On The Lanai

Steel Guitar Sundays on Waikiki

2007-08-15T05:04:00.000-10:00

Waikiki, Hawaii - Outrigger Reef on the Beach has introduced its newest musical series, Steel Guitar Sundays, a backyard style, kick-back kind of affair with generous portions of music, chatting and fun. Steel Guitar Sundays features seminars and music by some of Hawaii's finest steel guitarists including Alan Akaka, Greg Sardinha, Bobby Ingano and Casey Olsen and is offered on the second Sunday of each month at the Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The steel guitar and the banjo are thought to be the only musical instruments "invented" in what is now the United States. The story goes that a fellow by the name of Joseph Kekuku discovered the sound in the 1890s when he picked up a bolt from a railroad track and slid the metal along the strings of his guitar. Steel guitar gained popularity in the early 1900s, and is part of the family history of many island families, including Outrigger employees who recall family members playing the steel guitar at home.

The next Steel Guitar Sunday will take place on September 9, followed on October 14 and continuing through 2008 at the Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar.

Helpful Hawaiian

2007-07-11T11:49:00.001-10:00

It is true, you are wise and we are foolish.
He oiaio ua naauao oukou a he poe hupo makou.

I will try a small piece of that cold mutton.
E hoa'o ana au i apana uuku o kela hipa maalili.

How much for that lot of razors, scissors, knives, horseshoes, and yokes?
Heaha ko kela puu pahi umiumi, upa, pahi, kamaa lio me na lei-pipi?

Are you not ashamed?
Aohe ou hilahila?

I am afraid of the war.
Makau au i ke kaua.

~ Big Island Times

2005-07-27T04:23:00.000-10:00

Festival spirit
The honu, or Hawaiian sea turtle, is the Hawaiian symbol of longevity, peace, humility and the spirit within, according to Blaine Kamalani Kia, Aloha Festivals cultural adviser, so it is no wonder that the festival's 2005 theme, "Na Honu Hawaii -- The Spirit Within," pays tribute to the sea creatures. ... honu

Hawaii Festivals
Web guide to Hawaii's annual cultural festivals and popular events to help you plan and enjoy your trip to Hawaii. ... festivals

‘Picture Bride’filmmaker drowns
Kayo Hatta, an independent filmmaker and director best known for her Sundance Film Festival award-winning film "Picture Bride," died Wednesday in Encinitas, Calif. The cause of death was an accidental drowning. She was 47. (This is sad news for everyone, and if you haven't, you must see 'Picture Bride.') ... Hatta / ... amazon listing

Hilo Hawaii Travel Guide
Hilo is the heart of the Big Island. Hilo is the center of public life on Big Island, an old sugar city, a busy port, an historic gem, a very Hawaiian community, a great place to stay, and the gateway to the Big Island volcanoes. ... Hilo

Kailua Kona Travel Guide
Kona's fields of sun and lava flows are dotted with spectacular tourist oases, featuring night clubs, toney shops, and fine dining. Kona is a resort mecca for golf, sun worship, marlin fishing, and vacationing in style, and Kailua's Ali`i Drive is the hub of the Big Island's "Gold Coast." ... Kailua Kona

Reserve your Spot
Check out hotel rooms in any of the places listed below. You can check room availability and you can make your Hawaiian room reservation online over the secure connection.
Rooms

:: Waikiki Open 24/7

2005-07-22T03:01:00.000-10:00

Waikiki's House Without A Key
Down by the sea, down on Waikiki, there's a place for the tourists to sip mai tais after a day on the beach. It's called "The House Without a Key." It's on the beach at the Halekulani Hotel, and on warm breezy nights musicians and a hula dancer perform under an ancient kiawe tree. ... Charlie Chan

Waikiki marketplace on hold
Financial issues force the bazaar's landlord to shelve the $150 million project. ... marketplace

Hawaii: most requested cruise destination
The Pride of America sailed into Hilo yesterday as it kicks off an inter-island service this weekend.Passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line's second ship serving Hawaii, The Pride of America, were all smiles as they arrived in Hilo. ... most requested cruise

