Travelers Advantage....

WINTER IN HAWAII:
A SUNNY ALOHA

Whether it’s a day at the beach, a great round of golf (and maybe watching the pros play), whale watching, or enjoying one of many special events, winter in Hawaii is sure to be full of sunshine. Anytime of year is a great time to visit, but the Islands of Aloha are especially inviting in the middle of winter up north!

It’s also easier than ever to get to (and around) Hawaii this winter. Some airline news includes: Hawaiian Airlines’ new nonstop service between San Jose, CA and Honolulu; new service from Delta Airlines between Salt Lake City, UT and Kona and Atlanta, GA and Kahului; and free same-day standby service from Island Air for ticketed passengers.

Oahu, “The Heart of Hawaii,” is best-known for Hawaii’s principal city and state capital, Honolulu. However, visitors who head a bit further afield will find wonderful beaches, stunning scenery, and more (including historic Pearl Harbor). Winter whale watching around the island is also huge, with Atlantis Cruises Navatek I’s Whale Watch Lunch Cruise even offering a guarantee: “See a whale or sail again free.”

Back in Honolulu proper, visitors will surely enjoy the new $17 million Science Adventure Center at the Bishop Museum. Opened this past November, it features many opportunities to learn about volcanoes, oceans, and the biology of the Hawaiian Islands.

Also in Honolulu, the popular Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center has launched an $84 million renovation that will be completed in late-2006. The shopping center, which already spans three blocks and will remain open during the renovation, will add windows, open-air lanai (balconies), and beach-style landscaping to go with many new lifestyle stores, upscale shops, dining, and entertainment options (including a new Waikiki-themed show in the showroom).

The Magic Isle of Maui reaches from sea level to 10,023 feet, the summit of the island’s dormant volcano, Haleakala. Maui is also known as the whale watching capital of the Hawaiian Islands, with humpback congregating in warm offshore waters from November through April.

Kauai, Hawaii’s Island of Discovery, has 90 miles of coastline and is remarkable for its spectacular and widely varied scenery and landscape. From desert-like Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) to the velvety green Napali Coast (with cliffs rising to 2,700 feet), Kauai is definitely worth discovering this winter.

With the slogan, “Aloha Spoken Here,” Hawaii’s Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Highlights here can include a visit to a Kona coffee plantation, world-class golf, super spas, Parker Ranch (one of the nation’s largest privately held ranches), and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

In addition to enjoying short flights between islands, another great way to see several Hawaiian Islands during one visit is to take a cruise. Many lines offer cruises to and around the Hawaiian Islands, with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offering two Hawaii-based options.

NCL now offers two ships and itineraries that include lots of island port time. Their Hawaiian-themed Pride of Aloha, which debuted in 2004, and the new Pride of America, which is American-themed and debuted last year, both offer a great way to see lots of Hawaii--rather than just one or two islands. In addition, the line’s Norwegian Wind offers 10- and 11-day round-trip cruises from Honolulu, including four Hawaiian port calls and a cruise out to Fanning Island. In June, 2006, the new Pride of Hawaii will also start cruising exclusively in the Hawaiian islands, where she will be permanently positioned.

Other lines with Hawaii offerings include: Holland America; Princess Cruises; Celebrity Cruises; Carnival Cruise Lines; and Royal Caribbean. However, their choices typically leave from the west coast of North America, rather than cruising directly out of Honolulu like NCL’s itineraries.

Thus, whether you choose Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island--or choose to cruise to all four--Hawaii in the winter will surely be full of aloha and plenty of mahana pa-'ana a ka la- (warm sunshine)!

2006 Calendar of Events

January
*January 16-22: MasterCard Championship (Hawaii’s Big Island)--The Champions Tour for pros 50 and older takes place on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
*January 21: Hula Bowl (Maui)--This is the 59th anniversary of this premier all-star game.
*January 22-29: Hilton Waikoloa Village USTA Challenger (Hawaii’s Big Island)--Many top tennis pros attend Hawaii’s only ATP-affiliated tourney.
*January 23-29: Turtle Bay Championship (Oahu)--This is the first full event of the Champions Tour.

February
*February 5-6: Wendy’s Champions Skins Game at Wailea (Maui): Four of golf’s greatest players participate in this popular format on the championship Gold Course at Wailea Resort.
*February 12: NFL Pro Bowl (Oahu)--See the world’s best football players as the NFL closes out the season with this all-star game.
*February 16-18: SBS Open (Oahu)--The women’s golf tournament at Turtle Bay Resort’s Palmer Course opens the LPGA season.
*February 20: 22nd Annual Great Aloha Run (Oahu)--This 8.15-mile walk/run is Hawaii’s largest participatory event and is a huge fund raiser for various charities.

March
*March 11: Kona Brewers Festival (Hawaii’s Big Island)--This annual event is designed to promote the craft brewing revolution in the islands.
*March 19: 9th Annual Big Island International Marathon (Big Island)--Fitness fanatics travel from far afield to participate in the 26.2-mile marathon, the 10.8-mile run, or the 3.1-mile fitness run/walk.
*March 31-April 2: 14th Annual East-Maui Taro Festival (Maui)--This three-day event in Hana includes great food featuring the various uses of taro, music, hula dancing, arts and crafts, and more.

April
*April 1-2: 13th Annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival (Oahu and Maui)--This signature event highlights the history of jazz music in the islands.