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Hawaii beefing Marine presence, map opponents file election injunction, religious exemptions for civil unions mulled, new high in medical marijuana…
Marines at Pohakaloa Training Area Hawaii (c) 2012 All Hawaii News The U.S. will move more than 2,500 Marines from Japan to Hawaii — a more than 20 percent increase in the islands — as the Pentagon scales back a $21.1 billion blueprint for Guam, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye confirmed Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. It looks like 2,700 more Marines may be on their way to Hawaii as the Pentagon scales back a $21.1 billion plan to move troops from Okinawa to Guam. Pacific Business News. The U.S. military is expected to announce it will transfer up to 2,700 Marines from the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa to Hawaii, Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Tuesday. Associated Press. Hours before any formal announcement from Washington, the offices of Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Sen. Dan Inouye said the Pentagon intends to move about 2,700 Marines from Okinawa to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now. The military is expected to announce plans to transfer up to 2700 Marines from Japan to Hawaii. KHON2. The top members of the Senate Armed Services Committee voiced concern Tuesday over an imminent U.S.-Japan agreement on reorganizing U.S. forces based on the southern island of Okinawa. More than 2,500 Marines would come to Hawaii under the plan. Associated Press. Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s reapportionment plan on Monday filed a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to halt the upcoming election. Civil Beat. A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction stopping the state from requiring that air cargo carriers charge customers a fee to help pay for efforts to protect the islands from invasive plant and animal species because state law conflicts with federal laws. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii lawmakers are considering a proposal to the state’s civil unions law to allow religious organizations to deny use of their facilities for a solemnization ceremony. Civil Beat. State lawmakers last night agreed to use the state general fund to support agricultural inspector positions, rather than using a special fund to supplement the associated costs.
Continue reading...‘Exceptional’ trees get tax breaks, Honolulu seeks $450M line of credit for rail, Green Party certified for state ballot, Kauai daily newspaper goes…
23. April 2012
Mynah bird on African tulip tree (c) 2012 All Hawaii News The focus of some ridicule is a state law that allows Hawaii residents to claim up to $3,000 in personal income tax deductions for qualified expenses related to maintaining “exceptional” trees on their private property. Star-Advertiser. A proposal headed to the state Senate could help Hawaii double its locally grown food supply by 2020. Associated Press. By weight, Hawaii’s honeybees may be the state’s most valuable export as farmers struggle to replenish bee populations suffering from colony collapse. Associated Press. The Green Party of Hawaii announced that it has been certified to be included on Hawaii partisan election ballots. Tribune-Herald. The Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter on Sunday endorsed U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate, giving the congresswoman an edge in the environmental community to go with her support from labor unions and traditional Democrats. Star-Advertiser. Consumer advocates are pushing Hawaii senators to pass a bill that excludes health insurer representatives from holding voting positions on a state board. Associated Press. Cuts in the number of inspectors who check cargo and passengers entering Hawaii have some worried that more pests will get established in a state that is especially vulnerable because of its subtropical weather and few natural predators. Associated Press. State roundup for April 23. Associated Press. Oahu The Navy wants to cover Ford Island’s historic runway with photovoltaic panels — an addition the service said would “define and interpret” the original runway while providing environment-friendly power. Star-Advertiser. Mayor Peter Carlisle’s administration has formally asked the City Council to approve a $450 million city-backed line of credit that could be used to complete the rail line in the event of a “catastrophic, unforeseen event” that causes the project to run out of money. Star-Advertiser. Construction of the elevated portion of Oahu’s rail project starts Monday, as more groups step forward to support the City’s transit plan in court. Hawaii News Now. The city’s $5.7 million, 500-day Waikiki sewer project has been backed up for a couple of months but is expected to get moving in May. Star-Advertiser. Keeping Kakaako-makai free from residential development was the motivation behind a loud rally held earlier today in an effort to stop a bill that would allow high rises on one of Honolulu’s last public oceanfront land. KITV4. Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle’s landfill advisory committee has named a site in the Windward Oahu town of Kailua as the top choice for the location of a landfill to replace the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill. Pacific Business News . Honolulu’s monopoly newspaper has again slashed advertising rates in the face of new government objections to the charges as well as competition from a newcomer to the market. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii An average Hawaii Electric Light Co. customer doles out around $225 every month for 500 to 600 kilowatt hours of electricity, a far cry from the nation’s average of $63 for the same usage. West Hawaii Today. While the electric grid itself may not be operating at peak efficiency, shareholders in the investor-owned corporation aren’t feeling the pinch. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii isn’t well-known for consumer advocacy, said Jack Gillis, public affairs director for the Consumer Federation of America. West Hawaii Today. A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a National Labor Relations Board’s decision that two reporters fired from a Hilo newspaper should be reinstated with back pay. Associated Press. Maui Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Maui Economic Development Board. Maui News. Kauai The Garden Island newspaper on Kauai will be combining its Friday and Saturday publications into a weekend edition starting May 4. Pacific Business News. Construction is expected to begin during the second half of this year on a second Kaua‘i Safeway supermarket and retail center. Garden Island. Meeting the demand of an increase in felony cases was among concerns expressed by Office of the Prosecuting Attorney staff members during a Kaua‘i County Council fiscal year 2013 budget hearing Friday. Garden Island. Molokai The Friendly Island will be well represented at the 35th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The Awards Show, hosted by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA), is an annual event held to celebrate “the connections between music, our culture, and the spirit of aloha,” according to their website. Molokai Dispatch.
Continue reading...Hawaii Board Of Education adopts teacher evaluations, state sees record gun registrations, judge strikes rail procurement rule, Thielen defies Dems,…
18. April 2012
Gov. Neil Abercrombie at BOE, courtesy photo Gov. Neil Abercrombie made a rare appearance by a governor before the Board of Education on Tuesday to support the transition to a performance evaluation system for teachers and principals, saying such education reforms can wait no longer. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of a plan that would tie teachers’ and principals’ pay to their performance, as well as develop evaluation criteria at Hawaii’s roughly 250 public schools. Associated Press. A week after the Legislature abandoned its effort, the Hawaii Board of Education unanimously approved three policies regarding performance evaluations for teachers and principals. Civil Beat. The Board of Education voted in favor of creating new educator evaluations at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Hawaii News Now. The Hawaii State Board of Education unanimously approved a plan today that would base teacher and principal salaries on their performance, but it’s not a done deal yet. KHON2. The Hawaii State Department of Education has expanded its teacher evaluation pilot program for the 2012-13 school year. KHON2. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa reported raised $224,000 in the first quarter of 2012, compared to GOP challenger former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou’s $84,000. Star-Advertiser. Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case said Tuesday that he raised $138,000 in the past three months for his Democratic primary campaign for U.S. Senate, trailing U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, his primary opponent, who raised more than $1 million in that period, and Former Gov. Linda Lingle, the leading Republican candidate, who raised $1.3 million in the past quarter. Star-Advertiser. Defying the guidance of state Democrats, Laura H. Thielen, a director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources under Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, said Tuesday that she will run as a Democrat for state Senate. Star-Advertiser. The state Senate confirmed two of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s appointees to the state Commission on Water Resources Management despite some senators’ concerns about their qualifications and the nomination process. Star-Advertiser. The Senate confirmed Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s nominees to the water commission on Tuesday amid rising opposition toward the candidates and concerns about irregularities in the nominating process. Civil Beat. A concerted effort by environmental groups and dozens of individuals to block the appointment of Maui businessman Ted Yamamura to the state Commission on Water Resource Management fell fall short of the mark today in the state Senate. Hawaii Reporter. The state Department of the Attorney General reported Tuesday record levels of firearm registrations and permit applications in 2011. A record 36,804 guns were registered in Hawaii in 2011 — a 17.2 percent increase from the previous high, set the year before. Star-Advertiser. A Circuit Court Judge has approved a settlement for victims of five data breaches that occurred at the University of Hawaii and its campuses over the past two years. Hawaii News Now. Maui Electric Co. and Hawaiian Electric Co. ranked among the top 10 utilities nationwide in the amount of photovoltaic generating capacity installed by their customers, an industry trade group said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii did nothing wrong in GSA scandal. Pacific Business News. State roundup for April 18. Associated Press. Oahu Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto on Tuesday struck down a procurement rule that the city used to award more than $144 million in rail-related contracts, declaring the 1995 rule invalid because it conflicts with state procurement law. It was not immediately clear what effect, if any, the ruling might have on the city’s contracts with rail consultants PB Americas Inc. and InfraConsult LLC. Star-Advertiser. The City Council Transportation Committee chair, Mayor Peter Carlisle, along with other city officials and community members, are planning to walk the streets of Moiliili this afternoon. The city is looking for ways to improve the sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists. KITV4. Hawaii Research Services Group LLC has been awarded a $7 million indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract by the Army for the procurement of information management and software engineering support services. Pacific Business News. Teen runs for Honolulu City Council. Hawaii News Now. Kea‘au update: “The Governor will not be intervening”
Continue reading...Hawaii government conflicted over same-sex marriage, state short 600 doctors, Dalai Lama brings message of peace through aloha, bridge fixed for…
16. April 2012