Waikiki Vacations
Waikiki is where the beaches and the hotels are in Honolulu. Waikiki is a bit American, some Asian, very entreprenurial, and not like Hawaii at all, but it's where East and West collide. Waikiki is a small bit of land between Diamond Head and the Ala Wai Boat Harbor on the east-west end, and the Ala Wai Canal and the beach, and though legendary for its beauty, the rhythyms of Waikiki's sunny beaches is in stark contrast to the kinetic pace of Waikiki's nightlife. ... Waikiki Vacations

Maui No. 3!
Maui, which used to own Travel Leisure magazine’s “Best Island in the World” award, finished third this year, for the second year in a row. Doug Chang, general manager at Hotel Hana-Maui (which was ranked ninth best in Hawaii by the magazine’s readers), said Monday he believes it is more a matter of the rest of the world catching up, rather than Maui falling behind. ... Maui

Waikiki Beach Activities
Ala Wai Yacht Harbor - The Trans-Pacific yacht race makes its finish at this colorful harbor. Damien Museum - Father Damien, the Belgian missionary famed for helping those afflicted with Hansen's Disease, has his own musuem in Waikiki. First Hawaiian Bank - Features a large display of murals by French painter Jean Charlot depicting famous scenes in Hawaiian history. These are good sights to take in to escape a sunburn. ... Waikiki Beach

Wandering Around Wakiki and Honolulu
After all the details of airfares, hotels, tours, and shopping, even people on vacation need to break, and the best way to relax and enjoy Hawaii is to wander. ... Wandering

~ Old Lahaina

2005-07-20T23:57:00.000-10:00

Lahaina Travel Guide
Lahaina is a town, but also a reference point for a ten-mile stretch of coast north of Lahaina town center up to around Kapalua. The hotels and condos at Kaanapali, Kahana, and Kapaula are like flowers on Lahaina's lei.
... Lahaina

Lahaina ~ West Maui
What would you like to do in Lahaina? There's lots to see when you're getting off the beach! ... tour

What do you know about Molokai?
Do you know the three regions of this most Hawaiian island, or the famous priest who cared for the sick for so many years? ... Molokai

Hawaii Books & Guides :: Hawaii Atlas & Gazetteer Get this map and you're halfway there. If you're gonna drive around the islands, get this map. Great for planning your time here. :: Jaws Maui On a Maui reef jet skis tow in longboarders to ride the rolling thunder of fifty foot high walls of pounding surf. Great pictures of the final frontier of surfing. :: The Secrets and Mysteries of Hawaii An interesting tour of Hawaii's sacred sites, folklore and myths to enrich your visit and help you understand Hawaii. :: New Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary An easy-to-handle 272 page pocketbook with "With a Concise Grammar and Given Names in Hawaiian."

Hotel Deals of the Month Lowest rates at Hawaii's best.

:: Maui NKO

2005-07-20T02:01:00.000-10:00

Saving Your Own Skin
A skin tan is a sign that your skin has absorbed ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) and been damaged. Your skin releases melanin, which darkens your skin, and the three factors in suntanning are your skin, the sun, and protection. ... suntanning

Hawaii Beaches Quick Facts & Tour
The Big Island of Hawaii has 266 miles of coastline; Maui 120; Oahu 112; Kauai 90; Molokai 88; Lanai 47; Niihau's 45; and Kahoolawe 29. ... hawaii beaches

Keola Beamer
I was just sitting here thinking that the Beamers make some delicious music. Keola is a master of the slack key guitar as well as a well known song writer. He wrote "Honolulu City Lights" and recorded it with his brother Kapono back in the '70s. The whole Beamer family is well known for their hula and cultural contributions to Hawaii.

Aunty Nona, Keola's mom, was the daughter of Pono and Louise and raised in Napoopoo (Big Island). Louise was a kumu hula (master hula teacher) and so was Nona. The Beamers grew up in a household where Hawaiian tradition and culture was very much alive. You can read more about this treasure at Keola's site.

