Monday, November 26, 2007

Walk Waikiki Beach on your Hawaii Vacation

It's time again to post the Monday Hawaii photo of the week. We, Jennifer Crites, the famous Hawaii photographer and travel writer and I, Pua, the Best Hawaii Vacation blog writer, never thought it would be so much fun to post Hawaii photos. First of all, Jennifer's Hawaii stock photos offer so many choices, so it's not easy to make the decision. When the decision is made for the Hawaii photo of the week, it's up to me to write an enticing blog post with it. Ok, here we go.

Everybody knows Waikiki beach, Waikiki Beach Hotels and maybe you even read my post about the Waikiki Trump Tower, which was an interesting story about Donald's real estate investment in Hawaii but who knows about the Waikiki Aquarium? This is an amazing place to see the abundance of tropical fish and ocean life in Hawaii without the hassle of renting snorkel equipment and perfect for all those who are scared of diving, snorkeling or scuba diving the Pacific Ocean.

This photo was taken by Jennifer at the Waikiki Aquarium , where you can see sharks, stingrays, turtles, sea urchins, chambered nautilus, octopi and all kinds of tropical fish in one place. The giant clam weighs more than 120 pounds and is 20 years old. And there are 3 blue tangs (Dori, in the movie 'Finding Nemo'). Waikiki Aquarium is located in Queen Kapiolani Park on southern shore of Oahu. This is one of the many fun things to do when on a Hawaii vacation at a Waikiki Hotel. We should not forget to mention Sea Life Park on Oahu, which is entertainment and education for the entire family.

When visiting Waikiki, Waikiki beach aquarium is not the only aquarium around. We saw many smaller ones when we walked along Waikiki Beach on Kalakaua for checking out the many restaurants and famous shops. Actually, we even were lucky with our Waikiki Beach Hotel which had a huge aquarium extending over two floors. When we had dinner, we could enjoy the tropical underwater world when waiting for our meals getting prepared. As far as I remember, it was the Waikiki Beach Tower Hotels.

As Waikiki beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, your should also know that it means "Spouting Water" in Hawaiian. The two mile stretch of white sand coast is fronted by Waikiki hotels and tourist facilities. Waikiki Beach is excellent for swimming and sun bathing. Tourists can watch Hawaiians surfing and boogie boarding. When you try it yourself, watch the ocean conditions and read the ocean warning signs. And don't forget to visit Waikiki Beach Aquarium when you are once there. Have fun in Waikiki! Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
Last Minute Hawaii Vacation in Kona - Kona Vacation Home with Ocean View and Pool at bargain price.

Hawaii Photo of the Week

Friday, November 23, 2007

Last Minute Hawaii Vacation at Kona Home with Ocean Views and Pool

This post is sponsored by Kona Vacation Rentals

Our first high season week for Hawaii vacation, Thanksgiving week, will end on Sunday when the Thanksgiving crowd is heading back home from Hawaii to the Mainland. For those, who want to stay away from the busy Christmas holidays in Hawaii, now is the perfect time to book a LAST MINUTE bargain for a Hawaii vacation between now and December 20th, that's when occupancy starts peaking at Hawaii hotels and vacation rentals. No special vacation packages then!

Best Hawaii vacation Home in KonaSo, if you long for the white sand beaches in Hawaii, sunny weather and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, this Kona Ocean View Vacation Home with pool would be perfect Hawaii vacation destination for getting together with friends or reuniting with family and sharing the costs for your Hawaii accommodation. Incredible panoramic ocean views, a cool dip in the pool, just hanging with friends or family pool side or on your lanai, guarantee you your best Hawaii vacation in Kailua-Kona. And the price is right!

This is your rare chance for an incredible Hawaii vacation with friends or family at a big discount. Call the Kona Vacation Home owner today with this promo code HV11231220 for SPECIAL rate $300/nt. (5 Pers.) + Tax + cleaning fee $260: 808-329-6804 / 408-930-2758 or email and ask for this special discount from our Best Hawaii Vacation blog. The vacation home owner offers this Promotion Special for the following dates: 11/24 - 12/20/07, only through our blog. He is awaiting your call. Have a wonderful vacation in Hawaii!

Kailua-Kona town is known all over the world for the famous Hawaii Triathlon - Big Island Ironman in October. But there are so many more things to do in Kona...just a few miles from downtown Kona, one can find the best snorkel and scuba diving spots on the Big Island, in Kealakekua Bay and at City of Refuge. Kona has had a long history with Deep Sea Fishing. Not to forget.Kona is the place where you can buy world famous Kona coffee. Downtown Kailua-Kona features plenty of restaurants and shopping.

