Hawaii History

The earliest known inhabitants of the islands migrated from the Marquises and Tahiti. These Polynesians brought their religion with them and their daily lives were heavily influenced by their worship. The remnants of stone temples, or Heiau, can still be found throughout the islands. Human sacrifices were common.

Two Ki'i Guard the Place of Refuge on the Big Island

The society was highly class conscious in that each person's role in life was determined by what class they were born into. Each island was ruled by a chief, or alii nui, and war among rival chiefs was common. The population was divided into nobles, priests, and commoners. The privileged class was given land by the chief. The commoners paid for the protection of the chief by giving him some of their crops or daily catch. There was a strict kapu or taboo system of rules and restrictions for various segments of society. Priests and rulers determined correct behavior for the people and breaking kapu resulted in death. The only possibility of escape was to flee to a pu'uhonua, or place of refuge. If the Kahuna pule (priest) there performed a ceremony of absolution, the offender could return home safely. While harsh by modern standards, the kapu system kept order.

On January 20, 1778 Captain James Cook landed two ships at Waimea on Kauai and spent two weeks exploring Kauai and Niihau. A year later Cook returned to explore the Big Island and was killed during a skirmish.

Kamehameha I established himself as monarch over all the islands in the late 1700's and ruled until his death in 1819. In 1819 Kamehameha's son, Liholiho, abolished the kapu system of taboos.

The arrival of Westerners dramatically impacted Hawaii and its people. During the first half of the 19th century, foreign whaling ships wintered at Honolulu and Lahaina, bringing influences that impacted the indigenous culture. Foreigners, and especially missionaries, brought a new lifestyle, morality, and religion. Christianity changed both worship and culture. The first sustained sugar plantation was established in 1835 on Kauai. Growing sugar cane and pineapple changed land ownership and ethnic makeup as field workers were imported from China, Japan, and other countries. The Hawaiians, with no natural immunity to Western diseases, were decimated and became a minority.

Hawaiian culture and power gave way to Western ways and rule so much that in 1893 Sanford Dole took power in a bloodless revolution. The Republic of Hawaii was established on July 4, 1894 with Dole as president. Hawaii became a U.S. territory on July 6, 1898. Congress provided a territorial government in 1900, and Dole was the first governor.

Hawaii's economy and government were dominated by five companies. Directors of the companies were also in charge of most public commissions. Hawaii became the chief defense post in the Pacific for the U.S. On Dec. 7, 1941 World War II began for the U.S. when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

After many attempts Hawaii became the 50th of the United States on August 21, 1959. In the 1960's and 1970's the Hawaiian economy moved away from its past dependence on pineapple and sugar production and tourism became the islands' major industry. The most important industries in Hawaii today are tourism, defense, and agriculture.

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Hawaii Travel Tips

Hawaii travel tips are listed below that can help ensure your vacation is the best ever.

	Planning your trip
	Keep an eye out for specials in the travel section of newspapers and magazines.
	Shop around in newspapers and online in addition to checking with a travel agent. Call convention and visitors bureaus and visit their web sites for specials.
	Let firms know you are shopping around. Some hotels and rental car companies will match or beat the best deal offered by competitors.
	Ask for discounts of all types; auto club, frequent flier programs, senior citizens, AARP, etc.
	Join frequent use programs when they are free. When costs are the same select companies whose frequent use programs you already belong to. Not only can you qualify for free or reduced rates, but you often get coupons and discounts in their regular mailings. We belong to frequent use programs from airlines, hotels, rental car companies, and credit cards.
	Kitchenettes help save food expenses. Condo's do the same and also provide more room, especially for families.
	Save by purchasing certain items at discount stores before you leave, rather than paying "tourist" prices: film, phone cards, suntan lotion, etc.
	Confirm everything in advance yourself with airlines, hotels, car rentals, etc.
	The Flight Over
	In these days of cutbacks by airlines, if you're on an airline that charges for meals you might want to carry on your own food for the long flight. It may save you a little money and you can take what you want to eat instead of picking from a small selection on the plane.
	Setting for hours in a tight airline seat poses the risk of blood pooling in the legs causing blood clots. We avoid long periods of immobility which can cause the problem, by wandering around for a few minutes every hour or so.
	Packing
	Pack only about half what you think you will need. It's amazing how little you will need to wear on your trip to Hawaii.
	BUT, if simply can't bring yourself to pack light, check the airline's web site or call them for limits on the number of bags, their size, and their weight. Excess weight in a bag will often cost you $25 per bag, and extra bags can cost $75 or more depending on the airline.
	Short sleeved shirts, shorts, swim suites, sandals, thongs, and good walking shoes are a must. A pair of casual slacks will be useful for nice restaurants
	Identify each piece of luggage with a name tag both outside and inside the case
	Pack your identification, tickets, reservations, jewelry, cameras, essential medication, etc. in carry-on bags.
	Consider packing one change of clothing and toiletries in a carry on in case your luggage is "delayed" in arriving.
	Leave room to bring souvenirs home.
	When you arrive
	When you arrive, use coupons from street papers, magazines, etc. It's expected.
	Be aware that some activity booking agents advertise low prices but then tell you they are sold out and try to sell you more expensive activities.
	It's against the law to have an open container of alcohol in your car or in public places such as beaches and beach parks.
	Don't leave valuables in your rental car, on your beach towel, or laying in your hotel room. Use the hotel safety deposit boxes.
	Take a lot of photos for memories of your favorite sites and activities. They are especially important on cold winter nights back home.
	Safety
	Obey the speed limit and wear your seat belt.
	If drinking, always have a designated driver who isn't drinking.
	When stopping your car, pull completely off the road.
	Never enter the ocean alone to swim, snorkel, etc. Never leave children in the water alone.
	Check with lifeguards about water conditions and obey ocean warning signs.
	Use sunscreen to avoid intense UV radiation and a sunburn that can ruin your trip.
	Some sights may require hiking, but never hike alone.
	Care for the environment
	Never touch coral reefs. Coral takes years to grow and human touching kills it.
	When hiking stay on trails. It's safer and helps protect native plants.
	Pack out all trash when hiking. Leave the area as natural as you found it.

