PARK SHORE WAIKIKI

book today for the best savings

Receive a $100 off coupon on air & room packages at our oceanfront Waikiki hotel.

Coupon Code: PSW100
Book before August 3, 2010

Valid for new bookings and stays August 1 through November 30, 2010

Spend $1,000 or more on a air and room package and we’ll thank you with a $100 off coupon.

Visit www.parkshorewaikiki.com to learn more about our hotel

]]> http://blog.aquaresorts.com/experience-waikiki/park-shore-waikiki-100-off-air-hotel-package/feed/ 0 http://blog.aquaresorts.com/things-to-do-in-oahu/oahu-has-something-for-everyone-this-summer/ http://blog.aquaresorts.com/things-to-do-in-oahu/oahu-has-something-for-everyone-this-summer/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:56:47 +0000 Seth http://blog.aquaresorts.com/?p=1813

Visiting Oahu in the coming months? We hope you do! The island has so much to offer visitors – and locals – during the warm summer months, we just couldn’t resist making our own list of suggestions for those of you stopping in (and checking in!) soon.

During your visit to this fantastic island, be sure to check out:

• The Bishop Museum: new exhibits opening this summer, including the Native Hawaiian Garden, makes the Bishop Museum a must-see. The museum offers daily educational programming and Garden Tours throughout the summer in addition to a a special surfing exhibit through September 6, 2010, that features more than 25 historic surfboards, a surfing simulator and examples of board design and development through modern times.

• The Honolulu Academy of Arts: on the second Thursday of every month (mark your calendars now for August 12!) remains open until 9:00 p.m. for “aloHAA,” a new art pau hana featuring a wine, beer and cocktail bar, pupu from The Pavilion Café, live music and art talks.

• USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center: the first phase of the $58 million renovation to the memorial at Pearl Harbor has been completed and now includes a central ticketing facility for memorial tours, a research and education center and an expanded bookstore, restrooms and snack bar (phase two will be completed by the end of the year).

• Te Manuhua Maori Song and Dance Festival: the annual Maori song and dance competition kicks off on Friday, August 12, 2010, and features the strength and pride of the Maori warriors as they battle for victory using only their melodic voices and demonstrations of the traditional haka (male posture dance) and poi (dance with implements).

• Wet ‘n’ Wild: the waterpark and all-around summer fun zone is now offering several combination packages, all of which include roundtrip transportation between Waikiki and the park. Choose your package carefully and in addition to park admission, you could learn how to surf, go shopping at the Wikele Premium Outlets or find yourself on a dolphin-watching cruise!

There’s nothing like summer in Oahu!

How do you spend your summers on the island? Is there something special your family likes to enjoy each time they vacation in Oahu that we’ve left off of the list? Tell us!

Image Courtesy Aqua Hotels & Resorts

In addition to its natural beauty and serene seascapes, Hawaii is also well known throughout the world for its rare and unique wildlife. One example is the exquisite Kolea – or Pacific Golden Plover.

The Kolea is a migratory bird typically found as far north as the arctic tundra of Asia and western Alaska down to our fair state of Hawaii, where it typically migrates during the late summer and early fall from their breeding grounds. Despite their relatively small size, they’re champion fliers, flying for long periods of time at upwards of 50–60 miles per hour! From their nests in Alaska to their fall vacation spots in Hawaii is a non-stop 3,000 mile flight.

Spotting the first few Kolea to make their way back to our islands has become a bit of a sport here in Hawaii. In fact, the Molokai Dispatch has announced the annual “Krazy for Kolea Kontest” is well underway!

The first few residents of Molokai to report a Kolea sighting in their area will win various prizes. The first confirmed sighting will win a Kolea Research T-shirt from the Hawaii Audubon Society. The next ten observations will received a gift certificate for a scoop of ice cream at Kamoi Snack ‘N Go. Additionally, any resident who reports seeing a banded Kolea will receive $20 (look for a green or yellow band over a silver metal band)!

Funnily enough, many Molokai residents have named their honored winter guests and note their arrival and departure dates on calendars. Kolea tend to return to the exact same locations year after year during their migration. Now, that’s quite a feat considering the distance and effort it takes for them to get there!

Sightings are collected by the Nene O Molokai organization and emailed to Dr. Peter Pyle, ornithologist, who compiles the information for the Bishop Museum’s database. For more information about the contest or to report a sighting, call Arleone at 553-5992 or email researchbirds@yahoo.com. Contest winners will be announced at the end of September.

Have you spotted a Kolea yet this season? Is your backyard a winter haven for this special creature? Tell us about it!

Music:

Multi Na Hoku Winner-Brother Noland
MauiFEST “Entertainer of the Year” Bradda Francis Koahou
Molokai’s Own – Lono
and the Hula Halau – Ka Malo O Kalani

Arts & Culture:

Calvin Hoe – Hawaiian Master Instrument Maker

Films:

WORLD PREMIERE- Journey to Kaulapapa
Directed by
Ken K. Martinez Burgmaier

Holomua
Directed by Vince Keala Lucero

Hana Surf Girls

Stones
Directed by Ty Sanga

I Scream, Floats & Sundays
AND
Kava Kultcha
Directed by Leah Kihara

A Legacy

Heart Strings The Story of the Kamaka Ukulele

Red Hibiscus
Directed by Robert Pennybacker

Pidgin: The Voice of Hawai?i

He Hawai‘i Mau

Malama Haloa-Protecting the Taro

Summer brings about many things to enjoy: mangoes, vacation, sunshine, sand and surf. Presented by HawaiiHealthGuide.com and The Sanctuary of Mana Ke’a Gardens, on Saturday, July 31, the Hawaii Healing Garden Mango Festival is taking place on the Garden Lawn of the Keauhou Beach Resort. The event is free to the public and kicks off at 10:00 a.m.

This Mango Festival is showcasing a non-stop entertainment lineup on two separate stages as well as a mango grafting demonstration, presentations by special guest chef Hector Wong, a display of mango pickles, jams/ chutneys ripe for the picking and sampling.

Performers include: Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola dancers; the Kahikina Nahenahe ukulele group; Aunty Tutu’s Lindsey Ohana & Friends playing flute and harp; an eco-fashion show featuring apparel and accessories from Divine Goods; mango songs by Stuheart; and a special musical performance by Bolo Mikiela Rodrigues on his trademark “ukeitar.”

For more information on the Mango Festival, visit HawaiiHealthGuide.com.

Hawaii is known for beautiful beaches, surf-worthy coastlines, top rated resorts and spectacular hiking trails.

Founded in 1910, the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club was established for the sole purpose of exploring and enjoying Hawaii’s unique natural heritage and environment. In fact, there are over 80 different hiking trails on Oahu alone – and the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club hike a different path every weekend!

If you fancy yourself an adventure seeker and are looking for something “off the beaten path” (so to speak) you should join the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club on one of their hiking adventures!

Coming up this weekend (Saturday, July 24 at 8:00 a.m.) is an old-fashioned exploration of the various trails on Mt. Tantalus. The five-mile guided hike will take you through a mosaic of meandering paths throughout the mountain’s ramble.

Additional upcoming summer hikes for visitors and guests include:

• Wahiawa Hills (Sunday, August 1 at 7:30 a.m.)
• Lua’alaea (Saturday, August 7 at 8:00 a.m.)
• Kahana Valley (Sunday, August 15 at 7:30 a.m.)

For more information about the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, hiking schedules or to register for a hike, visit http://htmclub.org.

Happy trails!

Image Courtesy Destination360.c0m

Do you fancy yourself a fairly decent photographer? Are your family and friends constantly gushing over your fantastically framed vacation photos? Do you have a shot you took on your last Hawaiian vacation that you think is worth a million bucks?

Well, find that photo, my friends, and submit it to Hawaii Magazine as soon as possible for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip back to the great islands of Hawaii! What’s a million bucks compared to the vacation of a lifetime …?

Hawaii Magazine’s 12^th Annual Photo Contest is well underway – there’s only one month left to submit your brilliant Hawaiian photograph! All entries must be postmarked by August 6, 2010.

The grand prize-winning shot will earn its photographer airfare for two to the island of Kauai, plus a six-night stay at the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu. The grand prize winner will also receive an assortment of Kona coffee from Hula Daddy (a $250 value!).

