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NEWSLETTER
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October
Newsletter
I Ain’t ‘Fraid Of No Oahu Ghost Tour
by Brandon Inada
Alright, alright, Oahu Ghost
Tours operates year-round, but really what better time than right before Halloween
to go on a terrifically terrifying tour of the most haunted areas in Hawaii?
Oahu Ghost Tours has been
scaring the bejeezus out of locals and visitors alike since 1999. There
are several tours to choose from, but the nighttime tours are the ones you should
check out for some genuine creepy-crawly “chicken-skin” moments!
(By the way, “chicken-skin,” a local expression, means the same thing as
“goosebumps.”)
Take a walk through Downtown Honolulu at night and check out the “Honolulu
City Haunts!” You’ll pass by the State Capitol Building where all sorts
of weird supernatural phenomena have been known to occur in the dead of night
(and no, we don’t mean late-night legislative sessions!), historic Iolani Palace,
the former residence of Hawaii’s monarchy (also haunted?), and visit the site
of a terrible modern day murder (scary)!
The “Orbs Of Oahu” driving
tour takes you out to some of the most frightening spots on the island – Morgan’s
Corner, the Old Pali Road, and more – places that figure prominently in the
spooky stories and spine-tingling legends that every local resident heard as
a little kid growing up in the islands. (To tell you any more would spoil
the fun!)
Sounds intriguing? Check
out Oahu Ghost Tours available here and on their official website here.
Halloween’s fast approaching,
so sign up now for a fun, informative, and downright spooky time courtesy of
Oahu Ghost Tours!
And The Award For “Most Happening Halloween Hotspot in Hawaii” Goes To…
Drum roll, please…
Lahaina, on the island of
Maui!
Wait a second! What about Waikiki?
Well, this may come as a shock to you, but the largest Halloween celebration
in the state of Hawaii isn’t in Waikiki (although it does get pretty crazy Halloween
night!); instead top honors goes to Lahaina, where literally tens of thousands
of spirited Halloween revelers turn up in costume to par-tay!
Thinking about joining in the fun? Well, we’ve gathered together
some helpful pointers for those of you who have yet to experience Halloween
in Lahaina.
First of all, you want to be sure to head out early to avoid traffic and
also to find parking (understandably scarce on Halloween night – go figure).
Festivities begin at 4:30 in the afternoon with the annual Children’s Costume
Parade down historic Front Street in Lahaina. (Every year Front Street
is closed to vehicular traffic from 3:30 to 11:30 p.m.) If you’re early,
you should be able to nab a prime viewing spot curbside as kids of all ages
take to the street in search of Halloween treats. Take candy and other
goodies for the Trick-Or-Treaters, and don’t forget to pack your camera and
bring lots of film (or free up some memory, as the case may be).
If you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of restaurants all along Front
Street, but be prepared for a wait as Halloween night in Lahaina is one of the
busiest nights of the year. If you’d rather not wait in line for a sit-down
meal, there are food and beverage booths at Banyan Tree Square for you to check
out and live music for you to enjoy as well!
That’s not all! Later on, the fun continues with an all-night costume
contest, this time for the big kids. Every year the costumes get more
and more creative, not to mention, elaborate too! Every year, folks from
all around spend a lot of money and invest a lot of time into making their costumes
for the big event. Make sure you dress up too! Think you’ve got
what it takes to win? Take to the stage and compete for the $1,000 grand
prize! (Not too shabby for a Halloween costume contest, right?)
After dark, it’s probably best to take the kids home as the party tends to
get a little rowdy with drunken party-goers and revealing and/or risqué costumes;
they don’t call it “The Mardi Gras of the Pacific” for nothing!
The event in Lahaina is free to attend, although the bars and even some of
the restaurants in the area do charge a cover which can make bar-hopping an
expensive proposition. With all the revelers out and about, lines can
get pretty long, and towards the end of the night? Forget about it! Our
advice? Try to pick a spot early on in the night, preferably one of the
second story bars or restaurants as they offer a splendid view of the costumed
craziness down below.
