Web Resources
www.honolulu.com is more like an advertisement for Honolulu hotels. But it can't hurt to check it out when comparing prices.
www.co.honolulu.hi.us. This is the official website for the City and County of Honolulu.
www.GoHawaii.com is the official website for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and offers in-depth, up-to-date information on all the islands, including O`ahu. The site also offers promotional information on a variety of hotel chains, authentic Hawaiian recipes from the "Chefs of Aloha," interactive maps and tools to create your own personal trip planner.
www.GoHawaii.com/waikiki will take you to the Waikiki section of the official website for all of Hawaii.
www.visit-oahu.com is the official site for the island of O`ahu Visitors Bureau. You can also call tel. 1-877-525-6248 for more information.
www.bestplaceshawaii.com is an independent vacation planner and encompasses all of the islands. It's a good source for out-of-the-way hidden spots, for discounts and maps.
www.andhawaii.com is dedicated to discussion groups asking and answering questions about Hawaii. It has some helpful hints about what to do when you're on the Islands.
www.pubclub.com/hawaii/honolulu/pubclub.htm provides information about Honolulu nightlife.
Print References
The Honolulu Advertiser and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin are the two daily newspapers in Honolulu and the main news-papers for the state. On Fridays, The Honolulu Advertiser publishes a supplement called "tgif" – "The Great Index to Fun," which lists Honolulu and O`ahu restaurants, nightlife, concerts, theater performances, movie reviews and live music venues.
The Hawai`i Hochi is a bilingual English-Japanese newspaper.
Spotlight and This Week magazines are available at nearly every street corner in Waikiki and around the island. These thin fully packed brochures offer many discounts and easy-to-read maps.
Radio
FM Stations
88.1 KHPR – Classical music & news (National Public Radio)
89.3 KIPO – News, talk, world music & jazz (National Public Radio)
90.3 KTUH – Jazz, Hawaiian, alternative, rock and rap
92.3 KSSK – Adult contemporary
93.1 KQMQ – Contemporary hits
93.9 KIKI – Urban contemporary hits
94.7 KUMU – Adult contemporary music, lite rock
95.5 KAIM – Christian contemporary
96.3 KRTR – Adult contemporary music
97.5 KHNR – Hawaii's FM talk
98.5 KDNN – Island rhythm
99.5 KHUI – Music of Hawai`i
100.3 KCCN – Island music and reggae
101.1 KXRG – Hawaii's dance station
101.9 KUCD – Modern rock hits
102.7 KDDB – Urban contemporary hits
104.3 KPHW – Hawaii's hip hop and R&B hits
105.1 KINE – Contemporary Hawaiian music
105.9 KPOI – Classic rock
107.9 KGMZ – Oldies from the 60's & 70's
AM Stations
590 KSSK – Adult contemporary music
650 KRTR – Easy listening favorites
1270 KNDI – Ethnic programs
760 KGU – Hawaii's Christian talk
1170 KJPN – Asian radio
870 KHNR – Hawaii's FM talk (all news and weather)
690 KORL – Hawaii's local talk & multicultural radio
1370 KUPA – Hawaiian music
1210 KZOO – Japanese music & programming
1460 KHRA – Korean programming
1540 KREA – Korean programming
990 KHBZ – News & talk
830 KHVH – News & talk
1040 KLHT – Religious
1420 KKEA – Sports & talk radio
1500 KUMU – The new talk of Honolulu
940 KKNE – Traditional Hawaiian music
Spas
A spa treatment in Hawaii is a must! Most spas use tropical and local Hawaiian ingredients in their treatments, which make for an unforgettable only-in-Hawaii experience. Most of the larger resorts have in-house spas, but make sure you have a reservation, as they are VERY popular. There are also stand-alone spas, mostly in Waikiki, which also offer wonderful treatment choices. Here's a list of some of the most popular spas:
In Waikiki and Honolulu
Na Ho`ola Spa (above, at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa), tel. 808-237-6330, is a two-story spa filled with Ha-waiian atmosphere. There are 19 rooms and treatments in-clude fac-ials, mas-sages, healing st-o-ne, body wraps, waxing and treatments for the bride. They also offer packages such as the "Kukui" for the body and hair, which lasts 31/2 hours. The spa is also home to the fitness center and offers locker rooms, a retail shop, nail salon and a full workout room. The spa promotes yoga as well and will teach you how to "hula-cise."
