Hawaii Travel Newsletter

And the 2008 Hawaiian Music Grammy Goes To...

2008-02-10T21:26:00.001-08:00

The winner of the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album released between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007 was announced today during an awards ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The winner of the 2008 Hawaiian Music Grammy Award was the album "Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar", produced by Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong. This is the fourth year in a row the Hawaiian Music Grammy was awarded to a slack key guitar album. The Hawaiian music category was first added to the Grammys in 2005.

How to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Hawaii

2008-01-27T23:27:00.000-08:00

February 14 is Valentine's Day but it's not too early to start making plans if you will be celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii. Here are some ideas for making Valentine's Day 2008 extra special, including how to order a singing Valentine in Honolulu, where to buy Valentine's Day balloons, special events on Valentine's Day, fine dining restaurants on several islands, dinner cruises, romantic inns, luxury spas, and gift ideas with a romantic Hawaii theme. If you know about a Hawaii Valentine's Day event or gift idea not included in this article please send a message to editor@hawaiitravelnewsletter.com.

Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii

Other 2008 Events and Holidays in Hawaii

Honoring Martin Luther King in Honolulu

2008-01-18T06:05:00.001-08:00

JAN 20: Candlelight Nagasaki Peace Bell Ringing Ceremony at the Honolulu Hale Civic Center (Lauhala and Beretania Streets at 7:00 pm)

JAN 21: Martin Luther King Day Parade - Ala Moana Park, through Waikiki, to Kapiolani Park (9:00-10:00 am)

JAN 21: Unity Celebration - Post parade rally and celebration(begins about 10:00 am in Kapiolani Park - thousands of people expected)

More: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Hawaii

January 2008 Events in Hawaii

2008-01-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hawaii Events in January of 2008 include several golf championships, two dance festivals, an outrigger canoe race, several running events, a cultural festival on Molokai, the anniversary of astronaut Ellison Onizuka's death, the opening ceremony of the Hawaii State Legislature, and many other events and special occasions. For more information about these and other events in 2008 see our

2008 Hawaii Event Calendar

My Visit to the Kamaka Ukulele Factory

2007-12-28T15:18:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month I had the great pleasure of touring the Kamaka Ukulele Factory in downtown Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The Kamaka family has been making ukuleles in Hawaii since 1916, when the company was founded by Samuel Kaialiilii Kamaka. Today the factory is owned and operated by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Pictured on the left are Fred Kamaka Jr. and Fred Kamaka, Sr., the grandson and son of company founder Sam Kamaka. Free factory tours are available to the public five mornings a week. For more information about Kamaka Ukuleles and their weekly factory tours call 808-531-3165.

Photos of the Kamaka Ukulele Factory Tour

Andy Bumatai TV Show - Everybody is Invited!

2007-10-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

One of the most entertaining evenings I've had in Waikiki in a very long time was watching a taping of the new NightTime with Andy Bumatai TV show. Everyone is invited to be part of the show's studio audience, it's FREE, and it is one of the most fun, entertaining, and unusual nighttime experiences you can have in Waikiki. IMPORTANT NOTE: The NightTime With Andy Bumatai show has moved from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to the Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel.[More About the Show]

Photos Coming: Falsetto Contest and Waikiki Historic Trail

2007-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

I just returned home from my trip to Honolulu for the 2007 Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest. What a great event! On this trip I also *finally* found elusive marker #15 on the Waikiki Historic Trail. There are 23 sites on that Waikiki walking trail and 19 of them have 6 foot tall surfboard markers with historic photos and information. You would think something 6 feet tall would be very easy to find, but a few of those markers are surprisingly hard to spot unless you are viewing them directly from the front. Anyway I was SO HAPPY when I finally found that last marker a couple of days ago. Photos are coming soon of the 2007 Falsetto Contest, the Waikiki Historic Trail, the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe, an architect's tour of Honolulu, Kakaako Waterfront Park, the Waimanalo Polo Field, the Sea Life Park Luau, and several other attractions and tours. I was a busy girl this week! Watch for information in the next few days about the great comedian Andy Bumatai's new nightly TV show and find out how you can watch that show being taped (almost live) in Waikiki. You won't want to miss it during your next trip to Honolulu!

Hawaii Superferry on National Geographic TV

2007-09-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

The National Geographic TV Channel will air a documentary on the construction of the Hawaii Superferry Thursday, September 6 and Saturday, September 8, 2007. Here is their description of the show: "The Hawaii Super Ferry is a commuter vessel complete with shops, restaurants and enough storage space for nearly 300 cars. Join the National Geographic Channel to find out how this super ferry will provide fast and affordable ferry service in Hawaii. To succeed, it must provide a comfortable ride while blazing at speeds of almost 50 mph and cutting through 6-foot-high swells. Follow a team of workers as they attempt to convert the innovative design into a functional ferry."
PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME TV SCHEDULE:

September 6 (Thursday): 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

September 8 (Saturday): 9:00 a.m.
See also: News About the Hawaii Superferry

King Kamehameha Statue in Washington DC

2007-07-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

The golden King Kamehameha statue in front of the Judiciary Building in historic downtown Honolulu is the most photographed attraction in Hawaii but many people do not know there is an identical statue inside the National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol Building in Washington DC. There are three of these beautiful golden statues, one in Washington DC, one in Honolulu, and the original statue, which is located at King Kamehameha's birthplace in Kohala on the Big Island.