Honolulu gay rights rally (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Gov. Neil Abercrombie opposes participation by a Christian group in a court case to defend state marriage laws that restrict marriage to a man and a woman. But Loretta Fuddy, his director of the Department of Health, says the Hawaii Family Forum should be included in one of the nation’s most important cases. Star-Advertiser. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye A spokesman for Sen. Daniel Inouye said there’s no truth to an anonymously-sourced KHON report that the senator was hospitalized in Hawaii this weekend. Civil Beat. Senator Daniel Inouye’s office says he returns to Washington, D.C. today and is perfectly healthy. KHON2. Hawaii’s doctor shortage has long been a problem. But there is now hard data that show just how severe the shortfall is.
Continue reading...Lanai – More to Love Than Meets the Eye
12. April 2012
During our visit to Lanai in February, we met another couple visiting Lanai for the first time. The wife asked, “There’s not much to do on this island, is there?” I almost gasped in surprise. You see, we’re now on Lanai for our fifth visit and I know we’ll leave with a to-do list for next time. I suppose that it’s natural to assume that there’s not much to do on Lanai, given that it’s the smallest Hawaiian Island that you can visit. Honestly, there is more than meets the eye. Over the years, I’ve covered many exciting Lanai adventures, like horseback riding , outstanding snorkeling , mammal watching , excellent hikes, clay shooting and off-road adventures in a Jeep to remote, untouched places . On this visit, we plan to try the brand new UTV adventure and if possible, we’d like to check out the kayaking near Shipwreck Beach. Eventually, we’d also like to try archery . We’ve rented a Jeep twice for off-roading, but we’d love to rent one again to go as far as we can go along the east coast of the island. Outstanding golfing , scuba diving (one of Hawaii’s top dive spots), surfing and hunting are other major activities to try on Lanai, though they’re not our cup of tea. Of course, we feel it’s a good idea to take some time to get to know Lanai’s culture , enjoy some great beach time at Hulopo’e Bay , and get some pampering with an oceanside massage . Then, in the evening, catch some live entertainment and enjoy excellent farm-to-table Hawaii cuisine. So, I hope you can see that there’s lots of fun activities and adventures to try on Lanai. I’ve not even mentioned the opportunities to learn to play the ukulele, try hula and lei making at the Four Seasons Resorts of Lanai . Even if someday, we accomplish all the activities Lanai has to offer, we’ll still be drawn back to try some of our favorites again. Plus, there’s always something new or different to try on the island. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...First-Time Oahu Visitors’ Trip Report– Part 1 of 2
10. April 2012
We love reading trip reports – especially from first timers . Our friend, Erin Jones , has kindly agreed to share her Oahu trip report with us. This trip was her first time on Oahu, but her second visit to Hawaii. She and her husband traveled to Oahu in February. Erin and her husband split their Oahu time between Waikiki and the North Shore. So, we’ll follow suit and split her trip report into two parts as well. — It has been well over a month since our trip to Oahu, yet I’m just now getting around to writing about the amazing experiences we had there. Why? Mostly because this post means that I’m home and no longer on vacation. After a week in Hawaii, we learned that a week is not enough! We planned our trip around Pubcon Paradise , it was a great excuse to enjoy the conference and plan a quick vacation to explore the island a bit. The trip started in Waikiki, and after the conference ended, we packed up and moved to the North Shore for a few nights at Turtle Bay. What a change from Waikiki! It was a great way to get to know two very different sides of Oahu. Only having been to Maui, Waikiki was a big surprise to us. We got in the day before the conference started and spent the first day there exploring a bit. We found endless shopping and dining options, and were blown away by how many people there were in such a small area. Our first stop was the Hula Grill for some crab and macadamia wontons. We’d discovered the Hula Grill while staying in Whaler’s Village in Maui, and had been looking forward to those wontons ever since! In case you’re wondering, they did not disappoint. We went back for seconds, and thirds, before our time in Waikiki was up. We quickly learned to follow those wontons up with a pineapple crème brulee. Perfection! (a little tip: pupus and dessert at the Hula Grill is a perfect meal. Not too little, not too much. Juuuust right!) We also enjoyed some time cruising around the shops and people watching. The conference was great, as expected, and it was the perfect combination of learning, socialization, and relaxation. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort , and I decided to walk to my meetings in the morning. Just under a mile, the walk there and back each day was a nice way to prepare for and unwind after the day’s sessions. Some days we walked along the busier downtown area, and some days we opted for cruising along the beach. The beach is undergoing a major renovation right now, so it did take longer to go that way, but when you’re enjoying sun and sand, who’s complaining? If you’re looking at staying in any of the beachfront hotels in that area, you may want to check and make sure that there will be a beach there during your stay, just in case. Several of the hotels are currently beachless, and are in the process of bringing sand back in to rebuild the beach areas. There was a large dredge out in the water pulling sand up and pumping it over to the shore to rebuild the beach. [ Sheila’s note: this Waikiki beach widening project is supposed to complete in April, though sometimes projects like these can’t be precisely predicted .] Also beware, ocean view rooms are not always in beachfront hotels. Although it was advertised as an oceanfront hotel, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort was actually across the street from the beach. Not a big deal, but it was a minor annoyance. Our room had an amazing ocean view, however, and we were able to hear street performers and see the action from our room.[ Sheila’s note: check our Oahu: Where to Stay page for a list of all the oceanfront Waikiki hotels .] The Hyatt had a gorgeous open-air lobby, with the main floor consisting of shops. The hotel lobby was on the second floor and had a nice beach view. The spa, several restaurants, and pool were several stories up, also allowing for great views of Waikiki. Overall, our stay at the Hyatt was great. The room was a bit dated, with a very small bathroom and vanity area, but had nice furnishings and some very cool traditional Hawaiian photography. The staff at check-in and the bell staff were very friendly and helpful. We were a bit surprised at some of the merchants in the area, however. Many times, it seemed as if what we were looking for wouldn’t directly result in profit, they had very little helpful input on what we were looking for. Our favorite things from Waikiki: • The dining. There is an abundance of dining options, many with Japanese influences. I didn’t realize how much of the area was influenced by the Japanese culture until we got there, we were thrilled with the abundance of fresh seafood and sushi. • The shopping. Everything from high end designer boutiques to small knickknack shops. We came home with clothes, coffee, TWO ukuleles, a gorgeous handbag, and a variety of Hawaiian treats. • The beach. Need I say more? The beach was great, even during construction. Our room had great sunset views, we also enjoyed just sitting in the sand watching the world go by whenever we got the chance. • People watching. If you go to Waikiki, don’t miss out. There’s always something interesting going on! • Photo ops. All of the above combined for some awesome photo ops. I took nearly a thousand photos during the trip, and could have taken many more! • The history. Oahu is rich in history and culture, two things I will never tire of. We saw as many hula performances, musicians, and sights as we could. Because Waikiki is so busy, there were street performers on nearly every corner. • Pubcon. The conference was wonderful. They did a great job incorporating Hawaii into a traditional search marketing conference. Seeing familiar faces and making new friends is one of my favorite things about this conference. Being there with a Hawaii expert like Sheila only made it better. I got to experience coco puffs from the Liliha Bakery , get some one on one beach photo instruction from Andy , we got some seriously amazing restaurant recommendations, and spend some time visiting with them. Living on opposite sides of the country made this a rare treat! Things that we weren’t thrilled about: • Waikiki is BUSY. We do not go to Hawaii for the nightlife, and did not get the relaxation while there that we experienced in other places we’ve visited in Hawaii. The streets were busy from early morning well into the night. However, if you’re looking for a party atmosphere, you’ll love Waikiki. • The shopping. Yes, this was one of my favorite things about the area as well, but we were a bit overwhelmed by how much retail space they crammed into four city blocks. • Rude vendors. Again, this didn’t happen often, but we did encounter a few people that would be better suited for work in a secluded office than in customer relations jobs. On our first night there, I asked four people for advice on dinner, and not one was helpful. One lady told us to go to Pizza Hut or Subway behind the hotel. Not exactly what we were looking for, but thanks for trying I suppose. I will never understand why someone that doesn’t like people would take a job in customer service. • Not enough time. There is never enough time on trips like these! I have a list of things that we missed out on that I’d love to go back and experience. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Hawaii teachers fight evaluations, new state securities head has mishandled funds, Kauai councilman fights zoning charge, Cayetano leading polls for…