(I was just listening to Keola's CD "Mauna Loa" and started floating away for a while. You'd like it too.)

Kings and Queens of Hawaii
Captain James Cook, the British sea captain who first reported the discovery of Hawaii in Europe, was surprised to find a highly organized Hawaiian culture ruled by a system of Hawaiian princes and kings that reminded him of England's royal family. ... Kamehameha

~ Honeymooner Shakes

2005-07-17T01:26:00.000-10:00

Federal Bill Would Give Hawaiians Sovereignty
A bill that for the first time would extend sovereignty to the native Hawaiian people is poised for a vote - and likely approval - in the United States Senate despite opposition from many Republicans who denounce the measure as unworkable and as promoting racial Balkanization. (pretty good story for anyone unfamiliar with the subject) ... sovereignty / ... free hawaii site

Overnight Shakin' on Big Island
Folks felt the earth move at almost six in the morning, but the quake didn't hurt anyone. Lucky them. Looks like an underwater tremblor north of Hilo was the problem. No worry. Somebody will take care of it when they get around to it. No big deal. ... 5.2 shaker

Designer Honolulu Honeymoon Suite
Many brides dream of slipping into a Vera Wang gown on their wedding day. Now, they can spend a Hawaiian honeymoon in her hotel suite. (what's that old song? 'memories are made of this...') ... Halekulani

Tibet Online

:: O'er Rainbow

2005-07-15T06:50:00.000-10:00

16th Annual Maui Onion Festival — August 6 - 7, 2005
Whalers Village hosted the 15th Annual Maui Onion Festival which featured a brand new menu of gourmet delights, celebrity chef demonstrations and recipe contests. ... Maui onions

Picture Bride
Just got to see a very good film called "Picture Bride" about Japanese plantation workers in the early 1900's and their wives the matchmakers sent from Japan. It's definitely a strong Hawaiian drama showing the hard life in the cane fields way back when. If you can rent it somewhere, give it a watch. First-class all the way around and four-stars with diamonds. (Filmed in Hawaii, naturally.) A great movie about some determined women who made Hawaii. A wonderful story.

Finding the key to jet lag: It's about time
Biologists are starting to understand the neural basis for the body's clocks -- insight that could lead to treatment. ... lag

~ Rolling with the Waves

2005-07-02T00:16:00.000-10:00

Using a Cursor to Land a Better Airline Seat
Sure you can book your flight online, but did you know how to pick the seat you want? ... airline seats

Seven Great Summer Places to Travel
What's the #1 vacation spot for residents of South Korea? ... Korea

Pope Beautifies Molokai Nun
When most people shunned Hawaii's leprosy victims, Mother Marianne Cope embraced them. In May, the Church named her "Blessed." ... Cope / ... Catholic bio

Obon Festivals Underway
Obon festivals can be found throughout Hawaii communities every year from June to October. They are Japanese cultural events held to remember local history, family, and community. ... Obon / ... in Hawaii / ... schedule

Ohana

2005-04-28T09:15:00.000-10:00

Still, They Keep Coming
Hawaii is only just so big, so where are all these people? Apprarently, there's always room for more at the hotel, so come now before you look back and wonder. These are the good old days. ...visitors

Don't Be Left Out
You can check out the local Hawaii surfing conditions online from anywhere. Get cozy with the heights and patterns. The more you know, the more you'll enjoy it. ...reports

Hawaii Dive Sites
Pretty good story on where to drop in on the oceanic flora and fauna around the islands. ...dive

Tsunami Proofing: Where to Put Walls, Why to Keep Trees
...According to Fryer, the basic architecture of the buildings that survived serves as a take-home lesson from the catastrophe. ...Hawaii

Catch a Wave

2005-04-27T11:27:00.000-10:00

Hawaii Guide
For you armchair travellers, here's a very good collection of stories about your favorite place in the world: Hawaii. You'll enjoy it. From the New York Times. ...nyt

Vacation Inflation
Hawaii visitors are paying significantly more for rooms, food and activities than last year with vacation price inflation outpacing the national average.
...inflation

