Hawaii for Visitors - Hawaii Travel Web Site - by Kathie Fry

2009 Veteran's Day Events in Hawaii

2009-11-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

Most of Hawaii's 2009 Veteran's Day Events, including parades, family festivals, and ceremonies, will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, which is Veteran's Day. There will also be a few early events this weekend, including the Kauai Veteran's Day Parade, and the Waianae Veteran's Day Parade in West Oahu, and the Hilo Veteran's Day Parade on the Big Island, all of which take place on Saturday, November 7. Veteran's day is an official state holiday in Hawaii so city and county offices will be closed and public bus lines may run on their weekend schedules. For more information see: Veteran's Day in Hawaii

Hawaii Events This Weekend: November 6-8, 2009

2009-11-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

Events in Hawaii this weekend, Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8, 2009, will include Arbor Day events on Oahu and the Big Island, Pre-Veteran's Day Parades on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island, the Celebrate Kaimuki Street Festival in Honolulu, a drag race on Kauai, the Kona Coffee Festival and the Moku o Keawe Hula Festival on the Big Island, a gay-friendly Mama Mia Movie and Sing-Along on Maui, a Healing Arts Expo at the Unity Church of Hawaii in Honolulu, and many other events. For more information see

Calendar of November 2009 Hawaii Events

More About November Events in Hawaii

Oahu Halloween Events and Activities

2009-10-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

Halloween Events on Oahu include Hawaii's Haunted Plantation in Waipahu, the Haunted Lagoon Ride at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Haunted Village Night Walk and Show at the Hokulani Imaginarium in Kaneohe, a huge Halloween music and arts street festival in Downtown Honolulu, adults-only Halloween parties at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, a gay-friendly "Man in the Mirror Hulaween" party at Hula's Bar and Grill, Halloween costume parties at many other night spots, a "Silent Scream" screening of the silent film "Phantom of the Opera" accompanied by live organ music, and as always, plenty of costumed revelers parading up and down Kalakaua Avenuer in Waikiki. For more information see Halloween on Oahu. For information about Other Halloween events in Hawaii see Halloween on Maui, Halloween on Kauai, and Halloween on Hawaii Island (aka the Big Island).

2009 Maui Halloween Events and Activities

2009-10-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

2009 Maui Halloween Events will include haunted house attractions in Lahaina and Wailuku, a Halloween costume cruise out of Malaaea Harbor, Halloween events for kids at Maui shopping centers, and of course Lahaina's famous "Mardi Gras of the Pacific" Halloween block party.

The Old Laie Inn Will Close on October 31

2009-10-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

The 45 year old, motel-style Laie Inn, a small hotel on the northeast shore of Oahu, near the Polynesian Cultural Center, will close on October 31, 2009. It is scheduled to be demolished in November. The hotel's owners, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, plan to open a larger, moderately price hotel on the property in 2010. They are in negotiations with Marriott Hotels and Resorts to possibly have the new hotel operated as a Courtyard Marriott. For more information about the old hotel and the new hotel that will replace it, see

The Laie Inn on Oahu's North Shore is Closing

Three Beachfront Waikiki Hotels Under $100

2009-09-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

Budget travelers will be pleased to know there are many hotels in Hawaii with rooms under $100 per night, including several with beautiful beachfront locations. The Aqua Waikiki Beachside Hotel has rooms from about $70 per night and the Aqua Park Shore Hotel has rooms from about $90 per night. Both of those hotels are across Kalakaua Avenue from Waikiki Beach and the Park Shore is also across the street from the Honolulu Zoo. The Aqua Ilikai Hotel has rooms starting at about $90 per night, and it is adjacent to Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon Beach, and within walking distance of Ala Moana Center and the Hawaii Convention Center. IMPORTANT NOTE: All three of these hotels have fabulous oceanfront locations, but of course there are reasons they have rooms under $100. It might be because the hotel is about due for an upgrade, or perhaps because an upgrade is in progress. Always ask a lot of questions when booking a budget hotel room, or for that matter, any hotel room. If you know what to expect, you won't be disappointed.

