• Hawaii TV Bowling features tournament play. A member of the Oahu Bowling Association. You’ll find them in Kaneohe. Phone/Fax: (808) 239-5415.
• Here’s a directory of bowling centers in Hawaii.  Call to make sure that centers are open. An alarming number of centers have closed in recent months.
• Aiea Bowl mixes up the wholesomeness of bowling with drinks, DJ-mixed music, and cosmic lighting.
• In the news: A city councilwoman, after noticing the dwindling numbers of bowling alleys on Oahu, proposed the idea of municipal lanes.  See the article at KHNL, the NBC affiliate on channel 8.

Remember, it’s not how good you are, it’s how many lines you can quote from the movie.  Mark it eight, Dude.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by cote

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

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.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

A few years ago, before we had to worry about keeping regular hours and feeding a little one before the witching hour, we followed our friends to a beach in Princeville, where their friends played their ukuleles nightly, at sunset. They played a lot of mainstream faves, including Puff the Magic Dragon, which I learned to play on my own ukulele the year I turned 12. This kind of setting isn’t the only way to take in a show on the islands, though. All year-round, there are events of all sizes, flavors, and settings.

• The annual Big Island Music Festival is coming to the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center
• Hawai’i Slack Key Guitar Festival happens in Kapiolani Park, Honolulu.
• Of course, there’s Don Ho’s Island Grill in Honolulu.
• Chamber Music Hawai’i keeps it cultural.

Because music is such an important part of island culture, ukulele or no, you’re bound to find every opportunity to take in the sounds of Hawai’i wherever you are. And if all else fails, there’s always the radio.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by adampiggot

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Movie star, or KIDS FIRST audience member?

The Sheraton Waikiki on Oahu and the University of Hawai’i is treating locals and island visitors big and small to two free movies this summer with the KIDS FIRST Film Festival June 8-July 20, 2008.

There will be six Sunday screenings at 3:00 p.m. at the UH-Manoa Art Auditorium (except July 6). Two of the featured films will also have repeat showings poolside at the Sheraton Waikiki against the backdrop of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. All films are shown free of charge.

Moondance Alexander (for ages 8 and up) and Alice Upside Down (ages 8-12), will make the rounds to audiences; both feature well-known talent and are critically acclaimed.

About KIDS FIRST:
Now in its ninth year, the Festival offers sneak previews of outstanding films, DVDs and TV shows including major motion pictures, classics, and independent films. Watch with confidence: KIDS FIRST! films are free of gratuitous violence; race, culture, gender, or religious bias; inappropriate content; and condescension towards children.

Photo by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

If you want to crack up about the difference between the Hawai’i of the ’60s and the Hawai’i of today, watching the movie Riding Giants ought to do it for you. It’s not only a kicking surfing film that’s interesting to surfers and non-surfers alike, it documents the dramatic contrast between Hawai’i then and now.In case you didn’t know it, old Oahu is not your grandmother’s vacation anymore. It’s a major hub of business, culture, entertainment, and excitement. What is there to do on Oahu at night? Everything! And, as far as I know, it’s got the only strip clubs in the state. If you’re bored at night on Hawaii’s “gathering place,” it’s you.If you’re looking for night time entertainment after the sun sets on the other islands, your offerings are a little more limited. Some of us like it that way; others, not so much. If you’re happy taking in some local music, you’re in good shape. If you’re in for down-and-out excitement on the outer islands after 8:00, you may have to hop an interisland flight to Honolulu.

I’m not aware of any big-time attractions on Lana’i or Moloka’i besides having a nice, private dinner on a resort or at home. Those with an interest of fleeing for a night, though, might consider one of the ferry services to Maui.

Maui:

The sushi restaurant Sansei is packed at night, so make your reservations well in advance if you want to eat. Even the bar is standing room only on most nights, but you might get lucky with sushi bar seating if you’re willing. The reason: Their locations (there’s one on Oahu too) are in popular places, and they serve exceptional sushi and other Japanese dishes. Call 808-669-6286 or visit them online.

Kihei Town Center in South Maui has a 24-hour supermarket some restaurants, and low-end snack and drinks.

Across the street from Kalama Beach Park, the Kukui Mall has a triplex movie theater.

Walk along Front Street in West Maui and see what’s shaking. Ditto for Ka’anapali, where you can kick off your night watching a cliff diver at Black Rock after the torch ceremony.

