Hawaii Vacation Connection

On today's show we give you some examples of how much a family vacation is costing these days and offer some ideas how to stretch your budget. Hawaii is one of the most loved destinations in the country for a family vacation. Not only is it a beauti...

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

So you booked a vacation to Hawaii and now you're here. But you're having such an amazing time you want to stay longer. One problem though- you've already booked your flights in advance. Learn about changing flights not just for yourself but also for the whole family, and find out the pros and cons of this situation on today's podcast. It's a very typical circumstance and we want you to be prepared if and when you ever find yourself in this same position! That's today's give a listen. This week in Hawaii, the weather has been pretty typical. I swear the local newspapers have to come up with seven different ways to say the same thing about the weather… mostly sunny, some clouds. But I'm not complaining! June has an average weather temperature of 72 degrees to 87 degrees, from morning till night. This month has ideal summertime weather because it never gets too hot, nor does it drop below a comfortable coolness. Gotta love Hawaii, I never get tired of wearing shorts year round! Also, the tradewinds are back up which is great news. Keeps the vog away and also helps from residents and vacationers getting too hot on the beach! In this week's podcast we'll talk about a handful of interesting news topics, our first being about the highest lounge in Hawaii. Skybar Waikiki, a lofty lounge and tapas bar will open in the spring of 2014 and boast the title, “Hawaii's Highest Lounge”. Located on the 19th floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza, listen to our podcast to hear more about what this new lounge offers… We'll give you one detail: seamless glass railings that allow for unobstructed views of Diamond Head crater and the ocean. WOW! Next we'll discuss Castle Resorts & Hotels and their rave review from TripAdvisor. Believe it or not, Castle Resorts & Hotels will have nine of its properties recognized with the 2013 Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor. Find out why and what our opinions are on this topic… Before we begin the main topic discussion, we also talk a bit about the new restaurants opening at Westin Maui this summer. Two new dining options will replace the resort's existing Ono Bar & Grill and Tropica Restaurant & Bar venues. Relish Burger Bistro and Sugar House Island Kitchen will be the summer. I also go over a podcast listener itinerary from Ian I received and offer some advice and honest opinions which I hope he's not to upset about!!

So you booked a vacation to Hawaii and now you're here. But you're having such an amazing time you want to stay longer. One problem though- you've already booked your flights in advance. Learn about changing flights not just for yourself but also for the whole family, and find out the pros and cons of this situation on today's podcast. It's a very typical circumstance and we want you to be prepared if and when you ever find yourself in this same position! That's today's give a listen. This week in Hawaii, the weather has been pretty typical. I swear the local newspapers have to come up with seven different ways to say the same thing about the weather… mostly sunny, some clouds. But I'm not complaining! June has an average weather temperature of 72 degrees to 87 degrees, from morning till night. This month has ideal summertime weather because it never gets too hot, nor does it drop below a comfortable coolness. Gotta love Hawaii, I never get tired of wearing shorts year round! Also, the tradewinds are back up which is great news. Keeps the vog away and also helps from residents and vacationers getting too hot on the beach! In this week's podcast we'll talk about a handful of interesting news topics, our first being about the highest lounge in Hawaii. Skybar Waikiki, a lofty lounge and tapas bar will open in the spring of 2014 and boast the title, “Hawaii's Highest Lounge”. Located on the 19th floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza, listen to our podcast to hear more about what this new lounge offers… We'll give you one detail: seamless glass railings that allow for unobstructed views of Diamond Head crater and the ocean. WOW! Next we'll discuss Castle Resorts & Hotels and their rave review from TripAdvisor. Believe it or not, Castle Resorts & Hotels will have nine of its properties recognized with the 2013 Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor. Find out why and what our opinions are on this topic… Before we begin the main topic discussion, we also talk a bit about the new restaurants opening at Westin Maui this summer. Two new dining options will replace the resort's existing Ono Bar & Grill and Tropica Restaurant & Bar venues. Relish Burger Bistro and Sugar House Island Kitchen will be the summer. I also go over a podcast listener itinerary from Ian I received and offer some advice and honest opinions which I hope he's not to upset about!!

