http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1785440981115843330&hl=en[/googlevideo] We love our Honu which is the Hawaiian green sea turtle. Three other Honu fans are the talented Claremont Trio who performed recently in Hawaii. While on Kauai, they filmed this wonderful video for their tour blog. 1. Green: Protected by the endangered species act, and weighing up to 500 pounds, their life-span is [...]

We’re starting to think that VOG, volcanic smog, may be a part of Hawaii’s landscape for the foreseeable future. It eminates from Mt. Kilauea on the Big Island, 250 miles south of Kauai, and has all the look and feel of real smog. The volcano has been belching more acid-rich air pollution than the dirtiest [...]

United Mileage Plus members can earn and redeem frequent flyer miles on Hawaiian Airlines inter-island flights, starting later this summer. Is it a good value? For mileage remption, this doesn’t compare to now defunct Aloha Airline’s 5,000 mile inter-island award. You’ll need a minimum of 10,000 miles to redeem the same award on Hawaiian Airlines. [...]

Orbitz is now offering 15% off on all hotel reservations. Be sure to use coupon code EMSAVE15 and book by May 26. This offer valid on hotel stays through July 31.   Island Air offers an excellent alternative to Hawaiian Airlines and Go!. They’re expanding inter-island service starting June 2. Check Island Air’s flight schedule [...]

We told you how to eat well at 30,000 feet. Now that you’ve arrived at your destination, what’s your meal plan on the ground? If your hotel room does not have a kitchen, your choices are limited to room service and restaurants. That is unless you follow our tip and bring along a portable kitchen. [...]

I’ve added my thoughts on these discussions and more over the past week. Here’s a recap of the articles I found most relevant to our readers: 1. What is the weak economy’s impact on vacation and business travel? First Signs of Softening Demand for Air Travel by Rick Seaney, pointed to a Bloomberg study indicating [...]

Can “The Store of Hawaii,” Hilo Hattie, keeps its island identity following their just announced sale to a California discount hair salon owner? It’s sad to see the end of a 45 year era. We have been hearing for some time, however, that Hilo Hattie was in financial trouble. Their problems included:

If you’ve followed Beat of Hawaii, sit down for this one. So much has changed in travel since our January 5 and subsequent posts in which we could not support Superferry as a viable alternative to inter-island air travel. Here are our current updates and recommendations:

Two new and potentially important travel sites, Uptake and Tripwolf, are going public this month. Both could help to improve and streamline planning for your next trip to Hawaii and beyond. But will they be able to break through the crowd and gain public trust? Here’s my first look at both. Uptake believes that travel [...]

Honolulu has just made the list of Travelocity’s Top Booked Domestic Destinations. So we too were left gasping when we read yesterday’s AAA report spreadsheet: Hawaii meals and lodging for two adults: $792 per day! Beat of Hawaii asks: Could AAA’s financial interests associated with automotive travel have had anything to do with the way [...]