The birthplace of hula
If you want to see real hula you can find no better place than Molokai to really experience it. ...hula

Hawaii Guide II
Another great collection of mainstream media stories on Hawaii for travellers. This one from the Los Angeles Times. Some very good stuff here. ...LA Times

Over the Rainbow

2005-04-25T01:13:00.000-10:00

Memorial Day Paddle Out
This is the real thing. If you're lucky, you can come down to Waikiki and enjoy something you don't see just anywhere or any day. There is real malama here. ...May 30 :: real Beachboys

Ocean Off Hawaii Filled With Wreckage
Good AP story about the junk from the ages under the ocean near Hawaii. Intriguing, but I don't know how the average person could get a closer look. Best to stick to scuba and snorkling for flora and fauna. ...waters :: more

Lei Day at Queen Kapiolani Park
May 1 is a special day called Lei Day, and there'll be events all over the islands. This is one right in Waikiki. ...lei day

Waa Waa

2005-04-21T01:06:00.000-10:00

a baby's cry, a guitar audio effect, and a nice place in East Hawaii

Best of Hawaii
The Festival’s offerings for 2005 already include food, books, gifts, fashions, plants, art, crafts, produce and more, along with showcasing Na Hoku Hanohano award winners on the Entertainment stage and Hawai’i’s top culinary artists in the Arena! August 19-21 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. ...made in Hawaii

Parrotheads on the Shell
Nah! It's not local cuisine. Jimmy Buffett's fans crowded the Bandshell in Waikiki for one true-blue rip roaring gathering of the tribe. What a perfect setting! What perfect tunes. Read about it. ...parrotheads

Hawaii Beach Safety
The ocean is a wild place. Visitors come and soon learn that knowing about sharks, jelly fish, urchins, rip tides and undertows are just as important as sunblock. Remember the beach borders a vast wild place and take precautions when you're out having fun. ...be safe

Waikiki

2005-04-20T15:37:00.000-10:00

Funding history with Kona goods
The Kona Historical Society is raising funds while spreading the word about local products. A one of a kind souvenier that also helps others. ...kona

Hawaii wants to beat heat with ocean
A good AP wireservice storya about how Honolulu will try to be "greener," cooler, and more efficient with ocean water cooling. ...heat

Luau Time

2005-04-19T03:25:00.000-10:00

Wh-olphin? In Hawaii?
Whats's a wholphin? Well, one was seen at the Sea Life Park Hawaii, over on Oahu's windward side about 15 miles from Waikiki. I don't know why they do it, and I don't want to know how. But it's a fun story and something to think about. ...wholphin

On Molokai, a Land Faithful to Its Roots
A very good article on the island of Molokai and what it is really like. This is usually known as the "most Hawaiian island" because the land, people, and culture hasn't been globalized or malled up yet. Though there are reports that housing prices are starting to force out longtime residents. ...Molokai

Silver surfers: Fitness found in waves
Is the secret to a long and happy life a surfboard and a wave? Seems so in Hawaii. ...silversurfer

Live from Kaaawa Hawaii
A very professional Hawaiian blog from the Windward Side. Very personsable and a good spot to hang. Lotsa cats in Kaaawa....ilind

8 Little Islands

2005-04-18T03:37:00.000-10:00

The Search For Signs... Of Hawaiian Life In The Universe
The Honolulu Star Bulletin's long-running photo feature hosts signs of Hawaiian life from around the globe sent in by avid fans. It's one of my daily online stops. ...Hawaiian life

Aging Surfers Find Vitality in the Waves
Seems you don't have to be a twenty-year-old to enjoy some longboard fun in Hawaii, though I'll bet a bit of Ben-Gay at the hotel is also a smart move. ...surfers

Don Ho: live and surreal
A good review of the show in Honolulu of Hawaii's Wayne Newton. Ho hails from Kailua and has been a popular singer from Hawaii since the '60s. He of that lounge singer's hit "Tiny Bubbles." ...Don Ho

