If you’re lucky enough to be on your Hawaiian Vacation during the 4th of July, you’ll find plenty of celebration. Independence Day in Hawaii. It’s as American as poi, surfing and the Humuhumukununukuapua’a.
Each year, on all the islands, we celebrate pretty much as you do at home. We cook out, we throw horseshoes, we play softball and volleyball, we splash in the water, we hold parades and we watch fireworks.
At the edge of the Downtown Honolulu Harbor, The Aloha Tower Marketplace will celebrate a day early – on Thursday the 2rd — with live entertainment on several stages, street entertainers, restaurant specials and a fireworks display.
The definitive fireworks display Friday on Oahu will erupt on Magic Island and feature a music simulcast on two Hawaii radio stations. Anyone can pick up a free pair of 3-D fireworks viewing glasses with any purchase at Ala Moana Center starting Tuesday.
On Maui, the fireworks will shoot from a barge moored off of Lahaina, preceded by a concert on the lawn of the Lahaina Public Library.
The Makawao Rodeo and Independence Day celebration has taken place in upcountry Maui for 50 years over the 4th of July weekend. It includes bareback bronco riding, barrel racing, calf roping, live music and country-western dancing.
The Kauai 4th of July festival is held at the Vidinha Stadium in Lihue with live entertainment, food and game booths, and a fireworks display.
On the Big Island, The Parker Ranch 4th of July Rodeo is an award-winning event that includes horse races, team sorting, double mugging, dally team roping and other rodeo events.
Visitors enjoy Turtle Independence Day at Mauna Lani Bay. People gather to celebrate young Hawaiian green sea turtles gaining their freedom. The little amphibians from Sea Life Park on Oahu have been nurtured in the ponds at Mauna Lani Resort and are released into the ocean on July 4.
If you’re going to be in Hawaii over the Independence Day weekend, we’ll give you the latest scoop about events on your island. Check with an agent at hawaii-aloha.com, or call 1-800-843-8771.
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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Bruce Fisher
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July 2nd, 2009
The Bishop Museum’s Hawaiian Hall is scheduled to reopen August 8 after nearly 3 years and $21 million dollars for renovations. This was the first building built at the Museum and Victorian architecture has earned it a place on the National register of historic places. It was built in three phases from 1889 to 1903, using lava stone that was quarried on the site of the museum’s Kalihi campus. The building itself is more than a hundred years old and needed renovation. Teams of workers have pulled out the koa-trimmed cabinets and are restoring them, bringing historic iron railings and supports back to their original, unpainted condition.
The exhibits have been redesigned in the hall to reflect the Hawaiian culture and will be divided into three parts in the tradition of Kanoa which means many layers and corresponds to the three floors of the building. On the first floor the theme is water and will look back at the importance religion played to the Hawaiian people. The second floor is devoted to Hawaiian lands and will feature video presentations about where Hawaiians worked. Hawaiian Kapuna tell first-hand stories about how practices and traditions were carried out. The third floor is devoted to the mountain relm and shares the rich history of Hawaii’s Alii’ (royalty) and Chiefs. Here, you’ll experience Hawaiian chants and stories which are in Hawaiian but also translated into English.
The heart of the exhibit will remain which is the many artifacts and favorites that many people come to expect when they visit the Bishop Museum. You’ll see the famous red and yellow feather capes, Outrigger canoes, and the grass houses from the early 1800’s.
Admission for adults is $16: $13 for children. The museum is open daily except Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 29th, 2009
Ever since the economy has taken a nosedive you’ve probably been hearing how that has affected the travel industry. If you have been following what’s happening in the Hawaii travel market, it gets even more complicated. In addition to the economic woes, fears about swine flu and Korea missile firings have added to the tourism slump fears. While there’s no question that we have seen the downturn, there is still high demand for Hawaii vacations and if you’re traveling during peak times you have to still have to plan in advance.
