New Year's Eve Fireworks Displays in Hawaii

If this is your first New Year's Eve in Hawaii, prepare yourself for some loud and explosive action. I will never forget the first time I saw one of my Oahu neighbors string 10,000 firecrackers together, hang them over the branch of a tree, and set the whole thing on fire! Or wading through early-morning ankle-deep firecracker papers in the streets of Waikiki on New Year's Day. Firecrackers are a strong cultural tradition in Hawaii, but some islanders would like to see them outlawed because they can cause injuries and fires, scare pets, and cause air pollution that is a danger to small children, the elderly, and people with asthma. The safest way to enjoy fireworks on New Year's Eve in Hawaii is to watch one of the public aerial fireworks displays. Fireworks displays on December 31, 2006 include:

OAHU: Waikiki Beach and Aloha Tower Marketplace

MAUI: Hana, Wailea Beach, and Maluaka Beach

KAUAI: Poipu Beach

LANAI: Manele Bay Hotel
See also: Hawaii Fireworks Controversy

Blues Guitarist Keb Mo Will Tour Hawaii in January

Blues singer and guitarist Keb Mo will appear on four Hawaiian islands in January of 2006. If you have never heard him perform, a great introduction to his work is his first album - still my favorite - which is simply entitled "Keb Mo". His full name is Kevin Moore, and he is from the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles. Keb Mo is an internationally recognized artist who has received two Grammy Awards for best contemporary blues album.

Jan 11 - Kauai War Memorial Hall (Lihue, Kauai)

Jan 12 - Maui Arts Center (Kahului, Maui)

Jan 13 - Hawaiian Hut (Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu, Oahu)

Jan 14 - Honokaa Peoples' Theater (Honokaa, Big Island)

Jan 15 - Palace Theater (Hilo, Big Island)

Keb Mo's Official Web Site

Sound Clips from Keb Mo's First Album (Amazon.com)

Hawaii is the #1 "Majority Minority" State

According to 2004 data published by the United States Census Bureau, 77% of Hawaii's population is non-white and non-hispanic, making it the state with the highest percentage of minorities in the nation, followed by Washington DC (70% minority), New Mexico (57%), and California (56%). For these statistics, minority is defined as all people except non-Hispanic, single-race whites. In Hawaii more then 50% of the population is Asian and more then 20% is native Hawaiian.

New Hawaiian Reef Wall Calendar

This week the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) released a 2006 wall calendar featuring photographs by Ric Noyle of Hawaiian reefs viewed from the air, at sea level, and underwater. The calendar also features photos of reef fish, monk seals, turtles, and sea birds. The calendar costs $10 and it can be picked up at the DLNR State Parks Office in Honolulu, which is located at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 310 (mail ordering is not available).

Article About the DLNR Hawaiian Reef Calendar

More 2006 Hawaii Wall Calendars

Gasoline Prices in Hawaii

The price of wholesale gasoline is expected to drop about 5 cents a gallon in Hawaii after the first of the year, resulting in retail gasoline prices in the range of $2.50 to $2.90 a gallon. Gas prices in Hawaii are capped by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) based on average prices in Los Angeles, New York, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. Gas caps are revised and published weekly on the HPUC Web site.

Honolulu Star Bulletin Gas Cap Article

HPUC Information About Hawaii's Gas Cap

Fairmont Sells Big Island Orchid Hotel

This week Fairmont Hotels and Resorts sold the luxurious Fairmont Orchid Hotel on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island for $250 million to Westbrook Partners. Fairmont will be given a contract to manage the resort, and for the time being the resort will keep its Fairmont brand name. Fairmont purchased the Orchid Hotel in 2002 for $140 million. Fairmont is also selling other assets, as part of an effort to fend off a hostile takover bid from billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

Maui Swimmer Attacked by Shark

On Wednesday December 21, twenty-nine year old Jonathan Genant of San Diego was attacked by a shark while swimming alone about 200 yards off of Keawakapu Beach in Wailea, Maui. He lost the little finger of his left hand and part of his ring finger during the single-pass attack, but he was able to swim to shore without being attacked again by the shark.

Honolulu Advertiser Article about the Attack

Hawaii Shark Incidents Involving Humans

Facts About Sharks in Hawaii

10 Shark Safety Tips