The Blue Book Controversy

Cover via Amazon

When planning trips to Hawaii, I used the popular reveal book series for additional information about the islands. The series of books are often referred to as blue bibles. There's a separate book for the islands Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai.

The books are popular with tourists because they contain useful information about Hawaii's accomodations, activities, restaurants, beaches, history, geography, and more. There are numerous colorful pictures and large maps to enhance the trip planning process. Nonetheless, the books have been criticized by residents of the islands. Some island book stores refuse to sell the books and tourists with the book are viewed negatively by some locals.

It has been argued that the revealed books encourage trespassing onto private property and disclose previously unknown secluded and hard to find places on the island. Some of the locations revealed in the books are dangerous areas that should be avoided by most tourists, but the books entice people to visit the areas by having information about them. Also, the increased traffic to the more remote areas of the islands threaten the overall beauty of the environment.

Well, I don't believe that a book should necessarily be blamed for the actions of people. I never trespassed or hiked to remote areas after reading the books. Unfortunately, the same people who don't use common sense after reading the books are the same ones who would get themselves into trouble even if the books had never been written. Afterall, if there's a "private property" or "no trespassing" sign, then it's best to leave regardless of what a book says. Also, all of the revealed books include warnings about potential hazards that should not be ignored by tourists.

In general, the revealed books include a wealth of knowledge about the Hawaiian islands and can be very useful in planning a visit to them. However, tourists should exercise care and common sense when traveling to an unfamiliar area regardless of what's in a book.

Maui Spotlight: Old Lahaina Luau

Most people associate Hawaii with luaus. The Old Lahaina Luau on Maui has received multiple awards and is considered by many to be one of the best. The other luau I went to was the Kona Village Resort Luau on the Big Island. Of the two, I preferred the Old Lahaina Luau overall. There was good food at both luaus, but the performances at the Old Lahaina Luau were more entertaining. This was a sentiment also shared by my family members who also went to both luaus.

At the Old Lahaina Luau, you can choose between traditional Hawaiian mat seating or regular chairs and tables. I opted for the regular chairs and tables especially because I knew that my mother would have a harder time sitting down and getting up from the much lower mat seating. One advantage of the mat seating is that the seats are closer to the stage. However, the regular seating seemed to provide more comfort overall. Since I reserved the luau months in advance, my seat was pretty close to the stage also. Seating is prioritized by the date the reservation is confirmed.

The grounds at the luau were very nice and we got to see the unearthing of the kalua pig from the underground oven. Overall, the Old Lahaina Luau was an enjoyable experience and I encourage anyone planning a trip to Maui to consider going.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Honolulu Summer 2009: Part V, Teaching them how to eat poi (citymama.typepad.com)
• Hawaii hotel occupancy drops to record low (msnbc.msn.com)

My Sister’s Honeymoon in Paradise

I helped my sister and her new husband plan the perfect honeymoon to Hawaii. They spent 5 nights on Kauai and then went to Maui for 6 nights. On Kauai, they stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai resort where they had a package that included a free night and a daily buffet breakfast.

Their Kauai itinerary included the following:

• Kauai Couples Escape Package at Hyatt's Anara Spa
• Kauai Helicopter Tour through Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
• Zip N'Dip with Princeville Ranch Adventures
  

After leaving Kauai, the honeymooners traveled to Maui where they stayed in a privately owned beachfront condo.

Their Maui itinerary included the following:

• Molokini Snorkel Cruise with Trilogy
• Old Lahaina Luau
• Warren & Annabelle's Magic Show

Overall, Julia and Steve had a great honeymoon and really enjoyed all of their activities. They loved both Kauai and Maui so much that they hated to return home and hope to return again next year!

Hawaii Spotlight: Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii aka the Big Island is the youngest Hawaiian island and the only one with an active volcano. I took the Kilauea Volcano Adventure Tour through Hawaii Forest & Trail. This was a convenient option for all of my family members because we had an experienced guide to drive us to the Volcanoes National Park and give us a tour. We learned a lot about lava and I was surprised at its diversity. Our guide showed us lava that looked like short strands of blonde hair and pieces that looked like shiny black tear drops.

Since our tours were during daytime, we didn't get to see the best views of the volcano. You can get the best views of any flowing lava during the night or in a helicopter ride. Night visits to the volcano can be quite dangerous because it's easier to fall on the sharp lava or end up in a more dangerous location due to the limited visibility. For that reason, a helicopter tour is probably the best way to see the volcano. During our visit, we did see steam flowing up from the ground and there were signs of heat in the kilauea crater. The road that was partially covered with lava was a reminder about the very real danger of an active lava flow.

Overall, I enjoyed seeing the Volcanoes National Park. It was my first visit to a national park and I learned a lot. Our tour guide seemed very knowledgeable and did a good job with the tour.

The only problem with our tour was that our group of eight ended up being split up. When I booked the tour, I made a reservation for four of us under one credit card and the other four under a different one. Despite that, the tour company thought that the second reservation was a duplicate and automatically deleted it! They showed up to pick up only four people and there wasn't enough room for all eight. However, they did discount the tour for everyone and the second group went on the tour the next day.

Kilauea Volcano Adventure - CLICK HERE!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Top 10 Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii (chris.pirillo.com)
• Scientists eye glowing Kilauea crater (msnbc.msn.com)

Hawaii Money Saving Tips

Image via Wikipedia

Visiting Hawaii can be expensive, but there are a number of things you can do to save money.

Frequent Traveler Programs: Signing up for a frequent traveler program through a hotel or airline can result in significant savings. Hotels like the Sheraton send special savings to people who have signed up with their program. One year, I received 5 nights at the Maui Sheraton for $799. This was a large savings off the regular rates. Also, if you fly often, you can earn free or reduced airfare.

Price Negotiation: Sometimes it is possible to request a lower price when making hotel reservations, especially at smaller or less popular hotels. When you receive a price quote, you can ask about available specials. Once I received a lower rate after explaining that I was going to call a few other hotels to check their prices.



Timeshare Presentations: Many resorts, hotels, and condos sell timeshares in their properties and they offer specials to entice you to attend a sales presentation. The specials include free or reduced accomodations and discounted activities. You can go to the web sites for major hotel chains with locations in Hawaii and fill out a form expressing an interest in a timeshare. By doing so, they may send a special deal to you that's available if you agree to sit through a timeshare presentation. Once you arrive in Hawaii, there are timeshare vendors offering activity savings.
The ultimate goal of a timeshare presentation is for a sale to occur. Therefore, sitting through one can be somewhat painful for those of us who do not intend to purchase one. Sometimes they are high pressure and usually last around two hours. You need to place a value on your time and determine whether spending time listening to a sales pitch is worth the extra savings.

Airfare Discounts: Saving money on airfare for your trip to Hawaii requires regular price checking. It's typically less expensive to depart during mid-week, like on a Wednesday. I've seen some of the lowest prices to Hawaii during February so I usually start checking prices during January and February. Hawaiian Airlines often has sales on flights from some west coast cities and you can receive regular sale information by signing up for their frequent flier program.
Flights between the Hawaiian islands are relatively inexpensive. Go! operated by Mesa Airlines regularly offers discounted flights. Also, Hawaiian Airlines periodically offers discounts off the inter-island flights.

Off Season Travel: The best rates for Hawaii are during it's off season which runs from mid April through mid June and September through mid December. The lowest rates for accomodations are available during the off season months.

A3H Gold Card: The gold card is a discount card offering savings off some Hawaii activities. It costs $30 and can be used for up to four people. It doesn't offer a discount off every activity so you should review the discounted activities before purchasing. I used it the first time I went to Hawaii and was able to get a substantial savings off the Road to Hana tour on Maui, but I decided not to buy the card during my last trip to Hawaii because I couldn't get a deal on the activities I selected.

Vacation Property Rental: You can often save money on accomodations by renting a condo, private home or timeshare. They are often less expensive than many Hawaii hotels, especially if you are traveling with a large family or group. By going to the VRBO website, you can search for Hawaiian condos and homes available for rent. You can also read reviews by prior guests and check availability. For timeshare rentals, I like the site Redweek.com. You can search available timeshares and contact the owner directly in order to rent one.

Food: It's no secret that food in Hawaii is expensive compared to the mainland. If you rent a condo, home or timeshare, you can save money by cooking your own food. You can buy bulk food with good prices at Costco. There's a Costco located on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. The Safeway grocery store has a discount card that you can sign up for in order to get extra savings there. Some Hawaiian restaurants sell plate lunches which relatively cheap. For dinner, you can save money by eating a late "lunch" instead.

Coupons: The Hawaii version of the Entertainment Book has good discounts, but I didn't really get much use out of it when I purchased one. A lot depends on whether it contains the restaurants, activities, etc. that interest you. Near the baggage claim areas in Hawaii, there are many brochures with coupons. For me, searching through the brochures for coupons that I would actually use ultimately wasn't worth my time, but they are a way to potentially save money.

Oahu Spotlight: Polynesian Cultural Center

I really enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. The cultural center is a great opportunity to learn about polynesian islands: Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, the Marquesas and Tonga. There's a replica of villages for each island featuring games, dances, food, and activities.

I had purchased the Ambasador package so we had a small group tour guide to show us around. We received a small hula lesson at the Hawaiian village and watched various performances and demonstrations at each of the other villages. There was even a canoe pageant featuring performers from all of the islands. After the tour, we ate dinner and walked around the shops at the center. Then, we watched a spectacular evening show which featured a fire dancer at the end.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is very large and it's difficult to get the full benefit in only one day. The tour guide helped us to get a glimpse of everything, but it would have been nice to walk at a slower pace and participate in more of the hands on activities. For that reason, I definitely hope to visit it again someday.