Here at Hawaii-Aloha.com, we had a much better May and June than we had anticipated and the recent numbers from the Hawaii visitors Bureau support the trending we see. May was the first time Hawaii did not see double-digit declines all year so this may mean that the decline is slowing.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you’ll be able to get a last-minute deal because of the poor economy if you plan to vacation during peak travel times. For example, we’ve been receiving many calls for July and there are just no deals to be had. Airfares from the West Coast are $500-$600 which is almost twice what the airfare wars just a few months back for dates in July. The reason for this is mostly because of the air lift and just supply and demand. The airlines can only guesstimate how much airlift they need. Its been very hard to predict what would happen because of the economy so I think they were very prudent with their inventory. Additionally, keep in mind there are only so many seats on each airplane that have a cheaper airfares.
In some cases hotels are getting sold out in all categories for last-minute bookings. Two days ago (June 24th) a customer called me to book the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (one day before they were arriving) and it was sold out in all categories. That being said there are still very good deals to be had off peak. We have seen some unbelievable airfares for October and blow out deals all over the place for other times during the year when folks are not traveling as much. I urge you to book in advance as the cheap deals won’t be there when you go back to look a few weeks before your travel.
If you want to save yourself time, just give me a call at 1-800-843-8771. I specialize in finding those deals for you and at the same time deliver the customer service that you deserve.
Just say Aloha Bruce, and I’ll hook you up whit the best deal possible.
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 26th, 2009
The tastes and talents of Hawaii will take center stage in the national spotlight on Thursday as President Barack Obama, the first president from the Aloha State, hosts the first-ever White House luau.
The South Lawn luau is a twist on the annual Congressional picnic for members of Congress and their families and will feature the best in contemporary Hawaiian cuisine with a menu created by award-winning chef Alan Wong, whose Honolulu restaurant has been recognized as one of the best in America and the Pacific Rim.
Along with Hawaii’s finest delicacies, the evening will feature Hawaii’s largest entertainment company, Tihati Productions. The program will include 20 dancers and musicians from Hawaii showcasing the historical and cultural stories of the islands through traditional song and dance, known as hula.
"President Obama is bringing the Hawaii family spirit of "ohana" to the White House and to all Americans through the first White House luau," stated John Monahan, president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
"We hope our mainland compatriots take this opportunity to learn about the culture and cuisine of our islands, and we welcome all Americans to come share in the Aloha spirit that makes Hawaii such a wonderful place for both vacation and business," Monahan stated. "Hawaii offers vacationers and business travelers the chance to experience one-of-a-kind cultural, culinary and recreational offers in a very convenient, affordable and beautiful setting."
Thursday’s luau will spotlight Hawaii’s contemporary cuisine, which is based upon the freshest ingredients from the land and sea and which combines all of the ethnic influences that have contributed so much to Hawaii.
"This event gives us a chance to showcase to all Americans the Hawaiian contemporary cuisine that is based on fresh local ingredients and which blends all of the island’s many ethnic influences," stated Alan Wong, whose Honolulu restaurant was rated No. 8 in the United States by Gourmet magazine.
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 23rd, 2009
Back in the turn-of-the-century, the majority of the irrigation ditches used to distribute water to the sugar cane fields were built by Japanese immigrants. These elaborate waterways were built by hand in very difficult conditions using bare hands, picks, shovels, and hammers. The laborers often had to work 12 hour days for a pittance and a place to live. In the day, building these irrigation ditches was engineering genius. Over time sugar was no longer produced in the islands and sugar cane fields became obsolete.
Fast-forward to today and you’ll discover that these plantations are now home to quite unique adventures. I first found out about the ditches several years ago when I heard that they were doing water adventures on the Big Island and Kauai. Flumin’ Da Ditch is a tour operating on the north side of the Big Island near Hawi. On our next trip to the Big Island we decided to try this activity. We had such a great time that we recommended that visitors take this tour. Unfortunately, the earthquake of October 2006 damaged the ditches and the tours are no longer offered.
Luckily, the tours are still continuing on Kauai which is operated by Kauai Backcountry adventures. Last year we tried one of those Kauai tours. Unlike Flumin’ Da Ditch on the Big island that was done in kayaks, on Kauai you traverse these elaborate tunnels and ditch system on inner tubes. Tours start with a great history about this plantation and the views are magnificent.
