Christine's Luxury Hawaii

Hawaiian Cultural Experience

2011-04-05T11:04:00.000-10:00

I just returned from a genuinely Hawaiian cultural experience.

Today, the long process to identify and protect ancient Hawaiian bones discovered (on the property where I live) was completed, and they were re-interred with a simple ceremony. I was there.

In Hawaii today, there are laws in place to identify and protect ancient human bones discovered during development or any other work requiring digging. The laws exist because of the beliefs and traditions about death of our native hosts, the Hawaiians. It was a Hawaiian customary tradition that when a person died, their remains were placed within the landscapes of Hawai’i. Therefore, the bones are found in many places here, much to the dismay of today's project managers. These skeletal remains, “Iwi” in Hawaiian, were believed to hold the spirit, power and strength of the deceased native. No wonder Hawaiians want their ancestors' iwi protected!

The issue has been in the news many times during my 19 years of living here. It is a contentious issue, because of two radically opposing viewpoints. Developers and those suddenly involved in any archeologist-interrupted dig, find the process to be a huge inconvenience, unnecessary expense, and unpredicted delay that will affect the project completion date and put them over-budget. To the native Hawaiian people, it is imperative to save and protect bones (and the spirits they hold).

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to personally witness and learn from this dig, discovery and re-interment, from beginning to end.

Shortly after the dig started, the bones were found, then an archeologist was called in. She ordered an enlarged dig which she supervised, carefully sifting all the sand as it was dug up to find any pieces of bone. This is required by State law. It was considered a big inconvenience here; it was certainly expensive,the small project took many months to do; but management willingly went along with following all requirements.

When the dig was completed, they thought they had unearthed the bones of three individuals. Over the next few months, careful analysis of the bones was done by the archeologist. She discovered that there were in fact 12 bodies; three of them were children; the others adults or teens. These" iwi" were between 200 and 300 years old.

Today's prayer over the re-interred bones was for God to welcome them back, knowing who each was, even though we do not, and to help them continue on with their journey and eventually welcome them home. The minister also asked for forgiveness for all of us from the kapuna (ancestors) for having disturbed them. He told them we honor them with their re-interment in the monument and sacred vault, their final resting place. A representative of the Punaluu Ohana (family is ohana, in Hawaiian, Punaluu is the area immediately around the site) honored them with a traditional offering of ti leaves wrapped around various other native plants.

The completion, with the respect of all parties concerned, is an example of the culture of these islands of Hawaii, not only of the native Hawaiians; but also, of the way the many races living here differ, yet live together in harmony and aloha. It is a demonstration of the current culture of Hawaii and all its peoples.

VIDEO: Hot Lava! Volcano Erupts At Hawaii's Kilauea

2011-03-14T10:48:00.000-10:00

VIDEO: Hot Lava! Volcano Erupts At Hawaii's Kilauea

Check out the dramatic new photos from Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano. These images are in a remote part of the park and only a few lucky volcanists will get to see them up close, other than by helicopter.

Winter Has Arrived in Hawaii and it is Wonderful

2010-11-05T13:42:00.000-10:00

The whales are back. First sightings started on Maui and Oahu about 2 weeks ago. I wish I could say I'd post a photo of the first one I see on the beach here; but I won't. They are so fast and it is so exciting that it is a real challenge to get the timing right.

This week, the first in November, saw the first big waves of the winter season. They were 18 to 35 feet at their peak! Water mountains, for sure. Surfers were stoked. Only the most experienced "men who ride mountains" (as Bother Iz used to call them) took to the waves and they had a couple really great days.

On our reef protected beach where I live, the waves were huge outside the reef and they were perfect inside -- just nice safe and fun sized waves for body surfing and playing around. People who never get in the water were in that day and they loved it, too. It was a real "stop and enjoy this moment and realize how great our lives are" feeling and the atmosphere was positively joyful.

Also this week, we had the first real rain we have had in months. There is a draught throughout the state and so the rain was badly needed. It rained in showers with no flooding and the ground was able to soak it in. It was exactly what we needed. The sky is getting blue again and the grin on my face is getting bigger.

Lucky we live Hawaii. Lucky you can come and visit. I'll be glad to help you plan your trip.

Celebrating King Kamehameha

2010-06-14T04:04:00.000-10:00

King Kamehameha is a big man in Hawaii's history, Hawaii landmarks and Hawaii holidays.

A great warrior, diplomat and leader, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands two hundred years ago, in 1810, into one royal kingdom, after years of conflict.

He was destined for greatness even before his birth. Hawaiian legend prophesized that a light in the sky with feathers like a bird would signal the birth of a great chief. Historians believe Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s comet passed over Hawaii.

The future king was hidden from warring clans in secluded Waipio Valley after birth. After the death threat passed, he came out of hiding and was renamed Kamehameha (The Lonely One), and trained as a warrior. His legendary strength was proven when he overturned the Naha Stone, in Hilo today, which reportedly weighed between 2.5 and 3.5 tons.

Warfare between chiefs throughout the islands was widespread. In 1778, Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii, dovetailing with Kamehameha’s ambitions. With the help of western weapons and advisors, Kamehameha won fierce battles at Iao Valley in Maui and the Nuuanu Pali on Oahu. In 1810, when King Kaumualii of Kauai agreed to become a tributary kingdom under Kamehameha, the kingdom was united.

Kamehameha’s unification of Hawaii was significant not only because it was an incredible feat, but also because under separate rule, the Islands may have been torn apart by competing western interests.

Today, four commissioned statues stand to honor King Kamehameha’s memory. The most recognized Kamehameha statue stands in front of Aliiolani Hale (the judiciary building) across from Iolani Palace in historic downtown Honolulu a and a short walk from Chinatown. Dedicated in 1883, this was actually the second statue created after the ship delivering the original statue from Europe was lost at sea. The original statue was miraculously recovered and in 1912, the restored statue was installed near Kamehameha’s birthplace at Kapaau on Hawaii’s Big Island. In 1969, the third Kamehameha statue was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall where statues of historic figures from all 50 states are on display. Hilo was Kamehameha’s first seat of government and this statue, dedicated in 1997 at Wailoa State Park, is the tallest of the four statues at fourteen feet.

Look here to see a photo of the Oahu King Kamehameha statue draped with these huge, fresh flower leis which are put in place each year using a huge cherry picker.

Every June 11th, on Kamehameha Day, each of these statues are ceremoniously draped with flower lei to celebrate Hawaii’s greatest king. June 11 is a state holiday in Hawaii, This year, Hawaii's own President Obama proclaimed June 11 King Kamehameha Day as a national day of honor and recognition, broadening recognition of his achievement.

Highways are other landmarks that commemorate King Kamehameha. Kamehameha Highway is one of the main highways serving suburban and rural O‘ahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Starting from Nimitz Highway near Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, it serves the island's older western suburbs, turning north across the O‘ahu Central Valley to the North Shore. At the North Shore, Kamehameha Highway heads northeast around the northern tip of O‘ahu, then southeast to and just beyond Kāne‘ohe Bay on the windward coast on state highways 99, 80 and 83. It interconnects with these state highways and with the interstate highways, H1, H2 & H3 as well as the Pali Highway, Moanalua Highway and Farrington Highway. You don't travel far in Oahu without traveling on Kam Highway which pretty much unites Oahu. How appropriate a tribute to the King who united the Hawaiian Islands.

Gone But Not Forgotten;and a New Challenge

2010-04-22T12:25:00.000-10:00

Reader alert: This is a personal post and not about travel. It is about what this travel agent has been feeling. Please forgive the indulgence. I seem to need to do this to get back on track.

Ok. I admit it. The sudden death of my dog, Bailey, hit me like a ton of bricks. She loved me unconditionally and I loved her. Only a dog can teach you about unconditional love and it is a valuable lesson. Everyone should experience it at least once in their lives, and then we should try to create it in the lives of others. What a wonderful world it could be. I am trying to make that transition both spiritually and physically with the people around me. It isn't easy. Dogs are much better at love than we humans.

I just haven't felt like blogging while I was transitioning through the stages of grief to acceptance and getting ready to move on. I like to share my smiles and keep my problems to myself and a few very close friends. Blogging in that state seemed very counter productive. There is enough negative stuff to read to last 100 lifetimes.

So, here is the news. I have not replaced Bailey because she was irreplaceable. Instead, I sought out a new companion who would be similar in size and beauty by otherwise different.

I bought myself a male Maltese puppy at 3 months old. My first "son", after a lifetime of girls, and my first young pup in many years, I have no time to grieve. He is always on the go. He is very smart and is learning as fast as I can teach. I named him "Pono" which is Hawaiian for good and righteous. The first two days, he seemed that good; but I guess he was just traumatized from the flight and the new home. Now, "Pono" is a beautiful Hawaiian name that we aspire towards.

