Going2Oahu Hawaii Travel Blog

You know how the song goes…

It’s not Christmas time yet, but I did figure out what I’m going to do about Christmas Cards this year – found a website that will personalize photo Cards for me so that I can send my Aloha with some custom text and a photo of my Shih-Tzus on the inside. I plan to use the one that’s pictured above, but they have over 1100 others too – hard to decide.

Ali

Related Posts:
Shih-Tzu Calendars and Gifts

After Christmas Specials on Hawaii Magazine Subscriptions

Enjoying the Going2Oahu Blog? Please subscribe to my RSS Feed to get instant updates automatically. It’s easy, super convenient, and absolutely free. Also, please visit the Going2Oahu Wesite and add us to your favorites!

Aloha ~

I just got back from lunch in Chinatown so I thought I’d blog about it!

I think that Chinatown is one of Oahu’s most exciting and mysterious neighborhoods. It’s a popular gathering place for kama’aina and for visitors located in downtown Honolulu. As a gateway to our Island of Oahu for many immigrants, Chinatown is a very colorful and eclectic blend of Southeast Asian cultures.

In 1852, Chinese immigrant laborers arrived in Hawaii to work on the emerging sugar cane plantations. After completing their labor contracts, many of the immigrants relocated to the Chinatown area of Honolulu and entered the business world. With its exotic mix of Asian culture and people, Chinatown at first gained a pretty disreputable image as it was known for its saloons, debauchery, drugs and dens of ill repute.

Today, Chinatown’s former reputation has been toned down considerably. It’s now a lively and colorful community to explore – you should check it out!

Aloha ~

Ali

When planning a trip to Hawaii, many vacationers are unsure about when is the best time to visit a particular location. The good news is that when traveling to Hawaii on vacation, every month of the year offers something for everyone. With perfect climate and a variety of activities, Hawaii caters to art lovers, sports enthusiasts, or tourists interested in learning more about Hawaii’s cultural diversity.

Climate – In the winter, Hawaii’s temperatures range from the low 70′s to the mid 80′s, while summer days average a high in the low 90′s. However, due to the nation being an island, the numerous mile of coastline allow temperatures to be warmer in coastal locations and cooler inland. The island’s cool, gentle breezes provide tourists with a soft fanning no matter what time of year it is. With that said, depending on your preference of activities, Hawaii offers many outdoor tournaments and festivals year round.

Golf Tournaments- For golf fans, Hawaii has some of the most scenic courses to be found. January and February are some of the best months to visit and take in some professional golf tournaments. In January, Hawaii plays host to the Mercedes Championships, which is a PGA tour event. It is the first event of the PGA Tour, and hosts the previous season’s tour winners.

Another great month to view professional golf occurs in February, with the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game. This time, the Senior PGA players enjoy rounds at Wailea’s Gold Course. While both events are televised, seeing them in person allows for the picturesque Hawaiian backdrop and weather to come to life.

Food Festivals – Culinary enthusiasts will enjoy visiting Hawaii during the months of July, August, and September. If you like pineapples, July’s Lana’i Pineapple Festival caters to hungry pineapple lovers. The event is held in Dole Park, and features a pineapple eating contest, cooking contests, and evening fireworks. While you are in Hawaii during that month, consider visiting the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. The event is located at the Kapalua Hotel and features many local Hawaiian wines and seafood to sample.

If onions are your preference, consider August’s Maui Onion Festival. Here, the star of the show is the sweet-tasting Maui Onion. Whaler’s Village hosts this family-friendly festival each year. Finally, the best culinary festival of the year occurs in September. A Taste of Lahaina is held at the Lahaina Recreation Park and features over twenty-five restaurants offering food and wine samples.

Cultural Festivals – Hawaii’s history and culture are featured in festivals occurring in January, April and May. In January, the Ka Moloka’i Makahiki Festival features a day filled with traditional Hawaiian games and activities. At the end of the day, traditional Hawaiian storytellers display their craft, while tourists take in music and dance.

While art can take on many forms, the Celebration of the Arts located at the Ritz Carlton, provides April visitors with Hawaiian art in print, music, and dance forms. At the end of the day, visitors will enjoy the traditional Hawaiian luau. If your stay extends into May, be sure to visit the International Festival of Canoes in Maui. Craftsmen construct canoes from wooden logs using traditional methods, and at the end of the day, they are launched into the water.

While these are just some of the numerous festivals Hawaii has to offer, be sure to take the road less traveled. Many tourists can get an insider’s view into traditional Hawaiian customs and culture everyday by visiting with a local who is more than happy to share Hawaii’s rich history with everyone.

Looking for the cheapest airfare, visit my new cheap flights blog – just started it today!

Aloha ~

Ali

A while back, I blogged about the financial benefits of flying to your vacation destination and renting a car rather than driving – mainly due to the outrageous cost of gasoline. Just a thought however, that you need to consider before going this route…

Due to some recent regulatory changes, you must now have a regular credit card to rent a car. You are no longer permitted to use a debit or secured credit card for rental cars unless you have a significant amount of available cash on your account to hold against the expected charge. Those companies that do allow a rental with a debit
card often put an authorization hold on the debit card, as much as $500. Yes, the unused funds will be returned to your account after you return the car, but it might
take up to two weeks for the funds to be released back to your account.

So the best thing to do is get a credit card specifically for the trip. The nationally known Credit Cards Club is a good place to research credit cards and find the type of card that will work best for you. What I particularly like is the way the club lists card choices by category (i.e. rewards cards, no annual fee cards, balance transfer cards, etc.) – very handy.

So make sure you have your proverbial ducks in a row before you approach the rental car counter. Keep your debit card for Applebee’s and have a regular credit card when arranging your travel wheels.

Aloha ~

Ali

What time is it in Hawaii??

All of the Hawaiian Islands are on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time.

The states of Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii,  along with the territories of Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa are the only places in the U.S. that do not observe DST but instead stay on “standard time” all year long.

The time is…

Aloha ~

Ali

Related Posts:
term life insurance quotes
Grammy Nominees for Best Hawaiian Music Includes Tia Carrere

Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond
If You Can Only Learn Two Hawaiian Words, Learn Aloha & Mahalo

Enjoying the Going2Oahu Blog? Please subscribe to my RSS Feed to get instant updates automatically. It’s easy, super convenient, and absolutely free. Also, please visit the Going2Oahu Wesite and add us to your favorites!

Aloha ~

With gas prices at record highs, are you taking extraordinary measures to cut down on your fuel expenses? Perhaps you’re walking to work or not letting your car idle anymore? Maybe you’ve begun carpooling or consolidated your family down to one vehicle??

Ali

My Warriors are not doing so well

Ali

Related Posts:
Hawaii Warriors, Self Inking Stamps, Textbooks… It’s School Time Again
Hawaii Warriors Coach June Jones on Sportsmanship
It’s Hawaii Warriors Football Time Again!!

Wow!

As you can tell by today’s multiple posts, I’m now getting caught up on things and have some extra time for blogging, chatting, surfing, and SHOPPING!!

I just made a purchase online that was so amazingly good that I had to share it. Sears is having a clearance sale online and they’re taking 75% – 80% of their original prices on lots of fall and winter clothing. It’s usually not that big of a deal, but today I found the cutest Satin Avalon dress in fuchsia that I’m going to wear to a spring cocktail party next week. It was originally $78 and I bought it for $17.99!

The catalog description says, “this sweet dress mixes sultry satin with a deep, shiny jewel finish.
The pin tucked waistline finishes the gown in a pleated style with barely-there spaghetti straps.” It looks super sexy to me and my boyfriend is going to love it.

Isn’t it adorable??

Ali