Kauai Marriott Resort Pool -- one of the biggest in the state of Hawaii.

* Outrigger Resorts is offering deals up to 65% off with the promotional code DREAM. Outrigger hotels and condos are located on all the major islands.

* Aston Hotels and Resorts is offering a third night free deal. You can double the deal to pay for four nights and get two nights free. Choose from any of the hotel or condo properties listed on this page from all the major islands.   You must book this Threebie Freebie deal by February 17, 2012.

* One of our favorite Kauai hotels, the Kauai Marriott Resort  is offer a special rate of $209 per night for a pool view room. This rate is good through May with a couple blackout dates.

* Via TravelZoo, Celebrity Cruises is offering a special deal on a roundtrip cruise to Hawaii from San Diego. This 15-night cruise starts at $1099. The first 100 cabins booked will receive $200 in onboard credit per cabin. See this link for more details. This deal will likely sell out quickly.

* The second annual Celebrity Chef Tour benefiting the James Beard Foundation returns to the  Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on January 20 & 21, 2012 bringing an impressive line-up of superstar chefs including Jonathan Waxman, Ming Tsai, Tyler Florence, Sam Choy and celebrity cocktail mixologist, Manny Hinojosa. See this link for tickets and more information. Food-lovers are invited to make a weekend of it and take advantage of Mauna Lani Bay’s special Celebrity Chef Tour room rates with rooms starting from $230 per night plus tax – that’s a super bargain, folks!

* The first blog carnival of Aloha for 2012 is hot off the presses.

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* Hawaiian Airlines has some nice sale fares again – like $298 roundtrip from San Jose to Maui. You need to book by December 19 for travel between January 5 – March 14, 2012.

* SpeediShuttle is now the exclusive on-demand shuttle service at Honolulu International Airport. Arriving passengers can book door-to-door service to any destination point between Kahala and Ko Olina on Oahu at designated kiosks strategically located throughout the terminals or through greeters dressed in aloha attire who can issue boarding passes using tablet PCs. For more information, or for booking online visit SpeediShuttle.com.

* Big Island visitors can now take advantage of 10 of the island’s best-known cultural, historical, and science centers at a discount.  For $8, the Big Island Museum Pass provides up to a net $54 in savings on entry fees for two adults to Hawaii’s top educational attractions. Participating museums: Lyman Museum, `Imiloa Astonomy Center, Pacific Tsunami, Laupahoehoe Train, Anna Ranch, Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Space Center, Hulihe`e Palace, Kona Historical Society’s Greenwell Store and Kona Coffee Farm, and Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. See this link for more information on this discount.

* Maui’s Kapalua Spa has some special offers and discounts.

* It’s no secret that we love Lanai, so this Civil Beat article about an uncertain future is a bit concerning.

* For more aloha reading, check out the newest blog Carnival of Aloha.

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Aloha again from Hawaii’s Big Island. I hope you’ll enjoy this photo of last night’s sunset while reading these brief news and deal items.

*  Hawaiian Airlines announced it will begin non-stop service from New York’s JFK airport to Honolulu in June 2012.

*  Kauai’s Grand Hyatt is on sale for $259 per night including two buffet breakfasts for the price of one. See all the details here.

*  Maui Ocean Center is offering a 5% discount for online bookings. You must book this November for dates beyond November.

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Let’s all grab a board to surf these Hawaii vacation news waves.

* The newly renovated Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel is offering a special rate of $105 per night for a city view room. (To see the deal, click on the “Special Offers” tab at this link.) This hotel is directly across from Waikiki Beach. It’s hard to top that location with this rate! By the way, Aston has more hotels and condos on sale all across Hawaii.

* Outrigger resorts are on sale all across Hawaii this fall. One of the best deals on this sale list is $109 Partial Ocean View Room with Free Buffet Breakfast at Keauhou Beach Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island.

