Hawaii Vacation Blog

Effective January 1, 2007 there is a change to the Hawaii CSS law.

The change affects children ages 4-8 in regards to having to be in a booster seat, with these exceptions:

(2) If the child is four years of age or older, but less than eight years of age,

the person operating the motor vehicle shall ensure that the child is properly restrained in a child safety seat

or booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards at the time of its manufacture; except

as provided in paragraph (3): and

(3) If the child is four years of age or older but less than eight years of age, the

person operating the motor vehicle shall be exempt from properly

restraining the child in a child safety seat or booster seat that meets federal

motor vehicle safety standards at the time of its manufacture if the child is

restrained by a seat belt assembly and;

Over four feet and nine inches in height; or
Over forty pounds and traveling in a motor vehicle equipped only
With lap belts, without shoulder straps, in the back seat.

The winners of HONOLULU Magazine’s 23rd Annual Hale ‘Aina Awards were announced in a ceremony at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Each year, the readers of HONOLULU Magazine are asked to select the best restaurants in Hawai‘i in a variety of categories with the winning restaurants awarded Hawai‘i’s most prestigious dining award. Marking a change from year’s past, the awardees did not know what honor they had won, or at what level, until the day of the event. Also a change from previous years, only one gold, silver or bronze award was given in each category.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Gold - Alan Wong's Restaurant
Silver - Roy's Restaurant
Bronze - The Bistro At Century Center

BEST O`AHU RESTAURANT
Gold - Chef Mavro
Silver - Hoku's
Bronze - Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

BEST MAUI RESTAURANT
Gold - David Paul's Lahaina Grill
Silver - Mama's Fish House
Bronze - Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar

BEST BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT
Gold - Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Silver - The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm
Bronze - Café Pesto

BEST KAUA`I RESTAURANT
Gold - The Beach House Restaurant
Silver - Roy's Po`ipû Bar & Grill
Bronze - Dondero's Restaurant

BEST NEW O‘AHU RESTAURANT
Gold - Romano's Macaroni Grill
Silver - Ola At Turtle Bay Resort
Bronze - Rokkaku

BEST NEW MAUI RESTAURANT (Includes Lana`i and Moloka`i)
Gold - E&O Trading Company
Silver - Son'z Maui @ Swan Court
Bronze - Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar

BEST NEW BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT
Gold - Fujimamas

BEST NEW KAUA`I RESTAURANT
Gold - Mediterranean Gourmet
Silver - Yum Cha Asian Eatery

BEST WINE PROGRAM
Gold – Vino
Silver – Formaggio
Bronze - Alan Wong's Restaurant

BEST SERVICE
Gold - Alan Wong's Restaurant
Silver - La Mer
Bronze - Bali By The Sea

LITTLE RESTAURANT YOU LOVE
Gold - Little Village Noodle House
Silver - Green Door Café
Bronze - Olive Tree Café

BEST BAR
Gold - Ryan's Grill
Silver - Mai Tai Bar
Bronze - Murphy's Bar & Grill

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS WHEN YOU'RE PAYING
Gold - Roy's Restaurant
Silver - Tiki's Grill & Bar
Bronze - Side Street Inn

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS WHEN THEY'RE PAYING
Gold - Alan Wong's Restaurant
Silver - Hoku's
Bronze - La Mer

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A BIG GROUP
Gold - Buca Di Beppo
Silver - The Willows
Bronze - Prince Court

BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT
Gold - Hoku's
Silver - La Mer
Bronze - Orchids

BEST ROMANTIC DINING
Gold - Michel's
Silver - La Mer
Bronze - Bali By The Sea

BEST BISTRO/NEW AMERICAN CUISINE
Gold – Town
Silver - 12th Ave. Grill
Bronze - Chai's Island Bistro

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
Gold - Little Village Noodle House
Silver - Golden Dragon Restaurant
Bronze - Hee Hing Restaurant

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Gold - La Mer
Silver - Michel's
Bronze - Le Bistro

BEST HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Ono Hawaiian Foods
Silver - Helena's Hawaiian Food
Bronze - Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Café Maharani
Silver - India Café
Bronze - India House

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Assaggio's
Silver - Sergio's Italian Restaurant
Bronze - Auntie Pasto's

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Gold - Kyo-Ya Restaurant
Silver - Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant
Bronze - Shokudo

BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Sorabol Korean Restaurant
Silver - Kim Chee II
Bronze - Gina's Barbeque

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Compadres Bar & Grill
Silver - Cholo's Homestyle Mexican
Bronze - Cha-Cha-Cha Salsaria

BEST THAI RESTAURANT
Gold - Phuket Thai Restaurant
Silver - Mekong Thai Restaurant
Bronze - Keo's Thai Cuisine

New Longer Itinerary For Pride Of Aloha

NCL has announced that beginning September 2007 it will move pride of aloha to 10 and 11 day cruises from Honolulu. The ship will sail interisland itineraries as well as Hawaii cruises that call into Fanning Island Kiribati NCL's Pacific island hideaway just north of the equator.

Pride of aloha new Hawaii only cruise will feature an overnight in Honolulu: an overnight Kauai: three days in Maui including an overnight in Kahului with a call into Lahaina: and calls in to Hilo and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Highlights also include a nighttime sail by Kilauea volcano in a day and see cruising by then up the Na Pali Coast Line and then cruising the north coast of Molokai.

The 11 day Hawaii only cruises feature the same ports of call as the 10 day but include two days at sea with guests enjoying a sale by the Na pali coastline, a nighttime sail by Kilauea volcano and sailing the north coast of Molokai and the north coast of Oahu.

The 11 day Hawaii fanning Island itineraries include an overnight and Kauai featuring a sale by the Na pali coastline at sunset: calls in to Hilo and Kona on the big Island of Hawaii a call in to Kahului, Maui and a call into Fanning Island.

Lots of people calling and searching on our network for summer dates. Now's the time to book your summer vacation in May June July or August because availability and good prices are selling out fast. One of the best things to remember is to try to book your vacation on a weekday so that you leave and return on a weekday. Monday through Thursday are the least expensive days to travel to Hawaii.

Want to booze it up while you are on Oahu and Waikiki? Yaling and Bruce go over their best picks from dollar beers to Martini's in this podcast. about bars and clubs in Hawaii. They also review Hawaii Vacation Packages submitted by podcast listeners.

Yaling and Bruce talk about the ongoing topic of booking thru a agency vs online mega stores like expedia and travelocity. They offer advice on how to avoid the perils of over-shopping for your Hawaii Vacation. They also go over trips booked by HAT users.