Archive for
January, 2008
January 31st, 2008 by susan j
Showers are in the weather forecast for this week on Oahu, so it might be a good time to check out some of Oahu’s museums. Here’s the scoop, courtesy of Weather.com:
Friday, February 1
Scattered showers and wind with a high of 79, low of 70
Saturday, February 2
Partly cloudy and windy with a high of 78, low of 70
Sunday, February 3
Partly cloudy with a high of 78, low of 69
Monday, February 4
Few showers with a high of 79, low of 70
Tuesday, February 5
Partly cloudy with a high of 79, low of 69
Wednesday, February 6
Cloudy with a high of 79, low of 69
Thursday, February
Mostly sunny with a high of 77, low of 68
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
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January 30th, 2008 by susan j
View from the roadside, Oahu Photo uploaded by
This weekend New York Times travel writer Matt Gross shared his experiences in . My boyfriend and I are planning a , so he eagerly forwarded me the article (there’s also a slide show and a video to accompany the article online). Gross visited the Big Island and Kauai, but we’ll be traveling to Oahu and the Big Island instead.
Still, the writer offers some helpful tips, like booking rooms at a bed and breakfast and foregoing the expensive local coffee (unless you’re a serious coffee connoisseur). So far, the boyfriend and I managed to snag airline tickets from Boston to Honolulu for about $500 on Delta Airlines, and we’re spending about $100/night at locally owned B & B’s, as Gross suggests. Stay tuned for more on my budget adventures in Hawaii!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
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Go Oahu Card.
January 30th, 2008 by jamie a
Golf Course in Oahu Photo uploaded by
If you’re looking to play a few rounds of golf during your Hawaiian jaunt, .
From the in Waikiki to the on the North Shore, the island offers courses with amazingly sculptured formations along with impeccable greens-keeping. If you’re up for adventure, be sure and check out one of the many courses on the island, many of which have been hosts to the PGA tour and multitudes of professional golfers.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 28th, 2008 by jamie a
Waikiki Beach Photo Uploaded by
The How-To Travel Guru Jim Gullo recently posted an article entitled a guide to the conditions and environments on a number of sandy shores.
The winter brings varying conditions to all Hawaii’s beaches, and it’s important to know which ones are safe for the non-experienced beach-goers. Jim says that “North Beach, Pipeline, and other great North Shore beaches are strictly for pros right now…the exception to this is Waimea Bay Beach Park, which has a nice, protected lagoon where kids can safely splash around…”
Before jetting off to the islands, be sure to check out Jim’s article. It’s a great first-hand view for travelers to read, as well as a great resource that explains Hawaii’s beaches during the winter season.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 25th, 2008 by jamie a
An Albatross on Oahu Photo uploaded by
Besides the stunning botanical wonders that surround you, Oahu also boasts an extensive population of all kinds of birds. From marine birds to urban dwellers, keep your eyes open for these amazing creatures!
You’ll most likely stumble upon an , soaring above the beach. Whether it be a Laysan, Black-Footed, or Short-Tailed, they’ll be gliding effortlessly through the air with their whistle-like voice.
If you’re traveling to Kilauea Point, you may be lucky enough to see a , diving into the water to catch fish and squid. These birds are hard to spot, so it might be best to bring binoculars. There’s also the Masked , the Red-Footed Booby, and the Brown Booby which also plunge into the water to catch their lunch.
You’ll see birds uncommon to tropical climates like the and , who had the same idea as you by jetting off to the islands for the winter months!
While in the country, try and spot a , the state bird of Hawaii. This medium-sized goose likes to hang around golf courses, grasslands, and lowlands. Its caw is much like the Canada Goose or the ‘moo’ of a cow, surprisingly, so you’ll probably hear one before you see it.
Finally, there’s the , a tiny bright scarlet bird with a salmon-colored curled beak. Its feathers were commonly used in featherwork and it was also sung about in many ancient chants, making the bird a legend of the islands.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 21st, 2008 by susan j
Romantic walk along the beach in Hawaii Photo uploaded by
TheHoneymoon.com lists Hawaii as one of its top romantic destinations for 2008. For all you love birds celebrating Valentine’s Day Hawaiian-style, we’ve put together a list of things to do on the island of Oahu this February 14.
