Mauna Kea Beach Hotel open

Aloha Hawaii visitors and friends,

We'd like to thank all of you who emailed us their 'Mele Kalikimaka' greetings just as our dear friend Bill had done or even mailed us snail mail cards. It's wonderful to know to have so many friends in Hawaii and around the world. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas in Hawaii or wherever you celebrated the Christmas holidays.

Today, we'd like to share some top news for Hawaii, Big Island and Kohala Coast lovers. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the oldest and most prestigious Hawaii hotel, located on the Big Island's best beach, is finally back in business. The 43-old hotel, which was constructed by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1965, gained reputation and attraction among celebrities and high-end clientele as one of the world's best hotels due to its premier location on picture perfect, crescent shaped white sand beach on Kaunaoa Bay. Well, Mr. Rockefeller knew why he built the first Big Island hotel right there.

When we reported on December 6th, 2006 that the hotel administration made the decision to close Mauna Kea Beach hotel for repairs and renovations after the earthquake, it was anticipated but yet unexpected news for Mauna Kea Beach Hotel visitors and hotel employees alike. Over the last two years, everybody who loves world famous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, followed the process of the remodeling. I myself was most surprised about the decision to totally redo the famous Mauna Kea golf course. When you read more about the reasons for remodeling the golf course, it makes totally sense.

Well, Mauna Kea's soft opening happened on Saturday 12/20/08. I was so happy to hear that 365 of the former employees got rehired, after working at other hotels and even different jobs. We can't wait to shake hands and welcome those friends back. Naturally, a celebration in Hawaii comes with music, hula, speeches and blessings. Blessings were done by Kahu Danny Akaka Jr. and the Rev. Dr. Henry K. Boshard. After an extensive $150 million renovation and redesign, Mauna Kea Beach hotel is beautiful has ever.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has a big 'ohana' of return guests, who have come as kids with their parents and do now the same with their children. Whether they will be still able to continue this wonderful Hawaii vacation tradition, depends on having the money it takes to spend a vacation at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. With all the fancy upgrades on room amenities, room rates are going up too.

When asking for a hot deal rate quote for Keoki's birthday in March, the cheapest was Mountain view at $375/nt. on floors 5 - 8 and cheapest Oceanview Room at Beachfront Plumeria Beach Club on floors 1-4 was $625/nt. There was a Mountain View Package Deal for Room and Car for $450, which seems to be 'affordable' for Mauna Kea standards.

Well, don't let those rates 'impress' you too much. Rent a nice fully equipped Kohala Coast vacation rental with a short drive to Mauna Kea. Show up around 9am for your free Mauna Kea Beach pass at the gate entrance (number of beach passes is limited according to parking space!) and enjoy famous Mauna Kea beach just as all these VIP guests. Mauna Kea beach is public as any beach in Hawaii is. And the ocean and the ocean critters are available to anybody who wants to swim or snorkel in aquamarine, warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Share your Mauna Kea beach visit with our blog visitors. Mahalo, Pua Hawaii Vacations

p.s.

For more information about Mauna Kea Beach hotel's soft opening, read West Hawaii Today article. See location of Mauna Kea Beach hotel on our Kohala Coast Map and Kohala Coast on our Big Island map.

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Mele Kalikimaka

Dear Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors,
The 2008 Christmas is looking around the corner and we were wondering what we will do for Christmas at our blog. Well, the question was answered by receiving our annual year end reflections letter on life in Hawaii and life in general from one of our long time Big Island friends, Bill Jardine. Bill has been in real estate business in Hawaii for decades. He even shared his expansive knowledge in Hawaii real estate with our Hawaii blog visitors with two guest posts Hawaii Real Estate Market 2008 and Will falling Prices in Hawaii Real Estate attract new home buyers?

Bill is not only an excellent Hawaii realtor but we both sincerely admire his writing skills. So, here are Bill's Mele Kalikimaka greetings to us, to his friends and to all of you:

Mele Kalikimaka Christmas from Bill

"On the way into Kona this morning I was fighting waves of radio static by hip-hopping from station to station as heavy clouds drifted quietly toward the coast. The sea seemed to shimmer in the early light, as though it were waiting for a storm yet trying to enjoy the last of the sunlit eastern sky. It was one of those powerful scenes that we chance upon from time to time with our minds otherwise clouded with errands, regrets and hopes for the day ahead. This time I pushed the off-button on the radio, pulled over, rolled down the windows and let the cool morning air move through the cab of my old truck. Within seconds the cab filled with the sweet voice of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, making the hair on my arms stand up. I guess I had pushed the wrong button and one of our Christmas cd’s came on! In that moment of disorientation I was struck by how incredibly lucky we are to have this blessed place be such an essential part of our lives.

...All the while the ocean stretches like a sleeping lover, perhaps feeling the deep sighs of the Humpback whales as they complete their long journey out of the arctic to roll and sing in the sapphire blue coastal waters shimmering under those gathering clouds. It is just fantastic to be here, to be healthy, and to be loved. This year Cathie, the kids and I are wishing you a part of all this. We want even the smallest gleam of the beauty of the Big Island to waken in your heart. We want even the slightest touch of Pele’s passionate fingers to light your cheeks and burn in your eyes. We hope the embrace of this Island paradise will refresh your soul and lead you to an embrace of your own, wherever you are.

There is just one thing that you cannot be forced to do, no matter how hard others may try to make you. You cannot be forced to love. That is because love is the essential element between you and your Creator, who loves you … just the way He made you. This Christmas we are wishing you love in every form, and may a joyful peace surround you and yours. Mele Kalikimaka, William N Jardine (R), Big Island Buyers Brokers"

We couldn't express our wishes to all of you better than this. Love and peace to all of you from Best Hawaii Vacations blog. Merry Christmas and Mele Kalikimaka, Pua and Keoki Hawaii Vacations

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Cheap Interisland Flights

Flight alert for all Hawaii travelers on interisland flights!

Amazing how flight prices can change around within a few months! In our July post about Big Island and Kauai we recommended to Hawaii travelers between the islands, either to stay away from extra interisland flights or even use the superferry if available for the island of your choice.

On our recent Hawaiian Island Hopping blog post from December 8th we told Hawaiian visitors:
"Here is the good news. Island hopping has become affordable again. Mokulele Airlines offers some decent flight rates and Hawaiian Airlines - their recent rates were beyond reasonable - just followed suit and lowered their interisland rates to $61 one-way between Honolulu and all major Hawaiian airports. New Interisland rates started 11/19/2008."

I assumed that's the best Hawaiian air lines can come up with for a while but as competition between the major airlines for Hawaiian Interisland flights, Hawaiian, IflyGo and Mokulele Airlines intensified, interisland fares came down another notch. If you book and interisland flight to Kona Big Island or Lihue Kauai by tomorrow, one-way fare is only $39 for travel through Dec. 31 and $48 through January 31. Check for individual restrictions with each air line.

Believe us Hawaii visitors and Hawaii residents alike cannot be happier about these cheap Interisland flights. Lowering the flight rates came at the perfect time - for the holiday season. It's the cheapest interisland flights we have seen in years. Hope it will stay that way to give our Hawaii Tourism industry another boost. Catch a flight to Kona now. Enjoy your interisland flight. Aloha, Pua Hawaii vacations

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Hilo or Kona?

Aloha Hawaii travelers,

With Hawaiian island hopping being in the affordable range again, a visit to the Big Island's live volcano on your Hawaii vacation becomes of interest again. When we answer questions in Yahoo Answers Hawaii, we frequently come across the question where to stay on the Big Island. Here is what Big Island travelers should know about Hilo or Kona vacation.

Hilo or Kona, which location is the best for a Big Island vacation?

Yes, all the people who told you that Kona is on the dry side, West Coast of the Big Island, and Hilo is on the wetter, rainier East Coast, are definitely right. For this obvious reason Kona has more ocean front hotels and therefore is much more touristy than Hilo and Hilo area.. But isn't that what you have come for...sunny and dry weather in order to escape the rain from the Mainland!

What to expect at a Kona vacation?

You can expect extremely sunny and dry weather in Kona, even during the wetter winter season. Kona attracts thousands of visitors a year because of such outstanding events like the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in October or the Bill Fish Tournament in August. If you don't like crowds, make sure to stay away from those events but most visitors plan attending those attractive events on their Kona vacation. Make sure to plan your Kona vacation early. Kona has white sands beaches but they are smaller than best Big Island's Hapuna and Mauna Kea beach north of Kona, on the Kohala Coast. Kealakekua Bay, south of Kona, guarantees best snorkeling and scuba diving on the Big Island. With plenty of hotels, restaurants and discos, we recommend a Kona vacation for younger people who also look for some night life on their Hawaii vacation.

What to expect at a Hilo vacation?

Hilo weather is most of the times humid and warm and rainy. You will see quite a number of residents with umbrellas, either as a protection from the rain or the sun. Hilo area features some lovely beaches. However, be aware they are the black sands beaches, which is definitely one of the biggest differences to Kona with its white sand beaches. Favorite sights to visit when staying in Hilo are: Rainbow Waterfalls, Akaka Waterfalls (a few miles out of Hilo), Hilo Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden Hilo and Hilo Zoo. Don't miss the biggest Farmer's market of the Big Island Hilo Farmer's market with the freshest tropical fruits, tropical flowers and vegetables at very affordable prices plus Hawaiian gifts and crafts. Best days are Wednesday and Saturdays. A few stands are always open during the rest of the week.


Here are a few recommendation. Unless you really love the tropical rain forest and prefer black sand beach - there are no white sand beaches on the East coast - which are typical features of Hilo and area, decide for a West coast vacation!
1.
No need to stay in touristy Kona, which can be at times quite 'voggy' (looks like fog but are fumes from our active volcano). Stay north of Kona, on the sunny Kohala Coast. Admittedly, the Kohala Coast resorts are quite expensive but there are quite a number of vacation rentals close to the best white sand beaches, Hapuna and Mauna Kea Beach!
2.
The Kohala Coast has great snorkel spots in Puako. If you want to explore Kealakekua Bay, our best Big Island snorkel area, it's a short 30min drive to Honokahau Harbor where all the Kona snorkel ships take off.
3.
When staying on the Kohala Coast, you can do a day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Take the route via Waimea and Hilo (or even stay 2 nights in Hilo area), which is longer but straighter than the very curvy Kona one and passes all the best Big Island sights like Waipio Valley.

4.
After your long adventurous day to the Park, stay a night or two in Volcano. There are wonderful Volcano places near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with jacuzzi where you can rest and recuperate from a day of Big Island adventure.
5.
Enjoy the movie at the Visitor's Center, the Thurston Lava Tubes and of course, the fireworks of Madame Pele...hot lava flowing into the ocean and shooting up into the skies. Wow!

After all those exciting adventures, you will be happy when you are back lying on the warm sunny Hapuna beach. Have a wonderful Big Island vacation in Kona, Hilo and the Kohala Coast. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacation Kona and Hawaii Vacation Hilo

Tags: Hawaii, Hawaii vacation, Big Island vacation, Hilo, Kona

Hawaiian Island Hopping

Aloha everybody,

As you might remember, from time to time we answer questions about travel to Hawaii on Yahoo answers, especially when we feel a Hawaii traveler is looking desperately for knowledgeable assistance and not just the blabla answers which often happen in online forums. So our most recent participation was about somebody's question about island Hawaii hopping.

