July 18 - KOKUA KAILUA VILLAGE STROLL & CONCERT

July 18, 2010 1:00pm - 6:00pm. Historic Kailua Village Alii Drive Kailua-Kona, HI  96740.

Historic Kailua Village becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway and marketplace. Enjoy free music, artists, and friendly merchants open for great shopping and delicious dining. At 4pm, there is a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihee Palace honoring Hawaiian royalty. Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Alii Drive.

July 18 - 40th ANNUAL UKULELE FESTIVAL

July 18, 2010 9:30am - 1:30pm. Kapiolani Park Bandstand Waikiki, HI  96816.


It's FUN and FREE Food Booths Ukulele Displays Enter to win Ukulele Give-Aways Free parking and shuttle service at Kapiolani Community College.

July 11 - Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival

July 10, 2010 to July 11, 2010 noon - 6pm. Civic Auditorium 323 Manono St. Hilo, HI  96720.

East Hawai‘i’s biggest music festival includes music, hula, arts and crafts sales, and food to attract visitors and locals to Hilo, provide a unique and authentic experience, and support Hawai‘i’s cultural practitioners and the local economy. Contact: exec@ehcc.org

July 10 - 9th Annual Hula Ho'olauna Aloha Festival

July 10, 10am. Ala Moana Center, Centerstage Hula Exhibition.
July 11, noon to 6:45pm. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel Coconut Grove

Hula Ho’olauna Aloha hula festival celebrates Japan’s love for the hula in its birthplace, while bridging the two cultures through dance and friendship. Ticket information: 808-286-2178

July 4 - CONCERT - SLACK KEY GUITAR & UKULELE

July 04, 2010 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Kauai Hanalei Community Center 5-5299 Kuhio Hwy. Hanalei, HI  96714.

Award winning traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar & ukulele concert featuring songs & stories telling its history. FREE gift drawing. Tickets $20 ($15 keiki and seniors) Seating Limited. Ticket information: (808) 826-1469

July 4 - Lahaina’s Fourth of July Celebration

July 04, 2010. Free admission. Lahaina Library Lawn, Front Street 680 Wharf St. Lahaina, HI  96761.

This annual open-air celebration features musical performances followed by a fireworks extravaganza. The Maui Community Band will perform “Fanfare for Festival,” an original composition by New York composer Carl Strommen commissioned especially for the Maui Invitational Music Festival along with holiday favorites.

July 1 - 2010 KE KANI O KE KAI CONCERT SERIES

July 01, 2010 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Waikiki Aquarium 2777 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI  96815. Ke Kani O Ke Kai is a wonderful opportunity to visit the extraordinary and award-winning Aquarium, then settle on the lawn to enjoy live entertainment and a beautiful sunset.

July 1 - Maui Community Band Woodwind Symphony Orchestra Concert

July 1, 7 pm. Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, Kahului.  Free admission. Concerts by the Maui Community Band are an annual Festival favorite. Lisa Owen is  founder and music director of The Maui Community Band.

June 27 - Kihoalu Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival

June 27, 2010 2:00pm - 7:00pm. Maui Arts & Cultural Center 1 Cameron Way Kahului, HI  96732.

The annual music festival showcases Hawaii’s masters of the slack key genre, in a free afternoon outdoor concert from 2 pm to 7 pm.  Event features arts & crafts, local food booths and festival music CD's for sale.

June 25 - 37TH ANNUAL KING KAMEHAMEHA HULA COMPETITION

June 25, 2010 to June 26, 2010. Neal S Blaisdell Center Arena 777 Ward Ave. Honolulu, HI  96814. Tickets available at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster.

