Cheap Airline Tickets to Hawaii … Going … Going …
Almost Gone!
I certainly don’t want to discourage you from searching out cheap tickets to Hawaii, but times a wastin!
Some of the airlines have scheduled major increases and surcharges to the Islands of Hawaii.
Case in point. HURRY ON THIS ONE!
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES ANNOUNCES NEW SURCHARGES. Effective May 27, Hawaiian is raising one-way inter-island fares by $10, raising its lowest fare from $54 to $64, the airline said. Actually that’s just early morning and late night flights. Minimums on normal daytime flights will be either $74 or $84. And that’s just minimums. Remember, these are one-way prices.
Fuel surcharges to the Mainland, USA will increase $35, from $65 to $100; to Sydney, up $40 from $120 to $160; to Pago Pago, up $45 each way from $65 to $110; to Papeete, up $55 each way from $65 to $120; and to Manila up $35 from $115 to $150 for Honolulu to Manila only. Again, that’s EACH WAY.
Inter-island Choices
Island Air … still good reliable service, and holding their present fares.
Go! … Cheap, but are looking at bankruptcy.
Pacific Wings … Fares remain steady.
American Airlines Puts Premium on Luggage.
American Airlines’ will now charge a $15 fee for the FIRST checked bag; that’s in addition to the $25 fee already charged for a second bag. $40 for two bags … each way! Skinny down to one piece of luggage stowed, and get creative with your carry on.
OK, that’s it for this post. will double up on News Flash and Fun Facts About Hawaii in the next post.
Now, get out there and hunt down those cheap airline tickets to Hawaii!
Aloha a hui hou 
What Do Jason Castro and American Idol Have to do with Hawaiian Vacations?
Not a trick question. And glad you asked.
Well, anybody that pays attention to the pop news knows that Jason Castro scored big on American Idol with his rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, while artfully strumming a Ukulele. So simple, and so great.
Well, Jason certainly got his inspiration from the great and beloved Isreal Kamakawiwio`ole … Bruddah Iz … and his world renowned recording of the same tune. Bruddah Iz passed on in 1997, but his music remains strong, in Hawaii and around the world.
(In fairness to all parties, the song was first recorded in 1939 by Judy Garland for the box office hit “Wizard of OZ”. I believe it was the first Technicolor film I ever saw, and that was in early 1940. So there. And I was 8 years old … so there, again.)
If you’re prepping for your first visit to Hawaii, knowing about Bruddah Iz is an essential. Many of his songs address the desire of the Hawaiian people to protect their cultural heritage, as well as giving the world a sense of what Hawaii’s all about. You’ll hear his music everywhere. You may already know some of his work.
His great version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” was included in the soudtracks of “Meet Joe Black” “Finding Forrester” and “50 First Dates.” On a personal note, I recall seeing “Meet Joe Black” when I lived on Maui. The song came on towards the end, maybe while the credits were being shown. I can tell you this, nobody left that auditorium ’til the song was completed. There was a litte throat clearing and eye dabbing going on, too.
Strangely enough, I read an article about that film written by a so-called movie critic of a major national magazine. This critic claimed Bruddah Iz’s song somehow insulted the memory of Judy Garland. Well, Thrrruuup! on you Mr. Movie Critic. History has certainly proved otherwise.
Please do acquaint yourself with Bruddah Iz before you go to Hawaii. It’ll make your Hawaii Vacation just that much more pleasurable.
So, spend a few enjoyable minutes listening and viewing the videos below. You choose which one you like the best. Yeah, and leave a comment about your choice. Then, check out the sources for Bruddah Iz’s great songs.
First, Here’s Bruddah Iz
Now comes, Jason Castro
And, finally, Judy Garland
And, I’ve also listed a few opportunities to add Bruddah Iz to your music library.
My personal favorite! Facing Future
In this selection,”Wind Beneath My Wings” will tear you up … No, I mean really. E Ala E
This group led the way to “new” Hawaiian sounds. Olomana
OK, can’t leave this post without my stimulating, mind blowing News Flash and Hawaii Fun Facts features:
News Flash: Island Air announces new service, Honolulu to Lihue, Kaua`i. Find out about it Here
Fun Facts About Hawaii: Kilauea Mountain on Big Island is considered to be most active volcano in the world.
Aloha a hui hou
Jake Shimakuburo … Revisited
So you can pick up some of Jake’s great Hawaiian Ukulele Music, and all his other genius Ukulele renditions, I’m doing a little post to point you in the right direction: Good place to start
“da bruddah stay good”
News Flash: An event that has been going on in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island for several weeks now, is going to wrap up in late May. It’s called 2008 Kona Earth Festival. But here’s the thing, and this is especially true if you have keikis (kids), one of the major events is called Jack’s Diving Locker Ocean Fair ,and it takes place on Saturday, May 24, 2008.
Second News Flash: Have you read the claims AAA has made about what it costs to vacation in Hawaii for just one day. Get this … according to a AAA survey released Monday [5/5/2008] … it costs two adults an average of $793 a day for food and lodging alone. Here’s my take: COMPLETELY IGNORE THE STATEMENT!
Even the most rudimentary research online (and that’s where you should be making your arrangements) will show the $793 figure as just crappy … did I just type crappy? … bean counting analysis. Having a simply glorious Hawaiian vacation is going to cost you far less than that.
Two Fun Facts About Hawaii:
- The State Bird is called a Nene. It’s a flightless goose slightly smaller, but similar in appearance, than a Canadian goose.
- The State Flower is a Yellow Hibiscus. No, not a Red Hibiscus, a Yellow Hibiscus.
OK, I’m gone.
Aloha a hui hou.
Get up to Speed with the “jumping flea” … Ukulele
This is short post, because more than anything I want to make an announcement about an upcoming, very special event. Not in Hawaii, but in San Clemente, California. And it’s all about two of Hawaii’s treasures, Hawaiian Ukulele music , and the ukulele genius, Jake Shimabukuro (Shee mah BOO coo row).
Ukulele facts, the history of ukulele, and ukulele cord charts are all over the internet. Just Google any of those terms and you’ll have at least an afternoon’s reading.
What sometimes is missing, is what a love affair there is between the ukulele and the music from it, and the people of Hawaii. Almost every school, grade school on up, has a ukulele band. Bet you don’t have that in Yuma, Arizona or Portland, Maine.
The instrument, and the music from it, is rooted in the arrival of Portuguese immigrants in the 1870’s, sugar plantation workers, and the culture’s just plain love of music. It’s “everyman’s” musical instrument; portable, basic cording is pretty easy, and very versatile (just ask Jake Shimabukuro).
Oh, about the “jumping flea” part. There are many stories as to the origin of the name “ukulele.” One, of many, is that when people saw it played rapidly, fingers dancing and strumming, it reminded them of a flea jumpng around.
In Hawaiian:
uku (oo coo)=flea
lele (leh leh)=jump,leap
Put ‘em together folks and you get “ukulele.”
OK, OK, here’s the announcement … I’ve edited it somewhat in the interest of brevity. If you wrote it, I guess you can just come over and slap me:
SAN CLEMENTE, Ca. -May, 2008. The Surfing Heritage Foundation will be hosting ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro on Sunday, May 25th. The concert will be held at the Foundation’s cultural heritage facility … 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, CA 92672. Show time 7:30 pm and doors open to the general public at 6:30 pm. General admission is $25. VIP tickets, include dinner, drinks and premiere seating,$75. Proceeds go to the Surfing Heritage Foundation … .
Jake Shimabukuro is fast becoming recognized [he's already recognized] as one of the world’s top ukulele musicians. His virtuosity defies label or category, playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake’s mission is to show everyone that the instrument is capable of so much more than Hawaiian music. Jake has played and recorded with a treasure trove of other musicians including; Jimmy Buffet, Diana Krall, Fiona Apple, Bobby McFerrin, and Ziggy Marley. He has also appeared on The Late Show with Conan O’Brien.
Here’s a good place to start on your ukulele research:
Aloha a hui hou
HAWAII RESORTS, CONDOS, AND HOTELS….OH, My.
Hawaii has every type of lodging you can think of; Accommodations all the way from ultra luxurious resort hotels to skidrow fleabags. My first tip about this is:
If you’re considering going to Hawaii on a package plan, check out all that is offered, especially the lodging that is included in the package.
Why do I emphasize this point? Because I’ve had soooo many people on my tours that voiced disappointment, or alluded to downright deception about their accommodations.
Having said that, you need to know that the general level of cleanliness, courtesy, and service in Hawaii lodgings is excellent.
The problem, most of the time, seems to be in the traveler’s perception of what he’s paying for, and what he’s actually paying for (excuse the gender thing). Here’s a property ad from an actual web description … I’ve changed a few words, but haven’t downgraded or embellished the property.
“Hotel xyz is an older moderate hotel with expansive grounds and over eleven hundred palm trees. This low-rise property is located across the street from the beach in the Kihei area on Maui. It features a pool, 2 tennis courts, central laundry facilities, activity desk, complimentary coffee in the lobby, BBQ and volleyball.
The hotel rooms (which range from garden view to oceanfront) all have air conditioning, refrigerator, shower & bathtub and color cable TV.“
Now, this is a very forthright description of the property. I’ve stayed there several times, and have recommended it to others. So what’s the problem?
The problem lies in several terms. “Older” is not well defined. This property is, without a doubt, the oldest resort on Maui that’s still standing.
And then there’s “across the street from the beach.” The beach consists of a few small pockets of sand, which are blocked off by small oceanfront units that actually belong to Unit xyz. The main body of this property sits back about 75 to 100 yards off the road…”across the street.” Again, “oceanfront” is a fair distance from the ocean and is blocked by many of the “eleven hundred palm trees.”
Would I stay there again? Sure I would. But I know what I’m getting. I have no allusions. I know it’s a very old Hawaiiana style resort that’s seen better days. But it’s very clean and friendly.
New visitors wouldn’t know that from just reading the description. They also wouldn’t know there isn’t any restaurant located on the property (McDonalds is about 1 1/2 miles down the road), or that a real beach is a pretty good hike in either direction. But the ad should have mentioned there is a great windsurfing beach a short distance away, and because Hotel xyz is far back from the road, it’s pretty quiet.
So, here’s my point again. Don’t just take an agent’s, website’s, or travel brochure’s word for what your “home away from home” is going to be like. Check it out! Call ‘em up! Ask questions! It really doesn’t take much effort, and I know you’ll be a lot happier knowing your perceptions are a lot closer to the real thing.
New Features Alert: News Flash, and Fun Facts About Hawaii
News Flash: Well now, I sorta promised that I’d let up on the air travel news, but later realized that I’d overlooked an important carrier, Alaska Airlines. And here’s the flash: Alaska Airlines will start a new daily round-trip flight between Seattle and Maui that begins July 17. Of course, Alaska already flies nonstop to Kauai and Honolulu.
Fun Facts about Hawaii: Below is the Hawaii State Song.
Hawai’i Pono’i
Written by King David Kalakaua
Hawaii ponoi Nana i kou, moi
Kalani Alii, ke Alii.
Makua lani e Kamehameha e
Na kaua e pale Me ka i he.
(translation)
Hawaii’s own true sons, be loyal to your chief
Your country’s liege and lord, the Alii. [royalty]
Father above us all, Kamehameha, [first Chief to unify Hawaii]
Who guarded in the war with his ihe, [spear]
Aloha, a hui hou (until we meet again)
Airlines That Fly to Hawaii …
… provide easy access to to all the major islands and airports.
Wait a minute! Does it seem like I’m giving waaaay to much attention to air travel? Ok, OK, this’ll be the last post … for a little while … about airlines, cheap airline tickets , and stuff like that. Except for updates.
Last post I talked about the demise of Aloha Airlines, but neglected to note the passing of another great airline service to Hawaii,ATA Airlines. Bruddah, did I love those guys. ATA, for me always delivered the goods. I took numerous trips out of Maui, and later from Hilo on the Big Island when ATA resumed service there in … ummm, I think it was 2006. They had a great connection with Southwest in Oakland, then on to Albuquerque (my second home). Why is it that so many of the good guys get cut?
Moving on, below is a list of the airlines that provide service to Hawaii from the Mainland (that’s the really big island called the “lower 48″). Not all airlines fly to every major airport in Hawaii, so check your schedules.
- American Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- United Airlines
- Northwest Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Delta airlines
Don’t forget you can island hop to any of the Hawaiian Islands by using the services of the local airlines. Again, not all go to each island.
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Island Air
- go!
- Marjet
- Pacific wings
- Mokulele Airlines
Yeah, I know, airfares are going up due to fuel costs, etc., but shop around, you’ll be suprised what you find. Remember, you’ll always find great airlines that fly to Hawaii.
Aloha a hui hou