The Hawaii Traveler

Looking for an “Authentic Hawaiian Voyage Through Time and Space?” Who isn’t? If you haven’t visited the Big Island’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center to take in a show at the planetarium or view its exhibits, you’re missing out on some of the most interesting resources Hilo has to offer.
Located on a nine-acre campus above the University of Hawaii-Hilo, with spectacular views, the center, formerly known as Maunakea Astronomy Education Center, is where families and students from all walks of life explore the connections between Hawaiian cultural traditions and the science of astronomy.
Visit BigIsland.org for maps and driving directions to the Hilo …read more

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Norfolk Pines in Wahiawa
Surprisingly, a fair number of Christmas trees arrive in Hawai’i from Washington State; however, with the growing trend toward buying local, Helemano Farms may be getting a little more business in future seasons.Located in the cooler regions of Oahu’s central region of Wahiawa, the farm sprang from the agricultural curiosity of a retiree who has since passed away and left the farm to the rest of the family to care for and manage.  Today, Helemano Farms sells trees that stay green for over a month after they’ve been cut, and because their needles don’t fall, won’t make …read more

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Honolulu was recently one of MSNBC’s 34 Cities Where It’s Better to Rent. The “better to rent” designation was the conclusion of a study using the generalization that truly affordable homes cost no more than 15 times their annual market rent.
Home prices in Honolulu, although falling, have farther to go, according to the study, and therefore are going to leave owners with negative equity were they to sell in four years.
In a related story at MSNBC, you can also explore real estate on the mainland, and Sixty Six Cities where Buying Makes Sense .

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Although snorkeling is a subjective experience, pretty much everyone agrees that it’s one of the best ways to spend time in Hawai’i.  It’s fun, it’s interesting, it takes little preparation, and it’s cheap.  Whether you decide to boat to a snorkeling destination or just walk into the water, your chances of catching some of the most beautiful scenery ever are excellent.  To increase your chances of having a great experience, also check out Best Places Hawaii’s 10 best places to snorkel.
It doesn’t appear at the 10 best list, probably because it’s relatively inaccessible, but if you get a chance …read more

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Coralie Matayoshi with Hawaii Red Cross reminded everyone this week–and every week–that across the U.S. nearly 20,000 people are injured in home fires every year.  And when disaster strikes, the Red Cross chapter helps Hawaii victims pick up the pieces.
As part of national Fire Prevention Week, the Red Cross is distributing a tip a day on how you to prevent accidents and stay safe.
Today’s tip: Be careful with candles.
Candle Safety

Never leave a lit candle unattended.
Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
Keep lit candles away from anything that can burn.
Blow out candles after use and before going to bed.
If …read more

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Hotel Hana Maui, Hana’s most exclusive and chi-chi resort and spa, must be feeling the pinch of certain trends in tourism and economics, because their latest fall special is pretty, well, special.
In a radical departure to their traditional policies, there’s no minimum stay requirements at the resort this fall, and there’s the  offer of a 4th night free and reduced room rates. For more information call 800-321-HANA, or see the Hotel Hana Maui Web site.

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My four-year-old has a grasp of the concept of “good” words and “bad,” and the other day she was trying to quantify the number of words she’s not allowed to use. “How many bad words are there?” she asked me yesterday. I told her that, according to the late there are seven. She seemed satisfied.
How do you curse in Hawaiian? With Swearasaurus, of course. Warning: Use in public at your own risk.

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4th Annual Seafood Festival
Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Hawaii
Friday, October 10th
“Taste of the North Shore Shrimp Trucks”
6:30pm
Tickets: $35 per person
Saturday, October 11th
“Sam Choy Poke Contest”
10:30am – 1pm
Tickets: $ 25 per person
“Seafood Under the Stars”
6:30 pm
Tickets: $75
Taste of the North Shore Shrimp Trucks, Friday, October 10th
All along the world famous North Shore of O’ahu stands Shrimp Trucks. This is the one and only event where you can actually “taste” from each truck for one admittance price, $35.
Turtle Bay Resort has commitments from Macky’s, Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp & Seafood, Hono’s, Famous Kahuku Shrimp, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, Romy’s Kahuku Prawn & Shrimp Hut, Big …read more

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ResortQuest Hawaii, the same company that will lay off 41 employees at its Maui Lu Hotel by November 10 due to resort closures, plans to offer travel agents incentives and other rewards for booking reservations at ResortQuest properties.
In other economic news, retail sales on the islands continue to slide, which may mean there’s never been a better time to buy goods, services, and real estate.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Jenn_Jenn

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Hawaiian Spotted Puffefish
Although Hawai’i is not a world destination for diving, as are other ocean destinations, such as Cozumel and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, there is still great diving to be had.  Although I’ve only personally experienced a few dive expeditions in Hawai’i, they’ve been  memorable ones.You might be able to spot all kinds of sea life at Mexico’s Palancar Reef, from giant parrot fish to lobsters, but you aren’t as likely to see the number of monk seals and other rare and endangered creatures that you will off the coast of Kaua’i and Ni’ihau.
Bubbles Below is one of …read more

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