Hawaii Vacation Blog

After seeing a controversial ad running in Hawaii about cruises. Yaling and Bruce talk about respecting Hawaii's culture while vacationing in Hawaii. They offer some tips and share personal experiences they have discovered living and working in Hawaii for the last 15 years.

In this podcast Yaling and Bruce discuss some ways to save money on your Hawaii Vacation. They dispel the myth that it's cheaper book thngs your self direct rather then using a Travel Agent. Booking Hawaii is not like booking mainland destinations. The offer a side by comparison from a podcast listener who is booking everything ala carte vs. booking a package with HAT. The also discuss packages created by HAT Agents.

I guess we picked a good time to go on vacation because as many of you know we had a pretty nice size earthquake last Sunday. Yaling and I were on the PCH headed to view the Queen Mary in Long Beach when we heard the news. We turned right around and headed back to the hotel to monitor the situation. CNN was live from Hawaii getting a feed from one our local TV stations so we knew more about what was going on then most people who were in Hawaii because no one had power. CNN did a great public service by providing this coverage, they stayed with it live four I think 8 or 10 hours and then replayed it overnight. We quickly updated our site with information for our customers and took any calls that came in from our customers because we were on the mainland and our VOIP technology allows us to to this easily.

Here is the lastest from the HVCB concering the aftermath of the Earthquake:

HONOLULU - One day after being rocked by an earthquake Hawai‘i is letting the world know that it is open and ready for business.

"We continue to welcome visitors to our state," said Marsha Wienert, tourism liaison for the Governor's office. "The quake caused quite a bit of apprehension yesterday but this morning Hawai‘i is largely back to business as usual. There is no widespread damage and no loss of life or serious injury. We have made a speedy return to normalcy."

The 7:07 a.m. Sunday morning quake measured 6.7-magnitude. It was centered under the ocean off the northwest coast of Hawai‘i's Big Island and was felt on all the major islands. A 5.8 magnitude quake followed seven minutes later and numerous smaller aftershocks were registered over the next few hours.

The first quake immediately triggered power failures that lasted most of the day on the Big Island, Maui, and O‘ahu.

The loss of electrical power caused disruptions at airports that resulted in flight delays and cancellations of some transpacific flights into and out of the Islands. Electrical power was restored to most airports by early afternoon. Honolulu International Airport, which saw the most delays in service, was online again by

5:45 p.m. All affected communities throughout the islands had electrical service restored by midnight Sunday.

"All visitor accommodations are open for business statewide and airlines are telling us that transpacific flights and flights around the islands are generally back to normal," said John Monahan, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau. "There may be some minor delays as airlines adjust for yesterday's interruptions and we advise passengers to reconfirm their departure times prior to going to the airport," he said.

"Despite the inconveniences caused by the power outage, visitors to the state were generally in high spirits yesterday as residents and visitor industry employees jumped in to make their day as good as possible," said Monahan. "Hawai‘i's spirit of aloha shines especially bright in these circumstances," he said.

Damage assessments were still being made Monday morning, but the effects of the quake continue to appear minimal.All major highways statewide are open.Hotels and other accommodations that were closest to the quake on the Big Island remain open for business, although some have reported light damage.

The quake generated a small seismic wave of three inches in height at Kawaihae Harbor on the Big Island according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on O‘ahu.

In this episode Yaling and Bruce talk about restrictions and penalties charged by the airlines, hotels and cruises in the event of a cancellation. They go over some of the polices and ways of dealing with flight changes and hotel issues that can come up. They also review packages prepared by HAT agents, they review the newly renovated Aqua Waikiki Wave, Waikiki beach Hotel, and the Maui Kai.

So you want to see Santa Claus in a Aloha shirt and shorts? It's still possible. We are seeing a spike this week in Hawaii Vacation requests from folks who want to come over the XMAS holiday. While it's always better to book way in advance for the holidays, there are a few good deals left if you can book right away. If you want a cruise and can come before the XMAS rush I just booked a couple with air from PHX for 759 per person on the Pride of Hawaii for the December 11 sail.

