The Hawaii Traveler

Support your local dolphin:  Just months after its acquisition by the Parques Reunidos Group of Madrid, more than 40 employees of Sea Life Park will be laid off; that’s a staff reduction of about 20 percent. General Manager Jesus Bravo attributed the cuts to the nation’s economic downturn, and reduced ticket sales.
Hawaii’s Department of Labor’s Rapid Response Team is springing into action by helping former workers to  understand the procedures they must follow to obtain benefits under various employment laws.

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If you don’t know Baby Loves Disco, it’s just about the most fun you can have with your baby…at a disco. Before you wonder if you should call Child Protective Services on people who take their children to nightclubs, hold the phone.
Baby Loves Disco is a nationwide movement at which the hippest clubs in town transform themselves into child-friendly hotspots for kids and adults to boogie to tunes from the ’70s and ’80s. It’s real music, spun by real DJs, for people who are real sick of listening to Barney and The Wiggles all the time. (No …read more

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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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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 had the pleasure of visiting Maui anytime from December to May, you know that the Au’au channel between Maui and Lana’i is a prime spot for whale watching. It’s the North Pacific herd of humpbacks that migrate there to breed and enjoy the warmer waters after spending the summer and fall eating and living in Alaskan waters.Whale watching is a hit with visitors on every level. It’s an extraordinary scene to watch the whales roll and breech, their babies close by. It’s by far Maui’s best-loved offshore activity, and now Wailea Beach Villas has …read more

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It’s Independence Day, and nothing says freedom like strapping on a snorkel and taking off for the day.  If you’re up for a sea faring adventure on Maui, the Molokini Crater is a rite of passage that’s been tourist-tested and resident approved.
The facts:

Molokini Crater is an extinct volcano located 2 1/2 miles off Maui’s south shore. Only part of the top ring is visible above the water; from the air it appears as a crescent.
The snorkeling is generally great, although if you’re out on a particularly rough day, it’s not so much…if you’re allowed to go out at all.
If you’re …read more

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This week we turned our attention to volcanoes on Hawai’i, which is saying a mouthful. That’s because the entire state of Hawai’i owes its very existence to the volcano. Each island consists of at least one primary volcano, although many islands are composites of two or more–even tiny little Ni’ihau has its own volcano. The Big Island is the volcanic showoff, with five volcanoes dotting the landscape. They are: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and Kohala. While Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth, Kilauea produces the most lava each year.1. Name three volcanoes in the …read more

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It’s believed that Pele is the goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence. Her mythos is varied, and complicated, but she’s best known on The Big Island, where some of her best work is still on display. It’s in her honor that we test our Hawai’i knowledge this week. Answers are revealed tomorrow, on Wednesday. Here we go:
1. Name three volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands.
2. What is the elevation at the top of Haleakala on Maui?
3. Describe the “grafitti” written on the black lava rock along the highways on The Big Island.
4. What is “vog?”
5. Are there any …read more

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On Makapu’u Beach, not too far from Waikiki on the island of O’ahu, is the theme park and attraction Sea Life Park. It’s a marine-oriented center that’s not as huge as some of the parks you know from back home, but that is still a nice attraction/distraction for those who want to get more up-close and personal with some of Hawaii’s sea creatures without having to go on an expensive or involved expedition. Educational, exciting, and fun, you’ll get your education and interaction on, in an environment with all the convenient amenities and facilities.Now that the park is under …read more

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On the Big Island, there are many a fragrance to be sniffed.  The flowers, the ocean air. The coffee.
If you’re a coffee lover–and even if you aren’t, you’ve probably heard that Kona Coffee is some of the best in the world. Personally, I agree, but beware: Not all “Kona Coffee” is the real deal. Look for the labels that say 100% Kona Coffee. Yes, you’ll pay a premium for it, but you might as well stay home with Mrs. Olson for the quality you’ll find in the brands that fill their bags with a high percentage of other …read more

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