Hawaii Vacation Connection

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

Driving, let alone parking in Waikiki has been known to be a nightmare, whether you're traveling into town for the night or spending your vacation here. The crowds spill onto the streets, making any driver's awareness (and stress levels) heighten, and if you're not willing to pay for a parking lot or valet fees then you have slim chances of finding a spot. There are ways to beat this chaos however, and since we're experienced with the art of Waikiki parking, we'd like to share our insight with you. First off, if you're staying in Waikiki, then it's probably not necessary to drive to your dinner destination a few blocks away. Trust us, you're better off just leaving the car at the hotel parking lot and walking. Waikiki is a lively strip of sidewalk, and it will give you a chance to check things out at a slower pace, not to mention be entertained by the street performers. If you're traveling into the city for the day or evening, then your parking situation will be a little tougher. I like to approach it in three different ways. #1- Weave the side streets. You might just get lucky with a metered parking space down one of Waikiki's many side streets. These spaces tend to have a quick turn around, but you need to time and patience to wait this one out. If you're in a hurry or trying to make dinner reservations, we don't really recommend this approach. Unless you just want to do a quick scout for open spaces to try your luck. Also, the long road along the Ala Wai canal offers free parking, and a lot of it. You just have to be okay with walking about 6 or so blocks to get to the waterfront areas. Remember though, weaving through Waikiki in a vehicle can be stressful and frustrating, so if you're not familiar with the area, or aren't having any luck finding a parking spot, then we recommend this next approach. #2- Find a lot. Parking lot pricing in Waikiki depends on the time of day and duration of your stay. Waikiki parking garages range in price from $2/hour to $15/hour, so you want to make sure you cruise the area first to compare lots. The paid parking lot at the end of Hobron Lane (where you'll find Red Lobster, The Modern Honolulu, and the boat harbor) is a great place to park if you are up for a decent walk, or if your day takes you into the Hilton Hawaiian Village. You pay by the hour at an automated machine, and you can take the beach route to your destination if you follow the parking lot to the ocean. The Honolulu Zoo parking lot is also an easy one to find and located in a good spot. Close to the water and at the east end of Kalakaua, you'll be able to walk Waikiki's strip from start to finish from here, plus the hourly rate is pretty cheap. Also, the parking lot beneath The Top of Waikiki building and restaurant at Kalakaua and Seaside Ave has a flat fee of $5 during the evening. This is a great price, and the lot is very centrally located. Just make sure you're out of the garage by midnight, otherwise your car will be locked inside! #3-Valet parking with validation. Probably the priciest but most convenient way to park, valet is a great option, if you can get around the sky-high prices. A good way to do this is by finding out which valet lots accept validation from nearby businesses. If you spend any amount of money at a nearby ABC store, valet parking ticket prices will drop significantly. What I always like to recommend to a couple or family who is looking for a nice evening in Waikiki is to valet park the car at the Embassy Suites on Beachwalk Dr. and enjoy a cocktail at Roy's outdoor bar. Any amount spent at Roy's will drop your valet parking fee down by nearly $10, and if you're planning on having a drink anyways, you might as well kill two birds with one stone. Another way around pricy parking while vacationing in Hawaii is to book a condo. Often times condominiums offer guests free parking, and spaces are always plentiful.

