The Hawaii Traveler

Today’s guest post is from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and travel blogger at Flyaway Cafe.
During the 1950-60’s, Hilo Hattie was the stage name for a popular Hawaiian entertainer whose real name was Clarissa Haili. She was originally a teacher, but achieved fame as a singer and dancer, popularizing a comic hula-style dancing.
In 1963, a Hawaiian store opened for business, naming the store after this popular entertainer. Hilo Hattie’s aims to provide one-stop shopping for Hawaiian goods and products, and is the largest Hawaiian retailer and manufacturer of the same. In memory of the original Hilo …read more

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From the Free Trip to Hawai’i Files: Girlfriend Getaways is giving away a trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Ala Moana Center in Waikiki.What you have to do to get it: “Tell us about your girlfriend getaway secret, and the one that Girlfriend Getaways editors deem the best will win a trip for two to Honolulu, Hawaii.”
What you get if you get it:

Two round-trip coach air tickets from any major U.S. gateway to Hawaii
Five nights’ accommodations at a deluxe Waikiki hotel with ocean-view rooms
$250 Ala Moana Center shopping spree
Five-day unlimited Waikiki Trolley pass, providing free transportation between Ala Moana …read more

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BIG ISLAND
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE PACIFIC
Hilo’s annual celebration of all things Hawaiian. For more information call the Japanese Chamber of Commerce at (808) 934-0177.
KAUA’I
GARDEN ISLAND ORCHID SHOW
An orchid show of hundreds of varieties for those who want to buy, or those who want to learn about orchid culture or cultivating them. In Lihue at Vidinha Stadium. For more information call (808) 742-0333.
MAUI
WHALERS VILLAGE MAUI ONION FESTIVAL
Enjoy the fun and the food based on this world-famous vegetable. Activities include cooking demos and an onion eating contest. Includes farmer’s market and music. At Whalers Village in the Kaanapali Resort. For more …read more

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Are you going to the islands, or to an equally sunny climate? If you don’t have a pair that you love already, you’re going to need some, even if you think you don’t or plan to wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Why do you need sunglasses?

UV Protection. The sun’s UV radiation can cause cataracts, cancer of the eyelids and skin, photokeratitis (or snow blindness, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface.)
Blue-Light Protection. Prolonged blue-light exposure is a risk factor for macular degeneration, especially in individuals who are “sun sensitive.”
Comfortable vision. The sun’s brightness and …read more

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If you’d rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than make your pilgrimage to the mall to buy a swimsuit, take heart. You’re not alone.   This age-old source of agony, low self-esteem, and frustration was the inspiration behind the iVillage Trauma-Free Swimsuit Buying guide.  I’ve added a few of my own pointers below, in the spirit of commiseration and empathy.  After all, we’ve all been there.
First off, it’s cut, not color that makes the difference in a flattering suit. (Are you a summer or a winter? The answer is: Who cares?) Although it’s true that black is slimming, what’s most …read more

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Maybe it’s just because I’m a mountain girl at heart, but the region on Maui known as “upcountry” is my favorite, even thought it’s commonly “dissed” because it’s less like the tropics than the coastlines. And it is less “tropical,” in that the weather is cooler, dryer, and obviously less beachy, since it’s in the middle of the island. (It’s not near the water, granted, but I’ve never known anyone to confuse it with Wyoming, either.)
Where and what is upcountry?
Upcountry is a collection of little rural towns found a few thousand feet above sea level, …read more

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Traveling with children to any destination can be tricky business. However, thousands of families successfully make their way to the islands–Oahu and Maui in particular–and leave with a lifetime of treasured memories. In fact, I began visiting the islands at the age of two with my parents, and carried on the tradition by taking our little keiki (child) with us to Maui at the same age. A good time was had by all.
Oahu isn’t the most visited island for nothing. With Honolulu’s big-city amenities, big historical exhibits, and big beaches, it’s the island that’s got it …read more

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I was recently discussing accommodations in Hawai’i, and we both decided that if you’re from the school that says there are no bad accommodations, only bad bank accounts, you’ll agree: Whether you’re in a beach front mansion or camping out, you’re still in Hawai’i. As the kids say, it’s all good. This is especially true if you’re lucky enough to bag a night or six on Ka’anapali Beach, the queen mother of Maui beaches.
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 …read more

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