Hawaii Vacation Connection

Hawaiian cultural activities offerings at Hotels in Hawaii is the topic of our newest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. Visitor industry research indicates that Hawaiian culture is the most sought-after experience for Hawaii visitors. Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura share their expert local knowledge about how best to experience Hawaii culture on your Hawaii vacation. Many or most of Hawaii resorts strive to offer programming that highlights and celebrates Hawaiian culture. Bruce notes that the Outrigger chain excels in that regard. Lanai speaks of the importance of kukui nut oil and its many uses, from culinary applications to healing properties. Hawaiian culture offerings at Hotels in Hawaii Many feature Hawaiian music as part of their cultural programming. It’s quite effective in attracting visitors, and famous hotels like the Royal Hawaiian focus on cultural engagement to provide authentic experiences as part of the visitor experience. Bruce and Lanai discuss the history of a number of historic Waikiki hotels and how they have re-branded and maintained Hawaiian culture programming. They note new ownership’s approach to maintaining classic Hawaiian culture at properties like the New Otani Hotel. The fish-feeding tank at the Alohilani and Prince Waikiki Hotel are noted for their cultural programming, as well as several other Neighbor Island hotels that focus on Hawaiian culture on Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. Our hosts share their expert knowledge about which hotels provide experiences. The Kaanapali Beach Hotel is noted as a resort property that stays true to historic themes of Hawaiian hospitality, and one of the best places to experience humpback whale season. Bruce observes that the cultural programming at Napili Bay is exceptional for its attention to educating children and their families about traditional Hawaiian foodways, agricultural practices, hula dancing. Lanai speaks to the history of traditional Hawaiian music and the explosion of slack key guitar in world music. Fairmont Hawaii offers canoe-paddling and olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language). Bruce talks about his favorite museum displays and interactive experiences that bring Hawaii visitors directly into the history and lifestyle of Hawaii. Our most recent podcast gives listeners an insider’s look at the most popular and authentic cultural experiences that Hawaii has to offers. Some are free, some aren’t. Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura know better than most how to find the most rewarding Hawaiian cultural activities. We podcast about Hawaii because we love Hawaii. Get Help Planning Your Trip

On our most recent Hawaii Vacations Connection Podcast has Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura talk about tipping in Hawaii. With their typically easy-going style, our hosts talk about how to determine whom to tip and how much. Lanai notes that cultures in Japan, China, and Australia do not tip, which disappoints servers in Hawaii. Those cultures have much higher minimum wages compared to workers in Hawaii, many of whom depend on tips as part of their incoming. Bruce and Lanai talk about tipping bell clerks and valets, and how they are your “front line” on a Hawaii vacation. Lanai has a helpful tip for tipping valets when you park your rental car. Lanai notes that his private tours often tip him. Bruce and Lanai say it’s also important to tip housekeepers. Lanai also says its nice to tip baggage porters. Our hosts also not that large-tour bus drivers also appreciate tips. Bruce says he’s seeing a “gratuity included” charge for many services, because workers are often not tipped. Bruce notes the cultural differences when tipping. In fact, some cultures may even view tipping as an insult to the worker/server. Lanai discusses how he has hosted week-long tours for millionaires who ended up not tipping him. Lanai talks about tipping in bars and restaurants, and how bartenders are permitted to offer free cocktails to customers, and that tipping well could see the bartender make your next round free. Aloha Bruce says that anytime you’re receiving a service, you should include a tip. Lanai says that tipping in Hawaii boils down to “karma”. If someone does something nice for you, you should return the favor. It is truly the Spirit of Aloha. Take care of your servers in Hawaii! We podcast about Hawaii because we love Hawaii. Get Help Planning Your Trip

The latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast tackles the question of how to choose the right hotel for your Hawaii holiday. There are a lot of factors to consider, and Bruce and Lanai get down to the bottom of it all with honest talk and Hawaii Hotel Tips about what visitors should know before booking accommodations […]