Kaua’i:

If you played your cards right during the day, you’re too pooped to peep after nine, but let’s say you consolidated your mid-afternoon and late afternoon naps, and want to do more than rearrange the silverware drawer.

If you want to see a movie, try Kukui Grove Cinemas at 808-245-5055 for times and features. Or, the Coconut Marketplace Cinema/Hollywood Theaters can be reached at 808-821-2324.

Take in a lu’au at Smith’s Tropical Paradise, the Grand Hyatt Kaua’i, the Sheraton Poipu, or the Princeville Hotel. Call ahead; the resorts don’t usually offer their lu’aus every night. The only lu’au on the island that opens every night is Hiva Pasefika, at the ResortQuest Beach at Maka’iwa. (808) 822-3455.

The Big Island:

After all that Kona coffee, who can sleep? In May, there’s the Big Island Film Festival in Waikoloa, which includes some evening merriment. The East Hawaii Cultural Council, and theater, dance, and Shakespeare in the Park are some of the performing arts programs held there.

Whatever island you’re on, you can always take a nighttime stroll in the moonlight and wonder, as my dad used to say, “What the rich people are doing right now.”

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Hear ye, hear ye! The b5 media World Cocktail Celebration round up is on, and you’re invited.

From Sydney to San Francisco, and L.A. to Washington, D.C., bartenders, mixologists, and their clients will celebrate the other World Cocktail Week May 8 – 13th, a great way to bring attention to the best bars in the country and support your local watering hole.

The real-world World Cocktail Week benefits The Museum of the American Cocktail,® which will open this July in New Orleans, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday July 21st.

I must say that Hawai’i is also recognized as Cocktail Central for a few reasons:

1. It’s hot out. What’s more refreshing than a foamy, fruity drink while you watch the sun set?
2. There are more delicious ingredients on the islands than you can shake a palm frond at.

My favorite? The Lava Flow. Pretty much available at any restaurant that’s worth mentioning. Or, you can just make your own. (Please blend responsibly.)

So that the rest of us can celebrate World Cocktail Week wherever we are, whenever we like, The Hawaii Traveler tips its hat to all of you with our very own (made up) concoction.

Introducing The Hula Hooch:
1 whale song
A pinch of sand
7 sunsets, (green flash optional)
1/2 tsp. vog
1 dash sunscreen
Several words you can’t pronounce, to taste.
Shake hips and mixture vigorously, until mixture resembles ocean foam. Pour into glass. Hold empty glass to ear. Do you hear the ocean?

Surf or kiteboard afterward with care. Cheers!   Now check out some of the other tasty treats at b5’s Travel and Culture channel.

• The Denver Traveler
• The Las Vegas Traveler
• The Disney Traveler
• Flyaway Cafe
• Filipina Soul

And more…

Photo by Webshots © photo_magic

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Ka’anapali has been crowned America’s Best Beach, and I’m in full agreement. It’s not so crowded that a couple can’t share a romantic moment alone, and not so isolated that swimming is a dangerous proposition. It’s where old school meets new school, where the old Whaler condominiums live in harmony down the way from the newer Westin Resort and Spa. There’s a concrete sidewalk for strolling that runs almost the entire three-mile stretch from the Sheraton (Black Rock) to the Hyatt (Canoe Beach), and it’s a spectacular place to be at sunset.

It’s not hard here, on one of Maui’s most renowned and relished beachfronts, to get along. In fact, the aloha spirit is everywhere: There’s music in the air, dinner cruises plying the waters, kayaks and outriggers riding the surf, shopping kiosks along the path, delicious restaurants, couples holding hands, and, if you’re lucky, whales breaching within eyeshot.

If Whaler’s Village is the place to shop, Black Rock is the place to snorkel. That’s where I heard whales singing when I dove down to get a gander at some urchins at the bottom. The north end of the beach in general is a lovely stretch of sand and clear water that is especially kid-friendly.

Yes, it’s on the commercial side, and it’s not advised to leave your stuff unattended while you swim. It is patrolled by lifeguards, but not well, and it’s a good idea to heed the signs and warnings at high surf. (I’ve seen a few comical and not-so-comical tourist poundings there.) It’s also where the groceries stores will put the hurt on you, so it’s a good idea to grab your milk before or after entering West Maui.

Also, one other warning: Hawai’ians believed that Black Rock was the jumping off point for spirits joining their ancestors. Those who got lost on the way remained along the lava as ghosts, causing mischief and making trouble. So if you go, take your pictures home, but not the rocks. Your fellow plane travelers will say mahalo for it.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler