*  Congratulations to Four Seasons Resort Lanai Lodge at Koele for making the top 10 list of US hotels by U.S. News & World Report. The Lodge secured the second highest ranking. We at Go Visit Hawaii love the Lodge at Koele as you can see from our review. Pssst! Here’s a secret – it’s one of the top luxury values in all of Hawaii. With their third night free offer, rates start at just $207 per night!

*  Do you have a favorite Hawaiian Island, beach, hotel, luau or activity that you think is tops? GoHawaii.About.com wants your nominations!

*  By popular demand, the folks at JetLev Hawaii contacted me to let me know they’re extending the special $199 rate for a limited time. So, if you didn’t get a chance to take advantage of the JetLev Groupon we mentioned, you can call Eric at 808-393-0153 and ask for the $199 rate.

*  United Continental plans to launch nonstop service between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Honolulu (HNL) in June per this report.

*  Ala Moana Hotel near Waikiki is getting into Super Bowl 46 spirit with a special offer. After the game, the folks at Ala Moana Hotel will offer a special rate that’s the combined score. That’ll make you cheer for a defensive struggle. This special rate will be valid for stays between March 1 and April 15, 2012.  Read more about this special offer at www.AlaMoanaHotel.com/46.

*  Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa in Waikiki is offering a great rate of $85 per night plus free daily continental breakfast. For this Book Now Save Later deal, you must book by February 16 for stays between March 12 and June 21, 2012. Note that this deal is not available between April 30 and May 4.

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Coming soon, visitors will be able to book USS Arizona Memorial tickets in advance. This change could significantly reduce visitor wait times and help you make the most of your Oahu vacation time.

Tickets will still be available on a first come, first served basis for walk-in visitors. In this KHON report, Eileen Martinez, Chief of Interpretation for the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, says that 50% of tickets will be available for walk-in visitors.

Though tickets will continue to be free to all visitors, a fee of $1.50 per ticket  will be charged for the convenience of booking ahead.

The new ticketing process opens for bookings on February 16 for tours beginning on March 1. The system will allow visitors to book up to three months in advance.

When this new system is implemented on February 16,  visitors will be able to book online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

I’m attempting to embed the KHON video about this story however, I won’t know until after publishing if the code works. If the video is not showing, you can view the video, at this link.

I’ll need to revise my tips for visiting the USS Arizona Memorial to include this new ticket change. In the mean time, do check out the advice to make the most of your visit.

Mahalo to Dave Soule for bringing this news item to my attention.

What do you think of this ticketing change?

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Colorful lantana growing along Kauai's Kalalau Trail

* Disney’s Aulani Resort is offering a Spring special of 6th night free and complimentary continental breakfast each day during your stay. See all the details here.

* Aqua’s Kauai Beach Resort is offering rates as low as $159 including daily breakfast buffet, but you must book before January 31 and complete your stay by December 31, 2012.

* Speaking of Kauai, Hawaiian Airlines has put Kauai fares on sale for travel between now and March 14 and again from April 24 through June 8, 2012. Fares from the Bay area start from $363. For this sale, you must book by January 31.

* JetBlue is teaming up with Hawaiian Airlines to make connections easy. Per JetBlue’s website, “Transfer from JetBlue to Hawaiian’s service at Los Angeles (LAX). Beginning June 4th, transfer to Hawaiian’s new non-stop service to Honolulu at New York (JFK).” Read more about this partnership on Smarter Travel.

* Do you want to make this Valentine’s Day extra special with your spouse? Outrigger Resorts is offering free vow renewals across resorts in all the major islands. Participating resorts are Kapalua Villas Maui, Keauhou Beach Resorts on Hawaii’s Big Island, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation on Kauai and Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Oahu. Andy and I renewed our vows at Outrigger Reef on the Beach in 2009 and it was a lovely ceremony.

* If you’ll be staying in Waikiki, check out the special farm to table prix fixe menus at  and Sansei Seafood Restaurant on Wednesdays and d.k. Steak House on Thursdays. They’re great values for four-course dinners under $50.

* What’s the average room rate in the state of Hawaii? According to the latest report, the rate is $199.63 which is up 7% over the same time period last year. Occupancy is also up by 2.7% overall. Hawaii’s tourism recovery appears to be well on the mend.

* Have you seen the movie The Decendants? This award-nominated movie was partly filmed in Kauai and is expected to boost tourism per TheGardenIsland.com.

* Will Kauai’s historic Coco Palms Resort ever be revived? Here’s the most recent news about Coco Palms that doesn’t sound very encouraging.

* The USPS offers five new Hawaii themed postcard stamp with Aloha shirt designs.

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If you’re hankering to go to Oahu, but not sure when to go, perhaps you’d like to go during one of the many excellent festivals. To help you, I’ve created this handy dandy list of Oahu festivals – which mixes in input from the nice folks at the Oahu Visitor’s Bureau, plus my opinion.

Honolulu Festival 
March 2-4 in 2012
Honolulu Festival  celebrates cultures from across the Pacific with art, music, dance and crafts. The event culminates with a Grand Parade in Waikiki followed by fireworks.

Waikiki SPAM® Jam
April 28 in 2012
The Waikiki SPAM® Jam is an exciting annual street festival that takes place on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. The event celebrates Hawaii’s love of SPAM® and features a variety of Honolulu’s finest restaurants serving up SPAM®-inspired creations. Two entertainment stages provide non-stop entertainment ranging from hula dancers to local musicians, and merchandise vendors sell SPAM®-themed items and Hawaiian crafts. Proceeds from the event benefit the Hawaii Food Bank.

Mele Mei
Entire month of May
Mele Mei celebrates the unique music of Hawaii with workshops, concert performance and award ceremonies.