It’s summer, but it still doesn’t quite feel like summer here on Oahu. Okay we might be spoiled since the temperatures HAVE been in the low 80’s, but we’ve got this cloud coverage that just won’t seem to go away. I’m still waiting for one of those cloudless Hawaii days where the ocean is so […]

It's summer, but it still doesn't quite feel like summer here on Oahu. Okay we might be spoiled since the temperatures HAVE been in the low 80's, but we've got this cloud coverage that just won't seem to go away. I'm still waiting for one of those cloudless Hawaii days where the ocean is so clear you can see the reef beneath the surface. Anyone else waiting for this type of weather to really feel like we've hit the summer months? One good thing about the intermittent cloud coverage though is it relieves beach goers from the intense summer heat. Thanks nature! Also on today's show we talk about safety while you're here in the islands. Lately we've been having higher than normal ocean related accidents, so it's a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and recognize any amount of threat to your safety. These accidents may be due to the large ocean swells pushing through Waikiki, but it also might be related to beach goers’ naivety when it comes to the power of the ocean. A good way to remember how to take beach precautions is the acronym SOAK. While we could tell you what these letters stand for here, tune into our podcast for the whole story! Are you a movie buff? Then you'll be excited to hear that Honolulu will be the new backdrop for Godzilla, with filming beginning next month in July. And Oahu locals and vacationers will most likely see some bits of the production happening while strolling the streets of downtown. Hawaii film commissioner Donne Dawson says, “they'll be filming in some very public places, the public will have no problem observing filming activity. It is not going to be hidden away in the jungle.” Does this mean there's a good chance we'll land a cameo in this movie? And finally our main topic for the show, planning a return trip to Hawaii. Just because you've been to the islands five or ten times doesn't mean there isn't a thing or two you could still learn! With such diverse islands and so much to see and do, it's a good idea to plan your return visit to Hawaii through a local travel company. Heck, there's still plenty I HAVEN'T EVEN DONE, and I've lived here for twenty years! Listen in as we tell you how to maximize your return trip back to the islands.

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

If you've ever heard smooth vocals of traditional Hawaiian music, chances are this song will bring back those kinds of memories. Even if you're not familiar with Hawaiian Music , you'll feel the Aloha in the melody. The the Aloha Plate Truck… In honor of the truck that's making its way around the continental United States, serving up aloha one plate at a time, is an impromptu song about the Aloha Plate Truck written byLono Makia. Connecting with truck team member Lanai Tabura, he sent over the demo of “Aloha Plate”, the first ever song written for The Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race. While the song was created just for fun, we just had to share it with our listeners and readers! Aloha Plate, aloha, we travel near and far so you can have a taste at Aloha Plate” is the chorus of this original Hapa song. With the ukulele creating the melody, this song is reminiscent of traditional Hawaii and makes you feel relaxed and surrounded by aloha. “We're serving up Aloha to each and every state at Aloha Plate” is the hook of the song and the message behind what the Aloha Plate Truck is all about. Soft, and melodic, this song is a great show of the support the Aloha Plate Truck is receiving from home. We're finding ohana everywhere to join the Hawaii team on this Great Food Truck Race! We are so excited about this song and can't wait for you to listen along with us!

If you've ever heard smooth vocals of traditional Hawaiian music, chances are this song will bring back those kinds of memories. Even if you're not familiar with Hawaiian Music , you'll feel the Aloha in the melody. The the Aloha Plate Truck… In honor of the truck that's making its way around the continental United States, serving up aloha one plate at a time, is an impromptu song about the Aloha Plate Truck written byLono Makia. Connecting with truck team member Lanai Tabura, he sent over the demo of “Aloha Plate”, the first ever song written for The Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race. While the song was created just for fun, we just had to share it with our listeners and readers! Aloha Plate, aloha, we travel near and far so you can have a taste at Aloha Plate” is the chorus of this original Hapa song. With the ukulele creating the melody, this song is reminiscent of traditional Hawaii and makes you feel relaxed and surrounded by aloha. “We're serving up Aloha to each and every state at Aloha Plate” is the hook of the song and the message behind what the Aloha Plate Truck is all about. Soft, and melodic, this song is a great show of the support the Aloha Plate Truck is receiving from home. We're finding ohana everywhere to join the Hawaii team on this Great Food Truck Race! We are so excited about this song and can't wait for you to listen along with us!