Please e-mail us if you have Hawaii travel tips you don't see listed above and we will include them.

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Kayak Fishing TV Show - Trailer

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Kayak Fishing Hawaii. Ono Landed

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Hawaii Kayak Fishing Sight Seeing Tour... WRONG!

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Hawaiian Words

The Hawaiian language is not in common use in Hawaii today, but many Hawaiian words are in everyday use. Almost everyone has heard the word aloha and there are several other commonly used Hawaiian words, such as Mahalo (thank you). It seems most places, streets, and roads have Hawaiian names.

Visitors are often intimidated by Hawaiian words. There are only 12 letters in the alphabet. There are five vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. There are seven consonants; H, K, L, M, N, P, and W. Most of us aren't used to seeing so many vowels used in words, often many in a row. Basically, you just pronounce all the vowels one by one. The accented syllable is in all cap's.

Aina (EYE-na) Land, earth
Akamai (ah-kaw-MY) clever, smart
Alii (ah-LEE-ee) Chief, chiefess, or royalty
Aloha (ah-LOW-ha) Hello, good-by, or an expression of affection
Haole (HOW-leh) A white person; Caucasian
Heiau (hay-EE-ow) Pre-Christian shrine or place of worship
Hula (WHO-lah) The dance of Hawaii
Imu (EE-moo) An underground oven you will see at a luau
Kahuna (kah-WHO-na) A priest, minister, or an expert at any profession
Kai (kigh) The sea
Kamaaina (Kah-ma-EYE-na) Native born
Kane (KAH-knee) A man or boy
Kapu (KAH-poo) Sacred, taboo, forbidden, no trespassing
Keiki (KAY-key) Child, offspring, or children
Kokua (koh-KOO-ah) Help or give assistance
Lanai (lah-NIGH) A porch, patio, or balcony
Lei (lay) A necklace of flowers, leaves, shells, feathers, etc.
Luau (LEW-ow) Literally means young taro tops, but used for a Hawaiian feast
Mahalo (mah-HAH-low) Thanks, gratitude
Makai (mah-kigh) Ocean, used to mean "toward the ocean"
Malihini (mah-lee-HEE-knee) A stranger, foreigner, tourist, etc.
Mauka (MOW-ka [rhymes with how-ka]) Toward the mountains
Mele (MAY-lay) song, chant, to sing
Ohana (oh-HAH-nah) Family or relative
Nui (NEW-ee) Big, large, great, or important
Ohana (oh-HAH-nah) Family
Ono (OH-no) Delicious or tasty, and also a large mackerel type of fish
Pali (PAH-lee) Cliff, a steep hill or slope
Paniolo (paw-knee-OH-low) Hawaiian cowboy
Pau (pow) Finished, ended, all done
Poi (poy, as in boy) A paste made from pounded taro root
Pupu (poo-poo) Snacks or appetizers
Wahine (wah-HEE-neh) Woman, lady
Wikiwiki (wee-kee-wee-kee) Fast or speedy

A Few Useful Phrases

A Hui Hou (Ah Hooee Ho) Until we meet again
Aloha ahiahi (Aloha ahee ahee) Good Evening
Aloha nui loa (Aloha new ee low a) Very much aloha (love)
Hana Hou (Hana Ho) Encore; repeat
Hau'oli la hanau (how-oh-lee la haw-now) Happy Birthday
Hau'oli la ho'omana'o (how-oh-lee la ho-oh-ma-na-oh) Happy Anniversary
Mea'ai Maika'i (meh-ah'ah-ee mai-kah'ee) Bon Appetit, good food

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Lodging Choices

Accommodations in Hawaii vary widely in price, but the three most important factors are location, location, and location. If you buy, lease, or rent a home, the location determines the price more than any other factor. The same is true when you stay at hotels, resorts, and condominiums in Hawaii. So, it's important that you decide how much you are willing to pay to stay on the beach compared to being one or two blocks from the beach. And this applies whether you are considering a hotel on Waikiki Beach, or a remote location in Princeville or on Molokai.

Luxurious Ritz Carlton at Kapalua, Maui

Realize also that what you get can be more important than what you save. Staying in a hotel two blocks from the beach may "save" 75% compared to staying on the beach. But some people would rather stay on the beach for a 25% discount off regular price and pay three times the price of the "bargain" hotel two blocks from the beach.

Normally the rooms in an establishment are similar in size and quality where ever they are located, but the expensive ones have the fabulous views. Be sure you are clear on what you are getting before committing to the extra cost. The following definitions can vary from one establishment to another. Establishments on or near the beach probably have rooms in more than one of these classifications.

Ocean Front Only establishments located right on the beach can have these rooms. However, we have seen hotels located across a busy street or highway classify rooms as ocean front because you can sit on your lanai and see the ocean with nothing blocking your view.
Ocean View Some establishments don't distinguish between ocean front and ocean view rooms which have a full view of the ocean. Typically ocean view rooms have a full view of the ocean, but the rooms are not on the beach. The establishment may be across the street from the beach or the rooms may be situated so that part of the ocean cannot be seen from the room.
Partial Ocean View It's very difficult to tell what you are going to get if a room has partial ocean view. It could be as good as an ocean view room or you may only be able to see a small sliver of ocean from your room. Really check into this one before paying very much for it.
Mountain View, City View, and Garden View These are the economy rooms. City view is used in Honolulu because there are so many tall buildings that you can't see the mountains. Mountain view is the same thing on the other islands which are less developed. Garden view rooms normally face an interior courtyard where your view is of the other side of the hotel, the pool, and the hotel's landscaping.

