BEAT OF HAWAII AND BEYOND

For those of you who have been waiting, it appears that Southwest Airlines has given up on the idea of serving Hawaii either directly or with a U.S. code share partner.

Southwest and its Pilots’ Association have just reached a tentative accord. Contained is a specific provision that the airline will not enter into any code-share agreements for domestic service.

Their decision might not be all bad.  As a reader of Southwest’s blog wrote:

“The thought of being on a Southwest jet on a trip as long as to Hawaii sends chills down my spine. I can’t take more than a few hours all cramped up like that. Stick to what you do best with those high frequency, relatively short flights.”

Southwest’s Code-Share History in Hawaii:

ATA had a Hawaii code share agreement with Southwest until its bankruptcy auspiciously a year ago this week.  As recently as last November, Southwest indicated that they were still looking for new code-share partners with whom they could serve the Hawaii market.

The other reasons Southwest is not Hawaii bound:

• Fleet is without planes capable of mainland to Hawaii travel (Alaska for example, uses 737-800, which Southwest does not have).
• Extended over water certification (ETOPS), which requires both training and equipment.  Certification goes with the carrier, not just the plane.  Southwest has neither.
• Desirable Hawaii routes that are 737 accessible are limited and have strong players.  You can’t get much further away than the West Coast and still make it to Hawaii with that type plane.  One route that could be popular is John Wayne (Orange County) which was previously served by Aloha.

Final Thought:

The entire process of adding Hawaii routes is a time-consuming, expensive and complicated undertaking that may well not be in Southwest’s best interests at this difficult time.  What do you think?

Hawaii Prince is one of our favorite luxury hotels to stay in Waikiki.  I was pleasantly surprised to see it offered now for as little as $179, which even includes a $50 credit.  The credit is just enough to pay for a buffet breakfast for two.  At a net price of $129, this is a terrific and I believe unprecedented offer for the Hawaii Prince Waikiki.

What We Like:

All rooms are oceanfront with floor to ceiling windows and face away from the noise and congestion of Waikiki.

Great location at the entrance to Waikiki along the boat harbor.  It’s an easy walk to Ala Moana beach park and shopping center.

What We’d Change:

All rooms have a mini-refrigerator but no microwave.

The property is starting to show its age and is in need of some refurbishment.

Internet Charge is $11.95 daily plus tax.

While there are operable windows, there are no balconies.

The deal: “Spring Into Summer and Celebrate Hawaii’s 50th.”

• Special rates from $179 – $239 per night.
• Room category is Oceanfront Marina.
• Daily $50 resort credit good toward on-site resort activities (golf, dining, massages and more).
• Valid April 1 to September 30 (2009).

Our tips:

• When available at check-in, Hawaii Prince has offered their Ala Moana suites for an upgrade fee of $50 per night.  These two-room, two-bath suites are huge (over 800 sq. feet), and have fantastic views.  We never want to leave.
• Sign up (at no cost) for Prince Preferred and receive 1,000 point bonus plus a room category upgrade (higher floor).
• Self Parking is $15 per day.  There is metered hourly parking adjacent to the hotel and free parking along Ala Wai Canal across the street.
• A complimentary shuttle between the hotel and Waikiki that operates throughout the day.
• In addition to the swimming pool, the hotel offers a gym with free weights.
• The hotel golf course is a 40 minute drive.

Research at Stanford University has revealed that coral off Makapu’u on Oahu’s southwest coast, is much older than previously believed.  Gold coral (Gerardia) found there may in fact be more than 4,000 years old.  These corals have stood place in the central Pacific long enough to store a vast history of change in the ocean.

Threats to coral reefs:

Stanford’s Brendan Roark, said that the growth of old coral is so slow that any harvesting is unsustainable.  The coral is also at risk from deep-sea trawling and long-line fishing.

Scientists predict that over half the world’s coral reefs may be gone within 30 years. Here in Hawaii, and around the world, they are in imminent danger from threats including global warming, harvesting, pollution, and unsustainable fishing, among other things.

Coral reefs support about one quarter of all marine life, and are associated with 1 million total species of plants and animals.  Their value is as global as is the danger to them.

