Hawaii Vacation News Roundup for April 24th

Whoa, this has been a newsy week so far, hasn’t it? Here’s the new stuff for today:

• Via This Just In, I found a new website that tracks the economic impact of travel by state. If you hover your mouse over the states, a small window pops up to show you the spending generated by tourism for that state. Being the nerd that I am, I had to compare Hawaii tourism spending to other states. I was thrown for a loop when I discovered that New Jersey has more spending at $17.4 billion than Hawaii does at $15.5 billion. Um, what?! Does that seem strange to you, too? Sorry New Jersey, but I know where I’d rather go.
• If you are going to Oahu before September, then mark the Halona Blowhole off your list of sight-seeing stops. The parking lot and viewing area close today for improvements to make it safer and more attractive.
• Are you ready for Lei Day? That’s next Thursday, May 1st. If you find yourself in Honolulu then, you should check out the free celebration at the Queen Kapiolani Regional Bandstand from 9:00am to 5:30pm. There will be music, hula shows, and the world’s longest fresh floral/greenery lei.
• Another Lei Day celebration will be held at the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel from 9:00am to 12:00pm. You can make your own lei while listening to traditional Hawaiian songs. Over a thousand plumeria blossoms will be on hand. It’s free and open to the public. (Wow – that’s really nice of them!)
• If you’re going to Kauai in May, you can take a free 10-minute golf lesson at one of the Princeville resort courses.
• Coastal Living
  has some nice articles on Kauai with a nice slide show.
• Gas prices in Hawaii have hit a new record high. The state wide average cost per gallon of regular unleaded is $3.77. Maui’s average is as high as $4.15! As Austin Powers would say, “Ouch, baby, very ouch!”