Where to Go Horseback Riding on Oahu

There are several horseback riding stables on the south side, windward side and north shore of Oahu, including horse ranches at Koko Head Crater, Kualoa, Kahuku, and Turtle Bay. You can also take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through Waikiki or rent a pony for an Oahu children's party.

Horseback Riding Stables on Oahu

Other Oahu Activities

Aloha Stadium Viewed from the USS Missouri

Aloha Stadium in Honolulu can accommodate up to 50,000 people and the seating can be arranged in three different configurations, a diamond for baseball, an oval for football, and a triangle for concerts. The stadium is also the venue for a popular swap meet which takes place three times a week. Annual sporting events at the Aloha Stadium include the NFL Pro Bowl, the NCAA Hawaii Bowl, and the independently managed Hula Bowl. This picture of Aloha Stadium was taken from the deck of the USS Missouri Battleship on Ford Island.

Aloha Stadium from the Deck of the USS Missouri

Bowl Football Games in Hawaii

Hawaii May Bid on the 2016 Super Bowl

Pride of Hawaii is On Its Way to Honolulu

Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) took delivery of their new Pride of Hawaii cruise ship in April of 2006 and it is now traveling from Europe to Hawaii. On April 28 the ship stopped briefly in Baltimore, Rhode Island and it will stop in California in May. The ship will be formally christened by Senator Inouye of Hawaii on May 20 in Los Angeles. The senator's wife Margaret, who died last month, christened NCL's Pride of Aloha ship. The Pride of Hawaii is the third cruise ship NCL commissioned for their Hawaii market. The ship was built at the Meyer Werft Shipyard at a cost of more then $500 million USD. It will employ 1000 people and can accommodate up to 2400 passengers.

April 19: NCL Took Delivery of the Pride of Hawaii

April 28: Pride of Hawaii Stops Briefly in Baltimore

May 20: Senator Inouye Will Christen Ship in Los Angeles

Cruise Information: Visit Hawaii on a Norwegian Cruise

Aerial Photos of Pearl Harbor

I took these aerial photos of the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri Battleship, and other Pearl Harbor attractions in January of 2006, when I rented a plane and hired a pilot from Anderson Aviation, a flight training school located at the Honolulu International Airport. I flew all over the island of Oahu with Anderson Aviation, and I will be publishing more pictures from that fight over the next few weeks. Here are my Pearl Harbor photos: Aerial Photos of Pearl Harbor.

Going Back to Old Hawaii

This American Heritage Magazine article highlights places in Waikiki and Honolulu where it is possible to recapture the flavor of Hawaii in the 1930's and 1940's, including the grand Royal Hawaiian, Halekulani, and Moana Hotels, the older buildings in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown, the Waikiki Army Museum, and Pearl Harbor. Here is the full article:

Going Back to Old Hawaii (American Heritage Magazine)

ATA Launches Daily Flights from Oakland

ATA Airlines has moved its Northern California operations from the San Francisco Airport to the Oakland Airport, and they are now offering four flights a day from Oakland to Hawaii. Two of those flights land on the island of Oahu and the other two flights land on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii.

X Band Radar Forced to Return to Hawaii

A powerful floating radar that will be part of the U.S. national missile defense system returned to Hawaii for repairs only a few days after it departed from Pearl Harbor for Alaska. The system was forced to return to Hawaii because of damage caused by water leaks and damage to its communication antennas. The massive system was built on an converted oil drilling rig. It's easy to spot because it is topped by a giant white ball. The radar is so powerful it can detect baseball-size objects thousands of miles away. When the system reaches Alaska it will float in the water near the town of Adak, about 1200 miles southwest of Anchorage. Here are some photos I took in January of 2006:

Photos of the Radar System in Pearl Harbor

Wave Waikiki Nightclub Will Close in June

The Wave Waikiki nightclub has been a popular venue for reggae, blues, hip-hop, and alternative rock bands since it first opened more then 25 years ago, in November of 1980. It is one of the few clubs in Honolulu with an after hours license that allows it to sell alcohol until 4:00 am. Nightclub owner Jack Law does not plan to reopen the club at another location unless he can find a partner investor, because the cost of rent is very high in Waikiki. Law's other Waikiki club Hula's Bar and Lei Stand will remain open. Hula's has a prodominently (but not exclusively) gay clientele, and it has been a popular Waikiki hot spot for more then 30 years.