Abhasa Spa (at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel), tel. 808-922-8200, www.abhasa.com, info@abhasa.com. The spa, in the legendary Pink Palace of the Pacific, offers massage, after-sun treatments, body scrubs, body cocoons, waxing and facials. There are spa packages that mix and specialize treatments. The spa also offers a hair salon, wedding assistance, make-up help and manicures and pedicures.
The SpaHalekulani, 2199 Kalia Road, tel. 808-923-2311, www.halekulani.com, is considered the premier spa in Waikiki. The Halekulani is next to Gray's beach, which was known to early Hawaiians for its healing waters or "Kawehewehe." The SpaHalekulani takes this legend into consideration when offering services inspired by the healing cultures of Hawaii, Asia and the South Pacific. The spa menu is extensive and expensive but the facilities are top-notch and I would highly recommend this spa to anyone. Everything from massages, body scrubs, facials, hair care, nail care and awesome spa package treatments are available. The SpaHalekulani is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm.
Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, tel. 808-947-6141.
Heaven on Earth, 1050 Alakea Street, Honolulu, tel. 808-599-5501.
Mandara Spa (inside the Hilton Hawaiian Beach Village & Spa), 2005 Kalia Road, Waikiki, tel. 808-945-7721, www.mandaraspa.com.
Paul Brown Salon & Day Spa, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, tel. 808-591-1881.
Serenity Spa Hawaii, 2169 Kalia Road, Waikiki, tel. 808-926-2880 or 808-926-2882.
Spa Olakino Salon, 2552 Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki, tel. 808-924-2121.
Spa Suites, 5000 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, tel. 808-739-8938.
Windward O`ahu
The Spa Suites at The Kahala, 5000 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, tel. 808-739-8938, www.kahalaresort.com, spa@kahalaresort.com, is the epitome of lavish living!
Honu You Hawaiian Spa, 122 Oneawa Street, Kailua, tel. 808-261-1268, www.honuyou.com. Honu You offers spa treatments such as facials, body waxing, lomilomi massage as well as package deals. Appointments are recommended.
In Leeward O`ahu
Ihilani Spa at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina, 92-1001 Olani Street, Kapolei, tel. 808-679-3321, www.ihilani.com. This world-class spa offers massage therapies (including La Stone Hot Rock treatment), body services (including a scrub bar and body wraps using Hawaiian ingredients), facial and skin care services, and a salon. The facility also offers half-day and full-day packages including the Ihilani Signature Treatment called "Pua Kai," or "flower of the sea," which provides a relaxing soak with rose crystals followed by a 25-minute body scrub. Guests are then given an Aromatherapy Massage and a manicure and pedicure.
To enjoy the spa facilities, hotel guests can pay $20 without a treatment or there is complimentary entrance with the purchase of a treatment. Non-guests can enter the facilities for $15, but must book a treatment. The beautiful locale and fabulous service make the Ihilani Spa a great place to spend the day, whether you're a guest or not.
The North Shore
Spa Luana (at the Turtle Bay Resort), tel. 808-447-6868, www.turtlebayresort.com. Spa Luana offers massage treatments, body and skin treatments, salon services and package deals. Try one of the indigenous treatments such as a "Pineapple Pedicure," "Kukui Nut Massage," "Coconut Crème Manicure" or a "Hawaii coffee & Macadamia Nut Scrub.
Beach Safety
Never turn your back on the ocean. Use your instinct. Always swim with a buddy. I always tell people that if you don't see anyone swimming at a beach, there's probably a good reason, whether it's a mean rip current that you can't see or a recent shark sighting.
Also, abide by the signs. Most beaches have signs explaining the different hazards you may encounter at that beach. Take these signs seriously – nothing ruins a vacation more than a serious injury or, worse, death. When the surf is high and dangerous, most resorts plaster warning signs around their properties and along the beach. Ocean conditions can change quickly so be aware of your surroundings.
If you're not a confident swimmer but want to snorkel, use a flotation device like a boogie board or a noodle. These are available at most snorkel rental places and, if you're on a tour, most operators have the flotation devices onboard. Also, big surf is seasonal, usually hitting the north-facing shores with monster waves in the winter months, while the south shore gets occasional swells in the summer.
