Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

Waikiki & Honolulu 2011/2012 New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Dinners & Events

Waikiki and Honolulu will be an exciting places to celebrate New Year’s Eve this year with fireworks, fine dining  and dancing! Tropical weather and being near the surf, sand and palm trees will only enhance your celebration. What a great place to bid a fond farewell to 2011 and welcome in 2012 with aloha! After many hours of emails, phone calls and searches, I’ve  compiled this list of the top things to do this New Year’s Eve. You’ll surely find something that will suit your interests.  Here’s what’s going on this December 31, 2011. New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Cruises with Fireworks Views * From multiple sources, I’ve confirmed that the night sky will light up with fireworks on Waikiki Beach at midnight. * Honolulu’s Aloha Tower Marketplace will hold their big block party again this year. They’ll have live music and DJs across seven different stages. At midnight, you’ll find the biggest fireworks show on Oahu. This event is open to guests ages 21 and older. New Year’s Eve 2012 Block Party tickets start at $20 and can be ordered online via TicketMaster or by phone at 800-745-3000. For more information, call 808-306-3079. *  Star of Honolulu offers several different cruise packages for cocktails, pupus, dinner and entertainment. See this link for their options. These cruises will offer views of the huge fireworks show from Aloha Tower Marketplace. Pricing starts at $70 per person. Note that convenient round-trip transportation from Waikiki can be added for $11 per person. * If you’re in the area on December 30, don’t miss the Friday night fireworks from the Hilton Hawaiian Village at 7:45pm. New Year’s Eve Waikiki Parties, Clubs and Concerts Want to do a little dancing on New Year’s Eve? Here’s a list of some great venues with parties going on in Waikiki Beach. Note that most of them have great views of the midnight Waikiki fireworks. * Tiki’s Grill & Bar will have live bands, DJ, drink specials for their Tiki Drop 2012 and a view of Waikiki fireworks at midnight. For more information, see this link for the festivity details. (Also check out their special prix fixe four course New Year’s Eve dinner for $59.) *  RumFire transforms into an oceanfront Times Square with a special New Year’s Eve party and view of the Waikiki Beach fireworks at midnight. Presale tickets start at $40. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $50. You must be 21 or older. See this link for more information. * Beachhouse at Moana Surfrider hosts a beachfront “Pre-Resolution Party” giving you one last chance to eat, drink and be merry before your resolutions. This party will be at the Banyan Courtyard with good views of the Waikiki fireworks at midnight. A dessert buffet, party favors, and a live band playing to 40’s music are included. A pupu menu and cash bar will be available. Tickets for the “Pre-Resolution Party” are $100 for adults and $50 for children ages 6 to 12. Ticket prices are inclusive of tax. Tickets are available on the December 31 in the Moana Surfrider lobby from noon to 6pm. (Note that pre-sale tickets will be available in the lobby from December 28 through December 30 in the lobby from noon to 8pm at a discount.) * The Royal Hawaiian , also known as the Pink Palace, hosts a New Year’s Eve Pink Party from 9pm until 12:30am. The party includes a live band with a DJ during band breaks. A pupu menu and cash bar will be available. General admission is $50 per person. Reserved tables are $100 per person. Admission includes tax. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com * Hilton Hawaiian Village’s New Year’s Eve Celebration and Concert features the Local Divas this year. You have the option of seeing the show only or adding dinner plus the show. See this link for more information. * I’ve confirmed that there will be a special New Year’s Eve party at Addiction Nightclub and Beachclub (formerly known as the Crazybox) in The Modern Honolulu . Details coming soon. * Though not necessarily New Year’s Eve-ish, Bill Maher will be performing at the Waikiki Shell at 7:30pm. Lawn tickets start at $29.50. See this link for more information. New Year’s Eve Waikiki Dining * Romantic Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel offers a New Year’s five-course prix-fixe menu for $87 per person. Located oceanfront, Hau Tree Lanai is about a 15 minute beach side stroll from the heart of Waikiki. Call 808-921-7066 for reservations or book online . * Tiki’s Grill & Bar will offer a special four course prix fixe dinner in a casual atmosphere with beach