Driving, let alone parking in Waikiki has been known to be a nightmare, whether you're traveling into town for the night or spending your vacation here. The crowds spill onto the streets, making any driver's awareness (and stress levels) heighten, and if you're not willing to pay for a parking lot or valet fees then you have slim chances of finding a spot. There are ways to beat this chaos however, and since we're experienced with the art of Waikiki parking, we'd like to share our insight with you. First off, if you're staying in Waikiki, then it's probably not necessary to drive to your dinner destination a few blocks away. Trust us, you're better off just leaving the car at the hotel parking lot and walking. Waikiki is a lively strip of sidewalk, and it will give you a chance to check things out at a slower pace, not to mention be entertained by the street performers. If you're traveling into the city for the day or evening, then your parking situation will be a little tougher. I like to approach it in three different ways. #1- Weave the side streets. You might just get lucky with a metered parking space down one of Waikiki's many side streets. These spaces tend to have a quick turn around, but you need to time and patience to wait this one out. If you're in a hurry or trying to make dinner reservations, we don't really recommend this approach. Unless you just want to do a quick scout for open spaces to try your luck. Also, the long road along the Ala Wai canal offers free parking, and a lot of it. You just have to be okay with walking about 6 or so blocks to get to the waterfront areas. Remember though, weaving through Waikiki in a vehicle can be stressful and frustrating, so if you're not familiar with the area, or aren't having any luck finding a parking spot, then we recommend this next approach. #2- Find a lot. Parking lot pricing in Waikiki depends on the time of day and duration of your stay. Waikiki parking garages range in price from $2/hour to $15/hour, so you want to make sure you cruise the area first to compare lots. The paid parking lot at the end of Hobron Lane (where you'll find Red Lobster, The Modern Honolulu, and the boat harbor) is a great place to park if you are up for a decent walk, or if your day takes you into the Hilton Hawaiian Village. You pay by the hour at an automated machine, and you can take the beach route to your destination if you follow the parking lot to the ocean. The Honolulu Zoo parking lot is also an easy one to find and located in a good spot. Close to the water and at the east end of Kalakaua, you'll be able to walk Waikiki's strip from start to finish from here, plus the hourly rate is pretty cheap. Also, the parking lot beneath The Top of Waikiki building and restaurant at Kalakaua and Seaside Ave has a flat fee of $5 during the evening. This is a great price, and the lot is very centrally located. Just make sure you're out of the garage by midnight, otherwise your car will be locked inside! #3-Valet parking with validation. Probably the priciest but most convenient way to park, valet is a great option, if you can get around the sky-high prices. A good way to do this is by finding out which valet lots accept validation from nearby businesses. If you spend any amount of money at a nearby ABC store, valet parking ticket prices will drop significantly. What I always like to recommend to a couple or family who is looking for a nice evening in Waikiki is to valet park the car at the Embassy Suites on Beachwalk Dr. and enjoy a cocktail at Roy's outdoor bar. Any amount spent at Roy's will drop your valet parking fee down by nearly $10, and if you're planning on having a drink anyways, you might as well kill two birds with one stone. Another way around pricy parking while vacationing in Hawaii is to book a condo. Often times condominiums offer guests free parking, and spaces are always plentiful. Almost all of the condos we book on outer islands offer free parking,

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

Now is just about the time when those who’ve booked their holidays in Hawaii begin to feel excited. Fall is in full swing and the winter chill is starting to creep over the mainland. People are beginning to really anticipate their vacation in Hawaii because it’s a reprieve from the cold weather back home and […]

Now is just about the time when those who’ve booked their holidays in Hawaii begin to feel excited. Fall is in full The post Coming to Hawaii for the Holidays appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

This past week, the state of Hawaii echoed with the troublesome sounds of tsunami sirens. On Sunday, October 28th, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Canada, causing a tsunami alert in Alaska and Hawaii. If you're a visitor to Hawaii during a time like this, the wailing sirens throughout every neighborhood might cause anxiety, especially if you don't know what the sounds mean. I think an important rule of thumb for travel is to know the potential threats of the area and be prepared should disaster strike. For example, Hawaii has a much higher likelihood of hurricanes and tsunamis than earthquakes or tornados, so it's good to do a bit of research on proper protocol when exploring an unfamiliar location. This leads into our first topic of the day, how hotels prepare for disasters and what to expect if there is an emergency during your Hawaii vacation. No one likes to plan for these types of things, but the sudden strike of last's week's tsunami warning is a good reminder that vacationing doesn't necessarily mean you're exempt from disaster. In case of tsunamis, hurricanes, power outages, and other serious events, thankfully we have the hotels to look to. They are prepared and trained in the event of most if not all emergencies, and actually plan to provide in times of national catastrophe. If you are vacationing in Hawaii and staying in a hotel, you are in good hands. The bigger hotels that have event space such as meeting halls and ballrooms will typically gather up all their roll-a-way beds and cots to create shelters not only for hotel guests, but for locals as well. Often times, hotels will also offer free services, such as food, water, and electricity if needed. While in less serious events, hotels may charge a nominal fee for water and sewage usage, in the case of a national disaster, hotels will often times rise to the occasion. Red Cross has been known to set up at hotels to help in medical emergencies too. If you are staying at an ocean front hotel during the event of a tsunami or tsunami warning, your hotel will alert you and prep you on what needs to happen. It is procedure to evacuate and head for higher grounds if the threat appears to be likely. However, tsunamis are usually anticipated well in advance, which gives guests enough time to gather their belongings and devise a plan. Hotel management and staff will always try to remain calm, and will most likely continue to operate business, unless of course there is complete devastation. Hotels are equipped with things like back-up computers, generators, batteries, chargers, first aid kits, candles, fire extinguishers, and emergency evacuation routes and plans. If you're ever in doubt about how to handle a disaster while staying in a hotel, you can almost always guarantee that management will be around to help with advice, shuttle services, emergency kits, and local knowledge on things like where the nearest hospital is or the safest driving route for evacuation. Hotel staff will also alert their guests in multiple ways, to ensure they are well aware of an emergency. Power outages are probably the most common type of inconveniency, but being prepared for this doesn't take much. Some water bottles, non-perishable foods, and other small supplies are good to have on hand, and can usually be found at the hotel front desk or at a nearby sundry store. Always remember, in the event of an emergency, panic usually makes matters worse. It's important to remain calm and clear headed, especially if you're rallying kids or groups of people. Keep in mind that hotels are usually one of the safest places to be, even in the event of a tsunami in Hawaii at your waterfront abode. The higher floors’ hallways act as shelters, not to mention most hotel staff are CPR and safety trained, and run yearly safely procedures on every room to make sure it is up to par. Expect the best but be prepared for the worst, a good rule to live by.

This past week, the state of Hawaii echoed with the troublesome sounds of tsunami sirens. On Sunday, October 28th, a 7.7 magnitude The post Tsunami Saturday in Hawaii, Things you may forget to bring on your Hawaii Vacation appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

Shout outs! Podcast listener and now customer John Washam Mahlao!! Twitter friend - Ali - Moon St. John - She's about to book her trip with us. WHOOT! Jason Christopherson podcast listener, - Enjoys the show, loves our prices! Facebook friend Tmothy L - Maui no kai oi &Shout out to Rissi at the Old Lahaina Luau Podcast listener Josh longtime listener, loves our show, Thanks Bruddah! Surf Lesson Tips Surf lessons are a popular activity to try while in Hawaii, but it's always interesting to get a wider opinion on a topic, which is why we branched out to Facebook. We asked our fans, “Did you get surfing lessons when you came to Hawaii or are you planning to try when you come here?” and we had some interesting reviews. Majority of the comments stated that they have not yet tried surfing (which surprised us), but that they planned on doing so next time they were here. One response mentioned sharks, and she figured that as long as sharks leave the land to her, she'd leave the ocean to them. While surfing may or may not be a priority for you while vacationing in Hawaii, here what we have to say about it. From a beginner's perspective, if you plan to take surf lessons in Hawaii, then it's a good idea to know the seasons of the waves. South and east facing shores catch summer swells (meaning bigger waves) whereas north and west facing shores catch the winter swells. Of course, the unpredictability of nature can change these conditions, but typically, you'll have bigger waves in these areas during those seasons. The north shore of Oahu is notorious for it's 7-mile miracle, a stretch of sand that offers up some of the best surf in the world. For beginners, the only place we recommend taking a surf lesson out here though is at Chun's reef. And maybe Turtle Bay. Otherwise, you're better off finding an easy wave in the protected wave areas of Waikiki. Surf lessons are also almost always more fun with a friend. Plan to bring your sister, brother, boyfriend, best friend, mom or dad with you for your lesson, or book a group surf lesson with the whole family. This will be an afternoon of entertainment, and it will be an adventure you will never forget. However, if you're trying to get serious about surfing, we recommend either a one-on-one lesson or a small group lesson. This way, the instructor has more time to spend with you and correct your stance, pop up, and balance. And just like they say with skiing, if you stick with the sport for 2-3 days consistently, you'll be skiing (or surfing) like a pro in no time! But seriously, it's pretty easy to stand up and ride a wave on the large foam boards that beginners learn on. And most surf lesson schools guarantee that you'll catch a wave, or your second lesson is free! Surfing is a sport that many people envy; it's free, athletic, outdoorsy, and within the ocean (does it get any better?) Which is why it's so popular to do in Hawaii. The water is warm, the sun is shining, and it's a great way to catch up on your tan! Plus get some decent ocean time in to keep you dreaming about it till next vacation. A tip for staying occupied while doing surf lessons in a large group: bring a snorkel and mask! That way, when the instructor is focused on another student, you can stay busy and enjoy the underwater world below your dangling feet. And for those who have shark phobias, remember this slice of assurance: you're more likely to be killed by a falling coconut than by a shark attack. So remember, don't stand under heavy coconut trees and take your chances out in the water! It'll be worth it every time.