He heels well and is house trained and trained to do his business on command. He also sits, kisses, and stays on command. He has not perfected come or down but is starting to get those. He totally misunderstands that humans and their possessions are not for biting and chewing. If he can reach it, he nips at it. He has a plethora of chew toys; but, prefers my toes, fingers and legs. I say Stop, Leave It and No a lot. Sometimes he catches on. He is worse after feeding and before exercising. He is best tired. Cesar Milan is right about that. Since a now 4 month old puppy has more energy than me, I have recruited the assistance of a 14 year old boy with way more energy to help burn off some of Pono's. Great idea, and now I have both Pono's and the teenager's energy to deal with. Too bad I am not like the people who feed off others' high energy. No, I am more of a give me quiet time alone to regroup and re-energize type. But, it is all good. I have a new friend in Pono and lots of visits from teenagers. Challenges keep our minds off some things we can't control while we learn to handle the new challenges. This travel agent is in full gear again. That is as good as it gets.

Thank you to Bailey and to Pono for the precious life lessons already learned and still to come from them both. Thank you to all the kids where I live because they all showed their love of Bailey with cards and other sweet gestures, thank you to my close friends who cried with me and who now laugh both with and at me, thank you to my clients who understood and sympathized and who send messages of condolence and thanks to my readers who had nothing to read while I went through what I had to go through.

Returning from "Blog Hibernation" / Vacation Rentals by Owner or a Multi-unit Manager

2010-03-18T13:25:00.000-10:00

Hello Again,

Christmas happened; then New Year; then I moved, and finally my beloved Bailey, my Yorkshire Terrier, died suddenly in a terrible fall. I guess you could say I have been hibernating since December, dealing only with the few matters I absolutely had to. Now, spring is around the corner. I have starting to shop for a new dog. And I am ready to blog again. Sorry for the absence; but, I am glad I hibernated. I needed that.

I just got a call from a happy client in the middle of their vacation. They were delighted with the private rental home I found for them in Waikoloa Village and they loved their two Hawaii Forest and Trail tours, one of the volcano and one of Mauna Kea Summit for sunset and stargazing.

They are now in Maui at Kapalua Villas where I encouraged them to stay in a hotel operated unit, instead of a rental. They called to tell me I was right, because the original unit was not very nice and so the hotel moved them to a much nicer unit. Renting directly from an owner makes that impossible.

It is important to know what you are doing when deciding between a vacation rental and a unit in a hotel operated development. A well run hotel will do everything it can to make sure that a client gets whet he wants and what he thinks he paid for. An individual owner has only his rental to offer and if what you get is not what you expected, then things go badly. A knowledgeable Hawaii travel agent is aware of the many issues about vacation rentals and can help you to stay clear of problems. Personal knowledge, experience, and the ability to talk to the owners and get a true and accurate understanding of the owners reason for owning and renting the unit can be the difference between good or bad accommodations for your trip. It took more than luck to find them a private rental in Waikoloa at an excellent price that exceeded their already high expectations and one would think that all units in very upscale Kapalua would be wonderful; but, the facts are not always what they seem to be. In the case of Kapalua, especially in a busy season like March break, depending on the hotel's expertise and satisfaction policy turned out to be the way to go. It isn't necessarily an easy sell; but, clients do want a good experience and they are willing to pay for it.

I'll look forward to their next call with reports on the activities in Maui; most of which I know; because I make a point of learning about and experiencing activities to recommend to clients. I don't recommend what I don't know personally. I'll get it for them on request; but my recommendations are personal. These clients selected a couple activities outside my personal experience, so I am looking forward to their feedback.

Commission checks are how we make our living; but client feedback helps us by giving us a fresh point of view on properties, activities, service and overall quality. It is impossible to put a price on that. I welcome it with open arms, especially after a period of hibernation!

Fantastic Sports on Oahu this WeekEnd

2009-12-13T00:51:00.000-10:00

It's exciting as the Olympics here on Oahu this week with fantastic sporting events & perfect weather.

The Pipeline Masters is the final event of both the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and the 2009 ASP World Tour and the third and fourth rounds were completed today. Australia's Mick Fanning clinched the 2009 world championships of surfing at the Banzai Pipeline Masters contest today, December 12.

The famous Pipeline barrels were in near-perfect form with wave-face heights of 10 to 15 feet, with perfect weather and surf conditions.

Several surfers received high scores. Surfers scoring perfect 10 rides for long barrels were John John Florence, Hank Gaskell, Kieren Perrow and C.J. Hobgood.

The Honolulu Marathon will start off at 5am today under clear skies, making it a hotter run than it has been in recent years. Over 25,000 are expected to participate. Good luck to all participants and especially to the 78 year old man, who will be walking this year's race in a cast recovering from a broken tibia.

"The Eddie" did go

2009-12-09T22:30:00.000-10:00

Yesterday, Tuesday December 8, 2009, California's Greg Long won the 25th Annual QuickSilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau.

This is Greg, on his perfect ride, on a monstrous wave weighing tons, moving with enough force to knock down and destroy houses. With skill and precision, he and the other big wave surfers defy the fury of the wave for the ride of their lives. There were a lot of rides of a lifetime on the swell that arrived in time for the Eddie to run. This photo is from the Quicksilver Blog and can only be captured by cameras with huge lenses operated by professional photographers.

After 25 years, with most of them not run because the waves didn't meet the standards set for the Waimea Bay event, yesterday, the Eddie was run and it was legendary. It was 25 years to the day since the first "Eddie" was held and waves of up to 50 feet slammed into Oahu's North Shore.

Each year, the invitational event features the best big wave riders from around the world and is run only when waves are at least a consistent 35 to 45 feet high. A packed beach celebrated every gutsy ride befitting of a tribute to local hero Eddie Aikau. Eddie's younger brother Clyde was in the lineup, at age 60 and local surfer Sunny Garcia.

Greg Long, 26, rode Waimea Bay for the first time in his life this week. He scored four of his top scores on mountainous 40 to 50 foot waves, several of them death-defying. He scored a perfect 100 on one of the waves in the last heat of the day to clinch the championship.To say the least, it was the high point of his career to-date, to be invited and to win the biggest event of big waves in the world, with all his heroes there.

Greg's described the event in these words "It really is about the wave and celebrating the ocean. It's what we do: go out there and ride big waves. The respect and camaraderie in the lineup you don't find in too many places in the world, and this event really encapsulates everything that's great about surfing: the friendships you make in the water and looking out for one another."

Eddie would most certainly have agreed and he'd have loved the waves. As always, Eddie would go.

Cocooning: New Creation in the Works.

2009-12-01T20:15:00.001-10:00

Have you ever looked up and a whole month had flown by? That is what has seemed to have happened with November. I was busy to start with, because of adding some courses to my agenda, when suddenly, everything picked up speed. It is all for the good.

I made the decision to redo my website. So, I commissioned some new graphics. I found a great new host, and I am turning my static website into a dynamic social media website with video, music, and links to all my social networking platforms. I bought a new digital camera and a flip video recorder, so I am all set to create content in today's popular forms.

Then, before I actually got started at any rebuilding, business picked up. Well, I am certainly not going to complain about that. That is, after all, the reason behind all these other projects. It has slowed down the transition; but such is life. The current site is alive and well and the upcoming new site was known only to me, until just now. It will launch when the time is right.

In order to make this transition that was so easy to decide to do, I am learning what makes this new platform tick. I am learning and doing and I am discovering terrific benefits. What I thought might be a fairly speedy revision is turning into a major overhaul. Not only an overhaul; but with more new products and features. That is OK. Actually it is great! Change is good. Learning is good. Progress is good. What doesn't move forward stagnates and dies. This travel business is moving forward. It is alive and vibrant. To me it feels like it is moving fast. To those unaware of what is happening, it probably appears I have been goofing off. Not so. I am creating new social butterflies.

Soon, my website will be not only informative and useful, but also fun and entertaining. It is becoming so right now, behind the scenes. And it will also become simpler for me to keep up to date on this blog and all my other favorite social sites. Everything will become tied together. There will be a social strategy and plan, all centered around the new web site and all working as a unit, instead of a bunch of individual efforts. Yes, plan the work and work the plan. That is the way I like to create.

As a first year player in social media, I have fallen prey to the somewhat erratic pattern of several posts in a row, followed by a pause of indeterminate length. That will soon give way to regular postings, and these new postings will be able to have different types of content. It will be fun for me to do, and it will be fun for my followers and readers to follow. It will be worth my efforts and it will be worth the wait for you, my readers.

So consider this a teaser, if you will. Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel and Christine's Luxury Hawaii are both transforming into social butterflies. Some cocooning is a natural part of that process; but, the butterflies are forming and will soon emerge. Watch for that! I'll keep you posted, so to speak.

The Truth About Sharks in Hawaii

2009-10-22T18:42:00.000-10:00

While shark attacks make headlines in the news, they remain a rare occurrence in Hawaii. Here are some brief but informative articles with the truth about Hawaii's sharks, shark attacks in Hawaii, and how to avoid being bitten by a shark.

This information is from John's Hawaii Travel Blog, which has many interesting and informative articles on Hawaii. Click the article title to find these and more articles by John Fischer.

"Affordable Luxury" Bucks the Crisis

2009-10-22T17:08:00.000-10:00

'Affordable Luxury' Bucks the Crisis

The following article got my attention, because it is reporting on the same market segment as Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel, but in completely different industry -- the designer clothing industry. Affordable designer clothes is doing very well in the affordable luxury niche. Buyers want quality, at an affordable price.

Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel is positioned similarly with high quality service, expert advice and accessible affordable luxury in Hawaii travel.

Here is a small piece from the article:

By KATIE WEISMAN
Published: October 20, 2009

NEW YORK — Tommy Hilfiger just opened a 22,000-square-foot store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, a move that, in this economy, some might call insane.

But the Hilfiger line, like many midrange designer brands, is growing, while other labels, notably at the high end, are struggling to hang on to market share.

“We are positioned very well with accessible, affordable luxury and this is something we have been doing for 25 years,” the designer said last month during New York Fashion Week.

If you are interested, you can read more. Click on the title above.
(NYT requires a free registration)

Hawaii's Ironman Race, Now and Then

2009-10-09T11:30:00.001-10:00

Just 2 days before the event, Kailua-Kona is filled with racers and their supporters for the 2009 race. Vehicles have been sold out for several days and finding a hotel room in the immediate area is a real challenge.

Ironman Hawaii, is the original Ironman triathlon and the annual world championship of the sport. It's been held annually in Hawai'i since 1978. The demanding length, harsh race conditions, and tv coverage have made it famous. "Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life" is its registered trademark. The 2009 Ironman will be raced on October 10. Just three days prior to the race, Hawaii is experiencing weather conditions that could make this year's race even more gruelling than usual. Sweltering is the word that best describes the significantly higher than normal temperatures and high humidity that has residents complaining, even without any physical exertion. The only relief from this could be the return of the wind which could make the cycling segment more difficult.

There is little that can be predicted with any certainty about this race. Nevertheless, I'll state the more obvious bets. Craig Alexander, the men's defending champion, who came second in 2007, just might be the man to beat again this year. Among the women, the two year defending champion, who has won with a wide margin, Chrissie Wellington, is a good guess to win the women's division again. Some people are saying that she's not only the one for the women to watch; but the top professional men have reason to worry about her finishing ahead of them, and maybe even making it into the top 20 finishers.

And that is pretty much all to say about what might happen. However,the Ironman has an interesting history. The idea for the original Ironman Triathlon arose during the awards ceremony for the 1977 Oahu Perimeter Relay (a running race for 5-person teams). There had been ongoing debate about which athletes were more fit - swimmers, runners or cyclists. It was suggested (by U.S. Navy Commander John Collins) that the debate could be settled through a race that combined the three then existing long-distance competitions already on Oahu. The race name came from a simple comment, "Whoever finishes first, we'll call him the Iron Man."

Of the fifteen men to start off in the early morning on February 18, 1978, twelve completed the race. Gordon Haller was the first to earn the title Ironman, with a time of 11 hours, 46 minutes, and 58 seconds. With no further marketing efforts, the race gathered as many as 50 athletes in 1979 when Lyn Lemaire,a championship cyclist from Boston, became the first "Ironwoman" by placing sixth overall. Sports Illustrated's journalist, Barry McDermott, in the area to cover a golf tournament, discovered that race and wrote a ten page account of it. During the following year, hundreds of curious participants contacted Collins to enter. And that was the beginning of the Ironman Triathalon.

In 1981, the competition was moved from Oahu to less crowded Kailua Kona on the Big Island under Valerie Silk's leadership. The next year, she moved the race date from February to October; and to make that change, there were two Ironman Triathlon events in 1982.

The Big Island race is held in uniquely punishing conditions for endurance racing. The course consists of the swim in the warm waters of Kailua-Kona Bay and no buoyant wetsuits are allowed. The bike ride is across the Hawaiian lava desert to Hawi and back; the cycling hills have moderate gradients,usually crossed by strong, gusting winds.The marathon leg is usually extremely hot along the coast of the Big Island, from Keauhou to Keahole Point, to Kailua-Kona,finishing on Ali'i Drive.

A milestone in the marketing of the legend and history of the race happened in the February 1982. Julie Moss, a college student doing research for her exercise physiology thesis, moved toward the finish line in first place; but, as she approached the finish line, severe fatigue and dehydration set in and she fell just yards from the finish. Kathleen McCartney passed her for the women’s title; and Moss crawled to the finish line. The worldwide broadcast of that race created the Ironman mantra that "finishing is a victory".

The Ironman course record was set in 1996 by Luc Van Lierde from Belgium, whose winning time was 8 hours 4 minutes and 8 seconds.

Another change from the early races was including athletes with disabilities who now compete in the event in the physically challenged category, and are required to meet the same cutoff times. Australian John MacLean was the first physically challenged athlete to complete the event.

The Ironman is still regarded as the most honored and prestigious triathlon event to win worldwide. For the 25th anniversary on October 18, 2003, nearly 1500 athletes were enlisted, most of which had to go through qualification competitions. Thousands of athletes worldwide compete at a similar Ironman event each year, but only very talented athletes realistically compete for a spot in Hawaii for the world championship.

Soon the 2009 race will be history and the competitions to qualify to enter next year's race will be underway. Anyone who wants to be in town to see the next event would be wise to plan their trip soon, before the competitors and their supporters reserve all the rooms and cars.

Thanks to Wikipedia for many of the details in this article.

First Class 5 night Hawaii Special Available to book until October 16

2009-10-09T11:26:00.001-10:00

Available to book until October 16

First Class Hawaii Special on Hawaiian Airlines from Portland, OR or Seattle, WA

Oahu & Maui Hotel Specials from Starwood Hawaii, on major islands, starting at $1548 per person for 5 nights

See details here

ALHT special until Oct16

On Sale until 10/5/09, Waikiki 1 bedroom condo plus transfers, starting at $590

2009-09-29T00:39:00.000-10:00

Fall specials continue to be offered at various hotels throughout Hawaii. The Aston Waikiki Sunset offers the following, based on double occupancy.

1 Bedroom Standard $295 per person
1 Bedroom Superior $318 per person
1 Bedroom Deluxe Mountain $340 per person
1 Bedroom Deluxe Ocean View $370 per person

Package includes:
Fresh Flower Lei greeting
Roundtrip airport transfers
5 Nights condo accommodations at the ASTON Waikiki Sunset
All Applicable Taxes

Coming soon -- more Hawaii luxury resorts, plus moderate and budget properties on each island

2009-09-28T22:47:00.000-10:00

Hawaii's beauty, aloha and wonderful climate make it a natural paradise. Its luxury resorts and hotels make it a luxury destination for those looking for the best of the best. I have already written about some of my favorite luxury properties in Maui and Lanai. I'll also write separately about those on Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kauai. Watch for those upcoming articles.

Diversity is a key element of Hawaii. Its diverse geography, volcanic origins, lush mountains and forests, amazing wildlife, plants and trees and its rich culture make it an extraordinary place. It has some of the nicest beaches and the best snorkeling/diving locations in the world. The playground for humpback whales who swim thousands of miles to breed here in the winter, Hawaii is not surprisingly a popular destination for people, too. It definitely has something for every taste and every budget. That is true of Hawaii's hotels and resorts too.

Hawaii offers moderate and budget properties on each island and I'll write about those too, after the luxury series is complete. Watch for those upcoming articles. After that, you can expect to read about my preferred sights to see and activities, both organized and that you can do on your own, on each of the islands.

In the meantime, if something really gets my attention, you can expect to see an article about that, too. The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu just premiered its new evening Polynesian show "Ha, the breath of life". Since I went to see it this past weekend, a review of the new show, the guided tour, village shows and demonstrations and the meal options is inevitable. Until the article is published, by all means do plan to include the Polynesian Cultural Center in your plans.

I hope you'll watch my articles for lots of interesting and current information about Hawaii and how to enjoy it.

Sept 16 One Day Special The Miramar Waikiki

2009-09-15T22:16:00.000-10:00

Sept 16 One Day Special The Miramar Waikiki
For more information and to book, contact your preferred Hawaii travel agent:
Christine
808 690-0028

Valid 9/15-12/15/09 & 1/8-3/13/10
ROOM & TAX ONLY
Deluxe View $228 ppdo
Partial Ocean View $263 ppdo

Valid 9/15-12/15/09 & 1/8-3/13/10
ROOM< BREAKFAST FOR 2 DAILY & TAX
Deluxe View - Daily Breakfast $300 ppdo
Partial Ocean View - Daily Breakfast $335 ppdo

Packages include:
Fresh Flower Lei Greeting &
Roundtrip Airport Transfers
5 Nights Accommodations
Welcome Orientation Breakfast Briefing
Grand Circle Island Tour 2 for 1 coupon

Book 9/16/09. Book by 11:59pm PT.

Airfare is NOT included. Competitive coach and first class airfare is available nationwide on Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest or United Airlines. Prices are per person double occupancy and include all taxes. Blackout dates many apply. Not combinable with any other special. Full payment will guarantee fare. Subject to change without notice. Certain conditions and restrictions may apply. Travel must be completed within time periods listed for rates shown. Prices are in U.S. dollars.

For more information and to book, contact your preferred Hawaii travel agent:
Christine
808 690-0028

Homeland Security Modifies Rules for Laptop and Other Electronics Searches and Seizures at the US Border

2009-09-15T18:39:00.000-10:00

This item is not specific to Hawaii travel: but, since so many people travel everywhere they go with laptops, Blackberries,or other mobile phones etc.,it is important information to share. I got this information from ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a set of new guidelines limiting the amount of time that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers can retain computers and downloaded data seized at U.S. points of entry, and notifying agents with whom they can share that information.

Under the new directives, searches of laptop computers, mobile phones, MP3s, Blackberrys, flash drives and other electronic devices can still be searched regardless of whether a traveler comes under the suspicion of border agents. But a device may only be held if there is probable cause to believe it is connected to a crime.

The new policy imposes a 30 day limit within which searches of detained electronic devices have to be completed but prolonged detentions can be ordered if “circumstances exist that warrant more time.” The decision to hold a device for more than five days would have to be approved by a federal security supervisor.

The new directives require border agents to keep detailed records of searches and conduct them in the presence of a supervisor. CBP officials are directed to prevent unauthorized disclosures, only sharing such information with federal agencies "that have mechanisms in place to protect" the information.

CBP officers are instructed to conduct device searches in the “presence of, or with the knowledge of, the traveler.”

Inspectors must seek the advice of CBP legal counsel if they want to examine privileged or confidential information such as a traveler’s legal material, medical records or a journalist’s notes. Once it is determined that no valuable information is to be gleaned from a traveler’s device, any data download from the electronic accessory must be destroyed “as expeditiously as possible,” and the hardware must be returned to the traveler.

The policy revisions come amid mounting complaints that the CBP unjustifiably sifts through private information, retaining devices and information indefinitely without any explanation. The revised directives are effective immediately.

My first Ezine article

2009-09-04T16:44:00.000-10:00

I just received notification that my first article has been published by ezine. Here is a link. What is the best way to pick a Hawaii hotel?

What is the best way to find the best Hawaii hotel for you?

2009-09-03T12:13:00.000-10:00

So, you want to find the best hotel/resort/condo or villa in Hawaii at the best price. Simple enough, some might say. Just hop online and visit an online booking engine. Can a booking engine really help you determine the best place to stay in Hawaii? No. Booking engines offer low prices because they buy in bulk and rely on technology. They do not evaluate your needs or make a recommendation. You choose by evaluating the information, without knowing how well the property will suit you.

Can a peer review site find the best place for you? If you could safely assume that reviewers wanted the same thing from their accommodations as you do for yours, you might be able to; but, you can’t make that assumption. The other challenge is that reviews are often written by those who thought the place was so great or so horrible, that they want to make their very strong viewpoint known. In other words, you can’t count on the reviews being objective.

Many sites, including hotel’s own sites, provide voluminous information about Hawaii and its hotels. While it is informative and fun to explore the huge number of sites, the amount of information can be overwhelming.

How can you decide which information to rely on and how to narrow it down? I believe that human expertise and assistance is a crucial part of planning a Hawaii trip. There are 4 major islands to choose from. Depending on your travel party and kind of holiday you want, there are many accommodation options with differing atmospheres, amenities, services, attractions, and a broad range of prices. The best resort for a luxury honeymoon is not the same as the best resort for a luxury family vacation, or a graduating class group trip.

Where can you get accurate, current information, an objective opinion, and expert advice about where to stay in Hawaii? You can get it from a Hawaii travel specialist.Travel agents have access to information about hotels, etc.; but,a Hawaii Travel Specialist has more detailed and specialized knowledge. Some of these specialists are agents with a sincere interest in Hawaii who have studied and passed classes to call themselves Hawaii Travel Specialists. Some have been to Hawaii many times, while others have never been here. They don’t all have the same expertise.

People who live here know Hawaii, just as you know your home town. Hawaii based travel agents who specialize in Hawaii are the agents who know Hawaii most intimately. Hawaii-based travel agents who choose to focus attention on travel to and within Hawaii, focus our time, energy, research, study and efforts exclusively on Hawaii. We don’t spend time and energy keeping up to date on global travel destinations. Instead, we follow the travel industry within Hawaii on each of the major Hawaiian islands, keeping current on new developments, renovations, and changes in ownership and management. We know the islands, the areas, the full range of properties available and what to do and see here. We know how to determine the real needs, wishes, desires and preferences of our clients. We know there are different “best places” to stay, depending primarily on the needs of the client.

Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel, is a Hawaii-based agency and Hawaii Travel Specialist. We focus primarily on luxury Hawaii travel and we make every effort to become and stay familiar with luxury properties, by visiting and staying at them to experience firsthand being their guest, sampling their spa, dining, pool and other facilities, and observing their service throughout. With this direct knowledge, I can share my own experience with clients and recommend one luxury property over another, advising of the advantages and disadvantages of each, based on their needs, after comparing prices and package options from the properties directly, and from local and national wholesalers, to determine best values. Clients vacationing in Hawaii are making an investment in themselves and they deserve firsthand experience, expert advice and personalized service while planning their trip, and same time zone support during travel.

If you really want to book online, I highly recommend contacting a Hawaii Travel Specialist to request fee for service planning assistance, before price shopping and buying online. The service fee is well worth the value of the advice. (It is not fair to ask an agent to plan a free itinerary, if you plan to buy from Expedia or another engine, competitors of travel agents.)

Watch video Christine's Luxury Hawaii from Scenic Hawaii : HD channel 1000

2009-08-23T03:54:00.001-10:00

Hawaii is the most beautiful place on earth, in my humble opinion. The people at Scenic Hawaii agree.

Here is 4 hours of HD streaming video of beautiful Hawaii, from Scenic Hawaii: HD Channel 1000. Check back often for new content, more beauty and relaxing, soothing video.

I bet you'll agree with me that Hawaii is beautiful and a great place to visit, if you aren't lucky enough to live here. Watch this repeatedly and you will want to visit Hawaii. I'm just the wahine (woman) to help you plan your dream trip to Hawaii.

If you need an excuse, I'll help you come up with one and I'll help you plan the perfect trip, customized just for you and your unique preferences. Contact me at Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel.

Watch Scenic Hawaii now.

Four hours of HD programming continually updated with new content.

Scenic Hawaii's concept - to provide the viewer a moment of peace and tranquility showing relaxing video of Hawaii! The Viewer can tune in at any time, watch, unwind and sooth their brain with beautiful High Definition Video. From stunning seascapes and sunsets, to special features exploring the beauty and individuality of our islands.

Hosted by Celeste Akeo, Scenic Hawaii is produced by the Paradise Television Network on Maui. PTN has been producing television programming and television commercials for the Visitor Channel on Maui for over twenty years and has produced hundreds of sales and marketing videos for many of the resorts here in Hawaii.

Dining in Honolulu

2009-08-20T13:26:00.000-10:00

People in Hawaii celebrate with a diversity of food and drink. Pretty much any food type that you might want is available in this cosmopolitan island. In fact the food is yet another reason to vacation in Hawaii.

Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii offers a diverse mix of dining and drinking choices to entertain tourists,travelers and residents. Cuisines from all over the world are available. Restaurants keep the level of their service and quality of foods up to date to survive in the competitive environment. Regular American fare including the fast food giants is here because there is a demand for it. There are also some local fast food restaurants. A few kinds of food here are: Chinese, French, Hawaiian, Italian, Japanese, Korean,Portugese, Thai, and Vietnamese. There is also a category of cuisine called Pacific Rim that combines the influences of several Pacific Rim foods to produce a wonderful food category.
Waikiki

Waikiki is full of a wide variety of dining establishments, including Seafood Restaurants offering fresh local fish. One of the best places to dine in Hawaii is La Mer, a French seafood restaurant in the Halekulani Hotel, a 5 star hotel. Far less expensive is the Oceanarium Restaurant with the three story aquarium and great fish. Matteo’s - a prestigious Italian restaurant in the Marine Surf Hotel has an extensive menu and a wonderful ambience . Duke's Restaurant & Barefoot Bar offers dish delicacies along with Hawaiian music on a splendid beachfront location. The Outrigger Reef restaurant has a cook your own barbeque. Jimmy Buffet's is a recent addition in Waikiki. And for something different, you can have High Tea on the lanai of the Westin Moana Surfrider. The Hau Tree lanai is right on the beach on the Gold Coast in the Kaimana Hotel and it is also on my own personal favorites list.

Ala Moana
"I Love Country Café" on the outside of the AlaMoana Shopping Center is an great place to enjoy healthy and inexpensive local dishes, with lots of Thai and Philippine accents. Bubba Gump Shrimp Company serves delicious shrimp dishes in an amusing and somewhat noisy atmosphere. Next door is the ever popular California Pizza Kitchen wwhere the food is consistently good. The Ala Moana Food Court has more than 20 stalls to serve Mexican, Thai, Chinese, American, Vietnamese cuisine. A lot more upscale is Alan Wong's on the upper level of the mall.

Ward Center, Ward Warehouse and Kakaako
Seafood dishes at cheap rates are available at The Chowder House. Stuart Anderson’s offers pricey steaks and delicious desserts. Ryan’s Grill in the Ward Centre is a local business persons' favorite. All of these establishments are popular with people who work downtown. John Dominus on Ahui Street is another renowned seafood restaurant at the pricey end of the budget spectrum.

Downtown Honolulu

Restaurants are lined up in a row on Ala Moana Boulevard. Another group of restaurants are at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, where the cruise ships have been bringing in visitors for many years. Cantonese dishes are available at Hong Kong Harbour View Seafood Restaurant. Chai’s Island Bistro, another favorite of mine features Pacific Rim cuisine and ono (delicious) Hawaiian dishes. Chef Mavro Restaurant is another popular place to go. A delicious lunch in a lovely setting at the Pavilion Café at the Honolulu Academy of Arts is another of my favorites. Murphy’s Bar and Grill in the "old town" of Honolulu is another popular spot with corned beef and cabbage that the clientele keep going back for.

Chinatown

Honolulu’s Chinatown is a hub of Asian food cultures – Vietnamese, Korean, Indonesian and Japanese. A comprehensive menu of delicious meals from different parts of China is offered in and near the Chinese Cultural Plaza. Legend Seafood Restaurant offers different kinds of seafood. The most renowned of Vietnamese restaurants is Pho 97 on Maunakea. A steaming bowl of Vietnamese soup is an attraction with food buffs and there are several places that serve Pho. Indigo is a wonderful place with delicious food and superb presentation. It is a favorite of mine.

East Honolulu (Kahala and Hawai'i Kai)
If you are choosy about food - you can enjoy a wide range of dining choices at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Down the east coast in Hawaii Kai is Roy’s Restaurant. Residents will drive the extra distance for the rich mix of Japanese, Continental and local Hawaiian foods. Though pricey, it is worth a visit. There are several places to eat in the shopping center at the Koko Head side of Hawaii Kai. Blue Moon is a popular spot that can be reached by land, or by boat, and the food is very good.

Brenekes in Waimanalo, next to the post office, has the best steak fries anywhere (the big chunky ones). If you see a line up. Be patient and wait. If the food wasn't good, there wouldn't be lines.

Further north, The Crouching Lion has a nice menu and all the way north at the Turtle Bay Resort, Ono's has great food. Even the salads are outstanding.

You'll also find lots of local Hawaiian eateries all around the island, featuring plate lunches. One of the shrimp trucks toward the north shore is a nice place to stop. I recommend the coconut shrimp. (mmm good)

Hawaiian Islands

2009-08-17T10:40:00.000-10:00

A Hawaii vacation can be on any one, or on multiple main islands. A Hawaii Travel Specialist can help you narrow down the choices to one or more islands that will suit you best according to the things you like to see and do.

You may find that, as I did, that repeated vacations are necessary to really experience much of what comes together to create the beautiful, sacred, diverse and awe inspiring land and sea that is Hawaii. Even the humpback whales come back every year. I came back often enough that I decided to make it my chosen home, 6000 miles away from my birth home.

Hawaii has of some of the best beaches in the United States. Our beaches have their own personality. They vary by size, shape and color, and most usually have clean, clear and warm waters. Some of the world’s best surfing is here and other water sports abound.

Hawaii is made up of about 130 islands strung along the Pacific in a northeasterly direction. Most are uninhabited. The islands are very remote. We are about 1,600 miles (2,600km) off the west coast of mainland USA. Asia is just as far, and Tahiti and Fiji are distant neighbors. The truth is that we have no neighbors. The bulk of the population lives on Oahu and we call the "large" islands closest to us, Kauai and Niihau on the north and Maui, Molokai, Lanai, even Kaoolawe & the Big Island the "Neighbor Islands". (Neither Niihau nor Kaoolawe are open to visitors.)

The largest island, Hawaii, is known, not very imaginatively, as the Big Island. The state capital, Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and most of the population are located on the much smaller island of Oahu, not on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island is the home of the only active volcanoes in Hawaii. Oahu was the first tourist destination and the cruise ships docked at Aloha Tower, as they still do today; but these days far more visitors arrive by air.

The main islands from north to south are Kauai, Oahu, Maui (Molokai & Lanai) and the Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island alone boasts an amazingly diverse geography and 12 climates -- from the snowcapped peak of Mauna Kea, well above the tree line and the clouds, making it perfect most nights for clear viewing at the International Observatories. There are areas that are desert, mountain areas with waterfalls and rainbows, lushly overgrown mountains, and rainforest. This diversity of geography and climate provides endless recreation opportunities, from snowboarding on mountain summits to hiking through rainforests. The possibilities offered by a Hawaiian holiday are limited only by the boundaries of the imagination.

The islands are unique and so are the population and cultures of this special place. The rich Polynesian and Hawaiian cultures have absorbed characteristics from both Asia and Europe, creating a fascinating mix of people, language, food, music, dance, and customs. Visitors can see Polynesian relics and also enjoy modern accommodation and many kinds of recreation. There is a somewhat different atmosphere on each island because of the residents and the lifestyle.

Hawaii is considered to be a sacred place and if you take some quiet time to explore some of the natural beauty of the land, you can't help but soak up as some of the ‘Mana’ (spiritual power) which, legend has it, the islands were given by their legendary gods and goddesses.

Hawaii’s most well known nightlife is centered on traditional luaus and Polynesian shows, which visitors are encouraged to experience as they wear ‘leis’ and watch hula and Hawaiian music, after sunset. Of course, in Hawaii no event is complete without lots of food (and usually, but with at least one major exception, with alcoholic beverages).

Day time activities are limitless, with something for everyone and for every budget.

The Islands of Hawaii -- multiple choice, with no wrong answers

2009-08-17T10:13:00.000-10:00

Here is a brief overview of the islands from north to south:

KAUAI

The main attractions on Kauai, the oldest and northernmost of the inhabited Hawaiian islands, are its natural beauty, the lifestyle of the people, and the huge selection of incredible activities available on this very small island. Its abundance of lush vegetation earned it the title of ‘the Garden Island’.

Kauai was the first of the Hawaiian Islands to be discovered by English explorer Captain James Cook in 1778 when he landed at Waimea on Kauai’s southwest coast. There is evidence, however, that he was not the first European in Hawaii; some Spanish sailors may have paid a visit about a century earlier.

Kauai is popular with visitors; and the residdents are very protective of their island, so tourism development is concentrated only in a few prime locations such as the Princeville resort on the north coast, Poipu on the south and Kapaa/Wailua on the east.

The wettest spot on earth is said to be Kauai’s Mount Waialeale with an average rainfall of 485 inches per year – this has resulted in the Alakai Swamp, the highest swamp in the world, and the Waimea River, the longest river in the Hawaiian Islands. It also causes an abundance of rainbows.

Visitors who explore Kauai’s raw wilderness are well rewarded with some of the best scenery anywhere in the world, including: pristine beaches and marvellous natural wonders like Waimea Canyon, covering 14 miles (23km) on the west side, and the spectacular NaPali Coast, now considered inaccessible, but once home to the much more resourceful and energetic ancient Hawaiians.

There are also some restored historic sites to explore, like the Alekoko Fishpond near Nawiliwili Harbour on the southeast coast, regarded as an engineering wonder of ancient times.

OAHU

Oahu, the gathering place, is only the third largest of the inhabited Hawaiian islands, but it is home to nearly three-quarters of the state’s residents, most of them living in the ultra-modern capital city, Honolulu, and its adjacent beach resort suburb of Waikiki, on the south coast of the island.

Beyond the urban bustle of the south and off the highways, Oahu is quiet and enchanting, with 23 state parks and several ancient stone heiau (temples), and surprisingly, some country living just minutes outside Honolulu.

The island’s most recognizable landmark is Diamond Head to the east of Waikiki, formed 100,000 years ago when an eruption of volcanic ash hardened into a solid rock crater peaking at 761ft.

The island lives up to its nickname as the Gathering Place not only in population and visitors, but also with its ethnic diversity, which becomes evident not only by walking around and seeing the mix of races here but also at a glance of the annual festival calendar. From the Chinese New Year in late January, to King Kamehameha Day in June, and the Aloha Festivals in September, there is barely a dull moment and always a reason for celebration in Oahu.

MOLOKAI

The tiny Hawaiian island of Molokai has been called the ‘island that the world has left behind’ and the residents are not complaining about that. Largely untouched by tourism and development to date, there are no highrise buildings, no traffic lights and no fast food outlets. Regrettably, it did lose its only 4 star property wand largest enployer when Molokai Ranch closed up.

Molokai also enjoys the diversity which characterizes each of the islands. It is so small that you can drive from tip to tip in a couple of hours. Yet, this largely untouched paradise has Hawaii’s longest white sand beach, as well as black sand stretches; the only barrier reef north of Australia; a lowland desert, some rain forests and ancient Hawaiian heiau (temple).

The island was once a place of refuge for those who violated the Hawaiian kapu (taboo) system, and many visitors are drawn by the mana (spiritual power) that still seems to infuse this naturally beautiful spot. The peninsula Of Kalaupapa itself used to be a leper colony in the mid-19th century, were inflicted Hawaii residents were exiled. A few sufferers of the ailment continue to live there out of choice. There is a popular tour of Kalaupapa by Mule. East of the Kalaupapa peninsula, to the north of the island, is the world’s highest seacliff, Kahiwa Falls.

Molokai’s main claim to fame, however, is as the place where the famous Hawaiian hula dance was born. Each May, a hula festival is held in Papohaku Beach Park, in honour of the dance and its birth on Molokai.

MAUI

Maui, named for the Polynesian god who harnessed the sun for his mother, is a magical place from the top of its dormant Haleakala volcano crater, to its lush rain forests, its pristine beaches, its abundance of beautiful tropical fish and as the homme of some of the best resorts and spas in the world. Maui is said to be as close to paradise as it is possible to get. and One popular 4/5 star resort calls itself "the place where Heaven and Aloha meet". There is no denying its special charm.

Originally six volcanoes created a single landmass that eventually separated to become the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Maui's two main features are the Haleakala crater (the name means ‘house of the sun’), which is the largest dormant volcano in the world, and the underwater valleys that connect Maui with its sister islands in the surrounding ocean, providing shelter for an abundance of marine life.

The island’s main business centre is the town of Kahului/Wailuku. The major resort areas are set apart. The first resort is in the west, concentrated in Ka’anapali and the historic whaling town of Lahaina. In south Maui, another newer resort district has been built in the exclusive town of Wailea. Along the main south road in Kihei many condominiums available for rent. The north shore is quieter without large hotels, only bed and breakfast establishments providing a quiet, relaxing break. To the east is the famed Road to Hana with is Hotel Hana Maui, Resort and Spa. The road is a taxing journey, but teh beautiful scenery makes it worth the time and effort. It, too is a place wehre time seems to have stood still. Wather activities are a must because of its beautiful beaches and underwater wonderland. The island offers several points of cultural and natural interest worth exploring. Some vendors have created marvelous activities to enable visitors to really experience the natural beauty in a memorable way. It is home to many artists, and so is an art collector's haven. It is also said to have more millionaires per capita that anywhere else, but I can't provide proof of that. There is certainly a lot of money resident on the islands, explainings the mansions, most exclusive and private hotels, and a live in client base to support well known Hawaii artists.

BIG ISLAND of HAWAII

The youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, the island of Hawaii (known as Big Island to avoid confusion) has twelve distinct climatic zones ranging from tropical rain forests in the east to the frozen tundra atop Mauna Kea and the arid desert of Ka’u in the south. This diversity makes Hawaii’s Big Island unrivalled as a pleasure ground for active holiday-makers. The island’s resorts and attractions offer every type of outdoor activity imaginable. There are two active volcanoes, with Kilauea Caldera being the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world, still actively erupting since 1983, while Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. Of the three other volcanoes on the island two, Mauna Kea and Kohala, are extinct, while Hualalai is considered to be dormant. All this volcanic action has created beach sand colors ranging from white to red, black and even green.

This diversity is also apparent in the three distinct visitor areas: Kona on the west, a thriving artistic community with numerous water activities and world class sport fishing, Waikaloa on the north west a resort community with white sandy beaches, world class golf courses and luxurious resorts. Hilo is on the east side just safely north of the active volcano and the Volcano National Park.

Together with the diverse ecosystems of Big Island is the rich Polynesian Hawaiian culture, a culture that has also absorbed some interesting elements from both Asia and Europe, creating a colorful mix of people and experiences. On the coast you can dance the hula at an authentic luau feast. Upcountry, you will find a blend of Portuguese and Mexican culture combined with Hawaiian tradition among the ‘Paniolos’ (cowboys) on the giant cattle ranches.

Click here to find out more and to select the Hawaiian islands you want to visit.

24 Hour Sale: Available to book Wednesdays in August

2009-08-16T01:18:00.000-10:00

Available to book Wednesdays in August, for travel until Christmas Eve

OAHU:
Packages include:
Fresh Flower Lei Greeting & Roundtrip Airport Transfers
5 Nights Accommodations (additional categories are available)
Welcome Reception & Complimentary Breakfast courtesy Aloha VIP Tours
All Applicable Taxes
Room Category Sale Price
Castle Ocean Resort Waikiki $203 ppdo
Castle Maile Sky Court $208 ppdo
Queen Kapiolani $215 ppdo
Castle Hokele Suites $240 ppdo
Castle Waikiki Shore $495 ppdo
Valid to book on 8/19 & 8/26 only
Book by 11:59pm PT
Not combinable with any other specials
travel valid for 8/12 - 9/30, 10/8 - 12/9 & 12/14 - 12/24/09

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS:
Neighbor Island Packages include: 5 Nights Accommodations
(additional categories are available)
5 Days Budget Compact rental car
FREE upgrade to Intermediate car 9/8 - 11/24 & 11/30 - 12/15/09
(space-available)
Budget Value Coupons
ISLAND Room Category Sale Price
MAUI: Castle Kamaole Sands $423 ppdo
KAUAI: Castle Kaha Lani $473 ppdo
BIG ISLAND:Castle KonaBaliKai $375 ppdo
Valid to book on 8/19 & 8/26 only
Book by 11:59pm PT
Not combinable with any other specials
Valid for travel 8/16 until 12/15/09

To book, call or e-mail Christine today, or until 3pm HST on the day of the sale
Call cell phone: 808 690-0028
E-mail InfoRequest@AffordableHawaiiLuxuryTravel.com
Or, you can book online by 11:59pm PT, at:For Last Minute Online Booking

Wednesdays in August 24 Hour Sale: Available to book EVERY Wednesday in August

2009-08-12T23:15:00.000-10:00

Valid to book on 8/12, 8/19 & 8/26 only
Book by 11:59pm PT
Not combinable with any other specials
travel valid for 8/12 - 9/30, 10/8 - 12/9 & 12/14 - 12/24/09

OAHU:
Room Category Sale Price
Castle Ocean Resort Waikiki $203 ppdo
Castle Maile Sky Court $208 ppdo
Queen Kapiolani $215 ppdo
Castle Hokele Suites $240 ppdo
Castle Waikiki Shore $495 ppdo

Fresh Flower Lei Greeting & Roundtrip Airport Transfers
5 Nights Accommodations (additional categories are available)
Welcome Reception & Complimentary Breakfast courtesy Aloha VIP Tours
All Applicable Taxes

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS:

Valid to book on 8/12, 8/19 & 8/26 only
Book by 11:59pm PT
Not combinable with any other specials.
Valid for travel Aug.16 until Dec.15, 2009.

MAUI:
Room Category Sale Price
Castle Kamaole Sands $423 ppdo

Kauai:
Room Category Sale Price
Castle Kaha Lani $473 ppdo

Big Island
Room Category Sale Price
Castle Kona Bali Kai $375 ppdo

Neighbor Island Packages include:
5 Nights Accommodations (additional categories are available)
5 Days Budget Compact rental car
FREE upgrade to Intermediate car 9/8 - 11/24 & 11/30 - 12/15/09 (space-available)
Budget Value Coupons

To book, call or e-mail Christine until 9pm HST to make bookings on August 19 & August 26.
cell phone: 808 690-0028
E-mail: webrequest@AffordableLuxuryHawaiiTravel.com
Or, you can book online by 11:59pm PT, Aug 19 & Aug 26 at:
For Last Minute Online
Booking

Hawaii Travel Special of the Day; One Day to Book : August 11, 2009

2009-08-05T15:42:00.000-10:00

24 Hour Sale: Available to book on August 11, 2009 only
Waikiki Beach Marriott Hawaii Resort and Spa
Valid for travel from Aug.16 until Dec.15, 2009.

Room Category Price wasOne Day Sale Price
City View $645 ppdo $410 ppdo
Partial Ocean View $727 ppdo $480 ppdo
Ocean View $805 ppdo $545 ppdo
Diamond Head Ocean View $847 ppdo $580 ppdo
Deluxe Ocean View $889 ppdo $618 ppdo

Package includes:
5 Nights Accommodation at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Hawaii Resort and Spa
5 Days Budget Compact rental car
FREE upgrade to Intermediate car
9/8 - 11/24 & 11/30 - 12/15/09
(space-available)
Budget Value Coupons

Only day to book is 8/11/09.
Book by 11:59pm PT.
Blackout dates:
8/12 - 8/14,
9/30 - 10/3,
10/19 - 10/23,
11/17 - 11/30/09

To book, call or e-mail Christine today, or until 9pm HST August 11.
Call cell phone: 808 690-0028
E-mail: webrequest@AffordableLuxuryHawaiiTravel.com

Or, you can book online by 11:59pm PT, Aug 11 at:
For Last Minute Online Booking

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airfare is NOT included in this special. Airfare can be added after today's package booking deadline. Competitive coach and first class airfare is available nationwide on Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest or United Airlines.

Newest Luxury Hotel to come to Waikiki: Trump International Hotel, Waikiki Beach Walk

2009-07-27T13:41:00.000-10:00

As can be expected by the name, Trump International Hotel, Waikiki Beach Walk intends to redefine the luxury standard for Waikiki.

The 462-room hotel has started taking reservations for guests with arrivals after Nov. 16. Hotel rooms range in price from studios for $255 a night, to penthouse accommodations starting at a minimum of $8,000 a night.

The Spa at Trump will be a new addition to the excellent spa facilities in Waikiki.

The featured restaurant will be Laurent Tourondel's BLT Steak Restaurant.

The 38-story property is also home to 464 residential condo units, which were all sold in one day prior to construction.

Hawaii's leis -- the what, where, when, why, who and how of Hawaiian leis

2009-07-23T23:46:00.000-10:00

A lei is a common symbol of love, friendship, celebration, honor, or greeting; in other words, a lei is a symbol of Aloha.

The state of Hawaii consists of eight major islands. Each of Hawaii's eight largest island has its own designated lei which is harmonious in color and texture. There are fragrant and non-fragrant leis.

* Big Island of Hawaii – Lehua
* Oahu – Ilima
* Maui – Lokelani
* Kauai – Mokihana
* Molokai – Kukui nut
* Lanai – Kaunaoa
* Niihau – Pupu
* Kaho’olawe – Hinahina

Hawaii has celebrated every May first as it’s official “Lei Day” since 1928 and it is said that “May Day is Lei Day.” The flower lei is especially celebrated on May Day with Hula, parades, and music and wonderful lei making competition, with many categories, with winning leis displayed for public viewing at Kapiolani Park.

Leis can be worn, received, or given any day, for almost any occasion. In Hawaii, a lei is giving as a welcome, an office promotion, a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, or any special event. A lei can be worn for no other reason than to enjoy the fragrance of the beautiful flowers.

There is a certain etiquette surrounding the lei. It would be a faux pas to refuse a lei. Always graciously accept the lei with a big smile and a kiss on the cheek, or if you don’t feel comfortable with giving or receiving a kiss, a warm hug is acceptable. If you are allergic or sensitive to flowers, then discreetly and apologetically slip-off the lei. It is acceptable and considered a kind gesture to offer the lei to your spouse, if you are unable to wear it.

Head Hakus and open-ended leis are acceptable to give to pregnant woman. It is considered inappropriate to give a closed (tied) lei to a pregnant woman because a closed lei around the neck is considered bad luck for the unborn child.

Leis and or flowers can often be found floating in the ocean. They have been placed there in honor of a beloved who has died. They should be left undisturbed.

Leis may also be left at sites considered to be sacred, as offerings. You may see them at the volcano, at a heiau, on a statue, or on a grave. Again, these offerings should be left undisturbed. They have been placed there, not discarded.

Intricate leis can be purchased at flower shops, and many can be sent to the mainland. Leis can also be purchased at airports, at one of many lei shops in Chinatown in downtown Honolulu, and from street vendors in Waikiki and other resort areas. Some leis are available for shipping to the Mainland; however, most of the island specific leis are unavailable for shipping due to strict agricultural laws.

Please enjoy some of my photos of May Day prize winning leis.
http://picasaweb.google.com/christinelutley/FaceBookAlbumAMayDaySPrizeWinningLeis#

Conde Nast Traveler honors Hawaii

2009-07-20T17:07:00.000-10:00

Hawaii Receives Award for International Travel:

Hawaii received the first Conde Nast Travel Navigator Award, recognizing its influential role in the tourism industry, during a small ceremony on July 13 in Waikiki. Chris Mitchell, vice president and publisher of Conde Nast Traveler told the assembled guests that "In five decades, [Hawaii] has contributed more to the international travel industry than any other travel destination." He also reported that Hawaii remains "among our readers’ favorites, year after year."

Luxury Hawaii Resorts Feature Prominently in Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2009:

The Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2009 lists the best places in the world to stay. Several Hawaii resorts and hotels made the list. Every major island has at least one of these top rated properties. The Gold List is based on data collected from the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Survey; to qualify for inclusion in these rankings, a property had to receive a required minimum number of responses.

This years's gold list includes:

on Maui:
Fairmont Kea Lani
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
Hotel Hana-Maui and Honua Spa

on Lanai:
Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lodge at Koele, Lanai, Hawaii

on Kauai:
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

on the Big Island:
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

on Oahu:
Halekulani
Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Pet Friendly Hawaii

2009-07-19T23:08:00.000-10:00

Hello,

For those who want to take their pet on vacation, Hawaii does have pet friendly hotels, resorts, B & Bs, and vacation rentals. While remote Hawaii is not the easiest place to bring your dog, we'll help you to plan and execute getting her here.

The challenges in bringing your dog to Hawaii are the strict state regulations and the long flight,during which your best friend will likely have to travel in cargo instead of in the cabin.

If you have a Seeing, Guide or Service Dog, (s)he will be permitted everywhere, once released to you in Hawaii. You will, however, still be required to meet all of the entry requirements to protect Hawaii's rabies free environment.

Since Hawaii is rabies free, there are strict regulations by the Animal Quarantine Branch of the State to allow bringing your pet into Hawaii. As long as you plan more than 120 days in advance, it is possible to bring your healthy, micro-chipped pet animal for a 5 day stay. You'll need an import permit/application, a few trips to the vet for vaccinations,lab tests, and a health checkup and report, plus payment of the $165 application fee and all related vet bills and lab charges for the OIE-FAVN Rabies Blood Test. The import permit must be received ten days prior to the arrival of the pet and it must indicate the pet's microchip number, health status, Vaccination records and tags, and rabies test results (which must be between 120 days and 18 months prior to travel). A vet signed international health certificate, less than 14 days old must accompany the pet.

Airlines have their own regulations about pets traveling. You will not be able to have your pet in the cabin with you coming into Hawaii, since the pet must go to the quarantine office at the airport in Honolulu, where she'll be released to you. There may be exceptions for Seeing, Guide and Service Animals if the Airline has special arrangements with the Quarantine Department. It is easier to have her in the cabin with you for outbound flights since the Quarantine Department is not involved with outbound flights. Some dates are not permitted for animal travel due to weather issues, and certain breeds are excluded, because of specific dangers to their health.

If you are willing to take all the steps to get your pet here, or if you live here and travel inter-island, there are accommodations where you and your pet are welcome.

The following hotel chains have pet friendly policies:
Four Seasons
Ritz Carlton Hotels
Sheraton Hotels
W Hotels (also accepts cats)
Westin
These hotels will pamper pooches with luxurious custom pet beds and other amenities, such as floor mats, food bowls, ID tags, and more. Some have size restrictions and some charge a fee for the dog. They all make the owner responsible for the pet's behavior and have guidelines that must be followed.

There are also some small independent rentals and B & Bs willing to welcome pets. A search at http://www.pettravel.com/destinations/hawaii_usa.cfm just now showed 11 independent properties throughout the islands.

I think your pampered pooch would appreciate your working with pet friendly travel planners like us, whether or not you bring her along. More importantly, you'll feel comfortable knowing we care about pets, companion animals, service dogs and therapy dogs, and we happily do the extra work to assist any owner to bring his or hers along.

Aloha,
Christine

Luxury Hawaii

2009-07-08T14:59:00.000-10:00

One of the things about Hawaii that not everyone notices is the incredible amount of luxury here. Our little Paradise is the perfect place for deluxe resorts, fabulous villas, exquisite dining, world class golf, and some of the best spas in the world.

The focus on luxury shows in the many downtown climate-controlled car dealerships for Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Lexus,Volvo etc. It shows in the number of these luxury vehicles on the road. It shows in the affluent neighborhoods with multi-million dollar homes, many of which are lived in for only a few weeks a year.

Sure, the major downturn in the global economies is having its effects here and they are serious; but, what seems largely unaffected is luxury.

Many people would say, and I would not argue, that it is a luxury just to be in Hawaii. Our climate is as close to perfection as is available on planet earth and the islands are incredibly beautiful. There is, of course a price to be paid for living, or visiting, paradise. I for one believe the price is well worth it.

A visitor might not notice the huge number of luxury resorts on the major islands. But they are here in great numbers and the quantity of these luxurious resorts is oudone only by their quality.

Maui has the most luxury resorts of any island and they are centered in four areas: Wailea, Kapalua, Hana, Kaanapali and its smaller island of Lanai. Lanai has two amazing Four Seasons Resorts which are the primary employer of the island's residents. Only Maui's small island of Molokai has no luxury resort and that is a recent phenomenon, since the closure of Molokai Ranch and the its luxury ranch and beach village. On Maui itself, the major luxury brands are represented: Ritz Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, Fairmont, Four Seasons, the Starwood properties -- Westin, Sheraton & "W", Grand Hyatt, Hilton, J.W.Marriott, and locally Outrigger.

The phenomenal properties are beautiful, tranquil, with active areas, and impeccable service. Not just for the rich and famous, they are vacation destinations to honeymooners, couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, families wanting to create a perfect family trip, people ready to take their dream trip, and, of course, the affluent.

In Maui, I do have some personal favorites and no property gets to make it to my personal favorites unless I have stayed there.

Fairmont Kea Lani still holds my top spot in all of Hawaii and I can't pinpoint exactly why. With its all suite units, the gorgeous white building offers unique architectural features that looks like it came from Arabian Nights. And the service is just wonderful. The food is great too and it is easy to get around from there. They'll even give you a ride to the shops or another hotel in a big white Cadillac. No one thing brings it over the top for me. It is the sum of its parts that makes me feel so wonderful. I have enjoyed multiple stays there and look forward to more, and will continue to recommend it highly.

Four Seasons at Manele Bay on the island of Lanai is simply incredible. Lanai is quiet and remote and there is little to do other than enjoy the features of the two resorts. For anyone looking for privacy, world class golf, tennis, croquet, clay shooting, archery, riding, swimming, snorkeling or diving in a marine sanctuary and terrific dining you get to choose from the white sand beach setting of Manele Bay or an upcountry manor Koele. Both are delightful.

Back on the island of Maui and this time on the west side of the island is the place "Where Heaven and Aloha meet", the Westin Maui located beachfront on famous Kaanapali Beach. It is so wonderful, you could easily forget to go out and explore the rest of the resort area. Pet friendly, it was the perfect place to go on a solo vacation with my yorkie (Bailey) who was most content with her doggie Heavenly Bed on top of my king size Heavenly bed. The location, the views, the rooms, the services and amenities are all worthy of note.

The Villas at Kapalua are exactly what you would expect of a two million dollar, two bedroom oceanview unit, sharing facilities and amenities with the just renovated Ritz Carlton. Bliss.

And that is just scratching the surface of the greatest hotels on Maui.

There are of course moderate and budget properties and so there is something for every taste.

Aloha,
Christine

2009-07-05T21:36:00.000-10:00

Oahu slide show

2009-07-05T20:51:00.000-10:00

Wonderful Hawaii -- What is my favorite island? Oahu?

2009-06-26T22:10:00.001-10:00

The answer to the frequently asked question "what is [my] favorite island?" is not as easy to answer as one might think. The answer seems to change according to my mood, the weather and where I am at the moment.

Oahu is the Gathering Place. Most of the state's population lives here. The downside of that is the extremely heavy traffic. On the upside, is dramatic diversity, in just about everything.

My home is on Oahu. I have spent many years living here and have moved around enough to have become very familiar with many parts of this multi-faceted gem. There is much to do, much to see, to experience, to buy, to enjoy and there are places where it is perfect to relax and just be.

Waikiki is an exciting resort area with great hotels, many restaurants and a variety of shopping, activity, and relaxation experiences to suit everyone.

Downtown is a history showcase: with the only royal palace on American soil, a larger than life King Kamehameha statue, simple mission houses, the current Chinatown that replaced the burned out original, Aloha Tower and the harbor where (before jet flights) cruise ships brought in the only visitors. Downtown is also a busy modern financial district and a center for entertainment and art.

Pearl Harbor, the most visited attraction here, is an ongoing tribute to those who died on Dec 7, 1941. Active duty military bases are at Pearl Harbor and Kailua.

There are several residential neighborhoods, each with their own distinct flavor, from distinctly single nationality neighborhoods, to lavish exclusive communities, to middle income multi-racial neighborhoods. I've made my way from Waikiki to a valley, up a mountain, westward and now up the east coast, almost to the North Shore. I've moved from perhaps the most famous beach in the world, and have gone from city gal to country gal on a quiet, almost isolated beach.

There is nothing like getting sand between your toes every single day. There is nothing like enjoying the magnificent vistas of the Ko`olau mountains every day. The country is quiet and laid back. Roosters, hens and their chicks make themselves at home wherever they choose and while they are nice to see, I am glad no rooster crows outside my window. Instead, what I hear is dreamlike, the sometimes quiet, often distinct, and occasionally roaring ocean water lapping on the sand, only about 25 feet from my window. My life has become in tune with nature's cycles: the tides, the solstice and equinox, the moon. Daily yoga practice on the beach makes me feel even more connected.

Of course, there are reasons to go to town and to the city and they have their charms, too. Then, too, there are those other islands to explore -- Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii and when I am exploring one of them, I love it just as much as I love Oahu.

Aloha,
Christine

E komo mai. Welcome to my Hawaii and my first blog.

2009-06-26T17:16:00.000-10:00

Hi,

I've been in Hawaii since 1992, the year Hurricane Iniki hit. Fortunately, that got the worst out of the way in a hurry. It also showed the real aloha of the people who helped wherever help was needed. Local musicians did their part by putting on a benefit concert at the Waikiki Shell and I got to see the great names in Hawaiian music, most notably to me, Brother Iz. Apart from thinking we might be blown off the map, within a few months of my arrival, it was a soft landing largely due the June Shimokawa at the YWCA. I thoroughly enjoyed my first year here, when everything was so new and so different.

Leaving behind huge snow drifts and freezing temperatures, I was fascinated with everything tropical.

Nothing could keep me indoors, except for the 8 hour workday. Other that that, I walked for miles and miles and explored Waikiki and downtown during the week. On the weekends, I rented a car to explore the island and went to Hanauma Bay many times before discovering all the other magnificent beaches on the east side. For exercise and to keep me too busy to miss home, I biked around Diamond Head regularly, swam in Waikiki Beach daily, took hula lessons, became fascinated by Hawaiian music, and then added Tai Chi to the mix. Of course, I had to fit in weight training, aerobics and swimming lessons. I had a lot of catching up to do.

My new co-workers were amused by my wonder at such things as having to budget for trimming palm and monkeypod trees, instead of snow removal. I'd go and eat lunch at the Iolani Palace grounds to hear the Royal Hawaiian Band, and I was the only one to whom it was new. Eventually, I was able to go to noon hour concerts at other downtown outdoor locations.

They couldn't quite believe that I didn't understand pidgin, had no idea what "da kine" meant, and had to ask what all the local foods were, because they were unfamiliar. No more! The people of Hawaii ( all races and mixes) know how to show hospitality and their favorite way is with food. Now, I know that "Da kine" can mean the people who prepared the food, where it was eaten, what the foods are, and who is eating it and just about anything else one can imagine. It is the champion multi-tasker of all words.

I have lots of favorite local foods now: chicken long rice, pulled pork, pho, duck noodle soup, (and I can eat them all with chopsticks), maunapua, haupia, lumpia, malasadas, hurricane popcorn, and fresh tropical fruits including: bananas, papaya, mangoes, pineapple and the wondrous lychee; oh yeah and kona coffee, macademia nuts and Lappert's Kauai Pie (Kona coffee ice cream with coconut, mac nuts, chocolate and a zillion calories) . I still don't get the popularity of shave ice -- too much like colored snow, for me, I guess.

My love affair with this piece of paradise has continued to grow over the years and I enjoy finding new ways to share it.

Aloha, Christine