Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

Maui Christmas Dining & Events 2011

Christmas in Maui will be filled with lots of aloha this year – with hula, Hawaiian music and  delicious dining. Even Santa is scheduled to spend a good bit of time on Maui after he arrives by outrigger canoe. Here’s what’s on slate for 2011: MAUI CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES, SANTA ARRIVAL & DINING SANTA ARRIVES AT MALUAKA BEACH, MAKENA Saturday, December 24, 2011 Every year Santa comes to Makena, right before his biggest night of year. Join us on Maluaka Beach to welcome Santa to Makena. 10 a.m. Free Phone: (808) 874-1111 or visit www.makenaresortmaui.com SANTA ARRIVES AT THE FAIRMONT KEA LANI MAUI Saturday, December 24, 2011 Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves arrive Polo Beach via outrigger canoe to spread holiday cheer in South Maui. Bring your cameras for photos with Santa. 12 p.m. Free and open to Maui residents and hotel guests. Phone: (808) 875-2290, or email concierge.kealani@fairmont.com SANTA’S WORKSHOP AT HYATT REGENCY MAUI  Saturday, December 24, 2011 Join Santa and his Elves for a special holiday event. Participate in holiday arts and crafts, games, prize giveaways and take pictures with Santa, while feasting on holiday cookies and punch. Personal cameras are welcome. 1 – 3 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Maui’s Umalu tent. Reservations not required. Phone: (808) 661-1234 SANTA WATCH AT HYATT REGENCY MAUI Saturday, December 24, 2011 The famed Tour of the Stars program will be featuring a “Santa Watch.” Astronomers will search the skies for jolly old Saint Nick. Shows at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Phone: (808) 661-1234 CHRISTMAS EVE BUFFET AT MAKENA BEACH & GOLF RESORT Saturday, December 24, 2011 Everyone knows that the Holidays mean lots of great food. The Christmas Evening Buffet starts with a spread that features traditional holiday favorites like sage and thyme basted roasted whole tom turkey served with traditional giblet gravy, cranberry relish and cornbread stuffing or try the spit roasted rosemary pommery leg of lamb. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets while feasting on this hearty holiday meal. 5:30 – 9 p.m. in Molokini Bar & Grille $60.00 per person, $45.00 per child (age 9-12), $30.00 per child (age 5-8) Rates exclusive of tax and gratuity For reservations or for more information call (808) 875-5888, email reservations@makenaresortmaui.com , or visit www.makenaresortmaui.com CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER BUFFET AT SHERATON MAUI RESORT & SPA Saturday, December 24, 2011 Share a view of Black Rock, reconnect with family and friends, and sink your teeth into an assortment of delicious options including bamboo shoot salad, Black Rock oysters and salt crusted baron of beef. 4 – 9 p.m. $63.00 per adult, $31.00 per child (age 6-12) Phone: (808) 921-4600 CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA Saturday, December 24, 2011 A picture is worth a thousand words – so children of all ages are invited to stop by the Lobby to be photographed with Santa Claus! Guests will also enjoy festive entertainment including Hawaiian music, traditional hula dancing and a melodic trio. Photos from 4 – 8 p.m. Images available for purchase on-site or online. Entertainment from 4 – 11 p.m. Phone: (808) 669-6200 CHRISTMAS EVE DINNERS AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA Saturday, December 24, 2011 Savor the season with culinary delights at The Banyan Tree offering an a la carte menu, and The Terrace offering a pre-fixed menu of Mauka Makai (Surf & Turf). 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., with ambient entertainment $60.00 per person. Keiki menu free for children12 years and younger at the Terrace Restaurant, with each paying adult. Reservations recommended Phone: (808) 669-6200 CHRISTMAS EVE CHURCH SERVICES – Hope Chapel in Kihei – three separate services with 8pm candlelight service. See this link for details. – Calvary Chapel South Maui in Kihei – Christmas Eve service at 7pm. See this link for details. – Contact your concierge for more information on church services near your resort.

