* Duke’s restaurants have been island favorites on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. Well, now there’s good news for Hawaii’s Big Island. A brand-new Duke’s Kona will open at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa in late 2026.
* Travelzoo has a great offer for stays at the 5-star Fairmont Orchid on Hawaii’s Big Island. Per Travelzoo, “two guests can stay from $399 per night, including a waived resort fee. Stay 5 nights (or longer) and you’ll get a $250 food-and-beverage credit and complimentary parking, along with the waived resort fee—that adds up to over $1900 in savings.” Those are excellent perks, especially considering the lower rate for this luxury hotel. We loved our stay at Fairmont Orchid.
* Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa completed a full renovation of its 297 guest rooms and the new design really looks sleek and calm.
* The former Montage Kapalua is now under the Marriott portfolio. The resort is currently called The Resort at Kapalua Bay. The resort is to be “reimagined” into a St. Regis resort. When we stayed at this Kapalua property, we loved it.
* If you plan to visit Oahu anytime soon, please pack some extra patience and care. The North Shore took a beating from the Kona low storms. In the most recent storm, some large boulders came crashing down onto Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay on the North Shore. Only one lane will be open while a rockfall protection system is installed. Per Hawaii’s Department of Transportation, this project is expected to take three to four months. Businesses on Oahu’s North Shore still need visitor support, so please don’t avoid the area.
* The controlled collapse of Aloha Stadium began yesterday. It’s a bit sad to see the old stadium going down. The New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District will replace the old stadium with a projected finish of March 2029. (Source)
Sheila Beal