The answers how to do island hopping when on Hawaii vacation were basically the following: 1. island hopping in Hawaii is only feasible through becoming a Hawaiian Airline employee, 2. booking a Hawaiian cruise or 3. just don't do island hopping and stay on Kauai for your vacation.

We did not want to leave this person or other Hawaii travelers in a lurch, especially since many visitors to the Hawaiian Islands consider 'hopping' to the Big Island for a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to watch a live volcano. Here is what we recommended for Hawaiian island hopping:

"Here is the good news. Island hopping has become affordable again. Mokulele Airlines offers some decent flight rates and Hawaiian Airlines - their recent rates were beyond reasonable - just followed suit and lowered their interisland rates to $61 one-way between Honolulu and all major Hawaiian airports. New Interisland rates started 11/19/2008.

However, don't now get carried away and try to island 'hop' 3 or 4 islands. I always recommend to start with two and visit the other two on your next vacation. After that, you will have fallen in love with one of the islands and return to that one on future Hawaii visits.

As a lot of flight specials are currently offered for flying from the Mainland to Honolulu, why not take advantage of those special deals and stay for 3 - 4 days in Honolulu. Visit famous Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Hamauma Bay Beach, Pearl Harbor and watch surfers tackling the crazy winter surf on north Shore. You might even be able to get around without having to rent a car, as Honolulu has a very well developed public bus transportation service at an affordable price.

Then take off to the Big Island for a 4-day visit. Stay north of Kona on the sunny Kohala Coast where the best white sand beaches, Hapuna and Mauna Kea beach are. Relax and enjoy. Then take time for adventure. Plan carefully so it does not become a chore: Mauna Kea summit stargazing, visit to Waipio Valley on your way to Volcano, stop at Akaka Waterfalls, get a glimpse of Hilo and make it to your final destination, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Ever since January 2008, our live volcano Kilauea has been more active than ever and Big Island visitors cannot get enough of the spectacle. Bring video camera, camera and appropriate clothing - for Park at over 3000ft elevation warm clothing, for sea level firm shoes and lighter clothing - and don't forget lots of water and sunscreen.

How does that sound for your Hawaii island hopping plans? Hope this sounds like a good idea to you. Have fun in Hawaii. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

p.s.

Last but not least, Volcano vacation rental owners offer you great discounts when visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park beginning December, before the high season starts.

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Hawaii Volcano Videos 2008

I guess today's post about the dramatic lava flow in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 2008 is overdue. We wrote a number of articles about a visit to Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island, like 'When is the best time time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park'? Basically, we told Big Island visitors then that there is no guaranty to see red lava flow, as the conditions always change. So believe me in the past there have been a number of disappointed visitors who were just not lucky to see real lava. OK Kilauea Visitor Center offers visitor information and exhibits, including films and videos throughout the day. And steam vents and the Thurston Lava Tubes are exciting to some point but what about the real thing? Red glowing hot lava...


Well, most Big Island visitors know by now that things are different this year at the park. Anybody who plans a visit to the volcano can be sure that Madame Pele, the Goddess of the Volcano, will put on a fascinating show of her powers. This is a short update for our Big Island visitors who are planning a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in these fall months of 2008.

The number of visitors to the Park has increased over the past few months significantly ever since the eruption in Halemaumau crater on March 11th, the first eruption at that location since 1982. The colors of the plume are constantly changing from white to gray and even pink. At night, the dramatic glow from the vent keeps visitors at awe. There are not many places on earth where visitors can watch safely an active volcano.

Visit our site for more information about lava flow update and viewing areas at Hawaii Volcanoes Park. In addition, you want to visit the County of Hawaii Kilauea Eruption Update Website plus in the FAQ you might just find the answer to your question about visiting the Park and Kilauea Volcano. Check our Big Island map for Park location and more.

It was really fun to put this post together for all our Hawaii visitors and especially those who do some Hawaii Island hopping over from Oahu, Maui or Kauai. I tried to not only find the most spectacular Hawaii volcano video but also those videos which provide Big Island visitors with some scientific information behind this amazing display by mother nature. I arranged the videos in a somewhat time order.

So enjoy and have fun with our Hawaii Volcano videos. Share your 2008 visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors. You did not never visit the Big Island? The 2008 year is not over yet. Volcano vacation rental hosts welcome you with special rates for November in Volcano. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Hawaii Volcano Video April 2008 by Written directed and produced by Donald B. MacGowan; Narrated by Frank Burgess; Original Musical Score by Donald B. MacGowan.



Hawaii Volcano Video by KITV March 25, 2008. Scientists on the Big Island are stunned by the mile high plume of ash that is erupting from the Halema'uma'u caldera of the Kilauea Volcano



Hawaii Vocano Video by SkyNews from July 10th 2008

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Sailing the Hawaiian Islands

Aloha to all our Best Hawaii Vacation visitors,
When we noticed that there is quite a number of visitors who want to get away to sunny Hawaii from rainy November weather on the Mainland, we decided to give these guys some help with our post 'Fly to Hawaii in November'. A few of our 'Best Places Hawaii Thanksgiving 2008' are still available. But remember restaurants and beaches are really busy during Thanksgiving week in Hawaii. But hey choose the other November weeks, and you will be king on the beach and other Hawaiian activities which book fast in advance like Whale watch or snorkel tours!

Today we welcome a new author to our Hawaii blog writers' guild of Hawaii lovers. It's Captain Howard from Kona 'Sail Holy Grail'. Everybody who loves sailing, whether himself being the sailing captain or going on a sailing cruise, might want to book a sailing charter boat after reading his 'Sailing the Hawaiian Islands' article.


