Hawaii Vacation Blog

Using a Hawaii Based travel agent can make your arrival to Hawaii much more memorable. Since we are right here in Hawaii we can add special touches to ensure your trip is a unforgettable. For example, using the various hotel amenity programs that are available we can have a special gift waiting for you when you arrive. Additionally some of these hotels offer free upgrades for honeymooners and wedding couples.

To add a special touch when you arrive, arrange for a lei greeting but don't just do a regular lei greeting go for a premium one which will only be a few more dollars but will be more impressive, they use a nicer floral arrangement and also greet you with a sign when you arrive to the islands. If you want to go all out arrange for a round trip stretch limousine service to the hotel. We can even arrange for a personal greeter who will give you one of our special "Aloha Goodie Bags"

If you planning a trip to Hawaii it really pays to use a expert located IN the islands.

By Nina Wu
nwu@starbulletin.com

Honolulu - Aloha Airlines and United Airlines announced a new partnership yesterday in which the larger carrier would become a minority equity partner in Aloha, with a seat on the isle firm's board of directors.

Chicago-based United Airlines will now share flight codes with Aloha Airlines on all of its mainland-Hawaii and Japan-Hawaii flights. Both companies declined to disclose United's actual stake in Aloha.

United also partners with Arizona-based Mesa Air Group, which is in a legal battle with Aloha over the startup of Mesa's low-fare interisland airline, go! Mesa shares codes on some United flights and operates commuter service as United Express.

David Banmiller, Aloha's president and CEO, said the new deal is separate from the Aloha-Mesa legal dispute. Rather, he said, the deal represents the culmination of a longtime marketing partnership with United that goes back to the early 1990s. But he added that the agreement "sends a strong signal to the customers about the stability of Aloha."

Chicago-based United Airlines said yesterday it has agreed to become a minority equity stakeholder of Aloha Airlines.

Both companies declined to disclose the equity share. No money will change hands under the agreement, but United will get a seat on Aloha's board of directors.

David A. Banmiller, Aloha's president and CEO, said the deal was forged by a longtime relationship.

Aloha's marketing partnership with United goes back to the early 1990s. Both have done business in Hawaii for 60 years.

"The beauty of this for Aloha is that we will benefit from the financial and worldwide marketing strength of one of the world's largest airlines," said Banmiller. "Both airlines have a proven record of providing quality air transportation to Hawaii's residents and visitors, who will reap the benefits as we work closely with United to market Hawaii's popularity as a global tourism destination and its links to Asia and the Pacific."

The airlines' existing code-share agreement -- a common industry arrangement under which seats on the same flights are sold by both carriers -- will expand to include all Aloha and United nonstop flights between Hawaii and the mainland as well as Hawaii and Japan. Previously the carriers shared flight codes only for interisland flights.

Banmiller said Aloha would also explore joint purchasing and facilities agreements with United.

Los Angeles-based Yucaipa Cos., headed by billionaire grocery magnate Ronald Burkle, will continue to be Aloha's majority investor.

Jean Medina, spokeswoman for United Airlines, said the new partnership will provide its customers with additional opportunities to earn mileage as well as seamless travel.

On May 1, United celebrated its 60th anniversary serving Hawaii -- its inaugural flight was between San Francisco and Honolulu. Hawaii remains one of the top destinations for United's customers, she said.

Frequent fliers entered in the AlohaPass and United Mileage Plus programs can continue to earn miles and redeem them for travel on either carrier.

It is not, however, a financial investment, said Medina.

UAL Corp., the parent of United Airlines, recently narrowed its first-quarter loss to $152 million from $306 million a year earlier. It emerged from bankruptcy in February.

Local rival Hawaiian Airlines did not seem shaken by the new partnership.

"It's hard to speculate about the exact scope of this agreement, since details aren't being shared," said Hawaiian Airlines spokesman Keoni Wagner, "but we're confident it won't change Hawaiian's position as Hawaii's leading carrier."

A lawsuit that Aloha Airlines filed against newcomer Mesa Air Group Inc. -- which operates interisland airline go! -- is still making its way through the courts.

Aloha accused Mesa of predatory pricing and is seeking unspecified damages as well as a permanent injunction to stop the newcomer from competing unfairly.

Aloha also alleged that Mesa used confidential information obtained as a potential Aloha investor to enter the interisland market. Mesa offered to invest up to $25 million in Aloha in January, court documents indicated, but Aloha rejected the deal.

Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa, declined to comment because United is one of its largest partners. Mesa has its own code-share agreement with United and also operates commuter flights as United Express.

Banmiller said the agreement announced yesterday is completely separate from any legal proceedings.

But he said this new partnership with United speaks volumes about the respect the companies have for one another.

"We're making a statement to the world that we're going to be here a very long time and be competitive," said Banmiller. "It sends a strong signal to the customers about the stability of Aloha."

