Hawaii Vacation News

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Bath and Body Open New Location

Bath & Body Works, a popular body care store that can be found nationwide, is opening up a new location in Oahu’s Pearlridge Mall. Only the second Bath & Body Location in Hawaii, the first one opened its doors in May 2011 at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. “The 3,350 square-foot store will be located in the Pearlridge Uptown section of the mall, on the second-floor level between Children’s Place and Ecko Unlimited. The space was formerly occupied by Razor Concepts, which moved to the first floor of Pearlridge Uptown.” –Pacific Business News

Price Busters will be opening a seasonal store in the Pearlridge Mall this weekend for the upcoming 2012 holidays. The store has already hired 67 seasonal employees, helping out the low unemployment rate in Hawaii, with other national retailers such as Walmart, Toys “R” Us, and Target planning to hire hundreds of new employees for the holiday season as well.

Nordstrom Rack and Pier 1 Imports will both relocate their current Honolulu stores to the Ward Village Shops in 2013. This will be the shopping center’s second phase of construction, and the two shops will be part of the large complex that also houses TJ Maxx.

Southwest Airlines Expanding Internationally

Over water flights are already in action for Southwest Airlines, to the Caribbean and Mexico, via AirTran, which they acquired in 2011. However, Southwest just barely approved for over water flights by flight attendants for other international travel, specifically Hawaii this week. The Southwest Airlines flight attendant union voted this past Friday in agreement of the new contract, with barely 52% voting yes. 5,873 out of 10, 353 eligible voters participated in the decision of the contract change. These changes need to be made before Southwest Airlines can acquire international routes or have flight attendants be trained for over water safety procedures. “Pilots already have approved contract changes that will enable Southwest to operate over water flights. The airline still must clear operational and regulatory hurdles before flying to the Caribbean or Hawaii becomes a reality.” -Jerry Limone, Travel Weekly

Hawaii Has Highest Gas Prices in the US

Not shocking, Hawaii holds the highest price for a gallon of gasoline in the entire United States, with the average price at $4.41 per gallon. California comes in at a distant second with prices at $4.13 per gallon. Gas prices rose in most areas of Hawaii this week, but the overall statewide average remains relatively the same. ““The price of oil has dropped significantly in the past week,” AAA Hawaii Regional Manager Diane Peterson said in a statement. “But that dropoff hasn’t yet made its way to the retail pumps on the Mainland or here.”” –Pacific Business News