2004: Waikiki Property on Kalakaua is for Sale

2005: Condos Planned for site of Wave Waikiki

2005: 35 Story Luxury Condo Has Early Support

2006: Wave Waikiki Ends Its Long Ride in June

Tiffany Opens Another Jewelry Shop in Hawaii

Here is another sign that Hawaii's tourism industry is succeeding in its campaign to turn the islands into an exclusive destination that attracts visitors with money to spend. Tiffany's is planning to open its fifth jewelry store in Hawaii, at the King's Shops mall at the luxurious Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. The four other Tiffany's shops in Hawaii are located at the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu, the 1200 Kalakaua shopping center in Waikiki, The Shops at Wailea on Maui and Whaler's Village in Kaanapali, Maui. The new Big Island Tiffany's will be approximately 3,000 square feet in size and it is expected to open in November of 2006.

New Condominium is Coming to Ko Olina

Miami developer Crescent Heights is planning to build a 7.8 acre oceanfront condominium resort on one of the Ko Olina Lagoons at the Ko Olina Resort, which is located on the south shore of Oahu, west of Pearl Harbor. The new 16 story resort condo hotel will have 400 to 500 units and it will be located next to the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Hotel time share units. Owners of the new condomminium units would have the option of living in their studio, 1 bedroom,and 2 bedroom units or renting them as hotel rooms. Crescent Heights is in discussions with developer Donald Trump to operate the new hotel under one of his brands. Construction is expected to be completed in 2008.

Haleiwa Metric Century Ride

The Haleiwa Metric Century Ride is a road bicycling event that will take place on Sunday, April 30, 2006 on the north shore of Oahu. Cyclists can ride either 25, 50, 75, or 100 kilometers on a route that begins at the Kaiaka Bay Beach Park, passes by the world class surfing breaks at Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and the Banzai Pipeline, and ends in quaint Haleiwa town.

General Information About the Event

Register for the Event at Active.com

Paddle from Molokai to Oahu on May 7

The Ka Iwi Channel Relay is an annual 40 mile canoe relay race from the island of Molokai to the island of Oahu, and this year the event will take place on May 7, 2006. Paddlers will depart from Molokai at 9:00 am and will arrive in Oahu at approximately 2:00 pm. There will be a celebration after the race, from 2 to 6 pm at Magic Island in Honolulu, with an awards ceremony, food booths, and live entertainment.

2006 Ka Iwi Channel Relay Race

Paddle Sports in Hawaii

New Waikiki Cultural Walking Tour

Hawaii's Woody Fern is now guiding free two hour Waikiki Cultural Walking Tours every Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Tour participants will learn about the Waikiki Beach Walk, the coconut grove at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, King Kalakaua, Olympic surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, Princess Kaiulani, and more about the history of Waikiki. Tours begin at the Hoaloha canoe in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach Hotel.

2006 Hawaii AIDS Walk for Life

The 15th annual Hawaii AIDS Walk for Life will take place on Sunday, April 23, 2006 in Honolulu's Kapiolani Park. The event is sponsored by Starbucks Hawaii and it is a major fund raiser for the Life Foundation, Hawaii's largest AIDS organization. In 2006 the Hawaii AIDS Walk will include an easy 5 kilometer walk around the park, a health fair, refreshments by Starbucks Coffee and Jamba Juice, and live entertainment by Sonny Ching's Halau and the Kaimana Band.

AAA Says Hawaii is Expensive

According to a study published this month by the Automobile Association of America, Hawaii is the most expensive travel destination in the United States and the least expensive destinations are North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Oklahoma. [Read Full Article]

Ukulele Festivals in 2006

HAWAII UKULELE FESTIVALS:

Mar 11: Waikoloa Ukulele Festival

Jul 30: Honolulu Ukulele Festival
MAINLAND UKULELE FESTIVALS:

Apr 20-22: Texas Ukulele Festival

Apr 27-30: New York Ukulele Festival

Apr 30: Northern California Ukulele Festival

May 02: Loma Linda Ukulele Festival

Jun 21-25: Portland Ukulele Festival

Oct 06-07: Southern California Ukulele Festival

Information about all of the 2006 Ukulele Festivals.

Introduction to Molokini Island

Molokini is small crescent shaped island, about 2.5 miles off the coast of Maui. It is actually the tip of an inactive underwater volcanic crater. Molokini has been designated by the State of Hawaii as a Marine Life and Bird Conservation District, and it is a popular destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking tours. There are no hotels, restaurants, or development of any kind on Molokini, and it can only be reached by boat.

Introduction to Molokini Island

Wall Poster of Molokini Island

Diamond Head Road is Open Again

Diamond Head Road, near Waikiki on Oahu, has been closed or reduced to one lane since heavy rains caused a rockslide on March 31. The exterior slope of Diamond Head Crater was cleared last week, and contractors have spent the last nine days clearing the road and re-installing guard rails. The repairs are now complete and Diamond Head Road is open again.

Hawaii Clubs at Mainland Universities

Information about Hawaii clubs and Pacific Islander clubs at colleges and universities across the continental United States. Includes Hawaii clubs at universities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington DC, and Washington State. [Mainland University Hawaii Clubs]

Merrie Monarch Hula Festival: April 16-22

The 43rd annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival will take place April 16-20, 2006 in the town of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. There will be a music festival on Coconut Island on April 16 (Easter Sunday), an evening hula exhibition at the Edith Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium on April 19, the Miss Aloha Hula Competition on April 20, and a Merrie Monarch Festival Parade through the streets of Hilo on April 22. The hula competition will take place at various Hilo locations April 20-22, and they will include contests for solo hula, modern hula, and traditional hula. Tickets to the hula competition are $10 to $25. All other events are free.

Merrie Monarch Hula Festival - Official Web Site

Hawaii Channel Special Report on the Festival

Who Was the Merrie Monarch?

Outdoor Movies on the Beach in Waikiki

Nearly every weekend in Honolulu there is an event called Sunset on the Beach which is an outdoor concert followed by a movie shown on a huge outdoor screen on Waikiki Beach. The April 2006 movies are:

April 08: The Island

April 09: Dreamer

April 22: Curse of the Were-Rabbit

April 23: The Chronicals of Narnia

Outdoor Movies on the Island of Lanai

The Classic Film Series at the Lanai Arts Center on the island of Lanai shows a free classic film and a cartoon on a 20 foot outdoor screen in Dole Park, on the first Wednesday of the month, from April through September. In October, the event moves indoors to the Lanai Theater Playhouse. For more information see the 2006 Lanai Outdoor Movie Schedule

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

On May 1st, almost everybody in Hawaii will be wearing a flower lei, from little kids in school to executives at Hawaii's top corporations. The 79th annual Oahu Lei Day Celebration will take place on Monday, May 1st, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki. The Royal Hawaiian Band will play at 9:00 am, the 2006 Lei Day Queen will be crowned at 11:00 am, and there will be hula dancing, Hawaiian music, craft demonstrations and food booths all day. At 5:30 pm, there will be a special concert at the Waikiki Shell, featuring the Brothers Cazimero. All May Day events except the evening concert are free. Concert tickets can be purchased at the Blaisdell Center box office in Honolulu or on the TicketMaster Web site. Prices are $25 for reserved seats and $15 for lawn seating. Experience the concert local-style by bringing a picnic dinner and sitting on the lawn.

Celebrate May Day the Hawaiian Way in 2006

The History of Lei Day

Photos of Lei Day in Hawaii

Waikiki SPAM Jam on April 29

The 4th Annual Waikiki Spam Jam will take place on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki on April 29, 2006 from 4:00 to 10:00 pm. This popular annual event is one of the World's largest tributes to SPAM, a canned luncheon meat that is hugely popular in Hawaii. Stop by and try SPAM entrees, buy exclusive SPAM-themed products, enter a SPAM eating contest or a Mr. and Mrs. SPAM contest, and watch Hawaii's best entertainers on two stages, including Grammy nominee Raiatea Helm.

