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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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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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 Kauai’s Hanapepe Town Park. Contact the Hanapepe Town Association for more information.

If all else fails, there’s always the underwater pumpkin carving contest at Maui Ocean Center, but I don’t recommend you try this at home (unless you’re in the bathtub.)

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If you’re wondering if Hawaiians hand out pineapple instead of candy on Halloween, there’s only one way to find out: Come on out, wearing your best Elvis costume, of course.And while you’re here, don’t miss Hallowbaloo, Oahu’s most totally awesome art and music festival that takes place on October 31. (Coincidence? I think not.)

Other Halloween celebrations around the islands:

• Halloween in Lahaina, Maui is always fun, and draws a big crowd. Sounds like this year, there’s going to be an effort to curb the “Mardi Gras” atmosphere and make things a little more  family-friendly. Find other kid-friendly Halloween activities at About.com
• The Big Island’s Outrigger Hotel does a lot of things right, including hosting “Spooky Tales” each year. Ask about this year’s schedule.
• Kaimuki Halloween Costume Contest is scheduled for October 24th in Honolulu. See the special events calendar for more information.
• Check with the Hawaiian Human Society to see if they’re sponsoring another doggie costume contest this year.

Photo by –Creative Commons, by nayrb7

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If you’ve heard anything about Maui, you’ve heard of “the road to Hana.” While I wouldn’t say it’s treacherous, it is wind-y, it’s twist-y, and it’s long; at the end of it is, in my opinion, the greatest place in the world. Here’s why: There’s nothing to do there.I realize that, to some, this is the description of Hell.  But I think it’s sometimes good to unplug, decompress, and smell the rainforest. This is what Hana is for.  And Hamoa Beach is one of the best beaches in the state.  But here’s the deal with Hana: You may not want to spend your whole visit there, but you might not want to spend a whole day in the car taking a day trip.

If you want to stay for one night or two, however, you’ll have trouble finding accommodations. Most of the homes and hotel rooms are available for reservations of three nights or more. That’s why we were delighted to discover Tom and his little cluster of plantation homes called Hana Accommodations.

Hana Accommodations are located just across the street from Venus Pool (aka Waioka), Coastal Trail and other spectacular scenery.  The homes are not far from town, the Seven Sacred Pools (aka O’heo Gulch) and hikes to more waterfalls than you can shake a stick at.

Tom’s got a few different properties to choose from, with lots of space between homes to kick around and grill up some of the fish you buy from roadside stands. (The fish there was usually caught a few hours earlier. Fresh enough for you?) Hana Accommodations are private, quiet, fully furnished, beautifully landscaped, and feature amenities such as outdoor showers and a hot tub on the grounds. Yes.

Call Tom at 800-228-4262 or email him at info@hana-maui.com. He’s totally friendly, and is a longtime Hana business owner and resident.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by D’ArcyNorman

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News from the This Oil Crisis Sucks files: the Moloka’i ferry I’ve mentioned here at The Hawaii Traveler raised its rates today by adding a temporary fuel surcharge.  The regular $40 one-way fare to/from Maui and Moloka’i will now cost you $66.  Work commuters are certainly going to be the most hard-hit from the hike, but Sea Link, the ferry operator is appealing to the PUC for a special concession to avoid shutting down.Unlike other operators like the Superferry, Sea Link  receives no subsidies, loan guarantees or other special considerations from government; gas prices combined with declining tourist turn-out in August has Sea Link operating in emergency mode.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by woodleywonderworks

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Since its founding in 1951 The Nature Conservancy has become, “the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.” It’s an international organization with more than 117 million acres worldwide and 11 private preserves in Hawaii totaling 32,000 acres.Active for 20 years in the state of Hawaii, it’s a membership coalition that works in cooperation with more than 100 businesses. In Maui, the Conservancy manages preserves at Kapunakea and Waikamoi, the sites of a feral animal hunting initiative. On Lanai, it manages Kanepuu, the site of a see-it-before-you-die ecosystem. And on Moloka’i, the preserves Pelekunu, Kamakou, and Moomomi, which drew some controversy with its pro hunter approach to thinning non-native feral animals in an attempt to protect the landscape and vegetation, and prevent erosion.

