Hawaii for Visitors Blog

Hawaiian Music All Day on Beautiful Waimanalo Beach!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:19:00 +0000

The 2010 Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Beach Kanikapila will take place on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Waimanalo Beach Park on the southeast side of Oahu Island. The event will feature an unbelievable lineup of performers including the Pahinui Brothers, Alan Akaka, Dennis Kamakahi, George Kuo, Jeff Peterson, Jerry Santos, Makana, Palani Vaughan, Sonny Lim, and many many more of the finest Hawaiian music artists. For more information see GabbyPahinui.com and CyrilPahinui.com. If you cannot attend, you can still support the event and help it continue in future years by purchasing an event t-shirt on the Gabby Pahinui Kanikapila Web site. $1 from each t-shirt sold will be contributed to help fund and build a new "Hawaii Museum of Music and Dance".

September 2010 Aloha Festivals Events on Oahu

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:19:00 +0000

The theme of the 2010 Oahu Aloha Festival will be "Mele Ailana: Celebrate Island Music". The 2010 Waikiki Hoolaulea (a street festival) will take place in Waikiki on Saturday, September 18, 2010. The 2010 Aloha Festivals Floral Parade will take place on Waikiki's Kalakaua Avenue on Saturday, September 25, 2010. For more information about these and other 2010 Aloha Festivals events see the official Aloha Festivals of Hawaii Web site.

June 2010 Hawaii Event Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:17:00 +0000

June events in Hawaii include King Kamehameha Day, the Pan Pacific Festival and Parade, the Kona Marathon, the Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival, the Maui Slack Key Guitar Festival, the Maui Film Festival, the Puuhonua o Honaunau Hawaiian Cultural Festival, and many other events. For a complete listing of June events in Hawaii see the "Do It In Hawaii" June 2010 Hawaii Event Calendar.

A Romantic Valentine's Day Concert in Waikiki

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:32:00 +0000

Tickets went on sale today for a romantic Valentine's Day concert in the Monarch Room of the historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel featuring the popular and award winning female trio, Na Leo. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on February 14, 2010 and admission is limitted to the first 175 couples. Tickets can be ordered by phone at 310-262-6300 or online on Na Leo's official Web site.

2009 New Year's Eve Fireworks in Waikiki

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:17:00 +0000

I am very happy to announce that their *will* be a 2009 New Year's Eve fireworks display in Waikiki, thanks to the efforts and generous donations of the members of the Waikiki Improvement Association. The show will begin at 11:55 p.m. on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2009. Fireworks by Grucci will fire one announcement salute every minute until one minute before midnight. From the one minute mark, they will fire one salute at 60 seconds, 45 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, and then one each as we count down 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. At midnight, a rousing rapid-fire New Year's fireworks crescendo will unfold utilizing two computer systems. Grucci will fire specialty shells such as Magenta Comets, Double Popping Brocade Chrysanthemums, Gold Glitter Palm Trees, accompanied by both traditional New Year's Eve and Hawaiian music simulcast on local radio station KCCN FM 100, and end with a rousing Grucci Grand Finale.

2009 World AIDS Day Events in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:11:00 +0000

December 1 is World AIDS Day, and there are several World AIDS Day events in Hawaii this week. Some of the events are fundraisers for AIDS research and support services and some were founded to educate the general public about AIDS prevention measures, facts, and common myths. Hawaii's Life Foundation estimates there are approximately 3000 people living with AIDS in Hawaii.
AIDS DAY EVENTS:

World AIDS Day Events in Hawaii

World AIDS Day - Official Web Site
AIDS RESOURCES IN HAWAII

Life Foundation of Honolulu

Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation

Maui AIDS Foundation

Kauai AIDS Project (Malama Pono)

Honolulu AIDS Walk (2010 April 18)

Paradise Ride Kauai (2010 August 7-8)

Join Me at Ukulele Bill Tapia's 102nd Birthday Party in Southern California on Saturday December 5!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:13:00 +0000

I have some extra seats at the table I reserved for the incredible Bill Tapia's 102nd birthday concert and afternoon dinner party at noon next Saturday (that's Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12:00 noon at Stevens Steakhouse in the City of Commerce, Southern California). You want to hear 101 year old Bill Tapia play the ukulele, guitar, and banjo - and meet one of my 3 fun sisters - all on the same day? How fun would that be!!?? Maybe we can works something out. (And no I am not scalping the tix... if you really really love Bill Tapia, and you *promise* to come, I will even consider subsidizing your attendance). Send email to kathiefry@gmail.com or post a note on my Facebook page.

