The Hawaii Traveler

Spend an inexpensive and lazy evening out watching newish movie releases in a decent enough theater near downtown!  You really can’t beat the price at just $1 per movie!  
Years ago, this small eight-screen art house hosted independent films and other great local events, but it has since been converted into a popular weekend hotspot.  For certain, the theater doesn’t earn revenue from movie ticket sales.  Instead, it generates money from dozens of arcade games and virtual reality machines in the main lobby and the unhealthy but reasonably priced concession goodies.  
If you want to splurge a little, there are …read more

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If a picnic in Kapiolani suits your fancy, then the best place to stock up on fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and delectable desserts is just around the corner at Diamond Head Market & Grill.  With a take out window that serves up delicious healthy plate lunches as well as a cute indoor market with homemade meals, you’ll almost certainly find what you’re looking for that perfect lunch or light dinner.  There’s a really decent collection of wine and beer, as well as mouth-watering dishes that are sold by the quarter-pound.
More information on PlanetEye: Diamond Head Market & Grill

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Here at The Hawai’i Traveler, we primarily talk about the eight main Hawaiian islands of interest to tourists and armchair travelers, but thinking outside the box brings us, strangely, to a triangle–The Polynesian Triangle, that is.
Hawai’i is actually comprised of a chain of 137 islands, islets, and shoals. Only seven of these islands are inhabited year round and four are the main attractions: The Big Island, O’ahu, Maui, and Kaua’i.
At first glance, Hawai’i is a lot like a little piece of Americana wrapped in ti leaves and served with poi. The atmosphere is unlike what most of us travelers …read more

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Off the west side of Maui are three visible islands (and the crater). One is Moloka’i, one of Hawaii’s lesser-visited, more sparsely-populated islands–also called the Friendly Isle. Another is Lana’i, the most private of the main islands. The third is totally uninhabited, unlike the other forbidden island in the chain, Ni’ihau. It’s Kaho’olawe, an island that will likely be long vacant due to its interesting, and later very unfortunate history.
During the 1800s, during the rule of King Kamehameha I, Kaho’olawe was the site of the Hawaiian kingdom’s penal colony. Men were banished there, for such crimes as stealing, breaking …read more

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There are nine watery threads running between the Hawaiian Islands. These channels are some of the most revered, most discussed waterways in history–if you’re the sea-faring type. If you’re not, now you know what’s what, and where it is.
 
‘Au’au Channel–between Lana’i and Maui. It’s the most geographically protected and therefore the calmest of all the channels, but isn’t the deepest. It boasts a long and interesting history with whaling ships, and is now popular “grounds” for whale watching instead. It was also a key, destiny-changing location during the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor during World War II.
 
Pailolo …read more

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Best beach for keeping up with the Joneses (whoever they are) and maintaining your hip, in-the-know image: (That’s a no-brainer) Waikiki Beach on Oahu.
Best hike across what looks like a moonscape before finding yourself on a deserted black and white beach with a terrific array of tidepools:   Kiholo Bay  on the Northwest side of the Big Island.
Best beach for swimming with turtles and the occasional school of spinner dolphins: Tunnels Beach on Kauai.
Best giant-sized bathtub: Queen’s Bath on Kauai. (Pictured)
Best beach that requires four-wheeling first:  Mo’omomi Beach on Molokai. (Visit during the summer months for best results.)
Best beach that’s totally …read more

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If it’s happening on O’ahu, it’s happening, period. The Island of O’ahu, known as the Heart of Hawai’i, is the trendsetter of the islands, leading by example with new improvements, changes and additions on an ongoing basis. Here’s a smattering of what’s new on O’ahu:
Hotels & Resorts
From September 2 to December 18, Halekulani will begin an extensive renovation of its public area.
The 81-room Aqua Coconut Waikiki opened on June 1 after completing a $2.6 million renovation.
The Wyland Waikiki Hotel recently welcomed a new restaurant and spa to its 403-room property. Spada Bar and Restaurant features Northern Italian-inspired …read more

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If you’ve ever toyed with the travel bug, or even if you’re a seasoned travel veteran, you’ll be delighted to know that there are three more travel blogs entering the b5 blogosphere soon. Here’s the scoop:

Travel Product Guide, written by Sports Channel Editor Kori Ellis and Travel & Culture Channel Editor Mary Jo Manzanares.  It’s a travel-related product blog, for all of you who like to stay in the know about those products that make travel, “more comfortable, simpler, and fun!”
 

The Phoenix Traveler,  by Jackie Dishner.  Focuses on the great city of Phoenix and its sister towns and suburbs. If …read more

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Downtown Honolulu is really the up and coming neighborhood for trendy nightlife and bars.  If you’re looking to have a fun evening in the most metropolitan part of the city, this is it.  Girls: get dolled up; guys: don’t forget to wear a collared shirt and covered shoes.  Then chill out or get down at these three great nightspots — all conveniently next door to each other on Hotel Street.
More information on PlanetEye: Bar 35, THIRTYNINEHOTEL, Next Door

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A fine dining restaurant, trendy bar, and hopping nightclub all wrapped into one.  That pretty much sums up Indigo, located in the heart of downtown Honolulu.  The great thing about this place is it always maintains a sense of style and class.  From happy hour every weekday that serves some of the best martini concoctions around (lychee martini, anyone?) to the tasty eurasian cuisine, there’s certainly a hip crowd to be found somewhere inside its immense quarters. 
The "Get Fresh" Friday night scene is also really great.  Three rooms feature different DJ’s playing hip hop, top 40’s, and reggae.  By …read more

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