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

The weather in Hawaii lately has been quite bipolar. We’ve had heavy rainstorms followed by thick vog followed by sunny skies and no trades. Ask any local, it’s been a hot summer so far, and we’ve only just made it to June! Earlier this week Star Advertiser published an article on the tradewinds and how […]

The weather in Hawaii lately has been quite bipolar. We've had heavy rainstorms followed by thick vog followed by sunny skies and no trades. Ask any local, it's been a hot summer so far, and we've only just made it to June! Earlier this week Star Advertiser published an article on the tradewinds and how they are declining. Experts say this drop will slowly change life across the islands, yet the culprit behind this shift in winds remains unclear. Locals are beginning to notice this change, but how can we prepare for it and more importantly, how can we postpone it from happening? Another news topic relevant for those living and vacationing in Hawaii is one regarding sunscreen usage. A new study found that daily use of sunscreen actually prevents and slows the inevitable wrinkled, sagging skin. The study involved 900 white people in Australia, (a destination chosen for its intense sun exposure on residents) and two groups. One group used sunscreen as they had been using for years, (meaning intermittently or only when in direct sun contact). The other group used SPF 15 every single day for 4.5 years. The result? Smoother, healthier looking and more resilient skin in the group who used sunscreen everyday. Wow! Next we talk about the swells in Waikiki and how to stay safe in turbulent waters. While we want you to enjoy your Hawaii vacation by the sea, we also don't want you to get swept out, so be sure to heed lifeguard warnings and always remember, if in doubt don't go out. So what's bringing these swells to the south? Well if you've ever vacationed in Waikiki during the summertime, you'll know it's actually quite common. And for our final topic of this podcast we'll discuss a handful of the best museums in Hawaii. From the missionaries of the 1800's to the lava of the Big Island to Buddhism, Hinduism and the state's Grand Canyon, we're covering an array of awesome places you'll want to check out next time you're in Hawaii. And we've detailed a couple museums per island, so be sure to take note!

Photos are THE best way to relive memories, and your vacation to Hawaii will be worth every click of the camera. Whether you're a hobby photographer, professional photographer or social media photographer there are ways to create unique photo opportunities that make for great pictures and also great adventures along the way. With smartphones completely transforming the photo process, it's now easier than ever to click, upload and share your vacation with everyone back home. So with all the time you're saving not having to load your camera, develop the film, then sort through all the junk, why not get creative with some photo ops during your Hawaiian vacation? It'll provide some entertaining days and some even better stories for friends and family back home! To make the process a little easier, we've thought up a handful of our own unique ways to capture moments. And just because you've seen it done before doesn't mean YOU can't do it again yourself! Or, try spinning off our ideas and come up with your own. Either way, don't let those wonderful photo opportunities pass you by, especially when you're in Hawaii. Holding the setting sun This is only successful when you stop trying to get people's faces to light up with a flash. You need to embrace the silhouette. It makes for a more beautiful photo anyways. Try facing your back to the camera and holding your arms loosely above your head with your hands in an open V. Your photographer will move you left or right, up or down till they get the sun directly centered between your palms. Another fun one is “pinching” the sun, which again takes your photographer positioning you perfectly. Or, for a romantic photo, have a couple stand equal distances from the sun (the sun should be in the middle of the couple), facing each other, and leaning in toward one another for a kiss. Cradling Diamond Head You can achieve this best on a beach in Waikiki, or on a boat overlooking the city. Both have equally great views of Diamond Head. Similar to the sun pictures, you'll be doing some trick photography to make it appear as if you're right next to Diamond Head. You can try “leaning” up against the mountain, “cupping” it in your hands, or circling it with your arms. While spectators might think you're a bit loony, you won't be ashamed once you have that perfect shot captured on your camera. Underwater Photography Obviously you'll need an underwater camera for this one. But there are so many great photo ops when you're underwater, it's like a whole new world opens up for your photographic eye! If you're swimming amongst fish, try holding your breath and swimming to the bottom, then glide parallel to the bottom while looking up to the surface. Your photographer should be able to get a photo of you swimming amongst the reef fish in this shot. Another good one is to run rocks. Find a rock that you can pick up, but that weights you down to the bottom. Bear hug the rock and then run on the bottom of the ocean. It makes for a great photo of you running underwater and a great workout! Also, posing underwater isn't like posing on land- there's no gravity so you are weightless! Experiment with crazy poses from yoga, jui jitsu or just you being silly. Lastly, a half in/half out of water photo is always beautiful. These work well as up-close headshots, or for just capturing the beauty above and below the ocean's surface. Hobby in Hawaii (yoga, dance, music, etc.) There's nothing like bringing a little bit of YOU to Hawaii, so let loose and be yourself- even if there is a crowd! If you've just accomplished a great hike, take a photo at the end of it in a pose that best describes you. This can be a yoga pose, dance move, jumping picture, air guitar jamming, silly face, or whatever best describes your hobbies and/or personality. Taking these photos at the top of a mountain, overlooking a cliff, on a park bench,