Many of Hawaii's beaches have sharp coral reefs close to the shoreline. Use caution when swimming in shallow reef areas. You can easily brush against the coral and receive painful scrapes and rashes. If a piece of coral should become embedded deeply in your skin, see a physician to avoid the risk of infection. If you're walking on reefs or tide pools, wear protective footgear.
Here are a couple of the terms you might encounter concerning ocean conditions:
Dangerous Shore Break: When waves break directly on the shore, dangerous conditions can occur. Shore breaks are unpredictable and have caused many serious neck and spinal injuries to experienced and inexperienced bodysurfers and swimmers.
Strong Current: These are fast-moving channels of water that make it very difficult to swim if you get caught in them. Strong currents frequently accompany high surf and rapid tide changes. They can sometimes be recognized as a turbulent channel of water between areas where waves are breaking.If you are caught in a strong current, try to keep a level head and, most of all, don't panic! Wave one or both hands in the air and scream or call for help. Swim diagonal to the current, not against it.
Waves on Ledge: These are large waves originating from deep water breaking on rock ledges. However, this condition can occur even when the water appears to be very calm. Be very cautious when walking along rocky coastlines when waves are breaking. The rocks can become slippery and are made out of sharp, abrasive lava stone. Don't even try to go into the wet rocky zone. People have been washed away in these conditions.
Small Waves (nicknamed "ankle busters" by surfers) can be very dangerous, too. Check with the lifeguard, as these small yet treacherous waves can be fast and swift.
High Surf: Large, powerful waves are generated by winds and storms at sea, sometimes thousands of miles from the Hawaiian Island chain. Seasonal high surf occurs on all shores of O`ahu and the other islands. Typically, shorelines facing north, east and west receive high surf during winter months. Shores facing southeast and southwest receive high surf during the summer months. During high surf on the North Shore, waves can reach heights over 25 feet, even up to 50 feet. On the west side, they can be as high as 15 feet.
Sharing the Ocean
Show respect for marine life. People entering the water should stay at least 100 yards away from dolphins. Getting closer may drive them away from their habitat. All marine mammals in US waters are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Any action that deliberately disrupts their behavior is subject to a fine of up to $25,000, confiscation of your boat or vessel and/or up to one year in prison.
There have also been recent concerns about tour boats hitting whales or vice versa. Approaching humpback whales closer than 100 yards is prohibited by federal and state law and can also result in fines of up to $25,000. For more information visit www.pacificwhale.org.
Whales
The humpback whales are one of Hawaii's greatest tourist attractions (bringing in an estimated $27 million annually) in the winter months when they come to the warm waters of Hawaii to mate, calve and nurse their young. After spending the summers feeding in temperate Alaskan waters, some 60% (about 3,000) of the warm-blooded creatures travel at an average speed of three to six miles per hour during the 3,500-mile migration. Some whales have been known to make the journey is less than 40 days. These amazing creatures use acoustic cues, currents, and temperature changes to find their way to Hawaii – the most isolated chain of islands in the world.
The highest concentration of whales in Hawaii is in the four-island area encompassing Maui, Lana`i, Moloka`i and Kaho`olawe where the water is shallow and land masses buffer otherwise strong winds and currents. This migratory cycle ensures that pregnant females and new mothers spend most of their time in warm waters.
Humpback calves are conceived in Hawaiian waters and then, after a 10- to 12-month pregnancy, are born in the same warm waters. The calves, which weigh an average of 11/2 tons and are 10 to 16 feet long at birth, survive on their mother's fat-rich milk for six to eight months and will double in length during the first year. Males will eventually reach up to 43 feet, while females are slightly larger at about 45 feet long. Mature humpbacks weigh up to a ton per foot, or 80,000 pounds. Female whales can become fertile again soon after giving birth. Male and female whales don't form long-term bonds and their relations typically last for less than a day. Talk about a one-night stand!
