Okay I admit I cheated today by having one of Hawaii’s favorite desserts a Malasada. I had a pretty good excuse because some folks came in from the mainland who really wanted to try them so I just had to give in!
This tasty treat originated in Portugal but has become a part of the Hawaiian landscape since 1952 probably because of the huge Portuguese population in Hawaii. Best eaten while steamy hot you can get them plain or with four different fillings. They also have a special filling of the week and today it was Guava.
If you’re on a diet and plan on cheating, you might wanna start with one of these
Since 2006 Bruce has been writing and producing the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast and the Hawaii Vacation Blog which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. His postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible. The tone is anecdotal, breezy, and devoid of any commercialism.
Today we took one of our favorite hikes down to the Ka Iwi Coast shoreline. This is a beautiful easy hike at one of the most unspoiled points on the island of Oahu. You’ll find secluded beaches and tidepools making this for a very relaxing way to spend a day. it’s located right near Makapu’u and shares the same area and parking lot with the lighthouse. You could actually do both in one day while you’re in this area.
Since 2006 Bruce has been writing and producing the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast and the Hawaii Vacation Blog which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. His postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible. The tone is anecdotal, breezy, and devoid of any commercialism.
On today’s show we’re excited to announce a new guest co-host, veteran broadcasting journalist, Angela Keen! She adds a new dimension to the show and is a delight to have on board. Angela is akamai (knowledgeable) and passionate about Hawaii …..a perfect fit for the show! We’re hoping she will do more with us Mahalo Angela
One of our most in-demand options for Hawaii vacationers is our island hopping packages; for the simple reason that people want to see and experience as much as possible while traveling. And Hawaii is the ultimate destination for inter-island exploration, as each island is merely 20 minutes from the next. However, there are what we call “guidelines” when it comes to island hopping, mainly for the purpose of maximizing your vacation and minimizing your stress.
For example, we recommend a minimum of four days of relaxation on each island, which includes your travel days. We believe it is possible to do three days per island, but this greatly decreases your chill out time, as 2 out of your 3 vacation days are allocated for travel. Although flights to outer islands are so quick you’ll wonder why you didn’t just swim, they do require packing, driving, waiting in lines, security checks, and everything else that comes along with flying. You may not think this is important, but we know from experience that most people become tired after even the shortest flights.
And what about timing? How will you know to coordinate your flight with your hotel check-in time? Or which flight option is better for your day’s activities? Or which airport is closer to your final destination on the island? This is where it can get quite tricky, which is why we suggest using a local travel company for scheduling. With so many variables, it is important these factors run smoothly, otherwise you run the risk of cutting back on your leisure time.
Maybe you didn’t know this, but Maui harbors three different airports; Kahului is the main one on the northwestern side, and the two smaller airports, Kapalua and Hana are on the west and east sides, respectively. It is worth knowing the flight options, timing, and proximity of these airports to your hotel, as this will help maximize your time on the island. Flying into an airport that is a 10 minute drive from your hotel is a much better convenience factor than a 45 minute drive, which is very common to book when you’re unsure of the variables. Again, we recommend an experienced travel agent, and we are more than happy to accommodate and help you with all these seemingly small factors during your travel. It’s what we do best, and our travel agents are specialized in this exact type of planning.
Another big aspect of island hopping is the cost. You can book an inter-island flight for anywhere from $60 to $100, depending on whether you are flying roundtrip, but also depend heavily on your timing and advance planning. Flights out on Fridays are the most expensive, hands down. Because everyone wants to fit in an island hop during the weekend, this spikes Friday flights to the most expensive inter-island travel day of the week. Also, booking flights last minute is a bad idea because this is another way to jack up the cost of travel. If you book a multi-island package in advance, this is all taken care of way ahead of time, saving you money and ultimately, your time.
A good way to island hop if you have limited vacation time is to do a daytime trip, where you leave in the morning from one island, let’s say Oahu, and explore for the whole day on, let’s say Kauai, and then fly back to Oahu in the evening or at night. This allows for a power packed day full of adventure and traveling, and for some, this is more ideal than spending multiple nights on multiple islands. It also saves money, because you are not paying for hotel stays, transportation, or meals in various locations, which can sometimes be time consuming and difficult if you are unfamiliar with the territory.