Just a few words about Howard before going sailing with him. Sailing has been Captain Howard's passion since he was a teenager. Reading all the classic stories about crossing oceans in small boats inflamed his desire to do the same thing. Over the years, Howard has crossed the oceans a number of times. He holds a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer Master license for 50 tons, sail and power. I guess we've found us the expert about sailing in Hawaii:

"Ahoy Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors,
It has happened! The first humpback whales of the season were spotted a little earlier than normal on October 9. The excitement took place in the afternoon offshore of Honokohau Harbor when sailing aboard Holy Grail, on our gentle and steady Kona breezes gliding through our calm waters.


Sailing is ideal for Whale Watching as the gentle giants are not frightened by our approach. Kona is especially well suited for sailing as the waters are so protected from Hawaii’s sometimes boisterous trade winds, which generally blow from the northeast. Kona and Kohala are on the West side of the Big Island, so you can see that the fetch of ocean swells that roll across the pacific onto Hawaii’s shores break mainly onto the Hamakua (east) Coast, creating spectacular shoreline views.

During Whale season, which varies from as early as October to as late as April a whale encounter might occur at any time of the day. It is calmer in the mornings, though, which makes it a little easier to see whales in the water. They have a characteristic "footprint" on the water, as their great mass causes sort of a slick when they rest just below the surface. They may "breach," or hurtle nearly out of the water, or slap their tails one or more times, or you may just see the hump or a pectoral fin come up. Whatever you see, it is a great thrill as they are 50 feet or longer, about the length of our sailing boat.

We are often asked, “what if there are no whales that day. What will we see?” Kona has quite a bit of nature on view. Today, I dove right in the harbor to check our mooring chain and was greeted by a huge green sea "Honu," Hawaiian for turtle, visible right from the deck. You might see any of several varieties of dolphin, or pilot whales, or jumping schools of "Aku," skipjack tuna feeding on schools of small fish. You can be certain that the view of our island from just offshore will inspire and delight. Aloha and good sailing in Hawaii, Captain Howard and Admiral Stephanie, Sail Holy Grail"

Much mahalo Howard and Stephanie for sharing the fun of Hawaii whale watch from a sailing ship. A sailing charter seems like a great idea for a private family outing on a unique vacation in Hawaii. As usually we'd love to hear from visitors who sailed the Hawaiian Islands. Have you ever booked a Hawaiian sailing charter and how was it? Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Fly to Hawaii in November

Today, the 'Moku O Keawe' Hula Festival, one of Hawaii Big Island's big events to keep Hawaiian traditions like hula dance and slackkey guitar alive on the islands, has started at Waikoloa Beach Resort. We were happy to hear that Big Island vacation rental owners shared this information with their guests. As the hula festival lasts till November the 9th, we expect many Big Island visitors and residents to visit one of the festival events and feel the aloha spirit first hand.

If you are not on the Hawaiian Islands yet, but plan a last minute visit to Hawaii for November, remember Thanksgiving is a very busy week on all the islands and our highest season in Hawaii starts Christmas week on 12/20, including New Year's 2008 and ends January 3rd 2009. January and February are high season months generally.

Hotels and private vacation homes in Hawaii are quite booked for Christmas 2008. So, if you are looking for a bargain, then it's November to catch offers for special room rates (exception of Thanksgiving!) and believe it or not, Hawaii hotels and vacation rentals are normally slow at the beginning of December till 12/19. After that, things turn a little crazy. I personally love the peaceful time before Christmas. Hawaii visitors may enjoy still empty beaches and restaurants and the already set up Christmas decorations.

Well, if we got you hooked to check Hawaii flights and hotels for November 2008, our friends, Jeff and Rob, from Beat of Hawaii might have the flight information available you are looking for. They list flight specials from LAX to Honolulu for $242 RT, Denver to Honolulu for $111 one way, Chicago to Maui for $412 RT, Sacramento to Honolulu for $350 RT and more. Jeff wrote in his blog post from November 1st:

"This past week has been the very best we’ve seen in about a year for mainland to Hawaii airfares. In fact, when you consider inflation-adjusted price, some are the lowest ever offered historically.

To and from Los Angeles, the price has dropped an additional $20, since we posted it earlier in the week. American is now joined by Delta and Northwest, who are all battling in this heavily traveled and prized market. This is the best price imaginable. You can also choose to fly Hawaiian Air for just $25 more.

Check out the other fabulous Hawaii airfare offers as well. When I looked this morning, many are still available, in some cases with more availability and additional carriers joining, than earlier. I’ve updated each offer with today’s changes."

If you are interested in reading all the special flight details, keep reading Jeff's post LAX to Honolulu $233 RT all-inclusive You will find Hawaii flight specials by American Airlines, Delta and United, and a special Hotel - Flight vacation code by Orbitz. It doesn't hurt to check it out, when you are determined to fly to Hawaii in November.

Last but not least, we mentionend before that Hawaiian island hopping had become quite expensive with Hawaiian Airline's high prices for flying between the islands. Here is the good news. I just checked Hawaiian for Interisland flights and noticed their brand-new interisland special for Honolulu - Kona, Honolulu - Kahului, Honolulu - Lihue, Honolulu - Hilo is $61 starting 11/19/08. Looks like Mokulele's lower Interisland rates made its competitor to go lower as well.

Great news for Hawaii visitors who love island hopping on their Hawaii vacation. So fly to Hawaii in November and let's hop, island hop, again! Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
Our today's Hawaiian post girl, who makes dreaming of a Hawaii vacation very real, is Shannon from WahineStyle. If you like her and all our other beautiful Hawaiian girls, the 2009 WahineStyle calendar is now available.

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Hawaiian Traditions

Dear Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors,
The ones of you who visit our Hawaii blog frequently know that we, Pua and Keoki, are not just dedicating this blog to providing you with the best Hawaii vacation tips for travel to the Hawaiian Islands. We love to go beyond that by introducing Hawaiian culture, traditions and heritage to all of you you want to know more about Hawaii, the land and the people. Today we warmly welcome another guest author who will be assisting us to accomplish this mission.

Catherine Tarleton, the blog author of today's post had worked at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for 18 years. When the hotel closed for renovation in 2006, she looked for new ways to get actively engaged in keeping the Hawaiian heritage alive and thriving. Cathey is a free lance writer on the Big Island of Hawaii who had become involved with promoting the rich and beautiful Hawaiian tradition and culture through the 'Moku O Keawe' International International Festival, which is coming up at the beginning of November 2008.

Here is what Cathey has to share with Big Island visitors about the Festival which features an amazing hula competition by dancers from Hawaii and Japan and several cultural workshops led by some amazing kumu in the arts of chant, hula, lei-making, language and more:

"Experience the rich Hawaiian culture during Moku O Keawe International Festival, November 5-9 at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Top hula troupes from Hawaii and Japan take the stage for exciting kupuna, kahiko and auana competition under the stars in the Waikoloa Bowl at the Queens' Gardens.

And during the day, cultural workshops offer an in-depth excursion to practice protocols, gather materials and make authentic lei, a look at the intricacies of lauhala weaving, a visit to the Makali'i to learn story and song about the fabled voyaging canoe--and much more. Kickoff concert starring Na Hokuhanohano Female Vocalist of the Year Napua Greig, fabulous made-in-Hawaii Marketplace and final night Ho'ike starring workshop students and special guest halau complete the third annual event.

Through what is learned in the cultural workshops, hula competition, exhibits of Hawaii-related arts and crafts and other extraordinary events, the Hawaii traveler from near or far can take the Moku O Keawe experience home and share it with their community.

For information visit www.MokuOKeawe.org or call Margo at 808-886-8822."

Much mahalo, Cathey, for your nice invitation to this amazing festival of celebrating Hawaiian traditions and sharing them with our Hawaii Big Island visitors. If you don't know where Waikoloa Beach Resort is, check our Kohala Coast map. It's at a great central location between Kona and the Kohala Coast and Waimea area.

A visit to the Moku O Keawe Festival will be a unique Hawaii experience on your Big Island vacation. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations and Big Island Vacation

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Hawaii Blogs

With holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas 2008 approaching fast, our highest season for Hawaii vacation and travel is coming up. No wonder that most Hawaii blogs are writing posts about the fun of celebrating holidays in warm, sunny Hawaii. A Christmas vacation in Hawaii is on many travelers' wish list for Christmas.

Well, Christmas is about giving and receiving gifts. Recently, our Best Hawaii Vacation blog received an early Christmas gift. Alene from True Aloha Blog nominated our 'Hawaii blog' for the 'I Love Your Blog award! What a nice surprise. We are truly honored! We thought this is the most wonderful idea to say mahalo to our Hawaii blog ohana for staying in touch through blog visits and comments. Last time we did that, it was at our 1st Hawaii Blog Carnival over a year ago.

So, here are our nominees of favorite Hawaii blogs, in alphabetical order to be fair to everybody:

Beat of Hawaii and Beyond: A travel Chronicle from Hawaii http://beatofhawaii.com/

Da Kine Hawaiian Aloha http://hawaiianalohashirts.blogspot.com/

Hawaiirama http://hawaiirama.com/

Hawaii Vacation Blog http://www.hawaii-aloha.com/blog/

Homespun Honolulu - A Honolulu Blog http://homespunhonolulu.com/

The Right Blue - Recounting a Lifetime of Ocean Devotion http://therightblue.com/

True Aloha - Everything about Hawaii and Aloha http://truealoha.com/blog/

Remember what goes around, comes around. Here are the 'rules' for the recipient:

* Display your award.
* Link back to the person who gave you the award.
* Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
* Put links to those blogs on yours.
* Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated.
* Enjoy your award!

We decided for Hawaii blogs on our blog award. Now, we are curious about your blog choices for 'I love your blog' award! Let us know in a comment when your blog award is live. Mahalo, Pua and Keoki Hawaii Vacations and Affordable Hawaii

Tags: Hawaii blogs, Best Hawaii blogs, favorite Hawaii blogs

Have fun in Hawaii at Christmas 2008

Our recent little excursion to Upcountry Maui at Best Hawaii vacation blog got attention by Hawaii travelers who look for the Hawaii paths less traveled away from the tourist crowds. Well, we are sure that today's blog post will get everybody's attention who has a Christmas vacation in Hawaii in mind for this year.

There is no doubt that Vacation in Hawaii is special at any time of the year. Hawaii still holds its position as a top destination for visitors from the Mainland and from around the world, whether it's for a special Hawaii honeymoon, a family beach vacation with kids or celebrities taking a break from their Mainland lifestyles. From our experience as longtime vacation hosts in Hawaii, we can say that the most desired time for a Hawaii vacation is Christmas together with New Year's (this is how most people book it), followed by Thanksgiving and the snowbird months January and February.

We always considered it our most special Christmas gift to go on Christmas Day or the afternoon of Christmas Eve to white sand Mauna Kea Beach, lie in the sun and have a swim in the ocean! Hawaii spoils its visitors with its warm sunny days and warm ocean waters even in December when most Mainland states are in the tight grip of frost, ice and snow. Admittedly, the fun of a Hawaii Christmas vacation does not come cheap to Hawaii visitors. Hawaii hotels charge higher holiday room rates and hotels, 5-star or budget, but they book very fast in advance. We noticed that even this year, after lower Hawaii visitor numbers during the summer and fall months, Christmas holidays don't make an exception.

Here are a few Hawaii Vacation tips for the average Hawaii traveler to save money and have fun at Christmas Vacation 2008:

1. Rent a Hawaii vacation home or condo instead of staying at a hotel

First of all, privately owned Hawaii vacation rentals don't book as fast as hotels, if they are not right on the beach. There are lovely places with short 10 - 15 minute drive to best beaches in your vacation area. They are fully equipped with complete kitchens, which can save you tons of money on all your meals. With this extra money, you can take the whole family to a whale watch tour. Remember the humpback whales are back in December. Vacation rentals by owner come all inclusive with beach equipment, snorkel gear and even Internet access, even saunas or jaccuzis. Remember that's what you pay those Hawaii resort fees for.

