Hawaii Vacation Deals and News Roundup for October 3rd

Here’s our mixed plate of Hawaii travel news for this Aloha Friday.

Are you a podcaster or blogger who would like to enhance your skills and meet super cool people? Check out Hawaii Podcamp and Wordcamp, a free unconference in Honolulu this October 24th and 25th.
Northwest Airlines is offering $50 cash back and a chance to win $10,000 when you purchase your ticket through PayPal. (Hattip to Kayak.)
Melissa Chang takes on the role of Anthony Bourdain to list the bizarre foods that you may find around Honolulu. There’s some eye-openers for sure, like, Basashi which is horse meat sashimi. Check out all ten frames.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is really on a quest to be more environmentally responsible. Their most recent initiative is the installation of a solar panel system to provide clean, renewable energy for the resort. The solar panels were installed in the employee parking lot and play a dual role of shading employees’ cars. I love that! The photo on the right shows these new panels. Kudos to the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort!
If you’re going to be on the Big Island this month and you’d like to take a break from all the fresh fish and opt for a nice steak, Ruth Chris at the Shops of Mauna Lani has a second anniversary deal. The offer includes a three-course dinner for two for $99 (plus tax and gratuity). For more information call (808) 887-0800.
Here’s an excuse to go out and buy new running shoes this weekend. You’ll need to start training now so that you can enter the inaugural Kauai Marathon in September 2009.
BootsnAll has a great interview with Keoni Wagner, Vice President of Public Affairs for Hawaiian Airlines.
Today is the last day to get enter your prediction of the 2008 humpback whale arrival. If you’ve not already guessed and entered the contest, please do so today!