Lowest Round-Trip Fares
Weekly update of the lowest round-trip airfares from around the USA to Honolulu. Very handy and a good place to get familiar. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) ...airfares

Hawaii Travel Guides
A quick list of very good guide books from amazon covering the essentials, like maps and basic Hawaii, to the individual islands and culture. Browse a while and save some money. ...guides

The Green Flash

2005-04-15T22:18:00.000-10:00

Secluded Retreats on the Big Island
If you're looking for peace and quiet and a unique Hawaiian experience, these hidden gems on the Big Island will fill your cup. ..big island

Hilo Hawaii Travel Guide
Hilo is the heart of the Big Island. Hilo is the center of public life on Big Island, an old sugar city, a busy port, an historic gem, a very Hawaiian community, a great place to stay, and the gateway to the Big Island volcanoes.

Hilo fans out around its port and is surrounded by a windward landscape of lush forests, manicured groves, waterfalls and winding park trails, like an oasis between the volcanoes and the sea. ...Hilo

Hawaii Royalty
Captain James Cook, the British sea captain who first reported the discovery of Hawaii in Europe, was surprised to find a highly organized Hawaiian culture ruled by a system of Hawaiian princes and kings that reminded him of England's royal family.

Hawaii's royal leaders ruled Hawaii's hearts and minds, bodies and souls through Hawaii's temples and chiefs. But in just over a hundred years, Hawaii's royal families were replaced with a American-style government by a coup. ...royalty

Hawaiian Highway

2005-04-12T16:01:00.000-10:00

Watch out on the Roads
Hawaii's small. The roads are congested. Vacationers always rent a car. Bad things can happen. Road conditions are better in a lot other tourist destinations, so remember that accidents can happen even in Hawaii. I didn't need to tell you that, did I? ...driving

More Exciting
On the other hand, there are other ways to get around that are much nicer than traffic jams. Check it out. Kayaking and paddling is more exciting. waterwoman

Heck, why not run, swim, and bike
Only a few spots remain for athletes wishing to compete in the 2005 Honu Half Ironman Triathlon on the Big Island June 5, the only Ironman Qualifying race in the State of Hawaii. ...ironman

Our Hop on over
to Makawao on Maui where the folks are dealing with those noisey frogs. ...frogs

Taro Cures All

2005-04-11T05:40:00.000-10:00

Taro Yum!
Taro, Hawaii's purple passion, will be featured in the second installment of "The Meaning of Food," that starts airing April 14. See for yourself that taro is Hawaiian-kosher. ...taro / food

Rising Force
Jake Shimabukuro proves that ukulele players can rock, too. ...Jake

Surfer Girl Makes Comeback
Most observers doubted teenage surfing prodigy Bethany Hamilton would ever be able to surf competitively again after she lost her left arm — and nearly her life — in a vicious shark attack off the coast of Hawaii in October 2003. ...Bethany

Is Noni the Magic Fruit?
Noni is an Hawaiian evergreen traditionally used to cure many aches and pains. Serious research is being conducted to see just how safe and effective this herbal medicine really is. Taro soothes the soul, but maybe noni really does soothe the body. ...noni

Pineapple Airlines

2005-04-06T00:27:00.000-10:00

Koa wood on the Big Island
Do know how I ran into this story on the web, but it struck me as a little off-center if not on the money. Tips on getting a souvenier that at least has touched a real part of Hawaii. Besides, these non-factory items have many more memories in them than those with the fancy packages. ...wood

Massie Affair Big Hit at HIFF Spring Showcase
They showed the new Massie Affair film at the Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase over at the Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theatres, and those who saw it say it's an important film about Hawaii.

Before WWII the US Navy ran Hawaii like it's own country club, and there was always potential racial trouble between locals and the white sailors from the Mainland. In 1931 a naval officer's wife, Thalia Fortescue Massie, claimed she was raped. Five local, non-white, guys were arrested, and when the jury deadlocked, they were released on bail pending verdict. Hawaiians believed Mrs. Massie was lying, but white sailors believed her. It was then that one of the defendants was severly beaten and another was found dead in the back seat of car of Thalia Massie's mother. The death was an "honor slaying" to whites and a "murder" to others. The mother, Grace Hubbard Fortescue, was convicted and served a one-hour sentence with the judge in his office.

