Archive for June, 2008
Park Shore Waikiki Undergoes Management, Positioning Change
Almost unnoticed, the Park Shore Waikiki Hotel occupies arguably the best spot in all of Waikiki. It sits on the beach. It overlooks Beautiful Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head. It’s an easy walk from the shopping venues and attractions of Waikiki. For 40 years, it has remained under the radar, never mentioned among the stars of the neighborhood such as the Royal Hawaiian, Hyatt Regency and Moana Surfrider.
The 226-room Park Shore’s new owners, Sasada International, have just announced that the property now will be managed by Aqua Hotels and Resorts, and that a major renovation will get underway next year. The plan is to transform the Park Shore into a unique luxury boutique hotel that delivers outstanding guest service. That fits the profile and track record of Aqua, whose inventory includes 13 other boutique properties in Waikiki. A Sasada spokesman noted Aqua’s history of converting under-performing properties into boutique hotels that deliver outstanding guest service.
If you like the idea of a well-located, service-oriented smaller hotel with plenty of amenities and relatively reasonable rates, Call Hawaii Aloha Travel at 1-800-843-3771, or pick an agent on the Web site’s home page, hawaii-aloha.com. Our agents know Waikiki inside and out.
June 30th, 2008
Okay, follow closely. This is a little complicated.
In 2005, California-based Yucaipa Co., headed by grocery store billionaire Ron Burkle and former professional football star Willie Gault, purchased Hawaii carrier Aloha Airlines and brought it out of bankruptcy.
18 months ago, Aloha Airlines sued Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group. Mesa Air Group is the parent company of the Hawaii inter-island carrier go!. go!, Aloha claimed, misused confidential information in order to effect its Hawaii launch with the intent to drive Aloha out of business.
Aloha went back into bankruptcy and out of business in March of this year, largely because of soaring fuel prices and the inter-island fare war initiated by go!’s entry into the market. Aloha was the state’s second-largest airline with more than 3,500 employees.
Last week, a federal bankruptcy judge approved the sale, for ten million dollars, of Aloha’s suit against Mesa to Yucaipa. The suit is scheduled to go to trial in October, but an attorney for Mesa said he expects the date to be pushed back.
Got that? Okay, let’s move on.
June 29th, 2008
If you’re considering a beach wedding in Hawaii, on any of our islands, here’s something to keep in mind: You’re going to need a beach permit. In recent years, the permit has been a pesky hurdle that most planners – and the engaged couples – pretty-much ignored. But now the state is aggressively enforcing the rule. The actual rule is that all “commercial” activities on all state beaches (and that’s about all of ‘em) require permits. Those who provide commercial activities include wedding planners, ministers and other officiates, caterers and music providers.
Wedding planners in particular resent the enforcement. They decry the state’s setting up obstacles for such a basic process in Hawaii’s allure. On the other hand, the state says it’s not good business to let the fees slide, especially when the economy is in the doldrums.
Here’s something else to keep in mind: Hawaii-Aloha agents are up-to-date on everything that affects your visit to our islands. We’re tuned in. There’s almost no chance of your being surprised by new charges, fees or legalities once you arrive. If you’re considering a Hawaii wedding, honeymoon or both — or any kind of vacation in our paradise — call us first at 1-800-843-8771, or pick an agent at our home page, hawaii-aloha.com.
June 27th, 2008
Dr. Beach - Dr. Stephen Leatherman
He’s Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a Florida International University professor and coastal expert. He’s spent longer than 30 years studying storm impacts, beach erosion and ways to improve beach health and safety. He’s known as "Dr. Beach." Since 1991 he’s been rating America’s beaches and publishing his Top Ten.
This year Dr. Beach has placed two of Hawaii’s beaches on his list. At Number Two, he has Hanalei Beach on the island of Kauai. If you’ve seen the 1958 movie "South Pacific," Hanalei Beach is where much of it was filmed. The island of Bali Hai is a landform just across Hanalei Bay from the pier where much of the action takes place. Number Seven is Hamoa Beach at Hana on Maui. James Michener, who wrote "Tales of the South Pacific" on which "South Pacific" was based, described Hamoa Beach as "…the only beach I’ve ever seen that looks like the South Pacific was in the North Pacific."
Dr. Beach uses fifty criteria to determine his rankings. They include things like sand quality, amenities and the presence of birds (good) and bugs (bad).
Hawaii beaches always score well with Dr. Beach. In fact, in the 18 years he’s been ranking beaches, Hawaii beaches have been Number One 11 times
June 26th, 2008
Back in December, the Chinese and U.S. governments signed a memorandum of understanding that allows Chinese travel agencies to market U.S. destinations in China and makes it easier for Chinese tourists to enter the United States. The first wave to travel under the agreement began arriving in Hawaii last week, and they’ve loving it. They say it’s much prettier than the island of Hainan, a vacation spot known as “The Hawaii of China.” So far, the 150 Chinese who have arrived have visited the Pali Lookout, the Makapu’u lookout on East Oahu, Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor and the historical area of Downtown Honolulu. Several organized groups will be arriving from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong on six flights over several days.
This is good news for the U.S. as well as for Hawaii because both are looking for new tourism markets. The number of Chinese visitors to Hawaii has gone up every year since 2003, and the new agreement bodes well as Hawaii is the main gateway to the U.S. mainland from Asia. Chinese tourists are big spenders, lavishing an average of $6,000 for each visit to the U.S. The U.S. Commerce Department says that’s more than the average spending of visitors from any other country. The current tour groups will be moving on to visit Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia and a few California cities.
