Josh & Jenn Gampel at the Top of Maui's Mt. Haleakala at Sunrise

I’m always excited to hear from readers who tell me about how much they enjoyed their travels to Hawaii. This past week, at a conference in Las Vegas, I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting Go Visit Hawaii reader Josh Gampel of Onward Search in Connecticut. Josh and his new bride, Jenn, honeymooned on Maui, Oahu, and Kauai in August.

From chatting with Josh, I could tell that he was very happy with choosing Hawaii for his honeymoon. Josh said, “I was amazed and blown away at how beautiful everything was. I lived on the Gold Coast of Australia and thought I had “seen it all” but Hawaii exceeded any expectations I had.”

Josh told me that he read Go Visit Hawaii for months before his trip and found it to be a big help for his honeymoon planning. That’s always music to my ears.

I asked Josh if he had another trip planned to go back to Hawaii. He doesn’t, but he shared a sentiment that I sometimes hear from other Go Visit Hawaii readers who fall in love with Hawaii. Josh said, “I find myself reading your emails and blog even more… Now [after] being there, I like to continually learn about the updates and see what you post.”

I’m willing to bet that there’s a return visit to the Aloha State for Josh and Jenn. I’m thinking one year anniversary on the Big Island.

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If you’ve never visited Hawaii, you’re going to love this new feature from Google Maps.

So, what is it? Well, Google has announced the addition of Hawaii to its Street Views project, meaning you can take a virtual “stroll” around the places you’ve visited, or the places you plan to see some day.

For example, want to be on Waikiki beach while stuck in Chicago? Now you can!

View Larger Map

Or, maybe you want to watch surfers on Oahu’s North Shore. Now you can see what the parking lot looks like–believe me, this will save you doing a lot of U-turns!

View Larger Map
Or perhaps you dream of something more tranquil. How about sitting on a Maui beach looking out on to Molokini?

View Larger Map

(Email subscribers, visit GoVisitHawaii.com to see the virtual tours as they may not show in your email)

If you’re not familiar with how to use Google’s Street View function, basically you need to click on the yellow man figure drag him to the section of the map you want to see. The yellow man figure is at the top of the zoom in and out function on the top left of the map. For more ideas and instructions on using Google Street View click here.

Whether you’re planning your Hawaii vacation, or simply want to relive your past trip–we know we have both types of readers at Go Visit Hawaii–you can thank Google for this virtual slice of paradise!

Go Visit Hawaii Tip: Time to enter the Reader Reward Giveaway Contest ! -The secret message is: Lanai is the pineapple isle.

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* Here’s a lovely little boutique hotel, Hotel Coral Reef, in Kapaa, Kauai that you might want to consider for your next visit to the Garden Isle. Check out their plethora of special offers, including third night free or ocean front suite “eSpecial” of $169 per night. All rooms include free continental breakfast. Bargain!

* It’s kind of hard to believe this Grand Wailea deal for the upcoming winter high season. You can stay at this posh Waldolf Astoria property on Maui for $399 per night, plus free daily breakfast, plus $50 resort credit for every second night (up to $200), and you’ll receive a certificate for future free night with 3 paid nights. The offer is valid on select dates through March, 2010, but you must book by January 31, 2010. If you are a “pool person”, you’ll love this resort.

* The gorgeous Kauai Marriott Resort has a special offer of $189 for an ocean view room for travel through December 24, 2009. If you prefer to travel to travel between January 3 – 31, 2010, you’ll pay just $20 more per night. (See my review of Kauai Marriott Resort.)

* The new Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk just opened their doors. Here’s a link to their special offers.The hotel is located behind the Outrigger Reef on the Beach and beside of Fort DeRussey. The photos of the resort make it appear to be ocean front-ish, but it’s not.

* Following its inaugural flight from Oakland to Hawaii on November 9, Alaska Airlines announced the addition of three new direct routes to Hawaii from San Jose and Sacramento in California. Beginning March 2010, flights from San Jose and Kahului (Maui) will operate three times weekly, while flights from San Jose and Kona (Hawaii’s Big Island) will run four times a week. In addition to the San Jose flights, a daily flight from Sacramento and Kahului will strengthen Alaska Air’s presence in the Hawaii transpacific air market. Our friends at FareCompare have shared a 10% off promotional code (EC2513) with Alaska Airlines.

* The new 4-D movie theater opens at the Shops at Mauna Lani this Friday. What’s 4-D? Well, it’s a simulated “ride” on a windscreen projected from twin, high-definition digital projectors. “The on-screen action is synchronized with full-range motion seats, a 2500W 5.1 DTS surround sound system and in-theater “4-D” effects, such as blown air and water spray, for a complete multi-sensory experience.” Depending on what’s playing I may have to check it out when I visit in January.

