Cheap Airfare to Hawaii-Start Packing your Bags!

Take Advantage of Low New Year’s Fares to the Hawaiian Islands! Plan an informative, active and fun trip for your family and spend a week this winter in paradise. Assign your kids to write a report on their educational adventures in Hawaii.

Oahu - There is only one Royal Palace on U.S. soil and its located on this island. ‘Iolani Palace entertained Heads of State, including Queen Elizabeth.  ’Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy, is a marvel of opulence, innovation, and political intrigue. Meticulously restored to its former grandeur, this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalakaua, who built it in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili‘uokalani, walked its celebrated halls.

After experiencing your educational walking tour, have you secretly wanted to visit surfers paradise out at Pipeline? The winter waves are the biggest and best of the year!

Maui - The islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai create a “perfect craddle” for the Humpback Whales to frolick, play and birth their new baby calves.  How about taking your kids on a whale watch and view the Humpback whales teaching their baby calves how to breach?  Lets plan a cruise where they will be able to listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophones, watch mothers and calves interact and see males compete for females!

Hawaii - The volcanoes on the Big island of Hawaii are still erupting - this would make a great science report! The island called Hawaii is larger than all of the other islands combined, big enough to include 11 of the world’s 13 climactic zones—from sandy beaches to snowcapped mountains. Here you can experience accessible waterfalls and rainforests in Hilo or view Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

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The Annual Pailolo Challenge-Canoe Race from Maui to Molokai

Early Saturday morning marked the annual Pailolo Challenge Canoe Race between Maui and Molokai scheduled for a 9:00am start at D.T. Fleming Beach. I arrived at 730 am, along with 2 greyhound busses of paddlers from the Westin Villas. Hundreds of paddlers fly in from all islands for this event. It is one of the last canoe races of the season that runs from the end of May until the beginning of August. Paddlers train all year for this 26 mile race. Last year approx 100 teams participated in the Challenge.

Driving my little car down toward Fleming beach, there was a light mist in the air - the Hawaiians would call it a blessing, I looked out onto the water, there was a rainbow - I think the blessing is in the rainbow.

As I was setting up my little mat on the hillside to ensure a great view, I began talking story with an older Hawaiian gentleman resting at a picnic table. I asked him if he ever paddled the Pailolo channel - oh sure yea he says, “Back in ‘58 it was just a bunch of us guys getting together, nothing organized like this, just guys having fun. We later formed the Lahaina Canoe club in about 1960.’” Someone asked him if the 1st place team in the Pailolo challenge won any money, he replied, “No, but they give choke prizes, its done for sport and good times.”

There were a few hundred people on the beach and grassy area, team members preparing their canoes, family and friends wishing safe passage and a general excitement in the air. I spotted an old friend of mine that was in the race, he shared that in an effort to prepare for this race, the paddlers have already spent the season racing against the other dozen or so Canoe Clubs around the islands. Also they’ve paddled quite a few practice runs for the 26 mile race by paddling their one-man canoes over to Molokai, then hopping onboard the ferry for the trip back to Maui. The Molokai ferry allows paddlers to carry a one-man canoe onboard, stacked in the back of the ferry.

I’ve also learned, each team consists of 9 - 12 members. Each canoe is assigned an escort boat (most of the escort boats were small commercial fishing boats) that carry the extra paddlers on board as there are only 6 seats on each canoe. It takes an average of 3 hours or more to paddle across the channel. The paddlers change out 1 seat every 10 minutes thereby allowing each paddler to paddle for an hour, then take a break and watch the action from the comfort of the escort boat. He continues on that It’s pretty much a straight shot from D.T.Fleming Beach to Kauanakakai Harbor. Just paddle to the Kamalu Buoy and turn toward Molokai.

Pailolo Channel is one of the windiest channels in the Hawaiian Islands. The tradewinds blowing between Maui and Molokai funnel the waves into perfectly spaced bumps that offer a great ride virtually all the way from Fleming Beach to Kaunakai Pier 26 miles away.