If you want to see the ocean from your room you are going to pay more for the room. Don't be surprised if it costs you up to $200 more per night than a city or mountain view room. If you plan to spend very little time in the room you can save a considerable amount by staying a 5-10 minute walk from the beach. It's easy to pay in excess of $300 a night if you stay at a resort on the beach. However, you can spend less than $100 a night if you stay a couple of blocks from the beach at a less well-known hotel. You can find some very good and inexpensive hotels where the only view is of the local city streets. Even if a hotel is on the beach, you will pay much more for an ocean front or ocean view room as opposed to a garden or mountain view. If you plan to spend a lot of time at the hotel, you may decide to pay the extra money for the view. We usually do not pay for ocean front rooms because we spend most of our time sightseeing, on the beach, or at the pool if it is beachside.

In addition to location the size of the room, brand recognition of the establishment, and amenities affect the price. We love ocean front and ocean view rooms but we often choose the lower priced rooms. If paying for an ocean front room would cause us to skip activities, souvenirs, etc. on the trip, we don't feel it's worth it and we get our ocean views from walks along the beach, restaurants at sunset, etc.

Hotels versus Condominiums It all depends on what you like. Some people can't stand the thought of buying a few groceries and fixing a meal while on vacation. Others can't stand the thought of eating three meals a day at restaurants for a week. Some people totally relax in a nice hotel room with a king sized bed, table, TV, and bathroom while others would feel "cooped up" and prefer a condominium with a full size living room, bedroom, and small kitchen for light meals. We are flexible and like both so you will find both hotels and condominiums covered on this site.

Browse our lodging listings for each island to see the price range provided by the establishment (just click on the buttons for each island at the upper right side of this page). However, be aware that all room rates in Hawaii have various taxes of almost 12% added to them. Rarely do the prices quoted include the tax.

We regularly save money on hotels in several ways.
Entertainment Publications These books are often sold by charitable and non-profit groups as fund raising activities. Discounts of up to 50% are given by the establishments listed. In addition, participating restaurants and fast-food places are listed where you can buy one meal and get a second of equal or lower cost free.
Quest International This is similar to the lodging portion of the Entertainment Book listed above but is limited to lodging only. There are some differences but many establishments are listed in both books.
Auto Club and AARP The discounts aren't as much but if the establishment you want to stay in isn't listed in one of the two books above, always ask for their discount for members of the Auto Club, AARP, frequent flier programs, or other organizations you belong to which may receive group discounts.

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Activities in Hawaii

Just about anything you ever dreamed of doing in the tropics is available in Hawaii. People return to Hawaii not just for the beautiful scenery, but also because of the many activities available while vacationing there.

There is a wide variety of visitor information and much of it is free. The activity industry in Hawaii is massive and much of the free information you will find is simply advertising paid for by the activity providers, even if it doesn't say "advertisement" anywhere on the brochure, magazine, web page, etc. There are many reputable providers, but there are also some that are primarily interested in making a profit by "processing" as many visitors a day as possible. So, you should be skeptical when looking at advertisements or talking to activity desks or activity booths in hotels or on the street. Some often "recommend" only companies that give them the biggest commissions.

The types of activities are numerous and we won't go into detail on this page about them. This section of the web site is updated frequently as we try out more activities on each trip.

Biking varies from renting a bicycle to signing up with one of the companies on Maui that take you from the 10,000 foot level of Haleakala down to sea level.

Boating and sailing. Opportunities abound. There are glass bottom boat rides, sunrise, mid-day, and dinner cruises, sailing expeditions that include snorkeling or scuba diving, and more.

Camping is a low-cost alternative for those who love the outdoors. In a few locations there are also some cabins that you can rent for a limited number of days.

Fishing includes deep sea fishing as well as some fresh water fishing. We have heard that in Hawaii, the fish caught belong to the boat, which means the captain. If this bothers you, make arrangements with the captain before booking a trip.

Golf ranges from extremely expensive courses to low-cost public courses. The scenery can be beautiful, but the wind can be a disaster for the average player.

Helicopter rides are available on the four major islands. These rides are rather expensive, but the view is breathtaking. If you aren't afraid of flying, you simply cannot beat exploring the islands from a helicopter.

Hiking varies from very short 10 minute hikes off the road to see waterfalls, etc. to hikes that will take at least two days to complete. Here are some examples.

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Kauai: Kalalau Trail This 11 mile trail begins at the end of the road at Ke'e Beach on the North Shore. The round trip will require you to spend at least one night on the trail. But the first two miles of the trail is a moderate hike and will take the average person 3 - 4 hours for the round trip. Some of the trail is easy hiking but there are a number of rocky places and a few springs create muddy areas. If it is raining, or has rained recently, the trail will be muddy, slippery and the hike will take much longer and can be dangerous. There are a number of fantastic views of the Na Pali coastline along the hike and after two miles you arrive at Hanakapiai Beach. The Hanakapiai Stream feeds into the ocean here and you can take a refreshing dip (it's fairly cold water) in fresh water instead of salt water before starting the return trip.

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Oahu: Makapu'u Lighthouse This one and one-half mile hike on the Southeast part of the island is relatively easy because you hike over paved road. Leave Honolulu on H1 Eastbound which will soon turn into Kalanianaole Highway. Continue past Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach Park. A short distance later you will see the entrance to an old road blocked by a closed gate. The only parking here is along the highway. Be sure not to block the gate or your car may be towed away. About two-thirds of the way along the road you have expansive views of the coast line stretching back toward Hanauma Bay. At the end of the hike are viewing platforms where you have impressive views of the coast line toward Kailua Bay. The lighthouse can be seen below the point but is not accessible.

Horseback Riding in Waipi'o Valley, Big Island

Horseback riding is available on most islands. While you get a birds eye view from a helicopter you can see the countryside up-close from a horse. As with hiking, trips can vary from an hour or two to multiple day trips. If you are an experienced rider, you will probably want to schedule an open range ride. Otherwise, you may be better off with a "nose to tail" guided tour. Match your experience with the type of ride and you will enjoy the thrill of the never ending scenery.

Kayaking is one of our favorite activities in Hawaii and deserves individual treatment.

Scuba diving around the islands can be incredible. Although we are not certified, we still enjoy going on introductory dives that consist of a short introduction and then a 30 - 45 minute off-shore dive.