Here are things that you can do to help protect our coral:

1. Use only physical barrier type sunscreens.  Besides, they’re better for you too.
2. Don’t buy coral jewelry or souvenirs.  Even Tiffany agrees that old (red) coral, is too precious to harvest or wear.
3. Eat only sustainable seafood.  That will ensure that fish stocks are maintained and overfishing is eliminated.
4. Do not touch, disturb or remove marine life from its habitat or shells.
5. Do not step, touch or stir up sediment on or near coral.
6. Educate yourself and others.  Read about NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, and check out the Coral Reef Alliance.

Our thanks to Arthur Frommer, the curmudgeonly original travel evangelist, who has written positive comments about Beat of Hawaii many times over the past year. Arthur likes our similarly sassy, irreverent and candid perspectives which we share from our home state of Hawaii.

This week, Arthur wrote an article on his blog that contrasts us with Go Visit Hawaii. It’s a site written by a visitor to Hawaii based in North Carolina.  We think both sites offer a unique perspective for travelers.

Arthur’s comments about Beat of Hawaii this week included:

“…Extremely perceptive comments, insights and disclosures about travel to Hawaii…produced by two local residents with high journalistic standards for their investigations and reports…it frequently conveys useful information for people planning or contemplating a trip there.”

Rob and I aspire to embody Beat of Hawaii with our global travel and analytic viewpoint, as well as a distinctly local Hawaii flavor.

I remain tenacious about helping you find the Hawaii deals you seek, and on critical reporting of the travel industry as it relates to Hawaii and beyond. Rob’s focus is Hawaii culture, tips, current events, trip reports and reviews, as well as to keep me under control.

We never envisioned Beat of Hawaii as a run-of-the-mill travel website, and are committed to authentic, interpretive content that you won’t find elsewhere.  That is why we believe more than half our readers are travel industry professionals.

Mahalo nui loa to our readers and to travel industry advocates like Arthur and Pauline Frommer.  If you enjoy Beat of Hawaii, your comments about us on Arthur’s blog are welcome.

Photo credit:  Ask Arthur Frommer is now available on Amazon and will be in your bookstore soon.  I’m looking forward to reading it.

Two of our readers, Aleksandra “Aleks” Witkowska and Paul Tomaszewski, recently took a break from their Chicago winter and vacationed on Big Island and Maui.  We’ll be featuring their trip report in two segments along with our thoughts.  First up is the Big Island.

Hilo scores as their favorite town in all Hawaii.

“The Zen gardens off Banyan drive left quite an impression, as did all the interesting mom and pop places that line the streets of Hilo. I discovered this little bakery called “Two Ladies Kitchen” that made THE BEST fresh mochi balls.”

Beat of Hawaii:  We like Hilo too and think it’s completely underrated. The problem is that Hilo doesn’t score well in terms of hotel and resort accommodations. But for a day trip from Kona, it can’t be beat.  Hilo has the best farmer’s market (Wednesday/Saturday) in the state.

Aleks and Paul Recommend these Favorite Places to Stay:

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel: “The best hotel experience we’ve ever had.”

Beat of Hawaii:  While the hotel is definitely showing its age and could use a refurb, it’s still a gem with a prime beach location and understated Big Island elegance that can’t be beat.  A great place to snorkel is at Turtle Cove which fronts the hotel.

Hilo’s Shipman House: “Great place.”

Beat of Hawaii:  If you’re interested in Big Island bed and breakfast accommodations, visit the Hawaiian Island B&B Association website.  Our favorite Hilo B&B, Waterfalls Inn, recently closed so we’ll check out Shipman House next time.

South Point Driving Report:

“We were able to navigate the dirt roads of South Point with our Vue.  This area is rural with mostly cattle farms as well as sheep, goats and horses.  The cliffs were littered with fishing line and discarded lures, as well as other garbage left behind by local fishermen. That is unfortunate, as it takes away from the natural beauty and panoramic views.”

Beat of Hawaii:  Not only is this the southern most point in the United States, it was probably the first place the Polynesians came ashore and settled nearly 2,000 years ago when they discovered these islands.  The holes they used to moor their canoes remain carved in the rocks.