View Larger Image of Bill Tapia in His Studio

More About Bill's 102nd Birthday Party

Hawaii's Best Christmas Concerts in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:10:00 +0000

Hawaii's most popular Christmas concerts sell out fast, so it's not too early to decide which events you will attend. Tickets for these holiday concerts featuring big name performers are on sale now:

Nov 27-29: Jim Nabors Honolulu Christmas Concert

Nov 29: Amy Hanaialii's Maui Holiday Concert

Dec 04: Amy Hanaialii's Big Island Holiday Concert

Dec 05: Willie K Waikoloa Big Island Christmas Concert

Dec 11-13: Brothers Cazimero Honolulu Christmas Concert

Dec 20-23: Na Leo Holiday Music Spectacular Waikiki Concert

Other Popular Christmas Concerts in Hawaii:

Nov 28: Maui Choral Arts "Home for the Holidays" Concert

Dec 05: Honolulu City Lights Opening Night Christmas Concert

Dec 05: Kamehameha Schools Honolulu Christmas Concert

Dec 13: Maui Pops Orchestra Holiday Concert at Maui Arts

Dec 19: Honolulu Boys Choir Christmas Concert

Dec 20: Messiah Sing-Along at Hyatt Regency Maui

Dec 21: Kauai Christmas Hula Concert

If I left off your favorite holiday concert in Hawaii please send me a message using the email address on our contacts page. See also

Award Winning Hawaiian Music Christmas Albums

New Obama's Hawaii Children's Book Includes Amy Hanaialii CD

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:37:00 +0000

The July 2009 book, "A President From Hawaii" teaches young people about the history, cultural values, and language of Hawaii, using quotes from United States President Barack Obama and illustrations by Kauai artist Joanna Carolan. The included CD features songs by two of Hawaii's top award winning recording artists, Amy Hanaialii and former HAPA lead singer, Kelii Kaneali. The CD also includes a chant by Kelii's wife, former Miss Aloha Hula Healani Youn. "A President from Hawaii" was selected to represent the State of Hawaii at the Library of Congress September 2009 National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC.

Buy "A President from Hawaii" at Amazon.com

2009 Veteran's Day Events in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:13:00 +0000

Most of Hawaii's 2009 Veteran's Day Events, including parades, family festivals, and ceremonies, will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, which is Veteran's Day. There will also be a few early events this weekend, including the Kauai Veteran's Day Parade, and the Waianae Veteran's Day Parade in West Oahu, and the Hilo Veteran's Day Parade on the Big Island, all of which take place on Saturday, November 7. Veteran's day is an official state holiday in Hawaii so city and county offices will be closed and public bus lines may run on their weekend schedules. For more information see: Veteran's Day in Hawaii

Hawaii Events This Weekend: November 6-8, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Events in Hawaii this weekend, Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8, 2009, will include Arbor Day events on Oahu and the Big Island, Pre-Veteran's Day Parades on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island, the Celebrate Kaimuki Street Festival in Honolulu, a drag race on Kauai, the Kona Coffee Festival and the Moku o Keawe Hula Festival on the Big Island, a gay-friendly Mama Mia Movie and Sing-Along on Maui, a Healing Arts Expo at the Unity Church of Hawaii in Honolulu, and many other events. For more information see

Calendar of November 2009 Hawaii Events

More About November Events in Hawaii

Oahu Halloween Events and Activities

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Halloween Events on Oahu include Hawaii's Haunted Plantation in Waipahu, the Haunted Lagoon Ride at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Haunted Village Night Walk and Show at the Hokulani Imaginarium in Kaneohe, a huge Halloween music and arts street festival in Downtown Honolulu, adults-only Halloween parties at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, a gay-friendly "Man in the Mirror Hulaween" party at Hula's Bar and Grill, Halloween costume parties at many other night spots, a "Silent Scream" screening of the silent film "Phantom of the Opera" accompanied by live organ music, and as always, plenty of costumed revelers parading up and down Kalakaua Avenuer in Waikiki. For more information see Halloween on Oahu. For information about Other Halloween events in Hawaii see Halloween on Maui, Halloween on Kauai, and Halloween on Hawaii Island (aka the Big Island).

2009 Maui Halloween Events and Activities

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:03:00 +0000

2009 Maui Halloween Events will include haunted house attractions in Lahaina and Wailuku, a Halloween costume cruise out of Malaaea Harbor, Halloween events for kids at Maui shopping centers, and of course Lahaina's famous "Mardi Gras of the Pacific" Halloween block party.

