A Home Away From Home in Waikiki

Vacation and condo rentals have grown tremendously popular over the past few years due to their home-like feel and in-room amenities like full kitchen, washer/dryer, Internet and private lanai. The Waikiki Shore hotel resort is Waikiki’s only beachfront condo rental situated in the heart of all the city’s sights and attractions. Visitors will find a world class surf break directly in front, great shopping and dining just footsteps away, swimming, tennis, bbq’ing, and much more. With great low rates, vacationers should experience a condo rental for a change by booking online.

Waikiki’s Largest Shopping Mall

The Royal Hawaiian Center sits in the heart of beautifully rejuvenated Waikiki. The mall was recently renovated and with over 110+ shops and restaurants, the Royal Hawaiian Center boasts being one of the biggest Hawaii malls. Visitors will find a variety of shops in the Center’s four levels ranging from gift shops, luxury and lifestyle retailers like Cartier and Juicy Couture, and one of Waikiki’s most popular restaurants, The Cheesecake Factory. You’ll also find one of Honolulu’s hottest nightclubs and lounges at Level4. This Honolulu mall also features free parking and a number of Hawaiian culture classes and activities including a hula show and lessons, ukulele lessons, and a lei making class.

Hawaii Blog:

Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia Charters

Battleships, Neighborhoods, Culture

Aloha You! Thanks for stopping by today. Where did Summer Go? Suddenly the floats are being prepared for the Aloha Week Floral Parade, and the Honolulu Symphony is tuning up for a new season that will include "Ben" from the TV show LOST (Emmy winner Michael Emerson) narrating Poulenc’s classic musical tale, The Story of Babar. . .

The season just past was EPIC for South Shore surfers, and forecasters are calling for perfect big waves (and soon!) for Oahu's legendary North Shore. Just now, Waikiki is a glistening jewel set in azure waters, perfect for revving your engines - or just relaxing in style. China's Shaolin Monks are here, showing off their amazing moves at the Blaisdell Arena, and Aerosmith will perform here this Fall too. So many choices! Why just the other day a friend asked me if I was going to the Cazimero Brothers' Christmas Show at the Hawaii Theater again this year. Of course! But there's so much to enjoy around here before December. Heck, we even have opera! One thing you WON'T be able to do for a while is to visit the Battleship Missouri; The "Mighty Mo" will be freed from her moorings on October 14th for the first time since arriving in Hawaii 11 years ago. Beginning before sun-up on that day, all 887 feet, and 54,899 tons of the grey lady will be nudged by three or four tugboats the two miles from Pearl Harbor's Pier Foxtrot 5 to the famous shipyard's Dry-dock 4. Dignitaries are invited along for the 12 to 14 hour ride. But hundreds more of us average folks are expected to be watching from the sidelines. Some lucky people residing up on the hillsides will be able to see the drama unfolding from their homes. Engineers are custom building 310 wooden "keel blocks" (8,000 pounds EACH) on which the giant will rest. Once inside the dry-dock it should take 3 hours for the water to be drained out while divers ensure the correct placement of bulk on block. (The dignitaries will be stuck with each other's company until the ship is high and dry ;) One of Hawaii's top 10 visitor attractions, the Mighty Mo drew 48,111 guests and pilgrims in July. That's 12 percent of all visitors to this island, including numerous WWII veterans from EVERY side of the war. And yes, those are the big 16 inch guns that Cher cavorted on for her "If I could Turn Back Time" video! Sadly, the Association that manages the ship is forbidden from firing them (or the ships engines) inside Pearl Harbor. Watching the grey ghost glide past Waikiki from the deck of my own boat on Fathers' Day of 1998 was a surreal experience! Once tours resume on January 29th you can also hold your function or soiree aboard the ship's fan tail. What a place for a birthday party! (I'm just saying. . . .) You will again be able to walk the "Surrender Deck" where the Japanese Empire and the United States signed the instrument that ended WWII. While you are there, just look over one ship's length to the Arizona Memorial, and you will be looking at the spot where war began, from the very spot where it ended. Only in Hawaii!

The Hawaiians of old divided the land into pie-shaped sections called "Ahupuaa." These ran from the peak of the mountain, broadening out as they reached the coast. Thus the local village people would have access to the produce of the forests, the plain, and sea. The Liliha / Nuuanu corridor is one of my favorite such neighborhoods in our Honolulu, embracing Honolulu Harbor, Chinatown, working class commercial and residential Liliha Street itself, and the foothills of Nuuanu. The histories of the Hawaiians, the pre-statehood Chinese, Japanese, and Americans, all live richly in this area that contains the Royal Mausoleum, (sacred burial place of Hawaii's Monarchs) legendary Kunawai healing spring & pond, Kuakini (formerly "The Japanese") Hospital, which was the first such hospital supported by Japan's emperor, as well as Hawaii's oldest lychee tree. My favorite, 24 hour Liliha Bakery is a beacon to the whole island, and her coco puffs are the stuff of legend. Further along Kuakini Street, a well used cinder-block, neighborhood, Chinese Temple is right across the street from a Japanese Buddhist Temple & School, all just a few doors down from the Pizza Hut. Did I mention the four consulates? The Area is named for the Chiefess Liliha, Governor of Oahu under Kamehameha. (It was her father, Hoopili, who created the Royal Mausoleum). When his forces landed on Oahu, here at Waikiki, Kamehameha fought the local warriors all the way up into this valley. The famous Battle of the Nuuanu Pali saw the local defenders spill over the cliff (or Pali) rather than surrender. To this day, the Pali Highway carries a supernatural aura that is felt by drivers, particularly at night. Do NOT carry pork over the highway either, but that's a whole other (ghost) story ;-]. This year's "I Love Liliha Town Festival" opened with a traditional Lion Dance at Kawananakoa Park. Who are the Kawananakoas? Abigail Kawananakoa is the descendant of Hawaiian royalty, and would have a clear claim to the (overthrown) crown of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She has recently been acquiring dispersed royal possessions and gifting them to the Iolani Palace where we can all enjoy them. There was a controversy a few years back, when a national magazine photographed the lady sitting on the throne, and a fine man named James Bartels, who had dedicated his life to the heroic restoration of the palace, left his job in the resulting ruckus. Ms. Kawananakoa has since used her considerable personal wealth in aid of the Hawaiian patrimony and people - especially in recent years. Most recently she purchased one of Queen Liliuokalani's golden bracelets, a very early example of the Hawaiian heirloom jewelry worn by local women to this day, me included. Mr. Bartels has since passed, but will never be forgotten for his unique contribution to the restoration of the pride of Hawaii. One cannot pass by the palace, let alone enter it, without feeling the undeniable presence of so many loyal hearts. In my opinion, it is one "Do Not Miss" for any visitor, even if all you do is stroll the grounds - though the interior is AMAZING!

But we were visiting Liliha, so what about the food? No Hawaii gathering is complete without it! We do love our "grinds." That means "Kau Kau" or "food" to you. It also means to "EAT!" If you are in a western US state, you may have eaten at an "L&L Hawaiian Barbecue." The first L&L in the chain was a humble "plate lunch" place right here on Liliha Street. And saimin, one of our foremost local comfort foods, was also invented here. You can read about saimin at: <http://comfortspiral.blogspot.com/2009/04/

comfort-in-bowl.html">

The world's greatest civic band was there too. They were established 1836 by a King, and play a unique repertoire of Monarchy era marches, Hawaiian music, western classics, Okinawan songs and MORE. Can you tell how much I love the Royal Hawaiian Band? They even played my favourite, "Kalakaua March." Which reminds me, the band's prominent German leader during the Monarchy, Henry Berger, would no doubt be pleased to know that the Hale Koa Hotel, and various other venues around Our Honolulu will be celebrating a full blown Oktoberfest as usual this year. Now THAT'S an entirely different ooompah altogether!