June 25 - FIRESIDE STORIES IN HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

June 25th 7 PM. Fireside Stories in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the history, culture, and people of Hawai’i in this series of informal talks, sponsored by the Volcano Art Center in conjunction with Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. This month’s presentation is “Historic Volcano Landmarks” with retired Volcano Postmaster and long-time Village resident Kazu Okamoto.  Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Free;  Park entrance fees may apply. Call (808) 967-8222. or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Dr Beach Lists Two Hawaii Beaches as Top Ten

Waikiki's Kahanamoku Beach and Maui's Hamoa Beach finished sixth and ninth on Dr. Beach's Top 10 list of America's Best Beaches for 2010.

Pearl Harbor Extends Summer Hours

The Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum experienced a doubling of visitors arriving between 9 and 10 a.m and in response will open 90 minutes earlier through Labor Day. The new hours for both Pearl Harbor-area attractions are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Cheap Oahu Hotel Rates

Oahu hotel prices are down 3% from  last year as the island's economic recovery lags.

Hawaiian Airlines Starts Nonstop Maui-to-Vegas Service

Hawaiian Airlines will launch direct service between Maui and Las Vegas starting Oct. 3. This is the carrier's first-ever nonstop flight between the Valley Isle and Sin City.

The twice-weekly flights will depart Kahului Airport on Mondays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. and arrive at McCarran Airport at 4:35 p.m. Return flights to Maui depart Las Vegas on Sundays and Wednesdays at 6:25 p.m. and arrive in Kahului at 9:25 p.m.

Kona Jul 31 - Huggo's Wahine Billfish Tournament

Huggo's Wahine Billfish Tournament is one of the largest ladies fishing tournament in the world. The tournament briefing will be held at Huggo's "On the Rocks" bar on Friday July 30th at 6:00 pm.  The full day of fishing starts Saturday July 31st at 8:00 am, from Kailua Bay. This is a charity event in support of the Family Support Services of West Hawaii. Entry forms can be down loaded at www.huggos.com.

Hertz to Buy Dollar/Thrifty

Pending government approval Hertz Global Holdings will buy the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group for $41 a share, the two rivals announced on Apr 26.

Hertz Advantage Dollar Thrifty would obtain a 26% market share, currently Enterprise Alamo National has around 53% and Avis Budget 20%.

Car rental fees may be going up

Car rental fees at Hawaii airports may be going up under legislation heading for approval in the state Legislature.

The House Finance Committee passed a bill Friday raising daily car rental fees from $1 to $4.50.
The money raised would go toward construction of a $230 million rental car facility at Honolulu International Airport and an overflow vehicle storage facility at Kahului Airport.
Lawmakers and car rental companies say Hawaii's airport car rental facilities have deteriorated and haven't kept pace with facilities throughout the rest of the country.
The measure now advances to the full House.

http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/
800-292-1930

New Alaska Airlines Sacramento-Maui Flights

Alaska Airlines just inaugurated new daily Sacramento-Maui flights till Apr 11th.

Special Promotional Hawaii Car Rental Rates Apr 5 - Jun 15

Cheap rates on economy, compact and mid size car rentals for vehicles picked up between Apr 5 - Jun 15. http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/

Kailua-Kona - July 31 2010 HEALING GARDEN & MANGO FESTIVAL

The 2010 Hawaii Healing Garden & Mango Festival will be held Saturday July 31, 2010 from 10:00am-5:00pm, at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort in Kailua-Kona. Full Schedule

The Festival will feature Healthy & Green services, natural products, and organic goods, massage and health practitioners. A non-profit section will feature community groups & educational presenters. There will be, kids activities, healthy food and family fun, with special focus on a zero waste event.

Wailea Maui Movie Production

Adam Sandler is producing a movie in Wailea in April, "Just Go With It" starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Much of the filming will take place at a Wailea resort over a period of 4-6 weeks.

14th annual Moloka'i to O'ahu Paddleboard Race

This world class race is now confirmed to take place on July 25th. The Ka'iwi Channel is one of the most challenging bodies of water in the world and the Moloka'i to O'ahu title carries international prestige. For more information see www.molokai2oahu.com

Hawaii Biking Directions Now Available on Google

This new service's best results are for Oahu Island. The service takes steep hills into account, as well as bike lanes and bike-friendly streets. Get turn by turn biking directions. See trails and bike lanes directly on the map. Drag and drop points to customize your route.
Google Hawaii Biking

Golden Week Special Offer at Marriott Villas in Hawaii!

Spend a Golden Week in Hawaii and enjoy 35% off at three beautiful Marriott Vacation Club resorts. For stays between April 16 and May 16, 2010, enjoy a Golden Week special discount of 35% off normal rates. for more information see Marriott website.

Maui Voluntourism

Volunteering on Vacation is Maui’s own unique approach to voluntourism. Through Volunteering on Vacation, visitors are matched with volunteer projects that allow them to spend a few hours off the beaten path, to visit remote areas that are often not visited by tourists, to learn about Hawaiian culture and wildlife – and to make a difference on behalf of the environment.
Volunteering on Vacation

Kahului - 2010 Maui Brewers Festival

May 15, 2010, the second annual Maui Brewers Festival will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The host Maui Brewing Co. and other breweries will bring in their craft brew products.

In addition to craft brews, attendees will enjoy local food from many different restaurants and music from several different local bands, all in one ticket price. Tickets to this event will be available through the MACC soon. For more information, visit their website at www.mauiarts.org/special_events.html.

RSVP to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary with Hawaii Cruise

RSVP the company that created the gay and lesbian cruise concept is commemorating its 25th birthday with a Silver Anniversary Cruise in Hawaii.

The seven-day cruise aboard NCL's Pride of America departs Honolulu Oct. 30. It makes calls at Maui, Kauai and the Big Island before returning to Honolulu Nov. 6.

Fares start from $899 see: http://www.rsvpvacations.com/

Alaska Airlines Added Hawaii Flights

Alaska Airlines launched service from San Jose, Calif. to Kahului (thrice-weekly) and Kona (four-times-weekly) on March 12.

Proposed Airport Facility Surcharge Increase of 450%

Proposed Airport Facility Surcharge Increase of 450%

Currently there is a $1.00 per day fee on rentals from Hawaii Airport locations payable to the airport. Proposed legislation would increase this to $4.50 per day effective Aug 1 2010.

Car renters in Hawaii already pay 11.1% for a airport concession fee, some $30 million a year. Plus another $3 per day for the rental vehicle surcharge and the current $1 per day airport facility surcharge plus state taxes.

Car rental companies say nobody has to pay the $4.50 a day facility charge because residents and visitors can avoid it by renting their car from a company with offices outside of the airport. This may work in Honolulu but what about visiting relatives on other islands where all the rental locations are at the airport, locals account for 20% of Hawaii car rentals. Honolulu only accounts for around 25% of Hawaii car rentals.

Most likely the facility surcharge will end being increased to $3.50 per day increasing Hawaii car rental costs up to $500 million a year. Final determination will be by the end of the current legislative session in April.

Oahu - Jellyfish Advisory

Box jellyfish regularly visit certain parts of the Hawaiian Islands. There was an invasion of some 600 of the stinging critters at Waikiki and another 75 at Ala Moana Beach Park yesterday. This invasion should end after today. Their next visit is scheduled Apr 7-9. Jellyfish advisories can be found at http://www.808jellyfish.com/

Nuuanu Pali Lookout begins charging for parking

Visitors arriving by car are being charged a $3 parking fee. The new parking fee is part of Hawaii state government’s “Recreational Renaissance” plan. It’s a new state program aimed at protecting and enhancing the Islands’ natural and cultural assets, while collecting monies for their continued maintenance. Parking fees will be implemented at additional Hawaii state parks later this year

Westjet Airlines announces new Edmonton - Kahului flight

The new service is nonstop between Edmonton and Kahului, Maui. This seasonal route will operate weekly until April 30.

Maui Wowie

This last week lawmakers in the Hawaii Senate approved legislation seeking to decriminalize (replace criminal penalties with civil fines) marijuana possession offenses.

