Kapalua Bay Hotel on Maui is Closed

The Kapalua Bay Hotel on the island of Maui opened in October of 1978, and in April of 2006 it closed its doors for the last time. The hotel was shut down to make way for two luxurious resort and residential complexes. The Residences at Kapalua Bay will feature 84 condominiums with floorplans from 3000 to 4200 square feet, that will begin selling at $4 million per home. The Ritz-Carlton Club at Kapalua Bay will include 64 beachfront condominiums that will be sold as timeshare units with 5 star hotel amenities and services. The exclusive Kapalua Resort is a 23,000 acre master-planned resort community in West Maui that is known for its award winning golf courses. The area has two other hotels: the 548 room Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, and the 292 unit Kapalua Villas.

Popular Oahu Bakeries

A guide to some of the best and most popular bakeries on the island of Oahu. Where to buy the best Portuguese malasadas, Hawaiian sweetbread, chocolate-coconut cream pie, guava chiffon cake, Hawaiian style bread pudding, fried coconut turnovers, chocolate filled cream puffs, and many other Oahu bakery favorites.

Popular Oahu Bakeries

Oahu Restaurant Guide

Hawaiian Air Expands West Coast Service

This week Hawaiian Airlines announced their plans to increase the number of flights from the West Coast of the U.S. mainland to Maui and Oahu. In September of 2006, Hawaiian will expand its daily non-stop San Diego/Maui service from summer-only to all year. In October of 2006, they will increase their non-stop Seattle/Maui and Portland/Maui flights to daily service. In November of 2006 they will add four weekly Sacramento/Honolulu flights and they will also add three weekly Seattle/Honolulu flights. For more information visit the Hawaiian Airlines Web site.

Hawaii Visitor Industry Charity Walk

The 28th annual Hawaii Visitor Industry Charity Walk will take place May 6 on the island of Molokai, May 13 on Lanai, and May 20 on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii. The event is organized by the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association, and everyone is invited to participate. The benefit will raise money for local charities on each of the islands. The Oahu walk is 7 miles, the Maui walk is 5 miles, and walks on the other islands range from 1 to 3 miles. The minimum cost to participate is $35 and that includes your donation, snacks at each checkpoint and lunch at the end of the walk.

Koko Crater Has Hiking, Gardens, and Horses

Koko Crater is an extinct volcanic crater on the south shore of the island of Oahu. Inside of Koko Crater there is a botanical garden featuring plants that thrive in dry weather and an equestrian center where horses can be rented. One of the most popular Koko Crater activities is hiking to the top of Puu Mai - Koko Crater's highest peak - which is more then 1200 feet high. The Hawaiian Mountain and Trail Club hikes to the top of Koko Crater every year on New Year's Day. Attractions near Koko Crater include Koko Head, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and the Halona Blow Hole.

View Larger Photo of Koko Crater

Hawaii Mountain and Trail Club

2006 Hoku Music Award Nominees

The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts has announced the artists and albums nominated for the 2006 Na Hoku Hanohano Music Awards. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 31, 2006 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort in Waikiki.

2006 Na Hoku Hanohano Nominees

Hawaiian Music Grammy Awards

Best Places to Skate in Hawaii

As far as I know, there is only one ice skating rink in Hawaii - the Ice Palace on Salt Lake Boulevard in Honolulu. They have public sessions, group and private lessons, and programs for figure skating and ice hockey. I have not been able to find any indoor roller skating rinks in Hawaii, but I know there use to be one on Hotel Street in Downtown Honolulu. There are several skate parks for skateboarders and aggressive inline skaters, including two skateparks on Maui that are managed by world class aggressive skater Thumper Nagasako. There are also inline hockey leagues and outdoor rinks on several of the islands. Hawaii is not generally considered a great place for recreational inline skating, but some people do enjoy street skating in Hawaii. Here is a forum discussion with more information: Hawaii Inline Skating Forum Discussion. To a see all of the comments in that discussion, keep selecting "Next" in the lower right corner of each page.