As 9:00am was fast approaching, the canoes were carried down to the shorebreak, everyone sporting their team colors. There were lots of spectators milling about, taking pictures and generally getting in the way. As the paddlers launched their canoes across the waves breaking on the shoreline, the first 6 paddlers climbed aboard their canoe and began paddling out to meet up with their assigned escort boat. The rest of the team members jumped in the water and began swimming out to meet the escort boat as well. The canoes lined up on the horizon, the gun sounded and the race began - 26 miles to Molokai…..

Of course I was still on the beach on Maui but I knew when the race was over and everyone was safely in, all of the teams would be greeted with flower leis, hugs, ono grinds, cold drinks and lots of aloha - next year I’ll need to plan ahead to meet the canoes and share in the good times on Molokai. Ahh life on an island in the middle of the sea….

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Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay - Paradise is still available for Christmas!

Looking for a fabulous family vacation resort for Christmas?  Perhaps a “luxury hideaway with the little ones“? A little slice of heaven in Hawaii? Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay is where you will want stay!

This Five Star resort offers impeccable service and is the perfect island getaway… so relaxing. While you are lounging by their lovely pool you will be treated to Evian spritzers, ice water, chilled towels and fruit kabobs. Steps from the resort, just down the beach path, you will find Hulopoe Bay and a great stretch of white sand beach. You can sit back and enjoy the sun or snorkel and explore the underwater world at best spot on the island for snorkeling and swimming. It will be the perfect time of year to see the Humpback whales and Spinner dolphins.

The Island of Lanai is a wonderful playground where you will find * Horseback riding * Golf * Snorkeling & SCUBA diving * Mountain biking * Skeet shooting * Lanai Art Center

The Spa is incredible and has 11 treatment rooms including red cedar dry heat saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms and rainforest showers. Dining is fabulous at both Manele Bay and their sister resort, The Four Season Lodge at Koele! You can also take a complimentary shuttle to the Lodge for the day or just to have a nice dinner.

The Four Seasons Manele Bay is a fantastic resort for children: they will be greeted with a welcome amenity, child size bathrobes, complimentary infant and children’s toiletries, welcome milk and cookies on the evening of arrival and even a teen center is available.

Two Island Tip: If you are looking for something a little extra, would like to visit 2 islands but don’t want to deal with the airports, a Maui-Lanai combo vacation is a great idea! Expeditions Ferry cruises five times a day with service between Lahaina Harbor, Maui & Manele Harbor, Lanai. The pleasant 45 minute crossing makes a Lanai add-on to any Maui stay easy and affordable!  Plus you’ll be getting a whalewatching opportunity so be sure to bring your binoculars!

For more Christmas vacation ideas call us at 800 644-6659 or email Teresa@Luxuryhideaways.net today!

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Happy Clients - Happy Vacation!

Aloha,

I was very pleased with Teresa’s voluntary information about Maui. We have been there before but she added to our former experience. I especially like her phone etiquette and follow/up. She was able to get us the exact type of condo we needed. She suggested reserving a car for us and saved us a tremendous about of worry about added reservations. I will definitely trust her with any future reservations.

Sincerely
Joyce S.  August 2011
Note: Joyce reserved an 11 day vacation at the Aston Papakea Resort on Maui for herself and family

Aston Papakea Resort:
Located on the West side of Maui, just 4 miles North of Lahaina is one of my favorite moderately priced luxury hideaways (they dont have to be expensive!) - Papakea Resort. It is an oceanfront condominium surrounded with hibiscus, plumeria trees and bird of paradise, it is a gardners delight. The property is immaculate and offer 2 large swimming pools, spa tubs, 18-hole putting greens, shuffleboard courts, and barbecue areas.

Papakea Resort offers studios as well as 1 and 2 bedroom condos.  They are very spacious with all of the amenities of home, including a washer/dryer and dishwasher, the conveniences of a hotel, and the fun-and-games of a resort bring family life to full flower.

Honeymooners find the spacious grounds and unusually beautiful gardens to be the perfect spots for restful privacy. On Monday evenings, a complimentary mai tai party brings everyone together for hula lessons and Hawaiian music.  The Aston Papakea offers my clients the enjoyment of living on an island in the middle of the Sea.