views for $59 per person. See this link for the menu. You can reserve a table at Tiki’s online . Also note that they’ll have a midnight Tiki Drop if you’d like to transition from the dining areas to the celebration. * At the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Bali Steak & Seafood presents a special four course set menu with a variety of choices available. The price is $160 at the first seating and $190 for the second seating. A children’s menu will also available for $80. (To see the adult and children menus use this link and scroll to the Bali menus.) For reservations, call 808-941-BALI (2254). * Beachhouse at Moana Surfrider offers a couple of special New Year’s Eve dinner options and seatings. The second seating option from 8:30pm to 10:30pm  is $185 per person for a five-course menu which also includes admission to their beachfront “Pre-Resolution Party” (also sold separately) that goes on until 1am. See more details and booking information here . For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com * How about a luau for New Year’s Eve? Hilton Hawaiian Village will host their Waikiki Starlight Luau on their Great Lawn for this special evening. Pricing is $98 for adults and $49 for children ages 4 to 11 years old. Lei greeting, dinner buffet, two complimentary select beverages and Polynesian show are included. Upgrade options are available. For reservations, call (808)941-5828. * Kai Market at the Sheraton Waikiki will offer a New Year’s Eve dinner buffet with two separate seatings. Adult buffet pricing ranges from $90 in the first seating to $120 in the second seating. The second seating is more expensive because it also includes entry to the countdown celebration for guests 21 and old. Buffet pricing for children ages 4 to 12 is $29. See this link for more details .  For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com * The Royal Hawaiian will host a special New Year’s Eve Pink Luau Dinner buffet in the Monarch Room from 6pm to 9pm. Entertainment including a fire knife dancer, complimentary welcome cocktail and luau buffet are included in the admission. Pricing is as follows: Adults $209; Children 5-12 years $109(Special Rates for Guests of The Royal Hawaiian and Kama’aina: Adults $189; Children 5-12 years $99). Price includes access to the New Years Eve Pink Party (see details below) that  continues the festivities until 12:30am.  For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com * The Royal Hawaiian , also known as the Pink Palace, hosts a New Year’s Eve Pink Party from 9pm until 12:30am. The party includes a live band with a DJ during band breaks. A pupu menu and cash bar will be available. General admission is $50 per person. Reserved tables are $100 per person. Admission includes tax. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com * Azure at the Royal Hawaiian will serve a five course New Year’s Eve dinner from 5:30pm to 9pm for $175 per person. (See menu .) Pricing includes access to the New Year’s Eve Pink Part that’s described above. A children’s menu will also be available for kids ages 5 to 12 years for $40. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com *  Rainbow Lanai at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will present a New Year’s Eve Buffet from 5pm to 9:30pm. (Use this link and scroll down to the Rainbow Lanai section to see the buffet menu.) Pricing is $59 per adult $55 and $29 for children (12 and under). For more information, call (808) 949-4321 —- As you’re making your Waikiki and Honolulu New Year’s Eve plans and reviewing this list of great things to do, please note the following: I recommend you make reservations, order tickets, etc. as soon as possible to secure the place and time you like. Unless otherwise stated, you can assume that taxes and gratuities are not included in the listed prices. All pricing, schedules and plans were accurate at the time of publishing. Most Waikiki Beach hotel-based restaurants will be open on New Year’s Eve. Check directly with the concierge of your accommodations for their special meals and events. As New Year’s Eve approaches, most likely, I’ll be adding more events, so do check back. So, pack your bags and start practicing how to say Happy New Year in Hawaii: Hau’oli Makahiki Hou ! © 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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Oahu New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Events 2009/2010

