Archive for
November, 2007
November 30th, 2007 by shannon b
If you’re living on the islands and looking for something wacky, wonderful, and unique to get your cherished ones this holiday, take an afternoon to peruse the holiday themed artwork over at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i. The center currently features affordable pieces of artwork from over 40 local Hawaiian artists who were all given the same creative challenge.
- All flat pieces must be 12 x 12 inches in size.
- All 3-dimensional works must be 6×6x10 inches in size.
- All works must be inspired by a winter holiday: Hanukkah, Christmas, Buddha Day, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s
Fortunately, for those of you traveling to the this Christmas, that means not only will all pieces of art fit conveniently into a carry on or checked piece of baggage, but the pieces themselves are also reasonably priced! For less than $300, you could own one of these priceless pieces of Hawaiian art or give an inspired gift to a friend and loved one this holiday season.
runs until December 21st and features painting, sculptures and collectibles. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 29th, 2007 by amy c
It may be turning frosty in other parts of the U.S., but predicts another weekend of pleasant warmth with temperatures in the 80s. You can still enjoy some holiday festivities, without the cold with these upcoming Oahu events:
Friday, November 30
: Members of the Hawai‘i Pacific University International Chorale and Vocal Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra will host an elaborate ensemble of music from around the world, including Brazil, China, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Hawai‘i, and the U.S. mainland.
Saturday, December 1
: Saturday begins a month celebration of Hawaii’s premier holiday event with nightly visits from Santa, Christmas trees and wreaths, and live entertainment that will bring an Aloha spin on traditional holiday festivities.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 28th, 2007 by jamie a
Photo uploaded by
Holiday shopping can be quite a difficult task. With our holiday gift guide for your jetsetting family members, co-workers, or friends, you’ll have perfect gifts in no time.
For those who like the quiet…
Tune out all those rowdy passengers on the plane with the Perfect for airline travel, they fold for easy portability and also come with an adapter plug for in-flight entertainment.
For the reader…
Get the bibliophile in your life something they can really sink their teeth into. With the Conde Nast Traveler , you’ll have them inspired to see all those places they’ve always wanted to!
For the guy on the go…
Give him a backpack he can fit all his travel essentials in with . Whether he’s hiking or hitting the museums for the day, everything he needs can be close at hand. Made to resist the toughest weather, this pack is ready for adventure.
For the budget traveler…
Why not pick up a and encourage the recipient to travel even more? There’s the freedom to choose days and attractions throughout a whole year in eleven cities across the United States!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 27th, 2007 by jamie a
Singapore Noodles
Photo uploaded by
To follow up on our “Cheap Eats in Oahu (Local Edition),” here’s our post for all the international cuisine to be found in Oahu. From Vietnamese to Italian and wonderful desserts, there’s something for all foodies on this list!
At , you can get a “simple and healthy” meal in authentic Chinese style. To begin your meal, start off with some tofu pot stickers or black bean clams, which are both local favorites. The choices here include some of the classic favorites like Singapore noodles and walnut shrimp, but they also offer many eclectic selections on the menu as well as plenty of vegetarian options.
For some homestyle Italian fare, is known for having the best and most affordable cuisine in Oahu. Enjoy some delicious chef specialties like red pepper calamari, a caprese salad, or a white clam pizza. With most dishes between $10-15, you’ll fill yourself up and still have money to spend on more souvenirs!
Join the family at where you can enjoy traditional Greek fare like gyros, lamb kebabs, moussaka, and dolmades. The main dishes even come with Greek salad, pita bread, and rice. With plenty of choices for both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, it’s a great place to go when there’s different preferences to consider.
For dessert, you have two great sweet spots to choose from! At , you can join the locals and enjoy scones, pastries, cakes, cookies, and tortes that are baked right on the premises.
If pie’s your thing, you can enjoy a slice of the famous two layer chocolate coconut pie at , which is known as the place for pies on the island.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 26th, 2007 by jamie a
Lunch at Pier 38
Photo uploaded by
If you’re a traveler on a budget who wants to get the most out of your Hawaiian experience, these local favorites for cheap eats are perfect for your trip! For part one of our two part ‘cheap eats,’ this post’s focus is on local cuisine that will introduce your palate to plenty of new tastes.
For breakfast…
Check out for a hearty breakfast before sightseeing. You get three larger-than-a-dinner-plate cakes with toppings like pineapple, banana, walnuts, and chocolate. Also be sure to try some Kona coffee to start off your day!
, voted the “Champion of Breakfast” by the Honolulu Advertiser, fulfills all your Hawaiian food dreams. Choose from mahi-mahi eggs Benedict, guava chiffon pancakes, or Carsie’s crab cakes and eggs. The names of the dishes alone should persuade any foodie to stop at Cinnamon’s!