Most visitors make the mistake of assuming that the cliffs with the boat hoists are South Point.  The real South Point is past the light beacon at a place where a rock wall trails down to the beach.

Saddle Road and Mauna Kea Report:

“Nicely paved and we were told, just recently straightened. There was still some construction remaining when we visited, but the road was mostly finished.

Saddle Road is not lit out of consideration to the major astronomy observatories at the top of Mauna Kea.  Light pollution is taken seriously in Hawaii.  All the street lights use a special low-polluting yellow glow light, which confused us at first as it looks a lot like the yellow on a stop light.

We ended up not attempting the summit of Mauna Kea on our own, but instead we went with the Arnott’s Lodge tour.  It was significantly cheaper than the Mauna Kea tours out of Waikoloa or Kailua Kona.   I am sure this is due in part to the shorter drive distance, but also Arnott’s is no frills. Our guide, Robert, was awesome: friendly, knowledgeable, good sense of humor, clearly enjoyed his job, all-around nice guy.”

Beat of Hawaii: Arnott’s Lodge tour is a great tip.  Their prices start at $110 per person compared to $197 at Mauna Kea Summit Adventures.  When driving Saddle Road be sure to pack warm clothes (highest elevation is 6,000 feet) and only attempt it on a clear day (fog can make driving hazardous).  There are no gas stations on Saddle Road so fill up before starting.  On a safety note, it’s best to keep your headlights turned on.

Aleks and Paul Choose their Top Big Island Places:

Hilo, Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea, the Kohala Coast, and Waimea.

Beat of Hawaii:  We’ll add swimming in the geothermal pool at Ahalanui Park in Puna.

Photos of the cliffs at South Point and Mauna Kea sunset courtesy of Aleks Witkowska and Paul Tomaszewski.

Hawaiian Airlines has just kicked off the latest airfare battle between the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.  As a result, you can expect to find reasonable prices all summer from Portland and Seattle to Honolulu and Kahului.  This represents a savings of about $200 over previous pricing during peak summer travel.

While the best pricing isn’t available every day, it is still widely available at this time.

• Honolulu – Seattle roundtrip $360
• Honolulu – Portland roundtrip $360
• Maui – Seattle roundtrip $386
• Maui – Portland roundtrip $430

Book on Hawaiian Airlines by March 31 for travel from June 15 through August 21.  Added taxes are approximately $20 roundtrip.  These fares are also available for travel originating in Hawaii.

I expect that Alaska and Northwest (maybe others too) will meet and perhaps beat these fares.  Stay tuned for more deal updates.

Photo taken from Diamond Head looking towards Waikiki.

There are a couple of nasty little facts about Hawaii that you may not be aware of.  In case you should encounter these skin irritations, the photo depicts some of our favorite cures.

As you know, everything grows well here, from vegetables to flowers to fungus.  Sometimes too well.  Sorry to say, even as a visitor you may not be immune to these annoying yet controllable problems.

1.  Bacteria.   These seem to grow here in a way completely different than on the mainland.  The warm moist environment makes even the smallest cut on your finger or elsewhere the perfect host for a nasty and painful bacterial infection.

If you get a small cut, consider using antibiotic cream as a preventative for a day or two.  If you don’t, it will likely get red and painful.

2.  Fungus.  You may need to be here for a bit longer to develop this problem, but sooner or later it effects most everyone here.  I’m not a doctor, but I think it is a ringworm related fungus that causes reddened rashes here in our moist climate.  Using body powder and fungicides definitely keeps this situation under control.  Head over to the drugstore if you should get a fungal infection.

It’s a small price to pay for being here in paradise.

Updated:  When I checked, the only Hawaii hotels I found of interest at the $99 rate were the Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas and the Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa. Frankly, however, I would consider neither to be 4-star.  The link at the bottom of the $99 deal page was not working, so perhaps check later and see if any new Hawaii properties become available.

Tonight at 8pm EDT, BookIt.com will be having a 4-star and above, luxury hotel sale.  It’s a 99 hour sale of hotel rooms for $99.

This sale isn’t limited to Hawaii. BookIt does feature many properties throughout Hawaii in the 4-star and above range.  Hopefully this will be an opportunity to score some great luxury hotel deals.

I plan to be there (and will update this post with anything interesting that I find).  I suggest you might want to give it a try too.

As I’ve repeatedly said, the review sites became ripe for fraud due to their fast-waxing prominence together with the dire financial state of the travel industry.  Here are two recent examples:

More bad news at Expedia’s TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic.

Cruise Critic, a part of Expedia’s TripAdvisor brand, has recently come under fire for assisting Royal Caribbean cruises in a highly questionable viral marketing campaign.  Together, they  solicited posters to manipulate reviews on the site in exchange for free cruises and other perks.  Royal Caribbean, allegedly with assistance from Cruise Critic, found prolific users of the site who wrote positively about Royal Caribbean.  Cruise Critic helped Royal Caribbean contact those individuals in order to enlist their complicity.

Expedia’s review sites are certainly not alone and frankly are not the sole cause of the industry’s troubles.

Yelp accused of extortion.

Yelp, a 4 year old website where users share opinions on businesses including restaurants, shopping and entertainment, garnered over 20 million unique viewers last month.

As you may have already read, Yelp has been accused of extorting money from businesses in order to improve their rankings.  Its been squarely alleged that the company manipulated reviews in exchange for garnering $299 monthly advertising campaigns from businesses.  Yelp has of course denied these accusations.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for travel review site woes.

Travel reviews are no longer to be trusted, period.  I feel as wary of them as I would any form of vendor advertising.  Buyer beware is the appurtenant motto.  This industry is in for a huge revamp, sooner better than later, if consumer generated travel reviews are ever to be trusted again.

Recently, a 33 year old Japanese visitor drowned in the Wailua River, while kayaking with a tour group on Kauai.  On the same day, the Fire Department also rescued two more visitors on the Wailua River (not with the tour group), and another visitor at nearby Wailua Beach, after being swept out to sea.

What’s to blame:

Inclement weather resulting in rough ocean conditions and a false sense of safety afforded by a tour group.  More often than not, it’s visitors who are injured or lose their lives in Hawaii ocean (and river) accidents.  Lack of familiarity with the island water conditions is a significant component.

What can you do to protect yourself?

1.  Read the ocean safety brochure in your hotel room on arrival.

2.  Swim where there is a lifeguard.

3.  Pay attention to warning signs on the beach.  If you have questions, talk to a lifeguard before entering the water.

4.  Check the Hawaii Beach Safety website daily for updates on ocean conditions.

5.  Be careful on wet sand and rocks where waves can surprise you unexpectedly.  I took the top photo at Lumahai Beach on Kauai to show what might happen.

There are almost always safe places to be in the water in Hawaii, even in rough winter weather.  Just follow the tips above.  I also use Kauai Explorer to track ocean surf and visibility year round.

From many locations, coming to Hawaii between now and late Spring (May 19) is about as cheap as you’ll ever find. Most of these deals have just had their validity extended from April.  These prices are round-trip, all-inclusive:

• Boston to Honolulu:  $419;  Kahului $431; (all carriers)
• Houston to Honolulu:  $414 (US Airways)
• NYC to Honolulu: $417; Kahului $431; Kona or Lihue $445 (all carriers)
• San Francisco to Honolulu:  $238 (United, Northwest)

There are more deals available as of today, but these fares looked especially good.  Use a flexible date search on Travelocity to check for other deals from your departure city.

These fares are also available for travel originating in Hawaii.

Photo taken during our stay at Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki.

When you’re visiting Hawaii, the person cleaning your room, parking your car, and helping at the front desk may be Filipino.

To make a nice impression, knowing a few words of Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines, is another way to say Aloha.

Over 20 percent of Hawaii’s population is Filipino.  They came to Hawaii in the early 1900’s to work in the sugar industry and now many are in hospitality.

Here are some common phrases your Filipino hosts will be pleasantly surprised to hear.  Another opportunity to speak Tagalog is when you call Hawaiian Airlines.  Most of your calls will be answered in the Philippines.

Howzit/hello/hi:

Kum estah (similar to Spanish)

Good morning:

Magandang umaga (ma-gan-dang u-MA-ga)

Thank you:

Salamat (sa-la-ma)

If you want more Tagalog for your visit to Hawaii, check this English to Tagalog dictionary.