If you’re traveling to Hawaii and have at least a week of vacation time, we highly recommend a multi-island destination package. You get to see a lot more of Hawaii than just one island, which offers a more diverse experience and a whole lotta fun! Check out our rates or check us out online and fill out a quote request form. We’ll have a price quote ready for you sooner than you can say, “that’s the cheapest island hop Hawaii deal ever! Book it!
Hawaii Vacation News
2012 Maui Film Festival Gives Accolades to the Frontrunner
This year, Maui’s Film Festival runs from June 13th-17th, with big name actors and movie masters such as Owen Wilson, Clint Eastwood, Zoe Deschanel, and Adrian Brody as honoraries at the event since its inception in 2000. With the beauty and vibrancy of the cinematography, on screen scenery, actors, and guests who attend, it’s hard to beat the splendor of the event. But leave it to Valley Isle Maui to steal the show. With its verdant golf plateau as the grounds for the event, mountainous and sun setting background, and colorful landscape, this outdoor setting for the festival is the real showstopper.
The Maui Film Festival takes place in Wailea, located on Maui’s south side, which is known for it’s crescent-shaped beaches and world-class golf. The event takes place under the stars, just after sun set, at the Wailea Gold & Emerald Golf Course’s Celestial Cinema. Located at the base of Mount Haleakala, this is one of Maui’s most gorgeous expanses of landscaping, within the desirable resort community of Wailea.
The Film Festival runs 35 features and 15 short films, with newly included culinary events throughout the week. Thomas Steinhauer, general manager at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea states that the film festival showcases some of Maui’s best natural attributes. In response to the event, he also says, "To me the film festival is one of those destination promotion events that are so crucial," he said. "It’s unique because it’s relaxed, it’s typically Maui, it has this incredible outdoor venue [and] during that particular week we always have a visible uptick in leisure travel."
If you’re visiting Maui during mid-June, be sure to buy tickets to one of the most spectacular outdoor amphitheatres in the country. Maui is sure to please any movie buff or vacationer with its ideal setting for this important film festival.
Island Air Adds More Flights
Island Air, an Oahu based commuter airline specializing in inter-island flights is adding two more flights between Honolulu and Kapalua, West Maui starting June 15th, 2012. This brings the number of inter-island flight options between the two locations up to 12 for Island Air, giving vacationers, locals, and business travelers, and other frequent flyers greater variety for flight times and availabilities.
Mokulele Airlines, one of Island Airs competitors, is scheduled to increase their flights between Honolulu and Kapalua two weeks later on July 1st, 2012, who is launching four daily roundtrip flights.
Island Air uses a 37-passenger aircraft carrier in between islands, a smaller plane which flies lower than the other jets, allowing passengers an unparalleled view of the scenery below. They also offer complimentary coffee, water, and POG juice upon request. This increase of flights between the two islands is based on improving market performance, states Lesley Kaneshiro, Island Air CEO. She also says, "The West Maui traveling community has been solid and we’ve been anticipating growth for quite some time", which is good news for travelers and the tourism bureau.
Since 2006 Bruce has been writing and producing the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast and the Hawaii Vacation Blog which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. His postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible. The tone is anecdotal, breezy, and devoid of any commercialism.
Since 2006 Bruce has been writing and producing the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast and the Hawaii Vacation Blog which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. His postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible. The tone is anecdotal, breezy, and devoid of any commercialism.
When you come to Hawaii, it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and try new things
We asked our Facebook followers to give us some insight about how they’ve stepped out of their comfort zone while vacationing in Hawaii, and we received some great feedback. While some folks have faced their fears with zip lining and parasailing, others have branched out and tried local foods like poi and loco mocos. Some still have aspirations and dreams of how they plan to go beyond their limits with water sports, dolphin swims, or surfing. A trip to Hawaii can be as adventurous or as relaxing as you’d like, but today let’s focus on the thrill-seeking aspect of travel.
Thrills don’t always necessarily mean a physical adventure. Stepping out of your comfort zone can mean anything from trying a different type of food or clothing style, to branching beyond normal music preferences. And what better time to try these new things than when you’re on vacation? Especially when vacationing in a place like Hawaii, where customs and traditions remain rich and alive in the everyday culture. Plus Hawaii’s natural landscapes allow a multitude of adventures for the everyday vacationer, from small exploits like hiking to bigger (scary) journeys like shark cage diving. You’re in a playground while visiting Hawaii, so take advantage of it and return home with at the very least, a killer story.