Whalewatching is an exciting activity when the whales are active. And it's even more fun if you know what you're looking at. Humpbacks are grayish-black in color and have white markings on the underside of their flukes (the tail area) that are different with each whale. The whales use their tails to swim by moving them up and down, using their pectoral fins to turn and steer. They breathe through a double blowhole on top of their head. Among the interesting behaviors you might witness on a whale-watching tour is a pec slap when the whale rolls sideways to the surface and slaps its pectoral fins against the water. Or you might see a spy hop, where the whale rises straight up out of the water, often turning 90-180 degrees before slipping back down. You may also see a breach, when the whale propels itself out of the water, throws a pectoral fin out to the side and then twists and turns as it heads back down.
Fish
Snorkeling is a fun and easy activity for anyone who knows how to swim but try to avoid feeding the fish as it makes them dependent and the more aggressive species tend to take over. During your snorkeling and scuba diving adventures, you're likely to see angel fish, butterfly fish, surgeonfish and wrasses. You can pick up a chart describing Hawaiian fish wherever snorkeling and scuba supplies are rented.
Monk Seals
There are about 1,300 monk Hawaiian monk seals, most of which live in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Federal and state regulations prohibit disturbing monk seals; people and their pets are required to stay at least 40 yards away from a resting monk seal. It's a real treat to see one of these amazing animals taking a nap on the beach.
Sharks
There are about 40 species of sharks that roam the Hawaiian waters, ranging in size from a deep-water pygmy shark (eight inches) to a whale shark (up to 50 feet or more). They have extremely well developed sensory capabilities and can detect sounds and smells up to two miles away. Tiger sharks, which average 12 to 13 feet in length, are considered the most dangerous. You can recognize a tiger shark by its blunt snout and the vertical bars on its side.
Dolphins
Hawaii is home to 13 species of dolphins, with the three most common being spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and pantropical spotted dolphins. Spinner dolphins got their name because of their ability to leap out of the water and spin about. They are fairly small (about six feet in length) and are nocturnal, spending their days resting and then feeding at night. You will most likely see them at dusk when they head out to eat. They are very social creatures and you'll normally see them in a school of 50 to 200 individuals.
Bottlenose dolphins (shown above; Flipper was one) are larger than spinners and can grow up to 10 feet in length. They are easily recognized by their stubby snout and mouth that curves up, resembling a smile. Bottlenose dolphins are active during the day and can usually be found in schools of two to 12 other dolphins.
Spotted dolphins feed during the day and night and are generally not found as close to shore as other dolphins. They're medium in size (about eight feet long) and, yes, they have spots. These creatures are born without spots but as they get older the number of spots keeps increasing, with males generally having more spots than females.
You'll often see dolphins during boat rides throughout the islands. Most species are attracted to the pressure wave created by moving boats and it's like an amusement park ride for them.
Dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and it is illegal to harass, hunt, capture, collect or kill any marine mammal, including dolphins.
Just For Kids
In Waikiki
At the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, tel. 866-716-8112, there is a Westin Kids Club that offers a daily program of scheduled on-site and off-site learning experiences. Activities include trips to the Bishop Museum and the Waikiki Aquarium, local food demonstrations, workouts and local music, language and storytelling performances. The Kids Club is open seven days a week with a daily program from 9 am to 4 pm and a night program from 6:30 pm to 10 pm.
North Shore
Keiki Turtle Club at Turtle Bay Resort, tel. 808-293-6000, is available on select days and introduces children to the Hawaiian culture with a variety of activities including lei making, reef walks, beach activities and arts and crafts.
Windward O`ahu
Kahala Kids: The Keiki Club children's program immerses kids in the wonders of the Hawaiian Islands through activities such as lei-making, ukulele lessons, hula dancing and lessons about Hawaiian sea life.
Leeward O`ahu
The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, tel. 808-679-0079, has a partnership with Aquarium Systems & Ponds, Inc. to provide the Kahihimanu I Ke Kai (Reef and Ray Adventure) for children visiting the Ihilani. The program is offered at 9 am and 11 am for children ages 10 and older and at 1 pm for ages four through 10 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The adventure includes reef shark feeding, a reef safari, Hawaii reef fish feeding and an in-water interactive touch session with adult and young Hawaiian rays and spotted eagle rays.
The resort also has a "Keiki Beachcomber Club" for kids ages five to 12 and provides arts and crafts, Hawaiian games, cultural activities, scavenger hunts and ping pong. A full day at the club runs from 9 am until 3 pm with half-days going from 12:30 pm to 3 pm.
