday at 8:00 pm for a 7-day cruise through out the Hawaiian Islands, returning to Honolulu the following Saturday morning.

After extensive renovations, and now the only cruise ship that sails exclusively in Hawaii roundtrip from Honolulu, the Pride of America has been receiving rave reviews.

"Words are few to describe the experience we lived in Hawaii… Everything during the cruise was simply PERFECT!  From the check-in until the check-out someone was near us to make our stay as pleasant as possible.  Of course booking a suite is definitely recommended for having a much greater time!  The ports of call, the "free-style" cruising, the shore excursions, the staff (especially our Butler), our great cabin and it’s balcony(!!!!), the restaurants, the events all were so live and exciting that I don’t believe I’m back home!…  After all the activities we ended up at our lovely suite’s balcony and it’s long chairs.  How relaxing that was!!!

    -Kelly, Greece

"We have covered most of the South Pacific and Thailand in the past let me say that our Hawaii holiday was the best holiday we have ever had.  I have not one bad thing to say about the whole time, only the entertainment on the cruise was not really happening. We have been on two other cruises with P&O and they really put on a show. Apart from that we loved the ship and the people on board, the food was fantastic and now I have to work twice as hard at the gym to lose those extra kilos (but that’s what holidays are for)."
    -Rosemarie, Australia

"The ship was lovely, although the cabins are quite small. I had imagined sitting out on the balcony, relaxing with a cocktail on my hand, but actually as we didn’t sail until the evening by which time it was almost dark, and the view from the dock was not the greatest, so we didn’t really use the balcony.  WOW what a great holiday, I LOVE HAWAII. It is all so beautiful, and everyone was so friendly. I wish we could have stayed the whole summer."
    -Wendy & Amy, Australia

We work directly with the cruise lines and offer their lowest authorized fares.

If you’re considering a cruise, there’s an amazing promotion going on right now.  For selected cruises on the Pride of America departing April through November, 2009, if you book by October 12th, you’ll receive special discounted pricing, a FREE upgrade to the highest booked category (inside, oceanview, or balcony), an onboard credit up to $100, as well as a complimentary welcome amenity of fresh fruit and a bottle of wine.  

Call today for more information and to book your stateroom.

I highly recommend booking as soon as possible to get the best fare and the best stateroom choice.

Abby Lapointe

Hawaii Cruise Specialist

1-800-843-8771 ext 23

abby@hawaii-aloha.com

Ho’omaika’i Ana (“congratulations”) to Edwin and Skarlett Ibarra from Guatemala, and the new addition to their family, Juan Daniel.

After almost 10 years of marriage and no children, Edwin and Skarlett visited Hawaii last November, 2007.

They enjoyed a 7-day inter-island cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, explored the islands to the fullest, and were truly embraced by Hawaii’s magic and overwhelming spirit of aloha.  The warmth and beauty of the islands truly encourages the celebration of love and romance was in the air.  After returning to Guatemala with wonderful memories, nine months later, Juan Daniel was born!

Best wishes to Edwin, Skarlett, and Juan Daniel.  May the spirit of aloha always be in your hearts!

Abby Lapointe

Hawaii Aloha Travel

Kaua’i, the "Garden Isle," is truly a preserved tropical paradise where the feeling of aloha is felt all throughout the island.
Opportunities for fun are virtually endless.  Below are my personal favorite ways to spend time on this magical island.

Explore the Na Pali Coast

The northern coast of the island is lined with steep cliffs rising as high as 4,000 ft that make up the breathtaking Na Pali Coast.  Inaccessible by car, the beauty of the coast can only be experienced by helicopter tours, boat trips, or hiking for days.  However you choose to experience the Na Pali Coast, the beauty of it will blow you away and it definitely worth a visit.

Go tubing through the island’s lush green interior

For a truly memorable and unique experience, this is a must!  Kaua’i Backcountry Adventures offers tubing excursions through private lands that aren’t open to the public.  The ditches and tunnels were engineered and hand dug in the late 1800s, and as you float through the water, you’ll view breathtaking scenery.  A 3-hour tour is $100/person plus tax and includes a deli-style picnic lunch next to a natural swimming hole.

Spend a day or evening in Hanalei Town

Kaua’i has a lot of great tropical little towns.  A visit to Hanalei, a funky "hippy" town on the North Shore, is a great way to spend a couple hours checking out the shops, restaurants, and galleries.  The drive is only about 25 minutes from the Coconut Coast and about 50 minutes from Poipu.

Take a hike

Considering only 10 percent of the island is accessible by road and the landscape offers a range of terrain and dramatic panoramic vistas around every corner, Kaua’i is a hiker’s dream.  Serious hikers and adventure-seekers from all over the world come to the island during the drier summer months to hike the challenging Kalalau Trail - a four day trip which begins at Kee Beach at the end of Highway 56 and travels along the Na Pali Coast to Kalalau Valley.  For a more relaxed adventure, many people hike the trail for two miles inland to Hanakapiai Falls, which cascades 300 feet to a pool below, spend a couple hours at the falls, and then hike back out.  There are several other trails as well, ranging in level and length, and for a complete list, the Kaua’i Sierra Club is extremely helpful.

Zipline through the forest canopy

Kaua’i definitely takes advantage of it’s pristine scenery and untouched landscape with a wide variety of eco-adventures for visitors.  For a truly thrilling experience, Zipline Tours allow you to clip in to a harness and soar like a bird over picturesque valleys and streams.  The Zip ‘N Dip Expedition, offered by Princeville Ranch Adventures, is a 4.5 hour Zip Line adventure that includes ziplining as well as an hour at a thirty-five foot deep, hidden swimming hole, fed by a small waterfall.  For $144/person, the package includes lunch, ziplining, swimming, jumping, diving, and floating on inner tubes.