A few of our Facebook commentators mentioned they tried poi. This is a traditional food that Polynesians, Hawaiians, and many other locals still eat today, but is an ancient staple that was considered a sacred part of daily Hawaiian life. Made from taro that has been mashed and pounded into a viscous liquid, many visitors get the chance to try poi at luaus, but you can find it at most grocery stores island-wide. I think you either love or hate poi, and personally, I could do without. But at least I’ve tried it! And it’s a good feeling knowing I’ve branched out and tried a type of food that is completely outside of my norm.
Water activities are a huge hurdle for many visitors to Hawaii. A few weeks back we talked about how limiting (or not) Hawaii is if you don’t know how to swim. But this week we’re saying, get out there and create some experiences, water related or not! Hawaii is an ideal place for ocean sports such as surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, SUPing, and more. It is a much more agreeable place to jump in the water than any other location in the Continental US, because the water is warm and refreshing and the sun dries you off in minutes. Plus the colors are so tempting it would drive you mad if you didn’t at least wade in the tropical shallows. It is a great place to test your limitations and see how brave you really are. There is something about Hawaii that brings out the adventure seeker in many people, even if it is just tasting a different food or attempting a different sport. I know I can say this is true for myself while living here in Hawaii.
When you step outside of your comfort zone, most times you receive the reward of personal achievement and powerful accomplishment. This feeling is truly something we should experience every… month… or so. Branching out and trying something different gives us fulfillment beyond what we experience on a day-to-day level. And fulfillment is something everyone seeks; it’s what we question about our lives or struggle with every day. Humans constantly strive for fulfillment in their lives. So this being said, why not branch out and try something new or different? Even if it is something like tasting sashimi for the first time, swimming into the deeper parts of the ocean, or renting a mo-ped instead of a car, these are the fun experiences that ultimately build our character and give us satisfaction. These feelings also ultimately become deliciously addictive, so explore away and find yourself in an experience you never thought probable. Don’t lose your nerve, because my guess is, your new experience will always be worth it.
Hawaii Vacation News
Alaska Airlines Adds Seasonal Flights to Kauai from Portland, OR
To jump-start this holiday season, Alaska Airlines is adding four additional flights to Kauai from Portland, Oregon starting November 5th. This addition to their flights is a precursor to the higher demands for trips to Hawaii, generating $12.7 million in visitor spending and $1.4 million in tax revenue in the state of Hawaii, a calculation made by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Alaska Airlines will now be operating 26 flights to Hawaii from Portland, including non-stop flights to Honolulu, Maui, and Kona.
President and CEO of the Hawaiian Tourism Authority (HTA) Mike McCartney states that the seasonal increase of direct flights to Kauai is great news for the tourism economy. With this new boost in visitor spending and tax revenue, Hawaii will be off to a good start for the holiday rush of vacationers. "The four weekly flights is an indication of the continued demand for travel to the Hawaiian Islands and will help to distribute the benefits of tourism across our state,” continues McCartney.
Alaska Airlines flights from Portland to Kauai during the month of December are currently ranging anywhere from $497 per person one-way to $669 per person one-way and beyond. So despite the increase of flight options, prices are not dropping any lower than roughly $900 per person roundtrip for a Christmas vacation in the Hawaiian tropics. Even on sites like Priceline and Travelocity, flights are steadily increasing by the day. So if you’re looking into planning your winter trip to the islands, we highly recommend looking into Hawaii Aloha Travel for great rates and low prices on both airfare and hotel accommodations.
Quiet Garden Isle Gets Busier with Increased Tourism
Although Kauai used to be one of the world’s best-kept secrets for vacationing and travel, the cat is outta the bag now, which is great news for tourists. With over one million visitors in 2011, tourism on Kauai increased by 6.3% with visitor spending jumping 18.3% to $1.3 billion. Although this may be due to the island’s desirable landscapes, quiet towns, and relaxing lifestyle, a bigger contributing factor may be its increase in hotel and resort occupancy.
With renovations to the Sheraton Kauai and the Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu, St. Regis Princeville’s opening on the north shore, and new resorts such as Koa Kea and Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort popping up, Kauai has greater hotel accommodations than ever before. It’s no wonder why Kauai edged both Oahu and Maui on visitor spending and arrivals growth in 2011. "We’ve turned a corner, and I really do think things are moving in the right direction," said Sue Kanoho, executive director for the Kauai Visitors Bureau.
