Where to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Hawaii

December 31, 2008 New Year's Eve celebrations in Hawaii include concerts by John Cruz, the B52's, the Bangles, and Foreigner, fireworks shows in Waikiki, Downtown Honolulu, West Oahu, South Kauai's Poipu Beach, South Maui's Wailea Beach, and several other locations. Other 2008 New Year's Eve events in Hawaii include an adventure race in Honolulu, New Year's Eve cruises on Oahu and Maui, and New Year's Eve parties at nightclubs, restaurants, and resorts all over Hawaii.

Oahu New Year's Eve Celebrations

Maui New Year's Eve Celebrations

Big Island New Year's Eve Celebrations

Kauai New Year's Eve Celebrations

Nutcracker Ballet Performances in Hawaii

There are at least three Nutcracker Ballet performances in Hawaii every year, presented by Ballet Hawaii, the Hawaii State Ballet, and the Hawaii Ballet Theatre. The most elaborate and most expensive is the Ballet Hawaii and Honolulu Symphony Nutcracker Ballet at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The other two Nutcrackers, performed by the Hawaii State Ballet and and the Hawaii Ballet Theatre, are more intimate performances, with less expensive tickets, but they are also very special. This year the Hawaii State Ballet's Nutcracker will feature guest artist Jose Sebastian of the American Ballet Theatre. The Hawaii Ballet Theater's Nutcracker performance in West Oahu features a "Sugarplum Tea With Santa" at all of their matinee performances during which the audience can meet the dancers in costume, take pictures, and get autographs. [More About the Nutcracker in Hawaii]

Best Hawaiian Christmas Music Albums

Hawaiian Christmas Music albums organized by artist, by title, and by year released. Includes all of the winners of the Best Hawaiian Christmas Music Album Na Hoku Hanohano Awards since that award was first issued in 1996.

Maui Swap Meet Is Moving After 17 Years

The Maui Swap Meet is a great place to buy Hawaii souvenirs at better prices then you'll see in Lahaina and other Maui towns and resorts. For more then 17 years the swap meet has been held in the same location but in January of 2009 it will move to a new 4.5 acre site [Read More]

Hawaii Winter Baseball Goes on Haitus Again

Hawaii Winter Baseball League officials announced this week that the 2008 season that just ended would be their last season because their three year contract with Major League Baseball ended and was not renewed. [Here's Why]

2008 Christmas Events on Maui

Maui Christmas events and celebrations in 2008 include a "Willie Kalikimaka" concert at the Maui Arts Center featuring the fabulous Willie K, a Messiah community sing-along concert, several Maui Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, a Christmas day brunch cruise, special Christmas menus at Maui resorts, and many more holiday concerts, stage-plays, musicals, street festivals, and Maui Christmas craft fairs.

2009 Hawaiian Music Grammy Nominees

Tonight the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced the five albums nominated for the 2009 Hawaiian Music Grammy Award. All of the albums considered for the 2009 award were released between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The winning album will be announced at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles on February 8, 2009.

Albums Nominated for the 2009 Hawaiian Grammy

All Hawaiian Music Awards Since 1978

2008 Pearl Harbor Day Events in Hawaii

December 7, 2008 will be the 67th anniversary of the 1941 Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor. Here are some of the events taking place in Hawaii and other parts of the United States to honor and remember those who died during the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

2008 Pearl Harbor Day Events in Hawaii

Photos of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

A Short History of Waimea Valley Park

Waima Valley Park is located in the Waimea Valley, on the north shore of Oahu, between the town of Haleiwa and Sunset Beach. The park has had a rather turbulant past, with several different owners, operators, and names over the years.

