We know airfare isn't cheap these days. That's why we've partnered with one of our wholesalers to bring you an amazing deal on flights. During the entire month of May you'll get a $250 air discount when booking flights from San Diego, San Jose or Oakland to Kauai or The Big Island for travel between 5/1/13-6/25/13. All you need to do is package the flights with a three-night or longer hotel stay at one of the many properties our wholesaler offers and the discount is yours!
Hawaii
Hawaii Island isn’t just big, it’s still growing. The Island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the Hawaiian chain and is also by far the biggest, providing a vast canvas of environments to discover a variety of unrivaled natural wonders. This is the home of one of the world’s most active volcanoes (Kilauea), located in the largest park in the state (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park). All but two of the world’s climate zones generate everything from lush rain forests to volcanic deserts, snow-capped mountaintops to beautiful black sand beaches.
Kauai
From the soaring cliffs of the Napali Coast to the vast chasms of Waimea Canyon, Kauai embraces the senses like no other destination. Explore the island via land, sea or air to experience settings you’ve only dreamed about. Discover 50-miles of heavenly beaches from Poipu Beach to Hanalei Bay. Explore charming and historic small towns like Hanapepe and Koloa where no building is taller than a coconut tree. With so much to experience, “Hawaii's Island of Discovery,” is begging to be explored.
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Your flights are booked, your hotel reservations are made and in a few short weeks (or days) you'll be off to paradise in Hawaii. But what should you do once you get there? Here are a few of the events happening around the islands over the next few months to help you plan your stay.
Aloha Fridays
The Big Island
Every Friday in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park there's a hands-on demonstration lesson given about a cultural craft. The lesson varies from week to week and the events are free, though donations are welcome. Call 808-967-8222 for more information.
LPGA Lotte Championship Presented by J Golf
Oahu
The Ladies Pro Golf Tournament will be held at the amazing Ko Olina Resort from April 14th-20th. The tournament will feature some of the world's best female golfers, including Hawaii's own Michelle Wie. For more information check out www.lottechampionship.com.
A Culinary Romp Through Paradise - Nani Moon Mead
Kauai
Local food experts guide you "from farm to fork" as you explore authentic tastes of Kauai. The monthly tours are designed to offer a variety of tropical flavors as guests explore an exotic fruit orchard, enjoy a cooking demonstration and four-course gourmet meal, and learn about locally made beverages. The tours are held on the east side of the island and reservations are required. Visit www.tastingkauai.com for more information.
Wailuku First Friday
Maui
Wailuku Town's monthly street party comes complete with live music, sidewalk artisans, crafters and food vendors. The street closes to local traffic for this free community event which runs from 6-9pm. The May event will be held on May 3rd. For more information visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wailukufirstfriday
These are just some of the events going on in Hawaii in the coming weeks. Visit Go Hawaii for a full list of all 113 upcoming events.
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Great Hawaii Vacations thanks Dan B for his guest blog post about visiting Waimea Canyon on Kauai.
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Would I recommend visiting Waimea Canyon?
For Great Hawaii Vacation clients visiting Kauai for the first time, I am sure this is a frequently-asked question. Many wonder if it is just a repeat of their childhood trips to the Grand Canyon, and will they be doomed to be bored by countless hours of driving and tourist traps.
We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai in a beautiful ocean view room. Every morning we awoke to the sound of the crashing waves breaking on the shore and Kauai roosters calling to their flocks of chickens. One morning we drove West along the South coast toward Waimea Canyon and we were somewhat apprehensive about being dissapointed.
Waimea Canyon, also known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, and as it turned out, is a beautiful sight to behold. The canyon was formed by the extreme rainfall from Mount
Wai’ale’ale, known as the Wettest Spot on Earth, which streams down to the Waimea River and finds its way to the Pacific Ocean. Unlike the mainland Grand Canyon, the deep hues of red are met by waterfalls and the lush greens you see everywhere on the Garden Isle.
The canyon has a unique geologic history—it was formed not only by the steady process of erosion, but also by a catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created Kauaʻi. As is explained in the Waimea Canyon State Farm Literature, "Like the other Hawaiian islands, Kauaʻi is the top of an enormous volcano rising from the ocean floor. With lava flows dated to about 5 million years ago, Kauaʻi is the oldest of the large Hawaiian islands. Roughly 4 million years ago, while Kauaʻi was still erupting almost continuously, a portion of the island collapsed. This collapse formed a depression, which then filled with lava flows." and Waimea Canyon was born. It is very beautful to behold. 
Waimea Canyon State Park encompasses 1,866 acres (7.5 km²) and is a popular tourist
attraction on the island. It provides a wilderness area with numerous hiking trails. It can be accessed from Waimea on Hawaiʻi state road 550, which is 18 miles long and leads up to Koke'e State Park.
We took a long walk along a few of these trails and were left breathless by the views. At the top of the park there is a lookout that has one of the world's most panoramic views. It is of the North West Coast of Kauai. This is a spot that you will not want to miss on your tour of Waimea Canyon.
From Waimea Canyon, you can also look out to the Pacific Ocean and see the Forbidden Isle of Ni’ihau in the distance. As Wikipedia describes it, "The people of Niʻihau are known for their gemlike lei pūpū (shell lei) craftsmanship, and speak Hawaiʻian as a primary language. The island is generally off-limits to all but relatives of the island's owners, U.S. Navy personnel, government officials and invited guests, giving it the nickname "The Forbidden Isle". They also go on to mention that, "During World War II, the island was the site of the Niʻihau Incident: A Japanese navy fighter pilot crashed on the island and terrorized its residents for a week after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In Waimea Town itself, down on the coast, you have a small, very friendly kama’aina (Hawaiian local) community. You can find economically-priced dining, tasty treats like shave ice, and great local artistry.
Whether you are an avid photographer, thrill-seeking hiker, or trying to keep your family entertained on Kauai, Waimea Canyon is a cut above those childhood trips, wouldn’t you agree?
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It's easy to say "I want to go to Hawaii for my honeymoon". What's not so easy is determining which island you want to spend what's likely to be the most special trip of your life. Do you want the peace and quiet of Kauai? Or maybe the vibrant Waikiki nightlife on Oahu? In this post we'll cover some of the differences between the four major Hawaiian Islands (Maui, Oahu, Kauai and The Big Island) to help make that decision a little easier for you.
Maui
The Valley Isle (Maui's nickname) was recently listed #2 on US News & World Report's list of the 17 best honeymoon destinations in the world. For anyone who's been there before it's easy to see why. Maui is the most well-rounded of the Hawaiian Islands since it's able to offer lots of shops and restaurants along with lots of natural beauty without feeling overly commercial and busy. Also, if getting accommodations on the beach are important to you then you should take a close look at Maui. Without a doubt it's the island with the most beachfront accommodations. If shopping is your thing there are plenty of options for that with Front St. in Lahaina, Whalers Shopping Village in Kaanapali and the Shops at Wailea. If your more into nature then you can drive the Road to Hana, go horseback riding in Haleakala (the extinct volcano) or take a snorkel trip out to Molokini. Maui really does have it all.
Best for: Those wanting to experience everything Hawaii has to offer all on one island.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Fairmont Kea Lani, Four Seasons Maui, Grand Wailea, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ritz Carlton Kapalua
Oahu
Do you love the idea of having lots of different shops and restaurants within an easy walk from your hotel? Does the energy of a bustling city excite you? If so then Oahu may be the island for you. Waikiki (a neighborhood within the city of Honolulu) has the most shops and restaurants within easy walking distance of any of the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, it's the one area in Hawaii where you don't need to rent a car. One really cool thing about Oahu is with the busy atmosphere you have in Waikiki vs. the quieter areas of the island like the North Shore and Ko'Olina it can almost feel like you're visiting two islands. They also have some of the most popular attractions in the state with places like the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay.
Best for: Those who enjoy the energy of a city and exciting nightlife. Also great for history buffs with the likes of Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider a Westin Resort, Turtle Bay Resort, Kahala Hotel & Resort
Kauai 
Kauai was #4 on US News & World Report's list of the best honeymoon destinations in the world. If you're looking for rest and relaxation with a bit of adventure mixed in then this is the island for you. Kauai was nicknamed The Garden Isle due to its vast amount of tropical foliage. It's also the island with the most waterfalls in the state, and it's not even close. Kauai's majestic vistas and jungle vegetation have drawn countless Hollywood film crews to capture her beauty and sense of adventure. Some pretty major motion pictures have been shot on Kauai, including Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Avatar and Pirates of the Caribbean. The North Shore of Hawaii offers the famed Bali Hai view with mountains disappearing into the ocean. Be sure to check out Waimea Canyon (what Mark Twain dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"), the Napali Coast and the countless waterfalls dotting the landscape.
Best for: Adventure seekers and, not to be contradictory, those who would enjoy more peace and quiet and less activity.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Sheraton Kauai Resort, Poipu Kai Resort, St. Regis Princeville Resort
Hawaii (The Big Island)
Hawaii is nicknamed "The Big Island" because, well, it's so massive. The three main resort areas are all very different from each other. Kona is an old fishing village on the southwest side of Hawaii. The Waikoloa/Mauna Lani area is the newer, upscale part of the island about 40 minutes up the coast from Kona. Hilo is clear across the island on the east shore (about 90 miles from Kona). While it's more commercial (though nowhere close to Waikiki) it's also the only place to stay and be within a short car ride of Volcanoes National Park (Volcano House not withstanding). If you want to see a live volcano spewing lava then this is the island for you. There are some great shopping areas, too, especially in Kona and Waikoloa.
Hawaii is a bit like Maui in that it's very well rounded. The one big difference is that due to the size of the island you sometimes have to drive a longer distance to do different things. Also, one thing to point out is that the Big Island has a different look from the other islands due to the sheer amount of lava rock found everywhere. Some people love it (it's a very clean, vibrant black that contrasts nicely with the tropical foliage) while others feel like they're vacationing on the moon. We definitely recommend scoping out some pictures of the landscape before deciding whether or not The Big Island is for you.
Best for: Those who want to see an active volcano since, well, it's the only option. Also great for adventure seekers.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Four Seasons Hualalai, Fairmont Orchid, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort, Hilton Waikoloa Village
So Which Island is the Best for Honeymoons?
That's up to you! The beauty of Hawaii is that you can have a very different experience depending on which island you're staying on, so it's all a matter of finding the island that best fits your interests and activity level as a couple. Hopefully this guide will help make that choice a little easier for you.
Have you honeymooned on Hawaii? Leave a comment and tell us where you stayed!
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
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Hawaii has long been one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world.
In fact, a recent ranking of the best honeymoon destinations by US News & World Report puts two of Hawaii's islands (Maui and Kauai) among the top four honeymoon locations on the planet.
So picking the destination should be easy, but once you've decided on where to go, what comes next?
Over the next few weeks we'll be doing a blog series on planning your perfect Hawaii honeymoon. From choosing the perfect romantic restaurant to planning a romantic day trip we'll help take the stress out of planning one of the most special trips of your life.
In this series we will be posting about:
- Picking the perfect Hawaiian island
- Should you stay in a hotel or condo?
- Setting your accommodations budget
- Should you stay on the beach?
- Is an oceanview room worth it?
- What are the best romantic restaurants?
- Planning a romantic day trip
- Popular honeymoon activities
- General honeymoon planning tips
Tomorrow we'll launch the first post in the series focusing on picking the
perfect island for your Hawaii honeymoon.
In the meantime are there any Hawaii honeymoon topics you'd like to see us cover?
Post your suggestions for topics and honeymoon planning tips in the comments below!
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
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At Great Hawaii Vacations we pride ourselves on giving honest, insightful information and we want to make sure you’ve thought about all the different options before spending your hard earned money for the vacation of your dreams in Paradise.
Here is a question sent to us all the way from Boston, MA. Mahalo to Mr. Mark Murphy.
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Q. Do you recommend booking beach front accommodations in Hawaii?
Mr. Murphy - Mahalo for your great question.
At first glance, the answer to this question would seem like a no brainer, and in some cases it is.
Beautiful Hawaii Beaches: Hawaii is known for a lot of things, and at the top of the list are the beautiful stretches of
beach lining the coasts of each island. Does your vision of Hawaii include relaxing in your resort room or condo and spending countless hours on the sand by the resort wrapped up in your favorite book or just soaking in the rays? Then staying at a beachfront property would certainly be on your list of “must-haves” when considering your accommodations choices.
Prices: Although staying at a beachfront property may be desirable, when it comes to booking beachfront accommodations the biggest potential issue may be the price. If you want to stay at a property where you’re literally steps away from the sand it will cost more than a property across the street from the beach. So you might get more bang for your buck getting accommodations across the street. For example, take Wailea, Maui: Though it sits a little ways back from the ocean the Outrigger Palms at Wailea can be a
great alternative to the more expensive beachfront properties in the resort area. The condos at the Outrigger are well appointed, the grounds are peaceful and serene and you can either walk for a few minutes or drive for a couple and arrive at one of Wailea’s pristine beaches.
Other Beaches: Another issue to consider is that while the beach on which your hotel sits may be beautiful, each island in Hawaii offers many other beaches with different qualities. Some are great for swimming, some for snorkeling, some for surfing. Some, like Kaihalulu on Maui, even have different colored sand! If, during your vacation in paradise, you plan on sampling many different beaches on your island then you might be able to save some money by staying at that condo or hotel property across the street from the ocean since you're planning on hitting a different beach every day anyway.
With all that said, the beaches in Hawaii are among the best in the world. Most people want to stay right on the beach, not only for convenience but for the beauty the beaches offer as well. When it is in your budget we absolutely recommend it.
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Great Hawaii Vacations is pleased to pass on some more great deals for your vacation in Paradise. They include free nights, free cars and more.
Don't miss you chance to book your great vacation in Hawaii with these specials...
Call now for all the details. Take advantage of great prices and deals along with the best advice and information from the most knowledgeable Hawaii professionals on the planet.
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
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Great Hawaii Vacations has some excellent Hawaii deals for special Outrigger Resorts and condos.
Call 866-574-1909 for availability and your own expert agent with all the information about special vacation packages.
Guests booked at this beautiful beach front resort stay in the lovely guest rooms located in both the Pacific Tower and Ocean Tower.
The Fee-Free Escape offers each guest complimentary high-speed internet access in guest rooms, complimentary direct-dial phone calls to Oahu, Neighbor Islands, US Mainland and Canada in addition to many other complimentary amenities/services.
No Resort Fees! 3 great restaurants on property, 2 ocean front and also The Kani Ka Pila Grille, located poolside offering Hawaiian casual cuisine and live music nightly by legendary Hawaiian entertainers...open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Prime location, at the entrance to Waikiki, features hotel rooms, studios with kitchenettes and one bedrooms with full kitchens, beautifully furnished with tropical hardwood accents, creating a warm island atmosphere. It's a great choice for families and friends traveling, to enjoy extended stays in Waikiki. On site amenities include the Protea Cafe, a pool with 3 cabanas, a barbeque area, and complimentary Fitness Center.
This contemporary ocean-inspired art designed Hotel nestled in the heart of Waikiki...close to all the activity, entertainment and shopping this world-renowned destination offers! It's a true oasis in the midst of Waikiki, the lovely brand new decored guest rooms. On property facilities include Spada Restaurant & Bar, Spada Bar, KiMO Beach, Spa Pure and a complimentary fitness center.
Very nicely decorated guest rooms and featuring a lovely pool with whirlpool spa.
This First Class property is located one block to Waikiki Beach. Great Restaurant, Keoni’s serving delicious Thai cuisine. Also the very popular Round Table Pizza and Sports Bar is found at this property and features over 16 TV screens.
A grand addition to our Outrigger Condominium Collection in Maui.... a superb variety of award winning Maui home rentals! Located on the northwestern tip of Maui, just minutes away from three beautiful beaches and golf! With an emphasis on superior amenities, attentive personal service and inspired relaxation, The Kapalua Villas provides a degree of luxury and privacy rarely encountered. The lovely Gold Villas are richly appointed with Island sensibility and elegant flair; these are Kapalua Villas finest ensemble of premier condominiums.
Outrigger Aina Nalu welcomes you to the heart of Lahaina town, just steps from world famous Front Street. From stylish bistros serving sophisticated Hawaiian cuisine, to world-class galleries filled with eclectic art, to the lively nightlife, Lahaina is one of Maui's most delightful destinations. Garden surroundings create an intimate feeling amid tall palms and manicured lawns. The new swimming pool and pool pavilion add to the composed setting. Accommodations are beautifully accented with natural stone, tropical woods, and colors of russet and bronze that effortlessly combine to create an atmosphere of comfort and ease.
Deluxe condominium located beach front, featuring one bedroom and two bedroom units. Wonderful option for couples and families traveling...large, spacious units, beautifully decorated in Island style..all with private balconies. The property's lush 35 acres landscaped with an elaborate display of brilliantly colored orchids and many other lovely diverse plants, all complimenting the several serene and relaxing water features throughout...
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Don't miss out on Great Deals at the Sheraton Kaui Resort, the Westin Priceville Ocean Resort and the St.Regis Princeville Resort.
Up to 60% off.
Call Now - 866-574-1909 for these deals.
Prices are per person double occupancy and include all taxes.
Book by 4/13 for travel 4/16 - 5/16/12; travel must be completed within time period listed. A $26.04 Nightly Resort Fee at Sheraton Kauai is NOT included and payable directly to the hotel in Hawaii. Based on availability at time of booking; restrictions/blackout dates may apply. Subject to change without notice. Prices are in U.S. dollars.
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In partnership with Outrigger Resorts in Hawaii, Great Hawaii Vacations is happy to confirm a complimentary service for couples. During your vacation to Kauai, enjoy this wondeful special...
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
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