Polynesian Cultural Center - CLICK HERE TO BOOK!

Late Night Flight out of Hawaii

Image by Thorsten Thees via Flickr

When I traveled to Hawaii, my flights home departed at night. A late departure meant more time in Hawaii, but it also presented a problem when we had to check out early. Fortunately, some resorts offer luggage storage and the use of a hospitality room to freshen up prior to departing on a late flight. That was a nice benefit when we stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu. If you stay in a hotel or condo without luggage storage and a hospitality room might want to take the time to visit sites on the way to the airport.

During our second trip to Maui, we stopped by the Buzz's Wharf restaurant and then went to the Maui Ocean Center on the way to the airport. We left our luggage in the car trunk and were able to pass a lot of time before heading to the airport. I heard stories about people breaking into rental cars, but I made sure that I carried any valuables.

Although a late night flight home might seem like an inconvenience, it can be a great way to get in some last minute sightseeing. If you prefer to have more access to your hotel room, you can purchase an extra night or see if your hotel offers late check out. Sometimes you can get a late check out for an extra charge or you might qualify for free late check out if you're a member of the hotel's frequent traveler club.

Touring Hawaii without Leaving Home

Image by penmachine via Flickr

I recently discovered a neat software program that allows you to tour a location without going anywhere. It's called Google Earth and can be downloaded free from http://earth.google.com/. You can fly to a certain location such as Maui and then visit various points of interest by clicking on a small blue square. Then, a picture of the location pops up. You can also get a good idea about the highways and geography of the location which can be especially useful in planning a vacation to a mountainous location such as Hawaii.

Maui Spotlight: Road to Hana

Traveling the Road to Hana was something I definitely wanted to do during my first visit to Maui. Although I had read about the road on the internet and in the book, Maui Revealed, I couldn't completely imagine what it would be like. I knew that I would see waterfalls and I knew that there were hundreds of curves and some one lane bridges, but it was still difficult for me to visualize it prior to making the trip.

In planning the trip on the Road to Hana, I definitely knew that I didn't want to drive. I also knew that my family members wouldn't want to drive either so I opted for the Hana picnic tour through Temptation Tours. The tour company received really good reviews, but we were not completely happy with it. I think it had a lot to do with our driver. I thought that he drove too fast and didn't stop at many of the waterfalls and other sights. Hana is a beautiful road with a lot of waterfalls and lush rainforests. It's best driven at leisurely pace with frequent stops. When you take a tour, you don't have control over the frequency of the stops or the speed at which you drive. For that reason, it may be better to drive yourself to Hana if you don't mind driving along narrow, winding mountain cliffs.

Admittedly, we were exhausted during the trip. I made the mistake of booking the tour for the day after we arrived on Maui thinking that we would want to go somewhere early in the morning due to the time difference. Well, we did want to wake up early, but the prior day's long travel time had us wiped out early in the tour. I think I was the only one with some appreciation for the beauty provided by the Road to Hana. My mother hated the road and was terrified about the possibility of going over a cliff. The passing truck drivers zooming by didn't seem to help either.

The trip to Hana was better than the return trip because we were on the mountain side of the two lane highway. The return trip was on the cliff side of the mountain, which was worse. The one lane bridges weren't bad at all because they were very short and you could easily see when there was a car on the opposite side trying to cross.

In going to Hana, it's really about the journey, not the destination. Hana didn't seem to have much and we didn't really enjoy it. (Of course, we were really tired.) However, the Road to Hana is unique and I definitely believe it's worth going at least once.

Sightseeing Tours on the island of Maui - CLICK HERE!

Where to Stay in Hawaii

Hawaii offers many great places to stay regardless of budget. Whether you are looking for a home away from home or a single room, Hawaii offers something for everyone. Resorts/ hotels, timeshares, condos, and private homes are available accomodations for visitors to Hawaii.

Resorts/ Hotels: Resorts are especially fun for first time visitors to Hawaii. They offer cultural activities such as hula lessons and lei making. Many are located directly on the beach and they often have some of the best swimming pools and restaurants. The negative thing about resorts is that they are not as cost effective as some of the other options. You pay more money for a smaller room or suite and larger families or groups may benefit from more room.

Timeshares: Even if you don't own a timeshare, you can rent one through an owner or directly through a timeshare provider. I saved a lot of money by renting a timeshare unit on Redweek.com. Redweek is a web site that lists timeshare units that are available for purchase or rent. I've looked at other timeshare rental web sites, but I found the best deal on that one. I was able to rent a two bedroom unit for seven days at the Hilton Waikoloa Village for $1200. This was far less expensive than a single hotel room at the same resort for seven days. Timeshares can be great because you get more room and they often have a washer/dryer and kitchen. Some timeshares are located at resorts and offer some of the same amenities as a result. One downside is that they don't provide daily maid service unless you pay extra.