All Aqua Hotels in Hawaii

Waikiki Hotels on the Beach

Waikiki Hotels Across From the Beach

Waikiki Restaurants on the Beach

Whispering Walls of Waimea Historic Walk

2009-09-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Waimea Valley on the North Shore of Oahu will present a night walking tour of the valley once a month during the Fall of 2009. The tours will be led by Lopaka Kapanui, historian and master storyteller of Hawaiian folklore and legends. The tour is called Whispering Walls of Waimea and it will include "stories and legends of the kahuna nui (High Priests) that once lived in the Valley, the very special pohaku that reside in the Valley, the healing power of the Valley's plant life, and the rumored children that play in the Valley but whose feet can no longer touch the earth." The tours will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2009, Saturday, October 24, 2009, and Saturday, November 14, 2009. For reservations or more information call 808-638-7766.

Whispering Walls of Waimea Tour

Daily Waimea Valley Tours and Activities

Waimea Valley Park

Chef Mavro Offering Special "Julie and Julia" Menu

2009-09-23T11:30:00.001-07:00

Chef George Mavrothalassitis is offering a special Julia Child inspired menu at his award winning Chef Mavro Restaurant in Honolulu. The menu is named after the film "Julie and Julia" and it will be available through the end of September 2009. The three course dinner includes Boeuf a la Bourguignonne, Salade Frisee Aux Lardons, Tarte Tatin, and other French dishes featured in the movie and in Julia Child's cookbooks. Julia's famous "Reverse Martini" will also be available. Chef Mavro's restaurant was awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award in 2009 and in 2008 it was the only Hawaii restaurant included in Gayot's "Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S." The Chef Mavro Restaurant is located at 1969 South King Street in Honolulu. For reservations or more information call 808-944-9714.

Chef Mavro Restaurant - Official Web Site

Recipe for French Burgundy Beef (by Chef Mavro)

About Chef George Mavrothalassitis
French Cookbooks by Julia Child:

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume II

Hawaii Museums Participating in Museum Day 2009

2009-09-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

Visit Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day Web site to print a Museum Day Card that will give you free access to many United States museums on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Hawaii museums participating in Museum Day include:
HAWAII ISLAND

Hilo: Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
MAUI ISLAND

Lahaina: Baldwin Home Museum

Lahaina: Wo Hing Museum

Wailuku: Bailey House Museum
OAHU ISLAND

Honolulu: Hawaii State Art Museum

Honolulu: Hawaii Theatre Center

Honolulu: Honolulu Academy of Arts

Honolulu: Mission Houses Museum

Honolulu: Pacific Aviation Museum

Honolulu: Queen Emma Summer Palace

Honolulu: The Contemporary Museum

Honolulu: University of Hawaii Art Gallery

Schofield Barracks: Tropic Lightning Museum
ABOVE PHOTO: The picture on the above right is the Wo Hing Museum on Maui, a historic building restored by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation in 1983.

Room, Breakfast, and Dinner in Hawaii from $160

2009-09-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ohana Hotels and Resorts is offering a new hotel and meals package that includes a hotel room, daily breakfast, and daily dinner for two people, from about $160 per night at the OHANA Waikiki Malia and OHANA Waikiki East Hotels and from about $190 at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. The deal includes breakfast at the International House of Pancakes in the Waikiki Malia Hotel, Keoni by Keo's at the Waikiki East Hotel, or the new Jimmy Buffett's Restaurant at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Participating restaurants for dinner include the three breakfast restaurants plus the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef Hotel, Round Table Pizza at the Waikiki East Hotel, and the Shorebird Restaurant at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. The OHANA "Room and Meals" offer is available for travel between October 1, 2009 and December 21, 2010. For more information about this and other Waikiki OHANA Hotel deals see

OHANA Room and Meals Deal from $159

OHANA Hawaii Best Available Rates from $79

Free Waikiki Trolley, Internet, Long Distance Calls

September 2009 Events in Hawaii

2009-09-01T23:53:00.000-07:00

September events in Hawaii include the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, the Hawaii Okinawan Festival, the Hawaii Statewide All-Girl Girl Rodeo, the Kona Slack Key Guitar Festival, the Parker Ranch Round-Up Rodeo, The Maui Marathon, the Dick Evans Memorial Bike Race, the Wings Over the Pacific Thunderbirds Airshow, the National Dragster Challenge, the Hawaii Writers Conference, the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, and many many more events, on all of the islands. September is a great time to visit Hawaii because airfaires go down at the end of summer, the beaches aren't crowded, and the weather is perfect!