The tour itself was pretty easy with little surprises except that the water is freezing cold! Once I got into the inner tube I quickly got used to the temperature so it wasn’t a real problem. My wife Yaling is not much of a swimmer, but did fine because the water only about 3 feet deep. The water doesn’t flow too fast so it’s unlikely you’ll be tossed out of the tube. You’ll be given a hard hat equipped with a flashlight so you can see you way though a few tunnels along the way. Bring with you a change of clothes, some shoes you won’t mind getting wet and some mosquito repellent.
While the sugar cane fields are gone, you can still get the sweet taste of what it was like on the plantations with one of these great adventures. For more information on how to make your Hawaii trip a vacation of a lifetime, please call me at 1-800-843-8771 extension 22.
Just say Aloha Bruce and I will hook you up with everything you need.
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 22nd, 2009
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It’s been over two years since I’ve been to the Polynesian cultural Center. The visit reminded me of some things I’d like to share, including some tips about visiting this attraction.
One of the first things I noticed is that they charge six dollars for parking if you’re driving there yourself. The timing is also critical. If you get there after 1:30 PM ( like we did duh!!) you won’t be able to see a presentation until 3:00 PM because the boat parade starts at 2 p.m.. You may want to bring your own water and snacks because it can be quite costly. A 12 oz bottle of water was $2.60. a small bag of peanuts was 3.10 cents.
There are many different ways to enjoy this experience and it all depends on your personal preference. If you’re the kind of person that really enjoys learning about different cultures and their customs, it’s wonderful. If that describes you, I would recommend spending a full day at the center. That means you should arrive right at 12:30 and take in as many of the cultural presentations as possible as they only happen on the half- hour. It’s a good idea to arrive at a village before the presentation starts and experience some of the educational activities that are available. For example, pick the cultural presentation your interested in at the various villages, get there 15 or 20 minutes early and participate in demonstrations. You may want to consider the VIP Ambassador tour if you want your day at the park completely organized and structured. You can also add dinner or Luau and a show which is included in their various packages if you want to go "all out".
The Polynesian Cultural Center is not for everyone. If you’re the kind of folks that don’t necessarily need or want to learn about different cultures you can just buy a day pass and spend a couple of hours there. I would focus on the cultural presentations starting with Samoa at 12:30, Hawaii at 1 p.m., and then Tonga at 130. If you didn’t have enough by them you could just stay for the boat parade. If you just did that, you would see a representation of every culture at the Polynesian cultural Center. It’s a nice drive to the North Shore and you can combine it with a stop in Haleiwa or one of the North Shore beaches.
If you’d like more information about the PCC just give me a call at 1-800-843-8771 ext. 22 and I can hook you up and help you figure out what your plan should be for this activity. It could be that the PCC is not for you at all and that OK!!
Just say Aloha Bruce, and I know exactly what ya mean
General admission: 50.00
Admission & dinner (w/trans) 150.00
Admission & Ali’I Luau 115.00
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 18th, 2009
I’d like to continue my series about where to stay on Kauai by starting with the area of Kapaa. Keep in mind that I only discuss the properties that I am familiar with and have success in booking. In addition, I only book with reputable wholesalers, not individual owners. There are several advantages I have found in dealing with wholesalers; the condominiums always include maid service, they’re fully insured, you only need a small deposit to book, cancellation policies are more liberal and they are run by management companies which have more control and inventories at the properties. (Check out Part 1 of this series)
Kapaa is centrally located right on the east side of the island. You can easily get to the north or south side of the island without a long drive. There are also plenty of restaurants and markets, so you can keep your fridge full if you plan to cook some meals.
A great condo that has excellent pricing is the Aston Islander on the Beach. I book many people here who want something really nice, but don’t want to spend a lot of money. I like the plantation style of the property; it has a nice pool and BBQ grills on the grounds. The rooms are on the smaller side, but are very nice with marble floors and excellent bedding. Unfortunately, like many other condos in this area, parts of the beach behind this property are not swimmable.
Another wonderful property right next door to the Aston is Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy. The units here are large and modern and the furnishings are beautiful. This is a time share so you may want to book this property in advance because it sells out. I also like to recommend the Outrigger at Lae Nani and the Castle Kaha Lani. Both properties provide good value and are great for families or small groups.
