photo is from my recent visit to the Old Lahaina Luau on the beach in Lahaina Maui

I apologize to my regular blog readers, and you know who you are--- Thanks--- It has been awhile since I written any blog entries. As a certified Hawaii travel agent by the Hawaii Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, I love to share my passion for Hawaii travel with my clients. In my never ending quest to keep you up with the most current info on Hawaii travel, please enjoy my latest blog entry.

Different Places to Learn About Hawaii’s Culture

From the first step off the airplane, you’ll smell the fragrant lei that welcome visitors to the islands and hear the local music played softly in the airport corridors. A highlight of vacationing in Hawaii is the ease of incorporating culture into your visit. Here are a few places to learn about the local culture that you may have never thought about:

Roadside lookout points – Utilize the scenic drives on each island and stop at the many roadside lookout points. Before snapping a photo, look for a placard that tells the story of the area and what makes that particular viewpoint so significant and even learn about a Hawaiian legend or myth.

Beaches – The sun, sand, and surf have always been an integral part of the islands’ lure. Look past the shore break and you’ll learn more about Hawaii’s history. While surfing is known to be one of the ancient Hawaiians’ favorite pastimes, you’ll also find people participating in stand-up paddling and outrigger canoe paddling – sports that have been traced back to the early Polynesian days.

Hotel lobbies – Hotels across the state are putting a greater emphasis on educating their guests about the host culture. Visitors are able to find great on property programs that focus on different aspects of Hawaiian music, dance, and crafts. Most of these programs and displays are located right in the hotel lobby.

Local supermarkets – Visit a nearby supermarket and convenience store for a quick culinary lesson on local culture. Hawaii’s diverse ethnic background brings about an assortment of snacks from li hing mui (sweet and sour dried plums) to arare (bite-sized Japanese crackers flavored with soy sauce) to dried ika (cuttlefish).

Maui Hotel Tips

Luxury Maui Hotel Tips

As a certified Hawaii destination specialist for many years, I wanted to share with you some general observations on a couple of my favorite luxury Maui hotels.

This is especially timely for you travelers considering a last minute Hawaii trip this year. Hawaii hotel specials are greater then they have been in many years. Spring always is a busy time in Hawaii as clients leave the cold mainland US for the sunny Hawaiian islands. Check us out for tremendous early booking bonuses.

The Westin Maui—One on my favorites. Right in the heart of Kaanapali Beach. Five Million dollar spa! Unbelievable pool area. Don’t miss the Heavenly Baths and Heavenly Spa. Much fun.

Maui Prince Hotel—Great Value for deluxe property. All rooms face the ocean. One of my favorites for honeymooners as secluded. Unspoiled white sand beach.

Sheraton Maui—On Black Rock. You can snorkel right from the hotel. Also right on Kaanapali Beach. Lots to do. Don’t miss the torch lighting or cliff diving ceremony.

If this is your honeymoon congrats! We have the industry leading honeymoon registry. Many of our clients combine their honeymoon travel with us and the honeymoon registry as a way to get the honeymoon you have always dreamed about.

BigDay Honeymoon and Gift Registry- The Leader in Hawaii honeymoon travel. Contact me at Big Day Travel to set up your Hawaii holiday.

photo is from my latest visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center on the north shore of Oahu---

Dave’s Favorite Oahu Activities

As a certified Hawaii destination specialist I wanted to share my 3 favorite activities in Oahu. I always recommend prebooking a few activities so you can be sure to receive the activity that you want. Try to do things that you cannot easily do at home.

Polynesian Cultural Center The images, history and hospitality of seven Pacific cultures come alive at the 42-acre Polynesian Cultural Center. See islanders re-enact war dances, rub sticks to create fire, carve tiki figures, wield fireknives, and climb four-story trees in bare feet. They present the intriguing details of tribal tattooing, ancient transoceanic navigation, and the preservation of history without a written language. The Ali’i Luau is a royal feast and includes re-enactment of the ceremony of the first luaus.

