Go Visit Hawaii

• Hawaii’s Prince Hotels have announced their “Fall into Winter” promotion. You’ll find Prince resorts in great locations on Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island. Rates start at $224 per night and include your choice of daily breakfast buffet for two or a daily $50 resort credit.
• Volcano Bike Tours on the Big Island is offering an exciting new bike tour to see the active lava flow.  The tour is called Bike to Pele and you can read more about it towards the bottom of this Web page.
• Another cool new tour combines a helicopter ride with a hike into a remote area of the lush Kohala coast. The hike will take you to waterfalls that have plunge pools. Blue Hawaiian Helicopter and Hawaii Forest & Trail have teamed up for this Waterfall HeliHike Adventure.  For more information, see this link.

If you are looking for a luau on Oahu, you have a new option. The Hilton Hawaiian has just added a luaus on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. It’s called Waikiki Luau on the Lagoon.

Setting this lu‘au apart from others in Hawai‘i is the breathtaking backdrop of the
lagoon, providing the perfect site for the lu‘au’s signature lagoon procession in which Hawaiian fishermen arrive aboard a canoe signaling the official start of the lu‘au. Following their arrival, the fishermen then teach guests to do the “hukilau” dance – a traditional song and dance that talks about fishermen and their catch.

The luau begins at 5:15 and includes a night of music, classic luau buffet, and Polynesian dancing. A lei greeting, mai tai and soft drink are included in the price. The cost is $95 for adults and $45 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call the hotel at (808) 949-4321 and ask for extension 77709. If you’ll be driving to Waikiki Beach, validated parking is available at the Hilton for $8 for self-parking, or $13 for valet.

Oahu’s largest heiau,a Hawaiian religious temple, is Puu O Mahuka. You’ll find this temple perched on a hill overlooking Waimea Bay on the North Shore. It’s definitely worth a 20 minute or so diversion from Highway 83 to visit it. Educational plaques are stationed by the heiau. This diversion is also worthy because of views. Here’s the video we shot of this site and views.

It is estimated that this temple was built in the 1600s. This heiau was probably used for religious services until the religious kapu (taboo) system was abolished by the Hawaiian ruler in 1819. Sacrifices were offered to the gods here. Traditionally, food offerings were presented to the gods, but it is reported that human sacrifices may have also been offered here. For more information on the history of this heiau, see this link.

Heiaus are constructed out of stacked stones. The overall shape of a heiau is usually rectangular. This two-page brochure shows a drawing of how Puu O Mahuka once looked.

Puu O Mahuka is managed under the Hawaii State Parks system and visiting this site is free. If you visit, please do not remove and/or stack any stones. Please also be respectful if you see someone worshiping here.

To get here, take Pupukea Road by the Foodland grocery store. Turn right on Puu o Mahuka. Ample parking is available.

July 8, 2008 Update: Points of Light has suspended operation of their ebay store for travel. For more information see this Q&A.
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A Go Visit Hawaii reader, Lindsay, recently wrote me to tell me about how she had purchased two roundtrip tickets for $780 on American Airlines. That’s a steal at $390 per person from the Midwest!

Now, you’ll probably never guess where Lindsay purchased these tickets. It wasn’t through the American Airlines, or a travel agency, or online discount agency like Travelocity. Are you ready for this? She purchased the tickets on ebay. That’s right, ebay! So, how did she do it? She was kind enough to give me to the scoop to share with you.

So, here’s the deal. There’s a non-profit organization called Points of Light that auctions tickets and vacation packages on ebay as a means for raising funds. Here’s a link to their ebay shop. They sell other items besides airline tickets and travel packages, so you may have to sift though random stuff to find the Hawaii travel related items for auction. Some travel items are available for “buy it now” and others are available for bid. At the moment, here just a sampling of the Hawaii airline tickets and packages that are up for auction:

• Buy It Now: 2 Roundtrip Coach Tickets from the West Coast - $900
• Buy It Now: 2 Roundtrip Coach Tickets from US and Canada - $1500
• For Bid: 2 Roundtrip Coach Tickets from US and Canada - current bid at $810
• For Bid: 4-Star Hotel and Coach Roundtrip Airfare for 2 to Kauai - current bid at $1,475.

