Hawaii vacation deals & news: October 7, 2014

* The travel agency Pleasant Holidays is advertising a Hawaii January Vacation Sale with with a free convertible, SUV, minivan or luxury rental car. See more details here.

* If you want to visit Maui on the cheap, this hotel deal for $79 per night at the 2.5-star Maui Beach Hotel, looks like it’s worth considering.

* Cruises are on sale world wide for CLIA Cruise Week, per my cruise expert pal Tanya Taylor. She indicated that one of the best Hawaii cruise values during this celebration/sale period with Norwegian Cruise Line and their 10% onboard credit back offer

* Folks in Hawaii are discussing the possibility of reinstating the Hawaii Superferry. This controversial, inter-island ferry service was only briefly in business several years ago before meeting vocal opposition. Read more about this topic at Hawaii News Now.

* Could a nonstop flight from Europe to Honolulu be in the works? Hawaii Tourism Authority officials say that discussions are underway.

* Maui Ocean Center is now on Instagram! In celebration of Maui Ocean Center’s Instagram launch, they’re giving away a beach inspired gift collection, shown in this Instagram photo, from Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop, valued at over $150. Throughout October, share your photos from the Aquarium and include the hashtag #MOCWorldofWeirdand tag them at @MauiOceanCenter to enter the drawing. The winner will be selected randomly on November 1st. Your Instagram profile must be public in order to be eligible for this drawing.

* The Four Seasons Resort Lodge at Koele will close temporally in early 2015 to house workers who are renovating the Four Seasons resort at Manele Bay. Read more here.

* There’s quite a bit of news about the lava flow on Hawaii, the Big Island.

The current lava flow is heading towards roads and inhabited areas of Puna. At the moment, the flow is roughly a mile from streets. See the most recent volcano update here. Additionally, see this link for aerial video footage shot on October 3rd.
The Hawaii County lava viewing area in Kalapana is closed to the general public.
This lava flow is only viewable via helicopters and planes, however Hawaii County Civil Defense has implemented new air space restrictions immediately above the flow. Read more here.
Plans are firming to repair the Chain of Craters Road that’s been blocked by previous lava flows for more than a decade.