Photos are THE best way to relive memories, and your vacation to Hawaii will be worth every click of the camera. Whether you're a hobby photographer, professional photographer or social media photographer there are ways to create unique photo opportunities that make for great pictures and also great adventures along the way. With smartphones completely transforming the photo process, it's now easier than ever to click, upload and share your vacation with everyone back home. So with all the time you're saving not having to load your camera, develop the film, then sort through all the junk, why not get creative with some photo ops during your Hawaiian vacation? It'll provide some entertaining days and some even better stories for friends and family back home! To make the process a little easier, we've thought up a handful of our own unique ways to capture moments. And just because you've seen it done before doesn't mean YOU can't do it again yourself! Or, try spinning off our ideas and come up with your own. Either way, don't let those wonderful photo opportunities pass you by, especially when you're in Hawaii. Holding the setting sun This is only successful when you stop trying to get people's faces to light up with a flash. You need to embrace the silhouette. It makes for a more beautiful photo anyways. Try facing your back to the camera and holding your arms loosely above your head with your hands in an open V. Your photographer will move you left or right, up or down till they get the sun directly centered between your palms. Another fun one is “pinching” the sun, which again takes your photographer positioning you perfectly. Or, for a romantic photo, have a couple stand equal distances from the sun (the sun should be in the middle of the couple), facing each other, and leaning in toward one another for a kiss. Cradling Diamond Head You can achieve this best on a beach in Waikiki, or on a boat overlooking the city. Both have equally great views of Diamond Head. Similar to the sun pictures, you'll be doing some trick photography to make it appear as if you're right next to Diamond Head. You can try “leaning” up against the mountain, “cupping” it in your hands, or circling it with your arms. While spectators might think you're a bit loony, you won't be ashamed once you have that perfect shot captured on your camera. Underwater Photography Obviously you'll need an underwater camera for this one. But there are so many great photo ops when you're underwater, it's like a whole new world opens up for your photographic eye! If you're swimming amongst fish, try holding your breath and swimming to the bottom, then glide parallel to the bottom while looking up to the surface. Your photographer should be able to get a photo of you swimming amongst the reef fish in this shot. Another good one is to run rocks. Find a rock that you can pick up, but that weights you down to the bottom. Bear hug the rock and then run on the bottom of the ocean. It makes for a great photo of you running underwater and a great workout! Also, posing underwater isn't like posing on land- there's no gravity so you are weightless! Experiment with crazy poses from yoga, jui jitsu or just you being silly. Lastly, a half in/half out of water photo is always beautiful. These work well as up-close headshots, or for just capturing the beauty above and below the ocean's surface. Hobby in Hawaii (yoga, dance, music, etc.) There's nothing like bringing a little bit of YOU to Hawaii, so let loose and be yourself- even if there is a crowd! If you've just accomplished a great hike, take a photo at the end of it in a pose that best describes you. This can be a yoga pose, dance move, jumping picture, air guitar jamming, silly face, or whatever best describes your hobbies and/or personality. Taking these photos at the top of a mountain, overlooking a cliff, on a park bench, or in the sand are great stories to share and will have your friends saying,