* What? I’ve not told you I’m going back to Hawaii…again? I must confess, that yes, I am returning to the 50th State. We’ll be starting on Lana’i for some relaxation, whale and dolphin watching, and pampering. Then we’re headed back to the Big Island for some lava viewing, whale watching, snorkeling, and much more!  This time, my sister and brother-in-law will be coming along for part of the trip. I can’t want to see their expressions as they experience Hawaii for the first time.

Go Visit Hawaii Tip: Time to enter the Reader Reward Giveaway Contest ! -The secret message is: Lanai is the pineapple isle.

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Whether you’re a surfer or a surfer-admirer, like myself, you’ll enjoy watching the experts power through the big waves of Oahu’s North Shore at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.This competition is the most prestigious surfing event in the world.

Please be warned that watching these events can become very addicting. When Andy and I caught a surfing competition at the famous Pipeline of Ehukai Beach back in February, we could hardly tear ourselves away.

From the above banner, you can see the dates for the three competitions. You can also check this page to find the status of the latest events. The waves haven’t been high enough in recent days, but a swell is predicted to hit the North Shore today.

Surfer at Ehukai Beach

Not on Oahu? No problem! You can watch the events live as they happen from your computer. Use this link to access the live stream. Just make note of the time difference between your home and Hawaii as you take a peek at the events.

Be sure to explore the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing videos and photos for more great stuff on Oahu’s North Shore during surfing season. The North Shore definitely takes on a completely different atmosphere when the big waves are on this time of year. I love it!

If you’re looking for a 5-star luxury vacation in Hawaii, then be sure to check out the newly renovated St. Regis Princeville on the lush island of Kauai. Formally known as the Princeville Resort, it underwent a major renovation in 2009 to transform it from a rich, Asian motif to more natural Hawaiian surroundings with Koa wood and original island artwork. They also brought everything from service to amenities up to the St. Regis standards, which will continually have you saying ”WOW”.

The “experience” of the St. Regis Princeville starts as soon as you pull up to the resort. Upon arriving at the front door, you’re welcomed by name and with a lei greeting and then personally escorted in to someone who is ready to check you in. You actually sit at a desk (rather than standing) and are given very personal treatment. St. Regis Princeville truly nailed the entire check-in process…it’s simply perfect!

Premium Ocean View Room (photo via StRegisPrinceville.com)

There are a variety of rooms to choose from of various sizes along with ocean or island views. The room we stayed in was a Premium Ocean View room with a breathtaking view of Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai. With this view, we were determined to change the state’s name to HaWOWii! The windows completely open up to give you a fully unobstructed view from which you can take some amazing pictures…especially at sunset, which can be phenomenal as the sun typically sets behind the Bali Hai mountain.

St. Regis literally thought of just about everything when it comes to the rooms. Rather than a simple “do not disturb” or “service please” sign to hang on the door, they instead have a digital panel that you press inside your room and it lights up on the outside for them to see. No worries of kids stealing signs or turning them around for surprise visits in the morning! The rooms even have suitcase stands that you lay the cases on so that they sit waist high for easy access. Also, rooms include large TVs, ipod docking stations, a dvd player, and other gadgets. They literally thought of just about everything!

The feature that will most likely have you saying “WOW” is the privacy screen in the bathrooms. There is a large, see-through window that separates the shower from the rest of the room, but with a flick of a switch, the window turns an opaque white from which you can only see shadows through. So you can essentially shower while looking through the window at the incredible view….or you can just kep an eye on your kids! Amazing concept!

St. Regis Princeville offers numerous amenities available:

• Full-service spa
• Exercise room
• Snack café
• Concierge
• Swimming pool / hot tub / hammocks
• Children’s areas
• Multiple restaurants
• and more…

Sunset View From St. Regis Princeville Resort (photo via StRegisPrinceville.com)

As for dining, the Makana Terrace offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tables inside or outside that look out over Hanalei Bay and the beautiful Bali Hai. The buffet breakfast is arguably the best on the island offering numerous choices of island fruit, drinks, pastries, nuts, etc. It runs about $25 per person, but the food selection and quality is top notch and the view absolutely cannot be beat. Dinner at the Makana Terrace offers the opportunity to see an amazing sunset, but be sure to ask when sunset is and get reservations around that for the best experience. While dinner at the Makana Terrace is nice, we feel the breakfast wins out as far as the food goes…it really is that good!

If you have any questions at all, be sure to ask a concierge as they are extremely knowledgeable of the area and can help you with just about anything. Whether you need advice for dinner reservations or simply need directions, they are available during the day for you.

St. Regis Princeville has really set the bar for luxury resorts in Hawaii. Combined with the lush, tropical paradise of Kauai, this is the perfect place for honeymoons, anniversaries, romantic retreats, etc. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest the St. Regis for families with children as there are other resorts that are more “child-friendly” available in the Poipu area. But if you’re looking for a luxury resort to spend with a loved one or even some friends, be sure to put the St. Regis Princeville at the top of your list! You’ll see why we are now calling it HaWOWii!!

The St. Regis Princeville Resort

5520 Kahaku Road, Kauai, HI

(808) 826-9644

http://www.stregisprinceville.com

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A note from Sheila: See their special offers page. This current deal is especially enticing: “Rates from $345 per night. Available for stays all days of the week. Book by November 17 for stays now – April 25, 2010. Book online, or call 866-924-8704 and reference rate plan SETJLTO with special number 383511. Blackout dates may apply.”

Have you stayed at the St. Regis Princeville? How was your stay?

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If you live far away from Hawaii and your longing for a taste of the islands, consider ordering a Hawaiian Happy Cake. These moist and golden pineapple, macadamia nut and coconut cakes are crazy good!

Andy and I shared a mini-happy cake for breakfast one morning from a Waikiki hotel lanai. We quickly fell in love with this cake. After we ate our slices, we scrounged and fought for crumbs.

Unfortunately, these cakes are not light on the wallet. For example, their 2 lbs. Original Happy Cake is $34.95 plus the least expensive shipping option is $10.95. I have signed up for their newsletter and from time to time they have special deals. I’ll let you know the next time I learn of a deal. (If you like, sign up for their newsletter here.)  I’m hoping they’ll have a deal soon because I’d like to order a cake to share with my family at Christmas.

If you are on Oahu, you can find Happy Cakes at these locations:

• Waikiki – Kimo Bean Coffee Shops in the Hyatt, Ohana East, and Wyland Hotels
• Also now at Kimo Bean Coffee Shops’ new café at 2113 Kalakaua(Kalakaua/Saratoga) next to Eggs’n Things.
• Dole Plantation
• Red Pineapple at Ward Centre
• The Pearl Harbor, Hickam and Schofield Commissaries
• Marukai Wholesale Mart Dillingham & Ward
• KCC Farmer’s Market (1st Saturday every month)

I must thank my Hawaii foodie friend, Melissa Chang, for introducing me to Happy Cakes. Mahalo, Melissa, for sharing this onolicious slice of happiness!

Just a reminder, I am not compensated for my recommendations here at Go Visit Hawaii. I do not have a  business relationship with Happy Cakes.

Have you tried Happy Cake? Did you also fall in love with them?

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Pineapple Field off Highway 99

As you plan your Oahu vacation, I hope you’ll have some time to drive around Central Oahu as it has some unique scenery. Central Oahu is rich farmland nestled between the Waianae and the Koolau mountain ranges.

Just a simple drive through the area in between Haleiwa and Honolulu offers interesting views of pineapple, coffee, and sugar cane fields. In addition, there are a couple of spots worth a brief visit. Those two stops are:

• Kukaniloko Hawaiian Birthing Stones – These historic stones and the surrounding area were set aside as a sacred place for chiefs and chiefesses to give birth. See my article for directions and details on visiting this peaceful and spiritual place.
• Dole Plantation – Let me preface this suggestion by first letting you know that the Dole Plantation is definitely a tourist trap, but a tourist trap you’ll most likely enjoy. At Dole Plantation, you’ll find a pineapple-shaped maze, a narrated train ride, and a garden tour – all for a fee. My favorite part is is free. It’s the pineapple garden featuring many varieties of pineapples and several pineapple information placards. In addition, there’s a great gift shop and cafe where you can purchase all sorts of pineapple treats. My favorite treat is the DoleWhip which is a refreshing frozen pineapple delight. The Dole Plantation offers a little bit of every thing to suit all ages. It’s open every day from 9:30am to 5:00pm with the exception of  Christmas Day. The visitors center is located at 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 99).

Central Oahu is located about 40 minutes away from Waikiki Beach. From Waikiki Beach, central Oahu is located on your way to Haleiwa and Oahu’s famous North Shore beaches.

See more of our photos from central Oahu. Have you been to Central Oahu? Did you stop at either the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones or Dole Plantation? What did you think? In your opinion, was it worth the visit or not?