Snorkeling is one of our favorite activities in the islands. Done properly, people of all ages can enjoy the rainbow colors of abundant fish and coral almost effortlessly. Here are a few points to help you.
• Be sure your mask fits properly: The portion of the mask that fits against your face should make a water tight seal or you risk water leaks and fogging. Try the mask on by placing it against your face and letting go without breathing. If it sticks to your face, it should be tight when the water presses it against your face. Ensure none of your hair is partly under the mask and partly out or it will certainly leak.
• Use mask defog: You can find solutions at dive shops that prevent condensation in your mask. If you rent snorkel equipment, or it's supplied on a snorkel trip, they will supply defog solution. We have our own snorkel equipment and have found that two to three parts of water mixed with one part baby shampoo is inexpensive and works as well as any defog we've purchased
• Avoid taking your mask off and on during snorkeling: Once you put your mask on, leave it on. Even defog solution will not prevent condensation if you keep removing and replacing your mask.
• Snorkel around coral or lava rock, not a sandy bottom: You will consistently find the fish around the reef or rocks.
• DO NOT STAND ON OR HANDLE THE CORAL: Coral is a marine animal just like fish and broken coral takes years to grow back. We find coral almost as fascinating to view as the brilliantly colored fish and if the coral is destroyed the fish will go elsewhere.
• Exercise beach safety: Check with the life guard or someone who just came out of the water about conditions. Never turn your back on the ocean. Know what is happening so you will be ready to react properly. Never snorkel alone.

The Hawaii Beaches web page has links to the beaches on each island for locations to snorkel.

Surfing is almost synonymous with Hawaii. Hawaiians invented it and the North Shore of Oahu is famous for tremendous winter waves at Sunset Beach, the Banzai Pipeline, etc. However, for the beginner there are many places on the leeward side of the islands that offer one to three foot waves.

Swimming The islands are surrounded by beaches and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. You can find a perfect spot for either challenging surf, or just paddling around in a calm lagoon. Many swimming locations are identified on the corresponding beaches page for each Island.

Tennis There are hundreds of courts on the islands. Some are public and many are private. Many hotels and almost all resorts have tennis courts for the use of guests.

Windsurfing is attaching a sail to a surfboard and sailing the boards at rapid speeds for some distance off the coast. You can take lessons and learn to windsurf in a relatively short time. If you want to see the professionals though, check out Ho'okipa on Maui.

Whale watching is a favorite activity from December through March or April. Tours generally last about two hours. There are fines for getting closer than 100 yards to the humpbacks but you still get a great view from that distance. When we took the Trilogy tour from Kaanapali Beach on Maui, we motored out to an area where whales had been seen and turned off the engine. During the next 60 - 90 minutes, the curiosity of the humpbacks seemed to draw them to the boat. Probably a dozen whales swam around and under the boat many times and a few breached fairly close to the boat.

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Hawaii Restaurants

Restaurant reviews are difficult because people's preferences and expectations vary considerably. In addition, our visit to a restaurant may be on the day their best chef is working and we may be served by their best waiter or waitress. The day you visit the restaurant may be when the chef called in sick and the waiter or waitress had a fight with their spouse, has had primarily rude customers, and hasn't been given a promised raise by the boss. We will not try to provide a large list of restaurants because as a visitor to the islands, we do not get to eat at any one restaurant frequently. However, we will list on this page some of the restaurants we have tried and enjoyed.

Restaurants in the islands offer an appetizing variety of local foods and ethnic cuisine. The fancier restaurants that cater to tourists are expensive, especially on the neighbor islands. However, several national restaurant chains like IHOP, Sizzler, Tony Roma, and Denny's offer meals in the $10 to $15 range.

Sunset from Jameson's in Haleiwa, Oahu

In addition you will find the same golden arches and red-roofed pizza places found on the mainland abound on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai. Lanai and Molokai remain franchise free. Prices will probably be a little higher than on the mainland because of the cost of shipping to Hawaii.

If you like picnics, you will find places that will pack a picnic lunch for you. There are many parks and beaches where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch and the beautiful scenery at the same time. You may have plenty of company on weekends because resident families love to get together at parks when they are off work.

The code in parentheses following the restaurant name is
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, and D=Dinner)

Oahu Restaurants

Waikiki Area

Davey Jones Ribs (D) Seafood, pizza, and other entrees with a salad bar. We found it isn't an elegant restaurant, but you get good value for your money. Dinner entrees range from $10 to $15. Located in on the 2nd floor next to a hotel lobby. 250 Lewers Street. Reservations: 923-7427

Wailana Coffee House (BLD) Diner style restaurant with local and mainland items on the menu. This is a good restaurant for families. Dinner prices from $7 to $15. 1860 Ala Moana Blvd. Telephone: 669-5653

Perry's Smorgy (BLD) All you can eat buffet containing a few local specialties. 2380 Kuhio Avenue. Breakfast - $5, Lunch - $6, Dinner - $9, Sunday brunch - $9. Telephone: 922-8814

Ocenarium (LD) A three-story, 280,000 gallon sea-water aquarium along one wall makes this restaurant unique. A diver feeds the fish periodically which is a real hit with kids. The meals are very good and we've heard the Sunday brunch is excellent with a wide variety of selections. Pacific Beach Hotel, 2490 Kalakaua Avenue. Dinner entrees range from $13 to $30. Reservations: 921-6111

The Hanohano Room (BD) Take a glass elevator 30 stories above Waikiki giving a panoramic view of the city and Koolau mountains. This is our favorite restaurant, especially to celebrate a special occasion. We have always found the service impeccable and the food excellent. Dinner entrees range from $20 to $45 per person. Reservations: 922-4422

Sarento's Top of the I (D) A great place to enjoy a sunset meal if you can get a window table, and there are many of them. An elegant restaurant with good service and Italian food. Nice dress is recommended. Dinner entrees range from $20 to $40. Located in the Ilikai Hotel, 1777 Ala Moana. Reservations: 955-5559

Benihana (LD) Very good "Americanized" Japanese food prepared at your table. If you haven't eaten at a Benihana's before, you are seated at a table for eight with other diners. Located at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Dinner entrees range from $15 to $25. 2005 Kalia Road. Reservations: 955-5955

Kobe Japanese Steak House (D) Similar in menu and decor to the Benihana chain, this too is a good choice if you like the "cook it at your table" hibachi style restaurants. A difference is that Kobe's is normally featured in the Entertainment book with a "buy one, get one free" coupon. 1841 Ala Moana Blvd. Reservations: 941-4444

Tanaka of Tokyo (BLD) Hibachi style restaurant similar to Benihana and Kobe's with three locations in Waikiki. Open for traditional Japanese breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. Dinner entrees range from $13 to $25.
King's Village Reservations: 922-4233
Waikiki Shopping Plaza Reservations: 922-4702
Ilikai Hotel Reservations: 945-2443

Honolulu

Hard Rock Cafe (LD) World famous chain of 50's diners with music from the 50's and Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia lining the walls. Great burgers and much more. As with other Hard Rock Cafes, you will pay a little more for the food, but it's a fun atmosphere. 1837 Kapiolani Blvd. Lunch and dinner range from $8 to $20. Reservations: 955-7383

Big Island Steakhouse (LD) Casual oceanfront dining featuring steak and seafood. Located at the Aloha Tower marketplace. Dinner entree prices range from $20 to $50. Reservations: 537-4446

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (LD) A brewpub with an open air dining room and good food. Located oceanfront at the Aloha Tower marketplace. Dinner entree prices range from $20 to $50. Reservations: 599-4877

Haleiwa Area

Jameson's by the Sea (BLD) Specializing in seafood, this restaurant offers great sunset views on the north shore. Dinner entrees range from $13 to $25. Reservations: 637-4336

Windward Oahu

Crouching Lion Inn (LD) Seafood, steak, and local favorites served in an open air setting. You have an ocean view across Kamehameha Highway. Located at 51-666 Kamehameha Highway between Kaneohe and the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie. Reservations: 237-8511

Palm Terrace (BLD) Casual atmosphere for meals at the Turtle Bay Resort. Buffet available as well as a full menu.

Maui Restaurants

Kahana/Napili Area

Jameson's Grill & Bar (BLD) Located at the Bay Golf Course in Kapalua. Some tables have excellent views of the golf course. A few tables provide distant views of the ocean giving sunset views toward the island of Lanai. We've eaten lunch here several times and the food and service have always been good. Our only occasion to eat dinner at Jameson's was also a pleasant experience. Lunch prices range from $10 to $15 and dinner entrees range from $20 to $40. Reservations: 669-5653

The Bay Club (LD) This upscale seafood restaurant sits above Kapalua Bay on a black lava peninsula across from the Kapalua Bay Hotel. There are unsurpassed ocean views of Molokai and Lanai and the sunset view from the restaurant cannot be beat. Fresh seasonal ingredients are emphasized and the Bay Club is considered a bastion of fine-dining by the rich and famous who frequent the Kapalua Resort. Dinner entrees range from $30 to $50. Resort wear is required. Reservations: 669-8008

Sea House Restaurant (LD) Window tables here overlook Napili Bay and have great sunset views. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Parking is limited and will require you to walk through the resort. 5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road at Napili Kai Beach Resort and located right next to the beach at Napili Bay. Dinner entrees range from $20 to $40. Reservations: 669-1500

Roy's Kahana Bar and Grill (D) 4405 Honoapiilani Highway in Kahana. Rated best overall restaurant on Maui in 1999 by readers of the Maui News. Average cost is $30-$40 per person. Reservations: 669-6999

Lahaina Area

Hecocks (BLD) Located at 505 Front Street which is at the south end of Lahaina. The food at Hecocks is good and moderately priced. Check the tourist magazines and handbills distributed on street corners because they often have coupons to buy one entree and get one free, or 50% off the second entree. Window tables give you a view across the harbor toward Lanai and Molokai. Lunch runs from $6 to $10 and dinner ranges from $15 to $25. Reservations: 661-8810

Canoe House in Lahaina Located in a Polynesian longhouse style architecture building, this landmark was the Lahaina Chart House from 1972 until 2000. Wooden canoes hang high in the ceiling of this open air restaurant. The restaurant is located across the street from the beach so the view of the ocean from most tables is somewhat limited by trees, but from the lanai outside the bar you have an excellent view of sundown over the ocean. Dinner entrees range from $16 to $35. 1450 Front Street, Lahaina. Reservations: 661-0937

Kobe Japanese Steak House (D) Similar in menu and decor to the Benihana chain, this too is a good choice if you like the "cook it at your table" hibachi style restaurants. A difference is that Kobe's is normally featured in the Entertainment book with a "buy one, get one free" coupon. 136 Dickenson Street, Lahaina. Reservations: 667-5555

Hard Rock Cafe (LD) What can we say? If you like Hard Rock Cafes, where better to visit one than on Front Street in Lahaina. If you have never visited one and think you would like a 50's diner experience with music from the 50's and Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia lining the walls, try this one for burgers and much more. Lunch and dinner range from $8 to $15. Reservations: 667-7400

Kimo's (LD) Located on Front Street directly on the water. They serve good hamburgers but there is also steak and seafood for dinner. Lunch runs $7 to $15 and dinner ranges from $20 to $30. Reservations: 661-4811

Cheeseburger in Paradise (BLD) With a name like this and great ocean views from a location right on the water, you will want to try this place. The food is good and lunch or dinner will cost from $7 to $15. 811 Front Street in Lahaina. Telephone: 661-4855

Old Lahaina Luau. (D) We don't have a section just for luau's, so we will include one here. In 1999, this often honored business was rated as the best luau by readers of the Maui News. Located oceanfront at 1251 Front Street across from the Lahaina Cannery Mall. The dinner buffet features traditional Hawaiian food and a program presenting the culture and history of the Hawaii in song and dance. Price is $70 for adults and $40 for kids 2-12. You can often get discounts from activity providers or contact them directly for reservations: 667-1998 or 1-800-248-5828.

Ma'alaea Area

Ma'alaea Waterfront (D) Rated as having the best service in 1999 by readers of the Maui News. It was ranked as the eighth best restaurant in all of Hawaii and the second best on Maui by the Zagat Survey 2000. Offers nine different methods of preparing fresh fish including Cajun spice and Southwestern flair. It also received honorable mention in the best seafood category in the Maui News survey. Restaurant parking is limited so you may have to park on the street and walk to the restaurant. Dinner entree prices range from $20 to $50. Reservations: 244-9028 www.waterfrontrestaurant.net

Buzz's Wharf (LD) This restaurant is visible as you drive by on Highway 30 heading toward Lahaina. It's usually fairly busy because of all the excursion boats based at Ma'alaea Harbor. You have a good view of the boats coming in and out of the harbor. Dinner entrees range from $20 to $40. Reservations: 244-5426

Kihei & Wailea Area

Jacque's on The Beach (D) Rated as best value restaurant in 1999 by readers of the Maui News. Reasonable prices with very good ocean views looking toward west Maui at the Kihei location. You will appreciate the good service and generous servings. Dinner entrees range from $13 to $30. Reservations: 875-7791

Hula Moons (BLD) Located in the Outrigger Wailea Resort. If you ate here several years ago, things changed with Outrigger's renovation of the Resort. Instead of being at the pool the restaurant is now one floor above and you enter on the lobby level. You can eat in an open air setting with panoramic views of the Wailea coast. Dinner entrees range from $17 to $28. Reservations: 879-1922

Paia Area

Mama's Fish House (LD) Continue past Paia on Highway 36 to find this beachfront restaurant. This is one of our favorites for seafood, but it is expensive so we don't go there on every trip to Maui. It was rated as having the best seafood in 1999 by readers of the Maui News. It was also rated by the Zagat Survey 2000 as the Maui's most popular restaurant. Dinner entrees range from $30 to $50. Reservations: 579-8488

Jacque's Bistro Paia (D) Rated as best value restaurant in 1999 by readers of the Maui News. You will appreciate the good service and generous servings. Dinner entrees range from $12 to $25. Reservations: 579-6255

Kula Area

Kula Lodge (BLD) This is one of our favorite places for breakfast on our way down after watching sunrise from Haleakala. It can be rather crowded for breakfast as bicyclists stop on their way down from sunrise at Haleakala crater. Their Belgian waffles are very good. Views from many tables are spectacular and show you both east and west Maui. We haven't been there for dinner, but the sunset views must be unbelievable. Dinner entrees range from $20 to $35. Reservations: 878-2517

Kauai Restaurants

South Shore Area

Beach House Restaurant (D) Steak and seafood with great ocean views. We haven't eaten here, but the location is exceptional and we've heard from others who recommend it. Dinner entrees range from $25 to $40. Located in on the 2nd floor next to a hotel lobby. Lawai Road in Poipu on the way to the Spouting Horn. Reservations: 742-1424

Brennecke's (LD) A landmark on the south shore that has a great view overlooking Poipu Beach Park. The steak and seafood have always been very good when we've eaten here. Located across from Poipu Beach Park. Dinner entrees range from $12 to $35. Telephone: 742-7588

East Shore Area

A Pacific Cafe (D) A varied menu with excellent food and great service. Located at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Dinner entrees range from $25 to $50. Located in Kauai Village Shopping Center (no view from the restaurant) in Kapa'a (look for a Safeway store). It is normally very busy so reservations are suggested: 822-0013

Kintaro Restaurant (D) A large teppan yaki section of the restaurant for those who like the food prepared by a chef at their tables. The restaurant has a very good sushi bar. Service was excellent when we were there. Dinner entrees range from $15 to $30. Located just north of the Kinipopo Shopping Center. Reservations: 822-3341

Bull Shed (D) A popular restaurant with locals and tourists. We have eaten here several times and the food has always been good. Steak and seafood, but when we've been there, their fresh fish of the day was limited to only one selection. Ocean front window seats are so close to the water that waves can splash against the glass. Located in Kapa'a across from Kauai Village. Dinner entrees range from $15 to $25. Reservations: 822-3791

Duke's Canoe Club (D) We haven't eaten here but friends have several times and feel the steak and seafood are very good. Located at the Marriott in Lihue. Dinner entree prices range from $15 to $28. Reservations: 246-9599

Gaylord's (LD) The menu here is varied and the food is very good. Located in a historic 1935 sugar plantation owners mansion in Kilohana, south of Lihue. Dinner entree prices range from $20 to $38. Reservations: 245-9593

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Rental Cars in Hawaii

A rental car gives you the ability to sightsee when and how you want. Except on Oahu, where Honolulu is located, you will be very restricted if you don't rent a car. Alternatives abound in Honolulu because many competing tour operators offer packages for you to see almost every sight and activity on the island. But, even on Oahu many people prefer to rent a car rather than be bound to the fixed schedules of package tours.

Rental cars are relatively inexpensive in Hawaii although they are more expensive on Molokai and Lanai. It is almost always less expensive to rent at the airport than at your hotel. Watch your local newspaper for advertised specials before leaving home and ask for that specific rate or you will normally be quoted the standard rate. If you don't see a good advertised rate, always ask for discounts for organizations to which you belong such as belonging to the auto club, AARP, and frequent flier programs. Of course you should always check internet sites such as our link below, Travelocity, or Expedia to compare rates. Also pay attention to mailings you receive from various organizations because you can often find free upgrade certificates that will give you a larger car at no extra charge.

In addition to the rate you are quoted, you will be charged additional state required fees and taxes that quickly add up. There is the standard 4.166% sales tax, a vehicle surcharge of $3.00 a day, a concession fee that seems to vary by airport but is 8-10%, and a couple of other small fees/taxes. On a recent trip to Oahu, the taxes and fees added 28% to the cost of the rental and on the Big Island it added 32%.

Optional insurance charges must also be considered. If you have auto insurance at home, you may be covered for rental cars so be sure to check with your insurance company before leaving and you may be able to save more than ten dollars a day. Be sure to take your auto insurance identification card with you. Some credit cards pay the deductible not covered by your own automobile insurance so check on this too and use the right card when paying for the rental.

An added cost of car rentals in Hawaii is parking fees charged by resorts and hotels. In Honolulu, even if you self-park, you will be charged a fee of $10 to $20 per night, and valet parking is higher. Even on the neighbor islands, parking fees are becoming common with self-parking fees ranging from $5 to $10 per night.

Although most of the islands are small enough that you will not put a lot of miles on the car, be sure to check that your rental includes unlimited mileage.

The rental car companies provide drive guides that contain excellent maps so there is little need to take maps on the trip, unless during planning you have marked sites on a map you want to be sure to see. You can also pick up copies of This Week magazine on all the major islands which have good maps and suggested things to see (just remember that much of the contents is paid for by advertisers). A AAA office and service are only available on Oahu but your AAA office at home can provide maps and a tour book.

Contact information for the major rental companies that operate in Hawaii is listed below for those who want to contact a specific firm. To research and compare rates for all rental companies and make reservations click here.

Company	Phone Number	Web Address
Alamo	(800) 462-5266	www.alamo.com
Avis	(800) 230-4898	www.avis.com
Budget	(800) 527-0700	www.budget.com
Dollar	(800) 800-3665	www.dollar.com
Enterprise	(800) 566-9249	www.enterprise.com
Hertz	(800) 654-3131	www.hertz.com
National	(800) 227-7368	www.nationalcar.com
Thrifty	(800) 847-4389	www.thrifty.com

Note that on Molokai and Lanai, rental car companies are limited so it is strongly recommended that you make reservations ahead of time.
Molokai choices:

Dollar Rent A Car	(808) 567-6156
Budget Rent A Car	(808) 567-6877
Island Kine Auto Rental	(808) 553-5242

Lanai choice:

Dollar Rent A Car

(800) 533-7808

The number above connects you directly with Dollar Rent A Car's Lanai office which we feel is better than reserving through the companies general 800 number. We certainly recommend it if you want to reserve a 4-wheel drive vehicle which is needed to see many of the sights on Lanai. We warn you, however, that daily rental of a 4-wheel drive jeep will cost more than $125 a day.

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Package Tours

Packages that combine airfare, lodging, rental cars/airport transfers, and sightseeing in any combination are often less expensive than buying each component separately. We have seen packages that include airfare, rental car, and lodging for less than the least expensive advertised airfare alone. When airfares from the west coast to Honolulu were priced at $335 we have seen packages where airfare, hotel, and transfer from airport to hotel were priced at $399 for a five night stay in Honolulu. Granted the hotel wasn't beachfront, but it was a nice, clean hotel only a couple of blocks from Waikiki beach. This occurs because the package operators buy tickets, room reservations, and rental cars in bulk at steep discounts. It's the same principle that allows stores like Costco to buy large quantities for a very low unit cost and resell them at a profit with prices lower than stores which deal in lower quantities.

Many people like the convenience of one-stop shopping by buying a tour package rather than the hassle of putting it all together themselves. Packages vary widely in cost and selection of hotels, airlines, cars, etc. It pays to shop around for a package because some operators offer the same hotels, cars, and extras for a lower price than their competitors. However, the old saying is still generally true that "you get what you pay for" so don't expect the lowest cost package to offer you a luxury car and lodging in a five star hotel.

Small operators often offer good prices but on a limited number of packages and options. The bigger operators that specialize in Hawaii can buy in bigger quantities which can mean lower prices for you and more choices of airlines, hotels, etc. The large operators offer so many options you should have a general idea of what you want before checking with them or you may have to sort through dozens of alternatives.

Know what is included in a package and take nothing for granted. Insist that everything important is in writing. When booking any package, be sure you understand all the rules, such as cancellation policy, change policy, and exactly what is included. Compare packages to help you know exactly what is included in the price you are quoted. Don't assume the airfare is included even if you are buying a package from an airline. Be wary of firms that haven't been in business long or that seem to be offering packages that are too good to be true, because they probably are. A good travel agent can usually give you information about various packagers and reports of customer satisfaction.

Check the travel section in any major newspaper for advertisements of tour packages. Below we list a few firms to consider.

Pleasant Holidays Probably the oldest and by far the biggest packager of vacations to Hawaii. Their range of options gives a lot of flexibility with many hotels and resorts and several airlines to choose from. Not only can they provide a wide range of packages, they can arrange personalized vacations from air-only to good deals on air, car, and lodging. They can also finance your vacation for you if you like. Remember to shop around. A friend booked a Pleasant Holidays' package through a travel agent for less than she could get it directly through Pleasant Holidays.

American Express Travel They have packages of their own and can also book a Pleasant Holidays package for you.

The Airlines Most of the major airlines offer packages with flights, cars, and lodging. United, American, Delta, Continental, and Northwest Airlines all offer packages. We've heard from several people that United has a wide variety of packages and is often among the lowest priced but, shop around.

Resorts and Hotels The biggest resort and hotel chains also offer packages. Of course your selection of lodging will be restricted if you book with them. But if you know you want to stay at a specific place, always ask whether they offer packages. The Hawaii based chains that offer packages are Aston, Outrigger, and Marc Resorts.

Neighbor Islands If you are already in the Islands and decide that you want to go to a neighbor island, check out the packages at Pleasant Island Tours, Roberts Hawaii, or similar tour agencies you can find in the free tourist magazines like This Week Magazine. They all offer "overnighters" that include airfare, room, and rental car at reduced rates.

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Airline Tickets

Passengers on the same airplane pay a wide range of fares. Tickets are sold for what the market will bear so smart

Interisland Plane at Kona's Keahole Airport

shopping can save you a lot of money on airfares. It takes some time and effort but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you got a bargain and can use the savings for lodging and activities in the Islands. Note that sometimes your best buy will be a package deal that includes airfare, hotel, and car. These are available from sources that can sometimes include two, or all three, things for less than either airfare or lodging would cost individually.

