“Escape to Molokai” to unwind, explore or both

Aqua Hotel Molokai offering air, room and car package for kamaaina

Aqua Hotel Molokai recently unveiled their “Escape to Molokai” package for kamaaina which includes airfare, hotel accommodations and rental car for $499 including taxes, based on double occupancy and two-night minimum stay.

“Escape to Molokai” includes:

• Standard or Garden view accommodations at Aqua Hotel Molokai for 2 nights
• Round trip airfare for two from Oahu or Maui to Molokai via Go! Mokulele
• Alamo automatic compact rental car for two-days (driver must be 25 years or older)

Aqua Hotel Molokai is the only full-service hotel on the island and has all the conveniences needed including:

• Hula Shores Restaurant & Bar – Poolside
• Nightly entertainment including the ever-popular Aloha Friday Sunset Celebration
• Hotel Molokai Spa Center offering Massage, Facials, Body & Nail Treatments
• Concierge & Tour / Activity Desk (Scuba & Snorkeling Gear rental)
• Mini-refrigerator, coffee-maker, microwave
• High-Speed Internet (fee) and more
• Oceanfront hammocks

“Escape to Molokai” is great for a weekend getaway but should kamaaina want to stay longer to kick back or sightsee, add $109 for each additional night plus taxes and $34 per day plus taxes to extend the rental car.

“Escape to Molokai” is based on availability and cannot be combined with any other offer.  Valid Hawaii ID is required at check-in.  For more information or reservations, call the hotel direct at 877-553-5347 ext. 300.  This special is good through September 30, 2010.

Details about Aqua Hotel Molokai:

Situated oceanfront on Kamiloloa Beach, the 53-room Aqua Hotel Molokai is the island’s only hotel and home to Hula Shores Restaurant, the most popular gathering place for visitors and residents. It is designed after a Polynesian village and features a variety of spacious accommodation options.  Recently renovated and upgraded, rooms suggest a Polynesian ambiance and include private lanais, high-speed Internet access, mini-refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and cable televisions.  For more information, visit www.aquahotelmolokai.com.



Photos courtesy of Aqua Hotels & Resorts



Made fresh in Hawaii – DIAMOND BAKERY

Took a quick tour a couple of weeks ago of the Diamond Bakery factory. Not sure if you know but it’s a local bakery specializing in crackers and cookies that got its start in 1921 by three friends. There is a great story here and you can read about it at www.diamondbakery.com.

The factory is pretty compact – all in one warehouse. Diamond Bakery uses continues feed, direct fired ovens for their popular crackers and cookies but workers hand-select, weigh and pack each box to ensure quality and unbroken product.

Diamond Bakery makes Graham, Salty, Saloon Pilot, Royal Creem (my personal favorite) and Soda Crackers. They also make cookies including animal crackers (below).

They have been working with the Waikiki Aquarium on a few educational projects (makes sense since some of the crackers are shaped like fish).

Here’s the Royal Creems assembly line – up close

Another view …

Ever wonder why you’ll never find cracked cackers in the pack … here’s why … workers check for cracked Creems …

Exterior of the bakery – tucked away in the Kalihi area.

Are ‘tat’s your thing? If so, you may want to check this out.

Bishop Museum’s Traditions of the Pacific presents the upcoming lecture Kākau Hawai‘i:  Hawaiian Tattooing with Keone Nunes on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Nunes is a respected artist and revivalist of

image of Keone from Inked magazine

traditional Hawaiian tattooing.  He will share the historical and cultural significance of the art form as well as explore individual expression and meaning in Hawaiian tattooing.

What:     Lecture: Kākau Hawai‘i:  Hawaiian Tattooing with Keone Nunes

When:    Thursday, July 29, 2010,  6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where:   Atherton Hālau

Cost:       $5 General; Free for Bishop Museum members



A related morning workshop will take place outdoors on the museum’s beautiful Flanders Lawn on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity to observe Nunes demonstrate the techniques involved in deciding on and creating a traditional Hawaiian tattoo.  Participants will also learn to identify the characteristics of Hawaiian tattoos and design variations.

Image from Oha.org

What:     Workshop: Kākau Hawai‘i:  Hawaiian Tattooing with Keone Nunes

When:    Saturday, August 7, 2010,  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where:   Flanders Lawn

Cost:       $20 General; $10 for Bishop Museum members




Space is limited for these events.  Reservations are required by calling 847-8296 or by email at trey.dodge@bishopmuseum.org.



Haleiwa Summer ArtFest this weekend

Thirteenth Annual Summer Event ArtFest at Haleiwa Beach Park

­Saturday, July 17, 10am-6pm

Sunday, July 18, 10am-5pm

The Haleiwa Arts Festival non-profit organization will present its Thirteenth Annual Summer ArtFest on July 17 & 18, 2010 at the Haleiwa Beach Park.

The Haleiwa Arts Festival event activities include approximately 125 juried visual artists with original works, limited and open editions, both traditional and contemporary, in oil, acrylic, ceramic, photography, sculpture, watercolor, fabric, serigraphy, jewelry and glass, as well as other media.  Their art will be available for viewing, browsing and purchase directly from the artists.

The Haleiwa Summer ArtFest will also include performance arts, with performers presenting original music and dance with audience participation encouraged.  Also included are cultural history tours, arts demonstrations and displays, and a host of hands-on children’s activities.

The ‘Cool Stuff to Buy’ booth will include our new limited edition poster prints and shirts. And we may have a small quantity of limited edition posters and shirts from past events.  Poster and shirt art by Patrice Federspiel.

A broad selection of food and beverages will be available at the ArtFest site and also throughout Haleiwa Town, which is noted for its excellent eateries from local style to fine dining.  You can’t stay hungry this weekend!

In addition, several North Shore businesses and galleries will be offering special events, attractions, and promotions throughout the area during this ‘Celebrate the Arts in Haleiwa’ weekend.  Stop and go at your leisure as you have an opportunity to experience a weekend filled with a variety of activities, events and promotions here in our unique North Shore community.

Haleiwa Arts Festival programs have been supported in part by: the Hawaii Tourism Authority

For additional information http://haleiwaartsfestival.org

Ewa Orchid Show – 2010

The annual Ewa Orchid Show continues tomorrow, Sunday, from 9 am – 3 pm at Ewa Elementary School.  Admission / Donation is $2 per person.  I had a great time looking at the beautiful orchids.  This was the ‘Best in Show” and if I remember correctly, the same type or orchid won last year too.

This is Mr. Kojima of Ewa and his winning orchid plant.

Here’s a close-up of his orchids …

Loved this beautiful spray of red-colored orchids …

The floor display was of a plantation house setting …

and here are a few more …

Tropical Smoothie … great for summer

Here’s a recipe for a Tropical Smoothie you may want to try.

It is a delicious blend of yogurt, soymilk, mango and a touch of pineapple that you can make in minutes.

1 Container (6 oz) fat free french vanilla yogurt or light fat free vanilla yogurt

1 c. Mango chunks

1 1/4 c. Soy milk

1/4 c. Pineapple juice

In a blender or food processor, place ingredients: Cover; blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth.

Pour into 2 glasses. Serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of the Lahaina Shores
475 Front Street
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761

And … here’s some news and a special from them:

The Lahaina Shores Ocean Front pool and garden are among the many reasons people return so they’ve upgraded the views. A new lava rock beach access and new lava rock skirts around the palm trees in the garden add to that vintage Hawaii style. In fact the retro-Hawaii feeling of Lahaina is one of the big draws for guests from around the world. Stroll from Lahaina Shores along Front Street and visit carefully preserved historic buildings from the whaling era.

3rd Night Free Offer
Stay 2 consecutive nights in a Studio Ocean Front condominium and receive your 3rd night free.
Offer valid for new bookings for travel now – 12/31/2010.

The 3rd Night Free Package is valid in Studio Ocean Front condominiums and based on a nightly rate of $290.