Condos/ Private Homes: Renting a condo or private home can be cost effective for large families and groups. I used VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) to rent a great two bedroom condo on Maui. Renting a condo or private home gives you the chance to have a vacation with the amenities of home. Many offer full kitchens if you like to cook while on vacation and you can pack fewer clothes because many also include a washer and dryer. Large groups can reduce their per person cost by sharing a luxury private home.

In Hawaii, I tried more than one accomodation experience by spending part of the trip at a resort and then moving to a condo. I love the activities provided by resorts and I also love the extra space that condos provide. There are some condos where you can get both benefits. There are some Wailea condos that provide access to the Grand Wailea Resort amenities on Maui. That's an idea situation for Hawaii visitors who want it all!

Planning for Hawaii

Whenever I travel, I usually prefer to plan in advance. I don't plan for something to do during every minute of the trip or even every day. However, I do like to book activities in advance and plan for something to do at least every other day. If I don't plan, then I waste too much precious vacation time trying to decide what to do.

Hawaii is so far from where I live that I wouldn't want to visit for less than 12 days. The time zone difference and flight time make a short trip to Hawaii undesirable to me. The last time I went to Hawaii, I was there for 15 nights. I usually like to visit two islands. Next year, I want to visit Kauai and Maui. Last time, I went to the Big Island and Maui. Before that, I went to Oahu and Maui.

For me, planning includes reading hotel, condo, restaurant, and activity reviews. My favorite web site for planning is Tripadvisor.com. In addition reviews, many people post trip reports on the discussion boards detailing everything they did during their Hawaii vacation. The trip reports are especially great for deciding how to spend your time.

My first decision is usually where I will stay during the trip. Then, I book activities. Booking activities in advance is good because some of the most popular activities and shows with the best vendors are sold out in advance or for your preferred date. By booking in advance, I am guaranteed that I will be able to do what I want when I want.

Which Hawaiian Island is Best for You?

I've been to several Hawaiian islands and I was amazed at how different they were. There's definitely something for everyone and the islands you should visit depend on your interests. My favorite island was Maui. To me, it had the best mix of nature, shopping, and activities. I really loved its beauty and hated leaving when it was time to go home. Maui seemed to have something for everyone: great beaches, art galleries, shows, golf courses, and a lot of scenic locations for hiking. Maui is very near the island Lanai.

Lanai has great snorkeling and can easily be accessed from Maui by taking a ferry or snorkel cruise. We enjoyed seeing spinner dolphins near the island. Lanai has a more rural environment and Lanai city is very small and has an old fashioned feel. Lanai is great for someone who wants a more secluded island experience. There are a couple of luxury resorts, but there's not as much to do on the island other than hiking, playing golf and relaxing on the beach.

I've also visited the island Oahu. Honolulu is located on Oahu and the island seemed very urban in many areas. It was like Hawaii's version of New York city. As we approached the island from the air, I was stunned that the island appeared to be cluttered with buildings and concrete. It seemed to lack Maui's overall beauty, but I'm sure shopaholics love the huge malls and sunbathers love the great beaches. As a major metropolitan area, Oahu has many cultural activities, restaurants, and entertainment venues. I especially enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Hawaii's largest island is called Hawaii and is also known as the Big Island. I didn't really enjoy this island as much as the others. The Big Island is the only one with an active volcano and it doesn't real beaches. Although it does have a some pretty scenery, a large portion of the island has black lava and limited greenery. The volcano was interesting, but the air quality due to vog was questionable and I noticed a lot of dead flies floating on the water when I went snorkeling. The island is definitely large and there are wide open spaces. You will definitely need to do a lot of driving if you want to go anywhere. Some people love the Big Island for its diverse climates, great hiking, kona coffee and active volcano.

I still haven't been to Kauai, but I definitely plan to go there next. The island is probably the most scenic of the islands as it gets the most rain. For that reason, I'm convinced that Kauai will become my second favorite island. Many people consider it to be the best island for helecopter rides and ziplining. There's not as much shopping or other activities as there is on Maui or Oahu, but it still seems like a really nice island.

Molokai is another island I haven't visited. It's referred to as the most Hawaiian island due to it's rural environment, slow pace, lack of streetlights, and extra large white sand beach.

Disclosure Policy

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact kimberly@yahoo.com.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.

The owner(s) of this blog would like to disclose the following existing relationships. These are companies, organizations or individuals that may have a significant impact on the content of this blog. I am a home based travel agent with CWT/ Thomas Hogan Travel.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org