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

Comments Off

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

Comments Off

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

Comments Off

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 .

Comments Off

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

Comments Off

More from the Alohaween files: If you and your little ones are interested in some pumpkin carving activities for this season, here are a few starter ideas to get you going wikki wikki.
First Check Architects Hawaii LTD  or give them a call.  They usually hold an annual pumpkin carving that’s top notch.
Look at Kuhuku Public Library.  It’s Halloween Extravaganza is scheduled for Oct. 20.
Keep looking at the Honolulu Advertiser  or the Honolulu Star-Bulletin for current events and announcements as Halloween time draws near.
Hanapepe Spook Night is an annual event that takes place on or near Halloween night every year in …read more

Comments Off

I’ll never forget the year we visited Kaua’i during one of its rainier times.  Usually, there is a little moisture to be had each day on the island that is home to the wettest place on the earth, but this trip was especially “dewy,” as my dad called it.   My aunt who was with us was fussy about her hair–still is, and so after hunting for the perfect umbrella, continued her sightseeing and shopping as well as she could–much to the delight and confusion of the locals, who went so far as to take pictures of her umbrella.  That’s because …read more

Comments Off

If you’re a local full-time or half-time resident looking for an activity you can do with your little ones that is as educational as it is fun, consider taking a Music Together Class.  Music and music proficiency has long been associated with higher test scores, higher IQ, appropriate avenues of expression, a sense of confidence, better coordination, and more. And now there’s a way for parents who aren’t necessarily considered “musical” to pass along those gifts to their children.  Music Together. (Tip: Even if you don’t live on the islands, but would like to try out a Music Together class …read more

Comments Off

Several years ago, I was behind the wheel in Kaua’i, on my way to the north shore’s Tunnels beach, my favorite.  I didn’t have much time on the island, and wanted to see as many turtles as possible while I was there, and still enjoy a burger in Hanalei.  I had crossed the seemingly endless chain of one-way bridges on the way there, and had been so kind as to wave the car on the other side over instead of going first every time.Near the end of my drive, I was getting anxious. I could see the water from the …read more

Comments Off

O’s Bistro – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
It’s been while since I was at O’s, and in fact, I still remember when it was called Oodles of Noodles.  But now Oodles of Noodles is all grown up– in fact, I think the name alone makes this quite apparent.
O’s Bistro is now in the same location at the Crossroads Mall in Kona on the Big Island, near Wal-Mart and Cold Stone, which makes it possible for you to eat too much, but you can buy a bigger pair of shorts for the ride home.
But what endears me to O’s  is that they’ll make you …read more

Comments Off