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Image from HawaiianAirlines.com

It was 80 years ago today that Hawaiian Airlines’ first took their to the air. Two eight-passenger amphibian planes carried passengers from Honolulu’s John Rodgers Airport to Maui and the Big Island that day. Read all about Hawaiian Airlines’ history here.

To celebrate their birthday, Hawaiian Airlines is giving every HawaiianMiles member 80 free miles or an $80 E-Certificate towards a flight between Hawaii and the Mainland U.S. Everyone will receive 80 miles just for registering and every 80th person to register will receive an $80 E-Certificate in place of the miles. See all the details of this offer here. If you aren’t a HawaiianMiles member, it’s quick, free, and easy to become one with this link.

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If you are going to the Big Island to see the lava flow, be sure and read my advice and tips:

• Advice for viewing the Big Island lava flow
• How to find out what’s going on with the lava flow on Hawaii’s Big Island

These new lava ocean entry points are very exciting! I’m going to be on the Big Island in early January and I’m hoping to see some similar sights. Hey volcanochaser, in case you’re reading this post, I’d like to ask a question — may Andy & I tag along with you, please?

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Queen's Bath (Photo credit to operacook via WikiMedia Commons)

One afternoon on our first visit to Kauai, we set out to find Queen’s Bath, a natural lava-formed swimming pool, in the Princeville area. After finding the wooded path, we embarked on this short walk towards the ocean.

Two key pieces of evidence I should share:

1. Since we’d spent most of that day beach hopping, we weren’t wearing mosquito repellent.
2. We followed our guidebook’s instructions for where to park to access to the trail. We didn’t know we were going to be traipsing through a jungle. Per the instructions, we had pictured an open path.

If I remember correctly, the walk should have only taken us about ten minutes. The path wasn’t particularly difficult but there were some points where we had to slow down and be careful with our footing, especially since we were wearing flip-flops.

We were about five minutes into this short trek when we had to slow down to cross over a gap and a log. Andy went across first so that he could then help me. As he was navigating through this mini-obstacle, I happened to notice about a half dozen or so flying bugs buzzing around a Andy’s legs. Upon a closer look, I could tell that they were mosquitoes and they were having a feast! I immediately warned Andy, then looked down at my own legs, which had just become a lavish mosquito buffet. Ugg!

We quickly tried slapping the mosquitoes away, but as you can imagine that was not successful. We had to make a quick decision – do we persevere and find Queen’s Bath or make a run back to the rental car? Though, we were only five minutes away from Queen’s Bath, we made a run for the car.

Once we got out of the woods, we assessed the damage. We were sporting some nice, polka dots on our arms and legs.

We resisted the urge to scratch the itching while we drove to our accommodation. The first thing we did when we got through the door, was find the Benadryl stick. We took turns dabbing the bites for some relief.

We learned two important lessons that we’ll never forget:

• Don’t got into a wooded area in Hawaii without mosquito repellent. (See this post on mosquito repellent alternatives.)
• Bring an anti-itch ointment or solution in our small backpack that we use for our short adventures. We prefer Benadryl stick.

And would you believe we’ve never made it to Queen’s Bath?

Have you been attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes? What are you’re favorite products to repel mosquitoes them and to stop itching?

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With fear and some reluctance, my friend Nathan Kam flew over to Maui from his Oahu home to experience ziplining for the first time. I followed his day of adventure via his twitter account. Nathan didn’t just try one zipline course, he tried Skyline Eco Adventures’ two  courses (Kaanapali and Haleakala) in the same day. That was thirteen zips in one day! Way to kick your fear’s butt, Nathan!

Nathan posted a video of his experiences which I thought gives you a great idea of what ziplining is like. Check it out! (Email subscribers, please click here to access the video.)

I had my own zipline experience on Kauai that I too feared, but found to be absolutely exhilarating. I felt like a kid, with a daredevil alter ego.