6. April 2012
Hilo Union School (c) 2012 All Hawaii News As the state and teachers union resumed negotiations Thursday after months away from the bargaining table, the union raised new concerns about a bill that would require a performance management system for teachers, saying the latest version of the measure “would effectively strip teachers” of collective bargaining rights. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii teachers union and the state returned to the bargaining table Thursday, three months to the day since their last session. Civil Beat. The Hawaii State Teachers Association is up in arms over a bill that would require teachers to be on probation for three years before attaining tenure, and which would afford the state Department of Education the chance to establish a teacher evaluation system. Tribune-Herald. The newly hired head of the state’s securities enforcement office allegedly defrauded a business associate in 2010 and failed to pay $900,000 in tax and child support debts over the past 10 years, according to public records. Hawaii Reporter. Laura Thielen The chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii was warned that a candidate didn’t have to have its approval to run for office under the party’s banner. Civil Beat. Just two days after speaking out on the floor of the Hawaii State Senate about Laura Thielen, Sens. Clayton Hee and Pohai Ryan — both Democrats — were at it again Wednesday. Civil Beat. Republican Fred Hemmings will announce later this month that he is running for the District 25 state Senate seat he held for a decade before retiring in 2010. Civil Beat. John Waihee thought back to his childhood, when the whole notion of Hawaiian sovereignty wasn’t even part of the political conversation. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii Health Information Exchange, a nonprofit organization that aims to connect Hawaii’s medical providers through electronic health records, launched a secure direct messaging and patient referral system Thursday in a first step to link the health care industry. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii set another record for gas prices on Thursday, with the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded hitting $4.60, according to AAA Hawaii’s Weekend Gas Watch. Pacific Business News. The number of initial unemployment claims filed in Hawaii dropped by 25 percent year over year last week, with all four counties showing double-digit declines, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said Thursday. Pacific Business News. Oahu In observance of Good Friday, state and city workers will have Friday off. Hawaii News Now. Ben Cayetano Former Governor Ben Cayetano is leading in a number of polls in the race for Honolulu Mayor. Hawaii Public Radio. Three state agencies threw their weight behind the proposed Koa Ridge housing development in Central Oahu at a state Land Use Commission hearing Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Bicycle advocates on Thursday gave city officials a petition with more than 1,000 signatures urging that bicycle lanes be installed along Waialae Avenue as part of a major road improvement project in Kaimuki. Star-Advertiser. Oahu may get Koreatown. Associated Press. Lawmakers to hold April 12 hearing on Koreatown designation. Associated Press. A capital improvement project for Kewalo Basin Harbor valued at $18 million may hinge on a public-private partnership between the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Almar Management Inc. KITV4. Hawaii National Marine Fisheries Service revokes a permit to Kampachi Farms for a floating aquaculture project. West Hawaii Today. Officials of Hawaii Oceanic Technology Inc. said Thursday the company has received a state permit that allows it to move forward with its plan to raise bigeye and yellowfin tuna in open-ocean cages. Star-Advertiser. Community undaunted by vandalism, committed to replacing trees. West Hawaii Today. Maui About 4,700 Maui County public school students could see their bus service ended next school year under a state Department of Education plan to deal with bills currently wending their way through the state Legislature that could lead to significant funding shortfalls. M aui News. State Land Use Commission members heard the end of testimony Wednesday, including impassioned pleas to protect Native Hawaiian burials, during their review of A&B Properties’ plans to develop Wai’ale, a master-planned community on about 545 acres in Central Maui. Maui News. A public informational meeting about maintenance dredging and pier work at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Pioneer Inn Court Yard. Maui News. The Hawaii State Senate honored the county-based Invasive Species Committees and Dr. Mohsen Ramadan of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture biological control program with a Certificate of Recognition Wednesday. KHON2. Senator Baker Comments on ‘Vacation Rental Bills’ Controversy. Maui Now. Kauai The 5th Circuit Court recused the Office of the Kaua‘i County Prosecuting Attorney from its misdemeanor zoning violation case against county councilman Tim Bynum in 5th Circuit Court on Thursday. Garden Island. In the next few weeks, Kaua‘i County Council will face the challenge of approving a budget for Fiscal Year 2013, balanced by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s administration, using $10.75 million from the county’s reserve fund and $12.55 million in forecasted surplus from the current fiscal year. Garden Island. The Kaua‘i County Council had little issue with the County Auditor’s FY2012-13 budget request. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Review: Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows
5. April 2012
Mauna Lani beach cabanas under a canopy of palms We’ve stayed at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows twice – on our first Big Island trip in 2004 and on our recent visit in November. Both stays were excellent. I’m going to veer away from our typical review format to list what makes the Mauna Lani great. 1. Yippee! No resort fees! The Mauna Lani offers so many amenities that are included in the nightly rate – amenities like free use of beach cabanas, Hawaiian culture lessons, fresh floral lei greeting, bicycles, snorkeling equipment, in-room coffee making facilities, and bottled water restocked daily in the guest rooms. Those are only some highlights. The amenities list goes on . 2. Hawaiian Culture Cherished & Celebrated Mauna Lani resort sits beside Hawaiian fishponds that were built hundreds of years ago. A path with petroglyphs is also nearby. This may sound wacky, but this historical spot seems to have some sort of special energy that captures your attention. You can almost feel its significance from ancient times. If there was a hall of fame for Hawaiian history and culture experts, I’m pretty sure Mr. Daniel Akaka, Jr.’s name would be listed. Mr. Akaka is the Director of Cultural Affairs at Mauna Lani Resort. You can meet him at the resort’s very own cultural center located on the ground floor. (It should be noted that it’s unusual for a Hawaii resort to have a dedicated culture center and full-time director.) We popped in to meet him on our recent visit. After hearing so many wonderful things about him, I actually felt a bit nervous — like I was meeting a rock star. We talked story for quite a while and would have loved to have talked longer if we didn’t have a dinner meeting. Mr. Akaka has a passion for sharing Hawaiian history and culture and a true asset to the resort. Mr. Daniel Akaka, Jr. – Director of Cultural Affairs at Mauna Lani Resort Mr. Akaka organizes the Twilight at Kalahuipua’a evenings near the hotel grounds by the historical Eva Parker Woods cottage. These evenings of storytelling and Hawaiian entertainment are typically scheduled on the Saturday evening nearest the full moon. Call the Mauna Lani Concierge at 808-881-7911 to confirm upcoming dates. I hear that these evenings are definitely worth planning into your vacation. We vowed to schedule a future Big Island visit around one of these evenings. It’s free to attend. 3. On a Beautiful, Sunny Beach If you know Hawaii’s weather patterns, winter months tend to bring more rain. The Kohala Coast is one of the best places to stay in Hawaii to avoid rain . There’s no guarantees that you can avoid rain altogether, but it’s a relatively safe bet. The palms on the beach fronting the Mauna Lani are exceptionally picturesque. The beach here is very tranquil. Even honu (Hawaiian sea turtles) come to the area to feed and then relax. We enjoyed watching what seemed like a half a dozen different turtles in near the shore while we relaxed in the comfort of a cabana. The resort grounds are romantic and tranquil. I find that it’s easy to relax here. In fact, here’s a rare photo of yours truly performing a highly scientific hammock test. Hammock testing! This one passed my rigorous examination. 4. Luxurious Rooms The spacious Mauna Lani rooms have recently been renovated with what I’d describe as natural beach colors of blue, green and sand. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel Room The marble baths have his and her sinks. The generously-sized toiletries are a notch above the norm. Now for a word about toilet seats. Yes, that’s right. I said toilet seats. They have these fancy schmancy bidet seats that are heated and do some, ahem, cleaning. We’ve never stayed in a hotel with a bidet seat, so this was quite a novelty for us. And, that’s all I’m saying about that. 5. A Dedication to Ocean Life The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel atrium is surrounded by saltwater ponds. The main resort structure hovers above salt water ponds with over 75 different breeds of fish – including sharks. We took part in the free fish feeding tour where we got to learn about these fish. Mauna Lani also has a honu (turtle) pond where they raise juvenile honu until they are big enough to be released into the ocean. Just seeing those little guys swimming around makes me smile. How can a creature with a hard shell be so darn cute and cuddly looking? Each July4th, the resort hosts a honu independence day celebration to release the honu into the ocean. Guided fish feeding at one of the many Mauna Lani salt water ponds. To get a better idea of what it’s like to stay at Mauna Lani, check out our photo collection and our video tour. (Email subscribers: click here to watch our Mauna Lani Bay Hotel video tour .) Have you stayed at Mauni Lani Bay Hotel? How was your stay? © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Visiting Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site on Hawaii’s Big Island