Historic Movies About Hawaii

When you're planning a trip to Hawaii, it's fun and educational to watch a few movies and documentaries featuring Hawaii. Here are several movies based on different periods in Hawaiian history and movies about the lives of Hawaii's historic figures. Included are films about the missionary era, plantation life, the Molokai leprosy colony, and the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

Historic Movies About Hawaii

More Movies Set in Hawaii

All Videos Featuring Hawaii

Honolulu Zoo Twilight Tours

The Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki on the island of Oahu offers twilight tours every Saturday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door if any are still available, but it's best to purchase them in advance from the Honolulu Zoo Society. During the two hour guided walking tour, visitors carry flashlights covered with red cellophane and are instructed to be very quiet.

Honolulu Zoo Twilight Tours

Honolulu Zoo - Official Web Site

Honolulu Zoo Society

Hawaii and China Sign Tourism Agreement

This week, the vice premier of China and the governor of Hawaii signed an agreement that will encourage travel between China and Hawaii and provide a program for Chinese tourism professionals to be trained in Hawaii. There are still obstacles to overcome before large groups of Chinese can visit Hawaii, because Chinese visitors to the United States are required to have a visa, and because the Chinese government limits overseas travel by its citizens. [Honolulu Star Bulletin Article]

Hawaii Does Not Observe Daylight Savings Time

In most parts of the United States, clocks were moved forward one hour on April 2nd to observe Daylight Savings Time, but not in Hawaii. Hawaii and Arizona are the only USA states where Daylight Savings Time is not observed. IMPORTANT NOTE: When you telephone Hawaii, pay close attention to the time. Hawaii residents often get calls in the wee hours of the morning from friends in Canada or the continental United States who forget about the time difference. [Time in Hawaii Right Now]

Reports on the Diamond Head Crater Concert

Photos and newspaper articles about the April 1st Diamond Head Crater Celebration, which was the first concert inside Diamond Head Crater in 28 years. Featured performers included the Steve Miller Band, WAR, Linda Ronstadt, Yvonne Elliman, and the Honolulu Symphony. Here are some event reports published by the Honolulu Advertiser and the Honolulu Star Bulletin:

Diamond Head Smiles on Crater Celebrators

Crater Fest Rocks Fans Back in Time

Crater Festival Returns After 28 Year Break

Crater Festival Photo Gallery

Look for the "Kauai Made" Label

In early 2006 the County of Kauai and the Hawaii Tourism Authority teamed up to create a program called "Kauai Made", to increase the visibility of products made on the island of Kauai, or made with ingredients from Kauai. The program will make labels available to producers and retailers of products made in Kauai, and it will publish brochures and a Web site featuring all of the "made in Kauai" products that are part of the program. More information about the Kauai Made program is available on the Kauai Economic Development Web site.

Hawaii Wants to Attract More Luxury Visitors

The number of visitors to Hawaii exceeded 7 million for the first time in 2005. 7,457,297 visitors spent a record breaking $11.5 billion in 2005, and hotel occupancy in Hawaii was 81%. Hawaii is now reaching its maximum capacity for tourism, because of hotel room and flight availability. One way the Hawaii tourism industry plans to address this issue is by making Hawaii a more exclusive travel destination that will attract affluent, active, and educated visitors who are able to pay for expensive hotel rooms, golfing fees, private tours, spa services, and gourmet restaurants.

Photos of a 1946 Big Island Tidal Wave

Sixty years ago today, on April 1, 1946, a tidal wave originating in the Aleutian Islands struck the east coast of the Big Island of Hawaii without any warning. The wave killed more then 170 people, mostly in Hilo and Laupahoehoe, where it reached an average height of 30 feet. Here are some historic photos:

Photos of a 1946 Big Island Tidal Wave

More About Tidal Waves in Hawaii