Apply Now to Hold Northshore Surfing Contests

This week the County of Honolulu announced that applications are now being accepted to hold surfing competitions on the northshore of Oahu during the 2006/2007 surfing season. Applications must be received by April 25, 2006 in order to be considered. The north shore of Oahu is one of the premier surfing venues in the world. Events held there have included the O'Neil World Cup of Surfing, the OP Pro Hawaii, the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters, and many others. [Read Full Article]

Sewage Spill Contaminates Waikiki Beach

A sewage spill into the Ala Wai Canal in Honolulu has caused 48 million gallons of sewage to flow into the ocean, and the Hawaii Health Department has been forced to temporarily close the beaches of Waikiki. The beaches with the highest contamination levels are Magic Island, the Hilton Hotel Lagoon Beach, and the beaches in front of the Hale Koa, Halekulani, and Sheraton hotels. Contamination levels are lower on the beaches closer to Diamond Head, but they are still above acceptable levels. My advice to Hawaii visitors who have already made plans to stay in Waikiki: Rent a car and visit some of the many other beautiful swimming beaches on the island of Oahu.

Hawaii Channel March 29 Article

Honolulu Advertiser March 31 Article

Honolulu Star Bulletin March 31 Article

A Hawaiian Ice Hockey Tournament for Old Timers

The 22nd annual Hawaiian Classic OldTimers Hockey Tournament will take place April 23-26, 2006 at the Ice Palace skating rink on Salt Lake Boulevard in Honolulu. In the past, teams from Canada, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the continental United States, and many different parts of Hawaii have participated in this tournament. Players must be age 30 or older and teams from around the world are invited to participate.

How Clean is the Water at Hawaii's Beaches?

Hawaii's swimming and surfing beaches can become contaminated after a heavy rain, just like the beaches in every other part of the world. This week the Hawaii State Department of Health issued water contamination warnings for Hilo Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii, and several beaches on the islands of Kauai and Oahu. A sewage spill into the Ala Wai Canal has authorities concerned that the beaches of Waikiki could become contaminated, but so far only Magic Island, the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, and the Ala Wai Canal itself are affected. You can check Hawaii water contamination levels on a Web site produced by the Hawaii State Department of Health: Hawaii Water Contamination Bulletins.

Waikiki's Zanzabar Egyptian Nightclub

This popular African and Egyptian theme nightclub on Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki can accommodate up to 1000 people, and it has profesional DJs, a dance floor, and special events that include Hot Latin Tuesdays, Asia Beat Fridays, and a Sunday dance contest. The most typical Zanzabar visitors are in their 20's and 30's and the club is especially busy on Thursday and Saturday nights. The minimum age at Zanzabar usually 21, but age 18 and up are welcome on some nights. The Zanzabar Nightclub is located inside the Waikiki Trade Center, at the corner of Seaside and Kuhio Avenues. Diners at Matteo's Italian Restaurant in the Marine Surf Hotel can get free admission to Zanzabar. For more information, see the Zanzibar Nightclub Web Site and read the the Honolulu Advertiser Article published in March of 2006.

Mesa's New Inter-Island Airline is a GO!

Mesa Airlines of Arizona has launched a new inter-island air service in Hawaii called "Go!". They will begin operating on June 9, 2006 with two jets flying between Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island. Two additional jets will be added on June 20. Go! Airlines sparked an airfare war when they kicked off their new service by offering $39 inter-island airfares, which were immediately matched by Hawaii's two largest air carriers, Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

Mesa Launches Go! Airlines in Hawaii

Aloha Airlines Matches Mesa's $39 Fare

Hawaiian Airlines Matches Mesa's $39 Fare

March 26 is Prince Kuhio Day in Hawaii

Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was born in Koloa, Kauai on March 26, 1871. When the Kalakaua Dynasty assumed the throne of Hawaii in 1884, Jonah Kuhio was declared a prince. He was next in line to become king when the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893. In the late 1800's he was sentenced to a year in prison for his role in a Hawaiian uprising against Sanford Dole's newly formed Republic of Hawaii. After his release from prison, he joined the British Army to fight in the South African Boer War, and he remained in Africa until that war ended in 1902. When he returned to Hawaii he was elected to served in the United States Congress as the Territorial Delegate from Hawaii. The achievements for which he is credited include the dredging of Pearl Harbor and establishing the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Prince Kuhio died in Waikiki on January 7, 1922. He is buried on the island of Oahu at the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu.