Hawaii Dream Vacations by Abby

During the winter months, an estimated 3,500 majestic humpback whales migrate from their summer feeding grounds in Alaska to make Maui’s warm waters their winter home.  From early December to the end of April, visitors and residents of the island thrill at the sight of these beautiful animals in their natural breeding area.

Because of Hawaii’s location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the water is relatively nutrient free (which is why our waters are so clear and blue) and too warm to support enough of the humpback’s food to sustain them year round.  During the summer they must migrate back to colder water to feed and rebuild their blubber supply.

It’s not too late to start planning your trip to Maui this winter.  Check out these packages for 4 nights, including roundtrip airfare, economy car rental, and accommodations:

• Resortquest Maui Ka’anapali Villas - Garden Studio = $800/person
• Outrigger Royal Kahana - Garden View Studio = $815/person
• Ka’anapali Beach Hotel - Partial Oceanview Room = $830/person
• Renaissance Wailea Beach - Terrace Room = $1,039/person
• Maui Prince Hotel - Oceanview Prime Room = $1,158/person
• Hyatt Regency Maui - Partial Oceanview Room = $1,351/person

**Prices include all taxes and fees and are based on double-occupancy with travel from Los Angeles.

You can view detailed information on these hotels and others on our website at www.hawaii-aloha.com

Call Abby at 1-800-843-8771 ext. 23 to book one of these packages today!

Big Island, Hawaii.  Based upon an engineering consultant’s report that identified new structural damage resulting from the Big Island’s October 15th earthquake, Prince Resorts of Hawaii announced December 1st, 2006 that the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will be closed for an indefinite period of time to protect the safety of its guests and employees.

The condition of the hotel has been officially categorized as a significant safety hazard that should be addressed as soon as possible.  This decision was made after engineers discovered unexpected damage to the lateral bracing system in sections of the roof in the Main Building.  Although the hazard is not necessarily imminent, it does pose an unacceptable risk, especially in light of the on-going seismic activity of the past few weeks.

Prince Resorts regretfully announced that it will take many months to repair and restore Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to its original condition, but expect to re-open with even more luster and prominence!  Mauna Kea Golf Course and clubhouse will remain open.

The hotel will not accept any new reservations and every effort is being made to find guests holding future bookings alternate accommodations.

Hawaii is everything you can imagine when you picture paradise: beautiful turquoise waters and white sand beaches, gracious island hospitality, and the warm spirit of aloha.  Discover the very best of the Islands by pampering yourself in Hawaii’s 5-star luxury resorts.

Located in the heart of Waikiki, just across the street from the beach and steps away from the International Marketplace, Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, and Kapi’olani Park, the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has everything you could want in a resort in Paradise.

Comfortable and spacious rooms furnished with island-style decor reflect the natural beauty of Hawai’i and offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and famous Diamond Head, while six on-site restaurants offer a wide variety of tasty dining options.

          

In addition to the countless activities offered within walking distance, guests can choose to relax by the two freshwater heated swimming pools, spend an afternoon of pampering in the full-service spa, work up a sweat in the fitness center, or participate in daily Hawaiian arts and crafts demonstrations.
   
Plus, if you book now you receive the 4th night free and daily buffet breakfast for two!!!

The magic and beauty of the Hawaiian Islands make them the perfect setting to celebrate your newly affirmed committment to one another. 

There are several things to consider when planning your honeymoon in Hawaii, such as:

-What are your expectations?
-What is important to you?
-What do you want to expect from your trip?
-Are you looking for luxury or moderate accommodations?
-What sort of activities would you like planned and how much activity do you want?
-Are your expectations realistic with your budget?

Paradise doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  Spend more time enjoying the beautiful white sand beaches and less time worrying about how much money you’ve spent getting out here by following these simple guidelines:

• Plan your vacation early.  Travel agents and airlines have a limited number of reduced contract fares and once these sell-out, published prices are usually higher.  Don’t have the money yet?  No problem.  At Hawaii Aloha Travel, most of our packages only require a $50/person deposit to book, with the balance due in full 35 days prior to departure.  With that said, however, avoid making your plans too early; if your departure date is more than six months away, it’s likely that many contract fares are not yet available.
• Fly midweek if possible.  During the week, less people tend to travel, decreasing the demand for flights and thus lowering the cost.
• Buy travel packages.  Travel agents can find you the best deals when you purchase airfare along with your accommodation and/or rental car.  Airlines provide us with the lowest wholesale fares, but these rates are only available for purchase with a minimum land requirement.  Complete vacation packages save you time and money.  At Hawaii Aloha Travel, our agents know the Hawaiian Islands and want to work with you personally to create the best package to suit your budget and travel needs.

This past summer, 2006, the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki launched several huge new enhancement projects.  Guests should be aware of the renovations when planning their vacation to Hawaii.

Renovations include a complete tranformation of the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, upgrading of rooms in the Tapa Tower, contruction of the Grand Waikikian Tower, and construction of the Rainbow Tower Loading Dock roof.

Construction ends by 6:00 pm each day, but guests at the Hilton Hawaiian Village should be aware of the following:

• The Grand Waikikian Tower is adjacent to the Hilton Hawaiian Village and will be undergoing construction until 2009.
• The Tapa Tower rooms are being upgraded with new furnishings, wall-covering, artwork, and carpeting, and the bathrooms are being renovated with new bathtubs, fixtures, and tiling.  Four floors are being worked on at a time, with the affected floors being closed to guests.  There will be some noise to due tile removal, and construction is expected to be finished in December 2007.
• The beach access along Rainbow Suites and the Lagoon will be closed until June 2007, and from the Lagoon Tower foot traffic is being diverted along the Lagoon Green and then along the path between Rainbow Tower and Shell Bar.
• The Lagoon and the Village’s Great Lawn will be closed until the project is completed in June 2007 

On Sunday, October 8th, more than 1,000 canoe paddlers from all over the world will test the limits of their strength, courage, determination, and teamwork, as they rage the Pacific Ocean in the Moloka’i Hoe Outrigger Canoe 2006 Championship, a 41-mile open ocean race from Molokai to Oahu.  The men of Lanikai Canoe Club, from the windward side of Oahu, will be defending their title against athletes from Tahiti, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Australia, California, and Hawaii.

The crews will leave Hale O Lono Harbor in Molokai at 7:30 am, cross the treacherous Ka’iwi Channel separating Molokai and Oahu, and finish at Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu.

Outrigger canoe paddling has been deeply rooted in the Polynesian culture for millennia. Polynesians used outrigger canoes for fishing in the open sea and to travel among the islands.  Outrigger canoe paddling has played such an integral role in Hawaii’s history and culture that outrigger canoe racing is the official team sport of the State of Hawaii. 

The Molokai Hoe is one of the longest running annual team sporting events in Hawaii, second only to football. The event perpetuates one of Hawaii and Polynesia’s most important historic cultural traditions and honors outrigger canoe paddlers around the world.