Tag Archives: Big Island

10 Ways to Save on Your Next Trip to Hawaii

Last year, my then six-old daughter celebrated her 12th visit to Hawaii. However, to her, the Aloha State is more than just a top tourist destination, it’s also home to grandma, grandpa, and a huge network of aunts, uncles and cousins. I kid that she would have been marking trip number 20 if it weren’t so dang expensive to fly from Wisconsin to Hilo. Fortunately, once we land in the “Land of Aloha” we score free room and board. Bottom line: traveling to Hawaii is not cheap. However, there are ways you can save on your next vacation there provided … Continue reading →

Celebrating the Fourth in Hawaii

Despite what you might think we do celebrate with fireworks, BBQ’s, and parades just like the rest of the country. Spending Independence Day in the 50th state is a dream come true for most folks, and as someone who was born and raised there I must admit there are quiet a few tourists that time their Hawaiian vacations to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations… and rarely are they disappointed with their decision to do so. This year Waikoloa Beach Resort is once again hosting the Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race. The annual Fourth of July festival has been going … Continue reading →

Feeling Safer During Your Next Trip to Hawaii

Frankly, I don’t see what all the fuss is about. For those of you who plan to travel to Hawaii in the near future you might be interested to know that dozens of surveillance cameras will soon be installed in Waikiki and on various spots on the Big Island. County officials say the new cameras are part of an effort to reduce crimes against tourists. Good news, right? Not according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which objects to the cameras over privacy concerns. ACLU attorneys say the cameras divert taxpayer money away from other crime reducing measures such as … Continue reading →

Affordable Accommodations in Hawaii

It might sound hard to believe considering a mere ticket to paradise can often cause serious damage to your credit score, but there are ways to save on lodging expenses when visiting the Aloha State. Okay, so it might not be as cheap as staying with your parents in their oceanfront home, but the following options are worth checking out: OAHU Home to Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and the world famous North Shore, Oahu is quintessential Hawaii and the most populated (See: crowded) of all the Hawaiian Islands. To save money stay away from pricey Waikiki and head to the Manoa … Continue reading →

Travel Alert: Hurricane Flossie Headed For Hawaii

Right now my parents are preparing for the worst. They live on the Big Island of Hawaii just miles from where Hurricane Flossie is scheduled to make landfall. Currently, the storm is packing 120 mph sustained winds and is on course to hit south of the Big Island Tuesday. (Not to mention the fact that a 5.3 magnitude earthquake just struck the Big Island a few hours ago.) Forecasters are urging residents and visitors to Hawaii to be prepared for heavy rain and damaging winds. If you have a loved one vacationing in paradise right now I would urge you … Continue reading →

Travel Deals For Super Mom

Well… not exactly Super Mom (does she really exist), but for all of you “Wonder Women” out there here’s a way to kick back and relax without having to drain your bank account to do so. The W Hotel in Honolulu is currently offering the “Wonder Women” package, a getaway for girlfriends, designed for women who want to travel in style. The hotel recently teamed up with make-up guru Bobbi Brown to create a package that includes a W white tote bag filled with Bobbi Brown’s hottest products, including Shadow Basics, Pink Sugar minibrush kit, Shimmer Brick and Lip Kit, … Continue reading →

Hilo’s Hot Spots

I’ve made it no secret that I was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but as I review the hundreds of travel blogs I’ve written I noticed I haven’t done many on my hometown. That said, I’ve decided to devote at least one blog a week detailing Hilo’s hot spots. Those of you who have visited Hilo may be chuckling. After all, Hilo isn’t exactly the tourist capital of the state… or even of the Big Island, but that’s part of what makes it so charming. Hilo is the seat of the government on the Big Island and the home … Continue reading →

Let’s Go Snorkeling

Typically, one of the first things my friends want to do when they visit me in Hawaii is snorkel. Who can blame them? First of all, you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to stick a tube in your mouth, slap on some fins and a mask, and float around in the ocean. Secondly, you don’t need to travel very far to find a good snorkeling spot (the island’s crystal clear waters and myriad schools of neon-bright tropical fish make snorkeling an easy and rewarding experience). However, if you are visiting the area by yourself you may not want … Continue reading →

Visiting Hawaii—Where To Go

I was born and raised in Hawaii, but moved to the “mainland” shortly after graduating from high school. I moved back to Honolulu for a brief period in the late 90s, but eventually moved back to the Midwest to accept a new job position, and have remained here ever since. Regardless of where I move or how long I have been gone, Hawaii is always HOME, and I try to get back as much as possible. I just returned from Oahu five days ago and am so homesick (especially since I left 80 degrees temps—it’s 5 degrees in the city … Continue reading →

A Cheap Way To See Hawaii

Have you ever dreamed of taking a Hawaiian vacation, complete with a helicopter ride that would provide aerial views of an active volcano, plunge you into lush, tropical valleys for breathtaking views of waterfalls cascading 400-feet into the Pacific, and hover you over black, white, pink and green sand beaches? While the experience is one that many treasure for a lifetime, it doesn’t come cheap. That’s why I was thrilled when I found out I could take a tour without having to go into debt doing so. All right, it’s not exactly the real deal. It is an online virtual … Continue reading →