Smile for your close-up Hawaii; Filmmakers announced the Fall release of a period film entitled "Barbarian Princess" a biopic about our beloved Princess Kaiulani. (We talked about her - and the eponymous street she lived on here in Waikiki - a few "Walkings" ago). And now we hear that Tia Carrere will be playing the late beloved Rell Sun in a project entitled "Wave Dancer." The $10 million film is to be directed by Martha Coolidge. "I believe that Rell Sunn is the kind of hero that we need to see in film today," said Carrere who reportedly spent years researching and writing the script with husband Simon Wakelin. "Here's a woman who was not a wealthy woman, she was a single mother, she was sick, struck with breast cancer, yet she lived a far greater life than 99% of us." Known as the Queen of Makaha, Rell fought a very public 14 year battle before passing at age 47. A professional surfer, she used her grace, wit, and notoriety to mentor youth as the creator of the Menehune Surf Meet for children. She also served as a physical therapist for kupuna (seniors) out in rural Waianae here on Oahu. A portion of the film's proceeds are slated to be donated to the Rell Sunn Educational Fund. I can't wait to spend some quality time with these great ladies in a darkened theater! But of course, I'm fortunate to always be surrounded by lovely people - local & visitor - when I'm out walking. . . in Waikiki . . . ALOHA!

Here are some more links you might enjoy checking out AFTER you get off the phone with your travel agent. Thanks for Walking Along!

Royal Hawaiian Band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKv2VY2msgQ

Battle of the Pali: http://comfortspiral.blogspot.com/2009/09/

from-beach-to-cliff.html

Liliha Bakery: <http://lilihabakeryhawaii.com/>

Iolani Palace:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsfxTid_pQ4

http://www.iolanipalace.org

Liliuokalani's Bracelet, A Video Report:

http://www.kitv.com/video/20679841/index.html

My Hawaii Novel, Aloha Where You Like Go? :

<http://www.amazon.com/ALOHA-Where-

You-Like-Satisfaction/dp/1598006495/ref=sr_1_1?ie=

UTF8&s=books&qid=1227747134&sr=1-1>

And YOU are always welcome at my daily blog too:

www.comfortspiral.blogspot.com

Lost and found in China

By Alvin Koo

Editor's note: I've just come back from a 3 week in China, and here are some of my observations.

If you want to see more, go to Facebook and look for Alvin Koo.

Everyday that I leave the hotel, I’m lost. I have to find my way to a new hotel or I have find my way back from sightseeing through a series of grunts, hand signs, and poor Chinese. Wo yao qu… means I want to go… Wo yao qu Guting Zhan. That’s “I want to go to Guting Station,” which was close to one of my hotels. The trouble is they answer in Chinese. Then I say, “Duibuqi, duibuqi. Wo shi Meiguoren. Hui shuo yidian, dian.” I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m American. I can speak only a little.

If Japan is the land of the rising sun, Thailand the land of smiles, Hawaii aloha. China is diversity.

Old and new. Rich and poor. Mostly automatic flush toilets and a few troughs for both men and women. Squat toilets are not pretty. I saw one on the “D” or fast train that went straight down to the tracks. Everywhere there is construction. In the cities. In the countryside. New, new next to old. Chinese are coming to the realization that old is precious. That it brings back good feelings of old times. In the 80’s and 90’s, they tore everything down in a mad rush toward modernization. Now they build old, Disneylike, or refurbish old with toilets and electricity, air conditioning, remote controls and designer ambience.

A friend asked if I saw a guy in a coolie hat pulling a richshaw to take a picture for him. All the rickshaws I saw were powered by pedal bicycles or motor cycles. But I saw an old lady staggering under the weight of god knows what at each end of a dark flat sweat stained, stick perched on her left shoulder. Her knees were bent and the weight made the poles bend and flex to the rhythm of her walk. There were a lot of farmers with coolie hats.

China is full of surprises.

For instance, the maps you see on the internet are mostly wrong. They make places look small that are huge. They love big open spaces. A park that looks small on the map could be huge. Several laowai or foreigners who live in China confirmed my suspicions. They said Chinese maps lack scale. They make them to fit the page.

The Suzhou map I had looked like you could walk from one World Heritage protected garden to another. But the truth is Suzhou is a large city with a tiny part of it preserved for both laowai and Chinese tourists. The Shantang Canal with its red lantern lights glimmering off the water is just one tiny street amidst several square miles of high rises, buses, and

pollution. It takes 20 minutes city bus ride from Lingering Garden to Humble Administrator’s Garden. You have to ask the bus driver to tell you when to get off. You need to know the names in Chinese… Liú Yuān and Zhuō Zhèng Yuān. Very few Chinese actually speak English, though they learn it in school.

If you ask them something, they frown and look like they’re mad but they always answer in some way. I think Chinese are basically very friendly and helpful. Several went out of their way to help me.

In Guilin, in a mad rush to get away from a tenacious taxi driver, I walked for several minutes into the night not having a thought of where I was. When the driver finally gave up, I was totally lost. A young man was walking beside me. I asked in Chinese, “Hui shuo Yingwen, ma?” He answered, “Yes.” He walked me 30 minutes to my hotel. In Hualien, I sat next to a guy who taught English. We spent five hours together.

The gardens and the canal are beautiful. But the shops alongside and leading to them are unabashed commercialism. Store after store of hawkers and curios. And Chinese hawkers don’t know the meaning of the word “no.” You say “no,” they keep going on. You need this, yes? Very nice, yes? You like? You need body language and frowns to make them understand you really mean “no.”

And people!

I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE.

At the parks on a sunny day. In the shopping malls. I have never seen so many shops. At the train station. Mobs. In the subways, streams of people flowing into and past each other. Chinese seem to be culturally motivated to flow. If there is an exit or entrance, they move to fill every last space, as if moving forward a few feet would get them there faster. They don’t seem to believe in giving each other space. If you’re waiting in line, they will move ahead of you, to the side of you, up close behind you, until everybody is packed into the line like sardines.

Not everything is cheap.

My standard for eating became if the shop had glass in its front. The glass did not have to cover the entire front. Just a pane of glass will do. Chinese like open air. I guess air conditioning is expensive. But some stalls are just that. They could easily be selling food in an alley. They seem to like alleys too. If it’s food on the sidewalk cooked on a hand pulled cart, jiaozi or dumplings could go for yi kuai wu or one fifty yuan, which is about 25 cents American. That’s six dumplings. In a fixed stall they easily run 2 yuan. In a shop or restaurant with glass it could be 8 yuan. If it’s enclosed and the staff wear uniforms it is probably 18 yuan. That’s almost $3 at 6.8 yuan to a dollar, getting close to American prices.

You could go to a fancy restaurant with a sign covered in gold leaf and pay maybe 48 yuan for noodles. I did.

Before I left for China, I read and was told that people would approach me to practice their English. I’m ethnically Chinese and look Chinese. No one, not one person, came up to me to practice their English. I saw one man on a bus give a 20 minute Chinese lesson to a Caucasian man, who smiled and listened intently. Everyone within five seats of the lesson was listening intently. I asked directions of a policeman and he gave me a three minute Chinese lesson, holding on to the card that I had given him with my directions written in Chinese. I couldn’t just leave the lesson, I needed the card.

Traffic again is flow.

When they beep their horn, it basically means watch out I’m not stopping. Usually it also means I’m not slowing down either. They sometimes stream past red and green lights at 40 miles an hour in city streets. One electric tram which operated on a sidewalk and park walkway didn’t even beep. He seemed to expect people to sense he was coming and move out of the way. I rode with him ten minutes and he didn’t hit anyone. Came close. Everybody moved or at the last moment he stopped or slowed.

The buses are the worst. Big 50 seat buses don’t slow down, and they squeeze through openings with three inches to spare on each side. At least they’ll slow down for that. Crawl through to be more precise. If you meet one on a one lane road or a road packed with stalls, parked carts, vendors and pedestrians, the rule seems to be the smaller vehicles backs down. The bus will go nose to nose with the offending vehicle and almost push them back. Lanes mean nothing. They seem to be a general guide. I’ve been stuck in the middle of the road with traffic flowing on either side of me.

Nobody stops. Nobody slows down. And in three weeks, nobody hit me. They beeped at me.

Can you bargain?

The consensus is no. The Chinese are smarter than you. My friend says my Chinese is not good enough. She says her Chinese is not good enough. You need to speak the dialect of the place you’re at. You need to know the lowest possible price.

Chinese seem to believe that anything that is not the lowest possible price is a bad price. You got ripped off. Though themselves would be glad to rip you off.

One tout waited for me while I went into a tea garden to look around. When I came out, she finally wore me out and got me to follow her to her home. “Pianyi,” was the only word I understood. It means cheap. “Pianyi, pianyi yidian.” She wanted 50 yuan for a small box of Longjing tea, considered China’s best. At the tourist street in town, one stall wanted 25 yuan for the same box, and you know he will go lower. At the airport, they wanted 140 yuan. She said you can trust the airport tea is fresh.

The only deal I got was on a boat ride. Six ladies followed me for 30 minutes. I had been told a boat ride on a small boat was about 40 yuan. But the river was too high, and the small boats were not going out. The first price for the big boat with the engine was 250 yuan. Even for me, I think my voice was indignant. I told her I was told that a boat ride was 40 yuan. She countered that was for small boats which were not going out.

I said no, I wanted to see the river. She pointed me down a small alley. We walked. I was afraid she was leading me to get mugged. The alley was very small. We walked more than 10 minutes. Finally, we

broke out in a clearing at the boats. Apparently the bus driver had let me get off too early. I said I wanted a Coke. I told her I wanted to go to the fishing village, which I had read was quaint. Actually, the town I was in was plenty quaint enough.

She led me to a restaurant. I didn’t want a 5 yuan restaurant Coke. I wanted a 2 yuan Coke like you get on the street. I drank the Coke. Another lady sat with me. She spoke even better English. Why did I want to go to the fishing village? The boat didn’t go there. I said I didn’t have to go. I just wanted to see it. She said, well then. So, I said, how much? She said 148 yuan, but don’t tell anyone I got it for that. Hao de. OK!

I also got a cotton Chinese style shirt with cloth buttons for 50 yuan. The silk ones cost upwards of 600 yuan or about a hundred dollars. The lowest silk ones were 450 yuan. The most expensive cotton ones were 90 yuan. You have to know numbers to survive in China.

If they sense you’re laowai, I think they are very liable to charge you more. I paid 10 yuan for a 4 yuan bus ride. I got charged 10 yuan extra for a meal after I had walked out of the restaurant and not disappeared fast enough. I paid a whopping 100 yuan too much for a taxi tour that lasted two hours. I admit I am now prejudiced against Chinese cabbies.

I think I rode every mode of transportation possible. Airplane, city bus, double decker bus, mini bus, taxi, subway, tram, trolley, tuk tuk, rickshaw, ferry and feet. I caught the rickshaw when no one could tell which bus to take and they pointed me across the street in an area where you cannot cross the street for a very long block. The sidewalk is barricaded from the street. The only people to proposition me for women were the rickshaw drivers. And China has something called KTV, which is a very fancy karaoke, where you can pay extra... Continued, click here to see.

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Dec 2009 Jan 2010

Nov 13-15

Waikiki Hula Festival

Registration is now live at www.waikikihulaconference.com, for the 3rd Annual International Waikiki Hula Conference (IWHC), taking place November 13~15, 2009, at the Hawaii Convention Center at the gateway to Waikiki. All hula lovers – beginners to advanced, kamaaina and malihini – are encouraged to take this opportunity to sign-up for what will surely be an unforgettable cultural experience! Many participants will be returning for their 3rd consecutive year.
The IWHC is the only hula conference of its kind, offering hula workshops with over 40 hula masters and cultural practitioners, as well as seminars on hula subjects. Conferees also have the opportunity to share what they have learned by dancing in professional hula shows presented throughout Waikiki.

The 2009 Conference Package includes:
* Three full days of workshops and seminars offered by over 40 notable kumu hula and Hawaiian cultural experts. Classes cover all aspects of hula — modern and ancient dance, costume, lei-making, Hawaiian language, chant, history, songs, music and implement-making.
    * The opportunity to perform a hula on various stages in Waikiki. November 13 & 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (may vary.)
    * Opening Ceremonies.
    * Music and audience participation hula shows during daily lunch period.
    * $15 worth of lunch meal coupons.
    * Closing Concert & Hula "Kanikapila" on world-famous Waikîkî Beach. November 15, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
    * Hawaiian Vendor Mall – featuring Hawaiian-made products and crafts, including hula implements, costumes, clothing, accessories and gifts.
    * Certificate of Completion suitable for framing.

The fee to participate in the conference is:
   $350 Regular
    $250 Kamaaina (Hawaii Resident)
    $325 per person for groups of 10 or more

To register or for more info:
Convenient registration with class selection is available online, in English and Japanese. Register and learn all about the conference workshops, kumu, opening & closing ceremonies, and performances, and see photos and video at www.waikikihulaconference.com. If you have any questions about registering for the event, please e-mail support@waikikihulaconference.com, or call the Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA) office at 808-923-4151. The registration deadline is October 31, 2009.

The performing arts students of Kaimuki High School, will perform Happy as a Dolphin, A Child's Celebration of Hawaii... by local author Gill ("Jill') McBarnet at Barnes & Nobel, Ala Moana Center on Saturday 14th November at noon.

MADD Again

Mothers Against Drunk Driving will kick off their annual safety awareness campaign on November 20^th with a free event at Tamarind Park in downtown Honolulu from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be educational booths, local music and red ribbons available to the public.

Tie One On For Safety, originally named the “Red Ribbon Campaign," was created in 1986 to remind people about the dangers of drinking and driving. It was designed to encourage the public to become actively involved in the fight against drunk driving by tying a red ribbon on their vehicle antenna or side mirror. Today, the red ribbon has become a holiday season tradition and a symbol to prevent drunk driving.

As the holidays approach, many of us will be traveling to dinners and parties, enjoying the company of friends and family. It’s a time of celebration, but unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when drunk driving is on the rise. There are many ways each of us can get involved and help spread the word against drunk driving. Here are a few simple tips to get you started:

· Tie red ribbons on your family vehicles.

· Always use a designated driver.

· Display drunk driving statistics in a prominent place at your office.

· Record a message about safe and sober driving during the holiday season on your cell phone.

· Always be a responsible party host.

MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. For more information about the Tie One On For Safety campaign and for additional free red ribbons, call 808-532-6232 or visit www.maddhawaii.com or follow us on Twitter @maddhawaii.

Toys for tots

Señor Frog’s Waikiki has partnered with Toys For Tots this holiday season to collect toys for Hawaii’s keiki who may not otherwise receive a Christmas gift this year.

Help us collect toys for Hawaii’s keiki November 10~December 10, 2009, as follows:

Drop-off a new toy* 11:30 a.m.~4 a.m. daily during our month-long toy drive, and receive:
    •   Free parking at the Royal Hawaiian Center for 3 hours.
    •   A coupon for 20% off your next meal at Senor Frog’s.
    •   A VIP invitation for 2 to a Mahalo Party on December 15th.
    •   One raffle ticket for every toy you donate to Toys For Tots.
            Lots of great raffle prizes will be given away at the Mahalo Party –
            including a R/T for 2 to Las Vegas, courtesy of Vacations Hawaii!
           Must be present at the Mahalo Party on December 15th to win.
    •   Donate a toy on Friday or Saturday nights and get free cover & front-of-line
        privileges for your group.

    * Toys For Tots accepts only new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages.

“We are so grateful to have Señor Frog’s as a partner this year!” said Toys for Tots Hawaii Coordinator MSgt Scott Crockett. “This is the first time Toys for Tots Hawaii has worked with an organization for a month-long campaign, so we are very excited to have their support.”

Toys For Tots’ goal for Hawaii in 2009, is 45,000 toys.

“Everyone at Señor Frog’s is thrilled to be collecting toys for our kids, and we are proud to work with such a wonderful organization as Toys For Tots,” said Alex "Primo" Schoer, Señor Frog’s C.O.O. “We are hoping to collect at least 1,000 toys at our location.”

Nov 15

Kanikapila

The Abrigo ‘Ohana is proud to announce the Waimea Valley Kanikapila at Pikake Pavilion. Please join us on November 15^th, 2009, from 1 to 4 p.m. This event is FREE, and open to the public.

A Kanikapila is a traditional Hawaiian music jam session. The purpose of the event is to perpetuate the mele (music), and the tradition in which it was passed on from generation to generation. All ages and skill levels are welcome. There will also be seating for guests who would like to just come and enjoy listening to the music. We will have amplification, so bring your instrument cable if you would like to plug in. Sound check will begin around noon, with the kanikapila starting at 1 p.m. and going until 4 p.m.