The Old Laie Inn Will Close on October 31

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:33:00 +0000

The 45 year old, motel-style Laie Inn, a small hotel on the northeast shore of Oahu, near the Polynesian Cultural Center, will close on October 31, 2009. It is scheduled to be demolished in November. The hotel's owners, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, plan to open a larger, moderately price hotel on the property in 2010. They are in negotiations with Marriott Hotels and Resorts to possibly have the new hotel operated as a Courtyard Marriott. For more information about the old hotel and the new hotel that will replace it, see

The Laie Inn on Oahu's North Shore is Closing

Three Beachfront Waikiki Hotels Under $100

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Budget travelers will be pleased to know there are many hotels in Hawaii with rooms under $100 per night, including several with beautiful beachfront locations. The Aqua Waikiki Beachside Hotel has rooms from about $70 per night and the Aqua Park Shore Hotel has rooms from about $90 per night. Both of those hotels are across Kalakaua Avenue from Waikiki Beach and the Park Shore is also across the street from the Honolulu Zoo. The Aqua Ilikai Hotel has rooms starting at about $90 per night, and it is adjacent to Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon Beach, and within walking distance of Ala Moana Center and the Hawaii Convention Center. IMPORTANT NOTE: All three of these hotels have fabulous oceanfront locations, but of course there are reasons they have rooms under $100. It might be because the hotel is about due for an upgrade, or perhaps because an upgrade is in progress. Always ask a lot of questions when booking a budget hotel room, or for that matter, any hotel room. If you know what to expect, you won't be disappointed.

All Aqua Hotels in Hawaii

Waikiki Hotels on the Beach

Waikiki Hotels Across From the Beach

Waikiki Restaurants on the Beach

Whispering Walls of Waimea Historic Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:04:00 +0000

The Waimea Valley on the North Shore of Oahu will present a night walking tour of the valley once a month during the Fall of 2009. The tours will be led by Lopaka Kapanui, historian and master storyteller of Hawaiian folklore and legends. The tour is called Whispering Walls of Waimea and it will include "stories and legends of the kahuna nui (High Priests) that once lived in the Valley, the very special pohaku that reside in the Valley, the healing power of the Valley's plant life, and the rumored children that play in the Valley but whose feet can no longer touch the earth." The tours will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2009, Saturday, October 24, 2009, and Saturday, November 14, 2009. For reservations or more information call 808-638-7766.

Whispering Walls of Waimea Tour

Daily Waimea Valley Tours and Activities

Waimea Valley Park

Chef Mavro Offering Special "Julie and Julia" Menu

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Chef George Mavrothalassitis is offering a special Julia Child inspired menu at his award winning Chef Mavro Restaurant in Honolulu. The menu is named after the film "Julie and Julia" and it will be available through the end of September 2009. The three course dinner includes Boeuf a la Bourguignonne, Salade Frisee Aux Lardons, Tarte Tatin, and other French dishes featured in the movie and in Julia Child's cookbooks. Julia's famous "Reverse Martini" will also be available. Chef Mavro's restaurant was awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award in 2009 and in 2008 it was the only Hawaii restaurant included in Gayot's "Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S." The Chef Mavro Restaurant is located at 1969 South King Street in Honolulu. For reservations or more information call 808-944-9714.

Chef Mavro Restaurant - Official Web Site

Recipe for French Burgundy Beef (by Chef Mavro)

About Chef George Mavrothalassitis
French Cookbooks by Julia Child:

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume II

Hawaii Museums Participating in Museum Day 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Visit Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day Web site to print a Museum Day Card that will give you free access to many United States museums on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Hawaii museums participating in Museum Day include:
HAWAII ISLAND

Hilo: Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
MAUI ISLAND

Lahaina: Baldwin Home Museum

Lahaina: Wo Hing Museum

Wailuku: Bailey House Museum
OAHU ISLAND

Honolulu: Hawaii State Art Museum

Honolulu: Hawaii Theatre Center

Honolulu: Honolulu Academy of Arts

Honolulu: Mission Houses Museum

Honolulu: Pacific Aviation Museum

Honolulu: Queen Emma Summer Palace

Honolulu: The Contemporary Museum

Honolulu: University of Hawaii Art Gallery

Schofield Barracks: Tropic Lightning Museum
ABOVE PHOTO: The picture on the above right is the Wo Hing Museum on Maui, a historic building restored by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation in 1983.