You’ll find lots and lots and lots of things to do to bid a fond aloha to 2009 and welcome in 2010 this New Years Eve on Oahu. So, pack your bags and start practicing how to say Happy New Year in Hawaii: Hau’oli Makahiki Hou ! New Year’s Eve Fireworks * Honolulu’s Aloha Tower Marketplace  will ring in 2010 with New Year’s Eve celebration featuring waterfront dining, live entertainment throughout the marketplace and a spectacular fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor at midnight. Several Aloha Tower restaurants will host special menus and packages for the evening. (This fireworks show is usually the biggest on the island.) If you’re looking for an extra special place to dine here, check out multi-award winning Chai Island Bistro . (See my review of Chai Island Bistro .) Visit AlohaTower.com or call (808) 566-2377 for more information. * One way to celebrate New Year’s Eve and then see the midnight fireworks from Honolulu Harbor is aboard the Star of Honolulu. They have several different cruise packages for dinner, cocktails, as well as shows. Visit StarofHonolulu.com or call (808) 983-7827 for more information. * In Kapolei, Wet n Wild water park provides an early fireworks display on New Year’s Eve beginning at 6pm to accommodate families with children who may not want to stay up late. Celebrate the end-of-the year with a spectacular fireworks display by the world renowned  Grucci Brothers .  Arrive early to enjoy a day filled with live entertainment, games and tons of prizes. Visit WetnWild or call (808) 674-9283 for more information. * JW Marriott Ihilani Resort in the Ko’Olina area of Kapolei will put on a midnight New Year’s Eve fireworks show.  A couple of the . JW Marriott Ihilani Resort restaurants, Ushio-Tei Japanese Restaurant and Naupaka Terrace will offer buffets earlier in the evening. Call (808) 679-0079 for more information. * Waikiki Beach New Year’s Eve fireworks – PENDING! * Don’t forget that every Friday night, there’s a fireworks show in Waikiki . If you happen to miss the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, then you can see a nice little show on New Year’s Day . New Year’s Eve Waikiki Dining & Concerts * The major Starwoods resorts of Waikiki have several options to celebrate New Years Eve — ranging from lavish buffets to multi-course fine dining to dancing with the Village People. The individual pages are not “linkable” so visit NewYearsEveInWaikiki.com directly and navigate from there for all their menus, costs and for information on how to see the Village People concert. * At Waikiki’s Hilton Hawaiian Village, The Stylistics will be playing at the Coral Ballroom. See this flyer for a bit more concert information. Advanced reserved table seats for $49 and are currently on sale at Ticketmaster outlets including the Blaisdell Box Office, Macy’s and online at www.ticketmaster.com . Ticket price includes one standard drink per person, OR one bottle of champagne per couple, inclusive of tax and tip. Also at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, you’ll find some nice dinner options: Bali Steak & Seafood offers a special New Year’s Eve six-course dinner starting at $150 Rainbow Lanai Restaurant has a New Year’s Eve buffet ( menu )  for $59 for adults and $32 for children. * Just about every restaurant in Waikiki and Honolulu will be open and offering something special to celebrate the evening. Where are the best Oahu restaurants? Here’s a couple of excellent lists: Oahu’s top restaurants from a local’s perspective Go Visit Hawaii’s pick of the best Oahu restaurants plus useful links. Off-Beat New Year’s Eve Ideas * If you are looking for something out of the ordinary to do, then consider a treasure hunt in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown with the Fourth Annual Ravenchase Quest for Father Time.  The cost is $125 per person which includes game play plus an open bar from 9pm-midnight, a pupu buffet, champagne toast, and party favors.  For more information see this link. * The Hilton Hawaiian Village will hold its popular Waikiki Starlight Luau at a special venue – the Lagoon Green – next to the picturesque Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Prices for the luau are $125 for adults, $77.50 for children ages 4 to 11; children 3 and under are free. Golden Circle tickets for seats closer the stage are $4 more for each ticket. A sumptuous dinner buffet is offered featuring a modern twist on traditional luau fare. The Waikiki Starlight Luau features the beautiful ladies and gentlemen of Tihati Productions in a Polynesian show. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the hotel at (808) 941-5828. © 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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Oahu New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Events 2009/2010

