Archive for October, 2007
Polynesian Cultural Center
Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center is a major draw for tourists to the island - in fact, it’s now Hawaii’s top paid tourist attraction. It’s a one-stop-shop for cultural information and displays about not just native Hawaiian peoples but the peoples of the Central and South Pacific, and is perhaps most famous for the Polynesian performance which is staged six nights a week.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is only about an hour’s drive from Waikiki, making it an easy outing that’s fun for the whole family. There are canoe rides for visitors, an IMAX theater and the afore-mentioned Polynesian show, “Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky.” It’s the largest Polynesian show of its kind anywhere in the world, and it’s performed every night except Sunday, when the center is closed. There’s also a traditional luau which visitors can participate in, sampling traditional Polynesian food - including poi and poke.
Date: October 29th, 2007 |
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Kona Coffee
Hawaii is for more than just surfers and people working on their tans. Coffee lovers flock to The Big Island in droves every year to stock up on Kona coffee.
Kona coffee is the name given to coffee beans that are grown on the slopes of Mount Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the Kona districts of Hawaii’s Big Island. Just as “champagne” describes bubbly wine from the Champagne region of France, “Kona” describes coffee that comes from the Kona districts - if it isn’t grown here, it can’t be called Kona coffee.
So what makes Kona coffee so special? It’s one of those perfect storms of just the right amount of sun, rain, humidity and temperature that makes this particular area ideal for growing coffee. Because of this, pure Kona coffee is widely considered to be one of the world’s highest quality premium coffees.
Coffee has been cultivated in the Kona districts since the 19th century, but it took much of that century to turn the crop into something worth growing. Many of the coffee farms in Kona are small, family-run operations, as they have been since the early 20th century. Most farms are less than five acres in size, although the total area growing Kona coffee is over 2,200 acres.
Date: October 22nd, 2007 |
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TheBus - Oahu’s Excellent Bus Service
Visitors to most of the Hawaiian islands have to rent a car to get around, but those limiting themselves to the island of Oahu will be pleased to know that this is one island with a great public transportation system. The bus network, cleverly called TheBus, runs throughout the city of Honolulu and many other points on the island.
TheBus network has more than 90 routes and 4,200 stops around Oahu, and is privately operated. It was founded in the 1960s, and is the only efficient mass transit system on any of the islands of Hawaii. The bus system is used regularly by locals and tourists alike, and is a quick and inexpensive way to get around without renting your own car - especially if you don’t know your way around. TheBus goes to all the major tourist attractions, including Waikiki Beach and the Pearl Harbor Memorial, as well as the Honolulu Airport.
Date: October 8th, 2007 |
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BootsnAll is Having a Party - and You’re Invited
Hawaii might be a super popular tourist destination, but if you’re like most of the travelers we know you prefer to get off the beaten path and steer clear of the tourist traps. The best way to do that is by meeting and talking with other travelers who can pass on their wisdom to you. One excellent place to do that each year is at the annual BootsnAll Holiday Party - and you’re invited!
WHAT: BootsnAll Holiday Party
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 7pm until 11pm
WHERE: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, 1945 NW Quimby St., Portland OR 97209
This is a great opportunity …
Date: October 25th, 2007 |
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Honolulu Ranked #1 for Romance by Travel + Leisure
Everyone loves lists - it means we don’t have to think as much. So, thanks to a new list from Travel & Leisure Magazine, we now know that the best thing about visiting Honolulu is the weather, and it’s the top destination for a romantic getaway. Well, it’s not as if we didn’t know these things already, but it’s nice to have them confirmed.
Out of 25 cities included in the survey, Honolulu’s only #1 ranking came in the “romantic escape” category. It got to the #2 slot in “active/adventure vacation,” “overall type of …
Date: October 15th, 2007 |
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Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches on earth, and it’s easy to see why. This stretch of sand, which connects to the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu, is only about two miles long but is the focus of most of Hawaii’s tourist activity.
There are plenty of things to do on Waikiki Beach - many of which will seem logical to you, and some others which might not. For instance, when you think of beaches in Hawaii you will naturally think of surfing, right? Well, Waikiki Beach is not only home to reliably consistent surfing waves year-round, it is also where famous surfer Duke Kahanamoku started a surfing club in 1905. Duke is sometimes considered responsible for bringing surfing to the mainland United States as well as Australia, and he is honored with a statue on the western end of the beach. There are lots of surfing instructors on Waikiki Beach, too, in case you want to learn from the experts.
Date: October 2nd, 2007 |
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