If you meet the age and physical requirements, I highly recommend you give Hawaii’s ziplines a try. Here are some ziplining tips:

• You’ll find ziplines on the islands of Kauai, Maui and later this month (November 2009), the Big Island will have its first zipline.
• Each zipline company has different age and weight requirements. For example, when I took the Princeville Ranch Zip n’ Dip tour, there requirements were that you must weigh between 80 and 280 pounds and be age 12 or older.
• You need to be in average or better physical condition to zip.  You can’t zip if you’ve had recent injuries or surgeries.  Expectant mothers shouldn’t  zip either.
• You probably shouldn’t have an extreme fear of heights.
• You should wear sunscreen and mosquito repellant.
• Bring water, 16-oz per person is recommended.
• You should wear shorts that are mid-thigh length or longer.
• Since you’ll need to run on to the ramps at the end of each zipline, you should wear sneakers or something similar.
• Bring a hat
• If you have long hair, bring something to tie your hair back.
• Bring a small backpack to store your water, wallet, cameras, etc when you zip.
• Be prepared for the possibility of rain. Tours will operate rain or shine. Actually, we experienced rain on our tour. We were wearing quick drying clothes.
• Have fun with it. Give your lungs a workout as you zip across these isolate ravines. Andy and I enjoyed practicing our Tarzan yells.

Have you ziplined in Hawaii? How was your experience? What additional advice would you like to pass along?

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If you are going to be on Oahu for Thanksgiving, then you’ll find several opportunities to celebrate the day with a bit of tradition and Aloha.  Here’s a great collection of special Thanksgiving dinners, buffets, parades, and celebrations going on Thursday, November 26, 2009.

Oceanarium Restaurant at the Pacific Beach Hotel – For a unique setting, consider having Thanksgiving with the fishes in the Oceanarium Restaurant with their large saltwater aquarium. Oceanarium Restaurant will offer Thanksgiving Day brunch and dinner buffets. See their brunch menu here which costs $36 for adults and $13.95 for children. Brunch will be served from 9am until 3pm. Their dinner buffet menu will be served from 4pm until 10pm with a price of $41.95 for adults and $15.25 for children.

The Royal Hawaiian, that famous “pink lady of Waikiki”, has an afternoon Thanksgiving buffet planned for the Monarch dining room. In addition to the buffet, guests will also enjoy Hawaiian entertainment. The cost of the buffet is $88 for adults and $44 for children. Note that children ages 4 years and younger eat free. This buffet will be offered from 3pm to 5pm and if you’re driving there, free parking is included with the buffet. See this link for the menu and contact details on how to make a reservation.

Waikiki Beach Walk, Outrigger, and Ohana Resort restaurants will have many special Thanksgiving meal options. See this link for the complete listing. If you’re trying to stretch your budget, notice the Harvest Roast Turkey Dinner for $9.95 at IHOP at OHANA Waikiki Malia.

Hanohano at the Sheraton Waikiki will offer a four-course “from farm to table” Thanksgiving dinner from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. I’ll keep an eye open to see if they post a link to the special Thanksgiving dinner. The special menu includes soup, salad, entree, and dessert with all the traditional Thanksgiving ingredients, but with a sophisticated Hawaii twist. For example, the entree is: Herb Roasted Smoked Turkey with 3 Hamakua Mushroom, Maui Onion and Chestnut Stuffing Roasted Fall Vegetables, Big Island White Honey Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Apricot and Cranberries, Giblet Gravy, Yukon Gold Potato Puree, and Pancetta Brussel Sprouts. The cost for the Thanksgiving menu is $85 ($110 with wine pairings) per person plus tax and gratuity. The Twist at Hanohano will also offer their standard three-course menu priced from $65 per person. As you know, I’m a big fan of the view from Hanohano. (Psst: my advice is to reserve a table near the window on the Diamond Head side of the restaurant.) Fancy some Thanksgiving dancing?  The dynamic swing band Hot Club of Hulaville will perform from 7:30 to 10pm. For reservations or more information, please call the dining desk at 808-921-4600 or send an email to tdrc.hawaii@starwoodhotels.com.

Kai Market, also at the Sheraton Waikiki, will offer a more family-friendly Thanksgiving brunch and dinner option. Kai Market’s Thanksgiving Day brunch is open from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. Prices are $49 for adults, $15 for children 6-12 years old; children 5 years and younger eat free, one child per paying adult. I will link to the menu when it becomes available online. The restaurant opens again from 5:00pm to 9:30pm for Plantation Nights Thanksgiving Day Dinner Table. Prices for dinner are $55 for adults, $15 for children 6-12 years old; children 5 years and younger eat free, one child per paying adult. For more information about Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii please visit Starwoodhawaii.com or call 1-866-716-8140.

Bali Steak & Seafood at the Hilton Hawaiian Village presents a four-course dinner with all the trimmings.  It starts with a smoked duck salad with toasted walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette, followed by a roast kabocha soup with lemongrass.  Diners can choose between three entrees:  roast turkey with sausage stuffing and Molokai sweet potatoes and Hamakua mushrooms with cranberry chutney and gravey; or seared Pacific snapper with butternut squash risotto; or grilled tenderloin of beef with whipped Yukon potatoes.  The evening ends with a trio of Thanksgiving desserts:  pumpkin crème brule, pecan tart and cranberry cheesecake.  Bali’s Thanksgiving dinner is $75 for adults and $45 for children under the age of 12. Call 808-949-4321 for reservations and more information.

Tropics Bar & Grill at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will celebrate its first Thanksgiving after opening this summer on the ground floor of Alii Tower.  On Thanksgiving, Chef Shannon Olvera and her team are offering a three-course meal that goes well with football on Tropics’ four flat-screen televisions.  The menu starts with a choice between butternut squash cream soup and tossed Tropics fall salad with Waimanalo greens, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts with mango ranch dressing.  Diners will then have a choice of entrée that will also come with roasted pineapple bread stuffing and mashed potatoes:  citrus and sage brined roast turkey; rosemary roast pork; or grilled salmon with caper tomato supreme sauce.  The dessert is a pumpkin pie tart with whipped cream.  Tropics’ Thanksgiving meal is $48 for adults and $28 for children under the age of 12. Call 808-949-4321 for more information.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House will offer a special New Orleans-inspired Thanksgiving menu starting at 5pm. The menu includes choice of soup or salad, traditional oven roasted turkey with cornbread Andouille stuffing, and all the traditional sides. For dessert, you can choose between pumpkin cheesecake or sweet potato pie ala mode. This three course dinner is priced at $45 for adults and $19 for children. For reservations in Waikiki, call 808-440-7910.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener will feature a special turkey dinner from 11am until 10:30pm. The dinner features slices of turkey plus all the traditional sides and a slice of pumpkin pie for $34.95. Reserve by calling 808-922-3600 or reserve online with OpenTable.

Embassy Suites at Waikiki Beach Walk offers a very good value buffet. This Thanksgiving buffet will include items liek  guava-glazed sweet potatoes with toasted coconut, pumpkin soup with brandy and oven-roasted turkey with cranberry-ginger chutney. The resort will be hosting this celebratory feast on November 26, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on its Grand Lanai at just $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for kids ages 6 to 12. Kid under five years old are free with each adult paid buffet. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the resort at 808-921-2345.

The Beachhouse at the Westin Moana will feature a three-course tasting Thanksgiving dinner menu from 5:30pm to 9pm. Here is a link to the menu.  The cost is $65 for adults and $35 per child. You’ll have lots of options as you’ll be able to order a la carte and a special child’s (keiki) menu will be provided. For reservations or more information, please contact the Starwood dining desk at 808-921-4600 or e-mail tdrc.hawaii@starwoodhotels.com Also, see this link for more information on The Beachhouse.

Lani Kai at the Westin Moana Surfrider will prepare a huge buffet spread with island favorites like ahi poke as well as traditional roast turkey and dressing. The buffet will include separate stations for appetizers, hot and cold entrees and desserts. See the complete menu here. The buffet will be open from 3:00pm to 8:00pm and the cost is $75 for adults and $45 for children ages 6 to 12. Entertainment will be provided by a strolling Hawaiian Trio Hala’i from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. For reservations or more information, please contact the Starwood dining desk at 808-921-4600 or e-mail tdrc.hawaii@starwoodhotels.com

Thanksgiving Meals To-Go
If your accommodations offer cooking facilities, you might be interested in these economical heat and eat Thanksgiving to-go options.

• Pacific Beach Hotel Catering offers Wiki-Turkey Take-Out Banquet that can be prepared in two “easy” hours. For $89 you can heat and assemble a traditional thanksgiving feast for six to eight. See more about the menu and ordering details, click here.
• Zippy’s offers a couple of different traditional Thanksgiving meals to go starting at $36.95 for a meal that serves four people. See this link for the ordering options and details.

The 35th Annual Turkey Trot will give you a chance to burn off those Thanksgiving calories before you eat them with a 10-mile run on Thanksgiving morning. Registration is at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand at 6:30am and the run begins as soon as all are registered, so participants are advised to arrive early. Each runner will predict their finish time. At the finish line, their predicted time is compared to their actual finish.  Awards will be given to those coming closest to their own predicted finish time; also, there will be random drawings of finisher names for door prizes. Entry fee is $3; no watches, headphones, or pacing devices are allowed. For more details see this link.

11th Annual Waikiki Holiday Parade marches through Waikiki on Friday, November 27. The parade commemorates Pearl Harbor Survivors and the anniversary of the attacks. The parade starts at 7:00pm and will feature thousands of marchers, vehicles and bands from all over the US. The parade starts at Fort DeRussy and follows Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park. For more information, see this link.

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I will keep this list updated as I discover new options and details. So, if you’ve not already made your plans, do check back for more options. Several other resorts will also have a special meal for the day, so also check with the concierge of your accommodation for their options. Happy Thanksgiving!

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* November and December have always been really quiet and economical times to visit Hawaii, with the obvious exceptions of the days around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. TravelZoo.com has a great list of hotel deals on all the major islands. There’s too many deals to list, so check it out here.

* From our series on the best Hawaii restaurants, we were fortunate to have Oahu residents, Dave and Alice, provide a very detailed list of their favorite Oahu restaurants. Dave and Alice recommend the Oceanarium Restaurant in Waikiki for the best buffet. I found a great 25% off coupon here that’s valid through December 15, 2009.

* I found the Oceanarium coupon through eCouponsHawaii.com, which usually has a handful of coupons to help us visitors save a bit of cash. See my post: Hawaii Vacation Coupons and Discounts for more information.

This surfing-themed prize pack includes:

• Set of 10 gorgeous vintage Hawaiian surf postcards to send to your friends or frame them for a little Aloha for your walls.
• A surfing gecko luggage tag
• A stack of surfboards in the sand  “stick n notes” (post-it notes) that were designed in Hawaii.

The contest requirements are simple.  Here’s how to enter:

1.  First you must be a subscriber to Go Visit Hawaii’s free daily updates via e-mail and/or RSS.  Only subscribers will be able to see the secret message.  If you aren’t sure how to subscribe for the free updates, see these simple steps.

2.  Look for randomly issued secret messages near the bottom of the individual article/posts.  Multiple secret messages will be issued. With each message you find, submit it for a new entry.  The secret messages will say something along the lines of:  “Go Visit Hawaii Tip:  Time to enter the contest.  The secret message is _______.”

3.  When you see the secret message.  Use the contact form at the bottom of my about Go Visit Hawaii page to send me your name, email address, and the secret message

4.  All entries must be received by November 30, 2009.

5.  As a thank you to the nice bloggers who may blog about this contest, they will get an entry for blogging about the contest.  Please contact me with a link to your post.

So, watch for the secret messages and good luck!

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If you’ve ever wanted to swim with dolphins in open water, you’ll have an excellent chance of doing just that when you visit Lana’i’s beautiful Hulopoe Beach. Pods of spinner dolphins come to the protected bay waters almost daily and often several times each day.

While relaxing on the sand and soaking up the soothing sounds of the waves crashing at  Hulopoe Beach, Andy and I admired the dolphins as they frolicked in the bay. We observed other visitors swimming out towards the dolphins and allowing them to swim past. These visitors would come back to the shore shrieking with excitement from the experience.

You know that I’ve confessed many times that I’m a big chicken in the sea. As I observed others having so much fun swimming with the dolphins, I wanted to join in the fun, but I was having to work up my nerve. Eventually, I became brave enough to give it a try. After picking up snorkel gear, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and dove it the water.

While trying to work up the nerve to get in the water, I must have wasted too much time. We swam out towards the area where we had seen dolphins, but we must have been too late to the party. Alas, they were gone!

With our snorkel masks on, Andy and I swam side by side while pointing out beautiful fish. We came across a large section of a sandy bottom and didn’t see any fish for a while. That was until I spotted a six-foot shark hovering on the bottom approximately 10 feet away. I still don’t know how I reacted so calmly, but I tapped Andy on the arm and pointed to the shark. Though I was freaking out inside, I was remaining calm on the outside. Without even stopping to discuss the situation, Andy and I immediately began to swim back to shore.

The shark didn’t even seem to notice us and definitely didn’t bother us. In a way, I’m glad that happened. One of my fears of snorkeling is encountering a shark. Now that I met the fear and it was such a non-issue, I think I’ll feel a bit more confident the next time I snorkel.

Have you had any shark encounters while snorkeling in Hawaii?

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This post is part of a series of Hawaii vacation mishaps. See the entire collection of our misadventure chronicles.

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* Just a reminder — though you may have adjusted your clock back one hour this past weekend, Hawaii time remains the same year round.

* The Village People will be playing at this years New Years Eve party and concert at the Sheraton Waikiki. I’ll post the details when they’re available.