Here are a couple of package created by HAT users and agents:

Air itinerary (6 passengers) :

Sun 24-Dec-06 DL 1264 K 6:00am SEA SLC 8:54am
DL 1825 K 11:40am SLC HNL 3:16pm
Fri 29-Dec-06 DL 1826 L 11:20pm HNL SLC 8:31am 30-Dec-06
Sat 30-Dec-06 DL 1050 L 1:20pm SLC SEA 2:25pm

Land Itinerary:

Oahu ( Sunday, 24 December 2006 through Friday, 29 December 2006 )
Accommodations:
AQUA WAIKIKI WAVE / Deluxe wave
(COREEF) / (DXW)
Adults: 2, Children: 1, Rollaway: N, Crib: N
Check in: Sunday, 24 December 2006
Check out: Friday, 29 December 2006
Total price: $ 5653.00

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Air itinerary (2 passengers) :

Fri 15-Dec-06 AA 19 Q 11:00am JFK LAX 2:05pm
AA 283 Q 3:30pm LAX HNL 7:20pm
Fri 29-Dec-06 AA 162 Q 2:20pm HNL LAX 9:40pm
AA 30 Q 11:40pm LAX JFK 7:50am 30-Dec-06

Land Itinerary:

Oahu ( Friday, 15 December 2006 through Friday, 29 December 2006 )
Accommodations:
OUTRIGGER LUANA WAIKIKI / Simple Saver: 1-bedroom city/park view
(LUANAW) / (S1T)
Adults: 2, Children: 0, Rollaway: N, Crib: N
Check in: Friday, 15 December 2006
Check out: Friday, 29 December 2006

Total price: $ 3284.00

Fall air fare sales are winding down to a last day to Ticket of October 31. It is not too late to book some of these EXCELLENT air fares. Even with a 10/31 last day to ticket, in most cases you have until mid December to Travel. Our Hotel and Condo specials are still in place as well. we can bundle this low air fare wiht great hotels and condos on all islands.

- Northwest has lowered their Jan/Feb fares SFO/HNL. This is a general fare reduction for those two months in 2007.

- It is not too late to start planning 2007 Winter travel. I encourage you to book early, when there is still many choices of hotel/condo space on all islands.

In this episode Yaling and Bruce talk about restrictions and penalties charged by the airlines, hotels and cruises in the event of a cancellation. They go over some of the polices and ways of dealing with flight changes and hotel issues that can come up. They also review packages prepared by HAT agents, they review the newly renovated Aqua Waikiki Wave, Waikiki beach Hotel, and the Maui Kai.

LAST SUNDAY'S EARTHQUAKE in Hawaii did little damage to hotels. The only reported room damage was on the island of Hawaii, ashore of the epicenter of the quake off the South Kohala coast. The nearest hotel to the epicenter, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, suffered some damage. A small portion of its rooms have been removed from inventory pending safety assessments. Newspaper reports identify fewer than 100 rooms out of Hawaii's 72,000 have been closed due to potential danger. All hotels and condos are open and operational and all roads are passable. All activities are ready to welcome visitors, who will see little, if any, evidence of the earthquake's passing. The heaviest damage was to several historic buildings and sites in the Kona and Kohala districts, including Hulihee Palace in Kailua, which remains closed.

THE MAUNA LANI BAY HOTEL has responded to the recent earthquake with the "Mauna Lani -- Shaken, Not Stirred" package, with per-night rates starting at $390, including include daily buffet breakfast and access to the Mauna Lani Sports & Fitness Club. The plan is available through Dec. 19. Call (800) 367-2323.

In this episode Yaling and Bruce talk a article written by Richard Turen which discusses the disadvantages to booking online. They use the article to sound off about he advantages of booking with HAWAII-ALOHA.COM over typical online offerings.