Lantern Floating Hawai‘i
Memorial Day, May 28 in 2012
Every year on Memorial Day, thousands of people gather at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park to honor ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. At sundown, more than 3,000 candlelit lanterns are set afloat on the ocean, a traditional Buddhist rite originating in Japan. The ceremony is based on the theme “Many Rivers, One Ocean,” and serves to honor those who have sacrificed their lives in war, pay respect to ancestors and loved ones who have passed away, and pray for a harmonious and peaceful future. Lantern Floating Hawaii also features live entertainment by local and international musicians, as well as inspiring speeches.

Pan-Pacific Festival
June 8 – 10 in 2012
The Pan-Pacific Festival is a three-day international cultural celebration that features a weekend of Pacific Rim cultural performances, demonstrations, hula, food, hoolaulea (block party). The event culminates with a colorful parade with thousands of participants in lively costumes marching down Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki.

King Kamehameha Floral Parade
June 9 in 2012
This colorful celebration honors the reign of King Kamehameha, who was responsible for uniting the Hawaiian Islands under his rule in 1795. The King Kamehameha Floral Parade extends from Iolani Palace to Kapiolani Park and features brightly decorated floats, energetic marching bands and traditional pa‘u riders who represent a Hawaiian royal court on horseback.

July 4th/Independence Day Holiday
July 4
Hawaii celebrates Independence day with excellent fireworks shows on both July 3 and 4. For an idea of what this year’s celebration may entail, see this comprehensive round up of Oahu July 4th fireworks and celebrations from 2011.

Prince Lot Hula Festival
July 21 in 2012
The Prince Lot Hula Festival is held in the beautiful Moanalua Gardens, features hula halau (troupes) gracing the hula mound for spectators to enjoy. The festival showcases Native Hawaiian culture through crafts, kapa making, lauhala weaving, lomilomi massage, traditional Hawaiian games, and more. 

Duke’s OceanFest
Late August (Specific Dates TBA)
Duke’s OceanFest, a weeklong festival, features a variety of exciting water sports competitions, including longboard surfing, surf polo, swimming, standup paddling, and other events that pay tribute to the surfing and swimming legend Duke Kahanamoku. The festivities culminate with the Duke’s Statue lei draping ceremony on August 24, the anniversary of his birthday.

Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival
September
Following a successful inaugural year, the second annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival will once again take place in Honolulu in September 2012. The festival includes culinary-focused events and evening receptions featuring dishes prepared by an all-star lineup of chefs from Hawaii and around the world, using locally sourced ingredients. The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is co-chaired by chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong and serves to showcase the state’s bounty of produce and proteins and highlight the islands’ return to a sustainable eco-system of agriculture, environment and economy

Aloha Festivals
September 15 and September 22 in 2012
On Oahu, the Aloha Festival celebrates Hawaii’s music, dance and history, and is intended to preserve the islands’ unique traditions. Festivities on Oahu include a Waikiki Ho‘olaulea on September 15 and a floral parade on September 22.

Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Spring Showcase is April 6-12 in 2012; Fall Showcase is in October
The Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. HIFF showcases independent feature films and is held at the Signature Dole Cannery Theatres each spring and fall. Expect the very best and latest in independent and global cinema

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
November 12 – December 20 in 2012
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing returns to the North Shore of Oahu for the men’s series and women’s Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach. Kicking off with the Op Pro at Haleiwa, the series continues with the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing and women’s Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, and lastly the Billabong Pipeline Masters at the famous Banzai Pipeline. Oahu’s North Shore is home to these final events on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) calendar that will crown surfing’s new world champion

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If you can’t include any of these festivals we’ve mentioned, don’t worry, there’s almost always a festival or celebration of some kind happening on Oahu. To find out what special events might be going on during your Oahu vacation, visit GoHawaii.com/Oahu and use the Vacation Directory from the right column. Be sure to click on the Events tab first, then enter your desired dates.

Have you been to any of these Oahu festivals?

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Bird of Paradise in Oahu at Punchbowl

*  Hawaiian Airlines announced that they’re creating a Maui Hub  that will offer improved connections between The Valley Isle and other points within the Hawaiian Islands as well as flights to and from the West Coast. It will be interesting to see how this improves inter-island travel as this hub is implemented.

*  The Polynesian Cultural Center is offering a 10% discount by booking early. For a limited time, visitors who book their reservations ten days out or more will receive a 10% discount off their experience. The “10 Outside 10” special applies to all of PCC’s rich cultural offerings, including their excellent evening show HA: Breath of Life. You can receive this discount via booking directly online.

*  On facebook I posted about a new jet pack water adventure in Oahu that looks like something out of a Jetsons carton. That post about Jetlev seemed to interest a lot of folks. There’s currently a limited time Groupon for this adventure that knocks 50% off the cost to $199. To access this Groupon navigate to Honolulu from here.

Jetlev

*  Another recent facebook posting that garnered quite a bit of interest was this video about scientist discovering humpback whales and dolphins playing together in Hawaii. The video provides photos capturing the playful behavior along with captions of the scientists’ observations.

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Just a heads up for all of our Hawaii friends–which judging by the traffic to Go Visit Hawaii, there are thousands of you–Sheila and I will be back in Waikiki this coming February.

In addition to our normal efforts to bring you the best, unbiased Hawaii travel advice, we’ve both been invited to speak at the upcoming Pubcon Paradise conference.

If you’re involved in marketing, PR, or any part of Hawaii’s hospitality industry, you should definitely plan to attend! I’ve been involved with Pubcon for many, many years and can tell you that the content is some of the highest in the industry and you won’t be disappointed!

Even if you don’t plan to attend, Sheila and I will be out and about in Waikiki and Honolulu, so if you’ll be around, drop us a comment.

Pubcon Hawaii will be a blast, so hope to see you there!

Register here.

PS. For those making the trip from the mainland, don’t miss Go Visit Hawaii’s guide to all things Oahu!

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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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Newly Renovated Rainbow Tower Corner King Oceanfront Room

Waikiki Beach’s iconic Rainbow Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village just got a $45 million makeover. Rooms were all refreshed with brand new furnishings, carpet, wall coverings, bathrooms, tubs, fixtures, draperies and artwork.

Newly Renovated Rainbow Tower King Oceanview Room

It’s always nice to enjoy fresh renovations, so now is a great time to book, especially with the Fireworks over the Rainbow package.  The package includes a stay in a newly revamped Rainbow Tower oceanfront room, a $50 resort credit per stay, one bottle of sparking wine and a cheese and charcuterie plate to be enjoyed on Friday night while watching the resort’s famed fireworks display. The package is available for stays of three nights or more over a Friday night.  Advance reservations are required and black-out dates apply. The package starts at $329 per night and can be booked under rate code P4 by calling reservations at the hotel directly at (808) 949-4321 or toll-free at 1-800-HILTONS.

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*  We are really honored that Go Visit Hawaii was recently selected as one of the top 12 travel blogs to follow in 2012. Mahalo to our readers who nominated and voted for us!

* The Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island is offering an excellent luxury package beginning at $369 per night for ocean view rooms. The deal includes daily breakfast for two, a $100 food and beverage credit, a $50 spa credit to be enjoyed at the Spa Without Walls, complimentary self parking, and complimentary internet access. In total the value of this deal is $609, but you can get all those special deals included at the Orchid Experience Package rate starting at $369 with a five-night minimum stay. See this link for more information.

*  2012 Hawaii Entertainment Books are on sale this week for $20.12 with free shipping. These coupon books are mainly beneficial for Oahu vacations. If you use the luau coupons, you’ll more than recover the cost of the book. See our discussion the Hawaii Entertainment Book.

*  Hawaiian Airlines has a sale of flights to Hawaii’s Big Island starting at $298 plus taxes and fees. You must book before January 10 for travel between January 5 – June 8, 2012. Seats are limited. 

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I just got word that Oahu’s Ko Olina Resort is planning a huge New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza! How huge? The sponsors are spending over $100,000 and making the fireworks visible from all four ocean lagoons. They’re also touting it as “Hawaii’s largest”. Here’s a bit more from the sponsors:

• Synchronized soundtrack features popular music artists from Bruddah Iz and the Black-Eyed Peas to Katy Perry, Journey, Taio Cruz and more
• First-ever New Year’s Eve offering by Ko Olina fires at midnight over four oceanfront lagoons land and sea vantage points for viewing.
• $100,000+ show choreographed by Hawaii Explosives & Pyrotechnics, the Pacific Rim’s finest pyrotechnicians

Cocktail and dining options will be available at the Ko Olina resort properties – JW Marriott Ihilani, Disney’s Aulani Resort, and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. If you plan to dine at any of these locations, I highly recommend that you book as soon as possible.

Viewing the fireworks is free and open to the public, though parking is $20 per car. Ko Olina grounds will be available from 7pm. See a few more details here about restrictions.

Ko Olina Resort is located on Oahu’s leeward western shore, approximately 17 miles from Honolulu.

See this link for more Oahu New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Events in Honolulu and Waikiki.

This information was originally posted on GoVisitHawaii.com.

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Waikiki will be all aglow with holiday festivities this year. I’ve compiled this list of special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day brunches, dinners and buffets. Along with all the delicious dining, you’ll also find a great list of Christmas displays and entertainment across Waikiki, Honolulu and Oahu.

Before, we dive into our list of things to do and where to go, I want to share a few points of advice first.

• I recommend you make reservations, order tickets, etc. as soon as possible to secure the place and time you like.
• Unless otherwise stated, you can assume that taxes and gratuities are not included in the listed prices.
• Most Waikiki Beach hotel-based restaurants will be open on Christmas day. Check directly with the concierge of your accommodations for their special Christmas meals and events.
• As Christmas approaches, most likely, I’ll be adding more events, so do check back.
• Learn how to say Mele Kalikimaka, Hawaii’s way to say Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve Dining on Saturday, December 24

Breakfast/Brunch:

* Pacific Beach Hotel’s aquarium-style restaurant Oceanarium will offer a a Christmas Eve Brunch Buffet from 9am to 3pm. The costs are $44.95 per adult and $19.95 per child ages 5 to 12 years old. Use this link to see the brunch buffet menu. For reservations, call (808) 921-6111.

Dinner:

* Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel offers an elegant prix-fixe, five-course Christmas Eve dinner (menu) for $75 per person or you can order from their Christmas a la carte menu. Hau Tree Lanai offers a romantic, beach front setting that’s about a 15 minute walk from the heart of Waikiki. For reservations, call (808)921-7066.

* Hilton Hawaiian Village presents their Starlight Luau  with a special menu. (Scroll here to view the menu.) Pricing is $98 for adults and $49 for children ages 4 to 11 years old. Lei greeting, dinner buffet, two complimentary select beverages and Polynesian show are included. Upgrade options are available. This unique roof top luau will give you a great vantage point to watching for Santa. For reservations, call (808)941-5828.

* SHOR American Seafood Grill at the Hyatt Waikiki offers a four course dinner special for $59 per person. See this link for reservations and more information.

* Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet at Pikake Terrace of Sheraton Princess Kaiulani will be served from 5pm to 9:30pm. The price is $48 per adult and $24 per child ages 5 to 12 years. See this link for the buffet menu. For reservations please call (808) 921-4600.

* Pacific Beach Hotel’s aquarium-style restaurant Oceanarium will offer a a Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet from 9am to 3pm. The costs are $44.95 per adult and $19.95 per child ages 5 to 12 years old. Use this link to see the dinner buffet menu. For reservations, call (808) 921-6111.

* At the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Bali Steak & Seafood presents a special prix fixe four course menu with a variety of choices available. The price is $75 for adults and $45 for children. Hours of operation are 5:30pm to 9:00pm. For reservations, call 808-941-BALI (2254).

* Rainbow Lanai at Hilton Hawaiian Village presents a dinner buffet from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. (Scroll to view menus.) Christmas Day dinner pricing is $59 for adults and $29 for children (12 and under).

* Tropics Bar & Grill at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will offer a special four course prix fixe dinner for $65 from 5pm to 10pm. (Scroll here to see the prix fixe menu.) Their standard menu will also be available. For reservations,

* Rainbow Lanai at Hilton Hawaiian Village presents a dinner buffet from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. (Scroll to view menus.) Christmas Day dinner pricing is $59 for adults and $29 for children (12 and under). For more information, call (808) 949-4321.

* The Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room will present a Christmas Eve dinner buffet (menu) from 5pm to 8:30pm. Pricing is $98 for adults and $63 for children ages 5 to 12. For more information and reservations, call 808.921.4600.

* The Royal Hawaiian’s Azure Restaurant will offer a gourmet four-course dinner for $140 per adult. Children between the ages of 5 to 12 can dine for $40 with the children’s menu. For reservations and more information about this beachfront restaurant, see this link.

* Tiki’s Grill & Bar at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel will offer a  four-course Christmas Eve dinner in a casual atmosphere for $49 per person. See this link to their menu and this link to book online.

* Halekulani’s Orchids and  House Without A Key (one of our favorite places for sunset drinks in Waikiki) will both offer special Christmas Eve menus along with their regular menus. I particularly like the looks of the House Without A Key three course menu for $38. See this link for more information on the Halekulani Christmas holiday menus. Call (808)923-2311 for more information and reservations.

For Christmas Eve activities, events and services, see the listings under the heading “Holiday Activities in Waikiki, Honolulu and Oahu” that’s highlighted in gold below. 

Christmas Day Dining on Sunday, December 25

Breakfast/Brunch:

* Pacific Beach Hotel’s aquarium-style restaurant Oceanarium will offer a a Christmas Day Brunch Buffet from 9am to 3pm. The costs are $44.95 per adult and $19.95 per child ages 5 to 12 years old. Use this link to see the brunch buffet menu.  For reservations, call (808) 921-6111.

* Kai Market at the Sheraton Waikiki offers a Christmas buffet brunch from 10:30am to 2pm. See the menu here. Pricing is $65 for adults ($75 with unlimited sparkling wine) and $29 for children ages 4 to 12. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com

* Moana Surfrider’s Beachhouse will feature a Christmas brunch buffet from 10am to 1:30pm. See the menu here. Pricing is $95 for adults and $55 per child ages 5 – 12. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com

* The Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room will present a Christmas buffet brunch (menu) from 10am to 1:30pm. Pricing is $88 for adults and $57 for children ages 5 to 12.  For more information and reservations, call 808.921.4600.

Dinner:

* SHOR American Seafood Grill at the Hyatt Waikiki offers a four course dinner special for $59 per person. Santa is scheduled to be there for photo opportunities. See this link for reservations and more information.

* Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel offers an elegant prix-fixe, five-course Christmas dinner (menu) for $75 per person or you can order from their Christmas a la carte menu. Hau Tree Lanai offers a romantic, beach front setting that’s about a 15 minute walk from the heart of Waikiki. For reservations, call (808)921-7066.

* Celebrate Christmas with a luau. Hilton Hawaiian Village presents their Starlight Luau with a special menu. (Scroll here to view the menu.) Pricing is $98 for adults and $49 for children ages 4 to 11 years old. Lei greeting, dinner buffet, two complimentary select beverages and Polynesian show are included. Upgrade options are available. For reservations, call (808)941-5828.

* Pacific Beach Hotel’s aquarium-style restaurant Oceanarium will offer a a Christmas Dinner Buffet from 9am to 3pm. The costs are $44.95 per adult and $19.95 per child ages 5 to 12 years old. Use this link to see the dinner buffet menu. For reservations, call (808) 921-6111.

* At the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Bali Steak & Seafood presents a special prix fixe four course menu with a variety of choices available. The price is $75 for adults and $45 for children. Hours of operation are 5:30pm to 9:00pm. For reservations, call 808-941-BALI (2254).

* Tropics Bar & Grill at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will offer a special four course prix fixe dinner for $65 from 5pm to 10pm. (Scroll here to see the prix fixe menu.) Their standard menu will also be available. For reservations,

* Rainbow Lanai at Hilton Hawaiian Village presents a dinner buffet from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. (Scroll to view menus.) Christmas Day dinner pricing is $59 for adults and $29 for children (12 and under). For more information, call (808) 949-4321.

*  Kai Market at the Sheraton Waikiki will offer a Christmas Day dinner buffet from 5pm to 9:30pm. The menu will feature traditional Christmas dinner with a Hawaiian-style. The price is $69 for adults ($79 with unlimited sparking wine) and $29 for children ages 4 to 12. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com

* Starting at 5:30pm, the Royal Hawaiian’s Azure Restaurant will offer a gourmet four-course Christmas dinner for $140 per adult and $40 per children ages 5 – 12.  (See this link for the children’s menu.) For reservations and more information about this beachfront restaurant, see this link.

* Christmas Day Dinner Buffet at Pikake Terrace of Sheraton Princess Kaiulani will be served from 5pm to 9:30pm. The price is $48 per adult and $24 per child ages 5 to 12 years. See this link for the buffet menu. For reservations please call (808) 921-4600.

* Tiki’s Grill & Bar at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel will offer a  four-course Christmas dinner in a casual atmosphere for $49 per person. See this link to their menu and this link to book online.