… first and second place aren’t a bad place to end up, either. First place winners will receive $100 cash and gift baskets from Hawaii’s Gift Baskets and Hawaiian Body Products. Second place winners earn $75 cash, a $75 gift certificate from The Cookie Corner, a macadamia cooking oil sampler from Oils of Aloha and a honey gift set from Big Island Bees.

We happen to think that some of the areas surrounding our incredible Aqua Hotels and Resorts properties are about as picturesque as they come, so we’re placing our bets now that one of our guests just might be taking the winning photograph on his or her digital camera right about … now!

For complete contest rules and to download an entry form, visit http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/photo_contest.

Good luck!

Okay, we’ll be the first to admit that we love music in all forms, but our singing is probably best reserved for the privacy of a relaxing shower or the occasional car ride. The same cannot be said for the incredibly talented musicians and songwriters gearing up for the annual Kauai Music Festival kicking off on Wednesday, July 28.

The four-day festival celebrating the craft of songwriting is an event not to be missed. Participants can learn to write music and songs from some of the best in country as well as consult – one-on-one – with award-winning songwriters, GRAMMY-winning producers and other top musicians.

Have an amazing tune (or twelve) that you can’t wait to perform live? Participants can also share their music in small groups, or enter the songwriting competition and allow their music to be heard by the best of the best in the industry. The seeds of future show business success could be laid here!

Festival and concert attendance is limited, so book your spot now before it’s too late!

For schedules, a list of performers, details on contest entries and to sign up to participate in the festival, visit http://kauaimusicfestival.com.

… and don’t leave us out! We’d love to hear your amazing musical creations, as well. Send us links to your best work … you never know who might be listening!

Image Courtesy kauaifestivals.com

Looking for something fun, exciting and adventurous to do with your little ones this summer? Whether you lay claim to a family of perfect angels or wild beasts, nothing (and no one) will seem quite as untamed as the wildlife found roaming free in their habitats at the Honolulu Zoo. Whether you’re a fan of monkeys, elephants or giraffes, there’s something for everyone at the zoo!

And, to make your visit just a tad more unique, sign up for one of the Honolulu Zoo’s Twilight Tours!

Have you ever wondered how some of the Earth’s most stunning creatures behave after dark? Now is your chance! Held Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Twilight Tours promise an evening of education and adventure unseen during daylight hours.  Participants should meet at the zoo’s front gate at 5:15 p.m.

The two-hour tour provides answers to such family-friendly trivia questions as how white-headed gibbons are able to catch a bird in midair for a snack or how Rusti the orangutan can climb to the top of his exhibit in no time flat!

And if the animal lover in your family is visiting Honolulu this summer, don’t forget to let them know that the Park Shore Waikiki is located across the street from the Honolulu Zoo and features rates starting at just $89 per night through the fall!

Reservations are recommended (tours fill up fast!), so call (808) 971-7195 or e-mail education@honzoosoc.org to book your spot. Admission is $14, $10 for children ages 4 – 12; Honolulu Zoo members receive a $2 discount.

What is your favorite animal or exhibit at the zoo? What did you learn on your most recent Twilight Tour adventure? We’d love to know!

Image Courtesy HawaiiForVisitors.com

Calling all amateur photographers! Do you think you’ve got what it takes to take home the grand prize at this year’s Maui Photo Festival? If your answer is a resounding “yes” (and you’re a Maui County high school student) then you just might be capable of earning one of ten scholarships to this year’s festival and workshops.

The Maui Photo Festival & Workshops will be held August 25 – 29 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. The yearly festival celebrates digital photography through lectures, excursions and hands-on demonstration classes.

Admission to the festival is $495 ($395 educational rate), but burgeoning young photographers can earn their spot for free by submitting one image in up to three categories: lazy days of summer, up close and personal (macro photography) and dive right in (water pictures). Those seeking scholarships must also submit a 250-word essay on why they should be chosen (… and hurry! The deadline is August 1!).

Submissions from local residents will create the “Hawaii by Hawaii Photographers” multimedia show to be unveiled at an opening night reception on August 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Go for it! Send your digital entries to mauiphotocontest@gmail.com (hard-copy submissions should be sent to Maui Photo Festival, P.O. Box 185, Kahului 96733).

For more information, visit www.mauiphotofestival.com or call (808) 633-1339.

… and don’t forget to share your entries with us, too!

Image courtesy WomenInTech.com