King Kamehameha Statue in Washington DC

King Kamehameha Statue in Honolulu

King Kamehameha Statue in Kohaha

Take a Ride on a Zipline in Hawaii

2007-07-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

One of the newest adventure activities in Hawaii is zipline riding, the sport of soaring high above the ground while your body is secured in a harness and attached to an overhead cable. There are several zipline tour operators in Hawaii and each offers a diffent mix of terrain and amenities. Some of Hawaii's zipline tours are part of multi-sport adventures that combine zipline tours with activities such as kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, jeep tours, and swimming. The photo on the left was taken on one of the Outfitter's Kauai zipline adventures.

Introduction to Zipline Tours in Hawaii

Kauai Zipline Eco-Adventures

Maui Zipline Eco-Adventures

Zipline Tours Around the World

Planning a Visit to Pearl Harbor

2007-07-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor is the #1 most popular visitor attraction in Hawaii. The article "Planning a Visit to Pearl Harbor" will help you plan a day trip that includes visiting the USS Arizona Memorial and three of the next most popular attractions in Pearl Harbor: the USS Bowfin Submarine, the USS Missouri Battleship, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
Pictures: Aerial Photos of Pearl Harbor
- Arizona Memorial - Bowfin Submarine
- Missouri Battleship - Aviation Museum

The Kapahulu Groin at Queen's Surf Beach

2007-07-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

The Kapahulu Groin is a pedestrian walkway that extends into the ocean from Queen's Surf Beach on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. It is an extension of a storm drain that runs under Kapahulu Avenue and it was built in 1951 on the spot where the Old Kuekaunahi Stream use to flow into the sea after crossing the Waikiki Swamp. The ocean end of the Kapahulu Groin is a wonderful place to take panoramic photos of Waikiki but watch out for the huge splashes of water some of the local kids delight in surprising you with by jumping off the walkway into the sea (an activity that is dangerous and supposedly strictly forbidden).

Larger Photo of the Kapahulu Groin

Queen's Surf Beach Photo

Kuhio Beach Park Photo

Kapiolani Park and Zoo Improvement Plan

2007-07-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

A proposed $14 million improvement to Waikiki's Kapiolani Park includes widening walkways, placing utility lines underground, replacing the softball field near the Dillingham Fountain with a tree-shaded picnic area, and creating a new and more visible entrance to the Honolulu Zoo.

Photo of the Current Honolulu Zoo Entrance

Photo of Kapiolani Park Today

Photo of the Old Kapiolani Park Racetrack

July 2007 Honolulu Advertiser Article

Launch of Hawaii Superferry Delayed

2007-06-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

The launch of Hawaii's new inter-island ferry service has been delayed until later this summer so the high speed vessel can complete the process of becoming certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. The ferry began its 7600 mile voyage from a Mobile Alabama shipyard to Hawaii this morning. It will pass through the Panama Canal and stop for refueling in Los Angeles before continuing on to Honolulu. The new expected launch date for the Hawaii Superferry Service will be announced soon.

New Movie About a Tragic Hawaiian Princess

2007-06-13T15:06:00.001-07:00

In the Fall of 2007 British film maker Marc Forby will begin filming a movie about the life of Hawaiian Princess Kaiulani who died at the age of 23 after witnessing the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and attempting restore it by speaking to the congress and president of the United States. The princess as a child will be played by 12 year old Kaimana Paaluhi of Oahu and the princess as an adult will be played by former Hawaii resident Qorianka Kilcher, of Peruvian descent, who played Pocahontas opposite Colin Farrell in the 2005 movie "The New World". Forby's goal is to produce a historically accurate film that will also be compelling enough to attract a large audience.

Waikiki Statue of Princess Kaiulani

Books About Hawaiian Royalty

Movies Made In Hawaii

Alaska Airlines Adds Flights to Hawaii

2007-05-31T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today Alaska Airlines announced their plan to add year-round flights between Seattle and Oahu and Seattle and Kauai in October of 2007. They also plan to add seasonal flights between Anchorage Alaska and Honolulu in December of 2007. Introductory one-way fares between $110 and $160 are available now on the Alaska Airlines Web site. For more information see Alaska Airlines Adds Service to Hawaii

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Memorial Day Weekend Events in Hawaii

2007-05-27T06:05:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Weekend events in Hawaii will include separate ceremonies hosted by the Governor of Hawaii and the Mayor of Honolulu, a "Rolling Thunder" motorcycle club ceremony, a floating of lanterns in Ala Moana Park and many more events honoring those who died or became missing in action while performing military service.

