What's New in the Islands of Aloha - July 2008

07-22-2008

Accolades

 

á       Forbes Magazine ranked five of HawaiiÕs major airports as the least Òtime drainingÓ airports in the U.S. Hilo International Airport ranks No. 1, Lihue Airport ranks No. 2, Kona Airport ranks No. 3, Kahului Airport ranks No. 5, and the Honolulu International Airport ranks No. 15. Airport ranking in the survey were determined by performance in six delay categories: security, late aircraft traffic control, cancellations, carrier problems, and weather. For more information, visit ForbesMagazine.com.

 

á       ExpediaÕs InsidersÕ names its Select List of Worlwide Favorite Hotels, naming KauaiÕs Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Waipouli Beach and Resort No. 21. Waipouli Beach was scored on its value and quality of service and comfort by ExpediaÕs customer feedback. For more information, visit WaipouliBeachResort.com.

 

á       The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa and its DonderoÕs Restaurant have both received the AAA Four Diamond award for 2009. This is the 18^th recognition since The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa opened in 1990. The enhanced level of quality and physical attributes throughout the hotel and great accommodating staff were the positive factors in this recognition. DonderoÕs Restaurant and its highly accomplished staff, creative and complex menus, presentation and fresh ingredients garnered the Four Diamond award. For more information, visit Kauai.Hyatt.com.

 

Events and Attractions

 

á       The Waikiki Aquarium continues ÒKe Kani O Ke Kai,Ó The Sound of the Ocean, summer concert series every Thursday at 7 p.m. with Eddie Kamae on July 24 and Willie K on August 7. The well-known aquarium exhibits will be open during the concert until 8:30 p.m. Throughout the night enjoy various food stands, Hula Grill Waikiki, YamaÕs Fish Market, and Big City Diner. Admission is $25 for adults, $10 for children, and children six and under are free. For more information, visit WaikikiAquarium.org.

 

á       The Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, Imiloa meaning Òexploring new knowledge,Ó now offers free headsets for self-guided tours of the exhibit halls. The headsets come in English and Japanese and enable visitors to listen to the stories of stars, Hawaiian culture and the astronomy of Maunakea. For more information, visit ImiloaAstronomyCenter.com.

 

á       Blue Hawaiian Helicoptors and Hawaii Forest & Trail have added the Waterfall HeliHike, a new eco-tourism adventure. The adventure starts off by transporting guests by helicopter to the windward coast of Kohala for breathtaking views of the various waterfalls and sea cliffs. A private landing site has eco-naturalist tour guests on a six-wheel drive all terrain vehicle to a two-mile hike with views of waterfalls, plunge pools, and ancient terraces. The tour also provides lunch and swimming in a mountain stream. For more information,

visit BlueHawaiian.com.

 

á       The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is now offering Stand up surfing (SUP) in a new day package called ÒSurf, Sand & Spa.Ó This new twist on surfing teaches participants to stand on a surfboard with a paddle and provides a total body workout. The package includes a lesson, oceanfront spa treatment, and lunch. For more information, visit TheFairmontOrchid.com.

 

á       Volcano Bike Tours on HawaiiÕs Big Island introduces a new-guided bicycle tour called ÒKilauea Volcano Active Lava Flow Bike Adventure.Ó The bike tour provides views of the earthy tropical forests and breathtaking ocean views. Bicyclists have lunch or dinner at the Hawaiian Village of Kalapana, and then head off to see the well-known fiery glow of Pele. Tours are offered on Thursdays. For more information, visit VolcanoBikeTours.com.

 

New Developments

 

á       LEVEL4, HonoluluÕs new nightclub and ultra lounge overlooking Waikiki, opens this month at the Royal Hawaiian Center. The club will feature 4,500 square-foot dance floor, a 116-foot projection screen, catwalks suspending aerialists above the dance floor, and well-known DJs from Hawaii and beyond. VIP bottle service is available and guests can access camera feeds throughout the club from the interactive tables. For more information,

visit LEVEL4.com.

 

á       The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua[Back to Press Releases Main]