The economic recession that arguably began in 2007 forced Hawaii tourism and ultimately the state’s budget to take a major hit. 2011 has been the first big swing of upward motion for state recovery, with Kauai coming back faster than the other islands due to its newer inventory. Joseph Toy, Hospitality Advisors’ president and CEO believes the new renovations and hotel developments are the factors. Which means, 2012 will be Kauai’s debut for the best business to date!
The Kauai Visitors Bureau also gives credit to Hollywood as a contributor to more tourism. Feature films like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Descendants, and Soul Surfer, as well as older flicks like Jurassic Park, South Pacific, and Tropic Thunder have continuously brought visitors to the soil of Kauai. Sue Kanoho, mentioned above, states that 20% of those surveyed under age of 50 said movies influenced their decision to visit Kauai in 2011.
Record Visitor Arrivals and Spending in 2012
The state of Hawaii has broken its record visitor arrivals and spending estimates, from $12.62 billion in 2007 and an arrivals high of $7.52 million in 2006. After The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) revised the 2012 statistics on May 9th, it has been released that Hawaii expects 7.7 million visitor arrivals and $13.9 billion expenditures.
These numbers were first forecasted in January 2012, but after the May revision, statistics have increased by 6.5% (for visitor arrivals) and 9% (for spending). "We are happy that the momentum for our tourism economy remains strong. At this point, we are happy with the pace and we are exceeding our targets," said Mike McCartney, HTA president and CEO. The good news too, is that this tourism is spread amongst all Hawaii’s islands, not just Oahu, which has been typical in the previous years. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, travelers spent $12.58 billion within Hawaii in 2011, an increase of 15.6% year over year, not to mention the second-largest amount in Hawaii’s history.
Some other interesting increases:
- The number of visitors traveling to Hawaii for meetings, conventions and other incentives jumped 25% from January 2011, while average daily spending per person rose nearly $10, now up to $192 a day.
- Arrivals from the U.S. West were up 3.3%
- Arrivals from the U.S. East climbed 4.1%.
- Travelers from Japan increased 3.9%
- Canadian visitors rose by 9%.
- Cruise arrivals surge 22.7% in January 2012 to 13,764 visitors.
Weekly Activities for 5/17/2012
MAMo Maoli Arts Month- Native Hawaiian artists and cultural practitioners come together during the month of May for their 7th annual celebration of the Native Hawaiian arts community. Upcoming events include the 7th Annual Native Hawaiian Arts Market this Saturday and Sunday at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, from 9:00am till 5:00pm and the MAMo Eats the Streets on Friday, May 25th from 4:00pm till 9:00pm at 555 South Street in Honolulu. Come check out the Hawaiian culture through their vibrant art community and join in on some local fun.
Lantern Floating Hawaii- Come celebrate Memorial Day Hawaii style at Magic Island in Waikiki by setting a candle-lit lantern afloat in the tropical waters. This ceremony has had locals and visitors alike coming year after year to commemorate our American soldiers who have died during war. This year they’re expecting 40,000 to gather around the island, with the program beginning at 6:00pm and lasting 90 minutes. Musical performances, speeches, and chants will provide entertainment, while the Hawaii Convention Center will offer free shuttle services and free parking to all attendees. And in case you’re wondering, all lanterns are collected at the end of the ceremony and saved again for the next year.
Honolulu Farmers Market- If you’re looking for a late afternoon activity (and you’re sick of hearing the word “happy hour”) than check out the Honolulu Farmers Market at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center on Ward Avenue and Kapiolani Blvd. They are open every Wednesday from 4:00pm till 7:00pm and offer shoppers and visitors an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, floral bouquets, crafts, handmade goodies, and more.
Waikiki Artfest- Saturday and Sunday, May 19th and 20th, the Handcrafters and Artisan Alliance is sponsoring the Waikiki Artfest. Come browse through fine arts and crafts booths, taste great local foods, and watch live entertainment at the Kapiolani Park. Admission is free, so make sure to check this event out and support the local artists of Oahu.