UNITED AND ALOHA AIRLINES plan to expand their code-share agreement. United has also taken a minority stake in Aloha and now occupies a seat on Aloha's board of directors. Neither airline indicated how large United's stake is, but United said it "could expand over time." The current code-sharing between the airlines consists solely of United placing its code on Aloha's interisland flights. Under an expanded agreement, each carrier would be able to place its code on the other's flights between Hawaii and the mainland U.S. and on flights to Japan.

I was recently asked to contribute to a article for a major travel magazine in which I was asked to recommend a "dream honeymoon" for couples with a unlimited budget and for those on a budget. While there many ways to do this, I offered the following advise:

I have done a lot of dream honeymoons which included splitting the time between 2 distinct points on the same Island. For example on Maui I often recommend 3 days in Hana at the Hotel Hana (South side of the Island) in a Sea Ranch Cottage and then 4 days in Wailea (West side of the island) at the Four Seasons in a Oceanfront Room. One fun split I recently did had the bride and groom flown via a helicopter down to Hana. After the 3 day stay, I arranged a convertible so they take a romantic drive up the scenic coast to Wailea where they were pampered at the Four Seasons. I have also done this on the Island of Kauai splitting between the Princeville Resort in the Oceanfront Jr. Suite, (I like those rooms the best) and the Grand Hyatt Kauai in a oceanfront room in the Regency Club. The grounds and Spa make it a perfect dream honeymoon experience.

On the budget side for honeymooners, I often recommend packages that include as much as possible similar to a al inclusive experience. For example, on Maui I will bundle airfare, a condo (which do not the amenities of a hotel but are a great value). A property I often use the Maui Kai in Kaanapali because all the units are oceanfront, and then I will include a car, the most important activities and even restaurant vouchers. In this way the budget conscious honeymooners have everything included in one total price so they know exactly what they are going to spend.

When I was asked to contribute to a article about a Hawaii (Big Island) vacation for nurses, I thought to myself; How can I specifically target nurses over any other demographic? While it's true that nurses are in one of the most important professions, they are pretty much like everybody else when it comes to taking a vacation and having fun and as such, have the same needs/budgets and any vacationers.

If you don't have some pre-arranged accommodations planned through your organization you're probably looking for some hotel/condo advice.

On the Big Island, Kona is the place for deal seekers. You'll find a lot a budget hotels and also some really great affordable condos that are quite nice. For those on a budget I often recommend that families get a condo. If you really need to strech your dollar, a family of four can easily fit in a one-bedroom but keep in mind two people will have to sleep on the sofa in the living room. They all have kitchens and also made service.

Budget condo recommendations:
-- Royal Sea Cliffs 1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOMS
-- Kona Reef 1 AND 2 BEDROOMS

Budget hotel recommendations:

-- Royal Kona Resort
-- King Kamehameha

In the moderate price range I recommend the Sheraton. The property is beautiful and has something for everyone. The great water features and pool area make you forget that there isn't a beach! You can also find some decent priced condos in Waikoloa at the Waikoloa shores in the Fairway Villas. These condos are located on golf courses but not far from some nice beaches.

Moderate priced Hotel Recommendations:
-- Sheraton Kona

Moderate priced condo recommendations:
-- Waikoloa Shores
-- Fairway Villas

For those that have heftier budgets, Waikoloa, north of Kona is the ideal location. Some of the finest hotels in all of Hawaii are located here, including the Four seasons, Fairmont orchid and Mauna Lani. A very popular property for families in this area is the Hilton Hawaiian Village. All of these are good choices and you won't be disappointed with picking any one of them for your vacation. If I had to pick one to recommend to you and you had the budget for it, I would choose the Four Seasons.

High End Choice Hotels
-- Four Seasons
-- Fairmont Orchid
-- Muna Lani
-- Hilton Waikaloa Village (more family oriented)

High End Choice Condos
--Mauna Lani Point Condos

While in Kona may want to take the Kona walking tour, it's a 75 minute walking tour which brings to life the village of Kailua-Kona. Another great activity is a trip to Kalakaukua Bay. This spectacular marine sanctuary offers an abundance of colorful tropical fish, a variety of beautiful coral reefs and visibility often to 100 feet, making it perfect for snorkeling. One of the favorite activities to engage in on the Big Island especially in Kona, is deep sea fishing. It's pretty much second to none anywhere in the world, if you can catch a Hawaii A'u (Marlin) I promise you'' never forget it!!. And of course there's always Hawaii Volcanoes National Park home to Madame Pele. Keep in mind that this is near the town of Hilo and it's quite a ride depending on which way you go, three to six hours.

Bruce's must do's
-- Kona walking tour
-- trip to Kalakaukua Bay
-- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Finally, the best thing to do when planning a trip to Hawaii is to consult with a professional which will save you both time and money. I highly recommend choosing one located directly in Hawaii. For example, an agency like ours, HAWAII-ALOHA.COM which specializes in Hawaii with an agent network located in the Hawaiian Islands.