A Short History of Waimea Valley Park: 1970's - 2008

Waimea Park Temporarily Closed by Huge Boulders

Go Airlines Might Start Flying Under Aloha Airlines Name

From the Honolulu Advertiser: "Aloha Airlines may grace Hawaii's skies again, although this time the name would be used by Mesa, the bankrupt carrier's nemesis and the owner of Go Airline..." [Read More]

World AIDS Day Events in Hawaii

December 1, 2008 is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day and there will be several events in Hawaii marking the occasion. In Honolulu and Hilo there will be concerts, memorial services, art displays, and award presentations and on Maui there will be a candlelight vigil in Kalama Park.

A Cruise in Hawaii for Runners

This inter-island Hawaii cruise begins and ends in Honolulu on the island of Oahu and it features running events and activities on three islands: Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai.

2009 Run Hawaii Cruise - Official Web Site

Photos of the 2008 Cruise (it looks fun!)

Running Marathons in Hawaii

Multi-Sport Triathlons in Hawaii

Waikiki Holiday Parade - Day After Thanksgiving

The 10th Annual Waikiki Holiday Parade will take place on Kalakaua Avenue the Friday evening after Thanksgiving, on November 28, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The parade is a showcase for school marching bands and military bands from Hawaii and across the United States. This year about 40 bands, 40 vehicles, and 4000 marchers are expected to participate. The parade also honors the survivors of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and several survivors will appear, and be honored, at the 2008 Waikiki Holiday Parade.

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Hawaii

Recipes for cooking a Hawaiian style Thanksgiving dinner, articles about celebrating Thanksgiving in Hawaii, restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner in Hawaii, and shops and restaurants where Hawaii visitors and residents can pick up fully prepared Thanksgiving dinners to go.

How to Make Lomilomi Salmon

Lomilomi salmon is an appetizer that appears on the menu of nearly every Hawaiian luau. It is a mixture of salted salmon, fresh tomatoes, and fresh onions and it's often served on a bed of crushed ice to keep it fresh tasting and chilled. The fish salting procedure used to make lomilomi salmon was introduced to Hawaii by early western sailors, who usually included salted fish in their on-board food provisions. Lomilomi salmon also has origins in a traditional Polynesian dish known in Tahiti today as "Poisson Cru" that mixes fresh raw fish with lime juice, coconut milk, tomatoes and onions.

Recipe for Lomilomi Salmon

More Hawaiian Food Recipes

Congratulations to Miss Chinatown Hawaii 2009

Jenna-Lynn Kam was crowned 2009 Miss Chinatown Hawaii at a Hawaii Theatre pageant held earlier this month. Miss Kam will appear with her court at the Honolulu Chinese New Year Parade on January 24, 2009 and she will represent Hawaii at the Miss Chinatown USA pageant in San Francisco on January 31, 2009. Jenna's royal court includes princesses Kimberly Leong, Jasmine Nip and Anna Ngo. Congratulations Jenna, Kimberly, Jasmine, and Anna!

Plan Your 2009 Hawaii Trip Around a Ukulele Festival

One great way to decide when to schedule a trip to Hawaii is to plan your vacation around a special event in Hawaii such as a street festival, running marathon, or holiday parade. An event I always highly recommend is the annual Ukulele Festival in Kapiolani Park that has been produced for more then 35 years by Honolulu ukulele school owner Roy Sakuma. The event is free and it always features an impressive lineup of world class ukulele musicians and a 700+ member ukulele band.

2009 Ukulele Festival Announcement & Photos from 2008

Other Special Events in Hawaii

How to Plan a Trip to Hawaii

Hawaii's Wood Products on Display This Weekend

The 16th annual furniture and woodworking show of the Hawaii Forest Industry Association is taking place this weekend, November 21-23, 2008, at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. The 2008 Hawaii WoodShow features furniture and other items made from the many different woods grown in Hawaii such koa, ironwood, tamarind, ohia, macadamia, primavera, mango, Norfolk pine, eucalyptus, pheasantwood, and coconut. The show is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

One Hawaii Event Dropped from LPGA Tour in 2009

This week the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced their schedule for the 2009 LPGA Tour. The tour will include two events in Hawaii but one Hawaii ladies golf tournament was dropped from the LPGA Tour in 2009.