Last, but certainly not least, if you are going to party, do so responsibly!
A lot of party-goers arrange to spend the night in West Maui in nearby
Ka’anapali and Kapalua. Sure beats getting pulled over, or worse, getting
into an accident!
So Much To Do, So Little Time!
Of course, there are all the usual Halloween festivities going on in Hawaii
- family-friendly type stuff like haunted houses, pumpkin carving contests,
and trick-or-treating at shopping malls and in neighborhoods statewide!
September
Newsletter
Superferry
Returns
by Brandon Inada
Well, friends, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding
the Superferry since its headline-making debut a few weeks ago,
so it seemed a brief update might be in order.
(In case you missed it the first time, you can click here to
check out the article in June’s edition of the newsletter.)
Now in case you haven’t heard, the Superferry, Hawaii’s first
inter-island passenger-vehicle ferry service, ran into a pretty
big snag on its maiden voyage to Nawiliwili Harbor on the island
of Kauai. There, hundreds of protesters greeted the Superferry
waving signs and chanting. Some of the more daring protestors
went out on surfboards and canoes (a few even swam) and physically
blocked the ferry’s arrival, thus necessitating the intervention
of the Coast Guard. As some locals might say, “Unreal, yeah?”
So why all the commotion?
A week prior to the incident, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled
that the operators of the Superferry needed to have an environmental
impact assessment conducted even though the company had previously
fulfilled all the necessary legal requirements to begin operations.
The folks at Hawaii Superferry opted to move forward, ahead
of schedule, a decision which undoubtedly generated increased ill-will
amongst opponents of the Superferry.
The issue, a complicated one to be sure, has yet to be decided,
but for now, the Superferry will resume service between Oahu and
Kauai, only this time with a Coast Guard escort and with increased
harbor security in the form of Kauai police officers.
As of this writing, service to Maui has been suspended indefinitely
pending the court’s decision.
And now, on a slightly lighter note,…
Would-Be Whale Watchers Wonder What’s Up
by Brandon Inada
Whale watching season (in Hawaii, at least) is fast approaching.
Each year, from late November to early April, this uber-popular
activity draws tons of visitors from around the world as humpback
whales migrate to the warm waters of the Pacific to – how shall
we say - “get it on.”
(Apparently, even humpback whales honeymoon in Hawaii.)
So, we here at BuzzHawaii.com have compiled a brief list of helpful
pointers for those wishing to maximize their whale-viewing pleasure.
Be Picky.
There are tons of different whale watching tours from which to
pick and choose. Some factors to take into consideration include
the size of the boat, whether the tour operator offers a whale-sighting
guarantee, and whether there’s a naturalist on board narrating the
trip (it sure beats watching a video any day). Some tours
even let you listen to whale song using an underwater microphone!
Our advice? Go with what fits into your budget and what
works best with your schedule. You are in Hawaii after all,
and it’s up to you to make the most of it!
Be Patient.
The term “whale watching” is a bit of a misnomer. Really,
it’s a lot more like whale waiting. Never fear, there are
“plenty of other fishes in the sea” - and by that we mean other
types of marine life for you to scope out - while you’re waiting
for the “stars of the show” to make their grand entrance.
Be Prepared.
Hand-in-hand with the previous pointer, be sure to bring lots
of film, (free up some memory, check your batteries), and have your
camera, digital or otherwise, ready at all times. Humpback
whales have a tendency to show up when you least expect it.
Be Amazed!
It’s a pretty neat thrill the first time you spot a whale spouting
in the distance. Humpback whales are known for their crowd-pleasing,
acrobatic maneuvers, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to witness the
awesome sight of an adult humpback whale breaching, literally jumping
out of the water, and slapping its mighty tail against the water’s
surface!
And, finally, …
Be sure to do a little bit of research on your own. While
the above list is pretty sweet in our opinion, it’s hardly what
you would call an exhaustive look at the great, big, watery world
of whale watching.