From Kona it's a short 1 1/2hr trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which provides more excitement and adventure than any of the other Hawaiian islands. If you want to know more about Kona, visiting Kona and the Big Island, visit KonaWeb. Have a great Hawaii vacation in Kona. Find more Kailua Kona vacation rentals. Aloha, Pua

Monday, November 19, 2007

Hawaii Hiking - Maui Waterfall Adventures

Hawaii Hiking, Maui Hiking AdventureIt's again Monday and our Hawaii photo of the week is due today. Before I post that special Hawaii image, I was wondering whether you are still contemplating where to stay for your next Hawaii vacation, Hawaii hotel or vacation rental? If so, don't go away, sign up for our feed or email (see top buttons on right sidebar!) and you will get our insider information automatically delivered to your inbox. Next Best Hawaii Vacation blog post will tell you when we recommend to stay at a Hawaii vacation rental for your vacation and not at a resort.

We are quite sure that you liked our last week's Hawaii photo Best Things to Do on Kauai - Wailua River Tour. Hawaii stock photographer and well-known travel writer Jennifer Crites - here is one of her recent articles in the Hana Hou Hawaii Magazine - has many more of these unique stock photos available.

This Maui Waterfall photo shows us once again that Hawaii is not just about beaches, hula and Maitais. Jennifer successfully snapped this special shot of one of Hawaii's spectacular waterfalls, Maui Hana waterfall on the road to Hana, where visitors can actually swim, and the daring can jump. You can walk into the water, you don't have to jump. Doesn't that look like you want to be there right now? How about 'beam me up to Hawaii'?

All our Hawaiian islands are blessed with amazing, unique scenery, which offers lots of hiking trails to hidden valleys, canyons, secret waterfalls, volcanoes and rainforest. Like all the other island, Maui has numerous waterfalls on the island, some visible from the road, like this one, and others you have to hike to. There are moderate, short hikes or hikes which take a day (or two).

Make sure that you know what you are doing and of course, tell your hosts or friends where you are going. It does not seem like it, but every so often tourists get lost in unknown terrain, mostly due to sudden weather changes. The right hiking outfit and water and food supply is important. To carry a cell phone, won't hurt either.

If you want to learn more about the Maui Trails available, go to Hawaii Trails. That's the most comprehensive site for finding detailed hiking information on Hawaii hiking for Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Oahu and Molokai. Hawaii State Parks site has valuable information on Hawaii hiking as well. Hike Maui has offered naturalist-led hikes into Maui's wilderness since 1983. Maui Hiking Safari is another Maui hiking company which offers guided tours to Maui waterfalls and into the rainforest. I am sure you will find one Maui hiking adventure which appeals to you and your physical skills.

Let's go hiking in Hawaii. If you have a favorite Hawaii Hike, please, share with our visitors which island it is and other hiking information. Mahalo andaAloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

When to stay at a Hawaii Hotel for your Hawaii Vacation?

High season for Hawaii vacation is approaching fast. Many tourists will celebrate Thanksgiving in Hawaii next week, and in another 3 weeks, the Christmas holidays will be the the highest season week with most hotels having 100% occupancy. Hawaii as top vacation destination is in the talks. Ever wondered whether to book a Hawaii hotel at a beach resort or make a reservation with a fully equipped vacation rental for your Hawaii vacation? If you answer with 'Yes', then continue reading because this blog post is for you.
Hawaii Hotel, Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort, Big Island, Dolphin Quest
First of all, let me assure you that you are not the first or the last one, who is contemplating the pros and cons of these Hawaii vacation options, Hawaii hotel or vacation rental. And once having decided for the wrong one, might be quite devastating and totally spoil your Hawaii vacation. So let Best Hawaii Vacation blog, based on our knowledge and experience, help you make the right decision for your visit to Hawaii. Let's focus in this post on 5 best reasons when staying at a Hawaii hotel is right for you:

1. Hawaii Vacation Packages for hotel, air fare and car rental

When you want to save big on your trip to Hawaii, the big Internet travel agencies like Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz offer unbeatable Hawaii vacation packages for hotel with airfare and car rental. Try to book all these things individually, and you will soon find out that it's very hard to beat the deals, not to mention all these hours you spend on your computer to find the best deal for the hotel, the flight to Hawaii and the car rental on the island of your choice.

2. Short term stays in Hawaii

For a 3-night stay in Hawaii, Hawaii hotels and resorts are the best solution for your visit. In many cases, you don't even need to hassle with a car rental. Just take a shuttle froim the Airport to your Hawaii hotel (forget about complimentary that was in the old days) and hang loose on the beach, in the pool and the jacuzzi. If you get the urge to do something, join one of the ocean activities or luaus organized by the hotel.

3. Last Minute Hawaii Vacation Deals

If you are flexible with your Hawaii travel dates and can decide for Last minute deals at resorts or hotels, that's the way to go on Hawaii vacation. OK admitted there are not many people who have the freedom to decide for a a Last Minute deal, but Hawaii resorts and hotels are definitely right for these folks. Check with the big travel companies and Hawaii vacation package links above for Last Minute deals about 1 week before you want to get on the plane to Hawaii.

4. Hotel Amenities

Hawaii hotels and resorts are right for those travelers who love hotel amenities: beach chairs, towel service, swimming pool, jacuzzi, room service, house keeping, breakfast with ocean view, hotel luau, concierge service, nightly Hawaiian music and hula dancer, massage with spa service and much more. It's all there, right at your finger tips. Not all free but definitely easy to take advantage of.

5. Travel to Hawaii with kids

Parents need sometimes a little break from their kids for some privacy on their Hawaii vacation or a round of golf or spa visit. Check with the hotel whether they have a kids program. It doesn't cost a fortune. Kids can be signed up for an afternoon. Sometimes, kids even like it more than hanging out with the parents because many hotel kids' programs are well designed with lots of fun adventure. For lunch, kids have diffent options to choose from. The hotel kids' program allow you as a parent to fully enjoy your Hawaii vacation knowing that kids are sound and safe and have fun!

When preparing this blog post, I came across the Marriott Hawaii website. Rates for the Marriotts in Hawaii are pretty decent for ocean front and other amenities. Not everybody can afford the luxury of a 5-star resort. Check it out. This might be an option for you. Just an idea to help with your next Hawaii vacation - I am not an affiliate! If you like that post, stay tuned for the next post when we tell you "When to stay at a Hawaii vacation rental for your Hawaii vacation?". Will be coming soon!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Best Things to Do on Kauai - Wailua River Tour

Best Kauai Vacation with Kayaking the Wailua RiverWelcome back to the 'Hawaii photo of the week', which is a project of aloha by Best Hawaii Vacation blog and Hawaii stock photographer and well-known travel writer Jennifer Crites. Whereas our first 'Hawaii photo of the week' showed you famous Oahu Beach of Hanauma Bay, our photo today shows you famous Wailua River on Kauai.

Wailua River is one of the many attractions of the Garden Isle Kauai. Gohawaii.about names the Wailua River tours as one their 10 Best Things to do on Kauai when on Kaua vacation. We totally agree with that. There are all kinds of guided tours on the river, which mostly lead either to the Fern Grotto or the Secret Falls (Uluwehi Waterfalls).

On our Kauai vacation, we decided to rent a kayak and get going on our own Wailua tour being our own guide. Kayakers are given their own lane on the right side of the river. Be prepared for the typical Kauai rain showers but also for the strong Hawaiian sun (hat and sunscreen recommended!) plus some good hiking shoes for the hike through the forest. The kayak rental company provides you with a map of the area and a bag for keeping your stuff dry.

We had decided for a combination kayak and hiking trip to the Secret Falls We paddled about 2.5 miles upstream, passing an old Hawaiian village, till we came to an island where we already saw many kayaks 'parked'. From there we actually just followed the trail through tropical rainforest. Soon, we'd meet other hikers already coming back from the waterfalls, so we knew we were on the right path. The Secret Falls were a wonderful resting place - not 'secret' though because it was visited by many guided tours. We set down to enjoy our picnic, enjoy the beautiful scenery and admire those who went for a bath in the icy cold waters waiting for their friend to take that one unique picture of them. We had our bathing suits too but decided against this cold, refreshing bath. This was one of our best adventures on our Kauai vacation.

To cut a long story short, the Wailua River has ever since been on our list of recommendations for 'Things to do on Kauai' for visitors to the Garden Isle. Check with KayakWailua for kayak rental guided tours. Have your best Kauai Vacation. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Monday, November 5, 2007

Visit Hanauma Bay Beach on your Oahu Vacation

It's Monday but this is a special Monday. Today, we start our new exciting blog project of introducing Hawaii to our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors with a 'Hawaii photo of the week'. So get ready for seeing many more beautiful Hawaii photos taken by renowned Hawaii stock photographer Jennifer Crites.

