January 2006 Archives

Big Islanders awoke to clear views of the white crests of its two tallest peaks. Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea adorned white tops yesterday after last week's storms dumped about a foot of snow on Hawaii's tallest volcanos.

Hilo residents could see the white cap that gave the dormant volcano its name for most of the morning until clouds gathered. Mauna Kea means "white mountain" in Hawaiian.

Maui's Haleakala summit was also covered with the white material. When the clouds hovering over Haleakala lifted Monday afternoon to reveal unexpected patches of white shining in the sun, excited motorists pulled off the road to take pictures with their cell phones or simply canceled other plans and drove straight to the top.

For most Big Island and Maui residents, snow atop the high volcanoes remains little more than a backdrop for mostly sunny days, mild temperatures and gentle breezes.

Call us at Travel-Hawaii to plan your next Hawaiian summit climb.

DUKE’S WAIKIKI, the beach bar in the Outrigger Waikiki, is spotlighting local musicians during February with a Concerts on the Beach event. On Fridays, Maunalua will perform, while Kapena, Pacific Blu and Kaala Boys will alternate gigs on Saturday evenings. As he has for 30 years, Henry Kapono holds court on Sunday evening. All performances are from 4 to 6 p.m., and are free.

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Jan 28, 2006

Bishop Museum's quarterly program, Traditions of the Pacific, will take you on a cultural journey like no other. Participants will be treated to stories, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops about Hawai'i, Asia and the Pacific. Traditions of the Pacific continues with a 2-day presentation and workshop focusing on Hawai‘i’s native birds and lei hulu, the ancient Hawaiian practice of feather lei making and feather artistry. . For day two, master feather lei maker Paulette Kahalepuna will lead a feather art workshop where participants will learn how to create a 2-foot hand-held kāhili.

Contact: Bishop Museum (808) 848-4189.

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THE MANDARA SPA AT HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE in Waikiki is spotlighting its “Exploration in Chocolate” couples massage throughout the month of February. Those who opt for the three-hour, $450 treatment, it includes a “lesson” in applying an edible, chocolate body scrub after side-by-side massages as well as a complimentary Elemis Sensory Heaven bath oil kit.

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OUTRIGGER RESORTS is coordinating a Chinese New Year celebration that will take place on Feb. 4 at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Ten thousand firecrackers and dancing lions will be part of the cultural celebration, as well as traditional Chinese cuisine offerings and calligraphy demonstrations.

Book your visit to our beautiful islands at Travel-Hawaii.

Held on Maunakea Street in Chinatown in Honolulu from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to kick off the coming of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Monkey. At 4:30 p.m. a parade will start from the State Capitol Grounds onto Hotel St and end at River St. Stage entertainment will be on Maunakea St.

Plan this years vacation at Travel-Hawaii.

Visitor arrivals by air cleared 400,000 this week but are running less than 2 percent above last year's levels so far.

The state's official estimate of arrivals reached 379,180 on Monday, compared to 372,825 over the same days in 2005, an increase of 1.7 percent. It would take fewer than 21,000 Tuesday arrivals to get to 400,000, and daily arrivals over the past week have arrived much higher than that.

GEORGE MAVROTHALASSITIS, aka Chef Mavro, made an arrangement with Gourmet Cooking Hawaii that will allow 15 students to enter the chef’s kitchen to learn how to prepare one appetizer, one entree and one dessert off his new menu. After the session, students will sit down to a three-course gourmet lunch at his restaurant. Classes cost $165 per person, and will be held four times in the next nine months. Call (735) 7788 to register.

ISLAND AIR decided to only sell Hawaii-made beer on its flights between Hawaiian Islands. In an effort to support local breweries, the airline will carry Mehana Brewing Co. and Keoki Brewing Co. beers for $3 per bottle.

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From Pacific Business News

Three of the four major islands saw their hotels remain almost full in the first week of 2006.

Statewide hotel occupancy for Jan. 1-7 was 81.9 percent, an improvement of 5.3 percentage points from the first week of last year. Average room rates rose more than 20 percent. Kauai was less than two thirds full, but Maui and the Big Island saw occupancy above 81 percent while Oahu was almost 86 percent full. Room rates rose everywhere, Hospitality Advisors LLC reported Friday.

Nationally during the same week, hotel occupancy was only 46.1 percent and room rates were below $93 a night on average -- and that was an 8.2 percent improvement from a year ago, Smith Travel Research LLC reported.

Dec 2, 2005 -
Feb 28, 2006

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a specialty, one-day, big wave event held annually at Waimea Bay in memory of one of Hawaii's legendary big wave riders and the first Waimea Bay lifeguard, Eddie Aikau. Waves must reach a minimum of 20 feet for this event to be held. A lengthy holding period is set aside for this competition which requires just one day to run to completion. When the event does get underway, it is a magnificent sight, as waves as high as mountains storm through Waimea Bay. The winner receives $55,000.

Arrange your unforgettable vacation at Travel-Hawaii.

ARCHIPELAGO: PORTRAITS OF LIFE IN THE MOST REMOTE ISLAND SANCTUARY

The Lyman Museum and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve are exhibiting the extraordinary photographs by David Littschwager and Susan Middleton of the remarkable creatures that thrive in the unique and fragile ecosystem of the world's most remote island sanctuary, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. These islands are off limit to people except for scientific and conservation work. This part of the Hawaiian Archipelago is host to over 7, 000 species of flora and fauna, a quarter of which are endemic to Hawai`i. The exhibition showcases the greatly anticipated new book, Archipelago, by David Littschwager and Susan Middleton. They are the same photographers who two years ago stunned the world with the exquisite photographs from their book, Remains of a Rainbow: Endangered Plants and Animals of Hawai`i. Both books are available in the museum gift shop. The Archipelago exhibit will be at the Lyman Museum 276 Haili St. in Hilo from December 23, 2005 to January 27, 2006

Contact: Linda Collazo (808) 935-5021 ext 107

Event Address
Lyman Museum
276 Haili St.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720

The Vera Wang Botique opened this week in the Halekulani hotel. Wang’s Pacific outpost showcases her home furnishings line in the store located just off the courtyard in the center of the hotel. The Vera Wang Suite opened in the Halekulani one year ago.

Make your air and land arrangements to Hawaii at Travel-Hawaii.

FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS sold the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, to Boston-based Westbrook Partners for $250 million. The resort will retain the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii name and will continue to be managed by Fairmont.

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N-C-L Corporation announced yesterday that its two newest ships will bear the names Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem.

The ships are now being built in Meyer Werft in Germany and are scheduled to be delivered in February 2007 and October 2007 respectively.

The Miami-based company's Pride of Hawaii is scheduled to be launched in April.

N-C-L has not yet announced the specifics on the new ships' public rooms or itineraries.

Book your Hawaiian cruise at Travel-Hawaii.

A NEW FARMER’S MARKET on Hawaii’s Big Island has launched five miles south of Kona in the Keauhou Shopping Center, operating every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Products sold at the market are required to be 100% Hawaii-produced, such as coffee, chocolates, fruits, vegetables, honey and even some crafts. For more information, call the Kona Farm Bureau at (808) 324-6011.

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