2. Share a Hawaii vacation home or condo with family or friends

So many guests would love to have a private pool for their Hawaii Christmas vacation, but cannot afford the place, unless they make a small sacrifice and share the home + the rate (!) with family or friends which you hang out with anyway on a daily basis. Look for vacation rentals which have short driving distances to beaches, shopping and fun entertainment.

3. Share a rental car with family or friends for Christmas

It does not take big planning to share a car with friends for going to the beach, going shopping or do a special Hawaiian island adventure. With a few easy adjustments and planning, you can save a lot of money with a shared car. With higher gas prices in Hawaii, this makes perfectly sense. Remember your last Hawaii vacation when you afterwards wondered why you rented the car in the first place. Book your Hawaii rental car for Christmas as early as possible. Guys these are the Hawaiian Islands and rental cars are not unlimited.

4. Free Christmas entertainment in Hawaii

Yes, there are still things in Hawaii for Christmas which are free. You just have to find them. Hotels have beautifully decorated Christmas tree exhibitions, electric toy railroads in winter wonderland scenery or even ginger bread houses as tall as people (hmm, that smell!). Shopping centers do nightly Christmas entertainment with hula dancers and carol singing. It's a wonderful experience to join those Hawaiian Christmas traditions, more so when you can show up in shorts and Aloha shirts! Welcome to Christmas in Hawaii! Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
If you are still looking for a Last Minute Thanksgiving Hawaii rental, visit our 'Best Places Hawaii Thanksgiving 2008'.

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Maui Upcountry

When talking about Maui Vacation on Best Hawaii Vacation blog, a lot is said about the Maui resorts in Hawaii Kapalua (read our recent post Hawaii Kapalua Maui, Kaanapali and Kihei with their famous white sand beaches and ocean front and ocean view Maui condos. It makes perfectly sense that Hawaii tourists focus on sunny, white sand beaches when getting away from rainy Mainland. It comes with a sacrifice. Most of our beloved Hawaii beach areas are overflowing with tourists and thus become 'touristy'.

For all those who want to explore the islands, get to know the real Hawaii and get away from the touristy resorts, Upcountry Maui is the place to go on your Maui vacation. Upcountry Maui begins at Pukalani and climbs the slopes of magnificent Haleakala to the ranchland communities of Makawao, Kula, Keokea and Ulupalakua. These are the areas where you can find the oldest ranches, like Ulupakalua Ranch on the slopes of Haleakala at an elevation of under 2,000 feet.

You can reach the ranch via a scenic drive past horses, cattle and purple blooming jacarandas. Enjoy the panoramic views of Lanai, Molokini and Kahoolawe. The Hawaiian cowboys, knowns as paniolos, are still riding the ranges!

When you decide to stay at one of the lovely upcountry B&Bs, inns or vacation rentals in the coming winter months, be aware that the higher elevation brings colder temperatures to those upcountry areas, especially during the nights. Make sure that there is some heating at your accommodation and have a sweater and long pants available for going out at night. Driving a convertible might not be the right thing, as rain can suddenly surprise you.

Well, one cannot leave Hawaii tourism totally behind when visiting Upcountry Maui. The green rolling pastures of rural Makawao with the blue ocean in the distance is home to beautiful boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. But one got to eat on a day trip outing and a little shopping can be fun too. If you are not into it, drive further up the road to Kula where Maui visitors can find flower farms with beautiful tropical flowers like protea, orchids and bird of paradise.

Kula Botanical Garden is another alternative to visiting boutiques and galleries. The 8-acre garden is located on the slopes of Haleakala and displays colorful and unique plants, amazing rock formations, a covered bridge, waterfalls, koi pond and aviary. Visitors will find hundreds of varieties of plants to enjoy and photograph.

We have hundreds of varieties of plants for you to enjoy and photograph.

There is much more to Upcountry Maui. If you have stayed at one of the wonderful upcountry vacation places or would like to share your upcountry Maui experience with our Hawaii blog visitors, we would love to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Hawaii Kapalua Maui

As the the snow birds are getting ready for their winter vacation in Hawaii, we'd better cover some more areas of interest for Hawaii travel after our recent excursion to Molokai's Fishponds. Our September post 'Big Island or Maui Vacation' on Best Hawaii Vacation blog hopefully helped Hawaii travelers to make their final decision which Hawaiian island it's gonna be this year for their special Hawaii vacation. If Maui has come ahead of the Big Island, today's article about Kapalua on West Maui is for you. What's there to do and to see?

The experienced Hawaii traveler knows that the west coasts of the Hawaiian islands are blessed with plenty of sunshine, stretches of white sand beaches and reef lined coastal waters, perfect for snorkelers, divers and swimmers. This is not any different with the area of Kapalua on West Maui. The unique tropical beauty, historic sites and premier golf courses attract thousands of visitors to Kapalua at the northwest end of the island of Maui.

Elegant Kapalua is quietly nestled among tall Cook Pines which give the popular resort a countryside feeling. The five bays of Kapalua are sheltered by lava peninsula, which actually gave Kapalua its name which can be interpreted as "arms embracing the sea". Speaking of surroundings and natural beauty of Kapalua, one has to mention thousands of acres of pinapple which surround the resort and give the hillsides a blue-green tint. By the way, the Kapalua Nature Society offers guided nature hikes into the nearby rain forest.