* I was sad to read that the Big Island’s Parker Ranch will be shutting down all their tours. (Source)

* I’ve been holding back this next tidbit for quite a while. I figured that since we’ve just celebrated Halloween and you’ve seen lots of scary ghosts and goblins over the weekend, perhaps you won’t be so frightened to see me interviewed in a video clip. Our local CBS affiliate, WRAL, filmed a segment on avoiding credit card foreign transaction fees. It’s a good idea to be aware of these very sneaky fees, especially if you are traveling outside of the US. By the way, I’ve considered many scenarios and I can’t think of an instance where these credit card foreign transaction fees would apply to Hawaii travel for US credit card holders.

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In the Poipu area of Kauai, you will find an impressive blowhole called Spouting Horn. A blowhole forms at the end of a lava tube and as waves crash in, water goes into the tube and it builds up pressure to blow the water back out. The spouts of water can reach up to 50 feet high. Not only does the blowhole create an impressive display, but it also makes interesting sound effects as well.

This brief video from You Tube gives you an idea of how Spouting Horn looks and sounds. Email subscribers, please click here to watch the video. (Video credit to miinaba):

The Hawaiian legend of how Spouting Horn began is interesting. Here’s how it goes per the Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau’s web site:

Ancient Hawaiians believed this coastline was once guarded by a giant moo (lizard). Everyone was afraid of the moo because it would eat anyone who tried to fish or swim in the area. One day a man named Liko entered the ocean. The moo went to attack him but Liko quickly swam under the lava shelf and escaped through a small hole to the surface. The large moo followed him and got himself stuck in the lava tube. To this day, you can hear the lizard’s groan and see his breath spraying from the hole.

See more of our photos of Spouting Horn. To find Spouting Horn on a Google Map, click here. It is very easy to find and access.

Have you been to Spouting Horn? What did you think of it?

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Isn’t it incredible that the lava burns the asphalt with such ease? There’s no way a speed bump would stop a lava flow from going where it wants to go. What an amazing force!

Note that this video was just filmed this past Saturday. The brave camera person, volcanochaser, got much closer to the lava than what us amateurs should do. Please keep a safe distance and see my tips for watching the lava flow.

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Giant (Spider) Lily

* A brand new zip line is due to open on the Big Island in November. Zip Isle will be the first zip line adventure tour to open on the Big Island. From their Web site, it appears that they’ll begin operating November 23rd and the rate is $87 per person. Zip Isle is located northwest of Hilo at the World Botanical Gardens and Umauma Falls.

* Want to visit Hawaii and volunteer, too? Preserve Hawaii lists some excellent volunteer opportunities. (Hat tip to Dave)

* Aqua Hotels & Resorts will take over management of the [Hilton] Kauai Beach Resort as of January 1, 2010, per the Pacific Business Journal.  It seems like there’s been quite a few hotel management changes in Hawaii this year, doesn’t it?

* TravelZoo just released this 10-night New Years Eve Hawaii land and cruise deal for $999 per person. That would be an excellent way to ring in 2010.

* Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice 2009 Awards named Maui and Kauai the best islands in the world. The Big Island, Oahu and Lana’i were listed among the top 10 Pacific Islands. Three Four Seasons Hawaii hotels were named to the esteemed top 100 list. Those Four Seasons resorts are on Maui, the Big Island and Lana’i (Koele Lodge). No surprises here!

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Team Outrigger Canoe Club on Molokai to Oahu Crossing. Monica is wearing a white hat and is in the third seat.

I was really curious about what it takes to race outrigger canoes and Monica was nice enough to answer my questions. Here’s are some of the highlights of what she shared:

We begin training in May and regatta races (i.e. sprinting races) start in June. The distance is from ½ mile to 1.5 miles depending on the division you race. They have age group divisions and then novice divisions (for new paddlers) and then open races for more advanced paddlers. Every weekend crews paddle in races and the sprint season ends with State championships, this year in Hilo Bay on the Big Island. Long distance season starts after this in August.

Women are allowed 10 people per crew and men can have 9. There are 6 seats in a boat so we have an escort boat and do water changes mid-race. This means the escort boat will speed ahead of the canoe and drop 2-3 people in the water. The canoe will paddle up to the people treading water and 2-3 people will jump out on one side and then the incoming fresh paddlers climb in on the other.

Hawaii’s waters can be quite rough at times and definitely not suited for a canoe full of novice paddlers. So I asked Monica for her suggestions for how a visitor might get a taste for paddling. Monica recommended Waikiki Beach Services on Oahu. She says that a professional steersman sits in the back plus one other strong paddler and they’ll take out a group of four people to catch some sun and surf. Monica added, “This is a great way [for a visitor] to get a taste of the sport and see Waikiki from a new perspective.” Sounds like fun to me!

Mahalo to Monica for sharing her insights, photos and advice with us!

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