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Celebration of Hawaiian Steel Guitar at Waikiki Beach Walk

If you have plans to be on Oahu this July, check out the 2nd Annual Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Waikiki Beach Walk . The festival kicks off on Sunday, July 3 rd with an expanded program from 5 to 8 p.m. This festival is free and open to the public. The festival only lasted one day in 2010. In its second year, the festival has grown to last throughout July with celebrations planned each Sunday through July. Here’s the line up for the 2011 festival: July 3 – Stars of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar

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Oahu’s July 4th Fireworks and Events 2010

If you’re making plans to visit Oahu this July 4th, you’ll some excellent ways to celebrate Independence Day with a bang. All the events are family-friendly and free. Whether you’re staying in Waikiki, Honolulu, North Shore or anywhere else on beautiful Oahu, you’ll find a July 4th celebration that’s convenient and fun. After hours of research, I’ve created this list of Oahu’s top July 4th events for 2010: Saturday, July 3rd – Fireworks Display at Aloha Tower One of the Oahu’s bigger July 4th events actually occurs on the 3rd at Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu. This local favorite has traditionally presented an impressive fireworks display. The fireworks show is set to go off from a barge in Honolulu Harbor between Sand Island and the Aloha Tower Marketplace around 8:00pm, but other festivities including food, fun and live music starts at 3pm.  (See this Google Map .) As for getting there to watch the fireworks from Aloha Tower Marketplace parking will be difficult to find. If you decide to drive there, you may want to arrive early to check out other festivities including food, fun and live music starting at 3pm.  See this link for Aloha Tower Marketplace parking options. If you are coming from Waikiki, you might want to consider taking TheBus or the Red Line Trolley to prevent parking and traffic headaches. The address for Aloha Tower Marketplace is 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, HI. For more information: See their website or call 808.528.5700. Sunday, July 4th – Ala Moana Center 4th of July Spectacular Ala Moana Center puts on a huge Independence Day celebration that’s been popular with locals and visitors. Their fireworks extravaganza is among the best in the country. Fireworks begin at 8:30pm, but there’s plenty of excellent entertainment starting at noon. See this link for the entertainment line up and a shopping discount. You can watch the fireworks from around the center, at Magic Island (Aina Moana Beach Park), and at Ala Moana Beach Park. See this Google Map to visualize the area. To get there from Waikiki, you can drive, take TheBus or the Ala Moana shopping shuttle. See this link for more information on public transportation options. Also, note if you have Trolley tickets, you can take either the Pink or Red Trolley Lines. If  your up for a good walk and have comfortable walking shoes, then consider walking from Waikiki to Ala Moana Beach Park. You won’t have to worry about traffic and finding a parking space. The closer you’re staying to the western end of Waikiki, the shorter the walk. Ala Moana Center is located at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu. Their phone number is 808.955.9517. Sunday, July 4th – Schofield Barracks 4th of July Spectacular Hawaii’s largest Army post in Central Oahu will have an Independence Day celebration including games, rides, crafts and live music. They will host a free fireworks display at 8:30pm. For more information on this day long celebration see this flyer . Sunday, July 4th – Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks at Turtle Bay Resort If you are staying in or around Oahu’s North Shore, the celebration and fireworks show at Turtle Bay Resort will be you’re most convenient event. The fireworks show starts “at dark” (around 8pm), but there’s display booths and games for the kids starting at 5:30pm. Admission and parking is free. Turtle Bay Resort is located on Oahu’s North Shore at 57-091 Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku, HI. For more information see this link or call Turtle Bay Resort toll free at  866.827.5327. Sunday, July 4th – Maunalua Bay Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show Starting at 1pm, this family-friendly event includes entertainment, food booths, and a fireworks show at 8:00pm. Maunalua Bay is located between Diamond Head and Koko Head on the southeast side of Oahu. For more information see the event’s website . To get there from Waikiki, you’ll need to take TheBus or drive. Be sure and check the event’s website for parking advice. Sunday, July 4th – Kailua Fireworks Plans are in place for a July 4th celebration and evening fireworks show at the East Oahu town of Kailua. See this link for more information. Sunday, July 4th –  First Annual Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Waikiki Beach Walk Okay, so this isn’t a July 4th celebration per se, but it’s a celebration being held on July 4th, and it’s free. You’ll be able to listen to some exceptionally talented Hawaiian steel guitarists from 2pm until 6pm. Afterwards, you’ll still be able to catch one of the evening fireworks shows. This festival will be held at the Plaza Stage of the Waikiki Beach Walk . Sunday, July 4th – Military’s July 4th Fireworks Spectacular This event is specifically for all military affiliated personnel including active duty, reserve, retirees, DoD, family members and sponsored guests. It’s a day-long Independence Day celebration with games, food, concerts and fireworks at Ward Field, Naval Station Pearl Harbor. For more information on this event, see this link. ——- After reviewing this list, I’m sure you’ll agree, Oahu is definitely going to be a great place to celebrate July 4th this year!  I wish you a very happy and safe Independence Day! © 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 .

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