Get to know Hawaii, the number # vacation destination (read our Thanksgiving in Hawaii post), through spectacular, fascinating photos of the unique Hawaii scenery of tropical waterfalls and beaches, lush green rain forests and rare tropical flowers, snow-capped mountains or the hot lava flow of a live volcano and all the other powerful images of Hawaii. Here is our first Hawaii photo of the week. This photo was cover photo of Hawaii Magazine in in December 2006:

Who has not heard of Hanauma Bay when visiting Oahu on vacation? This large curved bay attracts many Oahu visitors each year. Hanauma Bay is well protected from huge ocean waves, which allows snorkelers and divers to watch marine and coral reef life under safe conditions. The beach is also perfect for sunbathing, relaxing and picnicing. There are even hiking trails which lead to great lookouts from where you can have breathtaking views.

Hanauma Bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967, in order to protect and preserve the Bay and its spectatucal natural resources. This is why Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is not just the regular beach one of the most spectacular natural resources in Hawaii. With the measuments taken by the State of Hawaii, Hanauma Bay has become the first Marine Life Conservation District in the State.

So, when visiting Hanauma Beach, be aware, that there are certain rules to maintain this Marine Life Conservation Area like: no pets allowed; no alcoholic beverages; no fishing or feeding the fish; do not remove, harass, or harm any marine life. We recommend to visit Hawaii Web for more detailed information, fees, opening hours for your beach visit to Hanauma Bay.
Directions to Hanauma Bay Beach:

Take Kalaniana'ole Highway east from Waikiki for approximately 10 miles. Entrance to the preserve is on the right.

Enjoy Hanauma Bay beach on your Oahu vacation in Hawaii. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Friday, November 2, 2007

3 Best Hawaii Vacation Tips for Thanksgiving in Hawaii

With Mainland temperatures dropping a degree or two daily and the fall weather changing from sunny, golden fall to rainy, gray November weather, sunny, warm Hawaii becomes once again the number one travel destination of places to visit in winter for Mainland residents.

As we told you in our recent post about the Best weather for Hawaii vacation, Hawaii weather proves to be nice and warm also during the winter months. Who wouldn't want to visit the Hawaiian Islands for Thanksgiving week or Christmas Holidays?! Here are our Hawaii vacation tips tourists should know when planning to visit Hawaii for a Thanksgiving or Christmas vacation.

It's a matter of fact that the Hawaii holiday crowd at the big ocean front resorts consists mainly of the well-to-do families, who can afford to meet in Hawaii for their annual family reunion. Hawaii tourism at 5-star hotels relies on these return visitors. Holiday season is the time when the hotels on the Kohala Coast or other prestigious Hawaii Resorts like the Grand Wailea on Maui are booked at 100% occupancy. Well, that said about the Hawaii VIP crwod for the holidays, let's share our tips with the average Hawaii visitor, who has his chances too for a Hawaiian holiday vacation:

1. Expect higher rates for Hawaii vacation rentals during the holidays

Vacation rentals are very high in command for the Hawaii Holiday Season. As rental owners know that, expecthigher rates for the holidays. As vacation rental owners, it has always amazed us how many people asked for Special holiday rates plus waited much too long with making their accommodation reservation. Good news for these guys: there are still a few nice vacation rental places which have availability for Thanksgiving or Christmas at this moment but you don't have the big choices anymore. Next time, make your Thanksgiving or Christmas reservation in summer. Be aware of the 5-night minimum stay of most vacation rentals.

2. Rent your car for your Holiday Vacation as early as possible

Unfortunately, when planning their Hawaii holiday vacation, too many tourists don't take into consideration that Hawaii consists of various islands which have a limited resourced of cars. It happens each year that car rentals on an island get 'maxed' out, meaning car rental companies can ask 'astronomical' rates per day. Guess what, when you have paid for your flight reservation to Hawaii and for your stay, you will be extremely happy to rent a car for $80/day! Rule number two: The earlier you make your car rental reservation, the better your chances for a decent deal.

3. Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner in Hawaii

Since you know by now that spending Thanksgiving or Christmas in Hawaii is really something special and asks for special financial means to do so, let's talk 'Thanksgiving Turkey in Hawaii'. It goes without saying that all the fancy Hawaii Beach Resorts put on their own Thanksgiving Celebration Dinner. As this mostly includes Hawaiian entertainment with hula dancers and Hawaiian music. this turkey definitely doesn not come cheap and might exceed your budget by far.

So why not take advantage of the great Turkey Dinner offers by Hawaiian local markets: turkey for 6 - 8 people, with gravy, cranberry sauce and stuffing and have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner a la Hawaiian style at the privacy of your Hawaii vacation rental home. Sit outside on your lanai and enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey with your family accompanied by warm, mild Hawaiian air and gentle Hawaiian music from your CD player! This is Thanksgiving in Hawaii! Call your friends on the Mainland and tell them 'I wish you were here!'.

Happy Thanksgiving in HawaiiPlease, share your Hawaii Thanksgiving recommendations with our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors. Mahalo for your comments. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations