The first annual Lanai Ukulele Festival, sponsored by the Four Seasons Resorts Lanai, HawaiiONTV.com and Jazz Alley TV, will take place throughout the island on July 29 and 30.
Throughout the two-day event guests can listen to complimentary performances by popular performers including Grammy-winner Richard Ho`opi`i, Tony Conjugacion, Brittni Paiva, Herb Ohta Jr, Walt Keale, David Kamakahi, Benny Uyetake, CJ Helekahi and the Lanai Ukulele Club.
Delicious news from Hawaii: Four Seasons Resorts Lanai has appointed Kevin Erving as the new Executive Chef, overseeing all culinary operations and menu development for the food and beverage outlets between Manele Bay and The Lodge at Koele. Erving, an active supporter of local organic farming and sustainable ingredients, is an expert in farm-to-table cuisine, and his menus will include a strong emphasis on seasonality and sustainability.
Honeymoons in Hawaii are just about as classic as American honeymoons can get. The islands have managed to remain popular over the decades by offering a wide range of experiences to cater to different tastes.Charlotte Kerr of Blue Sky Tours believes that modern honeymooners are looking for their own unique niche, and for an experience that matches their own personality. “Look at what’s happening with weddings,” she points out. “They’re over the top. Honeymoons are keeping up.”
In order to put together the right honeymoon for a couple, Kerr says, an agent has to qualify the client as they would any other. “Do they want city lights and nightlife? Then Oahu is best,” she says. “They can get anything they need in Oahu—shows, dinners, or they can just stay in at their resorts.” If they prefer some more alone time outdoors, they might prefer hiking the Napali coastline on Kauai, she adds, and Maui is very romantic: “There’s lots of adventure, white beaches—it’s low-key, but with good nightlife.”
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The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui’s first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star Resort, is offering a series of Unforgettable Events scheduled throughout the year. The calendar of events continues to grow: already there is everything from dinner under the stars and a viticulture evening and a celebrity yoga retreat. There’s also a fantasy tennis camp with some of the world’s top performers. Plans are under way for a once-in-a-lifetime surfing experience with one of Hawaii’s legendary watermen, a cycling camp led by several Tour de France Canadian veterans, and producers are preparing for the ever-popular Maui Film Festival. Here’s the line-up for special experiences that are already scheduled for 2011:
While the world eagerly awaits Disney‘s first resort in Hawaii, the company is planning another tour to the Aloha State. For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will sail through the Hawaiian Islands with a 15-night cruise departing the Port of Los Angeles on April 29, 2012. The cruise will call on Hilo, Hawaii; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nāwailiwili, Kauai; and Ensenada, Mexico.
The Disney Wonder has a capacity of 2,700 guests, and the cruise will include four days in Hawaii and one in Mexico.
For more information, visit disneycruise.disney.go.com.
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Looking for things to do on your Hawaii vacation? Going to Oahu? Patriotism is as abundant on Oahu as the “Aloha Spirit.” The heart of the 50th state is the location of several iconic chapters in American history and home to thousands of members in the armed forces. From the Arizona Memorial to one of the country’s largest fireworks shows, visitors and locals have the opportunity to honor America and the men and women who sacrificed so much for their country at numerous historical attractions and events happening around the island. Below is a listing of patriotic ceremonies, celebrations and historic attractions.
Distressing news from the Big Island: The Honolulu Star Advertiser is reporting that the Kona Village Resort will be closing its doors for the foreseeable future. The 82-acre property suffered extensive damage due to the tsunami from Japan’s magnitude-9.0 earthquake.
According to the resort’s website, the 45-year old resort sustained “significant structural damage” from the surge. More than 20 hale, the resort’s bungalow-style, thatched roof accommodations, were affected—some were completely removed from their foundations. Other damaged buildings or attractions include the Hale Moana and Hale Samoa restaurants, Hale Ho’omau, the Shipwreck and Talk Story bars, reception and main office as well as the Ocean Activity Center on property.
According to the report, more than 200 employees will be laid off. All will be paid through April 3, and their medical benefits will last until the end of April, said Patrick Fitzgerald, president and chief executive officer of the resort.
If you want to experience more of Hawaiian culture, these upcoming festivals are a great way to learn more about the islands and interact with locals.
June 10-12
32nd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival: An annual international cultural celebration featuring an eclectic assortment of cultural arts, crafts and stage performers from Hawaii and around the world to cultivate intercultural friendships, goodwill and understanding. Visitors and residents participate in events that include a ho‘olaule‘a (block party), stage events, an arts and crafts fair, a hula festival, and a parade through Waikiki.
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Merrie Monarch Festival Celebrates Hawaiian HulaIt’s a major event each year in Hawaii, when the best hula dancers from all of the islands gather to show off the ancient art of Hawaiian dancing. This year, the Merrie Monarch competition will be held on the Big Island at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium from April 24 to April 30.
Most activities during the Festival week are free to the public, however tickets are needed to attend the three-day hula competition. Ticket prices vary depending on seating section and the number of days attending the competition. Ticket can be requested at www.merriemonarch.com.
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Deals for Hawaii are hardly rare, but when several major tour operators offer significant price discounts and value-adds, our ears perk up. Both Classic Vacations and Pleasant Holidays have come up with major deals for travel to Hawaii, some good through the end of the year. Attractive promotions are also available from Blue Sky Tours and MLT Vacations.