Now, without further ado, it’s time we get back to working on
our best beached whale impersonation. (No offense intended to the
whale lovers out there!)
August
Newsletter
Seasonal Savings? Sure!
by
Brandon Inada
Well, friends, summer’s just about over.
Pretty soon, the kids will be back in school, the days will be a little bit shorter, the nights a little bit cooler, and before you know it, you’ll be raking leaves off the front lawn, fondly reminiscing about last summer’s backyard barbeques, dreaming about your next vacation - sun, fun, and white, sandy beaches.
So with summer ending in just two short weeks, really the only sensible thing would be to pack the bags and book a flight to Hawaii.
Wait a minute, you say, that’s ridiculous!
Well, at BuzzHawaii.com we know a thing or two about trips to Hawaii and, also, a thing or two about ridiculous. So if you’re looking to score some ridiculous savings on airfare, hotels, and activities on your next trip to Hawaii, you might want to consider planning on going some time in the spring or fall.
Think about it this way. Everybody (and their next door neighbor) wants to travel in the summer; for many families, it’s the only time of the year these trips are feasible. As a result, airline tickets anywhere are pretty expensive, and in Hawaii, lots of hotels are booked solid in the summer months. Winter is holiday season, a.k.a. crowded-flight season, with family members flying across the country, plus all of those folks who just want to get far, far away from the drudgery of shoveling snow, cars that won’t start, and temperatures in the single digits. Not just far. We’re talking Hawaii far.
What does that mean for you? Well, savvy travelers looking for the best deals on trips to Hawaii should plan on traveling in the spring and fall. After all, less demand means greater supply and that equals lower prices.
Now you’re probably wondering if spring or fall is a good time to book a trip to Hawaii.
The answer, friends, is most definitely a yes.
Hawaii’s located very near to the equator, making it sunny practically year round. Local meteorologists have got it made in Hawaii; the weather forecast is usually “mostly sunny with a few, scattered showers and temperatures in the high 80s” … every single day.
The Pacific Ocean, with its warm water currents, has a moderating effect on the weather, and the prevailing northeasterly winds, called tradewinds even today by the locals, (traders on cargo ships carrying goods to and from the tropics depended on “tradewinds” to make good time) keep things from getting too hot.
It does rain a bit more in the fall, but winter is the true rainy season in Hawaii. Also, in the fall the sun starts to set a little earlier, around 5 or so, and temperatures sometimes plunge down to the *gasp* low 70s.
Hawaii’s a great place to be any time of the year with plenty to both see and do. Whale watching season runs from late November to early April, and winter’s the best time to scope out the monster waves and pro surf competitions on the North Shore of Oahu, but otherwise, most activities are available year round so you won’t miss out on much if you come during the non-peak season. Rental cars are more readily available and cheaper too, the traffic to and from popular tourist destinations are not nearly as congested, and the restaurants are less crowded (Plus, the service tends to be better too).
Due to it’s location in the Pacific, Hawaii’s a very popular destination for Japanese tourists year round so don’t be surprised if you see quite a few Japanese wandering the streets of Waikiki (or signs written in English and Japanese). Three Japanese holidays fall within the last week of April, dubbed Golden Week in Japan, so Hawaii experiences a large spike in visitors from Japan around this time (Book early if you plan on coming during Golden Week). In the spring, college kids come to the islands on spring break, but Hawaii’s not nearly as popular a spring break destination as, say, Cancun or Florida. Roundtrip tickets to Hawaii are a bit pricey for the average college student. What’s more, Hawaii’s reputation is a lot less, “Dude, where’s my tequila shot?” and more, “Alright, kids, who wants to go scuba diving?” Kids: YAY!
As far as visitors to the islands, fall tends to be a little slower than the spring, but in Waikiki - Hawaii’s busiest tourist destination - there’s always a decent amount of people shopping in stores, lounging by the pool, dining in restaurants, and, of course, playing on the beach.
