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Cutting free school bus rides could save Hawaii millions, Waikiki Beach to get more sand, HECO wants to install free solar panels, computer glitch…
Mufi Hannemann (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann stands out as the most socially conservative Democrat in the race for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, according to questionnaires that he and four other candidates filled out for Civil Beat. Civil Beat. Civil Beat Poll: Half of Hawaii Voters Say Delegation Works For Donors. Civil Beat. Former State House Representative Tom Okamura returns to the state legislature, filling the post left vacant by Blake Oshiro. Maui Now. A new state report aimed at considering ways to reduce student transportation costs estimates eliminating free school bus service for about 20,000 low-income students would save up to $18 million a year, while cutting service to most Oahu general-education students would save about $15 million. Star-Advertiser. Eliminating school bus service on Oahu is the quickest and most effective way to reduce Hawaii’s student transportation costs, school district officials say. Civil Beat. Computer problems caused a backup at the marriage licensing office at the Health Department Tuesday, on what was the first day couples could receive their official civil union license. KITV4. Citing privacy interests, the University of Hawaii won’t disclose the salary of new head football coach Norm Chow, other than to say that it’s somewhere between $392,142 and $935,544 per year. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii recognized 13 same-sex couples as having legal civil unions as of Tuesday, and an additional 69 couples have applied for civil union licenses to have similar ceremonies performed within 30 days, the state Health Department said. Star-Advertiser. A task force representing mortgage lenders and borrowers is recommending changes to a state law enacted last year that effectively cut the number of foreclosures in half. Star-Advertiser. Hawaiian Electric Co. has asked the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to approve a three-year program that would allow electric utilities to fund the installation of solar water heating systems for their residential customers, and recoup the costs from savings generating by the systems. Pacific Business News. Land Deal Could Be ‘Economic Engine’ For Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat. The extended comment period for changes proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal expires Friday. Garden Island. The Occupy Wall Street Movement Across the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii Public Radio. State roundup for January 4. Associated Press. Oahu The long-awaited project to resupply Waikiki Beach with sand will take place over the next three months, but state officials say the disruption to beachgoers should be minimal. Star-Advertiser. Surf’s Up! City Workers Prepare For Big Waves. KITV4. Tom Berg, the often outspoken and at times controversial West Oahu councilman, announced his plans for reelection Tuesday. KHON2. Leeward Oahu councilman Tom Berg has hired a woman who just quit another city job because of an ethics investigation against her. KITV4. Pacific Resources Partnership and the organization Faith Action for Community Equity yesterday asked to join in the court case over Honolulu’s rail transit project, filing a motion in federal court in an effort to support the rail project. Star-Advertiser. Airport runway repairs to create noise for nearby residents. Hawaii News Now. Hawaii Council Chairman Dominic Yagong has turned up the heat on Mayor Billy Kenoi’s plans to operate a Hilo garbage sort station, accusing Kenoi of kowtowing to public-sector unions rather than looking out for the taxpayers’ best interest. West Hawaii Today. No federal money will be available for the Thirty Meter Telescope or its main competitor in this decade, the head of the astronomy division at the National Science Foundation told an influential science blog. Tribune-Herald. The Big Island — as well as the rest of the nation and much of the world — will continue to struggle economically in 2012, economists say. Tribune-Herald. Maui Massachusetts-based A123 Systems for the second time in a month announced plans to provide its advanced nanophosphate lithium ion batteries to help stabilize Maui’s power grid as fluctuating clean energy sources – and expensive renewable energy experiments and projects – become more common. Maui News. A gay Oklahoma City couple is happy to be on Maui and among the first couples to be joined in a civil union after a state law allowing such unions went into effect Sunday. Maui News. Kauai The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife is planning to restore 105 acres of wetlands on Mana Plain Forest Reserve. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Judge could rule today on civil union challenge, Occupy Honolulu protesters arrested, Hawaii mortgages top $3,000, Obama visits Pearl Harbor,…
30. December 2011