Note that there are restrictions for each item for auction so make sure you know what they are before purchase or bid. Also, make sure you understand what additional taxes and fees may be required. Most tickets and packages have restrictions like a 7 or 14 day advance reservation and a Saturday night stay. Most tickets must be used within 12 months. From sifting through a few of them, it appears that it’s best if you have flexibility in your travel dates.

Though this ebay seller has an overall positive feedback rating (approximately 96%), they do have a some neutral and negative ratings. Make sure you shop with ebay wisely.

For frequent fliers, you’ll still earn travel miles with these tickets. That’s a great bonus.

A big mahalo to Lindsay for sharing this tip! What do you think of this way of purchasing discount tickets? Do you think it’s worth a try or are you scared? Have you purchased tickets or vacation packages from this ebay store? How did it work for you?

UPDATE: Did we flood their system? The day after I posted this tidbit, all the travel items were removed from the ebay store and this notice was posted:

Due to unexpectedly high volumes of summer travel, we have exceeded our capacity to handle new travel packages efficiently. We have temporarily suspended the sale of future travel until we can catch up with your demand.

Excellent Hawaii travel deals are popping out all over the place. Some deals that were advertised a month or so ago, have become even better. For example, the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel deal listed below is better than this one I posted just over two months ago. With deals like these, it’s a great time to go to Hawaii!

ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel on Oahu
The Deal: Every Third Night Free
Why I like this deal: Whoa! Buy two nights and stay one night for free or buy four nights and stay for six! This offer includes free daily breakfast on Waikiki Beach. You’ll also receive a coupon book for 2 for 1 luau tickets and other discounts.
Offer Valid Through: Book now through December 25, 2008 for stays from August 25th - December 25th. Blackout dates are December 11th - 14th.
Special Rate Code: The booking engine should automatically issue each third night free. If you have an issue, you can call 1-800-514-1969. Note that this special rate hasn’t even been advertised yet, so you’re getting a sneak peek now.
For More Information: See this link for more on ResortQuest Waikiki Beach.

Waikoloa Beach Marriott on the Big Island
The Deal: Rates starting at $209 per night
Why I like this deal: Rates are advertised at 20% off during peak summer travel. Waikoloa Beach Resort is a great base for a Hawaii vacation. There’s great golf, restaurants and shopping all within walking distance at this Kohala Coast resort. This Marriott is set back from one of the best beaches on the Big Island, Anaehoomalu Beach (also known as A-bay). This hotel has recently completed a $40 million dollar renovation. The decor is quite sophisticated without feeling pretentious.
Offer Valid Through: For stays through September 6th, 2008
Special Rate Code: None specified
For More Information: See this link

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So, these were some of the special offers that have especially caught my eye. If you’re searching for more great rates, don’t forget to check out all the deals that the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau have arranged with several top travel partners.

The islands of Hawaii have some fantastic fourth of July events planned for 2008. Here’s some of what’s going on:

On Oahu

July 3rd - Pre-Independence Day Celebration: Aloha Tower Marketplace will be the host of a pre-independence day celebration filled with a fabulous fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor at 9pm. The free event includes live entertainment on multiple stages, a fashion show with top Hawaii models, face & hair painting, a balloon artist, and many strolling entertainers throughout the entire marketplace. These events start at 5pm.

July 4th - Ala Moana Forth of July Fireworks & Concert: Full lineup of live entertainment, games and fun, followed by a fireworks extravaganza that’s the biggest in the state. For more information see this link

July 4th - Independence Day at Maunalua Bay: Entertainment will fill the day from 2pm, leading up to a spectacular fireworks display from a barge in Maunalua Bay at 8pm. For more information on this inaugural even for this area of East Honolulu, see this link.

July 4th - 6th - 19th Annual BayFest will be held at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe Bay. The public is welcome to enjoy music from various national and local acts, carnival rides and games, great food, exhibits, and fireworks. Admission is required. Proceeds enhance the quality of life for the Marines, Sailors and family members stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. For more information see this link.