Big Island Film Festival- This weekend, come stop by The Shops at Mauna Lani or The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii on the Big Island to watch movies screened in the warm outdoors. Beginning on Thursday, May 24th and lasting until Monday, May 28th, filmmakers, family, and friends gather together to watch some of the most artistic independent films of the year. The festival also has Ohana (family) films, which are free to the public. For more information, or a complete program with dates and times, visit their website at bigislandfilmfestival.com
Since 2006 Bruce has been writing and producing the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast and the Hawaii Vacation Blog which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. His postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible. The tone is anecdotal, breezy, and devoid of any commercialism.
We posed the question on our Facebook page, “For the gals Bikini or One piece?? For guys Speedo or Board shorts?” and received some interesting, if not enlightening responses.
Many of the women responded with comments about wearing one-pieces and board shorts due to body image issues. I have a few things to say about this. First, one-pieces have made a major comeback in the fashion industry, and are currently not (anywhere near) what they used to be. One-pieces today don’t have to be that regular old Hawaiian flower print from a decade back, they can actually be sexy, strappy, and printed with unique fabrics. If women are having issues about their body in a bikini, no worries, because one-pieces, now more commonly referred to as monokinis, as just as hot! Plus, in many cases, a one-piece bathing suit is more practical for water sports such as surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and anything else that requires some physical activity. But don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of wahines out there rocking the teeny bikini while shredding waves so don’t be fooled. But wearing what you’re comfortable with is what it comes down to.
Second, body issues are something everyone deals with. Seriously. Even the most fit looking man or woman may have qualms with the shape of their hips, size of their booty, or lack of tone in their arms. Whatever issue you have, rest assured that the person sitting next to you has something of equal embarrassment. And here’s a tip on feeling good during your vacation: often times, people’s insecurities only crop up around people they know, such as family members or friends. When you’re on vacation, you can walk down the street, shop at the local grocery store, or lay out on the beach without worrying you might bump into someone you know. You become anonymous (except to those you are traveling with, unless you decide to forget them too!) when on vacation, so you might as well leave your worries at your doorstep on the mainland. And when you get to your Hawaiian destination, you will also be comforted by the fact that many women (and men) wear swimsuits that you think are inappropriate for their body type, which usually makes you feel better about your own situation. But just as soon as this judgment passes, so too will your insecurities. Let loose, you’re in Hawaii!
Things to do in Hawaii for the Week of May 10th
An Evening of Hula and Music on Big Island- Next week, on Wednesday May 16th, you can enjoy a special Hawaiian cultural presentation from local performers. These dancers and musicians wish to share their love for art and tradition with their talents, so come share in the aloha at this free event. Located at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Event begins at 7:00pm and lasts until 8:00pm. Admission is free.
Live Music at Sunset, Hard Rock Café in Waikiki – This Friday, May 11th, and every Friday after, come enjoy live acoustic rock sessions at the popular spot for mingling, social drinking, and kicking off the weekend with some fun, at the Hard Rock Café. Music begins at 5:00pm and goes until 7:00pm, with happy hour specials like $4 beers, $5 well drinks, and $6 glasses of wine. Free cover. This is a great place to start your Friday evening, along Beach Walk Avenue in Waikiki.
Art at the Zoo Fence in Waikiki – Head down to the grassy area just outside the Waikiki Zoo fence lines and check out some of Hawaii’s most talented artists. An array of styles and mediums, these artists give personal introductions to their works, as well as a chance for guests to purchase their pieces. It’s a great activity to walk up on if you’re in the Waikiki area, so come visit the artists and get your fill of fine art. The exhibit is every Saturday and Sunday during the month of May, starting at 9:00am and lasting until 4:00pm. The walk through is free. Located at Kalakaua Ave. & Monsaratt Avenue in Waikiki.
Seabury Hall Craft Fair in Maui’s Upcountry – Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at the Seabury Hall Craft Fair in Maui. Always on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, this craft fair showcases over 100 local artisans, with entertainment ranging from live music to great food to a silent auction. Come celebrate spring and mothers worldwide at this friendly festival. Event begins at 9:00am and lasts until 5:00pm at the Seabury Hall, located at 480 Olinda Road in Makawao, Maui.
Hawaii Vacation News
High Ranks for Hawaii From TripAdvisor
A few weeks ago we had a discussion on TripAdvisor and its reliability. Despite what some may say about the customer based review company, TripAdvisor is undeniably one of the top leading travel guides and research websites in the country. And they just released their Travelers Choice Poll for 2012.