You’ll find lots and lots and lots of things to do to bid a fond aloha to 2009 and welcome in 2010 this New Years Eve on Oahu. So, pack your bags and start practicing how to say Happy New Year in Hawaii: Hau’oli Makahiki Hou ! New Year’s Eve Fireworks * Honolulu’s Aloha Tower Marketplace  will ring in 2010 with New Year’s Eve celebration featuring waterfront dining, live entertainment throughout the marketplace and a spectacular fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor at midnight. Several Aloha Tower restaurants will host special menus and packages for the evening. (This fireworks show is usually the biggest on the island.) If you’re looking for an extra special place to dine here, check out multi-award winning Chai Island Bistro . (See my review of Chai Island Bistro .) Visit AlohaTower.com or call (808) 566-2377 for more information. * One way to celebrate New Year’s Eve and then see the midnight fireworks from Honolulu Harbor is aboard the Star of Honolulu. They have several different cruise packages for dinner, cocktails, as well as shows. Visit StarofHonolulu.com or call (808) 983-7827 for more information. * In Kapolei, Wet n Wild water park provides an early fireworks display on New Year’s Eve beginning at 6pm to accommodate families with children who may not want to stay up late. Celebrate the end-of-the year with a spectacular fireworks display by the world renowned  Grucci Brothers .  Arrive early to enjoy a day filled with live entertainment, games and tons of prizes. Visit WetnWild or call (808) 674-9283 for more information. * JW Marriott Ihilani Resort in the Ko’Olina area of Kapolei will put on a midnight New Year’s Eve fireworks show.  A couple of the . JW Marriott Ihilani Resort restaurants, Ushio-Tei Japanese Restaurant and Naupaka Terrace will offer buffets earlier in the evening. Call (808) 679-0079 for more information. * Waikiki Beach New Year’s Eve fireworks – PENDING! * Don’t forget that every Friday night, there’s a fireworks show in Waikiki . If you happen to miss the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, then you can see a nice little show on New Year’s Day . New Year’s Eve Waikiki Dining & Concerts * The major Starwoods resorts of Waikiki have several options to celebrate New Years Eve — ranging from lavish buffets to multi-course fine dining to dancing with the Village People. The individual pages are not “linkable” so visit NewYearsEveInWaikiki.com directly and navigate from there for all their menus, costs and for information on how to see the Village People concert. * At Waikiki’s Hilton Hawaiian Village, The Stylistics will be playing at the Coral Ballroom. See this flyer for a bit more concert information. Advanced reserved table seats for $49 and are currently on sale at Ticketmaster outlets including the Blaisdell Box Office, Macy’s and online at www.ticketmaster.com . Ticket price includes one standard drink per person, OR one bottle of champagne per couple, inclusive of tax and tip. Also at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, you’ll find some nice dinner options: Bali Steak & Seafood offers a special New Year’s Eve six-course dinner starting at $150 Rainbow Lanai Restaurant has a New Year’s Eve buffet ( menu )  for $59 for adults and $32 for children. * Just about every restaurant in Waikiki and Honolulu will be open and offering something special to celebrate the evening. Where are the best Oahu restaurants? Here’s a couple of excellent lists: Oahu’s top restaurants from a local’s perspective Go Visit Hawaii’s pick of the best Oahu restaurants plus useful links. Off-Beat New Year’s Eve Ideas * If you are looking for something out of the ordinary to do, then consider a treasure hunt in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown with the Fourth Annual Ravenchase Quest for Father Time.  The cost is $125 per person which includes game play plus an open bar from 9pm-midnight, a pupu buffet, champagne toast, and party favors.  For more information see this link. * The Hilton Hawaiian Village will hold its popular Waikiki Starlight Luau at a special venue – the Lagoon Green – next to the picturesque Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Prices for the luau are $125 for adults, $77.50 for children ages 4 to 11; children 3 and under are free. Golden Circle tickets for seats closer the stage are $4 more for each ticket. A sumptuous dinner buffet is offered featuring a modern twist on traditional luau fare. The Waikiki Starlight Luau features the beautiful ladies and gentlemen of Tihati Productions in a Polynesian show. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the hotel at (808) 941-5828. © 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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