* If you liked what you saw from our Aulani tour, then you might want to take advantage of the Grand Opening Offer – 5th night free. With this offer, rates effectively start at $319 per night plus taxes and fees. That’s definitely higher than the average Oahu hotel rate, but Aulani offers complimentary amenities that are above and beyond the typical Oahu hotel — like their awesome water park and their evening Starlit Hui Polynesian show. If you’re thinking of going, you can pick up some helpful money saving tips from The Vacation Gals.

* Enter the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Sweepstakes for a chance to win a fab 4-night trip to Oahu’s North Shore. See the details here and terms and conditions here. Open to US residents 18 and older only.

* Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on Hawaii’s Big Island is giving away a 2-night stay to a lucky facebook fan. You can enter here.

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Here’s a fresh rainbow of news and deals from the islands of Aloha.

*  Royal Lahaina Resort offers a great Maui vacation value in their Royal Experience Package.  Guests booking this package enjoy Ocean View accommodations in the resort’s refurbished Lahaina Kai Tower, Daily Breakfast Buffet in the oceanfront Royal Ocean Terrace Restaurant, and evening sunset cocktail & dinner sail along the West Maui Coastline and an evening at the resort’s popular  Luau Show which includes an open bar and buffet dinner.  2012 Royal Experience package rates start at $265 per night.  For additional information or reservations  visit  www.royallahaina.com or call 800-222-5642.

*  You know we at Go Visit Hawaii love luxury for less and this deal from a luxe Kohala Coast resort on Hawaii’s Big Island is a steal. Book a 5-night stay at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel between October 12 and December 17, 2011 for less than $200 per night. You’ll also receive your choice of golf for two ($450 value) or luau for two (regularly $192).

*  Here’s some fun news from Kauai – Kauai Mini Golf opened on the North Shore. “This is not your typical miniature golf course. There are no clown’s mouths or windmills to shoot through. This 18-hole putting green style course is set amongst beautiful botanical gardens representing the different eras of Hawaii’s culture. Meanwhile, water hazards, pipe shots, and many other obstacles make for a fun and challenging experience. Along the way you will travel through Hawaii’s history, learning about the islands’ storied past and beautiful tropical flora.” For more information visit www.kauaiminigolf.com.

*  Do you love the tastes of Hawaii? Check out the Edible Hawaiian Islands iPhone and iPad app that’s free to download though October 31, 2011.

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Ko Olina Sunset

Since I’m missing those gorgeous Ko Olina sunsets, I just had to post a photo of one to kick start this news and deals edition.

Lava flowing down the crater side of Pu'u O'o. Photo credit to USGS.

* Volcano activity on Hawaii’s Big Island has been putting on a nightly glow show. The general public isn’t allowed to hike to the remote location where lava is churning and flowing. Though you can’t get dangerously close to the active lava at the moment, there are several points within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you can view the spectacular orange glow of lava per this map at night. Don’t forget to pack a flashlight if you’re going to view it.

* Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center opens their popular Haunted Lagoon on September 30th. Canoes run from 6:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from September 30 to October 22, and then Monday through Saturday from October 24 to 31. I got a chance to experience the Haunted Lagoon last year. See my review:  Visit Polynesian Cultural Center’s Haunted Lagoon For A Spooky Fun Time.

* You may recall that we recently stayed at Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on our Maui trip. I’ll be writing a full review soon, but the skinny on it is two big thumbs up from Andy and me.  I found this super deal for $299 per night plus free breakfast for two and a $100 resort credit.

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Hamoa Beach near Hana in Maui

You may have thought we were napping in the Hawaii news and deals department, but we were actually spending 11 days in Maui. Well, truth be known, we did catch a catnap at beautiful Hamoa Beach one afternoon. Other than that, we were on-the-go, exploring Maui most of the time. So, we’ve got some news and deals catching up to do with today’s post.

* From TravelZoo, check out this Hawaii deal — $795 for a three-night stay at the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. That works out to only $265 per night to stay at a luxury Hawaii resort and you can extend the deal for a six-night stay at the same rate. On top of that outstanding rate, you also get to choose between one round of golf or a 50-minute massage per stay. Bonus! This resort is definitely one of our favorites. See my review of Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay. Andy and I will probably snag this deal for ourselves.