September 2009 Hawaii Event Calendar

August 2009 Events in Hawaii

2009-08-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

August 2009 Hawaii Calendar (Do It In Hawaii)

August Hawaii Events - by Island

August Hawaii Events - by Type

Frozen Yogurt Shops in Hawaii

2009-08-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

This week I received email asking if there are any Pinkberry frozen yogurt shops in Hawaii. I have not been able to find any Hawaii Pinkberrys, but one of that company's biggest competitors, Red Mango, opened its first shop in Hawaii in the summer of 2008. The Waikiki Red Mango is located across Lewers Street from Waikiki Beach Walk, in the former location of Beard Papa's Cream Puffs. Korea-based Red Mango opened its first yogurt shop in South Korea in 2002 and it became an instant hit in Asia. Two Korean-American women opened the first Pinkberry shop in West Hollywood in 2005 and it was also an immediate hit, famous for long lines around the block until several new Pinkberry shops opened in the area. Both Red Mango and Pinkberry sell a tart frozen yogurt product but their frozen yogurts do not have the same taste. I would describe Pinkberry as having a more lemony taste and Red Mango as having a more yogurty taste, but both are delicious, especially topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries. For more information about Hawaii yogurt and ice cream shops see:

Frozen Yogurt Shops in Hawaii

Ice Cream Shops in Hawaii

July 2009 Events in Hawaii

2009-07-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Hawaii events in July include 4th of July fireworks and celebrations on every island, the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Festival, several hula festivals, several fishing tournaments, the Tinman Triathlon, and many other events.

July 2009 Hawaii Calendar (Do It In Hawaii)

July Hawaii Events - by Island

July Hawaii Events - by Type

New Cocktail Show at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

2009-07-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

Waikiki's historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel - also known as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific" is now producing a weekly cocktail show called "Curators of Hawaiian Music". The shows will feature some of Hawaii's top award-winning musicians beginning with Makana in July and August of 2009, Maunalua in September and October of 2009, and Cecilio and Kapono in November and December of 2009. There will be two one hour concerts every Thursday night, one beginning at 7:30 and the other beginning at 9:30. Tickets are $49 per person with a two drink minimum, but dinner show tickets and discounts for children and Hawaii residents are also available. For more information about the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's "Curators of Hawaiian Music" show call the hotel at 808-931-7311 or visit:

Curators of Hawaiian Music

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Clear-Bottom Kayak Tour on Oahu's North Shore

2009-07-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

The Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu is now offering kayak tours in Ocean Kayaks with clear panels in the bottom for viewing coral and underwater sealife. The tours are operated by Shaka Kayaks and they depart daily from the lobby of the Turtle Bay Hotel. Tour participants are driven to Kewala Bay where they are given an introductory briefing and an opportunity to practice paddling before the tour begins. The tours cost $100 amd they include transportation to and from the Turtle Bay Resort and light refreshments. For more information about the resort and its new kayaking tours see the official Web sites of the Turtle Bay Resort and Shaka Kayaks.

Father's Day Hawaiian Music Festival at Sea Life Park

2009-06-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

The first annual Father's Day Hawaiian Music Festival will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at Sea Life Park on the southeast coast of Oahu. The event will take place from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and it will feature live entertainment by some of Hawaii's top musicians and singers including Kalapana, Kapena, and Beach 5. There will also be a hula performance by Tamatoa, Hawaiian food plates prepared by Fresh Catch, and Budweiser beer for sale. Sea Life Park is located at 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway in the Windward Oahu town of Waimanalo. Festival ticket holders can show their tickets and get a discounted $10 entry into Sea Life Park if they want to spend father's day visiting the park with their families.