By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Staff Writer

It will get a lot harder to smoke in public when a statewide law that prohibits lighting up in bars and workplaces — even within 20 feet of doorways — takes effect Nov. 16.

The law, designed to protect more people from secondhand smoke, is one of the toughest in the nation and carries fines for business owners or individuals who violate the rules.

Some businesses gearing up for the changes are now instituting portions of the law to prepare employees and customers, who will no longer be able to smoke in semi-enclosed areas or at any venue where food or drinks are served.

But Mark Dawson, of human resources outsourcing agency Altres, said he worries there are still thousands of businesses that don't know about the rules.

"The majority of businesses in the Honolulu area have no clue that the change is about to occur," said Dawson, director of business development at Altres, which is helping establishments across Hawai'i comply with the law. "They all have a similar reaction when we tell them — shock."

There also is some confusion about the nuances of the law, leaving some businesses hesitant to designate or construct smoking areas that may be illegal, he said. The administrative rules to further define the measure are in draft form and will go out for public comment in the coming months.

Still, several large institutions, including a host of Waikiki hotels and Ala Moana Center, are already preparing to post hundreds of no-smoking placards. A few, such as The Queen's Medical Center, are going completely tobacco-free.

Dr. Paul Morris, a lung cancer specialist at the hospital, said the law spurred administrators to do away with six designated smoking areas on the medical center's Honolulu campus. Some of the smoking areas would be permitted under the law.

"We believe if there are patients, families, or employees who are currently smoking, this might be the right time for them to consider quitting," said Morris, who convened a task force to address the issue. The smoking areas are well-used, but Morris said he has had no negative responses to the ban.

CHANGES AT AIRPORTS

Airports statewide must also adhere to the law, and officials are drafting a strategy for educating visitors arriving from the Mainland and overseas about the ban. Under the measure, smoking is not allowed from airplane cabins to terminal curbs.

Scott Ishikawa, state Transportation Department spokesman, said a closed-in smoking room in one of the overseas departure terminals at Honolulu International Airport will be dismantled. It's still unclear whether smoking will be allowed in other open-air areas of the airport.

While reaction to the new law appears largely positive — many establishments say they welcome the ban and don't expect it to hurt their bottom lines — some contend the government should not be in the business of regulating smoking in bars, nightclubs or other adult-only hangouts.

"We're against it," said Danny Dolan, manager of O'Toole's Irish Pub on Nu'uanu Avenue. "This is an adult place. If they (nonsmokers) don't want to come, they don't have to come."

But at the Shack in Hawai'i Kai, manager Chris Mattos said when ashtrays disappear on Nov. 16, he won't be at all sad to see them go.

"We may be a bar and we've allowed smoking for years, but times have changed," Mattos said, adding customers who come to the bar and insist on smoking will be asked to go outside. "I just quit smoking myself. It will be great to be in a smoke-free environment."

Smokers, too, appear to be tentatively embracing — or at least accepting — the state law.

"Personally, it's fine with me," said John Woods, who has been smoking off and on for 16 years and was lighting up at Bishop Square on a recent weekday. Nearby, Don Rockhola puffed on a cigarette as he fiddled with his cell phone. "I don't like the new law, but I understand it," he said.

Billy Costa, who quit smoking two years ago, said he'll be glad to see less smoking in open malls and at eateries. "I used to smoke right out here," he said, pointing at a row of outdoor tables at Bishop Square, where he was eating lunch with friends. "You've got plenty of kids walking around."

A fall 2005 poll conducted for the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawai'i showed about 85 percent of adult voters, including smokers, supported the ban. About 93 percent believed bars and restaurants would be healthier if they were smoke-free, according to the coalition.