Many airlines offer service to Hawaii. We do not consider first-class, business-class, or full coach fares here. Economy class fares will save you a lot of money that you can spend on other "needs" during your stay in the Islands. These guidelines will reduce the cost when you purchase airline tickets individually or as part of a package.

	Book ahead -- you will normally pay much less if you book at least 14-21 days ahead, but bargains are rarely found more than 3-4 months ahead.
	A Saturday night stay is sometimes required for the lowest fares.
	Avoid holidays -- The fares are usually more expensive around holidays and the airlines have black-out days so that you cannot use frequent flier miles or get discounts from coupons.
	Pick the right days of the week-- generally the best fares are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday afternoon. Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday travel generally costs more.
	Season of the year-- tickets to Hawaii will generally be less expensive from mid-April through May and from September through mid-December.
	Pick less popular flights that depart mid-morning or late evening.
	Choose the same airline for all legs of your itinerary.
	Keep your eye open for sales which are held periodically by the airlines.
	Use the internet -- virtually all the airlines have web sites and at times fares are offered lower than those shown to their reservations agents. Some airlines charge a fee for ticket purchase made by phone or at the airport. Many airlines offer e-mail notice of specials if you sign up for them on their web site.
	Check with the airline on baggage weight, size, and the charges per bag. This information is normally available on their web site and charges per bag vary between airlines. Also, the charges for bags over the weight limit (normally 50 pounds) or size limit can cost you an additional $25 to $80 depending on the airline.. Generally the cheaper your ticket, the tighter the restrictions. You will almost always be charged a fee to change your flight schedule with the advance purchase discount tickets. Make sure you know exactly what restrictions apply before you commit to buying. Web Based " Travel Agents" These are great because they are open 24-hours a day and don't get impatient with you if you want to make yet another change or check the price or availability for the 100th time. Enter the dates you want to fly and the departure and arrival cities to receive fare and availability information. Or, if you can be flexible in your schedule you will save considerably because some sites will list least expensive fares without regard to schedule so you can see how prices vary by date and time. The least expensive fares are often less than 20% of the cost of full coach fares for the same airline and flight. Realize, however, that some sites are biased toward specific airlines they have marketing agreements with and some do not display fares of cut-rate airlines. We never rely on only one source to find the best fare. Cheap Tickets, Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz are examples of internet travel sites. We also use Sidestep to research fares and purchase tickets. SideStep searches the airline's web sites and displays Fees charged by Internet travel sites Since airlines stopped paying commissions to Internet travel sites, Expedia, etc. charge fees of $5 to $18 per ticket to make a profit. Recently however, these sites are also advertising no booking fees added. Many airlines advertise "you won't find a lower fare anywhere else" realizing other sources have to charge a fee. their fares. The advantage is that if an airline lists internet specials only on their own site, SideStep will show you those fares while other internet travel sites we have used do not. You can do the same thing by checking 10-15 airline web sites, but using SideStep is much faster. If you click the "Reserve" button for a flight, you normally automatically connected to the airline's own web site to purchase the ticket. We recently purchased tickets from Los Angeles to Honolulu for $150 less than fares any of the other internet travel sites showed. However, continue to do your research because we still occasionally find lower fares on other sites. Priceline can sometimes provide lower fares if you want to bid for your tickets. We have not used the site Save money with Split-ticketing: Unless we want to stop over in a city along the way, most of us would rather take non-stop flights. It may take a little time, but checking the cost of two round trip tickets instead of one non-stop flight can sometimes save you money. Here's an example: If you're flying from Chicago to Honolulu, compare the cost of a round trip ticket from Chicago to Los Angeles or San Francisco, plus a second round trip ticket from there to Honolulu. The total of the two tickets compared to the cost of a non-stop ticket is sometimes hundreds of dollars less. Even flying from the West Coast, we've seen numerous times when flying from Los Angeles, or an outlying airport, to San Francisco and from there to Honolulu is more than $100 less expensive than flying directly from Los Angeles to Honolulu. If the whole family is traveling, the $100 per ticket adds up quickly. because of their "blind" booking method where you are told the airline and schedule only after picking dates and paying for the tickets, which are nonrefundable. If your schedule is totally flexible, it might work for you. Interisland Airlines Four airlines offer scheduled service between the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian Airlines is the old standby for inter-island travel since Aloha Airlines went out of business but Island Air, go! Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines also offer inter-island service between the major islands. Flights to Molokai and Lanai are less frequent and cost somewhat more. When you are traveling between several islands on one trip you can sometimes purchase coupon books for multiple flights at a discount. Hawaiian Airlines was Hawaii's first inter-island airline and offers jet service between the islands, as well as service from several mainland cities. They fly Boeing 717 aircraft which are full-sized jet planes as opposed to the regional jets and turboprop planes used by the other inter-island airlines. Island Air flies Dash-8 aircraft that are turboprop and carry 37 passengers. Although it takes a little longer to get between the islands, they fly lower than the jets and mention that passengers can see more of the scenery on flights. go! Airlines flies regional jets that seat 50 passengers, which is fewer than the Boeing 717's flown by Hawaiian Airlines. There are no middle seats, it's two seats on each side of the aisle. Mokulele Airlines offers jet and turboprop service between the islands. The Embraer 170 regional jets hold approximately 80 passengers. Their commuter flights use Cessna Caravans that hold only nine passengers so some will not care to fly on a small propeller driven plane instead of a jet engine. Any of the airlines will do baggage transfer for you in either direction. Just tell the ticket agent when you check-in you want to check your baggage through to your final destination. However, on departing from a neighbor island and connecting to a mainland flight on another island be sure your luggage goes through the agriculture screening or you will have to retrieve your bags, have them screened, and recheck them. This especially applies to the smaller airports so be sure to check because at Molokai, Lanai, and the West Maui airports, agricultural screening may not be available. We are pleased to see multiple airlines offering alternatives for inter-island travel. We've seen a number of low-fare airlines come and go in Hawaii over the past 25 years. When it was only Hawaiian and Aloha, the inter-island fares were high and not competitive. We've flown Island Air and were pleased with their service. We've also heard good reports about go! and Mokulele, so you might want to give them a try.

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