Event Poster on the VJ Events Web Site

Other 2009 Father's Day Events in Hawaii

June 2009 Events in Hawaii

2009-06-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hawaii events in June of 2009 include King Kamehameha Day, Father's Day, the Kapalua Maui Wine and Food Festival, the Blaisdell Center Home and Garden Show, the Maui Upcountry Agricultural Fair, the Maui Film Festival, the Kona Gay Pride Festival, the Puuhonua O Honaunau Festival, the Kona Class Fishing Tournament, the Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival in Ala Moana Park, the King Kamehameha Hula Festival, the Kona Marathon, and and George Kahumoku, Jr. Slack Key Guitar Workshop. For more information see:

June 2009 Hawaii Calendar

June Hawaii Events By Island

June Hawaii Events By Type

Maui Writer's Conference Moves to Waikiki

2009-06-01T23:25:00.000-07:00

The Maui Writer's Conference has been held on on the island of Maui every year since 1993 but in 2009 the event is being renamed the Hawaii Writer's Conference and it is being moved to Waikiki on the island of Oahu. The organizers expect the event to grow significantly after it moves to Oahu. Events and activities at the 2009 Writer's Retreat and Conference will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center, the Ala Moana Hotel, the Outrigger Reef Hotel, the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Hawaii Writer's Retreat (August 28 - September 3, 2009)

Hawaii Writer's Conference Gala (September 4, 2009)

Hawaii Writer's Conference (September 4-7, 2009)

Featured Speakers at the 2009 Conference

Military Memorials in Hawaii

2009-05-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

An introduction to military memorials and monuments in Hawaii including the Hawaii State Veterans Memorial, the Memorial to Fallen Hawaiian Warriors, the Hawaii Vietnam and Korean War Memorial, the Brothers in Valor Memorial, the National Cemetery of the Pacific, the Haleiwa Beach War Memorial, the USS Arizona, USS Bowfin, USS Missouri, and USS Oklahoma Memorials, and others. I like to plan a day around visiting Hawaii military monuments and military museums on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Veteran's Day, and Pearl Harbor Day.

Military Monuments in Hawaii

Military Museums in Hawaii

Military Bases in Hawaii

Manoa Valley Theatre Announces 2009-2010 Season

2009-05-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

The Manoa Valley Theatre is a theater company with its own 150-seat theater in the beautiful Manoa Valley of Honolulu. The theater's productions are primarily Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, musicals, and other contemporary, mainstream stage productions. The Manoa Valley Theatre recently announced the six plays and musicals they will be performing during their 2009-2010 season.

Manoa Valley Theatre Photo and Schedule

Small Community Theaters on Oahu

Large Performing Arts Centers on Oahu

Other Manoa Valley Attractions

2009 Hawaiian Electric Company Cookbook Now Available

2009-05-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

The 2009 cookbook published by the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is now available and it is called "A Taste of HECO: Pupu & Desserts". The recipes are presented on a pop-up stand that makes them easy to see while cooking. Proceeds from cookbook sales benefit the Aloha United Way. HECO cookbooks can be purchased at Hawaiian Electric Company customer service offices in Honolulu or mail ordered.

2008 and 2009 HECO Cookbooks

Other Cookbooks From Hawaii

Recipes From Hawaii

2009 Memorial Day Events in Hawaii

2009-05-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

How Memorial Day is observed in Hawaii. Most of these Memorial Day events take place on the Island of Oahu but a few of them are on the outer islands. More events will be added as they are announced over the next few days.

How to Celebrate Mother's Day in Hawaii

2009-05-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

Special Mother's Day events in Hawaii include a "Brunch with the Stars" in West Oahu featuring Henry Kapono, John Cruz, and Yvonne Elliman, Na Leo's 25th anniversary concert at the Hale Koa Hotel, an outdoor concert in Waikiki featuring the talented young Abrigo Ohana trio, and a Kona Orchid Society Show on Hawaii Island. Other Mother's Day events in Hawaii include special brunches, cruises, and fashion shows on several different islands. This article also includes ideas for Hawaii-theme Mother's Day gifts.

Ideas for Celebrating Mother's Day in Hawaii

Mother's Day Events in Hawaii

Lanai City is a National Endangered Place

2009-05-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

In April of 2009 the National Trust for Historic Preservation included Lanai City on its list of the eleven most endangered historic places in the United States. The National Trust considers Lanai City to be "the last remaining intact plantation town in Hawaii". The Trust considers Lanai City to be endangered because the town owner has applied for a permit to tear down several historic buidings to make way for commercial development.

Why Lanai City is Considered Endangered

Photos of Lanai Attractions

Visitor's Guide to Lanai Island