Are you ready to stick your toes in the sand and a maitai in your hand?

Call me at 800 644-6659 or email Teresa@Luxuryhideaways.net

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Lahaina Historic Trail - an Interesting & Educational Walking-tour

Be sure to take the time to uncover the significance of Lahaina, Maui as the first capital of Hawaii, the Pacific’s wildest whaling port and a plantation settlement! This free, self-guided walking tour takes visitors to 62 significant sites throughout Lahaina, many of which have been designated National Historic Landmarks. Bronze plaques around Front Street mark the trail and designate points of interest.  Reward yourself at the end of the tour with a maitai at the famous Pioneer Inn, where Mark Twain slept.

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Makawao, Maui - where the Paniolo lifestyle is alive and well!

Makawao, Maui - Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town and a renowned art community

Located on the mid-slopes of Maui’s Haleakala volcano, Makawao has one foot in its plantation past and another in its thriving arts community. This charming town was once named one of the top 25 arts destinations in the United States.

Makawao is the biggest little town in the region locally known as Upcountry Maui and is famous for its Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo. Since the late 19th century, horseback-riding paniolo have wrangled cattle in Maui’s wide-open upland fields. The Makawao Rodeo, held yearly on the Fourth of July, is Hawaii’s largest paniolo competition and has been an Upcountry tradition for more than 50 years. The weekend events include a parade and traditional rodeo competitions such as barrel racing, calf roping and bareback bronco riding, all with a few Hawaiian twists.

For a snack, follow the locals to get a famous cream puff from T. Komoda Store. Established in 1916 by Takezo Komoda, a Japanese plantation worker, this little store and bakery does big business. Lines can be long in the morning when everything’s fresh, so come early. The bakery is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

You can also spend the afternoon exploring and shopping in the eclectic shops, boutiques and art galleries in town. Makawao is also home to the Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center, where visitors can take classes and explore free gallery exhibits. The combination of its paniolo heritage and its lively artistic community make Makawao a unique stop on your visit to Maui.

Exerpts from GoHawaii.com

NOTE: I’ve got my cowgirl hat & jeans, camera in hand, pointing my little car upcountry Saturday morning for a dirt kickin’ good time!

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One month ago today we left beautiful Maui. It was a magical trip.

Teresa, Travel Agent Extradinairre, Aloha,

Sorry for taking so long to reply. One month ago today we left beautiful Maui. It was a magical trip. We enjoyed our time there so much. The whole family did. Your itinerary worked out perfectly. Only one day was not as good as we hoped and that is when we took Vern’s family snorkelling. That day was very, very rough and difficult to snorkel especially for the little ones. Kelly and I became seasick which was not so great but we still had fun. Everything else was aces.

Maui Hill fit our needs very well as the condos are so spacious. They even had Santa land by helicopter near the pool on Christmas Eve. That was very exciting. Hawaii is a paradise.

Sorry you were sick and we missed meeting you. Anyway you did a great job so thank you so much! May 2011 bring good things into your life. Happy New Year.
Bye for now,
Lynda & family

If you too would like assistance with your Christmas vacation,

Call 800 644-6659 or email Teresa@LuxuryHideaways.net

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American Safari Cruises Offering Travel Credit

Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands will receive $150.00 per person or $300.00 per couple travel credit aboard the Safari Explorer if the cruise is purchased by 29/July 2011.

Experience 5 star luxury resort living aboard the 36 passenger Safari Explorer and see the Hawaiian islands in a different light.  Sailing 7 - 10 night active, adventure itineraries between Maui and the Big Island from November 2011 through April 2012, visiting Moloka’i, Lana’i and Molokini. The credit is intended to help guests defray air costs to the Hawaiian Islands where they will embark on their adventure cruise.

“We are confident guests will be thrilled with the experience of seeing and experiencing Hawaii up close on an upscale yacht,” said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “This is a brand new vacation option in the Hawaiian Islands, and we hope the travel credit aids in the decision-making process to try an adventure un-cruise in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”

Jacox says the un-cruise defines the active, up close and personal style of adventure travel that makes American Safari Cruises different from other cruise vacations. The Safari Explorer is the only small-group expedition yacht offering overnight cruises in the Hawaiian Islands.

Flexible yacht itineraries focus on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands. The unstructured itinerary allows time for seeking wildlife such as Manta rays, dolphins and humpback whales. Outfitted for active adventures, the yacht’s well stocked water sports equipment includes kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, wet suits, sailboats and inflatable skiffs for up-close excursions. Guided snorkeling tours are a highlight throughout the trip. Two knowledgeable expedition leaders guide hiking and kayaking tours. Bicycles are also available for guest use on Moloka’i and Lana’i.

Exclusive cultural tours have been arranged for guests in Moloka’i including guided hikes, visiting and restoring a family’s ancient taro terraces, “talking story” with native Hawaiians and a private, authentic Hawaiian pa’ina (feast).

The Safari Explorer has an on-deck hot tub, sauna, exercise equipment, a wine library and two large-screen TVs in the main salon. Exceptional cuisine is prepared with fresh, local ingredients and the complimentary bar offers premium spirits, fine wines and microbrews. The active spa environment includes a complimentary massage and yoga classes. All staterooms offer Tempur-pedic mattresses, flat screen TV/DVD players and iPod docks. Upper category staterooms feature Jacuzzi tubs and suites have private step-out balconies.

Fares start at $4,995 for the seven-night cruise and $6,495 for the 10-night cruise, both per person, double occupancy. Itineraries include exclusive excursions as well as all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1 and includes Hawaii residents who have personal knowledge of the islands.

Posted Originally by American Safari Cruises/Innersea Discoveries

For more information contact Teresa@Luxuryhideaways.net or call 800 644-6659

Note from Travelgal:
I personally experienced life onboard one of American Safari Cruises for a few days, it is a floating all inclusive luxury resort. If you were to break down the cost of hotel, meals, transfers, alcohol and activities - this is a deal!

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Teresa is very knowledgeable in travel thru-out the South Pacific

Bula bula and aloha,
I received a wonderful recommendation from my past Clients and wanted to share with you:

Dear Teresa,
I’ve written this recommendation of your work to share with other LinkedIn users.

“My wife and I hired Teresa at the recommendation of our friends who had previously used her services. She was very professional and personable. She provided us with vacation options that met our budget and our wishes. Since our trip to the Fiji Islands, we have used her services for a trip to Maui, Hawaii. Teresa is very knowledgeable of the travel destinations in the South Pacific and Hawaii. We have had zero issues with her work and the travel documents she provides. I don’t always use a travel agent however when I do, it’s always Teresa.”
Service Category: Travel Agent
Year first hired: 2007 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity

NOTE: Matt & his wife celebrated their honeymoon on the private island of Matamanoa Island, located in the Fiji Islands.

Matamanoa Island is a lovely little island, extremely affordable, beautiful white sand beaches and caters to just 20 couples in beachfront bures (cottages). [Read more]

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FIRST ANNUAL MAUI BREWERS FESTIVAL!

This is the way to raise funds on Maui! I am getting ready for this event - but how do you accessorize for a brew fest?!

We are meeting the Maui Brewing Company in Kahana and taking a 45 minute bus ride to the festival on the lawn of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center from 2:30 - 6:30 today 30/May 2009.

Featuring Entertainment by:
Island Rumours Band featuring Rick Vito! Also: Erin Smith & the Throwdowns, Off Tomorrow, and the Celtic Tigers. MC: kawikaveeka of 92.5 and giveaways galore! Must be 21 years & older.

A total of (23) Brewers will be serving (46) Beers from Hawaii, the US Mainland and from around the globe as well as a host of food tents and offerings.

The festival is presented by Kona Brewing Company, a new “Maui-Calls” style event to highlight the food n’ brews of the Pacific. Its not too late to join us and of this inaugural fun event to help the MACC celebrate its 15th Anniversary! Call 808 242-show for more information - see ya there!

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