Spend Memorial Day Weekend at the Big Island Film Festival
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.
Elvis in Hawaii
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.
Fun Things to Do at Disney's Aulani Resort
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?
Hawaii Island Hotel and Resort News for May 2012
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.
Molokai - Hawaii's Most Natural Island
Sea Cliffs of Molokai
Ed Freeman/Getty Images
Molokai markets itself today as Hawaii's "Most Natural Island." In the past it has been "The Friendly Island" and "The Most Hawaiian Island.
The new slogan speaks a lot to the type of visitor that the island is seeking. A haven for outdoor explorers, eco-seekers, and ocean adventurers, Molokai has little traffic and no traffic lights. On this special island folks go along at a very different pace. Many work the land, others harvest the bounty of the sea.
Visitors can choose to hike through lush, magnificent valleys, ride horseback along gorgeous coastlines, mountain bike over soaring sea cliffs or kayak miles of pristine barrier reefs. We hope you enjoy our
Profile of Molokai - Hawaii's Most Natural Island.
What Should I Do in Hawaii?
It should be no surprise that the two questions that I get by email and in person are 1) Where should I stay in Hawaii (or specific island) and 2) What should I do in Hawaii (or specific island name?)
Neither of these questions are surprising because in the case of the first question there are hundreds upon hundreds of hotels, resorts, condominiums, B&B's and vacation rentals to choose from.
In the case of the second question, it's much the same. Visitors are inundated with free publications at the airport and in your lodging, all describing the seemingly endless array of things to do in Hawaii.
I hope that I can help you narrow down your choices with my picks for the best things to do on each of the Hawaiian Islands. These picks are ever changing as I experience new activities, but for now, here are my current choices:
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii
Tomorrow is May Day and May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. It's a day of color, celebration, flowers and aloha.
In our feature Lei Day in Hawaii we take a look at the origins of Lei Day and how the holiday is celebrated throughout the Hawaiian islands.
View our gallery of photos of O'ahu's Lei Day Celebration.
View our travel video Celebrate May Day as Lei Day in Hawaii.
SPAM Jam This Saturday in Waikiki
This Saturday, April 28, 2012, visitors to Waikiki will get a big helping of Hawaii's unique culinary tastes when the 10th Annual Waikiki SPAMŽ Jam returns to the 50th State.
From 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the Waikiki SPAMŽ; Jam returns to Kalakaua Avenue in the heart of Waikiki with one of the largest street festivals in Hawaii, all in honor of Hawaii's love affair with the lovable luncheon meat.
There will be great food, special SPAMŽ themed merchandise and entertainment on two stages.
Do you like SPAMŽ so much that you'd consider trying it in just about any form? Well, consider SPAMŽ Katsu, SPAMŽ Won Ton, SPAMŽ Pan Lau Lau, SPAMŽ Ravioli, SPAMŽ Tacos, SPAMŽ Poke ... They're dishes worked up by participating restaurants in last year's SPAM JamŽ.
Free Admission to All Hawaii National Parks for National Park Week, April 21-29, 2012
Halemaumau as seen from the summit
Photo by Jay Robinson, courtesy of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
It comes just once a year and this year there's something new. National Park Week will begin this Saturday, April 21, 2012 and run through April 29.
For the duration of the week, the national parks in Hawaii are joining all of the national parks across the country in waiving entrance fees for all nine days!
In Hawaii that means that you'll get free admission to the three parks which normally charge admission: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the island of Hawaii, the Big Island as well as at Haleakala National Park on Maui.
Also, this year, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park invites everyone to "Picture Yourself" at the park by encouraging visitors to share photos or videos of themselves, their families and friends exploring and enjoying the park during National Park Week on the park's Facebook page.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will also offer ranger-led hikes and other programs during National Park Week, including a challenging hike into Kipuka'akihi in Kahuku Apr. 21 (registration required, call 985-6011), and a special After Dark in the Park program Apr. 24 about the park's endemic flowering plants.
Just in case you can't be in Hawaii next week, however, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees again on June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), July 14 (Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks 32nd Annual Cultural Festival), Sept. 29 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 10-12 (Veteran's Day weekend).
A Month of Events, Concerts and Awards Honoring the Best in Hawaiian Music - "Mele Mei"
If you're planning to be in Waikiki anytime between April 27 and May 29, 2012, you'll have a great opportunity to enjoy some of the best that the music of Hawaii has to offer. The Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) are working together to present a month of concerts, workshops, jam sessions and awards - all culminating with the 2012 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards ceremony on Sunday, May 27 where the best in the music of Hawaii during the past year will be honored.
During the month, there are several huge concerts including two Concerts on the Lawn at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort on April 27 and May 18 featuring stars like Robi Kahakalau, Napua Makua, Amy Hanaiali'i, Maunalua, Cyril Lani Pahinui and John Cruz. May 6 will see the Legends of Steel concert at the Pacific Beach Hotel Grand Ballroom honoring some of the great masters of Hawaiian steel guitar.
Those are just a few of the more than 20 events throughout the month, aptly called "Mele Mei," or May Song. For more details, see our in depth feature 2012 Mele Mei - Celebrating the Music of Hawaii.