Photos of Hiking Inside a Volcanic Crater

2007-05-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

The Haleakala Volcano Photo Gallery features pictures of hiking trails inside Haleakala National Park plus photos of cycling down the mountain, the exotic silversword plant, the Science City observatories at Haleakala's summit, and other pictures of the upper and coastal areas of Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui.

Visit Maui's Historic Iao Valley State Park

2007-05-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

The geological formation pictured on the left is the Iao Needle, a dramatic lava rock projection at the end of a ridge inside Iao Valley State Park on the west side of the island of Maui. There is a short trail in the park that leads to a windy overlook where visitors can get good views the Iao Needle. The best views are usually in the morning because the formation is often hidden behind clouds. Other attractions in Iao Valley State Park include the Iao Valley itself and the multi-ethnic Kepaniwai Park Heritage Gardens.

Photo of the Iao Needle

Photo of Iao Valley State Park

More About the Island of Maui

Dining in the Pink Palace of the Pacific

2007-05-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

The dining room in the historic, bright pink, Moroccan style, Royal Hawaiian Hotel is called the Surf Room Restaurant. It has an outdoor patio area covered with distinctive pink and white striped tenting and a more formal indoor area with teak pillars, pink tablecloths, and rattan furniture. Breakfast lunch and dinner are served in the Surf Room, and there are also special meals such as Sunday brunch, a Friday seafood buffet, and holiday dinners. Most of the tables in the Surf Room have beautiful views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Crater.

Photos of the New Wyland Waikiki Hotel

2007-05-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

The much anticipated Wyland Waikiki Hotel has finally opened after several delays and changes in ownership. Artist Robert Wyland purchased the former Waikiki Surf Hotel in 2005 with the intention of upgrading it from a budget family hotel to an upscale boutique hotel featuring his artwork. At one point it was expected the hotel would be operated by Hilton under its Doubletree brand but last month the management contract was awarded to Outrigger. The multi-million dollar renovations were completed and the hotel finally opened in April of 2007. Special rates are being offered to the first hotel guests that include a reduced room rate and breakfast at the International House of Pancakes Restaurant across the street from the hotel.

10 Photos of the New Wyland Waikiki Hotel

Wyland Art Gallery on Kalakaua Avenue

More Oahu Hotels

Hotels on Other Islands

A State-of-the-Art Astronomy Center in Hilo

2007-05-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is located on a hillside above the town of Hilo on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii. Exhibits in the center tell the story of the Maunakea Volcano as it relates to astronomy and Hawaiian culture. The $28 million, 40,000 square foot center opened in February of 2006 and it is located on the nine acre campus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. It has an exhibit hall, planetarium shows, a cafe, a gift shop, and rooms where special events can be held.

Introduction to the Imiloa Astronomy Center

Mauna Kea Observatories and Telescopes

Other Hilo Attractions

Waikiki Shell Might Be Renamed for Don Ho

2007-05-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

This week the Honolulu City Council will vote on a resolution to rename the Waikiki Shell outdoor amphitheater in Kapiolani Park the "Don Ho Waikiki Shell". Honolulu city facilities may be named after individuals who have had a significant association with the facility, who have achieved national recognition, or who have been honored for military service. Don Ho died on April 14, 2007 at the age of 76. He was an internationally famous professional entertainer for 43 years and he served in the United States Air Force so he meets all three criteria. The vote will take place on Thursday, May 17, 2007.

Kauai Wildlife Refuge May Be Doubled in Size

2007-05-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

This week the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is holding a public meeting to discuss the possibility of adding 55, 179, or 202 acres to the already 203 acre Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on the north coast of Kauai. The U.S. Congress approved expanding the refuge in 2004 but there has been some resistance by locals who fear access to beaches and other recreational areas in the refuge will be restricted. A decision is expected to be made in July of 2007.

Photo of the Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge

Photo of the Historic Kilauea Lighthouse

Photo of Kilauea Point

Other Attractions on Kauai Island

Oahu Water Park Adds Miniature Golf Course

2007-05-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in West Oahu will open its new $1 million, 18 hole, miniature golf course on May 26, 2007, just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. The new golf course is called Island Adventure Golf and it has four areas connected by waterways. Each of those areas represents a different Hawaii environment, including the beach, the reef, a tropical valley, and a volcano. This new golf course is part of Hawaiian Waters' plan to offer more attractions and events for teenagers and adults over the next few years.

Photos of Island Adventure Golf

Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park

Sea Life Park

More Oahu Attractions