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Archive for October, 2007

Eco-Friendly Oahu

October 16th, 2007 by shannon b

It seems like everyone in the travel community is gaining a little green-awareness this year. Delta started an on board recycling program in April, Wells Fargo and other credit card companies announced the arrival of “Green” credit cards and big name car rental companies like Hertz and Avis have been busy all summer long filling up their lots with fuel-efficient hybrid cars.

Many Oahu travelers have already begun seeing the world through green-colored glasses. For this reason, we’ve prepared a check-list of eco-friendly things to do so you feel even better about the way you travel.

  1. Fly Green. Before you travel, purchase a TerraPass, an affordable way to balance out your environmental impact of the carbon emissions produced by flying and driving.
  2. Book an Eco-Friendly Hotel. Being eco-friendly is now hipper than ever before thanks to upscale boutique hotels like The Equus which is not only a part of the Green Hotels Association but is also the elder sister to the newest addition to the eco-family, Hotel Renew (opens January 2008). Hotel Renew will not only feature water-saving fixtures, earth-friendly cleaning methods, and an In-Room Guest Recycling Program but the gorgeous limestone and sand-blasted oak woods will make any tree-hugger swoon.
  3. Purchase Biodegradable Sunscreen. Protect the earth while you protect the skin you’re in! A wide variety of natural, non-toxic sunscreens are available for purchase on the net. If you’re not sure which one to choose, the Modern Kid Stuff Blog recommends Dr T’s Supergloop as the best eco-friendly protection for parents and their kids.
  4. Enjoy Eco-Education. Hawaii does its part in educating the public about Oahu’s most pristine marine ecosystem, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Not only is every visitor to the bay required to watch a 9-minute film explaining the importance of marine preservation, the video really hits home when visitors take a life-changing look at the reef’s thriving community of fish and coral as they snorkel.
  5. Reduce Driving Time. When traveling to Oahu’s favorite activities such as Sea Life Park, Diamond Head Lookout, and `Iolani Palace it’s easy to hop on the Waikiki Trolley to reduce the environmental impact of driving a single car around the island. Not only will you take in beautiful island views without checking a map, but you’ll be saving money on gas, too! Kayaking and taking an Oahu bike ride are also fantastic ways to see the islands without setting foot in a car.

For other great ideas on how to travel Green, visit EcoTravelogue, a great resource on all things eco-travel.

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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6 Sushi Spots in Oahu

October 15th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by avlxyz

Given Hawaii’s proximity to Japan, it’s no surprise that Oahu is near to overflowing with delicious sushi restaurants. Here are a few recommendations for your trip to Oahu:

  1. Irifune at 563 Kapahula Avenue in Honolulu offers reasonably priced sushi in an offbeat, eclectic environment. They do not serve alcohol, but you are welcome to BYOB.
  2. Yoshitsune Restaurant at 2586 Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu attracts tourists and locals alike, particularly for their mouthwatering Unagi. It’s also down the street from the Waikiki Trolley.
  3. Sushi Sasabune at 1417 South King Street in Honolulu prides itself on using the best seasonal fresh fish to capture the flavors and colors of Japan’s 300 year old sushi tradition. Its sister restaurant in Los Angeles was voted LA’s best sushi restaurant by Los Angeles magazine in 1997.
  4. Tokkuri-tei at 808 Sheridan Street in Honolulu is a local favorite for its authentic sushi menu and extensive selection of sake. Menu highlights include the salmon nigiri and hamachi kama.
  5. Wasabi Bistro at 1006 Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu offers an upscale dining experience with excellent service and an authentic Japanese flair.
  6. Yanagi Sushi at 762 Kapiolani Blvd. (Cooke St.) in Honolulu serves up innovative takes on the traditional sashimi and rolls. Locals love the dynamite, which is a succulent seafood creation on a clam shell with onions, mushrooms, and minced clams. Kanpai!

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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Travel Trips from Conde Nast readers

October 12th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by skyseeker.