The 23,000-acre Kapalua Resort can be considered as Hawaii's #1 Golf Resort. Passionate golfers may choose from three championship golf courses - including the Plantation Course, home of the prestigious PGA TOUR Mercedes Championship! - state-of-the-art golf academy and value-added golf packages. Not a golfer?! Kapalua Resort features three white sand beaches, two tennis complexes, restaurants, boutiques and galleries. You don't need to drive or walk far to find your favorite Maui things to do. Kapalua Resort has it all lined up for you. I've found some nice Kapalua photos on Tripadvisor taken by Maui visitors.

Now, the question is where to stay when one wants to enjoy this Hawaii luxury resort. Kapalua Villas are a great choice for those who are not on a budget. We recommend the budget conscious traveler to check out the Kapalua Condos for more affordable Maui vacation. As usual, we would like to hear from you about your Hawaii Kapalua Vacation on Maui. What do you like best in Kapalua? Mahalo, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
Mahalo Amber from Wahine Style for being another time our Hawaii post girl.

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Hawaiian Fish Ponds

Aloha Hawaii lovers,
When we started our Best Hawaii Vacation blog, we told everybody that this is our way to share our love with Hawaii and the Hawaiian people. Without their aloha spirit and the endless beauty of the Hawaiian islands, their home, there would not a 'best Hawaii vacation' possible! We owe the Hawaiians gratitude and respect and love. The least we can do, is learn and educate ourselves about their ancient traditions and cultures and help support to maintain their connection between the people and their land (aina). This is what this Hawaii blog post is about.

Jennifer Smith from the Molokai Dispatch interviewed Leimana Raymond Naki, Molokai fishpond caretaker, and Petra Wegman from Aloha Coaching, one of his strongest supporters.

FISHING FOR THE FUTURE with Leimana Raymond Naki

For centuries, ancient Hawaiians looked to the fishponds, LOKO I´A, for nourishment and livelihood. Today, groups throughout the islands are engaged with their ancient knowledge to revive this food source. Molokai alone hosts over 60 FISHPONDs, which are amongst Hawaii’s greatest engineering achievements. The semi-circular walls of the ponds are meant to keep fish in, while allowing seawater to circulate. Natural occurrences and lacking care in ongoing years have caused KAHINA POHAKU and likewise other fishponds to fall into a state of disrepair.


The caretaker Leimana Raymond Naki, his family and many others know how important it is to use resources of the island and they invest continuously time and hard work. They'd like to do more than only repair the walls of the ponds. The restoration effort involves such things as educating the island's youth, creating culture-based experiences, supporting responsible tourism, and promoting sustainability. While the ponds never produce the abundance of fish they once did, community support is redefining Molokai's LOKO I'A as epicenter for education, culture, and fellowship.

KAHINA POHAKU

While not the biggest fishpond on the island, Kahina Pohaku is certainly one of the most visible. The four-acre fishpond is located at the 19-and-a-half mile marker on the East End of Molokai. Most drivers could recognize the pond from the highway by its outrigger canoe, surrounding coconut shacks, the "oceanic classroom" and breathtaking view of Maui. Literally translated, Kahina Pohaku means Hina’s Rock; in Hawaiian culture HINA is regarded as the mother of Molokai.


Leimana Raymond Naki, says that the pond has a deeper physical and spiritual meaning. "It is a place where the rocks support each other," under the water and above the water. Naki has been involved with the pond for nearly a decade, including the last three years which he has dedicated to living there full-time. According to Naki, he and his `OHANA/ family gave up the comforts of electricity and running water to care-take the area and ensure its revitalization.

And for the past two and a half years Naki has also enjoyed the help of a dedicated German, Petra Gabriele Wegmann, who is here half of the year, to support the construction with great dedication. Petra Gabriele Wegmann helps Naki to run the workshops, and teach the importance of revitalizing Kahina Pohaku. She says: "I see the importance of the purpose and the meaning of this place. And the transmission of my family friend and mentor Leimana is not to get paid and then do his work - his purpose is to perpetuate the culture, to join the old knowledge with today’s thinking."

While getting the walls back up is Plan A for Naki, he has also worked very hard to support the pond and his culture through Plan B: education which is the key for the future, as he says. For this he regularly holds workshops at Kahina Pohaku for local children, clubs, tourists and interested people from the whole world. He provides workshops on everything from traditional ways of laying net, to HULA, music, and MO'OLELO. Feeling passionate about the fishponds ability to educate children in ways that traditional classrooms cannot, the teaching duo encourages teachers to bring their students to the pond. "My classroom is round and it is an open space, they are not confined here," Naki says. Having never seen kids "so happy," Wegmann said many don’t want to leave at the end of the day. "They can’t believe it’s really a school class."


"Revitalization and restoration are part of the whole", Naki says explaining that, what has to be done for the ponds, is not just a “project". "By having Kahina Pohaku it gives pride in our culture," he says. “Our ancestors, our enemies, our neighbors ate from here.” However, today Naki said the fishpond is hurting. Because of this, today our family does not fish from Kahina Pohaku. The broken walls aren’t regenerated yet and the fish population also isn’t replenished. "When the walls go up, the fish goes in," says Naki. And it is with this belief that he continues trying to find the means to let this happen. "It would take several months for a dedicated group of hard workers to get the wall back up", Naki says. He is looking for grants and possibilities that would allow him to pay workers and material.

Perpetuating KAHINA POHAKU

Leimana: "Whether it’s a fishpond or a taro patch, it is a way for the people to connect back to their culture. It is like starting over - it’s going to be hard, but we gonna make it. There will be fish - fish to provide for community and our families. What we have here is real, the resources are real."


Further information about KAHINA POHAKU, Molokai and the possibilities for you to take part or contribute, please contact Petra Gabriele Wegmann, who is staying in Germany right now and will return soon to Molokai, Kahina Pohaku and her family Naki. You can reach Petra by email. You may find the original full interview 'Fishing for the Future' at 'The Molokai Dispatch'

Our mahalo goes to Petra, Leimana and Jennifer for this great article. Hawaiian Fishponds are not only a means to make use of the fish resources, but places of the utmost serenity and peace, as the photo below shows. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
When you are still looking for the best place to stay in Hawaii for Thanksgiving, you might just find it on our post Best Hawaii places Thanksgiving 2008.

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Best Places Hawaii Thanksgiving 2008

Hope you, our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors, found our recent post about pros and cons of Big Island or Maui vacation useful for planning their upcoming Hawaii trip. If you want to get out of the cold and rainy weather in November, a Thanksgiving vacation in Hawaii might be perfect for you and your family. With Thanksgiving week starting on Monday 11/24/2008, the timing for putting this Hawaii Thanksgiving vacation together NOW, 2 months ahead of Thanksgiving, is perfect. Use our post about All-Inclusive Hawaii Vacation as a resource for locating flight specials to Hawaii or Hawaii hotel vacation package deals for Thanksgiving.

You can also save a lot of money by staying with your family at a fully equipped Hawaii vacation rental home near best beaches, which allows you to cook 'at home' and take advantage of other free amenities. Most vacation rental hosts also offer great amenities, such as free high speed Internet access for your laptop and snorkel gear or and boogie boards. We've put together a list for you of Hawaii vacation rental homes, which are currently, as of 9/19/08, still available for Thanksgiving rentals. Here is our list of Best Hawaii Places for Thanksgiving 2008, from most expensive luxury homes to cheap, affordable vacation condos and cottages:

Spend Thanksgiving Kohala Coast Vacation at this brand-new Luxurious Kohala Coast Villa - 3 Bd/3.5 Ba - (Sleeps 6) at the lowest rate ever $810/nt.! This 3000sft features spectacular ocean views from each room, private swimming pool and spa. Guests will enjoy all the luxury Kohala Coast resort amenities of Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach Resort.

This Puako Oceanfront 4Bd/5Ba from $735/nt. (sleeps 8) is currently still available for Thanksgiving 2008. This is the Best price for your family beach vacation in Hawaii! Book it when you can. There is no beach home available at this price.

You look for a luxury Hawaii ocean view vacation home, then this one is right for you Kohala Coast vacation home 3BR/3.5BA, $435/nt. (dbl.) w/pool & tennis court Enjoy ocean views and top amenities at the most affordable rate at upscale gated community!

When you love the warm weather at Kailua-Kona and some late night action, this Kona 4Bd/5Ba Vacation Home with pool and jacuzzi Amazing 180-degree ocean views makes your Thanksgiving vacation in Kona Hawaii a special one. Share this Kona ocean view home with friends or family.

Here is one of my favorite places in Kona: Kona Vacation Home, gorgeous ocean views 2Bd/2Ba Kona Home with Pool, which is perfect for couples at $250/nt. to share! Best Kona ocean view with top amenities at best Kona vacation rate.

It's just the two of you and you love to stay close to the beach, this Puako Apartment is right across from Beach 1Bd/1Ba Puako Vacation Apartment Best Deal Puako Beach $115/nt.! It is available 11/26 - 11/30 (and longer) for Thanksgiving 2008.

Save lots of money on your nightly rate for going out to dinner or do a whale watch tour when you stay at this fully equipped (full kitchen), private location with short 10-minute drive to the beach, which is currently still available for Thanksgiving week at $95/nt. with 7-night booking. Sunny Side Waimea Kohala Coast Vacation Rental Cottage Near Best Beaches

There is no place like Hawaii on a Thanksgiving vacation. Hope you found what you were looking for on our list of Best Places Hawaii for Thanksgiving. Please, let us know in the comments whether you booked one of these vacation homes and how you liked it. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Big Island or Maui Vacation

Our All-inclusive Hawaii vacation post got quite some attention from Best Hawaii Vacation visitors. It's great to see and hear when Hawaii visitors find our articles helpful for making the right decisions for their Hawaii vacation. Today, we contemplate the question 'Big Island or Maui Vacation?' Which one is best for you.

Most everybody who visits Hawaii for the first time is getting overwhelmed and confused, yes confused too, by figuring out which Hawaiian island they should visit first. We assume that you are already a step ahead by limiting your choices to 2 Hawaiian islands, Big Island or Maui. That makes things a little bit easier.

Here is what I recommend you to do for making your final decision which one it's gonna be, Big Island or Maui vacation. Think about and determine what it is you expect from this 'first' Hawaii vacation!

When asking Hawaii traveler friends for their favorite island, you will hear all kinds of different answers and reasons. It's good to hear those but it does not help you solve your problem, unless they love exactly the same things you do. So 'word-of-mouth' is not necessarily working in your situation. Here are my recommendations for deciding which island to visit:

Book your Maui vacation when/if

1. your are a surfer - Maui is a surfer's paradise
2. love white sand beaches
3. are young + like nightlife + don't mind crowds
4. prefer ocean view rental and don't mind a condo

Book your Big Island vacation when/if

1. you love adventure - 'live' volcano, snow in Hawaii on Mauna Kea
2. love laid back Hawaii with quiet beaches: white or black
3. like a peaceful Hawaii vacation
4. love healing vacations: spas, alternative healing

Be aware that I am totally generalizing. Best you complete my lists with finding pros and cons which apply exclusively to you. Plus: read, read, read about those two islands! You may do that right here on our Hawaii blog: Maui Vacation articles or Big Island vacation stories. Scroll down on right side bar and you will find photos, best things to do and so much more.

Hope this gets you on the right track. Have fun contemplating your options for your next Hawaii visit. Have a great Hawaii vacation on Maui or the Big Island. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
It's again sexy Amber from WahineStyle, who makes reading our Hawaii vacation post easy and entertaining. If you like the beautiful Hawaiian girls from Wahine Style, ask Kawika about his new 2009 calendar which I think is soon ready to be shipped.

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