For lunch…
With local fisherman, residents, and downtown workers making up the clientele, you know that is the real deal. Enjoy dishes like urikake pan seared ahi with ginger garlic cilantro sauce or a fried calamari salad on nalo greens with sweet chili dressing. You can even eat on the patio or overlooking the fishing boats for a lovely outdoor meal.
For more fresh seafood options, check out . The decor is fun and welcoming and the specials literally depend on what the fishermen bring in for the day, so the menu is ever-changing. There’s a crab, bacon, and avocado sandwich as well as Uncle’s fresh ahi belly which are staples on the menu as well as local favorites.
For a feel-good snack…
After hiking around Diamond Head or a day at the beach, stop in to to refuel! Try an acai bowl, which is essentially a smoothie in a bowl topped with acai fruit, mixed berries, banana, strawberries, and granola and topped with honey. Featured on both the Discovery Channel and Rachael Ray, Health Bar is the perfect treat on a hot day.
For dinner…
Check out the for ahi, mahi, or ono fish burgers with signature spicy sesame mayo for just $5.95. You even have the choice to dine inside or on the veranda in the lush tropical air. There’s also Teriyaki chicken and delightfully sweet pulled-pork sandwiches if you’re not up for seafood.
Have a great evening with the family at the . Enjoy a delicious variety of tapas on their small plates dinner menu all inspired by the owner’s trips to Europe. He noticed that “…they have a wonderful lifestyle of enjoying their meals in a casual environment, eating healthy, eating a variety of food priced right, and maybe having a little wine with it. They’re very smart.” The Kalapawai Cafe is his Hawaiian interpretation of these ideas.
For cocktails…
At , enjoy one of the favorite traditions of the original Halekulani with entertainment under the Kiawe tree. With Hawaiian music and hula nightly, you can sip their famous mai tais as you experience the breathtaking views.
Check back soon to learn more about international cuisine in Oahu!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 21st, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
Condé Nast Traveler is holding an to find the most popular destinations for Thanksgiving travel. Not surprisingly, Hawaii tops the list of reader’s most desired getaways. Of course, not all of us are lucky enough to be jetting off the beaches of Oahu for a relaxing break. If you’re headed to home for the holidays this week, then check out Travelocity’s . Happy Thanksgiving!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 20th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
Just in case you missed the deadline for our Review and Photo Contests, Budget Travel is sponsoring photography and writing contests in honor of their 10th Anniversary. The magazine is publishing an all reader generated issue in June 2008 to commemorate the big 1-0. Here’s your chance to fulfill your travel writing dreams by going on assignment to an exotic location of your choosing. The editors will even print a reader’s travel photo on the cover of the magazine!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 16th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by (courtesy of Kathy S.)
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”
~, Scottish Essayist, Poet and Author of fiction and travel books, 1850-1894
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 15th, 2007 by amy c
Friday, November 16
: Explore the Aquarium after dark between the hours of 7-9
Friday, November 16
King Kalkakuau’s Birthday: Enjoy live entertainment and watch as the late king is honored with a presentation of a lei on his statue. Crowds will gather at the King’s statue at the intersection of Kalkakuau an Kuhio Ave. to celebrate the 171st birthday of the last reigning king.
Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18
: 75 Hawaiian artists will be featured in the Kapiolani park across the street from the Honolulu zoo in a two-day celebration of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian art.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
November 14th, 2007 by shannon b
In the interest of helping our fellow travelers better plan their trips to Hawaii, we’ve started a new feature called “Ask a Travel Expert.” In our first installment, Kim asks about finding gluten-free food in Oahu. If you have a travel question you’d like to read about on this blog, then leave a comment below and we’ll do our very best to answer it!
Q: Where can you get gluten free food on the island of Oahu? We are staying at the Hilton Alana Doubletree hotel.
A: After poking around a bit on the web and making a few phone calls to area restaurants and stores, I have found a bit of information for you and all Celiac travelers looking for places to dine in Oahu.
Gluten-Free Breakfast/Mid-Day Snack
is an all vegetarian natural foods store with four locations on the island of Oahu. You’ll love their gluten-free breads, cereals, nondairy milk substitutes, hummus, fresh nut butters, and Lara bars. Every food item in the store is clearly labeled with every single ingredient so there is no fear of cross-contamination. Also, the South Kings Street location is just 1.5 miles from your hotel. This may be the perfect stop to fill up on gluten-free treats for your climb up Diamond Head or picnic at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.
Gluten-Free Lunch
goes beyond most restaurants by offering a which has selections such as Tropical Tilapia and St. Barts Citrus Chicken as well as many sandwiches and burgers which are Gluten-Free sans bun. Also, it’s located conveniently in Waikiki Beach about a mile from your hotel!
(more…)
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
