BEAT OF HAWAII AND BEYOND

To get your vacation and the weekend off to a good start, here are three different discounts which are available on our local air carriers:

1.  Go! Airlines.  Enter coupon “ZGUIFQF” and promotion code “OAH09″ to receive 10% off inter-island airfares.  I do not know how long this discount will be in effect.

2.  Hawaiian Air.  We’ve talked about their affiliate program discounts previously.  These codes are good for 5% off travel between the mainland and Hawaii (not valid for inter-island). Valid through June 30, 2010.

3.  Mokulele.  Enter promo code “blessed” to receive 10% off inter-island flights.  Valid through August 7 only.

I also checked Island Air but could not find any discounts.

Photo:  Anini Beach Kauai, by Beat of Hawaii

Here’s another great deal from Pleasant Holidays to get you to Maui starting in late August.

As you may know, Pleasant buys bulk seats, primarily from United Airlines.  They are able to pass the discount on to you.  This results in an air plus hotel deal that is below the cost of airfare alone when purchased directly from the airlines.

Unable to find the deal on their yet to be updated website, I called Pleasant.  I was (if you’ll excuse the pun) pleasantly surprised by the helpful and not at all pushy Bakersfield-based agent, who was able to find the $399 deal, once I was completely clear what I was looking for.

At this price, you would normally not expect to get Sheraton Maui.  The well-reviewed hotel has a beautiful 23 acre setting at historic Black Rock Beach.

• Travel dates August 28 through September 4
• Total cost including all taxes, fees is approximately $800 for two persons.

Here are two great deals on cruises with itineraries I like.  Consider that just a week of hotels and restaurants in Hawaii would likely cost you as much. That’s without counting the value and convenience of the inter-island and trans-Pacific transport.  When paired with one of the Fall airfare sales we are likely to see shortly, this is an excellent value.

1.  Vancouver to Honolulu

Starting in Vancouver, you’ll sail 5-days to the islands, then get a full week in Hawaii.  You’ll spend two days in Honolulu, one on Kauai, two on Maui, and two on the Big Island.

Inside rooms start at $959.

September 18-30.

Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas.

2.  Honolulu to Ensenada

You’ll start with a full week in Hawaii, followed by a 5-day return voyage to Ensenada.  In Hawaii, you’ll have two days in Honolulu, one on Kauai, two on Maui, and two on the Big Island.

Inside rooms start at $999.

September 28-October 10.

Carnival Spirit.

Free Subscription to Cruise Travel

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably a cruise person.  So why not take advantage of this free subscription to Cruise Travel.

The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu brings the outdoor world inside with its current exhibit by Japanese artist Yoshihiro Suda; on view through October 18 at TCM’s Makiki location.

This is far from the normal gallery experience of viewing art on walls.

Instead you’ll find delicately carved plants and flowers that are so real you’ll want to reach down and pick them.  Don’t. They are fragile pieces made from magnolia wood and hand painted with traditional Japanese pigments.  A few works have already been stepped on and broken.

Sudas’ art is shown at all levels from the floor up.

Some galleries require that you go searching for his art which can be found below a window or behind a wall.  At first you’ll wonder where the art is located as you stare at empty walls.  Just stop and take time to look around you.

When you find his weed, leaf or flower, enjoy the experience of discovery and appreciation for things in this world we take for granted.

There’s more than art here; explore beautiful gardens throughout the 3.5 acre estate.

You’re on the slopes of Mount Tantalus with great views of Honolulu and Diamond Head.  On my next visit I plan to purchase a picnic lunch from the café and sit under my favorite tree.

The 70 year-old Monkey Pod is currently an art exhibit too.

San Francisco artist, Micheal Arcega, has installed an exhibit on the tree branches called, “Overlook.”  It’s tethered to the ground with different colored ropes and runs through October 25.

TCM always stretches my imagination and appreciation for art.

It’s Hawaii’s only museum dedicated to contemporary art and deserves to be on your sightseeing itinerary.

Visitor Guide

Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and students 13 and over.

Free Admission the third Thursday of every month, Young Adults 20-29 (through September 30), Military with ID and children under 12.

Location, Google map and Directions: 2411 Makiki Heights Drive.  From Ala Moana Blvd, turn on Piikoi.  After driving under the H-1 freeway, take a right on Mott-Smith Drive and a left on Makiki Heights Drive.  It’s a 10 minute drive from Ala Moana Shopping Center.  Bus #15 will take you there too.

Guided tours: Daily at 1:30 p.m., led by docents.

Museum Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 4pm; Sunday 12-4 (Closed Monday).

Café Hours: Tues-Sat 11:30 to 2:30 and Sunday from noon to 2:30.

Last month we reported, based on multiple sources, that six Boeing 757’s had been acquired on behalf of Allegiant Air, likely in preparation for service to Hawaii.  It is believed that at least one of these 757’s is in the shop at Goodyear, Arizona.

We’ve been reporting Allegiant’s plans to begin service to Hawaii for some time.  While the company has not yet confirmed this, I feel there is no doubt that an announcement is coming.

Bellingham to Hawaii is the route I predict.

Washington newspapers reported that Bellingham (WA) Airport’s aviation director has confirmed that Allegiant has discussed Hawaii plans with him.

Bellingham is an extremely profitable location for the carrier.

It successfully draws passengers from both Western Washington and neighboring British Columbia. The entire region is among the most popular for Hawaii tourism.  Likely Allegiant Air’s brilliant marketing will draw passengers away from Hawaiian, Northwest/Delta, as well as WestJet.

Bellingham has received their first two “adjustable” aircraft tugs.

All prior tugs were too low to be able to push a Boeing 757. While not big news in and of itself, it does further support just where Allegiant is headed.

ETOPS and Runways are the next hurdle.

Bellingham’s airport needs to have its runways overhauled.

Until then, regular 757 service cannot begin.  Its director has begun a technical analysis of the situation according to published reports.

Sources also tell me that Allegiant is actively recruiting for the new 757’s and ETOPS.

ETOPS certification might take 12 months. It includes enhanced safety equipment, redundancies, a more sophisticated maintenance program, training, and more.

Allegiant reported excellent 2nd quarter earnings of nearly $38 million.

This compared with less than $5 million in the same quarter in 2008.  Lower fuel costs were a big factor.  This is one smart company, however, and they accomplished this in spite of sharply lower airfares, in part because they were able to get passengers to pay more in “extras.”

Bottom Line

If you want to come to Hawaii from the Pacific Northwest in the next year, don’t plan on Allegiant Air to take you.  After that, however, I’d be surprised to not see their 757’s on approach to our islands.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the sea from a tall ship and help hoist a 5,000 square foot sail, I’ve got the excursion for you in Honolulu.  To take advantage of this opportunity you’ll need to be in town between now and August 9.

Sail on the 122-foot square topsail schooner Lynx.

After completing the famous Transpacific Yacht Race between Los Angeles and Hawaii, the Lynx is now offering morning dockside tours and three-hour afternoon sailings.  It’s the most unique way to see Oahu from the sea.

The Lynx is an interpretation of a naval schooner from the War of 1812.

This is no ordinary ship.  She is fitted with period ordnance and flies pennants and flags from the 1812 era.  Movie buffs will be interested to know that the Lynx was hired to train the cast and crew of the hit movie Pirates of the Caribbean.

Their afternoon sailings are a hands-on, interactive adventure.

I met with Captain Craig on Friday and toured the Lynx.  Shipboard action for you and your family can be hoisting the sails, steering the ship, and firing the main battery of six-pounder carronades.  If that’s too interactive for you, just sit back and enjoy the ride and views.

Who knows, maybe you’ll want to take their return sailing to the mainland on August 18.  At press time there were two openings left at $5k each.

Lynx Details:

Adventure Sailings: (2-5pm): $65 for adults and $35 for age 12 and under.  Reserve on-line as soon as possible.

Dockside Tours (10-1pm): $5 donation, no reservation.

Dates for sailings and tours:

July 26, 28, 29, 30 at Kewalo Basin (1025 Ala Moana Blvd. at Ward)

August 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 at Ko Olina Marina and Resort

August 18 to September 7: Transpacific sailing, Kauai to San Diego

Here’s another fantastic Fall/Winter fare from United.  This is the kind of deal that will likely only last hours, not days, so get it fast.

• Cost:  $416-423 roundtrip (all-inclusive)
• Airlines:  United Airlines
• Days:  Monday through Wednesday travel
• Advance purchase:  14 days
• Minimum/maximum days:  3/60
• Dates: Late August through Spring 2010.  Not available over holiday periods.
• Availability:  Dallas and St. Louis are quite good throughout; Miami is very spotty.  You’ll need to find dates using a flexible date search.

US Airways is sparring with United not only from Chicago, but from Denver as well.  And you win!

• Denver to Maui cost:  $501 roundtrip (all-inclusive)
• Denver to Honolulu cost:  $401 roundtrip (all-inclusive)
• Airlines:  US Airways
• Days:  Monday through Wednesday travel
• Advance purchase:  None
• Dates: Late August through Spring 2010.  Not available over holiday periods.
• Availability:  Good, but you’ll need to find it using flexible date search.  Some dates only available at about $10 more each way.

US Airways is going after United’s Chicago customers today with a great Fall travel deal to Hawaii.  This is airfare retaliation, as we’ve recently posted deals in which United was picking off US Air’s customers.

Chicago to Honolulu has not been in the $400’s since December 2008.

This deal with likely be very short-lived, so don’t wait at all if you want to get it.

• Cost:  $486 roundtrip (all-inclusive)
• Airlines:  US Airways
• Days:  Monday through Wednesday travel
• Advance purchase:  14 days
• Dates: Late August through Spring 2010.  Not valid over Christmas holidays, but Thanksgiving is still available for only $24 more each way.
• Availability:  Excellent.  Find it using flexible date search.

A great deal from Washington DC to Hawaii from Continental (and US Air). Good connection with just one stop in Houston.

• $523 Roundtrip (all-inclusive)
• Airline:  Continental, US Airways ($4 more)
• Days:  Monday through Wednesday
• Valid through Spring 2010
• Advance purchase:  21 days
• Minimum/maximum stay:  3/60 days
• Availability:  Good, but not over holiday periods.  Find seats using flexible date search like Kayak, FareCompare, or Travelocity.

Two great deals for the upcoming Fall season have shown up several weeks earlier than expected.  The Cleveland fare won’t last long at all, while the Seattle fare may last a bit longer due to competition in that market. Use flexible date search of your choice to find availability.

Seattle $163 each way.  $358 roundtrip (all-inclusive).

• Airlines:  Delta/Northwest, United, Hawaiian ($10 more)
• Days:  Monday through Wednesday travel
• Valid:  Mid-August through early December.  For a few dollars more, through March 2010 or beyond.
• Minimum/maximum days:  3/60
• Availability:  Excellent

Cleveland $226 each way.  $526 roundtrip (all-inclusive).

• Airlines:  United
• Days:  Monday through Wednesday travel
• Valid:  Mid-August through Spring 2010
• Minimum/maximum days:  3/60
• Availability:  Excellent

If you’re like me, you have some United miles, but are not an elite member.  With this offer, a 40,000 mile award has been reduced a whopping 10,000 miles.

This 20%+ off sale is a great deal if you plan to to come to Hawaii (or alternatively go to the mainland), no matter the distance, for 30,000 miles.  This is the equivalent of paying $300, based on the value of miles at one cent each! The further you need to travel to or from, the better the deal.

• Ticket by July 24
• Travel from August 18 – November 18
• Book only at united.com
• Economy class only; no upgrades possible