Hawaii Island – Discover Hawaii, the Big Island’s sizzlin’ news, developments, and upcoming adventures to enhance your destination experience in the spring.
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
The Shops at Mauna Lani hosts a weekly Pau Hana Culinary Festival, held every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. featuring local farm fresh produce, food vendors and gourmet products from Hawaii Island. In addition, live entertainment and food demonstrations by accomplished chefs enhance the festival experience. The family-friendly festival includes cotton candy and shave ice at the Keiki (Child) Korner and a 4-D adventure ride. Pau hana (after work) or happy hour specials are available at The Shops’ Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Just Tacos Mexican Grill & Cantina. For more information, call (808) 885-9501.
Waikoloa Beach Resort and host-hotel Hilton Waikoloa Village are gearing up for the 17th Annual Lavaman Triathlon, beginning Friday, March 28 with a 5K fun run. The sporting events also include a LavaKids youth swim and run on March 29, followed by the triathlon on March 30 starting at Anaehoomalu Bay. Approximately 1,800 triathletes will compete in the main event, consisting of a mile swim, 25-mile bike ride, and 10K run. For more information, visitwww.lavamantriathlon.com/waikoloa/.
Hawaii Photography Workshops will launch its inaugural Hula and Hawaiian Culture Photography Workshop, scheduled for April 19 to 26 in Hilo. The eight-day, all-inclusive Hawaiian ethnographic photography workshop provides the opportunity to follow a hula halau during the week of the Merrie Monarch Festival as the group collects elements for traditional costumes. The workshop also includes opportunities to photograph hula practitioners. For more information, visitwww.hawaiiphotographyworkshops.com.
The Puna Music Festival is a weeklong celebration of music throughout the beautiful district of Puna. One of the best-loved events in the region, this year’s festival will be held from May 4 to 10. The festival includes music workshops, concerts, and events including the Pohoiki Open Concert and festival finale throughout Pahoa town. For more information, visit www.punamusicfestival.com.
Polish your boots to prepare for Honokaa Western Week, scheduled for May 19 to 26. The week’s activities celebrate Honokaa’s colorful paniolo heritage with the Hawaii Saddle Club Annual Scholarship Rodeo, the old-time downtown Paniolo Parade and bodacious block party in the streets. For more information, visitwww.honokaa.org.
The Big Island Film Festival (BIFF) will be held at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaiifrom May 22 to 26. As part of the festival, free films will be shown at The Shops at Mauna Lani with movies, workshops, and evening double features under the stars at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. The program line-up also includes a celebrity reception, foodie feast, “Best of the Fest” Hawaiian music concert, audience choice of favorite movies, and more. The festival is designed to inspire filmmakers to share their stories and for film lovers to return every year to experience something new. For more information, visit www.bigislandfilmfestival.com.
Internationally recognized teacher and healer Master Ning Jian Xiong will be joining Kokolulu Farm & Retreats in Hawi to help institute a new medicine-less healing program from February through July. Master Ning has worked at the world’s largest medicine-free hospital, Huaxia Zhineng Qigong Clinic & Training Center. Kokolulu Farm & Retreats will be offering workshops and individual sessions with Master Ning throughout the spring and summer. Participants can receive a $200 discount for a 10-day retreat by mentioning the What’s Sizzlin’ update. For more information, visit www.kokolulu.org.
ADVENTURES
KapohoKine Adventures has upgraded its Evening Volcano Explorer tour by including dinner served at The Rim restaurant in the historic and newly refurbishedVolcano House. Guests watch the sunset in comfort and style as Halemaumau Crater comes alive, followed by dinner at The Rim restaurant, and additional crater viewing from Jaggar Museum. The restaurant features creative island cuisine sourced from local ranchers, farmers and suppliers, offering a cozy and convenient respite for volcano viewing in style. For more information, call (808) 964-1000.
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is partnering with Body Glove Cruises to offer two fantastic cruise packages for added value and convenience. While staying at the beachfront hotel, enjoy one of Body Glove’s popular cruises, including the sunset dinner cruise and Kona snorkel adventure. Both packages include delicious buffets and an experienced crew for an unforgettable vacation. For more information, visit www.konabeachhotel.com/packages-and-specials.htm.
Until the humpback whales leave Hawaii, sightings are guaranteed on Body Glove Cruises’ snorkel and whale watch or the next tour is free. The cruise, led by a naturalist and lifeguard-trained crew, includes food, beverages and equipment. For more information, visit www.bodyglovehawaii.com.
Experience a breathtaking Hawaii Island sunset in a unique and memorable way with Paradise Helicopters’ new tour. See the blue of the Pacific Ocean, the reddish-brown of Puukohola Heiau, the green of the valleys of Kohala with its soft white waterfalls, the pools of orange lava at Puu Oo, the black sand of Punaluu Beach, shades of pinks and purples of the Kona skies, and the green flash from the sun as it dives into the calm Kona sea all via helicopter tour. For more information, visitwww.paradisecopters.com.
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, providing blockbuster aerial views of Hawaii Island, offers its Circle Of Fire Plus Waterfalls tour out of Hilo and its Kohala Coast Adventure out of Waikoloa, among others. Known for its gorgeous aerial photography, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has received endorsements from National Geographic Magazine, Frommer’s and the Travel Channel! For more information, visitwww.bluehawaiian.com/bigisland/tours.
Dive into Hawaii Island’s marine life with Atlantis Adventures Kona! Its unique underwater adventure showcases Kailua Bay’s beautiful 25-acre coral reef garden, which brightly colored fish and marine life call home. The submarine tour begins in historic Kailua-Kona town, where the Malama Kai shuttle carries guests to a spacious, air-conditioned Atlantis Submarine, the world’s most technologically advanced vessel of its kind. Atlantis’ crew guides the submarine along abundant coral reefs growing on ancient lava flow, and enlightens guests with entertaining and informative narrative about the activity happening around the submarine. For more information, visit www.atlantisadventures.com.
Experience Hilo’s historic coastline with Kalapana Cultural Tours’ Whales and Waterfalls tour. Conducted by boat out of Wailoa Harbor, the tour takes guests along the coastline toward Onomea Bay to whale watch and explore Hawaii Island waterfalls. For more information, visit www.kalapanaculturaltours.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Aston Hotels & Resorts is offering special spring “prepay & save” rates at three condominium resorts on Hawaii Island including Aston Shores at Waikoloa, Aston Waikoloa Colony Villas and Aston Kona by the Sea. Enjoy spacious accommodations fit for the entire family with convenient touches such as a fully equipped kitchen, private lanai (balcony) and in-room washer and dryer. For reservations made from March 1 to June 12, 2014, save an extra 15 percent. For more information, call (866) 774-2924 or visit www.astonhotels.com.
Golfers looking for convenience and savings on their next Hawaii Island vacation can book one of Waikoloa Golf’s featured Gold Member condominiums within Waikoloa Beach Resort.In addition to luxurious accommodations and unparalleled amenities within the resort, Kings’ Club Gold Members receive green fees as low as $50 per round on the Kings’ Course and up to 50 percent off 2013 Nike Convert rental clubs. Complimentary golf shuttle service is also available upon request. For more information, visit www.waikoloabeachgolf.com/golfpackages.
Until the end of April, Ala Kai Bed & Breakfast is offering the 5th night free when booking five nights or more. Ala Kai Bed & Breakfast is located at Kaloli Point in Puna. Stay at Ala Kai’s bamboo room, aloha room, and aloha suite and enjoy daily breakfast with local fruit and beverages including Kona coffee. For more information, visit www.alakaibb.com.
Healing arts center and bed and breakfast Dragonfly Ranch will host a quarterly 10-day cleanse and weight management program with Dr. Diana Hoppe beginning March 22 to 31. For more information, visit www.dragonflyranch.com.
KUDOS & ACCOLADES
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu was recently named the #1 hotel in Hawaii in Travel + Leisure’s T+L 500 – The World’s Best Hotels. The resort, which scored an overall 92.9 out of possible 100 points, was also named to the magazine’s list of Top 50 Hotels. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is Hawaii Island’s first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star hotel. For more information, or to book the Experience More, $1,000 resort credit package, visitwww.fourseasons.com/hualalai.
Pahoa has been named one of Budget Travel’s Top 15 “coolest small towns” in America. The honor was based on diversity in geography, attractions, architecture and other noteworthy distinctions. Located close to Hilo, Pahoa is located in beautiful volcano country, a short drive from black lava fields and about an hour from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.