The law comes 20 years after the U.S. surgeon general linked secondhand smoke to health problems. Hawai'i was the 14th state to pass a comprehensive smoking ban, which includes bars and restaurants. In addition, 12 other states don't allow smoking in workplaces, according to the American Lung Association. Other states are poised to adopt similar bans in coming years.

DROP IN SMOKERS

Meanwhile, the percentage of Hawai'i resident smokers is on the decline.

About 17 percent of Hawai'i adults smoke — the fourth-lowest rate in the nation, according to the state Health Department. Utah has the lowest smoking rate, and California isn't far behind.

Julian Lipsher, state Health Department coordinator for the tobacco control section, said the law is an important step forward for the state and will benefit smokers and nonsmokers alike.

It is also a significant victory for anti-smoking groups, whose lobbyists have prodded the state Legislature for nearly two decades to gain ground on smoking bans. The law passed this year with a wide majority. Three state senators and four legislators voted against it.

Gov. Linda Lingle, a former smoker, signed the law in July.

"We think the impact of this law will be huge on a number of fronts," said Deborah Zysman, director of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawai'i. "I think, honestly, it's about time."

Zysman said negative response to the law has been far more low-key than she had expected. She noted that only a few smokers and bar owners across the state have complained to her or other advocates.

"We have not had the irate smokers calling us that some of us feared," she said.

The coalition will be sending packets to businesses over the next two weeks to apprise them of the new regulations, which include posting no-smoking signs.

Enforcement of the measure could prove a daunting task, but Lipsher said the state does not plan to automatically slap fines on businesses and smokers failing to comply.

"Our purpose is not to issue as many fines as possible. We want to create light, not heat," he said. "Within a relatively short time we should see this community norm adapt successfully."

Lipsher has six employees who could respond to complaints against individuals or smokers. The police are also authorized under the law to issue fines or warnings.

But Lipsher pointed out the state's counties have already primed residents and tourists by enacting their own smoking bans over the years. None of the bans are as comprehensive as the state measure.

And Dawson, who is helping businesses to comply with the law as a public service effort, said he believes the bulk of the population will recognize the intent of the law and abide by it without the threat of a fine.

"I think the most powerful tool we have are the opinions of one another," he said.

HAWAII VACATIONS BLOG
Gender: male
Industry: Tourism
Occupation: Hawaii Travel Agent
Location: Honolulu : Hawaii : United States

About Me
Aloha! My name is Bruce and I am a Hawaii based Travel Agent and the founder of HAWAII-ALOHA.COM, a website devoted to inbound Hawaii travel. Before I ever decided to become a travel agent, I was the CEO of HAWAII-ALOHA.COM, INC. a web development/marketing company in Hawaii. I created, managed and marketed hundreds of websites in Hawaii including PLANET-HAWAII.COM, HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER, ASTON HOTELS AND RESORTS, HAWAII PRINCE HOTELS, DOUBLETREE HAWAII, HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH just to name a few.

In 2001 I partnered with Yaling Yu to create Hawaii Aloha Travel and have devoted my skills exclusively to managing and developing the company. I have a passion for success and helping others to achieve their personal and financial goals. I enjoy working with customers to plan their trips to Hawaii every day.

Print Media
WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY, TRAVEL WEEKLY, TRAVEL TRADE, SMARTER TRAVEL, TRAVEL AGENT MAGAZINE, TRAVEL AGENT - HOME BASED, HONOLULU ADVERTISER, HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN, PACIFIC BUSINESS NEWS, AND HAWAII BUSINESS.

Television
Travel Channel - Hawaii's do's and don'ts

Interests
boating, swimming, movies, writing, traveling

Favorite Movies
Network, Man in the Moon, Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, Sideways

Favorite Music
Classic Rock, Hawaiian, Jawaiian Ska

In this episode Yaling and Bruce discuss ways to save money on hotels in Hawaii. They go over the major hotel chains operating in Hawaii and go over their discount programs and specials they offer. They also discuss the advantages of booking your hotel as part of a package.