Lava flows courtesy Hawaii Volcanoes National Park A pause in the supply of magma since Tuesday to Kilauea’s East Rift Zone vent has slowed the output of lava, but that hasn’t stopped hundreds of people from visiting the end of the road in a remote corner of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald. Lava slideshow The 2012 New Year will ring in several new State measures, including Hawaii’s civil unions law. Other measures include a law that provides workplace protections for domestic or sexual violence victims, a law that allows for anonymous filings in a court of law, as well as several new insurance provisions. Hawaii Independent. A federal judge could rule as early as today on a request by two Oahu Christian churches to block the new state law that allows same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. Star-Advertiser. Two Christian churches on Oahu and their pastors are seeking a court order to halt Hawaii’s civil union law, which goes into effect Jan. 1 — in less than three days. Civil Beat. Two Christian churches have filed a federal complaint to stop Hawaii’s new civil union law in its tracks, claiming the legislation is unconstitutional. Hawaii Reporter. President Barack Obama has now done what every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has done — visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. CNN. President Barack Obama laid a wreath at a memorial honoring those killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Associated Press. It’s been an event filled day for the President and First Family. KHON2. Hawaii had the biggest average home mortgage amount in the nation in 2011, and an average monthly payment that is more than three times higher than the national average, according to statistics from LendingTree.com. Pacific Business News. Predicting ahi prices for New Year’s sashimi and poke is like gambling. Star-Advertiser. The state Reapportionment Commission Chair, Retired Judge Victoria Marks, and her project manager, delivered the commission’s final report and 2011 reapportionment plan prepared by the 2011 Reapportionment Commission to Hawaii lawmakers today. Hawaii Reporter. State Roundup for Dec. 30. Associated Press. Oahu Acting on newly confirmed boundaries, Honolulu police swept in late Thursday night and evicted Occupy Honolulu campers at Thomas Square Park, arresting two protesters. Star-Advertiser. New overnight, “Occupy” protestors were forced out of Thomas Square after a two month stand. Hawaii News Now. Feds OK Final Rail Design Work, But Demand Stronger Financial Plan. Civil Beat. The City and County of Honolulu has moved one step closer to receiving federal funding for its $5.3 billion rail project. KHON2. Change orders and problems have plagued two city construction projects in Ewa, a new gym and a new fire station, adding to their costs and causing months of delays. KITV4. Hawaii Hawaii County Council members are lining up their priorities for the new year. West Hawaii Today. As Hilo Councilman J Yoshimoto makes plans to run for the District 2 council seat, now that he’s been moved there from his current District 3, he’s going to face competition. West Hawaii Today. Maui State funding of nearly $1.3 million has been released for design, planning and a portion of construction for a project to convert the University of Hawaii Maui College’s former cafeteria into the new UH Food Innovation Center. Maui News. Plans for a new Kihei high school call for building a campus in two phases, with the first targeted for opening in 2016 for 800 students and 120 staff members, according to a draft environmental impact statement posted last week. Maui News. Kauai Time share owners at The Point at Po‘ipu are yelling foul in what might just might be a case of buyer beware. Garden Island. County officials this week reminded Kaua‘i residents that more tax relief is now available for eligible homeowners. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Superferry joins the Navy, Hawaii education foundering, Maui CSI complete, Birthers smacked down, Oahu beach access enforced, Hawaii County…
23. December 2011
Hawaii Superferry (c) 2011 All Hawaii News The Navy has received congressional approval to buy two high-speed superferries from the U.S. Maritime Administration. Associated Press. Hawaii lacks a “sense of urgency” about meeting the commitments it made to secure $75 million in federal education funding, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Thursday. Civil Beat. The Hawaii Department of Education is struggling to make the grade and now the state has been warned it could lose $75 million in federal funding as a result. Hawaii News Now. Don Horner is retiring as CEO from First Hawaiian Bank at the end of this month and building a second home on the North Shore, but he’s hardly stepping out of the limelight. Star-Advertiser. The scene at the Hawaii Labor Relations Board Thursday — one day after the federal government issued a harsh warning to the state about its $75 million Race to the Top grant — was unlike anything that’s happened until now. Civil Beat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration say updated computer models show that debris from the Japan tsunami earlier this year could impact the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as early as January or February 2012. KITV4. Statewide initial unemployment claims dropped 5.6 percent last week, the Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism said Thursday. Pacific Business News. These are hardly happy days for Hawaii Democrats. New York Times. The so-called birther movement was dealt another legal blow Thursday when a federal appeals court tossed out a lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama’s U.S. citizenship and his eligibility to serve as commander in chief.