Bike Hawaii

Bike Hawaii does a lot more than bike tours – they have professional nature guides who lead you from the “Rainforest to the Reef” while hiking, biking, sailing and snorkeling. Exclusive hiking access to private waterfalls, pools and ancient rock terraces.

Adults - $144.00 , Child (ages: 14 and under) - $96.00

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9a-5:30p, 1/1/06-5/31/06 and 9/1/06-12/31/06. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9a-5:30p, 6/1/06-8/31/06. Easy downhill bike ride, moderate hike and ocean sail with optional swim/snorkel.

Notes: Includes roundtrip van transportation from Waikiki, lunch, snacks, and bottled water. Riders must be minimum of 4'0" tall and know how to ride a bike; no beginners. Dress comfortably and bring extra socks for the hike. Please wear closed toe shoes suitable for hiking and biking. Other tours are also available.

Star of Honolulu Paradise Cruise, Ltd. has been the premier cruise destination for millions of island guests, offering a variety of daily cruises. The fleet consists of the Star of Honolulu and the Starlet. The 1,500 passenger ship, Star of Honolulu, has been voted as Hawai'i's Best "Sunset Dinner Cruise" for the past three years. This four-deck vessel is equipped with innovative watts-type stabilizers for a smooth ride. The Startlet is a casual two-deck, 340 passenger motor vessel.

Star of Honolulu Cruise Premier Whale Watch Deluxe

Adults - $52.00 , Child (ages: 3-11) - $35.00 Daily 11:30a-2p, 12/23-4/30. Waikiki pickups begin at 10:50a. View Humpback whales from the Star's 60' high observation deck. Naturalist crew, whale narration, video presentation and whale sightings guaranteed. Notes: Includes Taste of Hawai'i buffet.

Star of Honolulu Cruise Star Sunset Dinner & Show

Adults - $83.00 , Child (ages: 3-11) - $54.00 Daily 5:30-7:30p. Waikiki pickups begin 4:20p. Notes: Includes three-course dinner of crab legs and filet steak, one call brand drink, and entertainment.

Star of Honolulu Three Star Sunset Dinner & Show

Adults - $118.00 , Child (ages: 3-11) - $74.00 Daily 5:30-7:45p. Waikiki pickups begin at 4:20p. Notes: Includes five-course dinner of whole Maine lobster and tenderlion steak, champagne toast, two premium drinks and entertainment. This is my latest list of luxury hotels in Oahu. This is jmho. The list varies as hotels update, change management or sadly fall in need of updating.

Dave’s Favorite Luxury Oahu Hotels

1-Halekulani 2-Kahala Hotel and Resort 3-Alii Tower Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa 4- JW Marriott Ihilani Resort at Ko'Olina 5-Royal Hawaiian 6-Hawaii Prince Hotel and Golf Club 7-Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach 8-Sheraton Moana Surfrider 9-Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa 10- Outrigger Waikiki

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Contact me to set up your next Hawaii vacation.

I am saving a chair for you on the beach this Christmas in Tahiti---

Christmas Hotel Space Tahiti, Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico

It has always amazed me how space fills up for the Christmas holidays in hotels. The week between Christmas and New Years is often the busiest time of the year. I have customers who book a year in advance as soon as space opens up in the hotel. There are some hotels in the Caribbean and Hawaii that never open their books for new guests for the Christmas holiday season. Upon leaving the previous Christmas holiday the current guests book for the next year, and fill up the hotel with the previous years guests. The guests will do that year after year, so the hotel never opens for new arrivals

It is never too early to book your vacation if you have holiday plans, especially in the popular sun and sand locations of Hawaii, Caribbean and Mexico.

As a certified Tahiti Travel Agent by the Tahiti Tourism Board, I would be honored to arrange your next Tahiti vacation. Contact me