The neighbor islands might seem a little empty, even lonely, during the off season, but the beaches are a lot less crowded during the day, and for couples there’s nothing more romantic than taking a nice, long stroll along a secluded beach in beautiful Hawaii.
One great thing about vacationing in Hawaii - it doesn’t really matter what time of year you decide to come and visit. After all, it’s always a good time to be in Hawaii. But if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and the higher prices that inevitably come with, grab your calendar and try playing around with your work schedule. A few weeks earlier (or later) could end up saving you some big bucks. (And call it a hunch, but we doubt the kids will mind missing out on a few days of school.)
Parents: “We’re going to Hawaii!”
Kids: YAY!
July
Newsletter
This Month’s Topic: What’s The Buzz On The Best Places For Hawaiian Food?
by
Brandon Inada
At BuzzHawaii.com we get a lot of questions covering a wide range of topics from rental cars and scuba diving, to horseback riding and Mai Tai recipes. People from
all over the world want to know everything there is to know about where to go and what to do while on vacation in paradise.
This month, we decided it was about time we shed some light on a tasty topic that’s near and dear to all of us here at the Buzz: Hawaiian food.
It’s a question that comes up time and time again – “Where’s the best place to go get Hawaiian food?”
Well, friends, there are several ways to go about it. (For brevity’s sake, we’re going to limit the discussion to places on the island of Oahu.)
The first option, and the most popular by far, is to check out the ‘ono offerings (the word “‘ono” in Hawaiian means delicious, by the way) at either Germaine’s Luau
in West Oahu or the Paradise Cove Luau at the Ko Olina Resort. The price of admission includes roundtrip transportation from Waikiki, dinner, and a show.
Both Germaine’s and Paradise Cove offer live music and entertainment, with dazzling displays of Polynesian fire-dancing, plenty of lovely ladies shaking their hips
to Tahitian drum beats, and bare-chested kane (“men” in Hawaiian) dancing the hula.
The food is authentic Hawaiian and guaranteed to please. There’s Kalua Pig, pork that’s been slow cooked in an underground oven called an imu, Lomi Lomi Salmon,
a cold dish made up of diced salmon, tomatoes, and onions, and let’s not forget the Haupia, a coconut flavored dessert that’s smooth and silky with a firm
pudding-like texture. While it’s a bit of an acquired taste, be sure to try the poi, a purple-colored paste made from pounded taro, a staple in the Hawaiian diet that’s
good for you too.
And with the Paradise Cove Luau, there’s plenty to do during the day, including arts and crafts demonstrations, traditional Hawaiian games (test your skills at
spear-throwing!), and storytelling.
Luaus do offer a lot of bang for the buck, but the ticket prices aren’t cheap. For those wanting to experience authentic Hawaiian food without breaking the bank,
there are plenty of hole in the wall restaurants around the island that serve authentic Hawaiian food sans fire-dancers. Just remember to bring cash when you go
since most of these establishments don’t accept credit cards.
Ono Hawaiian Food (there’s that word again) on Kapahulu Avenue is a popular choice among locals and tourists alike. Parking’s a bit scarce, although on the plus
side, the restaurant is within walking distance of Waikiki. The place does get pretty crowded during peak hours (don’t be surprised if it takes awhile to be seated),
but the wait’s worth it - the portions are generous, the prices are very reasonable, and the food is, well, ‘ono.
Visitors looking to sample a little bit of everything would do well to check out the Special Plates which include a little bit of everything - Pipikaula, Lomi Salmon,
Haupia, Rice, and Poi, and either Kalua Pig, Chicken Long Rice, Lau Lau, or (for those of you with really big appetites) a Kalua Pig / Lau Lau combo.
Helena’s Hawaiian Food in Kalihi, is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant and a Zagat recommendation for many years. For those visiting the islands and
staying in Waikiki, you’ll need a car to get to the restaurant, and keep in mind, Helena’s is only open Tuesday through Friday.