Continue reading...Hawaii preps for Obama ohana, Kauai residents sue Pioneer GMO seed corn company, Abercrombie to release cautiously optimistic budget, union woes…
14. December 2011
Kilauea lava flows into sea USGS courtesy photo Volcanologists on Tuesday mapped the newest ocean entry from the ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald. Kailua residents began bracing for the possibility of a fourth consecutive Christmas visit from President Barack Obama and the first family as activity picked up Tuesday around the beachside compound that’s come to be known as Obama’s Western White House. Star-Advertiser. Cautiously optimistic. That’s the tone Hawaii taxpayers can expect when Gov. Neil Abercrombie releases his budget update Monday. Civil Beat. The National Transportation Safety Board recommendation Tuesday that all states should ban drivers from using any cellphones, including hands-free devices, would be “drastic” and a tough sell in the islands where county restrictions already exist, a key Hawaii lawmaker said. Star-Advertiser. The Legislature passed an anti-bullying law this year, but it wasn’t in time to keep Hawaii out of a federal report that names the state as one of four without such a statute. Star-Advertiser. For the last five months the Hawaii State Teachers Association has been making its case before the Labor Relations Board — and in the media — that Gov. Neil Abercrombie violated collective bargaining law when he unilaterally implemented a new contract on teachers in July. Civil Beat. Hawaiian Telcom workers have rejected the company’s latest contract offer. Associated Press. State roundup for Dec. 14. Associated Press. Oahu Skies over Oahu are expected to clear this morning as a storm system that prompted a flash-flood watch Tuesday moves to the east, the National Weather Service said. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has approved First Wind and Hawaiian Electric Co.’s plan to construct a 69-megawatt wind farm on the North Shore of Oahu that will be the largest wind-energy project in the state. Pacific Business News. CBS’s executive producer for the television series Hawaii Five-O, Peter Lenkov, issued an apology on Tuesday, December 14, 2011, on behalf of the Hawaii Five-0 production unit, to “veterans and members of the Greatest Generation Foundation whom we unintentionally offended when our events coincided.” Hawaii Reporter. Local Nisei soldiers who received the coveted Congressional Gold Medal in Washington D.C. last month, will be honored during several celebrations in Honolulu this weekend. KITV4. The city auditor found the city’s Emergency Medical Services operation spent $15.7 million in non-holiday overtime costs between fiscal years 2008 and 2010. KITV4. Hawaii Although still without a contractor to clean its dry wells and drainage culverts, Hawaii County safely “weathered” recent rains that drenched much of the island. Tribune-Herald. A reward of up to $30,000 is being offered for information leading to charges against the person or people who destroyed 10 acres of papaya trees in Kapoho this summer. Tribune-Herald. Federal Justice Officials Ignore Questions About Hawaii Pot Minister. Civil Beat. The low bidder for the next phase of the Kaloko Housing project is protesting its disqualification, its president says. West Hawaii Today. Maui Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees left the replacement of former member Boyd Mossman in the governor’s hands, after they were unable to reach a decision on the appointment Monday. Maui News. The origin of a fire that knocked out 911 emergency service and caused other communications problems Sunday was unknown Monday, but a Hawaiian Telcom spokesman said all service was restored by 3:15 a.m. Monday. Maui News. Kauai On behalf of more than 150 Waimea residents, attorneys on Tuesday filed a lawsuit in Fifth Circuit Court on O‘ahu against Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a DuPont company. Garden Island. Photovoltaic systems will be installed at 15 Kauai schools at no cost to the State. KHON2. A handful of bills recently introduced by the Kaua‘i County Council may jolt the county’s main revenue generator — real property taxes. Garden Island. An anonymous letter from a county employee takes aim at what is described as marijuana use during the workday by employees who never seem to come up for random urinalysis testing. Garden Island. Lanai When a former employee who became one of David H. Murdock’s most avid supporters sat down with the billionaire owner of Lana’i in July, she created quite a stir among residents when she wrote Murdock was contemplating selling the island. KHON2.
