If you're planning to be on Hawaii Island, the Big Island over the Memorial Day weekend, there's still time to make plans to attend one of the island's biggest events of the year, the 2012 Big Island Film Festival.

Nicknamed the "Talk Story" Film Festival, the Big Island Film Festival is a celebration of independent narrative films and filmmaking. In addition to 57 films of varying lengths (including nine from Hawaii, four of those from the Big Island), there are special showings of two Hawaii-made documentary films - Aunty Nona Beamer - Malama Ko Aloha and Family of the Wa'a.

That's just part of what's going on at this year's festival which has been called one of top 20 "Cool Fests" by MovieMaker Magazine.

It all takes place at the Mauna Lani Resort and at the host hotel, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii.

Read more about the 2012 Big Island Film Festival.

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_{Elvis in the Aloha From Hawaii Concert}

August 16, 2012 will mark the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. His legacy lives on in Graceland Mansion, his home in Memphis, Tennessee and in Las Vegas where he spent much of the last years of his life. Another place where memories of Elvis remains strong and where his music is heard on a daily basis is in Hawaii.

Elvis loved Hawaii and over the course of 20 years made numerous visits to the islands for concerts, family vacations and to make three of his most popular movies. Many of the filming locations featured in his films have been must stops for Elvis fans visiting the islands. Who can forget the views of Waikiki and Diamond Head from Puu Ualakaa Park on Mount Tantalus where Elvis went on a picnic with his girl in Blue Hawaii or the wedding scene at the former Coco Palms Resort on Kauai? The helicopter scenes in Paradise Hawaiian Style feature some great aerial views of Hawaii in the 1960's including some early scenes at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu.

One of Elvis's most memorable moments in Hawaii was his 1973 Aloha From Hawaii concert which was telecast live to much of he world to record audiences. Next January will mark the 40th anniversary of that concert and a special six-day celebration will take place in Honolulu and Waikiki which is an event that no Elvis fan should miss. In addition to panel discussions and tours of Elvis-related sights on the island, the celebration will culminate with an enhanced movie screening of the Aloha from Hawaii concert at the same venue as the original concert. The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa will serve as host hotel for the celebration and tickets and bookings are now available to the public.

You can find out more in our feature Elvis Presley's Aloha from Hawaii, the 40th Anniversary Celebration in Hawaii.

If you can't make the celebration in January, but are a fan of Elvis' Hawaii films and would like to seek out some of those famous filming locations, check out our feature on Elvis Presley Hawaii Films and Concerts.

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_{Waikohole Stream at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa}

It's hard to believe that it was just nine months ago that Disney's Aulani Resort opened on the Leeward Coast of Oahu at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina.

It's been an exciting opening year for Aulani. I had the pleasure of visiting the resort in January with a small group of writers and we were hosted by two Disney executives from California who made sure that we experienced as much as possible in just a few short days. You can read my review of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and you'll see how impressed I was by the resort.

Since my visit, Aulani has been named one of the year's 121 Best New Hotels for 2012 by Condé Nast Traveler (the only such resort in Hawaii). In March, Aulani placed second in the 2012 About.com Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Hotel/Resort in Hawaii, earning 32% of your votes.

Now that a few months have passed, I thought it would be fun to look back on my visit and some of the really fun things that I did. Here are my picks for the Top Things to Do at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu, Hawaii.

Then it's your turn. If you've been to Aulani, take a moment and tell us what are your favorite things to do at Aulani?

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Caring for the environment has always been important in Hawaii, but every week I'm seeing more concrete steps in terms of action rather than words. By 2015 Hawaii will be the only state to have a complete ban on plastic bags such as you get at the grocery store. Beginning in January 2014 that ban will be in effect on the island of Hawaii. Oahu will follow in 2015. Bans already exist on Kauai, Lana'i Maui and Moloka'i.

As you read through this month's news from Hawaii Island's lodging providers you'll see a number of eco-friendly initiatives.

Let's see what's new this month:

Dragonfly Ranch: Healing Arts Center
In an effort to provide healthy services and save the planet from wasteful plastic and toxic batteries, the award-winning South Kona B&B and eco-spa Dragonfly Ranch: Healing Arts Center, offers guests free solar powered flashlights as well as containers filled with purified Kangen water. "Soul" proprietor Barbara Moore, a healthy lifestyle educator, pampers her guests with organic non-GMO food from the abundant Dragonfly organic garden. For more information, visit their website or call (808) 328-2159.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai announces the King's Pond Eco-Crescent. This crescent of 65 rooms surrounding the King's Pond has been enhanced, allowing guests to reduce their carbon footprint. Enhancements include the elimination of disposable plastic water bottles and bathroom amenity bottles; reusable rubber spa sandals instead of disposable slippers, minimization of paper collateral, replacement of incandescent light bulbs and enrollment in the Green Linen program. The Resort also announces the Eco-Crescent Package, which includes nightly accommodations, daily breakfast buffet and the planting of a legacy koa tree. For more information and reservations, visit their website or call (888) 340-5662.

Hawaii Island Retreat
To celebrate the one year anniversary of the opening of Maluhia Spa, Hawaii Island Retreat now offers "Spa Saturdays" most Saturdays now through the end of August. The package includes a group yoga class, a one-hour massage, lounging by the pool and access to the other spa facilities. The package price is just $110 per person, per day, excluding tax and gratuity. Room accommodations are not included or required; though rooms are available. Reservations are required and subject to availability and some restrictions apply. For more information, visit their website or call (808) 889-6336. Read our review of the Hawaii Island Retreat.