Room, Breakfast, and Dinner in Hawaii from $160

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Ohana Hotels and Resorts is offering a new hotel and meals package that includes a hotel room, daily breakfast, and daily dinner for two people, from about $160 per night at the OHANA Waikiki Malia and OHANA Waikiki East Hotels and from about $190 at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. The deal includes breakfast at the International House of Pancakes in the Waikiki Malia Hotel, Keoni by Keo's at the Waikiki East Hotel, or the new Jimmy Buffett's Restaurant at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Participating restaurants for dinner include the three breakfast restaurants plus the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef Hotel, Round Table Pizza at the Waikiki East Hotel, and the Shorebird Restaurant at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. The OHANA "Room and Meals" offer is available for travel between October 1, 2009 and December 21, 2010. For more information about this and other Waikiki OHANA Hotel deals see

OHANA Room and Meals Deal from $159

OHANA Hawaii Best Available Rates from $79

Free Waikiki Trolley, Internet, Long Distance Calls

September 2009 Events in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:53:00 +0000

September events in Hawaii include the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, the Hawaii Okinawan Festival, the Hawaii Statewide All-Girl Girl Rodeo, the Kona Slack Key Guitar Festival, the Parker Ranch Round-Up Rodeo, The Maui Marathon, the Dick Evans Memorial Bike Race, the Wings Over the Pacific Thunderbirds Airshow, the National Dragster Challenge, the Hawaii Writers Conference, the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, and many many more events, on all of the islands. September is a great time to visit Hawaii because airfaires go down at the end of summer, the beaches aren't crowded, and the weather is perfect!

September 2009 Hawaii Event Calendar

August 2009 Events in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:31:00 +0000

August 2009 Hawaii Calendar (Do It In Hawaii)

August Hawaii Events - by Island

August Hawaii Events - by Type

Frozen Yogurt Shops in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:27:00 +0000

This week I received email asking if there are any Pinkberry frozen yogurt shops in Hawaii. I have not been able to find any Hawaii Pinkberrys, but one of that company's biggest competitors, Red Mango, opened its first shop in Hawaii in the summer of 2008. The Waikiki Red Mango is located across Lewers Street from Waikiki Beach Walk, in the former location of Beard Papa's Cream Puffs. Korea-based Red Mango opened its first yogurt shop in South Korea in 2002 and it became an instant hit in Asia. Two Korean-American women opened the first Pinkberry shop in West Hollywood in 2005 and it was also an immediate hit, famous for long lines around the block until several new Pinkberry shops opened in the area. Both Red Mango and Pinkberry sell a tart frozen yogurt product but their frozen yogurts do not have the same taste. I would describe Pinkberry as having a more lemony taste and Red Mango as having a more yogurty taste, but both are delicious, especially topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries. For more information about Hawaii yogurt and ice cream shops see:

Frozen Yogurt Shops in Hawaii

Ice Cream Shops in Hawaii

July 2009 Events in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:37:00 +0000

Hawaii events in July include 4th of July fireworks and celebrations on every island, the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Festival, several hula festivals, several fishing tournaments, the Tinman Triathlon, and many other events.

July 2009 Hawaii Calendar (Do It In Hawaii)

July Hawaii Events - by Island

July Hawaii Events - by Type

New Cocktail Show at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Waikiki's historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel - also known as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific" is now producing a weekly cocktail show called "Curators of Hawaiian Music". The shows will feature some of Hawaii's top award-winning musicians beginning with Makana in July and August of 2009, Maunalua in September and October of 2009, and Cecilio and Kapono in November and December of 2009. There will be two one hour concerts every Thursday night, one beginning at 7:30 and the other beginning at 9:30. Tickets are $49 per person with a two drink minimum, but dinner show tickets and discounts for children and Hawaii residents are also available. For more information about the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's "Curators of Hawaiian Music" show call the hotel at 808-931-7311 or visit:

Curators of Hawaiian Music

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Clear-Bottom Kayak Tour on Oahu's North Shore

noreply@blogger.com (Kathie Fry) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:29:00 +0000

The Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu is now offering kayak tours in Ocean Kayaks with clear panels in the bottom for viewing coral and underwater sealife. The tours are operated by Shaka Kayaks and they depart daily from the lobby of the Turtle Bay Hotel. Tour participants are driven to Kewala Bay where they are given an introductory briefing and an opportunity to practice paddling before the tour begins. The tours cost $100 amd they include transportation to and from the Turtle Bay Resort and light refreshments. For more information about the resort and its new kayaking tours see the official Web sites of the Turtle Bay Resort and Shaka Kayaks.