Full Reviews Index

Sheraton Maui Resort
I'm a huge fan of the Sheraton Maui Resort and the entire Kaanapali Beach Resort. There's no better place to experience Hawaii than in West Maui where the sun shines most days of the year yet most afternoons feature rainbows over the West Maui Mountains mauka (toward the mountains) of the resort.

Hina Adventures
A review of Hina Adventures - a small community-based cultural eco-tourism company on Oahu owned and operated by two born and raised Oahu experts.

The Equus - Aqua Hotels and Resorts' Boutique Hotel Property
The Equus was brought into the Aqua Hotels and Resorts family in the fall of 2006. It has since undergone a $2 million renovation. This review was completed based on a stay in May 2007. The renovation of The Equus has since been completed and I am told that many of the issues I mention in this review have since been addressed.

Keauhou Beach Resort
I really like the Keauhou Beach Resort. It's one of my favorite places to stay in Hawaii. Its location is lovely and convenient to many of the Big Island's top visitor attractions. It's just a short drive to Kailua Kona which offers great shopping and many fine restaurants. The recent renovation was needed and brought the resort up to the Outrigger standard which most visitors expect. It is a calm oasis which is just what I like when visiting Hawaii.

Parker Ranch Cattle Country Tour
If you're in for a fun adventure and want to see places that 99% of the visitors to the Big Island never see, the Parker Ranch Cattle Country Tour is a perfect choice.

The Original Glider Rides
See how I had the time of my life flying with Honolulu Soaring, dba The Original Glider Rides, from Dillingham Airfield on O'ahu's North Shore

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Big Island of Hawaii
When I was invited to stay at the newly renovated Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, I was a little worried about what I might find. On our first trip to the Big Island of Hawaii in the early 1990's, we stayed at the resort when it was operated under the Outrigger brand. My wife and I both had very fond memories of our stay. I am please to tell you that the resort, now operated by Marriott International, is bigger and better than ever.

Kipu Ranch Adventures
Kipu Ranch Adventures on the island of Kauai offers daily tours of a historic private ranch used for filming many Hollywood movies.

Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Adventure with Hawaii Forest and Trail
If you have even a passing interest in astronomy or geology the Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Adventure with Hawaii Forest and Trail is not to be missed. On the way you'll learn about the remarkable evolution and changes that the Big Island's natural world has experienced. Even if all you want to do is see one of the most amazing sunsets ever, you'll definitely want to make the trip.

Smith's Fern Grotto Wailua River Cruise
A review of Smith's Fern Grotto Wailua River Cruise on the Garden Isle of Kauai, Hawaii.

Best Western Coconut Waikiki Hotel
When I was invited to spend a few nights at the Best Western Coconut Waikiki Hotel, I was a little concerned. I'm delighted to report that none of my concerns proved worthwhile. I had a delightful stay.

Outrigger Reef on the Beach
The Outrigger Reef on the Beach is in the final months of a lengthy and extensive $110 million top-to-bottom renovation that involves almost every aspect of the hotel.

Review of the 5-hour Kos Hummer Movie/Lost Adventure Tour on Oahu, Hawaii
The 5-hour Kos Hummer Movie/Lost Adventure Tour was the most fun I've ever had in over 13 years writing about the island of Oahu.

Dinner at Chef Mavro in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Chef Mavro in Honolulu offers multi-course dinners overseen by one of the world's top, multi-award winning chefs which includes wine pairings with each course.

Paradise Helicopters, Turtle Bay Resort Helipad, Oahu
There is a helicopter company that flies out of a helipad at the Turtle Bay Resort - Paradise Helicopters. The Turtle Bay Resort is located about half way between Haleiwa on the North Shore's western end and Kaneohe Bay at the southern point of Oahu's Windward Coast. It seemed like the perfect location to start a helicopter tour highlighting those areas.

Hilton Kauai Beach Resort
A review of the Hilton Kauai Beach Hotel, located four miles north of the airport on the Garden Isle of Kauai

Cowboys of Hawaii at Parker Ranch
If you want to explore a place where old Hawaii and new Hawaii meet there's no better place to do it than with a horseback ride with Cowboys of Hawaii at Parker Ranch with its beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, cattle and wildlife.

Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions on Kauai, Hawaii
A review of Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions six hour Na Pali Snorkel Picnic along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii.

Mana Hawaiʻi - the Spirit of Hawai'i Nei at Waikiki Beach Walk
My favorite store in the new Waikiki Beach Walk is a store called Mana Hawai'i - the Spirit of Hawai'i Nei. Mana Hawai'i is home to five previously existing local businesses that share 1,600 square feet of prime Waikiki real estate as part of Outrigger's Waikiki Beach Walk project.

Helicopter Tour of Kauai with Jack Harter Helicopters
I was thoroughly delighted with my helicopter tour with Jack Harter Helicopters. It surpassed all of my high expectations and really made me eager to view the other Hawaiian Islands from the air.

Fair Wind Cruises' Hula Kai - Snorkel & Whale Watches Along the South Kona Coast
There is one company that has, as Emeril Lagasse might say, kicked it up a notch. That company is Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides on the Big Island of Hawaii. Fair Wind makes daily snorkel and scuba dive cruises (and whale watch cruises in season) along the South Kona Coast of the Big Island, departing from Keauhou Bay, just a 15-minute drive from Kailua Kona.

Perpetuating a Culture
One of the great tragedies of history is when a culture dies. It's nothing new and nothing that will likely ever stop happening. If a culture is to survive and indeed thrive well into this new century, it must take root in the children, the keiki. no place in Hawaii has a better grasp of the importance of sharing the culture with visitors to the islands than the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel on Maui.

Teralani Sailing Adventures
One of my favorites snorkel sails and whale watched on Maui is with Teralani Sailing Adventures which operates from Kaanapali Beach in West Maui. I first sailed with them about five years ago and have done so on several occasions since on both snorkel sails and winter whale watches. I am pleased to tell you that I have always had a great time. Their catamarans are two of the best that you'll find on Maui.

Shokudo Japanese Restaurant and Bar - Restaurant Review
Too many visitors to Oahu spend all their time in Waikiki. Nowhere is this more the case than when it comes to choosing a place to eat. While there are many excellent restaurants in Waikiki, a visitor who confines his or her dining to that one area is missing some of the great restaurants located elsewhere on Oahu.

Alone in IZ World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
A review of the 2001 album Alone in IZ World featuring the music of Israel IZ Kamakawiwo'ole.