Hawaii Dream Vacations

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 ten 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.

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

Dorthy, Christina, and Eric Beckwith, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, recently returned from a 9-night vacation in May to the Big Island and Kaua’i.  Dorthy was kind enough to share some of the many wonderful pictures from their trip and memories that will last a lifetime.

On the Big Island, they stayed their first three nights at the Castle Kona Bali Kai, an oceanfront condominium resort on the Kona Coast, following by one night at the Volcano House in Volcanoes National Park.

"Off the balcony of our first stay ~  paradise!!

On Kaua’i, the Beckwiths stayed at the Plantation Hale Suites.

"Plantation Hale.  We love it there…had a room on top and in the middle….could see the ocean from our room and an easy walk to the beach."

While in Kaua’i, they also enjoyed the Hiva Pasefika Luau.

"Working with Abby for our family vacation was a blessing. We did not require to change the package she suggested at all.  With the wonderful accommodations at the Resort Quest Waikiki Beach Tower, we were in heaven. We had an awesome view from our terrace balcony right on Waikiki beach. Abby did a wonderful job for us, answering all of our questions promptly, giving us great information and suggestions for a fun packed and educational stay in Honolulu. The Polynesian Cultural Center was wonderful, as well as the emotional tour of the USS Arizona Memorial.  Thanks to you Abby we had a wonderful vacation and we are looking forward to working with you again next year. Mahalo." - George Schmehr, San Diego, CA

In addition to relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, shopping, "kicking back" and enjoying the excitement of Waikiki, the Schmehrs also spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center and took a full day tour of Pearl Harbor.

"We were all pleased with the Tour at the Polynesian Cultural Center, that is a must see for any tourist coming to Honolulu.  It is not only entertaining the entire time, it is very educational.  The Arizona Tour was fantastic, the line was long but they are so organized we were inside in no time at all. The USS Nimitz was coming into port, so they closed the harbor.  Our tour guide took immediate action and gathered us all, and we went on the city tour first. Then came back to the Arizona and was next in line to go in."

The Schmehr’s Vacation Package:

5/23/08 - 5/29/08

5 travelers                      

Roundtrip airfare from San Diego, CA on Hawaiian Airlines

6 nights in a 2-bedroom deluxe oceanfront suite at the Resortquest Waikiki Beach Tower

    *including the 5th night free, coupon booklet, and 2-for-1 luau

SUV rental car          
—————————————————————————

Total package price = $5,543 ($1,108.60/person)

The Stutzman family, from Redmond, Oregon, recently returned from a multi-island vacation to the Big Island and Maui.  On the Big Island, they stayed in a 2-bedroom/3-bath townhouse condo with views of Mauna Kea and the ocean.  On Maui, they ended their vacation in luxury at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

"We had a total blast!  The Hyatt was AWESOME, Abby, you definitely head the nail on the head with that suggestion…it was everything we wanted and more!  The pool areas were so impressive, just what I had in mind.  The spa was delicious, the gym facilities outstanding…I’m running out of adjectives!  We took the boys for private surfing lessons at the Goofy Foot Surf School in Lahaina for their birthday, had a spa day for our anniversary, did the Eco-Adventure Zipline Hike, and the Molokini Snorkle Cruise on the Four Winds II.  Everything we did was fun and exciting, well worth the money spent and worthy of nearly 1000 pictures.  By the way, thanks for the gift left for us at the Hyatt…it made for some good snacking after all that swimming!  Abby, we were thrilled with every aspect of the vacation.  It was one we’ll never forget.  Thank you so much for all the effort on our behalf–we appreciate you so much!  We will definitely be back…and you’ll be the first to know!" - Lisa Stutzman, May 2008

Thanks Lisa, Randy, Andrew, and Matthew!!!

For the latest promotions at the Hyatt and other excellent resorts in Hawaii, please call 1-800-843-8771 ext 23 or email abby@hawaii-aloha.com. 

Traveling all the way from Ohio, Mary Hrib, Leslie Sullivan, and Kristi Jaschek recently returned from a fun-filled multi-island vacation to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.  Here’s what Mary had to say about their trip:

"My friends and I really enjoyed working with Abby on our multi-island trip.  She coordinated flights from several locations on the mainland, booked us in a couple of wonderful hotels, and hooked us up with fabulous tours!! Her recommendations for 3 active, fun-loving women helped us get the most out of our 10 days in Hawaii. 

Just to mention a few of our fun activities, we went snorkeling in a shark cage…

In Volcanoes National Park we got to see Kilaeau plume about 7 hours after its eruption and lava flowing to the sea…

On our fourth day in Oahu, we visited the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor in the morning and snorkeled in beautiful Hanauma Bay in the afternoon…

   

On Easter Sunday we went on the best whale-watching tour ever on Trilogy.  Whales were swimming right under and next to our boat!…

In Maui, we did the "Road to Hana" drive - which is a windy drive through the rainforest part of Maui…

We also went on a catamaran to Molokini Crater - Leslie took a crash scuba diving course on the boat ride over and went on a scuba dive with me and the divemaster and two others.  She did an awesome job for her first scuba dive!!  We saw giant sea turtles and we went up to 30 feet deep.  Kristi decided to stick with snorkeling.  We saw lots of lovely tropical fish and coral reef.