Disney Breaks Ground on New Hawaii Hotel

The groundbreaking ceremony for Disney's new resort hotel in Hawaii took place on November 19 2008. The hotel is being built on the grounds of the Ko Olina Resort in West Oahu. When it is completed in 2011 it will have 350 hotel rooms and 480 timeshare units for Disney's Vacation Club. Disney's Hawaii resort will feature attractions and activities targeted at families with children but it will not include a theme park.

Photo of Mickey and Minnie at the Ground Breaking Ceremony

Photo of Disney Sharing Plans With Mayor Mufi Hannemann

Restaurant Week in Hawaii: November 16-22, 2008

Dine at one of the restaurants participating in Hawaii's first annual "Restaurant Week in Hawaii" event and a portion of the proceeds will support the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head. Many of Hawaii's top restaurants are offering special dishes and prices this week. What a delicious way to support such a worthwhile project!

Restaurant Week in Hawaii - Official Web Site

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

New Introduction to Me and My Hawaii Web Sites

FROM KATHIE FRY: I frequently (understandably) get asked the same questions over and over about my Hawaii Web sites: why did I create them, who am I, and what makes me such an expert on Hawaii (Just FYI, I would never claim to be any kind of an expert. I guess you could say I am just a big fan!). Here are a few resources to help you get to know me better and learn what I've been up to in the last few years. And just a reminder... I will be sending the first email version of my new Hawaii Travel Newsletter by the end of November, in case you want to subscribe.

Introduction to Me And My Hawaii Web Sites

$60-$100 Apartment Hotels in Waikiki

I have several favorite hotels in Waikiki, and while some of them would never be considered budget options, a few of my favorites are among the least expensive hotels in Hawaii. Here are some of the best places to stay in Waikiki if you'd rather spend your Hawaii vacation dollars on activities and attractions instead of your hotel room. Most of the units at these hotels have either full kitchens or kitchenettes so if you wish, you can cook for yourself and save money on food too. The pink hotel pictured above is the Royal Grove Hotel, which even has a courtyard swimming pool. For more information and specific recommendations see our forum discussion:

Low Cost Apartment Hotels in Waikiki

Meet Me and the Roller Derby Girls in Hawaii Kai

All-girl roller derby is sweeping the nation and Hawaii now has its very own female flat track roller derby league with two teams: the Pacific Roller Derby Girls on Oahu and the Maui Roller Girls on the island of Maui. Their very first tournament, will be called the Inter-Island Down and Derby and it will take place on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Kamiloiki Community Park in Hawaii Kai, a few miles east of Waikiki. I wouldn't miss it for the world! For more information about the teams, their November 9 tournament, the old days of roller derby in Hawaii, and a roller derby legend who retired in Hawaii see our forum discussion:

Roller Derby is Alive and Well in Hawaii.

Where to Celebrate Halloween in Hawaii

Where to find 2008 Halloween Events in Hawaii. Includes haunted houses, haunted lagoons, haunted hayrides, pumpkin patches, Halloween street festivals, costume contests, Halloween movies, scary storytelling sessions, ghost tours, and safe trick-or-treating events at local shopping malls. Most of the events listed in this article are on Oahu but a few events on Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii are also included.

Photos of Ancient Hawaiian Musical Instruments

A recent discussion in our forum has photos of a man playing a Hawaiian nose flute and pictures from the Bishop Museum Collection of a dog's tooth ankle rattle, split bamboo dancing rattles, and feathered gourd hand rattles. I seem to remember reading there was one stringed musical instrument in Hawaii before the Spanish, Portuguese, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans arrived, and it only had one string. Does anybody know anything more about that?

Forum Discussion About Old Hawaiian Musical Instruments.