* Halekulani’s Orchids and  House Without A Key (one of our favorite places for sunset drinks in Waikiki) will both offer special Christmas  menus along with their regular menus. I particularly like the looks of the House Without A Key three course menu for $38. See this link for more information on the Halekulani Christmas holiday menus.  (Added 12/9)

Holiday Activities in Waikiki, Honolulu and Oahu

* From now through January 2, downtown Honolulu will be decorated for the season with lights, a 50-foot Norfolk pine, Christmas wreaths, and holiday characters. Honolulu Hale at 530 South King Street is the center for Honolulu City Lights. This annual event is free, but since it isn’t walkable from Waikiki, a great way to get to downtown Honolulu is to take the open top, double decker Aloha Bus or on the Waikiki Trolley. Alternatively, you can use public transportation on Oahu’s TheBus.

*  From December 18 through Christmas Day, Waikiki Beach Walk presents free daily entertainment at their Plaza Stage. Performances are mostly scheduled from 6pm to 7pm with two exceptions. On December 18, the Honolulu Boy Choir will perform special holiday concert from 4pm to 5pm. Also, on Christmas Day, two performances are scheduled beginning at 5pm. Call  808-931-3591 for more information.

* On December 20 and 21, you can have Breakfast with Santa at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach from 8am to 10am.
Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet that includes scrambled eggs, steamed white rice, country fried potatoes, crispy bacon, Portuguese sausage, assorted pastries, fresh fruits, cereal and a choice of coffee, milk or juice – all for only $22 per person, inclusive of tax, tip and a free photo with Santa; $11.50 for children age 5-11 years old and children 4 years and younger are free. This popular event, which includes picture taking with Santa, balloon art, and face painting, usually sells out so be sure to reserve your seats early. For reservations call (808) 924-4990. This event is open to the general public and validated parking is available for only $5.

* Ala Moana Shopping Center, Hawaii’s largest shopping center, host musical shows, photos with Santa, and candy cane train rides.

* See Waikiki’s grand gingerbread village  on display now through January 2 at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani lobby. The impressive village is over 14 feet tall and 24 feet wide! It’s constructed with 225 gallons of icing, 140 pounds of dark chocolate, 50 pounds of white chocolate and lots and lots of gingerbread. (See a video of this gingerbread village.) The hotel’s chef and staff  spent more than 750 hours designing and constructing this gift to guests.

*Experience Christmas in Polynesia at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie on Oahu North Shore every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from December 12-23. Guests will take a 25-minute canoe ride that winds through a live production of Kamakana and the Five Fir Trees, a local adaptation of a popular Christmas story, The Three Fir Trees. Along the route, the grounds will be decked with elaborate Christmas lights, life-size gingerbread houses, and of course the season’s iconic Santa Claus. Tickets are $10 per adult and $8 per child.  Coupons for $2 off the ticket price are available at participating 7-Eleven, Domino’s Pizza, and 76 Gas locations. For more information on prices or to make reservations, call the ticket office at (800) 367-7060.

* On December 21, enjoy a prime rib dinner buffet and a show by the Makaha Sons at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel.  Dinner starts at 6pm followed by the show 7:30pm. Tickets are $65 per person $35 children 3-10 years old. For more information about Makaha Kalikmaka , see this link.

* On December 21 at 6pm, enjoy Christmas caroling sung by Hope Chapel at the International Marketplace in Waikiki.

* If you like college football, you may want to check out the Hawaii Sheraton Bowl in Honolulu on December 24.

* Christmas Eve Church Services:

• Historic Kawaiaha’o Church, know as the Westminster Abby of Hawaii,  in Honolulu will hold two separate Christmas Eve services at 7:30pm and at 10:30pm. (Note this church is near to the Honolulu City Lights described above.)
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Hope Chapel in Waikiki. For more information, see their website.
• Mass is scheduled for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at St Augustine Church By the Sea in Waikiki.

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Staying on Oahu through New Year’s Eve? Check out:  Waikiki & Honolulu 2011/2012 New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Dinners & Events!

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Sheraton Princess Kaiulani’s Chef Bauer, Pantry Chef Amie Tungpalan, Executive Sous Chef John Hightower and the Engineering Department estimate that they spent over 750 hours designing, constructing and setting up the final art piece.  The village stands over 14 feet high and over 24 feet wide. It’s constructed with 225 gallons of icing, 140 pounds of dark chocolate, 50 pounds of white chocolate, and 70 sheets of gingerbread.

Chef Bauer created this village to imitate the holiday spirit of quaint mountainside villages of his native country Germany. His creation includes medieval churches, bell towers, train stations, a carousel and a skating rink. Bauer does add a touch of old Hawaii too, with iconic structures including the Kawaihao mission church, the Moana Surfrider and last year’s addition, the Iolani Palace which alone took over six weeks to build.  This year, Bauer includes the Aloha Tower as the latest addition to the historical gingerbread landmark creations. (Source)

This gingerbread village will be on display in the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel lobby through January 2.

Here’s a short video that shows photos of the village.

(Email subscribers: click here to access the video.)

For ideas of what to do for Christmas 2011 in Waikiki and Honolulu, click this link: Waikiki Christmas 2011 — Special Holiday Dining & Events

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USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) pulls past the USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri Memorial as she enters Pearl Harbor for a liberty stop. (Jan. 31, 2003; U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Carol Warden – RELEASED)

To commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Missouri Memorial will proudly host a mass band performance featuring more than 650 performers from a dozen high school, college and community bands jointly performing patriotic favorites, all under the direction of Pearl Harbor survivor Allen Bodenlos.

The 70^th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band performance will take place on Wednesday, December 7, from noon to 12:45pm Hawaii Time, pierside at the Missouri. This event will be webcast live at www.channel808.tv. (Update: here’s a permanent link to the recording of this ceremony.)

Located a ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial completes a historical visitor experience that begins in Pearl Harbor on the “date that will live in infamy” and ends on the USS Missouri (BB-63) on Sept. 2, 1945, with the formal WWII surrender.

Click here to learn more about special events for the 70^th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack.

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Waikiki Clock

One of the first things we do when we’re planning a Waikiki vacation is to check sunset times. Whether it’s planning a memorable sunset picnic or having a tropical sunset drink in Waikiki, it’s important to know when sunset is.

This handy dandy link will help you find Waikiki/Honolulu sunset times. When you open the link, it displays sunset time for immediate dates, but you can use the drop down menus at the top to find sunset time for your visit.

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On Saturday, the premiere surfing event, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, begins on Oahu’s North Shore. That means the big, ginormous, monster waves of winter are on their way!

If you’re going to Oahu between now and February, keep your eyes and ears tuned to the surf report. If the big waves are coming, then try to take a peek at the surfing action on the North Shore. The Banzai Pipeline is a great place to watch the expert surfers carve up the waves.

If you’re lucky enough to catch one of the Vans competitions that are spread out over November and December, check out these useful spectator tips.

If you’re not one of those lucky ones, don’t worry, I’ve got something for you, too. Check out this super duper awesome video of Oahu big wave surfing in slow motion.

(Email subscribers: click here to access the video.)

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Golden Waikiki Sunset from House Without A Key

Watching sunset with a refreshing tropical drink in hand is a relaxing way to end a day in Waikiki Beach. After many trips to Waikiki, we definitely have some favorite spots that we’d like to share with you. Whether you like to sip on a tropical  cocktail or mocktail,  we recommend these top Waikiki spots:

Our favorite place is Halekulani’s House Without A Key. We love their live Hawaiian music combined with exceptionally graceful hula dancers  The  ocean front setting  and sunset views are outstanding. A cocktail will set you back about $12 or $13 each, if I remember correctly, but the free entertainment and homemade potato chips definitely make the cost worth it. As long as your budget allows, I would say that having sunset drinks at House Without A Key is a must do on your Waikiki vacation. Entertainment begins at 5:30 so aim to arrive then or a little bit earlier to grab an outdoor seat near the band. The atmosphere is upscale here.

Silhouette of Hawaiian Musicians at House Without A Key

The Ocean House Restaurant at Outrigger Reef on the Beach offers a quiet ocean front spot for a relaxed, upscale atmosphere. There’s no entertainment so it’s easier to enjoy conversation along with the ocean and Diamond Head views. If you wanted to move from drinks into dinner or pupus (appetizers), the food is fairly good here too. Arrive around 5pm or shortly after for the oceanfront tables.

Tropical Drinks from The Ocean House

Though not technically on the beach, Tiki’s at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel offers great ocean and sunset views from its elevated level. There’s also palm trees in the view that can add a bit more interest to your sunset photos. Tiki’s also provides live music adding to this lively and casual atmosphere.

One of Andy's Award-Winning Sunset Photos Taken from Tiki's

Duke’s Waikiki at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach offers  entertainment and wonderful  ocean front view. The atmosphere is casual and a little more lively compared to House Without A Key.

So these are my four favorite places so far. How about you? Where’s the top place you like to go for a sunset drink in Waikiki?

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Though we’ve covered quite a bit about Aulani after visiting last month for their Grand Opening Celebration, I felt like there were several aspects that I still needed to share with you.

Hawaiian Culture Is Embraced and Honored

When I first heard that Disney was coming to Hawaii several years ago, I wondered how Disney would blend in Hawaii. Actually, I think Disney has gone to great lengths to incorporate Hawaiian culture into Aulani and emphasizing that above iconic Disney characters. Hawaiian culture seems to drive the car, so to speak, while stereotypical Disney aspects ride along in the backseat. For example, when we first arrived, we noticed the kalo (taro) plants in front of the resort, we were greeted with alohas and when we went into the lobby we noticed then the beautiful murals of Hawaiian scenes. It wasn’t until we got into our room that we finally noticed the first Disney-influence, which was a vintage-looking lamp with a wooden Mickey Mouse carved in the lamp stand (see photo).

Aulani Lobby

I had a chance to meet with some of the Aulani artists who were all born and raised in Hawaii – most were local from the Waianae Coast. When they were commissioned for their art, they said that Disney provided very little input. Each artist expressed how much they enjoyed being a part of Aulani, telling their story and perpetuating their native Hawaiian culture. If you’re interested in learning more about the art at Aulani, I found this article.

Just about every place that has a name at Aulani has a Hawaiian name. Hawaiian is usually spoken first. In fact, a helpful Concierge, Sharilyn, told me that though she had grown up in Hawaii, she’s never spoken as much Hawaiian as she has since she started working at Aulani.

Kid & Family Friendly

Donald Duck rocks an Aloha Shirt at Aulani

In my opinion, Aulani is the most kid-friendly resort in Hawaii. Here are some of the great things designed for kids to enjoy:

• Aunty’s Beach House is a dream play house for any kid. Just touring it made me want to be a kid again. There’s Hawaiian crafts, dress up, story time, outdoor play, hula, musical instruments, movies, games and more. I’ve not seen anything else in Hawaii that matches it. Not only is it outstanding – it’s a complimentary amenity for guests. Other Hawaii resorts charge $35 or more for a half day. You do need to pay for meals. Aunty’s Beach House is open from 8am to 9pm or 9am to 11pm depending on the day. Aunty’s Beach House is available for potty trained guests ages 3 to 12.
• Aulani offers complimentary activities designed especially for tweens and teens like pool parties, obstacle courses and stargazing.
• Disney Characters make regular visits and appearances much to the delight kids of all ages. Character Breakfasts are scheduled three days per week at the moment.
• Aulani has embraced the legend of the Menehune – so much so that they’ve placed hundreds of Menehune statues and carvings throughout the resort. It’s fun for both kids and grownups to find Menehune hiding throughout the resort.
• Rainbow Reef, two waterslides and the Menehune Bridge (photo) are ideal water fun parks for kids and adults, too. You’d have to try really, really hard not to have fun in the Aulani Waikolohe Valley collection of water park fun.
• Rooms include Pack ‘n Play playard for the little ones.
• The lagoon beach adjacent to Aulani offers relatively safe protection from big waves.