July 4th - Kailua 4th of July Parade, Festival, and Fireworks: For more information, see this link.

July 4th - On Oahu’s North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort Family Day and Fireworks.

On the Big Island

July 4th - 13th Annual Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade & Fireworks: The parade starts at 5:30pm at Kona’s Kekuaokalani Gym on Kuakini and winding down Palani Road and then South along Alii Drive to Coconut Grove Marketplace. Entertainment at Coconut Grove, then fireworks at 8pm! All free to the public. Visitors are encouraged to wear patriotic colors.

July 4th - Hilo Fireworks: There will be evening fireworks displays at 3 spots in Hilo: on and along the Bayfront Highway and beach area; the soccer fields along Kamehameha Avenue; & Queen Liliuokalani Park. Call Roxie Waltjen, County of Hawaii, Dept. Parks & Recreation, Culture & The Arts for more information at (808) 961-8706. (Per KonaWeb and Cheryl.)

July 4th - 17th Annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race & 4th of July Extravaganza: A fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy of Hawaii, the fun-filled event will feature the always wild and wacky rubber duckie race, great live entertainment, and lots of exciting activities, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Kings’ Lake. The even starts at 10am and goes through 9:30pm. For more information, call (808) 886-8811.

July 4th - Turtle Independence Day at the Mauna Lani: This is a different take on independence day. A turtle will be released from the shore fronting the hotel. This is a morning event going from 8:30am - 11:30am. For more details, see this link

On Maui

4th of July in Lahaina: Fireworks are scheduled for 8pm. The fireworks display will be over the ocean in historic Lahaina Town. The 4th of July in Lahaina is a free family event for all and it even includes a concert from 6:00 to 8:00pm on the makai library lawn. Note that some tour companies are providing special 4th of July fireworks excursions to watch the fireworks from the water. For example, see this one from Trilogy.

On Kauai

July 4th - 19th Annual Concert in the Sky: This event in Lihue at the Vidinha Soccer Field starts at 2pm with entertainment, games, and food. A modest admission fee is required with proceeds benefiting Kauai Hospice.

Photo credit to sunsurfr by Creative Commons.

Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources recently launched a spruced up website loaded with great information on Hawaii’s State Parks. Here’s how to use this resource to help you with your vacation plans.

Finding the State Parks
It’s easy to find the state parks for Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island with the interactive island maps. On each individual park page, you can find out much more about the significance of the park, hours of operation, and if there are facilities like restrooms and picnic tables, etc.

Learning Hawaii’s History and Culture
This section of the website is chocked full of information of which parks to visit to learn about life in ancient Hawaii.

Finding the Hiking Trails
You’ll find great hiking advice that is written specifically for Hawaii’s trails. You’ll find a listing of the trails maintained by the state in interactive maps. Here are the trail guides for Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.

Camping and other State Park Lodging
Here, you’ll learn where you can camp as well as the permit process and fees required. You’ll find information for lodging in cabins at Hawaii’s state parks. For example, you can stay in a cabin at the Kokee State Park on Kauai.

Park Rules & Health and Safety
Before you visit Hawaii’s state parks, you should review the park rules and learn about the unique safety circumstance.

(We took the above photo at Waianapanapa State Park on Maui.)

Today is King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii. Who was this honored Hawaiian king? His biggest claim to fame was uniting the Hawaiian islands under one rule in 1795. Today, his statues will be visited and adorned with many leis.

There are four statues of King Kamehameha in the US. We took the photo above in the small town of Kapaau in the North Kohala region of the Big Island where King Kamehameha was born. (The statue is located on the mauka (mountain) side in front of the police department.) The community there puts on a big celebration each year. Here’s where you can find the three other statues:

• In Hilo on the Big Island in Wailoa State Park. Hilo was Kamehameha’s first seat of government and this statue, is the tallest of the four statues at fourteen feet. Hilo is also home to the Naha Stone, which a young Kamehameha was said to have overturned in a feat of incredible strength. Legend had it that whoever had the strength to move the Naha Stone would rule the Hawaiian Islands. Today, the Naha Stone is located in front of the Hilo Public Library. Source
• On Oahu in downtown Honolulu, Oahu. The statue is located in front of Aliiolani Hale (the judiciary building) and across from Iolani Palace.