Visit Waimea Canyon - the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"

Take a boat ride down Wailua River to Fern Grotto

I hope this helps a little!  This list, however, doesn’t even come close to skimming the surface of the many activities and attractions on the magical island of Kaua’i.
If you have any questions about any other activities that you’re interested in, or if you’d like to book anything listed above, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Abby Lapointe - Personal Travel Consultant
1-800-843-8771 ext 23
abby@hawaii-aloha.com

The island of Oahu is known as the "Gathering Place" and with a population of just under 900,000 people, this is the most populated and developed of the Hawaiian Islands.  This is the island that I live on and love, and I think Oahu doesn’t get enough credit sometimes because so many people just stay in Waikiki when they come here and think that Waikiki is Oahu.  Oahu is actually, in my opinion, one of the most diverse and beautiful of the islands.  And there’s so much to do here!  Basically anything you want to experience on your Hawaii vacation you can find on this island. 

Below are my top personal recommendations for "must-do" activities while you’re here.

• Learn about island culture and enjoy a luau feast at the Polynesian Cultural Center
  The Polynesian Cultural Center is located about one hour from Waikiki on the unspoiled north shore.  The center has been Hawaii’s top paid visitor attraction since 1977 and features seven Polynesian "islands" representing Samoa, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga.  Visitors learn about island life and Polynesian culture through displays, hands-on activities, an IMAX movie, and a canoe pageant show.  At 6:00 pm, the islands close and the center offers the Ali’i Luau dinner buffet, complete with an imu ceremony (the traditional roasting of the pig).  The highlight of the experience, however, is the spectacular evening show Horizons! A Celebration of Polynesian Discovery, the largest Polynesian revue in the world, featuring a cast of over 100 islanders, with multi-level stages and special effects.  There are several packages for the Polynesian Cultural Center - I recommend the Ali’i Luau Package for $100/person ($79 for children), which includes roundtrip transportation from Waikiki, admission to all the villages, the Pageant of the Long Canoes afternoon show, an optional free tour of Laie town and the Mormon Temple Grounds, the IMAX show, Ali’i dinner buffet, and admission to the evening show.

• Step back in time with a visit to Pearl Harbor
  This is a definite must for history buffs and a moving experience for most everyone.  Although the center is open daily to the public, I definitely recommending visiting as part of a guided tour.  Aloha VIP Tours operate daily tours that will pick you up right from your hotel in Waikiki for a full day tour of Pearl Harbor and an insight into the history of WWII.  Your journey begins with a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, a somber reminder of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the US into the war, followed by a guided tour of the battleship USS Missouri where General MacArthur accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese marking the end of the war.   After spending the day at Pearl Harbor, you’ll return to Honolulu with a drive through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater and stop at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii where you will experience the history of the U.S. Army in Hawaii and the Pacific as well as a tribute to ancient Hawaiian warriors.  Full day tours are $59/person.

• Get wet at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
  Located only 30 minutes from Waikiki, this is Hawaii’s only water park, and one of the larger water park in the world, and definitely a lot of fun for the whole family!   The park is located along a set of cliffs in West Oahu, filled with natural tropical plants and animals, and the rides are catered to children of all agents, and adults as well.  The Big Splash Package ($85 for adults and $58 for kids 3-11) is the best deal, and includes roundtrip transportation from Waikiki, a passport for all the park attractions, a Body Board lesson and session at Hurricane Bay, unlimited soft drinks, a BBQ lunch, souvenir logo gift, and unlimited Body Board rides on Da’ FlowRider, a standing wave.
  

• Explore the 4,000 acres of Kualoa Ranch by horse, ATV, helicopter, jet ski or kayak 

• Be like the locals and learn to surf!
  If you’ve never tried surfing, this is the perfect place to learn.  World-class surfers come from all over the world to ride the big waves on the north shore.  If you’re not quite a professional, however, Waikiki Beach has the ideal conditions for learning.  There are several companies that offer surf lessons, but Hans Hedemann Surf School is the best.  Group lessons are $78/person for 2 hours and guarantee to get you up and riding.
  

• Play a round of golf on one of Hawaii’s world-famous courses  

• Kayak to the famous Mokulua Islands

  The eastern coast of Oahu has the two most beautiful beaches on the island (and I would argue in all of Hawaii) - Kailua and Lanikai.  Off the coast are two sister islands, the Mokuluas, which are bird sanctuaries and a wonderful spot to paddle out to for a picnic lunch.  Two Good Kayaks, a small, local paddle sports company, offers great guided kayak tours daily that depart from Kailua and Lanikai Beach.  Tours start as low as $63 for adults.  The best package is $115 ($57 for children) and is a full day guided tour that includes transportation from Waikiki, kayaking equipment and accessories, snorkeling equipment, instruction, a picnic on one of the secluded Mokulua Islands, a visit to the seabird sanctuary, and a small trek to a secret cove to swim in the tidepools.

• People watch at Waikiki Beach
  

• Go Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

I’m very passionate about sharing this wonderful island with you, so please don’t hesitate to contact me any time to discuss the details of your travel plans and how we can work together to customize the most memorable vacation for you.

 
Abby Lapointe
Hawaii Aloha Travel
1-800-843-8771 ext. 23
abby@hawaii-aloha.com