Food and beverages are available just a few yards from the Pikake Pavilion, at the Waimea Valley Grill. No outside food or beverages please.

Additional palace concert dates for 2009:December 20^th, 2009

Nov 14

7th ANNUAL JOHN KELLY ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS DINNER AND PARTY AT WAIMEA VALLEY, SAT., NOV. 14

Honolulu, Oahu (Nov. 4, 2009) On Sat., Nov. 14, the Surfrider Foundation’s Oahu Chapter will present the 7^th Annual John Kelly Environmental Awards to those who have helped protect and enhance our coastal community and environment. This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the Surfrider Foundation, and the event will be part of the first Hawaii Chapters Conference at Camp Erdman that weekend, uniting Surfrider activists from Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

The dinner, silent auction and party will be held at the Waimea Valley Pavilion and will feature live music from Micah Wolf, Johnny Helm and the Throwdowns. Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 at the door), and proceeds will benefit Surfrider’s Oahu Chapter. Sponsors include Barefoot Wine, Kona Brewing Co. and the Triple Crown of Surfing. “We’re stoked to have this event at Waimea Valley because we were part of the coalition that helped save the Valley a few years ago,” says Surfrider’s Stuart Coleman. Former award winners and surfing legends like Peter Cole and Randy Rarick will join young pros from the World Tour to take part in the fundraiser and honor this year’s awardees:

Thanksgiving

Guava-glazed sweet potatoes with toasted coconut, pumpkin soup with brandy and oven-roasted turkey with cranberry-ginger chutney – are just a few of the mouthwatering menu items that will be featured at Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk’s first-ever Thanksgiving Day Buffet. The resort will be hosting this celebratory feast on November 26, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on its Grand Lanai at just $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for kids.

Winners for 2009 Hoowehiwehi Nui, Hoowehiwehi Lihi and George S. Kanahele Awards announced at WIA annual meeting

WAIKIKI, Hawaii -- Before a group of over 350 members at Waikiki Improvement Association’s annual membership meeting held on October 22, the winners of these prestigious awards were announced by Rick Egged, WIA Executive Director.

Hoowehiwehi Nui Award – Honoring a NEW development or project, this award recognizes a company, organization or group for its significant contribution toward the enduring revitalization of Waikiki’s physical, cultural and/or economic environment.

The award was given to GRAND WAIKIKIAN, Hilton Grand Vacation Club

The 38-story Grand Waikikian evokes the ambiance of a grand Hawaiian Hotel, whileoffering the amenities and comforts of a world-class resort condominium. The completion of the Grand Waikikian development adds to the recent wave of renewal and revitalization going on throughout Waikiki and brings a luxurious new resort to one of the world’s most celebrated destinations and to Honolulu’s best stretch of beach.

Hoowehiwehi Lihi Award – Aimed at projects that enhance EXISTING structures or facilities. This award recognizes a company, organization or group for significant contribution toward their enduring revitalization of Waikiki’s physical, cultural and/or economic environment. Three awards were given this year.

THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL RESTORATION, Kyoya Hotels and Resorts

The project restated, enhanced, restored and expressed the Hawaiian history and presence of the land and grace of this place in a manner befitting its royal past with an eye on its future.

DUKE PAOA KAHANAMOKU LAGOON, Hilton Hawaiian Beach Resort & Spa

Developed in the 1950’s by Henry J. Kaiser as part of his larger resort development, the lagoon continues to be a vital part of the resort and Waikiki, nearly 50 years later. Hilton Hawaiian Village restored this unique landmark by fitting it with a state-of-the-art circulation system and enhanced the landscaping making it desirable for families to once again gather

OUTRIGGER REEF ON THE BEACH, Outrigger Enterprises Group

The Outrigger Reef on the Beach’s $110 million makeover was designed to pay homage to Hawaii’s extraordinary voyaging history and cultural heritage and many aspects of its metamorphosis was done in collaboration with Hawaiian cultural experts.

George S. Kanahele Hookipa Award – recognizes and individual or group for an outstanding singular action or event or for consistent, enduring performance in keeping with the legacy of the late George S. Kanahele.