The history of Honolulu’s Chinatown is explored on our newest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura have a lively discussion about how Chinatown came to be, and the history of the Chinese in Hawaii. With his typically vast knowledge of Hawaii’s past, Lanai explains that the first Chinese arrived in Hawaii all the way back in 1780. They found work under King Kamehameha as carpenters when the sandalwood trade was booming in the early 1800s. Many Chinese found success as merchants near Honolulu Harbor. This was the beginning of Chinatown as we know it. Lanai also notes that many of the unique buildings in Chinatown were built around the same time, just after the Great Fire that decimated the neighborhood. May6 of Chinatown’s buildings have their year of construction featured in their faces, usually 1908-1910. Lanai and Bruce also recall the seedy days of Chinatown, and its rebirth as a sophisticated arts district and a hotbed of innovative new restaurants and young chefs and restauranteurs. Critically-acclaimed places like Pig & the Lady, Encore, and Lucky Belly are noted, as well as a handful of excellent pizza joints. Chinatown was once a theater district. Lanai talks about childhood memories of visiting a number of movie houses in Chinatown. He also discusses Chinatown’s history of gambling and prostitution. About 15-20 years ago, Chinatown underwent a makeover into the vibrant area it is today. But old Chinatown can still be found in the traditional fish markets and dim sum and noodle shops that still serve a large Chinese community. Chinatown is now a multi-ethnic area as Honolulu’s demographics changes. Lanai also points out that Honolulu’s Chinatown is different from others in San Francisco and Los Angeles because of its diversity. He also addresses the homeless in the area as typical of any big city, and the best and safest times to visit. Join Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura as they offer their unique expertise on Chinatown and how to experience it We podcast about Hawaii because we love Hawaii. Get Help Planning Your Trip

On our latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura discuss vacationing on Hawaii Island. Known most commonly as the “Big Island”, Hawaii Island suffered a significant drop in visitor arrivals in 2018 due to a several natural disasters. A and several hurricanes and tropical storms menaced in 2018 and created some misconceptions […]

Eh, Brah! Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura go deep into the language of Hawaiian pidgin English on the newest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast for Hawaii visitors. Lanai explains that Hawaiian pidgin is essentially broken English. It is built on both English and the words and phrases used in the native Hawaiian language, and those of the Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Portuguese plantation workers who flocked to the Hawaiian Islands as the sugar industry flourished in the 1800’s. A multi-cultural blend of workers gathered for lunch each day back then, everyone contributing to a makeshift language that helped them work together. Aloha Bruce and Lanai get to the bottom of Hawaii euphemisms like “da kine” and “bumbay”. They discuss how Hawaiian pidgin was a short-cut through language barriers. Lanai makes the important point that Hawaiian pidgin comes from Hawaiian people who taught the newcomers how to share not just food and lodgings and labor, but language as well. He also reminds us of the impact of the seminal and hilarious book Pidgin To Da Max, published way back in 1981 and read by pretty much everyone in Hawaii. In the same way Hawaii’s foods reflect its broad cultural spectrum, Hawaiian pidgin is a stew of languages and cultural identities and attitudes. In the plantation days, there were many languages prevalent amid the cane and pineapple fields. Rugged Portuguese paniolo herded cattle as workers from the Far East managed crops nearby. Back then, verbal short-cuts were a vital part of keeping things running smoothly. Hawaiian pidgin is a big part of the modern “Aloha Spirit”. Aloha Bruce and Lanai offer their unique local insight into Hawaiian pidgin on our latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. And check out Lanai Tabura’s new app “Pidgin 101”. It’s available across all platforms, and its a fun way to learn about pidgin in Hawaii.

On our newest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura delve deeply into Family fun activities on Kauai for outdoor adventures in Hawaii. Experts in all things related to Hawaii vacations, our hosts note that many families are unaware of the vast selection of outdoor adventures available on the Garden Isle. As always, […]

On our newest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura will discuss the many reasons that Hawaii attracts so many visitors from around the world. A recent international survey by Survey Monkey gives a lot of hard data about what makes Hawaii the perfect vacation destination, and Bruce and Lanai break it down […]

On our latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura answer the seemingly silly but very relevant question, What’s the weather like in Hawaii? Of course, the weather in the Aloha State is almost always perfect. We enjoy mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures. This is a big part of what makes Hawaii such an ideal vacation destination. But we do have stretches of chilly, rainy weather. Recent snowfalls at Mauna Kea on the Big Island and Haleakala Crater on Maui have made national and international headlines. Aloha Bruce and Lanai talk about how visitors should be prepared for wind and rain at any time of the year. They’ll share their expert local knowledge about Hawaii’s rainy season, and about summertime months that can get uncomfortably warm and muggy. Hawaii is home to 10 of the Earth’s 13 climate zones. Visitors who plan to explore areas beyond beachfront resorts should know what to reasonably expect of weather conditions. Going to the summit of Mauna Kea or Haleakala? Best to pack a good jacket. Visiting the leeward side of any of the Hawaiian Islands? It’s likely to be hot and breezeless. Windward locations are famous for their buffeting ocean breezes. There are many microclimate parts of Hawaii as well. With the kind of insights that only longtime and lifetime residents can provide, Aloha Bruce and Lanai break down the realities of the impact the weather can have on a Hawaii vacation. Afterall, we have a hurricane season here. And wildfire season, too. The important part is knowing what to expect and being prepared. (You can also read our recent blog about chilly weather in Hawaii.) There’s no one better to help you negotiate the elements when planning or enjoying a Hawaii vacation than Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura and their Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. Join us for the latest edition, and get the inside scoop on where and what to expect from Hawaii’s unique climate and weather patterns.

On the latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura will talk about honeymooning in Hawaii. Of course, the Aloha State is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations the world over. They’ll also muse over the fact that it’s been “cold” in Hawaii over the past few weeks. It’s been 65 degrees at the beach! We’ll talk about how Maui has become the go-to honeymoon destinations for newlyweds through internet searches. Maui is certainly a wonderful destination for the recently married. But each island in Hawaii holds its own charms, and the best way to to choose your Hawaii honeymoon destination is to talk to the experts personally instead of simply booking air/room/car online. Aloha Bruce and Hawaii Aloha Travel offer the kind of personal service that gives newlyweds the kind of inside local knowledge that will make your honeymoon truly unique and forever memorable. Aloha Bruce and Lanai will talk about how many honeymooners “over-plan” their Hawaii experience. Even though interisland flights are fairly short, an hour at most, an interisland flight also involves rental car returns, security lines, and jam-packed flights. What might sound like a quick trip to a neighbor island usually involves at least a half-day, which many visitors do not expect when planning on their own. With their typical humor and insight, Aloha Bruce and Lanai will also talk about the importance of picking the right island for your honeymoon. Multi-island Hawaii visits are certainly possible. The best way to make the most of your time in Hawaii is to talk to experts like Aloha Bruce and Hawaii Aloha Travel. As most Hawaii honeymooners are between 25-45 years old, many will want to find accommodations that offer child-free swimming pools and eateries. It’s not unusual for young couple to want to spend their honeymoon away from other people’s children. Aloha Bruce and Lanai will help sort out how best to find what you are looking for on your Hawaii honeymoon, and how to get the most out your honeymoon budget.

On the latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura will discuss visiting native Hawaiian cultural sites on Oahu. Known as “The Gathering Place”, Oahu is home to a rich historical legacy and many important locations and structures. Lanai shares his extensive knowledge of Hawaiian culture and history as he discusses several places on Oahu that are alive with stories. Lanai will tell us about Waimea Valley on the Oahu’s North Shore and about its famous waterfall. Waimea is home to dozens of archaeological sites and dozens of native Hawaiian plant, insect, and animal species. Lanai notes that there is a small fee to enter the park. Bruce and Lanai also discuss the Royal Mausoleum, just a few minutes from Waikiki and the final resting place of Hawaii’s most important royals dating back to King Kamehameha II and other luminaries of the Hawaiian royal family. Lanai will also talk about the history of Iolani Palace, the only royal palace ever built in the United States (it had electricity before the White House). Other places discussed on the podcast are the Kaneana Cave in West Oahu, the sacred birthing stones in Wahiawa, important heiau (sacred temples), the historical significance of the popular Pali Lookout, and ancient fishponds on Oahu that date back to 400 AD. We podcast about Hawaii because we love Hawaii. Get Help Planning Your Trip Most importantly, Aloha Bruce and Lanai will talk about the need to show respect when visiting these types of historic cultural sites anywhere in Hawaii. They’ll discuss why you should stay away from areas marked “kapu”, which mean sacred and forbidden. The latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast will tell you what you need to know about visiting these places, and how to show respect for native Hawaiian culture and history in its most sacred places.

On our newest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura discuss the realities of an “all inclusive vacation” package experience in Hawaii. Many vacationers are after an experience in which all costs are paid up front. Air-room-car packages are not all inclusive, our hosts note, and that many visitors who sign on for such offers are unaware that the hotel or resort does not include resort fees, parking charges, meals, or activities. Many vacationers are shocked by those additional fees when they turn up on the bill when they check out. Bruce and Lanai will discuss, with their unique insight and humor, how “all-inclusive” has become a buzzword in the travel industry, and how in Hawaii there aren’t really any of the kinds of offers available at resorts in Mexico or the Caribbean. Our hosts muse over the fact that for many, all-inclusive means simply free alcohol and food along with lodgings. Hawaii Aloha Travel has created a couple of unique “all-inclusive packages” by working with properties on Oahu and Maui. Bruce and Lanai will talk about the Standard and Super Saver offers available, which do include limited meals and drinks. With other all-inclusive offers in other vacation destinations, it means never leaving the resort. But the point of a Hawaii vacation is to enjoy the true Hawaii experience that a hotel or resort property simply cannot provide. Hawaii Aloha Travel offers private and group tours and includes some meals and drinks at various properties and establishments. Join us as we get behind the myth of all-inclusive vacations in Hawaii, and how Hawaii Aloha Travel can offer the same kind of experience without hidden fees and other charges that can take visitors by surprise. We’ll tell you exactly what you can expect from our Standard and Super Saver All Inclusive Vacation Packages, and how you can get the best value out of your Hawaii vacation dollars.

Join us for Part Two of our Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast with James Asquith, the Guinness Book of World Record’s youngest person, at the age of 24, to visit every one of the 196 countries on the planet. Mr. Asquith shares with us his adventures and the challenges he faced and the wonders he experienced in his travels. And why he loves Hawaii. As the world’s most widely traveled young person, James talks with us about savvy “travel hacks” and how the best way to find the best deals available for airfare and accommodations is to be flexible. He also talks about jetlag, and how he isn’t affected by it. Best of all, James Asquith talks with us about why Hawaii is his favorite travel destination. He’ll discuss the personal, professional, and intangible appeal Hawaii and especially Oahu holds for him. As a Londoner, he’s accustomed to big city life. As a world traveler, he’s come to appreciate the laid-back lifestyle and incredible natural environment we enjoy here. Above all, Mr. Asquith enjoys the people of Hawaii and the fact that every time he’s been to Hawaii, he’s experienced something new and deeply rewarding. Also, he loves the food. On this week’s Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Aloha Bruce and Lanai Tabura get inside the mind of a world traveler who has achieved something no one is likely to accomplish. James Asquith talks candidly about what it’s like to be forever on the road, and why he considers Hawaii to be the place that he finally settles down. We offer tips on websites and services to enhance your Hawaii experience and get the most from your travel budget. With our typical humor and unique insight into the Hawaii experience, this week’s podcast offers a truly unique perspective on world travel, and Hawaii should be on everyone’s travel “bucket list”.

On our newest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, we welcome James Asquith, the Guinness Book of World Records’ youngest person to visit all 196 of the world’s countries. He began his travels at the age of 18 and completed the remarkable achievement when he touched down in Micronesia in July of 2013. Few people will ever […]

Planning a Hawaii vacation can be a daunting task, even for solo travelers. There are so many options for accommodations, dining, and activities that it can be hard to make sense of it all. On today’s Hawaii Vacation Connection podcast, we’ll be talking about planning a family vacation, and all of the things to consider to keep the whole family happy. The most important thing to consider when planning a family vacation in Hawaii is what you want to get out of it. Whether it’s plenty of beach time, taking in cultural sites, or a food-centric stay, bringing the kids along is easier than you might think. Fortunately, many Hawaii hotels and resorts offer programs for kids of all ages. From hula lessons to arts and crafts, from ocean safety and education to native Hawaiian cultural experiences, there are lots of exciting things for the keiki to learn and experience during a Hawaii vacation. Properties like Disney’s Aulani in West Oahu are geared toward family vacations with a variety of activities and educational programs to fascinate and entertain curious little ones. Other large properties like Hilton Hawaiian Village also offer similar children’s programming. We podcast about Hawaii because we love Hawaii. Get Help Planning Your Trip There are some important tips we’ll offer as well. For example, if you are travelling to Hawaii with small children, it’s safest to only go to beaches monitored by City & County Ocean Safety Lifeguards. Always be sure to visit with a lifeguard and let them know you’re at the beach with children. Lifeguards are more than happy to educate beachgoers about safety. It’s easier for lifeguards to keep and eye on beachgoers young and old when they’ve met them face-to-face. Hawaii has the best lifeguards in the world, and they love their job. Just organizing a trip to the grocery store can be a challenge with small children. Planning a Hawaii family vacation presents its own challenges, but on this week’s podcast we’ll help make sure you know what to expect, and how to get the most of your family’s dream Hawaii vacation.