The "Massie Affair" will air on PBS on April 18, 2005 and the book
"Honor Killing : How The Infamous 'Massie Affair' Transformed Hawai'i" by David Stannard comes out April 7th. ...book ...pbs

This isn't exactly what you'd call tourist-fare but it's a piece of Hawaii, and like historical slaves' quarters throughout the Deep South, helps explain the local history.

Visitor Aloha Society
The primary mission of The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, (VASH) is to share the Aloha Spirit with visitors victimized by crime or adversity. You may never need them and never think of them, but they will help you when you need them. Aloha. ...help

Ukelele Hapa

2005-04-04T00:06:00.000-10:00

How to grow a pineapple in your home
Probably not something you thought you needed to know, but hopefully one of those serendipitous web-things. ...grow

Quiksilveredition Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction
One of the world’s leading auctions of surf memorabilia, Hawaiiana, and surf collectibles returns to the Blaisdale Center, Honolulu, July 23rd. Bring your wallet, but you can look just for free. ...auction

Maui Farmers Market
Fridays, 7am to 1pm, at Maui Community College in Kahului. MCC staff sell breakfast and lunch, and some of the sponsors include the Surfing Goat Dairy, the Maui County Farm Bureau, Maui Land & Pineapple, and the Made in Maui Trade Council, Maui Flower Growers Association. A good place to pick up some fresh food. Perfect if you're cooking for yourself or want to be local for a bit.

Lanai - the Hawaii no one expects
According to this Reuter's writer, Lanai is actually a piece of New Mexico surrounded by an ocean. Never been to NM, so I'll take his word for it. A really interesting story on this pineapple island. ...Lana`i

Hawaii turns to seawater
This is a great concept that I hope will become the norm: Use icy sea water to chill offices and homes. I know Iceland uses volcano heat to keep cozy, so why not use what we have? .:.cool water

Hedonism and You

2005-04-01T05:17:00.000-10:00

Hawaii, Hedonism, and You
Hawaii, land of sun and sand, is a mecca for tourist outdoor hedonism. It's beautiful and amazing, a constant adolescent sensory delight. We all know that. But the real travelers with callouses on their feet know that it's just the icing on the cake, and under the hotel's facade is a real world of real people with real troubles and cares. And to some that's also part of their visit, and the guest sees how life is lived in Hawaii around every corner, no matter how much fun he or she is having in the meantime. Afterall, a big part of life is how you live it, and if you can learn from others.

And should you be in Honolulu feeling warm and luxurious, well-fed and sated, and a sense of something uneasy creeps over you at around two o'clock, it's time to reconnect to some real life and balance out the your bacchanal to get back your perspective and feed your spirit. And the place to do that is over at Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial; the USS MIssouri; and the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater.

These US national monuments speak volumes of the mid-twentieth century and directly to the spirit of everyone whose ever visited them. Don't pass them by. They're good medicine.

USS Arizona Memorial
USS Missouri
National Cemetery of the Pacific

(Afterward, with your renewed appreciation for how good Hawaii feels, you'll be recharged and ready to party with vigor.)

Hawaiians take hula seriously
This is a good angle on what hula is in Hawaii, though the funny thing is that you don't have to explain it, you just have to come to Hawaii and be a part of it to know what it's all about. Read on ...merrie :: ...monarch (official)

Whale Freed
LAHAINA – A humpback whale was freed from an estimated 50 pounds of ocean debris Monday afternoon in waters between Maui and Kahoolawe. ...whale

Whales down in latest count
According to AP reports the number of whales is down from last year in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count. An average of three every fifteen minutes versus the average of eight back in late January. It may very well be the windy conditions keeping spotters off the water and the usual seasonal changes, but if you want to do some whale watching, hurry. ...Lahaina