• National Statuary Hall, Washington D.C. In 1969, the third Kamehameha statue was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall where statues of historic figures from all 50 states are on display. A statue of Molokai’s Father Damien joins the Kamehameha I statue in this collection of art.

Happy King Kamehameha Day!

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HCVB) and it’s partners have launched travel promotions aimed at making Hawaii a more affordable destination. Here’s more about it in a statement from the HVCB

Travelers will save at least $200 per person on their trip to the Hawaiian Islands through HVCB’s partnership with American Airlines Vacations, American Express Vacations, Classic Vacations, Expedia, NWA WorldVacations, Orbitz, Pleasant Holidays, Travelocity, and United Vacations, which offers travelers money saving air vacation packages loaded with incentives including deeply discounted airfare, free hotel room nights, free meals, free rental cars, and free food and beverage dining credits. These value packages offer significant savings and make Hawaii a competitive vacation destination this summer.

They’ve created a website to house these deals at GoHawaii.com/summerfun. Have a look at the special offers.  They’re pretty enticing.

I continue the series of articles of what to see with only one day on each island with a day trip to Oahu. Before we dive into the details, I though I’d give you just to give you a little background on this Oahu day trip. I first visited Oahu on a day trip from Maui. At the time I was taking my first vacation to Hawaii and silly me, I thought this vacation would be my one and only to Hawaii. So, the plans I’m about to share are what I actually did on a one day visit to Oahu.

Though Oahu has beautiful beaches and views, in my opinion, its top attraction is its rich history and significance in World War II. The historic sites are mainly concentrated in Pearl Harbor. With that in mind, here’s what I advise you see in one day on Oahu:

• USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor marks the beginning of World War II. You’ll watch a brief film before taking a boat ride to the memorial. Get here as early in the morning as you can to avoid crowds and make sure you are aware of their strict security guidelines. Visiting this memorial is free.
• USS Missouri (Mighty Mo) at Pearl Harbor. This battleship marks the end of World War II. There is an admission fee to tour this ship.
• Soak in the scene and have lunch on Waikiki Beach (Dukes would be a good choice.)
• See Punchbowl Cemetery (National Memorial of the Pacific). This solemn site is in the middle of the extinct volcanic crater, Puowaina. Visiting this site is free.
• If you have time drive up to the Pali Lookout for a nice view of the southern end of Oahu.

Arrival and arranging transportation:

First, you’ll probably arrive in Honolulu at the airport or at the cruise ship harbor. From there you can either rent a car or arrange for a guided tour. In my case, I had Polynesian Adventures arrange the entire tour including air and ground transportation with a guided tour. I normally prefer touring on my own, but with the city streets of Honolulu, I decided to let someone else do the driving this time. Note that traffic in Honolulu can be difficult at times so make sure you plan adequate time in for your return to the airport or cruise ship.

What if I don’t like war history stuff? What else would you recommend I see and do?

I would take a tour around Oahu. This tour is usually called a “Circle Island Tour”. There are lots of tour companies who provide a narrated tour, which for a first time visitor takes much of the hassle of planning and logistics off your plate. If you abhor tour buses, you can drive it on your own. I would see the North Shore beaches, Haleiwa (try to get a shave ice here), Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, the Byodo-In Temple, and the Pali Lookout.

What if I have two days or more on Oahu?

Well, one thing is for sure, you’ll never have a lack of things to do on Oahu. I would consider spending an entire day and evening at the Polynesian Cultural Center. You’ll learn tons about the various Polynesian islands and their cultures, catch a luau, and see the best Polynesian music and dance show I’ve seen.

For fans of the TV show Lost, you may enjoy renting a car and driving to see some of the Lost filming locations. Seeing Police Beach where the survivors beach camp is filmed was one of the top spots I wanted to see. Also, in the same day that you visit the beach camp, you could tour the Kualoa Ranch where many scenes are filmed.

For more ideas, see my popular article on the top 10 best free activities and sites on Oahu.