I don’t know if you’ve heard, but its not enough that car rental companies charge you a late fee if you return your car more than an hour later than you say you will, but now it appears, some of them are charging a fee if you return your car earlier than you said you […]

As of today, United Airlines and Continental Airlines are ONE!  It will likely take till the end of next year before all components of their operation are unified, but their airplanes should start to show off their new “United/Continental Globe” look, soon.
Since United and Continental represent a significant percentage of passenger seats from the mainland […]

World Class or Street Fare and Everything In-Between
It wasn’t that long ago that Hawaii was considered a waste land when it came to “good eats”, but that has changed and even the fussiest of connoisseurs will find dishes that will satisfy their pallets.  As for me, I personally am drawn to the more everyday dishes […]

What do you think about the continuing controversy of this Waikiki landmark? It appears that the International Marketplace’s days are numbered, as the Queen Emma Foundation (owner’s of the property) continue to review proposals from multiple land developers.
 
Do you think Waikiki really needs another “upscale” shopping mall?  Admittedly, the International Marketplace has grown long in […]

the GoSelect Card!   This discount program is brought to you by Smart Destinations, the same people who offer the Oahu GoCard.   Here’s how it works.   First, pick one of two pre-built packages:

the Popular Hawaii Three Pack (incl. Germaine’s Luau, Grand Circle Island Tour, and Pearl Harbor/Honolulu City Tour)  with a savings of 32% over […]

I don’t know if you’re aware or not, but regular unleaded gas has reached the $4.00/gallon mark in the Kailua-Kona area and Kahului, Maui!  Not that its a bargain in Honolulu @$3.45/gal. or Hilo @$3.65/gal., but its just a psychological barrier when it hits $4.00.
Of course, even on the mainland, gas prices have pushed pass […]

First planting of Cacao beans in 1850
Chocolate from Hawaii began with the introduction of cacao beans to Hawaii happened in 1850, when German physician William Hillebrand brought the first plant to Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu.   The first commercial crop of cacao beans was planted in Hilo in the early 1890’s.  World War I brought […]

Hilo…lots of rain also means waterfalls
As promised in an earlier post, this post will discuss the Big Island town of Hilo, which retains the look and feel of downtown from 100 years ago, including many of the original buildings.
Hilo is known for being rainy all the time…it does get over 70″ of rain annually, which […]