Waikiki is a Marine Life Conservation District

Many of Hawaii's visitors are familiar with the Hanauma Bay Marine Life Conservation District but most don't realize the east end of Waikiki is also a state-designated marine protected area. The Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District was established by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources in 1988. It is about 76 acres in size and it is bounded by the west by the Kapahulu Groin and on the east by the western-most wall of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. The protected area extends from the highwater mark on the beach to about 500 yards out to sea. Fishing or collecting any type of sealife is prohibited in this area. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and underwater photography are allowed but great care must be taken not to disturb the coral and underwater geological features in this area.

Oahu Marine Life Conservation Districts

Marine Life Conservation Districts on Other Islands.

Why Did the Hawaii Aloha Festival Shrink?

Does anybody know what happened with the Hawaii Aloha Festivals in 2008? This year all of the events were on Oahu Island and as far as I can tell... [Read More].

Lanai Is No Longer the Pineapple Isle

The tiny island of Lanai has been known as the "Pineapple Isle" since Hawaiian Pineapple Company president James Dole bought the entire island in 1922. A large portion of Lanai was devoted to growing pineapple until... [Read More].

Hilo Hattie Went Bankupt!

Hawaii retail giant Hilo Hattie filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy this month, but the news isn't all bad [Here's Why].

Results of the 2008 Ironman Triathlon

Congratulations to Craig Alexander of Australia who crossed the finish line in first place at the 2008 Ironman Hawaii Triathlon on Saturday, October 11, 2008. Craig finished the event in second place in 2007. Congratulations also to Chrissie Wellington of the United Kingdom for finishing first in the women's divsion. Chrissy was able to defend her 2007 world championship title by finishing more than ten minutes ahead of her fellow competitors in spite of experiencing a flat tire during the cycling portion of the race.

Top 10 Male and Female Results

Photo of Swimmers at the Start Line.

Lyon Arboretum in Honolulu Adds Saturday Tours

The Lyon Arboretum in Honolulu's lush and beautiful Manoa Valley is now offering guided tours on Saturday mornings, in addition to the previously available Monday through Friday tours. The 1.5 hour tours begin at 10:00 a.m. and space can be reserved by calling 808-988-0461 at least twenty-four hours in advance. The Lyon Arboretum is a 193-acre botanical garden and research center owned and operated by the University of Hawaii. The arboretum was reopened on June 14, 2008 following a badly needed, two year, $3.1 million improvement and repair project.

Introduction to the Lyon Arboretum

Photos of the Lyon Arboretum.

Photos of the 2007 Ironman Triathlon

The 32nd annual Hawaii Ironman Triathlon will take place October 11, 2008 in Kona on the West Coast of Hawaii Island. The Hawaii Triathlon is the world championship event for the 2008 International Ironman Triathlon Series and it includes a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bicycle ride, followed by a 26.2 mile run. Will 2007 world champions Chris MacCormack of Australia and Christine Wellington of the United Kingdom be able to defend their titles? I can't wait to find out! (pictured above is double amputee Scott Rigsby finishing the 2007 Ironman Triathlon on two prosthetic legs)

Photos of the 2007 Ironman Triathlon

Past Ironman World Champions by Year

2008 Ironman Triathlon - Official Web Site

Beautiful Bronze Statue of Princess Kaiulani

This lovely statue of Princess Victoria Kaiulani Cleghorn feeding her beloved peacocks is located in a small triangle park at the corner of Kuhio and Kanekapolei Avenues in Waikiki. It was dedicated on October 16, 1999, the 124th anniversary of Princess Kaiulani's birth.

Picture of the Waikiki Princess Kaiulani Statue

More About Hawaiian Crown Princess Kaiulani.

Hawaii Travel Web Site To Be Split Into 3 Sites

We are in the process of splitting the Hawaii Travel Newsletter Web site into three separate sites: Hawaii for Visitors will feature articles, photos, news, and information about traveling in Hawaii, Hawaiian Music History will feature bios and photos of Hawaii's top singers and musicians plus information about Hawaiian music events, awards, and venues. After all of the information has been moved off the newsletter site, the Hawaii Travel Newsletter Web site will be an archive site for online copies of the monthly email newsletters we plan to send in November of 2008.

Molokai Ranch Abruptly Shut Down Everything

There have never been many hotels or other visitor accommodations on the "most Hawaiian" island of Molokai and now there are even fewer. Molokai Properties, more commonly known as Molokai Ranch, abruptly shut down all of its Molokai operations as of April 1, 2008, including the 22-room Lodge at Molokai Ranch, the 40-tentalow Kaupoa Beach Village Tent Cabin Resort, the Kaluakoi Golf Course, the Maunaloa Town Cinemas movie theater, the Maunaloa Gas Station, and all of the Molokai Ranch cattle farming operations. Some Molokai residents believe the shut-down is a strategic move to force Hawaii officials to let them build a 500 acre luxury residential development at Molokai's Laau Point. For more information see the Honolulu Star Bulletin articles.

Molokai Ranch Quit Molokai Island (March 2008)

Battle for Survival on Molokai (January 2007)

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Farewell to Aloha Airlines - We Will Miss You!

On March 30, 2008 all employees of Aloha Airlines received the following letter from company Chief Executive Officer David Banmiller: "It is with a heavy heart that, inspite of everyone's gallant efforts, time has run out. Because of our fiduciary responsibility to creditors and the traveling public, we have no choice but to announce today the shutdown of our passenger business. Effective immediately, we will no longer sell tickets for travel beyond Monday, March 31, 2008..." [Read Full Letter]

And the 2008 Hawaiian Music Grammy Goes To...

The winner of the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album released between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007 was announced today during an awards ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The winner of the 2008 Hawaiian Music Grammy Award was the album "Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar", produced by Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong. This is the fourth year in a row the Hawaiian Music Grammy was awarded to a slack key guitar album. The Hawaiian music category was first added to the Grammys in 2005..

The 2008 Hawaiian Music Grammy Goes To...

The winner of the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album released between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007 was announced today during an awards ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The winner of the 2008 Hawaiian Music Grammy Award was the album "Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar", produced by Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong. This is the fourth year in a row the Hawaiian Music Grammy was awarded to a slack key guitar album. The Hawaiian music category was first added to the Grammys in 2005.

How to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Hawaii

February 14 is Valentine's Day but it's not too early to start making plans if you will be celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii. Here are some ideas for making Valentine's Day 2008 extra special, including how to order a singing Valentine in Honolulu, where to buy Valentine's Day balloons, special events on Valentine's Day, fine dining restaurants on several islands, dinner cruises, romantic inns, luxury spas, and gift ideas with a romantic Hawaii theme. If you know about a Hawaii Valentine's Day event or gift idea not included in this article please send a message to editor@hawaiitravelnewsletter.com.

Celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii

Other Holidays in Hawaii

How to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Hawaii

February 14 is Valentine's Day but it's not too early to start making plans if you will be celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii. Here are some ideas for making Valentine's Day 2008 extra special, including how to order a singing Valentine in Honolulu, where to buy Valentine's Day balloons, special events on Valentine's Day, fine dining restaurants on several islands, dinner cruises, romantic inns, luxury spas, and gift ideas with a romantic Hawaii theme. If you know about a Hawaii Valentine's Day event or gift idea not included in this article please send a message to editor@hawaiitravelnewsletter.com.

Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii

Other 2008 Events and Holidays in Hawaii

Honoring Martin Luther King in Honolulu

JAN 20: Candlelight Nagasaki Peace Bell Ringing Ceremony at the Honolulu Hale Civic Center (Lauhala and Beretania Streets at 7:00 pm)

JAN 21: Martin Luther King Day Parade - Ala Moana Park, through Waikiki, to Kapiolani Park (9:00-10:00 am)

JAN 21: Unity Celebration - Post parade rally and celebration(begins about 10:00 am in Kapiolani Park - thousands of people expected)

More: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Hawaii