The only hotel in the Kapaa area is the Aston Maka’iwa. This property was renovated three years ago with a soft renovation even more recently. The Aston includes restaurants, a nice pool area, along with all the typical amenities you would find at a hotel. I especially like the rooms on the third floor because of their vaulted ceilings and Hawaiian style furnishings with lots of wood grains and tapa patterns. The Aston is a good value and a nice alternative to expensive resorts.
Just a little further north of Kapaa but still on the Coconut Coast is Waipoli. The Waipoli Beach Resort is one of my favorite condos in Hawaii. This condominium was built from the ground up just a couple of years ago. The property includes a wonderful river pool and a great restaurant right on the beach. All of the rooms include modern kitchens complete with subzero refrigerators, very comfortable beds, and the huge bathrooms with sunken tubs.
Up on the northern tip of Kauai is Princeville and Hanalei Bay. This area is one of the most beautiful places in all of Hawaii. I love to recommend this area to honeymooners and people who just want to get away and experience true Hawaii. The Princeville at Hanalei Bay is the main resort here and currently is undergoing a major renovation as is rebranded to a St. Regis Hotel. It costs more, but you won’t be disappointed. Everything else up there are condos, I recommend the Hanalei Bay resort, the Pali Kea Kua, and the Puu Poa. They are all in the same general vicinity, overlooking the cliffs and are good values. Although none of these condos are right on the beach, the ocean view units do overlook the beach. It’s only a short drive to the beach, so don’t let that discourage you from staying at any one of these properties.
Kauai is a magical place and an island in which you can experience serenity and get away from every day hustle and bustle.
I would love to help you book your Kauai vacation so please contact me and let me tell you more! Call 800 843-8771 ext. 22 and just say Aloha Bruce 
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 17th, 2009
Here’s a great idea if you’re going to Maui and want to do something really unusual and fun. I admit this isn’t for everyone and it’s quite pricey, but I promise it will be an activity you’ll never forget.
I first got this idea when Yaling (my wife and business partner) and I were taking a Hawaii cruise a couple of years ago. The cruise in Hawaii is designed to give you a lot of land time. You actually get a day and a half on Maui and another day and a half on Kauai. Yaling had driven to Hana before but didn’t want to make the long journey again. I thought it would be great to take a helicopter from Kahului airport (where the ship docks) to Hana and then drive back just one way back to Kahului. Yaling suggested that we stay at Hotel Hana for the night so we wouldn’t have to fly and then drive back in one day.
I contacted a couple of helicopter companies and discovered that we could fly to Hana from Kahului. We did have to pay for a round-trip flight that cost approximately $500. We rented a car at the Hana airport for an additional $60, drove to the hotel and stayed overnight. We woke up early and had a nice leisurely ride back to the cruise ship.
Since that time I’ve discovered a company that actually specializes in air-land tours. It’s called the Hana Skytrek and is run by a company called Temptation Tours. The air-land tour takes about six hours to complete. You fly by helicopter to Hana and return in a nice comfortable van to the airport at Kahalui. Hana Skytrek even provides lunch or a special dinner if you want to do the tour later in the afternoon.
If you are already taking a vacation of a lifetime, why not do something a little different? Spend the money and be a rock star for a day! If you would like more information or want to book this tour, give me a call at 1+800-843-8771 ext. 22
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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Inside Haleakala National Park
Iao Valley On Maui
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June 16th, 2009
This is part 1 of a 2 part post on where to stay on the Island of Kauai I am often asked where to stay when visiting the island of Kauai. It’s my favorite islands and my wife and I go there about four times a year. You’ll find all kinds of properties on Kauai but similar to Maui, you’ll find more condominiums than resorts. Obviously I cannot cover every single property on the island, so I will focus on the properties which I have the most experience and feedback from customers whom I ahve booked in these properties.
