Hawaii Travel News 03/31/2011

This photo of a lava stream in 1984 captures the spirit of Goddess Pele dancing. What an amazing capture!

Two seemingly unrelated topics with a great segue: "If you never heard of the Gossip Inversion Rule, it's because I just invented it. The GIR states that, while mainlanders consider it rude to inquire about a stranger's personal life and polite to smile and avoid invading the other person's privacy with conversation, in Hawaii it is considered rude not to enter into that conversation and there is not a perception of rudeness attached to even the more personal questions. You get to know a lot of people this way." So true, Mr. Dicus, so true.

The Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Showcase starts this weekend and Nonstop Honolulu has a great review of three food-centric films and where to find similar dishes in Honolulu. Great idea!

The 14th Annual Elegant Afternoon Tea will be held this year in Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Yokouchi Pavilion, featuring cuisine by Chef Bev Gannon and entertainment by comedienne Kathy Griffin.

The third Eat the Street food truck rally is going to be bigger than ever – 32 trucks and counting! It's also going to be fundraiser for the American Red Cross Japan relief fund. Win-Win!

"The Donald" had a few choice words about Hawaii's Governor, Neil Abercrombie, as well as Hawaii-born President Obama. Smells like a publicity stunt to me…

Love this little record of Catherine Toth's recent visit to Kona. I've got Tex's malasads on my list for next time!

Following an almost 17-day pause in eruptive activity, lava is once again visible on Kilauea Volcano’s east rift zone according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Hard to believe that it's been 14 years since the death of Israel Kamakawiwa'ole, but his music is still touching those all over the world.

The National Park Service is collecting information and public feedback about Japanese-American expereince in internment camps in Hawaii during World War II. It's not something that's talked about often, but its nevertheless an important part of our history and heritage in Hawaii.

I personally prefer driving OUT via the Hana Highway route and back via Kaupo. Much different scenery depending on which way you choose…

I absolutely can't wait to read this book… “With her trademark smart-alecky insights and reporting, Vowell lights out to discover the off, emblematic, and exceptional history of the fiftieth state,” says the publisher, with copy that seems like laser-guided missiles aimed right at the American snarky class. The book is dubbed “an examination of Hawaii, the place where Manifest Destiny got a sunburn.”

I'm not normally a fan of coconut cake, with a few exceptions – including the Halekulani's, of course, raspberry sauce on the side! But for some reason this sounds delicious to me!