* Another excellent TravelZoo, the Kauai Marriott Resort is offering $199 rate for stays between September 17, 2011 and January 17, 2012 with Christmas and New Years blackout dates. We love staying at this Kauai Marriott. See this link for the deal details.

*  Dinner and a show for $25? That’s a deal and you’ll find it at Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center. You get free dinner at the newly renovated Gateway Restaurant when you purchase a $25 ticket to see Ha: Breath of Life night show. (See my review of Ha: Breath of Life.)  Along with the physical renovation of the Gateway Restaurant structure, the menu has also been improved with a brand new “Island Feast” menu including dishes such as sushi, sweet potato salad, mahimahi with teriyaki sauce, Fijian chicken curry, roast beef, Maori potato top, Samoan fa’alifu (with coconut cream) staples, and supoesi — papaya-tapioca dessert, to name just a few of the items.

* While we were on Maui, we popped into the Makena Beach & Golf Resort to check it out. We even got a peek at their newly “beautified” rooms, which look great! They’re offering some fantastic deals at the moment, including a “Room & Ride” package that starts at $199 per night including a partial ocean view room and compact rental car.

* Honua Kai Resort in the Kaanapali area of Maui is offering a fall special for stays between now and December 22, 2011, with blackout dates of November 18-27. The deal knocks off 50% plus you get a 5th night free on all studio, one bedroom and two bedroom suites. See this link for more information.

* Outrigger is offering Hawaii vacation sweepstakes, ‘Be Here Hawaii’. Two grand-prize winners will receive roundtrip flights for two on Hawaiian Airlines plus a six-night stay at  an Outrigger-managed hotel or condo of their preference on Kauai orHawaii Island. This online contest runs from September 6  to October 4, 2011.

* Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is giving away a two-night stay to a lucky facebook fan. To enter to win,  follow this link and the instructions.

* The Mouse family, Mickey and Minnie, have just opened their new home in Hawaii at Oahu’s Aulani Disney Resort & Spa. See KHON’s video and article on opening day. We’ve been invited to the official grand opening and are in the process of making plans to attend this big event. We can’t want to check it out and tell you all about it!

* One of my bestest Hawaii blog pals  has just published the latest edition of the blog Carnival of Aloha. This blog carnival is celebrating its 4th anniversary. That’s like ancient in blog years. Congrats to Evelyn!

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Here’s this week’s fresh batch of Hawaii news and deals that you might go bananas over.

- Airfares to Hawaii are on a relatively good sale for fall and winter travel. Fly.com has compiled a useful list of some of the best round-trip fares including taxes. Here a sample of some of the better fares, in my opinion:

• Anchorage – Honolulu  $394
• Atlanta – Honolulu  $675
• Bellingham – Honolulu  $336
• Charlotte – Honolulu  $640
• Chicago – Honolulu  $675
• Dallas – Honolulu  $735
• Houston – Honolulu  $660
• New York City – Honolulu  $699
• Oakland – Kauai  $393
• Oakland – Maui  $393
• Portland – Honolulu  $396
• San Diego – Maui  $416
• San Jose – Kona, Big Island  $393

- Aston Hotels offers some great fall specials if you book by August 29. With rates starting as low as $79 per night.

- Want to find happy hour specials for pupus and a sunset drink? There’s an app for that. Check out the free app at Happy Hour Hawaii.

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Here’s what’s blooming in today’s Hawaii vacation news garden.

* Hawaii Five-0 fans can enter to win a trip to the new season premiere on Oahu and visit the set. See this link for more prize and entry details.

*  Do you like to golf? The Big Island’s Mauna Lanai Bay Hotel has an offer an ocean view guestroom, daily golf for two and use of TaylorMade rental clubs for $395. You must book by August 31 for stays through October 15, 2011. See more about this special and others at this link.

*  A new app you might want to download before your next Hawaii vacation is HulaCopter Hawaii. This app provides last-minute deals for Hawaii vacation activities. At the moment deals are currently focused on Oahu, but the owner plans to expand the app for other islands.

*  Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas have a sale on studio villas for $269 per night from September 1 through December 23., 2011, with a Thanksgiving blackout date. These villas come with a fully equipped kitchen and a washer and dryer. See more about this deal here.

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Hawaii sure knows how to put on a celebration. This July 4th will be no exception with outstanding fireworks all across the islands. I did some July 4th weekend rates and availability checking this morning and to my surprise, I found some excellent deals are still available. Here are some of the top deals I discovered:

Oahu
Honolulu and Waikiki will be hopping for July 4th. I found a great deal at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel for $159 per night for a standard room. Upgrade to an oceanfront room for only $50 more dollars per night. Rates include free daily breakfast!

Check out all Oahu’s July 4th Fireworks Celebrations

Maui
The Lahaina area is the place to be for July 4th on Maui. I found a couple of good deals in the popular Kaanapali Beach Resort. First at Kaanapali Beach Hotel, I found a garden view room for $186 per night.

For more luxury, I found mountain view rooms at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa for only $319 per night via our Hawaii hotel deal finder tool. Upgrade to an oceanview room for only $40 more per night.

See Maui’s July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations

Hawaii’s Big Island
On the Big Island, my top pick would be to stay in the Waikoloa Beach Resort as they’ll be hosting celebrations throughout the day at the two resort shopping centers. Then, in the evening Waikoloa will provide a July 4th fireworks display with live music. In Waikoloa, I found the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa for a rate of $199 per night for a garden view room. An oceanview room is only $50 more per day.

See Hawaii’s Big Island July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations.

Kauai
There are a couple of big July 4th celebrations happening on the Garden Isle. The most centrally located will be the 22nd Annual Concert in the Sky with entertainment and fireworks in Lihue. I found mountain view rooms at the Aqua’s Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue for $149 per night. Add another $40 per night for an oceanview room.

Check out Kauai’s July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations.

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So, as you can see with just a quick check, I found some excellent hotel deals near all the Independence Day action!

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Opaekaa Falls in Kauai

Here’s the best Hawaii vacation news and deals that flowed into my inbox.

*  How would you like to learn to shoot photos like a pro in one of the most photogenic places on earth? Well, you can do that at the Maui Photo Festival & Workshop scheduled August 24 – 28 in Kaanapali. Registration is $595, but you can save $100 by registering by June 20. Andy and I are excited to be making plans to go to this year’s event, especially after our friend Kris raved about his experience.  If you plan on going, please let us know.

*  Book your stay of 3 or more nights any Aqua hotel on Oahu, Maui, Kauai or Molokai and pay just $10 for your first night. For this 10th birthday deal, you must book by July 15th for travel dates between August 11 – December 22, 2011.

*  Want to have your wedding at Waikiki Beach but don’t know where to start the planning? Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach have launched new customized, all-inclusive wedding packages starting at $2,900 for 30 guests. Outrigger’s event planners will take care of all the details from the flowers and photographers to the food and filing paperwork. For more information, email beachfront.sales@outrigger.com or call (808)924-6041.

*  If you’re going to Oahu this summer, you might want to check out the excellent entertainment planned at the Honolulu Zoo each Wednesday through August 10th. Concert entry is only $3 and proceeds go towards conservation education. See the Wildest Show 2011 entertainment lineup.

*  Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk is offering the “Suite-est Deal” which includes $100 in “beach bucks” to be used at restaurants and shops at the Waikiki Beach Walk. Rates start at $269 for one-bedroom suites with complimentary breakfast and nightly Manager’s Reception. Read more about this deal here.

*  Lands’ End is giving away a Oahu vacation including round-trip airfare, accommodations for six nights, a kayak adventure and dinner for two. See all the entry details here.

*  Marin Magazine and Honua Kai Resort at Kaanapali Beach are hosting a photo contest. The winner gets a 4-night stay at Honua Kai and a $200 dining card for Dukes Beach House. See the contest entry details.

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*  I encourage you to take a look at fall fares to Hawaii. They’re surprisingly low and fall is an excellent time to go to Hawaii. Take a look at these low fares from around the country to Honolulu on Fly.com.  Some example fares to highlight:

• Cincinnati – Honolulu $457 roundtrip including taxes
• Richmond – Honolulu $517 roundtrip including taxes
• Providence – Honolulu $525 roundtrip including taxes
• Raleigh – Honolulu $515 roundtrip including taxes

*  The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island has a deal for $395 for an ocean view room. Valid travel dates are through October 15, 2011, but you must book before June 15. The published rate for an ocean view room is $695, so this deal represents a $300 savings per room per night. It’s also worth mentioning that there are no resort fees and guests enjoy many complimentary amenities at the Mauna Lani. This deal even includes free kids camp. Ask for the Summer Family Value Room with a View $395 deal or book online.

*  Wailea Beach Marriott is on sale through October at $199 per night, representing $140 savings. Note that there’s a $30 daily resort fee. You must book before June 6th. See more deal details here.

*  Maui’s Fairmont Kea Lani will be renovating from August 15 – December 16. During that time, you can take advantage of the Renovation with Aloha Breakfast Package starting at $254 per night and includes buffet breakfast for two daily (tax and gratuity included).

*  Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki is refreshing and renovating with a targeted completion for August 2011. You can check out their plans here.

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Let’s see what bits of Hawaii news we find on our path today.

-  From time to time, I tune into ABC’s Cougar Town. Tonight, I’ll be watching for sure as the crew heads to Hawaii. From the previews, it looks like the show was filmed at  Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore.

-  Book a five-night (or longer) stay at any one Outrigger’s six Maui condos and you’ll receive a complimentary Foodland grocery card with a value up to $150. The value of the grocery card depends on the size of the condo or studio that you book. Read all the conditions here. Staying in a condo in Hawaii is a great way to save money while adding privacy and conveniences.

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Let’s check out today’s fresh batch of Hawaii vacay deals and news.

* Win seven nights at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island with Endurance Conspiracy. See this Big Island sweepstakes here.

* Hawaiian Airlines is giving away 100,000 miles to a lucky HawaiianMiles member. For more details and entry, go here.

* Costco Travel has an excellent Maui Westin deal that’ll run you around $333 per night for two. That price also includes rental car, $200 resort credit, daily breakfast for two, plus one dinner for two. See this Costco deal here.

* AskAboutTravel.com has a super deal for the swank Ritz-Carlton Kapalua starting at $319 per night  with breakfast for two included and $100 resort credit. This deal is valid for stays now through June 20 and then again from August 15 to December 22, 2011. If you’re looking for a great honeymoon or anniversary spot, this would be an excellent choice. Check the deal details out here.

* Here’s a Kauai bargain for $89 per night at the Aston Aloha Beach, but only valid for travel between now and June 15 and then again from August 16 through September 30, 2011.

* Hawaii 2011 Entertainment Books are on sale for $12 with free shipping. If you’re going to Oahu before the end of October, these coupon books can really help you save money on entertainment and dining. See our conversation on the Hawaii Entertainment Book.

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Let’s take a peek at today’s news and deals roundup.

* Kauai’s newly renovated Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa is on sale for $249 per night for stays through June 15, 2011. You must book by April 19.

* This Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas deal caught my eye — $149 per night. This sale is valid for stays through June 20, 2011.

* Snag a JW Marriott Ihilani room for $179 for stays through July. This luxury resort has been recently renovated. See my review.

* Mark your calendar or set your DVR to watch the Travel Channel’s Bert the Conqueror visit Oahu. This Hawaii episode is set to air Sunday, April 17, 2011. Check your local listings.

* I’m pleased to hear that Puuhonau O Honaunau National Historical Park has recovered from the tsunami damage. Big Island Video News has a nice video segment reporting this good news.