Savvy travelers know to carry extra cash and bring the phone number of their hotel, but recently The Perrin Post blog (written by the editor of Conde Nast Travler) ran a list of other little-known travel tips from their readers.

Tips range from packing an old pair of shoes to discard later to photographing the contents of your suitcase and bringing duct tape. My usual travel trick is to pack an extra duffel bag in case I want to go shopping or my suitcase is overweight. Check out reader’s travel advice. Happy travels!

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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Weekend Events 10/12

October 11th, 2007 by amy c

Friday, October 12
Ka’ala Boys Pau Hana Fridays at Tiki’s: A striking sunset, tropical drinks, and the hip new outdoor music venue at Tiki’s will delightfully compliment the Hawaiian sounds of the Ka’ala Boys this friday.

Friday, October 12-Sunday, October 14

19th Annual Talk Story Festival: Be a part of Hawaii’s rich storytelling heritage with this three-day, free celebration of Hawaiian tales, including spooky Halloween stories.

Saturday, October 13

Whakataetae Maori Song & Dance Festival: The Maori people showcase tradition cultural dances and songs at the famous Polynesian Cultural Center.

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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10 Free Oahu Activities

October 10th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by ewen and donabel.

Sometimes the best things in life are free and we here at Go Oahu Card are all about helping you get more bang for your travel buck. That’s why we wanted to share a link to an article called 10 Best Free Activities and Sites in Oahu. Sheila at Go Visit Hawaii has some great ideas, including going snorkeling, visiting the USS National Arizona Memorial, and admiring a beautiful Hawaiian sunset. Happy travels!

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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Disney to Open Oahu Resort

October 8th, 2007 by susan j

As if Oahu’s gorgeous beaches weren’t enough of a reason to visit, the Associated Press reports that Disney plans to build a family-friendly resort on the western side of Oahu. The opening of the as yet unnamed resort is set for 2011. So, what do you think the new resort should be called? Here are a few of the (totally off the cuff) ideas we came up with:

  • The Magic Island
  • Disney’s Oahu Oasis
  • Pluto’s Tropical Paradise
  • Neverland (if only Michael Jackson hadn’t already appropriated that one!)

Just for fun, leave a comment with your own predictions!

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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Kayaking in Hawaii

October 5th, 2007 by susan j

Here at the Go Card USA headquarters, we’re constantly working on adding new attractions and finding other ways to improve your travel experience. That’s why we’re so excited about the newest addition to the Go Oahu Card, which is… drum roll, please…

Four hour kayak rental!

This new attraction lets you spend a full four hours floating around Kailua and Lanikai Beach, which are two of the most idyllic spots in Oahu. This package includes everything you need (paddles, life jackets, and kayak) for a relaxed morning or afternoon of kayaking, so it’s sure to be a popular addition. If there’s another attraction that you would like to see added to the Go Oahu Card, leave a comment and let us know!

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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Oahu Events for the Week of 10/5

October 4th, 2007 by amy c

Here are our picks for this week in Oahu:

Saturday, October 6
The 12th Annual Discover Moiliili Festival is the perfect opportunity to sample the history and native culture of Oahu with ethnic foods, craft booths, fresh fruits and vegetables, and kid activities. An all-day trolley from the Waikiki Hotel makes transportation stress-free.

Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7
The ‘Awa Development Council hosts the 4th Annual Kava Festival, featuring the hottest local music groups as well as cultural demonstrations and booths.

Monday, October 8
The 7th annual Native American Flute and Storytelling Concert showcases diverse native music styles.

Ongoing in October
Nightwalk at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. Call (808) 233-7323 for more information how you can explore tropical plants

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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Aloha, Go Oahu Card Readers!

October 2nd, 2007 by susan j

Welcome to the Go Oahu Card blog. We plan to pack this blog with tons of tips and tidbits about things to do in Oahu, including outdoor activities, historical attractions, family fun, and more. We also want to help you plan your trip to Hawaii, so we’ll also include travel tips and suggested itineraries, too. Thanks for checking us out, and happy travels!

Planning a trip to Oahu? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Oahu Card.

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