Crisis in Hawaii

2005-03-31T14:02:00.000-10:00

Merrie Monarch
Good story from the Bulletin about the background of the festival, as well as this year's schedule. ...festival

Hawaii prints and posters
Big, colorful, affordable prints and posters of Hawaii to liven up your office, den, and home. Hundreds to choose from. Great online shopping site. ...prints and posters

Best Shopping in Honolulu?
The Aloha Flea Market at Aloha Stadium is the biggest swap meet, garage sale, flea market, and crafts fair in Hawaii. Nowhere else will you find so much of so many things for so little. ...flea

Hawaii's Best Hotel Rates
Browse through the special deals, big selection, and great rates to choose from. ...rates

Petty Booka and Japanese Girls Nite in Massachusetts
(That ought to be the name of a song!) Anyhow, here's a newspaper report on the show. You gotta wonder what's happening around you when you're not looking, and believe me I'd never have seen something like that coming at me. ...girls nite

Heavenly Hana

2005-03-30T05:59:00.000-10:00

Navy ship at Hula Festival
The Navy is sending the USS Reuben James to Hilo this week for the Merrie Monarch Festival. The festival's Royal Court will welcome the crew in a ceremony that will feature dancers and the King and the Queen of the Royal Court. ...USN website

fyi: Do you know why Woody Guthrie wrote a song during WW II about the USS Reuben James?

"Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James?
"Filled with hard fighting men, of honor and of fame
"She flew the stars and stripes of the land of the free
"Now she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea

"Tell me what were their names,
"Tell me what were their names?
"Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

Oprah does Kula
The Maui County Council gave the O.W. Ranch LLC, as in Oprah Winfrey, a five-year permit to operate a vacation rental in Kula on Maui. The operator named on the permit is Oprah's pal and personal trainer Bob Greene.

Great gobs of fire
VOLCANO, Hawaii -- About three times the average volume of lava from Kilauea volcano has been flowing into the ocean each day at five separate entry points. ...volcano

Madam Pele should hire a business manager. Imagine if Disney owned the rights to Kiluaea. I somehow think they'd figure a way to get a dolphin tank into the crater for six shows a day. Maybe, Madam Pele really is old-school afterall. This is Hawaii's best show and it's free, like the sunset on the beach.

Your Name Here

2005-03-29T10:13:00.000-10:00

Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase
Mondovino is a documentary on wine which debted at Cannes Film Festival. The film talks to growers, tasters, consultants, importers and critics on three continents and explores how giant American firms are exerting ever greater influence on independent producers in Europe. The film explorers the question can we adopt the advice of Aime Guibert, a small wine producer in Languedoc, and “live in tranquility on this earth and leave room for others?” Seems like a very Hawaiian sentiment, too.

"Mondovino" premieres at the Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase Sat 4/2 9:30 pm at Dole Stadium, with further showings on Mon 4/4 6:00 Pm Dole Stadium and Tue 4/5 8:45 Pm Dole Stadium. The 8th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase will be held on Oahu at the Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theatres on April 1st through the 7th. The Spring Film Festival will feature 27 films from all over the globe. For ticket information, call 528-FILM [3456]. Tickets may be purchased at Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theatres and online at ...www.hiff.org.

Love of hula draws Japanese halau to the Islands
"A new phenomenon in Japan -- a booming interest in hula -- is bringing Japanese enthusiasts to Hawaii in waves." ...hula

AAA Sez
The number one most expensive tourist destination in the whole USA is? Ta da! Hawaii! (as if you didn't already know...) The American Automobile Association are the people who always do the price of gas surveys, but they also do lots of travel related things, like hotel ratings, and discounts, and all of that. Funnily enough, the second most expensive spot in the USA to visit was Washington, DC. (Now that's something to ponder.) I guess all those government buildings don't have much free-market competition in the DC area so everyone wants to have a room nearby. Conversely, LA or NYC have lots of areas of interests so visitors are strung out all over the cities there, forcing more hotels to lower rates to compete. I guess Hawaii just has so much land, and though they're still making some new Hawaii on Big Island, production is slooooow.