* Polynesian Adventure Tours has added double-decker buses to hop on and off to see the sights of Honolulu.  These “Aloha buses” will follow a “Historic Route” during the day taking passengers through Waikiki towards downtown Honolulu with stops at Ala Moana Center, Ward Warehouse, Academy of Arts, Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha Statue, Chinatown, Aloha Tower and Hilo Hattie. From Hilo Hattie’s, passengers can transfer to a regular Polynesian Adventure Tour bus for a roundtrip to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, Aloha Stadium (when the Swap Meet and Marketplace is open) and Bishop Museum. A “Night Loop” schedule goes into effect at 5:30 p.m. that takes passengers through popular shopping and dining areas with Aloha Tower being the turnaround point. Tickets are priced at $39.99 for one day usage; $49.99 for two days; and $59.99 for a three-day pass. They can be purchased onboard or online at www.polyad.com.

* And, last but not least, the April edition of the carnival of Aloha is available.

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A colorful wall of bougainvillea at Lanai's Four Seasons Resort at Manele

* Maui’s Fairmont Kea Lani has spiffed up their guestrooms with new furniture, luxury linens, and HD televisions. Their family-friendly villas have also been upgraded with a new gourmet kitchen designs. There’s a fifth night free promotion at this resort that’s valid through June.

* Waikiki’s Aqua Surf & Spa is offering a great deal with a free double upgrade deluxe room for $75 per night. The deal includes free daily continental breakfast for two.

* In October, American Safari Cruises will offer an unstructured inter-island yacht cruise of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Hawaii’s Big Island. See this link for more details.

* Seven Hawaii hotels have been recognized for being “green” with their energy and water conservation, recycling programs, and pollution prevention per Pacific Business Journal. Congratulations to Hyatt Regency Waikiki, JW Marriott Ihilani at Ko Olina (see my JW Marriott Ihilani review), Kahala Hotel & Resort, Kilauea Lakeside Estate, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Turtle Bay Resort (see my Turtle Bay Resort review) and Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk for their Hawaii Green Business Awards.

* In June, Continental Airlines will offer two new direct flights to the Big Island’s Hilo (ITO) airport from Los Angeles and San Francisco. For an ideal Big Island vacation, I recommend flying into Hilo, staying in the Volcano area for two or three nights, then moving on to the Kohala Coast for several days and returning home from the Kona airport. You can read more about my Big Island vacation advice from my article Hawaii’s Big Island – Where to Stay.

* In some sad news, Kona Village Resort has closed indefinitely due to the March 11th tsunami damage. The nearby Four Seasons Hualalai is due to reopen April 30th, which is a bit later than originally expected. See Post-Tsunami Information from Hawaii’s Big Island.

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*  Maui’s Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is offering a good “Bed and Breakfast Package”. The nightly rate deal is $349 and includes free breakfast for two daily, overnight valet parking and the $20 daily resort fee. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is a beautiful luxury resort which is perfect for those looking to celebrate a special anniversary or honeymoon. For this deal, room categories range from Deluxe Room to a Residential Garden View Suite. This Bed and Breakfast Package is valid through December 11, 2011. 

*  Hawaiian Airlines is giving away 100,000 HawaiianMiles on February 15. Register to win before February 14 here. You must be a HawaiianMiles member to win, but registration is quick and free.

*  For you fellow Hawaii 5-0’ficionados, did you notice Danno trying Coco Puffs on Monday night? You may recall that he fell in love with Coco Puffs at first bite. I did, too. I highly recommend a stop at Liliha Bakery when you visit Oahu. See my post, Liliha Bakery Coco Puffs: A Must Try On Your Oahu Vacation.

* Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort announced a $13 million renovation that is schedule to complete in September. Most of the renovations are to restaurants, common areas and the pool deck.

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* With rising fuel costs, experts say we’re likely to see higher airfare costs. As SmarterTravel put it, “For consumers, fuel prices may be the most important index to watch through the coming year. All signs point to higher prices, which means travelers can expect more fare hikes and, possibly (but hopefully not), an increase in fees. Not trying to be alarmist here, but the writing is on the wall—the trend is for increasingly expensive travel in 2011.” Ugg!

* I don’t often see deals for Aston’s Waimea Plantation Cottages in Kauai, but they’re offering one now. Special winter rates are reduced to $234 – a 20% savings – for a one-bedroom garden view cottage. Book now for travel until April 30, 2011. www.AstonHotels.com.

*  Marriott resorts in Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island are offering a special Spirit of Aloha Package that includes a free night stay, free upgrade, and free breakfast for two. You must book by February 28, 2011. The deal is valid for stays through June 30, 2011.

* Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk has a “Suite-est deal” on a five-night or longer stay with rates starting at $269 per night for a one-bedroom suite. With this deal, guests will be given $100 in vouchers to use at any Waikiki Beach Walk restaurant or store. (Four $25 beach-buck vouchers will be provided at check-in; there is no cash value.) To get this deal, use the code “SDP” online at www.EmbassySuitesWaikiki.com com or by calling 1-800-EMBASSY.

* Looking for an inexpensive wedding on the romantic Garden Island? Kauai Beach Resort has created a new wedding package for any couple that wants to start their first day together with an intimate oceanfront ceremony in paradise amid family and close friends. The package includes the site fee, official to perform the ceremony, seating for 10 guests, wedding cake, champagne, and photography. Cost is $1,800 plus tax. www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com

* Kauai’s Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach (formerly the Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa) is undergoing major renovations.

* Yippee! I was super excited to see that Go Visit Hawaii was ranked at number 9 of the Top 100 Travel Blogs recently. Thank you for reading and being a part of our success!

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A peek through the Ironwood Trees reveals a ruggedly beautiful coast along Maui's road to Hana.

* Have you heard the phrase “Maui nō ka ‘oi”? It means “Maui is the best” and that’s the consensus of discerning Conde Nast Traveler readers. Maui scored the number one position in the Top Islands category. From reviewing the scores from all the geographical categories, it looks like Kauai ranked second overall. The Big Island, Oahu and Lanai all scored high marks, too.

* An upscale Maui villa deal that crossed my desk is this deal at the new Honua Kai Resort in Kaanapali. Travel there before December 18th and you can get 50% off and a fifth night free. See this link for more information.

* Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast is offering a $199 special including daily breakfast for two. See this link for all the details. This Hilton property is located in the Waikoloa Beach Resort which is a great place to stay on the Big Island.

* Speaking of the Big Island, did you see this National Geographic Photo of the Month for September? Amazing!

* If you’re starting to fill a chill in the air, maybe it’s time to warm up your thoughts of a winter getaway to Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines has some great deals if you book before October 15th for travel between January 10 and March 10, 2011. Fares start at $314 round-trip.

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A view of Wailua River State Park in Kauai

* There’s a new vacation rental company you might want to bookmark. PackLate offers real-time availability, pricing that lowers closer to check-in, and from what I’ve read, excellent customer service. Today, PackLate launched their service in Hawaii with over 200 Maui properties. I like that you can book the individual unit you want with PackLate. I have been a reluctant fan of VRBO because of the ability to book an individual unit, but I’ll definitely start my next search at PackLate. The search process seems like it will be so much quicker with PackLate than with VRBO.

PackLate’s CEO, Stephen Daimler, has extended a special sign up code – GOVISITHAWAII — for Go Visit Hawaii readers. Sign up is free and the special code offers “extra power” in that you will get a special 2-hour advance notice before a price changes. This special advance notice power will last for a year, but you only have 48 hours to signup with the special code. You can sign up with this link.

* Hawaii’s travel industry continues to show signs of improvement. According to the recent hotel occupancy and rate statistics, hotels were almost 80% full. In comparison to the same period last year, overall occupancy was up by 5.4%. Guess what else is also edging up? Yep, hotel rates increased slightly by 2.7%. Even considering the increases, a vacation in Hawaii is still a very good bargain right now. Here are the most recent Hawaii average nightly hotel rates (source) :

• Oahu – $160.19
• Kauai – $198.91
• Maui – $233.78
• Big Island – $180.11

* Alaska Airlines has airfare on sale select routes Alaska, Pacific Northwest and California to Hawaii. Fares start at $298 round-trip. Valid travel dates vary by route. Read all the details here. You must book by August 15, 2010.

© Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com.