Hawaii Vacation Deals and News Roundup for September 10th

We have buckets and buckets of news today!  So, let’s dive in without delay.

• Most everyone who visits Maui knows how wonderful it is to watch sunrise from 10,000 feet above sea level on Haleakala. Now, when you visit the Big Island, you can literally top that sunrise experience at nearly 14,000 feet above sea level on Mauna Kea.  Arnott’s Lodge and Hiking Adventures offers a new Mauna Kea sunrise adventure tour that includes some stargazing before sunrise. I believe this is the first tour of it’s kind on the Big Island. They say if it’s a clear night you’ll might be able to see the flowing lava rivers and fountains from the volcano.  The cost of the tour is $110 per person.
• The FrugalTravelGuy knows all the ins and outs of using credit cards and loyalty memberships to get free travel.  He’s shared a cunning plan of how a couple can get a free eight-night vacation to Hawaii. I’d be interested to know what you think of the plan.
• Hawaiian Airlines has extended their fall sale.
• The Pineapple Garden Maze at Oahu’s Dole Plantation has recaptured the title for the world’s largest maze. That’s one a-mazing pineapple!
• What’s the average going room rate in Hawaii?  The most recent report says the statewide room rate is $201 per night which is actually down 2.3% compared to this same time last year.  Occupancy rates are down statewide as well with an average of 69.1%. What does this mean to you?  It means that Hawaii deals abound and you’ll find a bit more elbow room when you get there. In other words, now is the time to go to Hawaii.
• Travelbite.co.uk offers some suggestions for boutique accommodation in Hawaii.
• Chris Elliott shares three secrets to avoiding a vacation rental scam. 
• I enjoyed watching this travel etiquette chat
  video with Lori Rackl and Anna Post.  It’s primarily aimed at business travelers, but many general travel etiquette questions are also answered.  In the chat, some questions like these are addressed:
• when and how much to tip the concierge housekeeping
• how to deal with the space hog or chatty cathy on the plane
• how to deal with a kid kicking the back of your seat
• how to ask for an upgrade
• should you tip flight attendants
• what sorts of foods you should avoid bringing on a plane