The Latest Events and Attractions in Hawaii
The Mission Houses Museum’s new blog ThaddeusJournal.org provides insight into the journey of Protestant missionaries who traveled on the Brig Thaddeus to the Sandwich Islands now known as Hawaii in October 1819. The museum posts daily excerpts from a journal kept by the travelers during the six-month trek. The blog entries are a prelude to a new exhibit opening in January 2010 called “Coming to Hawaii: A Trunk Show.” For more information, visit MissionHouses.org
Events and Attractions
Join the Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui for a monthlong celebration honoring Hawaii’s beloved visitors, the humpback whales. The Maui Whale Festival celebrates its 30th Anniversary this coming February with lots of classes, activities, and guided whale watching tours for the entire family. Some of the notable events include the Whale Photo Safari on the 13th, A Laugh At the Park, a dinner and comedy show fundraiser featuring Augie T. on the 19th, and Maui’s Whale Day Celebration, the signature event on the 20th. For more information, visit MauiWhaleFestival.org.
Holiday Happenings
On December 5, come celebrate the holiday Hawaiian style at the “Willie K Christmas Concert.” Relax under the stars at the Waikoloa Bowl at Waikoloa Beach Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island and enjoy the enchanting music of Hawaii’s beloved Willie K. If you’re not already in the mood for Christmas, the combination of Hawaii’s atmosphere and Willie K’s endearing music will surely uplift your spirits. The concert will also serve as a year-end fundraiser for several community groups on Hawaii’s Big Island. For more information, visit NativeSunConcerts.com.
Transportation Updates
Following its inaugural flight from Oakland to Hawaii on November 9, Alaska Airlines announced the addition of three new direct routes from San Jose and Sacramento in California. Beginning March 2010, flights from San Jose and Kahului (Maui) will operate three times weekly, while flights from San Jose and Kona (Hawaii’s Big Island) will run four times a week. In addition to the San Jose flights, a daily flight from Sacramento and Kahului will strengthen Alaska Air’s presence in the Hawaii transpacific air market. For more information, visit AlakaAirlines.com.
Interisland carriers go! and Mokulele recently combined operations and rebranded as go! Mokulele to continue serving interisland travelers with low cost airfares. Most flights under the new entity will operate on CRJ-200 Regional Jet aircrafts formerly used by go!, except for express flights between Honolulu-Molokai, Kahului-Molokai, and Kona-Kahului which will continue to use Mokulele’s smaller Cessna Grand Caravan aircrafts. Flights can still be booked through the carriers’ original websites. For more information, visit IFlyGo.com or MokuleleAirlines.com
The Sheraton Waikiki’s new Helumoa Playground, a “super pool” containing fresh water swimming pools, whirlpools, cabanas, and a 15-foot high water slide, has balanced its thrill factor with the opening of The Infinity Edge Pool. Adults can now relax in this exclusive section of the playground while taking in the stunning views of Waikiki Beach on Oahu, sipping on a refreshing cocktail from the new full-service bar The Edge of Waikiki, and soaking up the Hawaiian sun. For more information, visit Sheraton-Waikiki.com.