The Hawaii Traveler

This is a guest post by Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel editor, and blogger at Flyaway Cafe.
 
Greetings from Kauai, the Garden Isle of Hawaii.
The fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands, it is often called the Garden Isle because it is lush and green.  It’s lush and green because it rains a lot here, and there are spots on the island that claim to have the most rainfall of anywhere on Earth.  Whether that’s a fact, or an urban legend, seems up for debate, but there’s no debating that this island is not what most people expect of Hawaii.
This …read more

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There is no shortage of activity in bustling Honolulu.  With several great neighborhoods within 15 minutes from one another, something is bound to happen somewhere in town.  Here are a few best bets if you’re fortunate enough to be on Oahu during the right time of year.
Art After DarkThe Honolulu Academy of Arts hosts a rockin’ Pauhana Friday (TGIF) party once a month from 6-9 pm and for just $10 you get cool live music and dancing in the main courtyard as well as access to most of the art exhibits.  Every month features a special theme, making for a …read more

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Despite its unique cultural aura, Honolulu has just a handful of museums — most of which feature a blend of Asian and pan-Pacific artwork.  A rainy day can be the perfect time to catch up on your artistic side in paradise.  Here are your best options:
Contemporary Museum of ArtLocated in a garden setting in Makiki Heights, the Contemporary Museum is the only one in the islands that is devoted exclusively to modern art.  There’s a great little café situated amidst postmodern statues, and there’s plenty more to admire for at least a few hours.
www.tcmhi.org2411 Makiki Heights Drive#808-526-0232
Honolulu Academy of ArtsHawaii’s …read more

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Dear Friends,
It’s with some sadness and a lot of hope that I’m leaving the Hawaii Traveler.  It was a personal decision that had to be made, which didn’t make it any easier. That’s life, wherever you are.
If you’re itching to read more about the islands and traveling there, I highly recommend the “Revealed” series from Wizard Press.  There’s no question they’re the most thorough, helpful Hawai’i travel books ever written.
Thanks to the b5media blogging network and the other fine bloggers who have been so friendly and helpful during my tenure here, especially Mary Jo at FlyAway Cafe and Jon Rochetti …read more

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It has been raining in Honolulu for the past three days and there appears to be little end in sight.  Which got me thinking about two things: first, I feel bad for tourists who make the journey out to Hawaii only to find rain; second, I considered what kinds of activities there are two do in Hawaii that don’t involve being outdoors.  
Luckily, there are a few things that one can do on a rainy day.  Here are my top five choices:
1. Surfing! 
I mean, you’re going to get wet anyways, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s cloudy, dark, …read more

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Good news for loan seekers: On October 9th, the Bank of Hawaii  began lowering its base lending rate from 5.0% to 4.5%.  While that’s not a huge reduction, it can make a difference to the businesses and individuals suffering from today’s economic meltdown.   This is especially true in light of bank closures, the likes of which hit institutions likeBank of Hawaii provides comprehensive financial services to businesses, consumers and governments in Hawaii, the West Pacific and American Samoa.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Jenn_Jenn

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If you know Twitter, you know that it’s a way that news and countless people’s communications are transmitted  around the world.  If you don’t know Twitter, it’s still that, and also a way to waste a fair amount of time reading little 140-character blurbs about the world and people’s lives. I love it.
Not long ago, the Twitterer CityMama wrote, “Mccain’s ‘obama discovery team’ has landed in honolulu… ‘Honolulu mayor is democratic, Harvard-educated, oh, and Samoan.’”
Stay tuned to Twitter for more breaking news, no matter how cryptic it may be.  

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On November 6 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, University of Hawai’i students will host a bone marrow donor drive at Campus Center.  Their efforts are to help find a match for Krissy Kobata, who was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
If you can’t attend, but would like to enter yourself into the bone marrow registry, please contact Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry at the Hawaii Medical Center at 808-547-6154.
For more information about the registry please contact Chrystin at 808-741-1521, or  Marichris at 808-630-7686 or e-mail uhprssa@gmail.com.

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How do you spell “relief?” Some spell it G-A-S. That’s because, for the first time since May, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Honolulu dropped below $4.  O’ahu drivers are now paying an average price of $3.99 per gallon.
Gas isn’t always sky-high in the islands. Last year, California consumers were paying more than Hawaiians for regular gas.  Here’s hoping the trend in lower prices will continue.

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If you think that Baccarat is just crystal, think again.  Baccarat Wailea is Maui’s premiere luxury resort, with residences. Which means that you can come for the crystal and stay for a lifetime.If you don’t know Wailea, it’s a community nestled at the base of Haleakala along Maui’s southern coast.  Primarily a resort community consisting of luxury hotels, private luxury homes and condominiums, and golf courses, it’s known as the place to be…if you’ve got a few million burning a hole in your pocket.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Eric_Charlton

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