Couple Friendly?

I added the question mark because, I’m not too sure about how couple-friendly Aulani is. It’s not couple unfriendly, that’s for sure, but I wouldn’t say that Aulani is exceptionally romantic either.

Andy and I certainly enjoyed our visit, though we spent most of our time working. When we could, we enjoyed the waterslides and lazy river like a couple of kids.

Mickey & Minnie Mouse enjoy a romantic Aulani sunset.

Some of the romantic things you can do at Aulani are have a Fairytale Disney Wedding, enjoy private ocean view dining, get some spa pampering with a couples massage, go on a catamaran sunset cruise, relax by the adults-only pool, watch sunset in the infinity whirlpools, have a sunset beach picnic, etc.

Outstanding Spa Facilities

I think it’s just a matter of time for Aulani’s Laniwai Spa to be listed among Hawaii’s best spas. Access to their outdoor hydrotherapy garden, Kula Wai, is included in most treatments.  Kula Wai offers whirlpools, cold plunge, mineral baths and my favorite – six different rain shower experiences. If you’re not staying at Aulani, but you want to get a spa treatment in Oahu, I highly recommend Aulani’s spa. (Psst! Here’s a tip, when there’s availability, guests can purchase a day pass to the hydrotherapy garden for $45.)

Rooms

Aulani offers both hotel  and vacation ownership accommodations. The hotel portion was sold out, so we were lucky to be assigned one of the Disney Vacation Club rooms. We had a sitting area, dining area, full kitchen, washer and dryer, separate bedroom and a bath and a half. We could have lived there. The rooms are nicely decorated with dark woods, Hawaiian prints and kapa designs. Even if you are not a Disney Vacation Club owner, the DVC rooms are available for booking within 60 days of your visit when they’re available.

Dining

Aulani offers several dining venues across the resort from take out to fine dining. Our favorite restaurant was ‘AMA’AMA where we enjoyed their kulua pork on steamed rice buns and the ocean views.  For casual evening dining, we liked The ‘Olelo Room where Hawaiian is spoken first. It’s a great place for sliders and learning to speak Hawaiian words – a great combo. For a cool treat, we really liked the shave ice hut near the pools.

Aulani has their very own Shave Ice hut that looks like it was transported straight from the North Shore.

As I’ve already mentioned, Aulani offers a great chance to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and other Disney characters at the Character Breakfast that’s served buffet-style for $32 in Makahiki. We enjoyed it. (Psst! They also offer an a la carte menu at Makahiki if you don’t want the buffet.)

If there’s one area Aulani could improve upon, I’d say it’s with dining. We didn’t have a bad meal, but we didn’t have many impressive ones either. We chalked it up to the standard learning curve that all new restaurants endure.

Pricing

With rooms starting at $399, Aulani’s rates are definitely well above average for Hawaii of about $185 per night. That being said, the service and the amenities are well above average for Hawaii, too.

I could be wrong, but I predict that Aulani will begin offering more deals. At the moment, they have a limited 5th night free offer.

We felt like food and beverage costs were in line with what most Hawaii resorts charge. Nothing shocked us in comparison to other Hawaii resorts we’ve visited.

A few tips for getting the most out of your stay:

• Check the all the resort happenings with the weekly, and daily ‘IWA for crafts, character meet and greet, movies on the lawn, Starlit Hui show, etc. Most of these activities are complimentary for guests.
• If you think you might be interested in taking part in the Character Breakfast, I recommend you book a month or more in advance to make sure you secure your spot. Also, aim to get there for an early arrival, like 7am, where you’ll have the characters almost all to yourself.
• If you are getting a spa treatment, do plan to check in an hour before to enjoy the spa amenities.
• Check out is at 11am, but don’t worry if you have a late flight. Aulani provides a fantastic lounge for guest after check out, the Luana Lounge. You’ll find lockers, showers, swimsuit dryers, hair dryers in case you need to freshen up before your flight. There’s two separate lounges with sofas and televisions. They even provide a monitor with Honolulu flights and a station to print your boarding passes.
• Wifi is free, yippee!
• See all the photos we took during our Aulani stay.
• Don’t forget to check out our video tour of Aulani.

We’d like to thank Aulani for hosting and inviting us to their Grand Opening Celebration.

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While we were staying at the Disney Aulani resort in Ko Olina, this colorful outrigger canoe by the lagoon kept grabbing my attention. So, I went by Makiki Joe’s water sport hut to inquire about it. I found out that I could go sailing along the Ko Olina coast this beautiful outrigger canoe with Hawaiian Ocean Adventures for $99 per person. I immediately booked a sailing for Andy and me.

The hour long sail took us out of the protected lagoon and into the open water. We first went south, hoping to see some honu (Hawaiian sea turtles) and we did see two or three. I love seeing the honu surface to poke their heads out of the water.

Next, we sailed north on the look out for dolphins and we found a nice-sized pod coming towards the shore. What a show they put on – leaping and spinning out of the water. We saw some baby dolphins arching out of the water by their moms – oh my goodness, they were adorable!

The owner, Nakoa Prejean, was born and raised in Hawaii. As he navigated us along the coast, Nakoa told us about how he perpetuates the art of Hawaiian canoe building and sailing. He builds his own canoes in the same fashion as ancient canoes, but with modern materials. Not only does he build canoes, but he also donates his time to teach this skill to aspiring, young canoe builders and sailors.

While we were on this excursion, there were a few points when Nakoa used a motor to help get us to where we were going, but we also had some really awesome moments of just paddling and sailing like ancient Polynesian explorers would have done. We caught some really nice wind in the sails that was absolutely exhilarating to be gliding so quickly just a few feet above the water’s surface.

Andy prepared this excellent video of our tour that includes coastal scenes and dolphins swimming above and below the water:

(Email subscribers use this link to access our video of canoe sailing with Hawaiian Ocean Adventures.)

This tour can take up to six guests at a time. Andy and I were lucky that no one else had signed up when we did, so we essentially had a private sail. We loved this sail and highly recommend it.

Here’s what to know when you go:

- Mornings tend to offer the smoothest sailing.

- Wear sunscreen.

- Bring a waterproof camera

- Hang on to your hat when the wind picks up.

- It’s best not to wear or bring anything that you wouldn’t want to get wet. There was an place for us to store stuff away from splashes.

- Hawaiian Ocean Adventures also offers canoe sailing tours on the windward (east) side of Oahu.

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* Hilton is celebrating their 50th year in Hawaii with a five-night Hawaii vacation sweepstakes including airfare, a $50 food and beverage credit plus 50 complimentary resort activities. You need a Hilton HHonors account, which are free to obtain. This sweepstakes is open to residents of the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada (not including Quebec) and Japan.

* If you want to visit the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki and you  can’t wait to see if you’ve won the sweepstakes, they’re offering a cool Hawaii Five-0 themed deal, called the Hawaii Five-0 Experience. The deal incudes an ocean view room in the Rainbow Tower, a DVD of Hawaii Five-0 Season One, $50 dining credit, two signature Hawaii Five-0 cocktails and 50% off a catamaran sail for $249 per night with a five-night minimum stay.

* Celebrity Cruises has a deal on 15-night cruise to Hawaii starting at $1099 per person for an inside cabin. See that deal and other Hawaii itineraries here. The 15-nighter is a round-trip cruise from San Diego and includes stops at all the major islands except for Kauai, sadly. In addition to the Hawaii ports of call, the cruise also goes to Ensenada, Mexico. Crucon is offering a $200 credit if you book by October 28. See all the details and restrictions here.

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Waikiki Aquarium
Seeing tropical fish and plants is a great activity for everyone of all ages. Admission is $9 for adult and $2 for kids ages 5 to 12. Each paid tour includes a free audio tour wand. Waikiki Aquarium is open daily from 9am to 4:30pm. The aquarium is located at 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, on the shoreline in Waikiki’s Kapi‘olani Park in Honolulu.

Learn Hawaiian Culture – Ukulele Lessons, Lei Making, Hula
Many resorts offer free or low cost cultural lessons like hula, lei making and ukulele lessons. Check with your resort for their schedule. Also, check out these other venues for complementary cultural lessons:

• Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki offers great Hawaiian cultural enrichment programs – from hula lessons, ukulele lessons, lei making, lomi lomi massage and more. Their cultural programs are complimentary and offered Monday through Saturday. See this link for the schedule.
• Take free ukulele lessons everyday at 4pm at The Ukebox in the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki Beach. Most days, the excellent ukulele instructor, Bruce Shimabokuru (Jake’s brother), teaches the lesson. You can also arrange to take a private lesson by appointment. See this link to the Ukebox for more information.

Enjoy Some Pool Time or Go to a Waterpark
If you can’t beat’em, join ‘em. You’re going to get wet in a pool anyway, so a little rain is no big deal. You’ll likely find the pools almost deserted when it rains, so you’ll almost have it all to yourself. Towards the western shore of Oahu, you’ll find the waterpark Wet’n’Wild Hawaii. Their schedule varies based on season, so see this link for opening days and hours. Wet’n’Wild Hawaii is located at 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei.

Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum offers something for everyone and every age. Their Hawaiian Hall is literally a treasure trove of Hawaiian history, culture and artifacts. The Planetarium programs are excellent. Don’t miss the popular Explorers of Polynesia program at the Planetarium.  Kids will especially enjoy the Science Adventure Center with many interactive exhibits.  Bishop Museum is open from 9am to 5pm, except Tuesdays and Christmas Day. The museum is located at 1525 Bernice Street in Honolulu. Admission is $17.95 for adults and $14.95 for seniors 65 and old as well as children ages 4 – 12.

Iolani Palace
Visit the only royal palace in the United States. The palace is open for touring Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm.  Guided tours are $20 for adults and $6 for children ages 5 to 12. Self-guided tours are $13 for adults and $6 for children including an audio guide. Iolani Palace is located at 364 South King Street in Honolulu.

Shangri La
Tour Doris Duke’s seaside home and extensive Islamic art collection via the Honolulu Acadamy of Arts. Shangri La tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday via the Honolulu Academy of Arts in Honolulu. See this link for all the tour options, directions and details. Tickets are $25.

Shopping

• Hawaii’s largest shopping mall is the Ala Moana Center at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. Mall hours are Monday – Saturday from 9:30am to 9:00pm and on Sundays from 10:00am to 7:00pm. See this link for directions and transportation options.
• By Honolulu Harbor, you’ll find the historic Aloha Tower Marketplace. Aloha Tower Marketplace is located  at 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu.  See this link for transport and directions.
• Towards the western shore, you’ll find Waikele Premium Outlets. Use this link for directions. Their standard hours are Monday through Saturday: 9am-9pm; and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
• In Waikiki, you’ll find the Royal Hawaiian Center and Waikiki BeachWalk.

So as you can see, there are lots of fun and enriching things to do that are perfect for a rainy day in Oahu. Have you been to Oahu on a rainy day? What did you do for fun?

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