Continue reading...Census shows Hawaii, Kauai counties falling behind, teachers may yet strike, Maui drops district voting idea, tourist spending up, Honolulu rapid…
30. November 2011
Child at play (c) 2011 All Hawaii News Almost one-quarter of Hawaii County’s children lived in poverty last year, by far the highest rate in the state, and a 6 percentage point increase over five years ago. West Hawaii Today . Hawaii’s tourism industry is heading into December with a fighting chance to break the record for annual visitor spending despite anemic growth in the number of arrivals so far this year. Star-Advertiser. Visitors to Hawaii last month spent $20 more per person daily compared to last year, the Hawaii Tourism Authority said Tuesday. Associated Press. A legal battle between the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the state has dragged on for five months, and yet the end is nowhere on even the most distant horizon. Civil Beat. State taxpayers may have to foot cost of returning 350 new guns. Hawaii News Now. Former Gov. Linda Lingle said Tuesday a federal proposal to designate areas on and around the main Hawaiian islands as critical habitat for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal is insensitive and an example of “government over-reach.” Associated Press. 15,000 – that is the number of non resident members of the United States military who are not represented in any state anywhere in the country in state elections. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaiian Telcom announced it has updated its collective bargaining agreement offer to IBEW Local Union 1357. KHON2. Comment: OHA needs to hear its beneficiaries before making deals. Hawaii Independent. Oahu Hawaii residents could be paying tens of millions of dollars in higher electric rates over the next 25 years if state regulators don’t approve a contract for a wind farm on Oahu’s north shore in time for developers to take advantage of a lucrative federal grant. Civil Beat. At a time when other union members are facing pay cuts, furloughs and losing benefits, registered nurses at Queen’s Medical Center, Hawaii’s largest hospital, approved a contract Monday night with three years’ worth of raises. KITV4. A temporary restraining order preventing construction of a multipurpose building at Kawaiaha’o Church will remain in effect at least through Friday as a state judge considers arguments made Tuesday in a lawsuit seeking to stop the controversial project. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu has the highest quality of living nationwide, according to a new survey from investment consulting group Mercer. Associated Press. Honolulu’s planned rail transit project is one of a handful of top candidates across the nation with a chance to share in $510 million in federal transit funds under spending measures signed by President Barack Obama earlier this month. Star-Advertiser. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is eligible for $510 million in federal funds next year, Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka announced Tuesday. Pacific Business News. The second-annual conference of nonprofit communities convened in Waikiki today. Hawaii Public Radio. A dust problem in Nanakuli is not a health concern, but steps can be taken to mitigate the nuisance. KHON2. Hawaii A 3rd Circuit District Court judge on Tuesday ejected Abel Simeona Lui, a Native Hawaiian activist, from his courtroom and upheld an eviction order previously handed down against Lui and his group claiming native ownership of a Ka’u parcel recently purchased by Hawaii County. West Hawaii Today. In a classic case of home rule, Hawaii County lawmakers want the state to delay releasing a foreign insect intended to control the spread of invasive strawberry guava. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii County’s high number of retirees and people with disabilities are factors behind the county seeing 7.3 percent of personal income coming from Social Security payments, economists and a sociologist say. West Hawaii Today. Maui District voting for Maui County Council races is off the table for the foreseeable future. Maui News. Maui County Council Planning Committee Chairman Don Couch wanted to begin discussion Monday of a proposed limit on the number of vacation rentals on Maui. Maui News. Kauai The Kamalani Pavilion will be blessed and dedicated to the public benefit soon. Garden Island. Molokai State transportation officials are hoping the conflict over cruise ships docking on Molokai will be resolved during a scheduled meeting of the parties today, department spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said. Star-Advertiser.
Continue reading...Honolulu rapid transit headed back to court, Abercrombie reluctantly releases public records, Hawaii businesses get record SBA loans, Kauai police…
28. November 2011
Hawaii makahiki (c) 2011 All Hawaii News This is a season of thanksgiving in many cultures, including in Hawaii where the Makahiki season is just beginning.Hawaii Public Radio. http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/content/makahiki-season-lono Attorneys for the city and Federal Transit Authority will be in U.S. District Court on Wednesday at 10 a.m. seeking to have several high profile plaintiffs challenging the legality of the city’s rail system thrown out. Hawaii Reporter. Before Christmas trees are put on display, each are inspected by the state to ensure no invasive species are brought to Hawaii. KHON2. Average room rates at Hawaii hotels rose by more than 4 percent last week, while occupancy on the Neighbor Islands got a boost from pre-Thanksgiving week travelers, according to a weekly report by Hospitality Advisors LLC and Smith Travel Research
Continue reading...Health benefits face cuts, Hawaiian newspapers coming to the Internet, PUC approves HELCO power sharing, smart grid for Maui, swag for elected…
23. November 2011
Hilo homelessness (c) 2011 All Hawaii News Homeless service providers say they haven’t seen much of a drop, if any, in the number of people coming to them. Civil Beat. The Abercrombie administration intends to tighten eligibility and reduce benefits for adults in QUEST, eliminating an estimated 3,000 people from the state’s health plan for the poor, but has walked back limits on hospital stays that would have been the most restrictive in the nation. Star-Advertiser. Swag of Our Governors. Civil Beat. Awaiaulu, Inc., a local non-profit organization, is seeking 3,000 volunteers from around the world to participate in a unique nation-building initiative that aims to make 60,000 pages of Hawaiian-language newspapers accessible via the Internet. Hawaii Reporter. The Hawaii Supreme Court Tuesday denied a request by retired car dealer James Pflueger to review a state appeals court ruling that upheld manslaughter charges against him in the deaths of seven people killed after the 2006 Ka Loko Dam breach. Star-Advertiser . The state Public Utilities Commission has approved Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Feed in Tariff Tier 3. Pacific Business News. Oahu The Pacific Beach Hotel, its owners, and its management, face penalties after a federal contempt of court citation for failure to rehire fired union organizers with back pay. Hawaii News Now. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) wants to inform drivers that archaeological survey work continues in the urban Honolulu area for the rail transit project. Hawaii Independent. Hawaii Kai residents will see their sewer bills go up 14 percent under a rate increase approved Monday by the Public Utilities Commission. Star-Advertiser. The Outdoor Circle is taking a new, hard-line stance against the city’s planned elevated rail transit system, calling the rail project the biggest threat to Oahu’s landscape in the group’s 100-year history. Star-Advertiser. For the past two years, the city has been trying to get an exploding feral pig problem under control at Hoomaluhia Botanical Park in Kaneohe. KITV4. Business owners will meet tomorrow to discuss a possible lawsuit over losses during the APEC summit. KHON4 . Hawaii The first group of low-income residents will move in to the Kaloko Housing units as early as Dec. 1, HOPE Services Hawaii CEO Brandee Menino said Tuesday. West Hawaii Today . As the Hawaii County Council plans its 10th meeting on a new county building code, Council Chairman Dominic Yagong is asking architects, contractors, owner-builders, trade unions and anyone else with an interest to submit amendments to make construction safe and more affordable. West Hawaii Today. Police say they’ll conduct islandwide DUI checkpoints over the Thanksgiving weekend as part of the national campaign “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” Tribune-Herald. Maui Hawaii and Japan on Tuesday agreed to build a smart grid on Maui to demonstrate how solar, wind and other renewable energy sources can be integrated into an electrical grid. Associated Press. Governor Neil Abercrombie announced a project that will invest $37-million-dollars in smart grid technologies on Maui. The entire project is being funded by Japan. Hawaii Public Radio. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Board approved “pretty much the final piece of the puzzle” for the expansion of the Kaheawa wind farm, said First Wind spokesman Kekoa Kaluhiwa. Maui News . Kauai Makeover and renovations for the former Lihu‘e Courthouse will follow historic guidelines because the building is listed on the Hawai‘i Register and the National Register of Historic Places since 1981. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Review: Aulani, Disney Resort & Spa
31. October 2011
Though we’ve covered quite a bit about Aulani after visiting last month for their Grand Opening Celebration , I felt like there were several aspects that I still needed to share with you. Hawaiian Culture Is Embraced and Honored When I first heard that Disney was coming to Hawaii several years ago, I wondered how Disney would blend in Hawaii. Actually, I think Disney has gone to great lengths to incorporate Hawaiian culture into Aulani and emphasizing that above iconic Disney characters. Hawaiian culture seems to drive the car, so to speak, while stereotypical Disney aspects ride along in the backseat. For example, when we first arrived, we noticed the kalo (taro) plants in front of the resort, we were greeted with alohas and when we went into the lobby we noticed then the beautiful murals of Hawaiian scenes. It wasn’t until we got into our room that we finally noticed the first Disney-influence, which was a vintage-looking lamp with a wooden Mickey Mouse carved in the lamp stand ( see photo ). Aulani Lobby I had a chance to meet with some of the Aulani artists who were all born and raised in Hawaii – most were local from the Waianae Coast. When they were commissioned for their art, they said that Disney provided very little input. Each artist expressed how much they enjoyed being a part of Aulani, telling their story and perpetuating their native Hawaiian culture. If you’re interested in learning more about the art at Aulani, I found this article . Just about every place that has a name at Aulani has a Hawaiian name. Hawaiian is usually spoken first. In fact, a helpful Concierge, Sharilyn, told me that though she had grown up in Hawaii, she’s never spoken as much Hawaiian as she has since she started working at Aulani. Kid & Family Friendly Donald Duck rocks an Aloha Shirt at Aulani In my opinion, Aulani is the most kid-friendly resort in Hawaii. Here are some of the great things designed for kids to enjoy: Aunty’s Beach House is a dream play house for any kid. Just touring it made me want to be a kid again. There’s Hawaiian crafts, dress up, story time, outdoor play, hula, musical instruments, movies, games and more. I’ve not seen anything else in Hawaii that matches it. Not only is it outstanding – it’s a complimentary amenity for guests. Other Hawaii resorts charge $35 or more for a half day. You do need to pay for meals. Aunty’s Beach House is open from 8am to 9pm or 9am to 11pm depending on the day. Aunty’s Beach House is available for potty trained guests ages 3 to 12. Aulani offers complimentary activities designed especially for tweens and teens like pool parties, obstacle courses and stargazing. Disney Characters make regular visits and appearances much to the delight kids of all ages. Character Breakfasts are scheduled three days per week at the moment. Aulani has embraced the legend of the Menehune – so much so that they’ve placed hundreds of Menehune statues and carvings throughout the resort. It’s fun for both kids and grownups to find Menehune hiding throughout the resort. Rainbow Reef , two waterslides and the Menehune Bridge ( photo ) are ideal water fun parks for kids and adults, too. You’d have to try really, really hard not to have fun in the Aulani Waikolohe Valley collection of water park fun. Rooms include Pack ‘n Play playard for the little ones. The lagoon beach adjacent to Aulani offers relatively safe protection from big waves. Couple Friendly? I added the question mark because, I’m not too sure about how couple-friendly Aulani is. It’s not couple unfriendly , that’s for sure, but I wouldn’t say that Aulani is exceptionally romantic either. Andy and I certainly enjoyed our visit, though we spent most of our time working. When we could, we enjoyed the waterslides and lazy river like a couple of kids . Mickey & Minnie Mouse enjoy a romantic Aulani sunset. Some of the romantic things you can do at Aulani are have a Fairytale Disney Wedding , enjoy private ocean view dining, get some spa pampering with a couples massage, go on a catamaran sunset cruise, relax by the adults-only pool, watch sunset in the infinity whirlpools, have a sunset beach picnic, etc. Outstanding Spa Facilities I think it’s just a matter of time for Aulani’s Laniwai Spa to be listed among Hawaii’s best spas. Access to their outdoor hydrotherapy garden, Kula Wai, is included in most treatments. Kula Wai offers whirlpools, cold plunge, mineral baths and my favorite – six different rain shower experiences. If you’re not staying at Aulani, but you want to get a spa treatment in Oahu, I highly recommend Aulani’s spa. (Psst! Here’s a tip, when there’s availability, guests can purchase a day pass to the hydrotherapy garden for $45.) Rooms Aulani offers both hotel and vacation ownership accommodations. The hotel portion was sold out, so we were lucky to be assigned one of the Disney Vacation Club rooms . We had a sitting area, dining area, full kitchen, washer and dryer, separate bedroom and a bath and a half. We could have lived there. The rooms are nicely decorated with dark woods, Hawaiian prints and kapa designs. Even if you are not a Disney Vacation Club owner, the DVC rooms are available for booking within 60 days of your visit when they’re available. Dining Aulani offers several dining venues across the resort from take out to fine dining. Our favorite restaurant was ‘ AMA’AMA where we enjoyed their kulua pork on steamed rice buns and the ocean views. For casual evening dining, we liked The ‘Olelo Room where Hawaiian is spoken first. It’s a great place for sliders and learning to speak Hawaiian words – a great combo. For a cool treat, we really liked the shave ice hut near the pools. Aulani has their very own Shave Ice hut that looks like it was transported straight from the North Shore. As I’ve already mentioned, Aulani offers a great chance to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and other Disney characters at the Character Breakfast that’s served buffet-style for $32 in Makahiki. We enjoyed it. (Psst! They also offer an a la carte menu at Makahiki if you don’t want the buffet.) If there’s one area Aulani could improve upon, I’d say it’s with dining. We didn’t have a bad meal, but we didn’t have many impressive ones either. We chalked it up to the standard learning curve that all new restaurants endure. Pricing With rooms starting at $399, Aulani’s rates are definitely well above average for Hawaii of about $185 per night. That being said, the service and the amenities are well above average for Hawaii, too. I could be wrong, but I predict that Aulani will begin offering more deals. At the moment, they have a limited 5th night free offer. We felt like food and beverage costs were in line with what most Hawaii resorts charge. Nothing shocked us in comparison to other Hawaii resorts we’ve visited. A few tips for getting the most out of your stay: Check the all the resort happenings with the weekly, and daily ‘IWA for crafts, character meet and greet, movies on the lawn, Starlit Hui show, etc. Most of these activities are complimentary for guests. If you think you might be interested in taking part in the Character Breakfast, I recommend you book a month or more in advance to make sure you secure your spot. Also, aim to get there for an early arrival, like 7am, where you’ll have the characters almost all to yourself. If you are getting a spa treatment, do plan to check in an hour before to enjoy the spa amenities. Check out is at 11am, but don’t worry if you have a late flight. Aulani provides a fantastic lounge for guest after check out, the Luana Lounge. You’ll find lockers, showers, swimsuit dryers, hair dryers in case you need to freshen up before your flight. There’s two separate lounges with sofas and televisions. They even provide a monitor with Honolulu flights and a station to print your boarding passes. Wifi is free, yippee! See all the photos we took during our Aulani stay. Don’t forget to check out our video tour of Aulani . We’d like to thank Aulani for hosting and inviting us to their Grand Opening Celebration. © 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...Outrigger Canoe Sailing in Ko Olina with Hawaiian Ocean Adventures
27. October 2011
While we were staying at the Disney Aulani resort in Ko Olina, this colorful outrigger canoe by the lagoon kept grabbing my attention. So, I went by Makiki Joe’s water sport hut to inquire about it. I found out that I could go sailing along the Ko Olina coast this beautiful outrigger canoe with Hawaiian Ocean Adventures for $99 per person. I immediately booked a sailing for Andy and me. The hour long sail took us out of the protected lagoon and into the open water. We first went south, hoping to see some honu (Hawaiian sea turtles) and we did see two or three. I love seeing the honu surface to poke their heads out of the water. Next, we sailed north on the look out for dolphins and we found a nice-sized pod coming towards the shore. What a show they put – spinning out of the water. We saw some baby dolphins arching out of the water by their moms – oh my goodness, they were adorable! The owner, Nakoa Prejean, was born and raised in Hawaii. As he navigated us along the coast, Nakoa told us about how he perpetuates the art of Hawaiian canoe building and sailing. He builds his own canoes in the same fashion as ancient canoes, but with modern materials. Not only does he build canoes, but he also donates his time
Continue reading...Abercrombie honeymoon’s over: Hawaii Democrats seek shakeup at the top, and more political and government news from all the Hawaiian Islands
7. October 2011
Gov. Neil Abercrombie (c) 2011 All Hawaii News In a major internal shakeup, Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s chief of staff and his deputy chief of staff have resigned just 10 months into an administration the governor acknowledges has fallen short of expectations. Star-Advertiser. Asselbaye Senior Dems Pushed Gov To Shake Up Staff: From early in his administration, longtime associates of Gov. Neil Abercrombie were alarmed at their friend’s performance. Civil Beat. Less than a year after taking office, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has lost his top two aides to resignation. Hawaii Reporter. Aoki Two top members of the Hawaii governor’s administration who played key roles in getting him elected are stepping down. Associated Press. Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office announced Thursday that his Chief of Staff Amy Asselbaye and Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Aoki have resigned. KITV4. Ten months after being sworn into office two key members of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s administration abruptly announced their resignations Thursday. KHON2. Coppa New Chief of Staff an Accomplished Businessman With Strong Labor Ties. Civil Beat. The same day Ed Teixeira stepped down from a job he held through three administrations, workers circulated a petition that he be reinstated. KITV4. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is hoping to pick a successor to longtime Administrator/Chief Executive Officer Clyde Namuo in the next three to five months, OHA Chairwoman Colette Machado said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser . A state official says an agency intended to allow development of public lands won’t have “land-grabbing power,” opposed by environmentalists and Hawaiian rights groups. Star-Advertiser. Patricia M. Loui won approval Thursday from the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs for her nomination to the board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Pacific Business News. Oahu Swimmers, surfers and boaters will be banned from some parts of the ocean during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next month, according to preliminary security plans released Thursday by the U.S. Coast Guard. Star-Advertiser. Unite Here Local 5, Hawaii’s largest hotel workers union with over 11,000 members, is continuing its campaign against the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for subcontracting local jobs and challenging union wages. Hawaii Independent. The City of Honolulu celebrated the 50th anniversary of a very special sister-city relationship today. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii A public shooting range for West Hawaii is on target to open in a “couple of years,” with state and county cooperation on the use of land near the Puuanahulu landfill. West Hawaii Today. The County Council has given a name and face to pending legislation aimed at keeping impaired drivers off Big Island roads. Tribune-Herald. Public funding to support North Hawaii Community Hospital, health record privacy and long-term health care were among the concerns North Hawaii residents voiced to hospital officials Thursday in Waimea. West Hawaii Today. Ironman athletes strip down for Underpants Run, the Kona fundraiser began in 1997 to poke fun at the Speedo-clad triathletes wandering through town before the big race. Hawaii News Now. Maui The Maui County Council Land Use Committee voted 8-0 Wednesday to recommend approval of Maui Land & Pineapple’s West Maui housing project Pulelehua. Maui News. A March trial in 2nd Circuit Court is scheduled to determine the fate of the $70 million-plus estate of Laurence Dorcy, one of Maui’s richest men, who died in June. Maui News. Kauai Some Kauai County employees will soon be driving electric vehicles. Associated Press. Carolyn Larson, librarian at the Lihu‘e Public Library, has the cure to the “boarded-up Borders blues” — the Lihu‘e Public Library Fall Used Book Sale. Garden Island.
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4. January 2012
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