Throughout the whole planning process, Abby was friendly and helpful and thanks to her expert advice/coordination..we had the PERFECT Hawaiian vacation!!  Yes…and we did go back with a lot of great memories and we told our friends that we know a great travel agent to use for that upcoming hawaii trip!  We LOVED our trip and did not want to leave.  Thanks Abby!"

Thanks Mary, Leslie, and Kristi!

Maui, the "Magic Isle," has been voted the "Best Pacific Island" by readers of the Conde Nast Traveler magazine for 16 years in a row, and it’s easy to see why.  Maui has something for everyone - whether you’re looking to sip Mai Tais on a beautiful white sand beach, hike into a dormant volcano, snorkel with green sea turtles, or putt on one of the island’s championship golf courses, Maui has it all.

Below are my top ten personal favorite ways to spend time on the island.

• Attend a traditional Hawaiian luau

• Go snorkeling with the turtles

• Spend a day or evening in Old Lahaina Town

Maui has a lot of great tropical little towns.  A visit to Old Lahaina Town is a must.  This old whaling town is a great place to spend a couple hours checking out the shops, restaurants, galleries, and there are a lot of places here to book discounted activities as well.  Lahaina is a short 5-minute drive from the Kaanapali Resort Area, and several of the hotels also offer complimentary shuttle service.

• See the sunrise or sunset at Haleakala Crater

A visit to Maui wouldn’t be complete without visiting Haleakala Crater, the world’s largest resting volcano.  If you can get up early enough, sunrise is absolutely spectacular - you really feel like you’re on the moon!  If not sunrise, sunset is amazing as well.  To see Haleakala, you can either drive up to the top on your own or go as part of a tour.  Haleakala is cold at the top (after all, the crater rises to over 10,000 ft!), so be sure to bring a sweatshirt of jacket with you, and if you’re driving, plan on spending at least two hours in the Park to drive up to the Summit and back to the entrance, and longer if you plan on hiking or attending any of the natural/cultural history programs.  If you’re interested in hiking or walking throughout the park, there are 27 miles of trails that range from 1/4 mile to over 11 miles.  There is a $10 per vehicle charge to enter the park, which is valid for seven days.  Daily tours also go to Haleakala daily that will pick you up right at your hotel.   If you really want an adventure, you can bike down the western slopes of the crater on the Haleakala Super Sunrise Safari Bike Tour, enjoying stunning view as you passing through eucalpytus forests and the upcountry community of Kula with its beautiful lavender farms and Jacaranda tree lined roadways.  The tour operates daily with a hotel pick-up time of 2-2:30 am, and returns at approximately 11:30 am and includes a coach tour of Haleakala National Park, a tour of the House of the Sun Visitor Center at the crater’s rim and a rest stop at Sunrise Market and Flower Farm.  Prices are $185/person.

• Drive the Road to Hana

The famous Road to Hana is one of the most scenic and breathtaking drives in the world.  However, I wouldn’t recommend taking children on this trip and if you have any chance of getting carsick - it’s not worth it.  The road is probably the curviest road in the world!  If you do the drive to Hana and back, you’ll want to plan a whole day for it because the trip, with all the stops and curves takes about three hours each way, plus the time you actually spend in the small, sleepy town of Hana.  You’ll want to stop in a small town right at the beginning of the Hana Highway on the north shore called Paia.  You can’t miss it.  In Paia, there are several cute little funky places to pick up picnic lunches or stock up at the natural foods store, and they have several brochures available all over the town which will map out the Road to Hana and list various places to stop and sites to see on the way.

• Relax on a sunset dinner or cocktail cruise

A cruise off the West Coast of Maui is a breathtaking experience - with lush mountains and craters to one side and the islands of Molokai and Lana’i to the other.  During Whale Season from December to April, you’ll also be able to spot plenty of humpback whales playing in the water around you.  The Teralani  offers sunset cocktail and dinner cruises onboard a deluxe catamaran that conveniently departs right from Kaanapali Beach.  The 2.5 hour sunset dinner cruise is $84/person and includes an Italian buffet as well as assorted desserts, soft drinks & tropical juices, champagne, wine, premium beers, and cocktails.

• Educate yourself on Hawaii’s marine life at the Maui Ocean Center

Open daily from 9 - 5 pm in Maalaea Harbor Village, the Maui Ocean Center is three acres of marine park and the largest tropical reef aquarium in the western hemisphere, dedicated to the understanding, wonder, and preservation of Hawaii’s marine plants and animals.  Here you’ll find exhibits on thousands of fish, sharks, turltes, stingrays, and other marine animals that are only found in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.  There are also presentations by marine naturalists and biologists, as well as two restaurants and a gift shop.  Admission is $24 for adults and $17 for children 3 -12 and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

• See the island by helicopter

Helicopter tours offer a unique perspective on Maui’s diverse and beautiful terrain.  Tours start as low as $180/person and go up to almost $800/person, depending on the duration of the flight and your seating.  Tours like the "Circle Island Explorer" (starting at $279/person) allow you to explore all of the Valley Isle, including the West Maui Mountains with Honokohau Waterfall, Haleakala Crater, Kaupo and Ko’olau Gaps, the taro field of Ke’anae, fabulous coastline waterfalls, the world famous Ho’okipa windsurfing beach, and the Hana Rain Forest (the largest tropical rain forest in the US) which extends for over 180 square miles along Maui’s northern coast.

• Hike through the rainforest to a waterfall

Maui is filled with rainforests and waterfalls, and if you’re an "outdoorsy" person (like myself), you’ll have a fantastic time exploring the contrasting terrain.  Maui Eco Adventures offers guided tours for all fitness levels.  The "Waterfall Experience" includes a light 1-mile hike through the West Maui tropical forest with a chance to swim in two different waterfalls, along with a driven sight-seeing tour of the west side - Honolua Bay, Nakalele Blowhole, and Kahakuloa Village.  The tour is $75/person and includes transportation from your hotel, continental breakfast, the tour and hike, snacks, and bottled water.  The "West Maui Rainforest/Waterfall Hike"  is a more moderate 5-mile hike through the rainforest, complete with taro fields and waterfalls, and includes complimentary breakfast of fresh fruit, muffins, and hot coffee, as well as a deli-style lunch.  $112/person.

• Enjoy life at one of Maui’s many beautiful beaches

Need I say more?  Maui has more miles of gorgeous and swimmable beaches than any other island in Hawaii, and you’ll sure to find several spots where you can relax, play, or just enjoy being alive.

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.  I’d love to chat with you about this wonderful island!

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

The Pan Pacific Festival Matsuri is an annual festival which demonstrates and promotes cultural exchanges in the songs, dances and traditions of people living in Japan, Hawaii, and the Pacific Basin .  This yearly event is a "must-see" if you’ll be in Hawaii or a great reason to come visit! 

When it first started twenty-nine years ago, the festival focused on the historical cultural activities from Japan, although today it has grown to include other Asian countries and the Pacific Rim as well.  Malihinis (tourists) and Kama’aina (locals), young and old, from all different backgrounds and ethnicities, come together to enjoy the cultural education and memorable experiences shared during this special weekend.

The 3-day celebration begins in Waikiki with a Ho’olaulea (block party) on Friday night and concludes on Sunday with a grand parade along Kalakaua Avenue.  This year, the United Japanese Society of Hawaii will be commemorating its 50^th anniversary and we hope you can join them in their celebration.

Festival Highlights:

• Block Party - Friday, June 6th, Kalakaua Avenue
• Art & Craft Fair - Saturday, June 7th, Royal Hawaiian Center
• Performing Arts Showcase - Friday, June 6th through Sunday, June 8th, Royal Hawaiian Center and Ala Moana Center stages
• Hula Festival - Saturday, June 7th, Ala Moana Center
• Kaze (Wind) Festival - Sunday, June 8th, Kapiolani Park
• Parade - Sunday, June 8th, Kalakaua Avenue

If you’re going to be in Hawaii, or need another excuse to come visit, be sure to check out some of the following upcoming cultural events and activities to make your visit even more memorable:

Maui

• International Festival of Canoes: May 10th - 31st
• Maui Film Festival: June 11th to 15th

Oahu

• Hawai’i Romance Festival: May 2nd- 11th
• 29th Annual Pan-Pacific Festival-Matsuri: June 5th - 8th

Hawai’i, the Big Island

• The State of Hawaii has designated 2008 as the "Year of the Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy)"
• Real Beef by Real Cowboys Cookout: August 16th
• Old Hawaii on Horseback: August 30th -31st
• Parker Ranch Labor Day Rodeo: August 30th - 31st

Molokai

• Molokai Earth Day: April 18th
• Ka Hula Piko Festival - A Celebrationof theHula: May 15th - 17th
• Aloha Music Camp: June 22nd to June 28th

Lana’i

• Lei Making Celebration: May 3rd
• 16th Annual Pineapple Festival: July 4th

Just last month, Norwegian Cruise Line had three ships offering cruises throughout Hawaii.  This month there are two, and as of May, there will only be one: the Pride of America.

The Norwegian Cruise Line ships are the only ships with home ports in Hawaii - the cruises depart Honolulu Harbor and return to Honolulu.  The Pride of America, launched in 2005, features NCL’s typical "Freestyle Cruising" experience, offering the broadest range of family-friendly interconnecting cabins available at sea, a choice of nine different restaurants and 12 dining options, multiple entertainment venues, three pools, extensive children’s facilities, an abundance of spacious public rooms, and a large selection of meeting facilities.

However, the withdrawal of the NCL ships opens up a door to a wide variety of alternative Hawaii cruising options.  Several other cruise lines, such as Carnival, Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America, offer excellent ships and itineraries throughout the Hawaiian Islands.