Shout outs! Podcast listener and now customer John Washam Mahlao!! Twitter friend – Ali – Moon St. John – She’s about to The post Shout outs, Kid Friendly Snorkeling on the Big Island, Surfing Tips appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Direct from Honolulu Hawaii, this podcast focuses on Hawaii Vacations and Travel to Hawaii. Each 15 minute podcast segment is packed with valuable information on pricing, trends and Hawaii vacation itineraries submitted by podcast listeners. Topics range from booking Hawaii All inclusive packages to sailing Hawaii cruises covering just about anything having to do with Hawaii Travel

What's Included? Although Waikiki hotels and resorts often times cost an arm and a leg, they actually offer some reasonable rates for the amenities they provide. Especially when you can take advantage of things like room upgrades, one free night after staying for a minimum of three, or special packages on things like spa days and hotel cultural activities. One thing that people might not take enough advantage of is the pool. While many will scoff at this remark and say, “why would you swim in a pool when you have the ocean so readily available”, we still believe in getting some good R&R by lounging poolside. There's something about knowing that you can retreat back to the hotel pool area for a soak in the hot tub after a long surf session or an evening ocean dip. It adds to the relaxation of the day, not to mention gives you the feeling that you're getting more out of the vacation too. Carve out some time to relax at the pool and enjoy the luxuriousness the hotel provides for its guests. You'll receive envious eyes from the passerbys on the beach and really feel like you've got it made on your Hawaii vacation. Unfortunately, not many Waikiki hotels and resorts offer pool passes to non-guests. Some places like The Modern Honolulu offer access to their pool beds when you spend $250 on drinks or food at the pool bar. But the main resorts such as the Ilikai, Sheraton Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and The Royal Hawaiian do not offer any access to the pools, unless you are a registered guest. While it may be illegal for us to tell you that slipping in to the pool areas via the beach side access points is really quite easy, we'll also tell you that there are other ways to getting the most out of your hotel accommodations., even if you don't have a pool. If you're booking a hotel yourself, you can always try the kama'aina card. Kama'aina is Hawaii's word for local, and if you carry a Hawaii state ID or drivers license, you can usually get kama'aina rates on just about anything. We don't recommend taking advantage of this however, for example, don't order an extravagant meal at a fancy restaurant and then ask for kama'aina rates once the check arrives. But asking the hotel front desk if they honor the rates with a valid ID is a good way to cut back on hotel costs. Another good way to get more out of your hotel is to know what's included in your resort fees. A lot of times cultural activities are included in this, such as ukulele lessons, arts & crafts, property tours and more. You'll also want to become familiar with hotel amenities, such as continental breakfasts, free WiFi, complimentary bathrobes, yoga and workout classes, toothpaste, razors, DVD rentals, Hawaiian coffee, and sometimes even fresh fruit. We like to make sure our clients receive good treatment while staying in Hawaii, so we at Hawaii Aloha Travel even add in our own touches like flower lei greetings at the airport, picnic lunches, and personalized welcome baskets. Make sure you're satisfied with your hotel experience, because if you're spending money on staying in Waikiki, you want to make sure you're fulfilled. Always look into what your hotel offers and take advantage of those mysterious resort fees; you'll be glad you did! And you might even be surprised at what's included.

What’s Included? Although Waikiki hotels and resorts often times cost an arm and a leg, they actually offer some reasonable rates for The post Getting the most out of your Hawaiian Hotel Stay appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.