No real surprises here as far as the menu goes. Helena’s features traditional Hawaiian staples like Lau Lau and Kalua Pig, Lomi Salmon and Haupia, however, a
handful of the dishes deserve special mention. Fried butterfish collar with gravy, while not strictly a traditional Hawaiian dish, is a Helena’s specialty, and the
Squid Luau (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!) can’t be beat. Locals agree though, the popular local eatery is probably best known for its Pipikaula Short Ribs, so
try them out the next time you’re in the neighborhood.
Of course, there are plenty of other worthwhile options besides the ones mentioned here, on Oahu and on the neighbor islands as well. Hopefully, there’s enough
here to get you started the next time you’re visiting the islands and have a hankering for some good old authentic Hawaiian food!
June
Newsletter
The Whole State’s A “buzz” Over $9 Flights
by
Brandon Inada
Well, friends, it’s official… there’s never been a better time
than right now to go island hopping in Hawaii.
In case you haven’t heard, airline ticket prices to the neighbor
islands have hit an all time low thanks to an interisland airfare
war sparked by the entry of upstart newcomer go! airlines in June
of last year.
go! has been making headlines all year long, offering ridiculously
cheap one-way fares to and from the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui,
and the Big Island. Established local carriers, Aloha Airlines
and Hawaiian Airlines, have matched go!’s prices, with tickets going
for as little as $9 (sans applicable fees and taxes, of course).
To put things in perspective, historically, ticket prices to
the neighbor islands have gone for as much as $100 one-way. That’s
a mighty big difference!
As if that wasn’t enough, Aloha Airlines recently gave away 1,000
roundtrip tickets at its many ticket counters located statewide
for free, (yes, free) while competitor go! airlines celebrated its
one-year anniversary in Hawaii by offering 1,000 one-way tickets
for the insanely low price of $1 a pop. Yeah, you read that
right. $1.
While it’s too early to say which of the three interisland carriers
will come out on top in the months (maybe even years) ahead, one
thing is for certain, with competition this fierce and prices at
an all time low, it’s travelers the world over that are the real
winners.
So why not take advantage of the ultra-low prices being offered,
and book a flight to the Valley Isle. Or maybe the Garden
Isle. Or both. We hear Kauai’s lovely this time of year…
Introducing Hawaii’s Very Own Superferry!
by
Brandon Inada
This summer, there’s a whole new way to get around from island
to island, courtesy of Hawaii’s very own Superferry!
Dubbed the Alakai (literally, “ocean path” in Hawaiian), the
900-passenger, 250-car ferry recently began the 7,600-mile voyage
to Hawaii from Alabama where ship manufacturers Austal USA completed
the extensive certification and inspection process. The Alakai
is expected to arrive mid-July, with daily service to and from the
islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai beginning later this summer.
So what’s so “super” about the Superferry?
Well, for starters, the Alakai is a one-of-a-kind vessel (although
plans are already underway for a second ship to begin service in
2009) specially designed to navigate Hawaii’s ocean waters safely
and swiftly. (Plus, it’s an environmentally friendly vessel
that’s marine animal safe.)
The trip takes about 3 hours, longer than a plane ride, but with
plenty to see and do while onboard. There’s the passenger
deck where you can enjoy the ocean view; a lounge area with floor-to-ceiling
windows, leather sofas, and coffee tables; a gift shop, bar, and
dining area; even big screen TVs, movies, and video games to keep
you and the entire family entertained.
Best of all, you can take your vehicle with you so there’s no
need to worry about returning the rental car on time or paying for
parking at the airport. Just pack whatever you need in the
trunk of your car, (or, in the case of your surfboard, on top of
your car) and drive it onboard. The vehicle deck can accommodate
large size vehicles like SUVS, vans, and trucks.
Plus, you don’t even have to turn off your cell phone!
The base fare is $52 for travel Tuesday through Thursday and
$62 the rest of the week. If that seems a bit pricey, there’s
a 14-day advance web fare for $44, and special rates for senior
citizens and retired military personnel.
To learn more, check out hawaiisuperferry.com for more details!
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