The Heart of Hawai’i
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 cuisine by Executive Chef Tony Domingue and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Outrigger Waikiki’s new Hawaiian Memories Package lets guests choose what they’d like to include in their Hawaiian vacation.
Activities & Entertainment
Waikīkī Nei, an innovative theatrical production, opened at the Royal Hawaiian Center on July 22.
The North Shore Surf Girls Surf School, located on the North and South Shores of O’ahu, offers surf lessons to men, women and children with surf experience ranging from beginner-level to experienced surfer.
The Honolulu Symphony announced its concert line-up for the Halekulani MasterWorks 2008-2009 season, led by principal conductor Andreas Delfs and featuring an array of concerts starring gifted artists from Hawai’i and around the world.
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is enhancing its nightly entertainment lineup of live, authentic Hawaiian music with the addition of The Keawe Ohana & Friends.
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park has opened two new attractions: the Tornado and Dive’n'Movies. Resembling a giant household funnel, the Tornado is the park’s largest ride to date.
In collaboration with the Wild Dolphin Foundation, Wild Side Specialty Tours’ Ocean Trekker Expeditions will offer an enriching weeklong journey of discovery through the ocean world of O’ahu beginning in October 2008.
Dole Plantation is attempting to set a new record for the world’s largest maze from the Guinness Book of World Records.
Restaurants & Cuisine
Tanaka of Tokyo West Japanese Seafood and Steak House recently opened at Ala Moana Center’s Ho’okipa Terrace.
Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill, an establishment run by fish wholesaler, Fresh Island Fish, recently began serving dinner in addition to lunch. Featuring live entertainment by Ernie Cruz, Jr., the restaurant is also a frequent haunt for many local musicians who come to play kanakapila style.
Recently appointed chef Francois Bougard offers his Five-Course Tasting Menu at Bali by the Sea, the award-winning restaurant at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa.
Shopping
Royal Hawaiian Center is celebrating the completion of its $115 million revitalization, the first major renovation to the center since it opened in 1979.
Following the grand opening of its major retail expansion, Ala Moana Center welcomes new retail and dining tenants in locations throughout the mall.
O’ahu residents and master shapers Jeff Bushman and Kyle Bernhardt recently created Country Feeling Surfboards, a line of surfboards made with environmentally friendly materials.
Festivals and Events
From September 24-27, Honolulu hosts the Textile Society of America’s 11th Biennial Symposium, a gathering of textile collectors, experts and enthusiasts from around the world.
The Honolulu Culture & Arts District Association will present the second annual Taste of the Arts Street Fair on September 19 from 5-10 p.m. The fair will feature food, wine and jazz from The Arts District in downtown Honolulu.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is hosting the Kahala Food & Wine Classic, which takes place four times per year.
From September 11 to November 16, an array of paintings, calligraphy and ceramics from the Japanese art collection of noted Seattle-based garden designer and collector, Terry Welch, will be on display at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
The University of Hawai’i Art Gallery presents Writing with Thread: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities from September 21-November 30, 2008. Shown in the United States for the first time,
On September 27, Bishop Museum and Hawai’i Maritime Center will host Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day, celebrating the country’s cultural offerings. Admission is free and open to the public.
Women of Our World, Inc., a Hawai’i-based corporation honoring women through art, music and dance, is holding its first annual event, “The Women’s World Festival,” on October 10 and 11. The event will take place at the Hawai’i Convention Center.
Interisland Flights
Island Air has welcomed back nonstop service between Honolulu and Lihue, Kaua’i. Nonstop frequency between Honolulu and Kahului, Maui; Kahului, Maui and Kona, Hawai’i; and Kahului, Maui and Lihue, Kaua’i has increased.
Hawaiian Airlines began daily nonstop service from Oakland to Honolulu on May 1.
Comments Off