2. April 2012
Pu'ukohola Heiau On the sunny, leeward Kohala Coast, you’ll find Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, where you can learn about Hawaii’s ancient culture and history. Pu’ukohola Heiau was built under the direction of Kamehameha I in 1790 – 91 before he united the Hawaii Islands under his rule in 1810. Building this heiau was a crucial step towards the eventual king’s ascendancy as he was told by a prophet that he must build this heiau dedicated to the war god of his family. The construction of this massive heiau is astounding – starting with moving the smooth lava rocks from Pololu Valley — nearly 20 miles away. Historians estimate that approximately 37,000 people stood in a human chain, moving the rocks from Polulu to the heiau site in Kawaihae. They estimate this rock relocation process lasted a year! Pu’ukohola Heiau can be translated to mean the temple on the hill of the whale. During humpback whale season (mid-December – March), this national historic site is a great place to watch for whales. Within this national historic site, there are two other heiaus – Mailekini and Hale o Kapuni . Mailekini the oldest of the heiaus at this site. It was converted into a fort, so it no longer truly resembles its original shape. Hale o Kapuni is an underwater heiau dedicated to the shark gods. In ancient Hawaiian culture, sharks were believed to be ancestral deities. Black tip sharks still frequent the waters here. Hale o Kapuni – an underwater heiau dedicated to the shark gods. I’ve only scratched the surface of the history at Pu’ukohola National Historic Site. I highly recommend you go see it and learn for yourself. I’ve been there twice already and plan to go again someday to discovery even more. What to know when you go: Visiting is free! Opening hours are 7:45am – 5pm. You must arrive no later than 4:30pm and remove your car from the parking lot by 5pm. The park is located at 62-3601 Kawaihae Road (Highway 270) in Kawaihae along the Kohala Coast. Wear or bring sun protection as there’s very little shade here. Bring water. Wear comfortable walking shoes for walking the dirt and gravel paths. You can visit this site year round, but if you can, aim to time your visit for mid August when the Ho’oku’ikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival is held. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Bright Hawaii outlook for tourism, jobs; Maui telescope hearing officer fired, Pearl Harbor cutting three ships, no tax cut for Kauai, Abercrombie…
30. March 2012
Coconut climber (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Some 626,367 visitors came to Hawaii last month and spent $1.09 billion, or about $183 per person per day, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. February was the seventh consecutive month of arrivals growth for Hawaii’s visitor industry and the 23rd month of spending rises. Star-Advertiser. Total expenditures by visitors who came to Hawai’i in February 2012 rose 8.5 percent, or by $85.7 million, to $1.099 billion, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. KITV4. Hawaii’s unemployment rate fell in February for the fourth consecutive month to its lowest level in three years, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has fallen to the lowest level in three years. KHON2. A group trying to mount a novel third-party presidential campaign has gained a spot on the Hawaii general election ballot this fall. Associated Press. Fulfilling a long-standing obligation, the state House is expected to vote today for a $200 million settlement between the state and the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs over OHA’s share of revenue from former crown lands since 1978. Star-Advertiser. Lawmakers are looking for guidance from the Abercrombie administration on controversial environmental legislation, but top officials are giving very mixed signals. Civil Beat. Legislation aimed at streamlining Hawaii’s construction permitting process could have broad environmental and cultural consequences, some state officials worry. Associated Press. There are about a dozen bills advancing in the legislature that waive environmental requirements for state and public projects.
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25. April 2012
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