For starters, there’s a Valentine’s Day Moonlight Cruise aboard the Navatek. The Pupu Menu includes bacon-wrapped scallions, shrimp kebobs, chocolate fondue, and more. Oahu Cityguide also lists 10 Romantic Restaurants for the big day.
Another option is the Hawaiian vow renewal ceremony being offered by the Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki. This ceremony is inspired by an ancient Hawaiian custom called Ho-ao Pa’a, which binds man and woman together in a lasting union. This event is free to guests staying at the two hotels, and sign-ups begin on January 14.
Wherever your travels take you this February, we hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with love and affection!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 18th, 2008 by susan j
Computer on a beach
Photo uploaded by Scott Ableman
Call me crazy, but one of the first things I researched when the S.O. and I began planning a trip to Hawaii was places where I could find free wifi. Even being surrounded by gorgeous volcanic views and pristine sandy beaches, I knew that ten days without email or NYTimes.com would be testing the limits of my sanity. For those who are as computer-dependent as I am, I’ve put together a little primer on wifi so you can reap the benefits of my research, too.
You won’t have to look far for wifi, because Gate 13 at Honolulu Airport has free wifi. Once you leave the airport, you have several internet options in Waikiki, Honolulu, and the surrounding area. In Honolulu, the city provides free wireless internet access in several areas (find the hotspots on the city’s website). The entire Aqua Wave Hotel and Resort is also wired for internet. Just east of Honolulu in Waikiki, Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand and the Coconut Cafe offer free wifi, too. Sharks Cove Grill in Haleiwa is another internet option.
View the complete list of wireless spots in Hawaii, including hotspots in Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island, on the Free Wifi Directory.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 17th, 2008 by susan j
The weather forecast for the coming week on Oahu is looking warm and sunny. Here’s the scoop, courtesy of Weather.com:
Friday, January 18
Mostly sunny with high of 77, low of 66
Saturday, January 19
Mostly sunny with a high of 77, low of 68
Sunday, January 20
Partly cloudy with a high of 79, low of 69
Monday, January 21
Sunny with a high of 79, low of 68
Tuesday, January 22
Sunny with a high of 77, low of 69
Wednesday, January 23
Mostly sunny with a high of 77, low of 68
Thursday, January 24
Mostly sunny with a high of 77, low of 68
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 16th, 2008 by jamie a
Hula Dancers
Photo uploaded by
The week-long returns to the Hilo Civic Center this year from March 30 - April 5, 2008 (Hilo is on the Big Island, not Oahu, but offers short and very affordable flights between islands). The festival was founded 40 years ago in an effort to promote the art of hula. Named the world’s premier hula forum, this festival has led to a renaissance of Hawaiian culture.
In addition to hula performances, there will also be a wide variety of art, craft fairs, demonstrations, and a parade that exemplifies the culture of Hawaii. You can also check out the Miss Aloha Hula Competition or pop in to the three-day hula competition of both modern and ancient styles of hula. If you’d like to check out these events, they do require , but the rest of the festivities are free.
This is a fantastic way to experience Hawaiian culture at its best, so be sure and make it part of your visit to the islands!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 15th, 2008 by jamie a
Hilton’s Hawaiian Village
Photo uploaded by hellochris
Fellow blogger Mary Jo over at Fly Away Cafe, recently posted about checking out Hilton’s Hawaiian Village to grab a drink at their famous Shell Bar. The bar, featured in the “Hawaiian Eye” television series that ran from 1959- 1963, was a favorite hangout of the main characters.
The crime fighting detectives from Honolulu used to hang out at the bar once an episode since they had an office there and were house detectives at the Hawaiian Village Hotel. Most of the show was filmed in Los Angeles, but the Shell Bar was the basis for their fictional hangout. If you were a fan of the show, this is a must-see stop on your trip!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