However you feel about conservation and the environment, you owe it to yourself to see these preserves. Get in touch with The Nature Conservancy to find out how.

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In fact, I’m home today with a cold that I probably picked up at one airport or another while traveling to and from Albany, NY. Albany “International” Airport, a travel gateway in New York’s capital city that basically has no direct service from anywhere. I don’t mind getting on a puddle-jumper from Maui to Kaua’i, but at least I’m actually jumping a puddle (or a channel, as the case may be) instead of the midwest or the Mason-Dixon.

And it was during my expedition to the tri-state area that had me vowing that one day, some how, some way, I’m going to get there without all the bruhaha and ballyhoo that plagues us every time we visit. Come hell or high rent, one of these days I’m going to take a private plane.

No, Patsy Cline, I’m not going to take some fly-by-night gas can piloted by my Uncle Earl. If I’m going to splurge as much as someone like me can splurge, I’m going to take a luxury charter service, the likes of which are offered by companies like NetJets or Sentient. It’s part of an air travel movement called fractional jet ownership, and strikes the fancy of those who like to fly in privacy and luxury, but without all the hassle of actually owning and maintaining a jet and crew. Think of it as a time share with wings.

And for those who already bit the bullet and bought, but who want to rent out their equipment to people like me and the other Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous wannabes, there’s reverse fractional jet ownership, by JetSuite.Yes, fractional jet ownership is, in a word, expensive. But a gal can dream, can’t she? That’s why I’ve got my eye on the ball that we’ll for now call “fractional ownership lite,” wherein a broker finds a seat or two on a small jet that happens to be going where you are. I wonder: if I hitch a ride that’s flying over Albany, will they pack me a parachute? I’ll keep you posted. (I hope.)

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Plano_Light

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This just in:  According to KGMB9 News, more than 10,000 gallons of wastewater overflowed from a pump station in Paukukalo and made its way to the ocean by way of a sewer manhole on Waiehu Beach Road, and then a storm drain connection to systems that drain into the ocean.

Stay tuned for news from the Department of Health, which is conducting an analysis of the ocean waters for bacteria and other hazards. Until then, signs have been posted warning swimmers of potential risks.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by The_Tim

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Hawai’i is actually comprised of a chain of 137 islands, islets, and shoals. Only seven of these islands are inhabited year round and four are the main attractions: The Big Island, O’ahu, Maui, and Kaua’i.

At first glance, Hawai’i is a lot like a little piece of Americana wrapped in ti leaves and served with poi. The atmosphere is unlike what most of us travelers experience at home, but it seems not so far away. But at over eighteen hundred miles from the nearest continent, the Hawaiian Island archipelago is the most isolated grouping of islands on Earth (Macdonald, Abbott, and Peterson, 1984).

Polynesia, which means “many islands,” covers a gigantic, 16 million square mile triangular geographical area of the Pacific, with Hawai’i at the northern apex, New Zealand at the southwest corner, and Easter Island at the southeast corner. Within that triangle lie thousands of islands, which have all been explored, colonized, and/or inhabited at one time or another. According to the Polynesian Cultural Center on O’ahu, there are over 30 different groups of Polynesian people living within or near the Polynesian Triangle. In addition, the Polynesian Cultural Center also provides information on several other Polynesian island groups, including the Cook Islands (the site of a season of Survivor, of all things), Niue, the Tuamotu archipelago, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna.

Stay tuned for more posts on the entire chain of Hawaiian Islands, which were once referred to as The Sandwich Islands.  Kind of makes you hungry, doesn’t it?

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Justin Brockie

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