Educational Programs for Kids in Hawaii

In a previous blogs I mentioned that you would regret traveling all the way to Hawaii and not visiting the state’s most famous tourist attraction–Pearl Harbor Naval Base. The base is home to the USS Arizona, the USS Utah, the Battleship Missouri, the USS Missouri Memorial, and the newest addition to the area, the Pacific Aviation Museum on Pearl Harbor’s Ford Island. What I failed to mention in those blogs is that youngsters (age 5 and up) have the opportunity to get more out of their visits by enrolling in special summer programs. Pearl Harbor’s Educational Summer Programs are designed … Continue reading →

Spending Memorial Day at Pearl Harbor

Memorial Day is a little more than a week away and while you might have your travel plans set to embark on a weekend adventure to the beach, the woods or the lake it would behoove you take some time between your barbeques and ball games to remember what this holiday is all about. Memorial Day was set aside to honor all the men and women who have given their lives in military service to this country. The holiday began as a tribute to Union soldiers during the American Civil War. Following World War I, the observance was expanded to … Continue reading →

Where to Spend World Ocean Day

Can you really think of a better place to spend World Ocean Day than in one of the most incredibly beautiful places on earth, which just happens to be set smack in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? I’m talking about Hawaii and if I hadn’t used up my vacation time to travel there a couple of months ago I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to head back on June 8th. On World Ocean Day the Maui Ocean Center will pay tribute to our watery resources with fun-filled activities for the entire family. The center is hosting an OceanFest from June 6-13, … Continue reading →

Tickets to Paradise on the Rise

I have got to stop looking at airline rates to Hawaii. Doing so just depresses me. But I just can’t seem to help myself. I’ve subscribed to several travel sites that automatically send me updates on ticket prices for the dates that I am planning to travel home… and the news is not good. With record-breaking fuel prices and the recent demise of several carriers servicing the islands things are not looking sunny for my trip to the “Aloha State.” What’s more, from now until at least September, airlines have scheduled 14% fewer seats than last year between the mainland … Continue reading →

Dive Into Summer

Over in the PHOTOGRAPHY blog I just wrapped up a series of posts on underwater pictures. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago when I was watching my daughter frolic on one of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches that I considered experimenting with an underwater camera. She loves the water and can almost swim on her own so it won’t be long before the only opportunity I will get to snap her at the beach will be underwater as she freestyles away from me. The other reason I am considering taking some underwater photography classes is because I grew up in … Continue reading →

Paradise Lost

I knew it was too good to last. Whereas I was hopeful that inter-island airfare in Hawaii would remain affordable at least until my daughter graduated from high school (in about 15 years), the recent demise of Aloha Airlines all but obliterated that dream. On March 31st, Aloha Airlines, a legend (think 60 years plus) in Hawaiian aviation, abruptly stopped flying. Two days later ATA, an airline that offered cheap flights from the West Coast to Hawaii shut down as well. The combined work stoppage meant Hawaii lost 15% of its service from the mainland, or about 1.1 million seats … Continue reading →

Making Memories on Maui

In my opinion Maui has been getting a bum wrap lately. Instead of concentrating on the Hawaiian Island’s sugary white sand and pristine waters (not to mention the balmy air and the golden sunsets) several travel publications have been taking note of the record high gas prices ($4 a gallon for regular unleaded) and “outrageous” prices for accommodations. Who said paradise comes cheap? I was born and raised in Hawaii and feel compelled to provide a quick overview of the priceless opportunities that visitors get when they visit the state’s second largest island. For example: Haleakala. Not too many visitors … Continue reading →

Historic Oahu

I’ve written quite a number of blogs detailing Oahu’s most magnificent natural wonders from its powder soft beaches, dazzling sunsets, and turquoise blue waters to its stunning waterfalls and breathtaking dormant volcanoes. However, the island is also a haven for history buffs. Each year millions of travelers descend upon the Hawaiian Island of Oahu to take in the area’s most popular war memorials. For example, most people don’t travel all the way to the “Aloha State” without visiting the Arizona Memorial. Oahu’s top tourist site is the final resting place for the 1177 men who lost their lives during a … Continue reading →

Hawaii’s Value Season

I recently received a question from a reader who asked: “When is the cheapest time to visit Hawaii?” I was born and raised in the 50th State and have spent the last 20 years flying back and forth from the “mainland” to my family’s home on the Big Island and I can honestly say the most affordable month to travel to Hawaii is May. With September, April, October, and February following in that order. May is when the airlines and many hotels and resorts in Hawaii roll out their best deals. I once got a roundtrip non-stop flight from Minneapolis … Continue reading →

Getting Married in Hawaii

I got married in Hawaii because it was where I was born and raised so my wedding planning was a bit different than a bride who plans to use the island paradise as the site for a destination wedding. Still, money is a factor no matter when, where or why you are getting hitched in Hawaii, which is why I thought this next travel deal was worth mentioning. It is called the Bliss Wedding Celebration and is being offered by the Lodge at Molokai Ranch. Prince Kapuaiwa, the future King Kamehameha V, founded the historic property more than a century … Continue reading →