June 25th, 2008
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 3rd — 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.
June 24th, 2008
National business columnists have been pointing out that SPAM® — the canned meat (pork and ham), not the junk e-mail – is a good economic indicator. Nationwide, apparently, SPAM sales are up because the cost of fresh meat is getting out of hand along with most other staples of life.
But not in Hawaii. Know why? Sales can’t go much higher here. Hawaii’s people love SPAM; have since the nineteen forties. Today, McDonald’s and Burger King in Hawaii have SPAM on their breakfast menus. High-end chefs experiment with SPAM as they create island-style recipes. At home, we make SPAM omelets, SPAM and bean casseroles, SPAM with macaroni and Cheese and SPAM musube (rice, seaweed, sesame and other seasonings of choice).
Think about it. SPAM doesn’t have to be refrigerated until it’s opened. Unopened, its shelf life is virtually endless. It’s relatively inexpensive. When perils such as hurricanes or dock strikes loom, we islanders stock up on toilet paper, rice and SPAM, just in case we’re going to need them when supplies are cut off.
Every spring in Waikiki, the Waikiki SPAM Jam occupies the main street, which is blocked off for the food and entertainment venues. Island chefs proudly offer their latest SPAM-inspired creations, which are gobbled up.
So don’t keep your eye on Hawaii’s SPAM consumption as an economic indicator.
June 23rd, 2008
Are you a hunter? Isn’t it awful waiting for the season to start? Whether you hunt elk in Pennsylvania, bear in Arkansas or buck in Washington, you’re counting the days until your season opens this fall.
Hey, here in Hawaii, we hunt year-round – and the game isn’t too shabby. We have axis and black-tailed deer, mouflin sheep, feral goats and wild pigs; pheasant, quail and wild turkey. The best thing is that you can hunt year-round in Hawaii. There are some restrictions in some areas for some species, but on every island there’s something to go after, whenever you come.
You do have to have a license, just as you do in your state. It’ll cost you $95, and you can do that when you get here. It’s quick if you have your hunter’s education card with you and a picture ID. The state of Hawaii will give you an exemption, and with that you can get your license right away. You also can get your exemption by mail and then your license on-line. Pick a Hawaii-Aloha agent from the home page (Hawaii-aloha.com), or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll talk you through the process. Happy hunting!
June 22nd, 2008
They ain’t broke, but they’re being fixed. The federal government has invested almost two million dollars in Big Island airport maintenance and repairs. The Hilo and Kona airports – already at number-one and number-three in the national on-time rankings – will be kept up to standard with grants totaling one-point-nine million for additional airfield surface work.
The Hilo International Airport will get $761,644 to repair and maintain four interconnecting taxiways; the Kona Airport will receive $1,154,287 to continue rehabilitation of taxiways, airport aprons and runway blast pads. The purpose of the work is to help prevent foreign objects and other debris from posing a danger to aircraft. It also should prolong the service life of the airfield surface and enhance the overall safety of aircraft operations at both airports
June 22nd, 2008
“The Maui Writers Conference.” That sounds small and quaint, doesn’t it?
Well, the Maui Writers Conference has gone way beyond “quaint.” Literally hundreds – up to a thousand — of the world’s best writers, screenwriters, agents and editors swarm to Hawaii every Labor Day weekend and the preceding week … more and more of them every year. And more and more aspiring authors join them to spend thousands of hours gathering information on how to write better, and how to get their books published. They get inside looks at the publishing business from the heads of Random House, Simon and Schuster, William Morris — all the top publishers and agents. Mainly, they come simply to be inspired by their favorite authors and screenwriters.
This year they’ll be regaled by the likes of Mitch Albom, David Baldacci, Carrie Fisher, Frank McCourt and Barbara Kingsolver … hundreds of best-selling authors, Oscar-winning screenwriters and powerful publishers and agents in the biggest conference so far.
The event, in fact, has grown beyond its Maui beginnings. Now it’s the “Maui Writers Conference – On the Road,” because the Conference and the related Retreat have moved to Honolulu. Honolulu simply offers more things the attendees need: the convenience and number of flights, a broader variety of hotels and more dining options. The organizers say they are striving to retain the special intimacy that has made Maui Writers Conference the anticipated world event it has become.
The Retreat that leads up to the Conference itself is six intense, inspiring days when attendees can learn the art and craft of professional writing. The hands-on groups focus on how to shape and present a saleable manuscript or screenplay. They involve writing, revising and manuscript critiques in workshops, to free-wheeling mentoring sessions and seminars.
The host venues of the Conference and Retreat encompass three upscale hotels and the Hawaii Convention Center, where most of the Conference events will take place. The Conference itself costs about $800 – and you save a hundred dollars if you register before July 1. Then there’s the Retreat and a whole lot of add-ons and options, to consider, too. You can learn everything at the Conference Web site: www.mauiwriters.com. There’s still plenty of time. When you get an idea of everything that’s offered, don’t plunge right in. Give us a call at Hawaii-Aloha Travel – 1-800-843-8771 – or pick an agent from the Home Page of our Web site at hawaii-aloha.com. We’ll help you sort it all out, then we’ll put together a package for you that gets you options for the best travel arrangements, accommodations and the choices you prefer at the very best possible price.
June 21st, 2008
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