On the south side of the island is the area known as Poipu. There are several condominiums in Poipu, including the Outrigger Kihuna Plantation in the Poipu Kai. The beaches are beautiful here and these condominiums are perfect for families. Many of the condominiums do not have air conditioning, so be sure to double check your property. You’ll also find a
couple of resorts, the Sheraton and the Hyatt. The Hyatt is magnificent; it’s a five-star property and one of my favorite resorts in all of Hawaii. It has a huge pool that has just been renovated, lagoons where you can kayak or just float on a inner tube. If that’s not enough it’s adjacent to an amazing stretch of beach. The Sheraton is a four-star property, and I usually recommend the oceanfront units because they’ve recently been renovated and have spectacular views. The property itself is not as big as some of the other resorts on the island and has a motel feel. There is an excellent buffet breakfast that is included in most of our booked packages.
On the east side of the island is Lihue where you’ll find several beautiful resorts. The Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club is located just south of the airport. The rates are pretty good and this property is popular with honeymooners who can’t quite afford the Hyatt. Located right on Kalapaki Bay, the Marriott is an expansive property with lagoons and a
wonderful pool. It should be noted that the property is going through a multimillion dollar renovation which should be completed by August 31, 2009.
Further north is a budget oriented property called Aston Aloha Beach Resort. The Aston sits right on the beach park and is great for families. The location is really a draw to this property and that will disappoint. You get what you pay for here; the rooms are adequate but nothing fancy at all. I don’t recommend staying in the cottages because they are really
in desperate need of renovation.
Finally in Lihue, is the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort, a four-star property located at the beginning of the Coconut Coast. While the beautiful beach is not good for swimming due to the coral rock, the Hilton has a really nice pool area and the torch lighting ceremony every night. Additionally, there’s a mai tai party where you can drink as much as you for one hour
beginning at 6 p.m. and yes, there really is alcohol in the famous Hawaiian classic drink.
Be sure to look for part two of this post in which I will review the Kapaa and Princeville areas.
Related blog posts:
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See Kauai from Above
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June 15th, 2009
Most of the states have great places for hiking, but it’s hard to beat Hawaii’s variety. All the islands have great hiking territory. Here are a few to consider if you’re a hiker or if you just enjoy beautiful walks:
- On Kauai, the Kalalau Trail hosts some of the most spectacular views in the Hawaiian Islands, and the Hanakapiai Falls Trail begins two miles up the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast at Hanakapiai Beach.
- On Maui, the Halemauu Trail to Holua Cabin descends the sheer cliffs of Haleakala on the west crater wall.
- Waipio Valley and Mauna Kea are near the northernmost point of the Big Island. Once the home President John F. Kennedy’s first Peace Corps training camp, the area today is a remote and little-visited place modern man has all but forgotten.
For the full spectrum of all that is Hawaii, consider the 1,875 acres of Waimea Valley on Oahu’s North Shore. It’s been a sacred place for more than 700 years of Native Hawaiian history. 78 sites of interest have been identified in the valley, including religious sites and shrines, house sites, agricultural terraces and fishponds.
The valley’s150-acre botanical collection contains more than 5,000 kinds of tropical and subtropical plants, including native and endangered Hawaiian plants. Four out of five species of native freshwater fish can be found in Kamananui Stream.
Once you’re in the valley, for which there’s an admission fee of $5.00 to $10.00, you can participate in several free activities including lei making, kapa demonstrations, hula lessons, Hawaiian games, crafts, music and story telling.
Several free (with your paid admission) walking tours are offered at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
You want to be sure to take in the Valley’s 45-foot waterfall, Waihï. It’s about 3/4 of a mile from the park entrance booth.
Waimea Valley hosts larger tours – from easy and moderate family walks every Saturday to strenuous five-hour scrambles on the last Saturday of every month. Guides will help you identify the native and exotic plants, and will point out the indigenous birds and fish. The family hikes cost $5.00 per person, and the five-hour hikes cost $10.00 in addition to the valley entry fee. You’ll need reservations.
As you finish your visit, there is a retail store that showcases the work of local artists and Hawaii crafters of locally made products. The store also hosts weekly demonstrations by featured vendors. The valley’s on-site concession services uses locally grown, made-in-Hawaii ingredients for tasty local dining.
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 9th, 2009
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