Out of the top 25 U.S. travel destinations, Honolulu came in at 5th place, and made 20th for top world destinations. Two more of Hawaii’s own finished within the top 25 U.S. travel destination rankings as well, with Lahaina, Maui coming in at 21st place and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island coming in at 25th place. Award winners were decided based on millions of traveler reviews from TripAdvisor, with destination popularity based on TripAdvisor user’s favorites and highest rated locations around the United States and the world.
So if you’ve been debating about whether to plan your next tropical vacation to Mexico or Hawaii, make your decision based on popularity, because we all know the reviews don’t lie! But interestingly enough, the number 1voted top U.S. city to travel to was New York, so apparently travelers prefer a smoggy city over the relaxing tropics… just kidding. New York is amazing. But regardless, Hawaii is one of the best places to plan your next (relaxing) vacation to, so come visit us in the tropics!
Hawaiian Airlines Increase Inter-Island Flights
Good news for those looking to island hop this summer. Round trip inter-island flights from Maui are increasing by 25%, with daily non-stop flights between Maui and Los Angeles to resume this summer as well. Hawaiian Airlines have increased by three new gates at the Kahului Airport in Maui, and, earlier this year, added three new Boeing 717-200 aircraft carriers to it’s fleet. If you’re looking to take holiday this summer in Maui, roundtrip flights from California to the island will be seeing the biggest increase. Flights from Oakland will commence daily, and flights from San Jose will be offered five days a week. Early flights out will allow for earlier flights in, meaning that inter-island hops from Maui are made easier for passengers. Maui may just be your new main hub for flying to Hawaii, so check out our prices on deals to Lahaina!
Quick News Tip:
Hawaiian Airlines has a new baggage policy for inter-island hops. You may be charged an additional check through baggage fee if you’ve booked flights on two separate tickets. (Meaning a ticket purchased for the flight from the mainland to Oahu and a separate ticket purchased for the flight from Oahu to your final Hawaii destination). Hawaiian Airlines released this comment, “…we can no longer afford to accommodate through-checked baggage as a courtesy to our guests unless the travel is on a single ticket.” This new change will take effect on June 1, 2012. Bummer.
Disney Cruise Line Now Offers Hawaii Port of Call
Cruise to Hawaii- Disney style! With Disney Cruise Line’s newest port of call in Hawaii, you can now take a 14-day adventure around the archipelago to the islands of Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. May 7th, 2012 marked the first docking of the Disney Wonder in the Honolulu port, which left from Los Angeles fourteen days prior.
For those who think the Disney cruise is only for kids and young families, rest assured that actually 20% of the cruise line’s guests don’t even bring their kids! But if you are planning it as a family-time vacation, Disney does a great job keeping the little ones entertained and thoroughly pleased. So adults get just as much relaxation and fun as the kids do. At every port of call, travelers get to explore the individual islands for a full day, making the cruise a desirable way to see the breadth of Hawaii.
You can look into future Disney cruises on their website, http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/, but unfortunately, there is currently only one more cruise date booked to Hawaii for 2012, which is in October. The initial one began as a trial to test the popularity of the cruise, but with it seemingly being a success, you can plan to see a broader array of cruise options to Hawaii soon
Since 2006 Bruce has been writing and producing the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast and the Hawaii Vacation Blog which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. His postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible. The tone is anecdotal, breezy, and devoid of any commercialism.
Published by Bruce Fisher
On today’s show we’re excited to announce a new guest co-host, veteran broadcasting journalist, Angela Keen! She adds a new dimension to the show and is a delight to have on board. Angela is akamai (knowledgeable) and passionate about Hawaii …..a perfect fit for the show! We’re hoping she will do more with us Mahalo Angela
One of our most in-demand options for Hawaii vacationers is our island hopping packages; for the simple reason that people want to see and experience as much as possible while traveling. And Hawaii is the ultimate destination for inter-island exploration, as each island is merely 20 minutes from the next. However, there are what we call “guidelines” when it comes to island hopping, mainly for the purpose of maximizing your vacation and minimizing your stress.
When you come to Hawaii, it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and try new things
We posed the question on our Facebook page, “For the gals Bikini or One piece?? For guys Speedo or Board shorts?” and received some interesting, if not enlightening responses. 