Honolulu - 18th Annual World Fireknife Championships

From May 12 through May 15, dancers of all ages will come together at the Polynesian Cultural Center to amaze the audience with the art of fireknife dancing. This dance is one of the most intense, skillful and beautiful of all Samoan traditions. The dance consists of twirling a sharp knife, with both ends on fire, at high speeds and requires keen precision and acrobatic finesse. For tickets phone (808) 293-3333 or visit
www.polynesia.com

WAILUKU - Friends of reefs getting online home

Coral reef-loving advocacy groups and government agencies are collaborating to simplify ocean monitoring programs in an effort to increase the participation of Maui's "citizen scientists. Residents and visitors can increasingly conduct reef surveys, water-quality measurements and other methods of assisting experts who track the health of Maui's near-shore waters and sea life.

The public is also invited to an educational workshop on the program on Mar 11th 6-8 pm at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 726 S. Kihei Road.

http://coral.org/

Fodor’s Announces New Photo Contest, “Show Us Your Hawaii”

Fodor’s Travel announces the latest in their series of travel photography contests, “Show Us Your Hawaii,” where visitors to Fodors.com will have the opportunity to upload and share their favorite photos of Hawaii with other travelers and the chance to win Fodor’s guides.

Continental Airlines Resumes Flights between Orange County and Hawaii

Continental Airlines is offering four-times-weekly flights between Orange County John Wayne Airport and Maui and daily service to and from Honolulu.

Kohala Coast - KiMOBEAN Announces New Location

KiMOBEAN will open a new espresso cafe this summer at The Shops at Mauna Lani on the Kohala Coast. KiMOBEAN’s dedication to Hawaii, the Aloha Spirit, and a superior cup of Hawaiian coffee perfectly compliments The Shops at Mauna Lani experience

Westjet Airlines announces new Hawaii flights

Canadian Westjet Airlines is offering two new non-stop flights between Calgary, Kahului on Maui and Honolulu on Oahu. Service began this last weekend.

Airline Allegiant

Hawaii will be newest destination for budget airline Allegiant


http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100306/NEWS09/3060345/Hawaii+will+be+newest+destination+for+budget+airline+Allegiant

Dry Hawaii Spring Weather Forecast

Big Island areas have received the most intense drought classification ever. South Kohala and leeward North Kohala are the hardest hit. Measurements recorded the lowest February rainfall totals since 2000. Forecasters are predicting below-normal rainfall for Hawaii through spring.

The dry weather is being attributed to ongoing El Nino conditions that are producing dry and stable weather conditions through the heart of Hawaii's normal wet season.

2010 Longboard Events

The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay have already confirmed six events for 2010

Oahu - TV segment showcaseing Oahu restaurants

The filmed-in-Hawaii episode of the Food Network’s popular TV show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” will premiere at 4 p.m. Hawaii time on Monday, April 5.

Hawaii Cruise Vacation

Hawaii cruise prices are slated for a 7% increase in 2010. If you are
planning a Hawaiian cruise vacation book now before the increases take effect.

For links to Cruise Line companies and car rentals at Hawaiian harbors see Hawaii Cruise Cars

iPhone Reef Fish App

Reef Fish Hawaii new iPhone app features pictures and descriptions for 159 species common in Hawaii.

Book 'em, Danno!

Hawaii Five-O is comming back to TV. Scott Caan has just signed on for the role of  "Danno" Williams on CBS' remake.

Continental Airlines adds Hawaii service

Continental Airlines begins new flights from Los Angeles and Orange County to Maui and Honolulu on Sunday, March 7.

http://www.continental.com/

News Alert - Discount Hawaii Car Rentals

New web posting for: Discount Hawaii Car Rental

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29218-i304-k3448119-Discount_Car_Renta
l_Agencies_legit-Kauai_Hawaii.html

Myrna, Mahalo for your recommendation!

http://forums.trendwest.com/ubb-threads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=4
0504&page=0#Post40504