Tag Archives: Maui

Island Hopping in Hawaii

Mother Nature has not entered 2008 peacefully. As I write this my aunt and uncle in Lake Tahoe, California are dealing with blizzard-like conditions. Meanwhile, in Miami, Florida residents there are dealing with record low temperatures the likes of which they haven’t seen in more than five years. And here in the Midwest portion of the United States we are under severe fog alerts. (The fog is so thick here I can’t see the end of the driveway.) With all this inclement weather who wouldn’t want to escape to the always balmy and beautiful Hawaii? If the rotten weather has … Continue reading →

Bad News for B&B Lovers in Hawaii

If you are one of the millions of travelers to the Hawaiian Island of Maui who forgo crowded overpriced oceanside resorts in exchange for a much quieter experience at an upcountry Bed and Breakfast then I have bad news for you—-your lodging options are about to dwindle considerably. The county is cracking down on privately owned B&Bs island-wide. Effective January 1, an estimated 1,000 unlicensed B&Bs, condominiums and short-term vacation rentals, most along Maui’s scenic Hana Highway or on the slopes of the island’s legendary Haleakala volcano, were forced to shut down or face potential fines of up to $1,000 … Continue reading →

New Year’s Deals in Paradise

There’s nothing like ushering in a new year amidst the cobalt-blue waters of the Pacific. And if you are lucky enough to welcome 2008 along the sun-kissed shores of the Hawaiian Islands you’ll have another reason to celebrate—various attractions and resorts around the state are offering money-saving package deals. OAHU If you are looking for an unforgettable place to bid adieu to 2007 consider booking a seat on the Star of Honolulu, which sets sail New Year’s Eve for a celebration at sea. The New Year’s Eve cruise provides spectacular views of the fireworks at Aloha Tower Marketplace and along … Continue reading →

Touring Hawaii’s Back Roads

Locals will tell you that if you want to truly experience the wonders of Hawaii you need to ditch the tourist traps and travel on the islands’ back roads. I should know; the street I lived on in Hilo, Hawaii is often mistaken for a famous back road that leads to one of the best surfing spots on the island. But now, instead of renting a car and getting lost on streets like mine a local tour company is giving you the opportunity to sit back and leave the navigating to them. Roberts Hawaii is offering a variety of “Back … Continue reading →

Winter Deals in Paradise

It’s that time of year again… a time when 30-foot swells reach Oahu’s North Shore and dozens of professional surfers hit the water to show off their moves during the “Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.” If you are planning to visit Hawaii in the next month, forget about the dozens of pro wave shredders, you need to concern yourself with the tens of thousands of other tourists who travel to the Hawaiian Islands to watch surfers take on Mother Nature. For those of you who don’t know, the “Vans Triple Crown of Surfing” is celebrating its 25th anniversary this winter … Continue reading →

Say “Aloha” To Whales in Hawaii this Winter

Many travelers head to Hawaii during the winter months to escape the subzero wind chills and snowy sidewalks. Others visit the “Aloha State” when the mercury plummets because they know that’s when some of the world’s largest tourists migrate to the waters off the Hawaiian Islands. Winter is peak season for whale watching. Each year, Humpback whales swim more than 3,500 miles from the North Pacific to Hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young. Just in time for whale watching season Outrigger Hotels is offering guests a front-row seat to take in all the action. From December through March … Continue reading →

Celebrate Halloween Underwater

I have to hand it to the marketing folks at the Maui Ocean Center; they keep coming up with the cleverest ways to attract visitors. I’ve profiled some of their kitschier events in previous blogs, but this one has got to be my favorite. If you were planning to be on the Hawaiian Island of Maui between the dates of October 24-31, I would highly encourage you to celebrate Halloween at the Ocean Center. This year’s event is freakier than ever. Which is not that big of a stretch considering the aquarium is home to warty frogfishes and multi-colored octopuses … Continue reading →

Kids Score Big On Maui

I love autumn. It’s my favorite time of the year. Unfortunately, it goes by way too quickly and it’s always followed by the season I dread the most—winter. I grew up in Hawaii and now live in Wisconsin where the winters usually last about 9 months. Each year I find myself having to dig deeper and deeper to find the fortitude to withstand yet another round of brutal winter weather. Thankfully, my family still lives in Hawaii and winter is the ideal time to go home for a visit. There is very little that a few weeks in the Hawaiian … Continue reading →

Biking Down A Volcano

If you are looking for an amazing Hawaiian adventure feast your eyes on Maui’s Haleakala volcano and the thousands of bicycles that stand at its summit. Then, image yourself hopping on board one of them and taking off on the 10,000-foot-winding road, which leads to the base of the mountain. It’s a thrill ride that captures the fancy of thousands of visitors to the Valley Isle, but the chance to feel the tropical wind flow through your hair on two wheels may now be in jeopardy. Recent biking accidents and deaths on the road that leads down Haleakala could lead … Continue reading →

Hot Hawaiian Travel Deals

Several months ago I promised to provide you with a bi-monthly list of travel deals being offered in the state of Hawaii. Unfortunately, I have not been very good at keeping my promise. So to make up for slacking, I crammed as many current deals being offered on multiple islands into this blog. Sorry for the delay. Here they are: BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII It’s finally over!! The extensive $50 million upgrade to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Big Island has finally been completed. Each of the 555 guest rooms now has shoji doors, Marriott’s new … Continue reading →