Friday, April 27, 2007
Extreme Makeover: Waikiki (Related)
Hawaii's Hearst Castle (Related)
Noshing Down Kapahulu Avenue (Related)
Maui's Building Boom (Related)
Hawaii Calls
Captain Nemo, Maui Style (Related)
Pink Palace Turns 80s (Related)
Follow The Reader
Kauai's Historic Tours (Related)
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Cirque Du Soleil, Polynesian Style (Related)
Kauai's Coconut Coast (Related)
The Birds Of Paradise (Related)
In a special report prepared for this week's Aloha Friday, Farecast.com found that for flights leaving June 1 or later, flying to Hawaii from Oakland is 7 percent cheaper overall than service from San Francisco. ATA has the cheapest fares out of Oakland ("by a long shot"), while the best deals from San Francisco are on Hawaiian, Northwest and American. The difference between flying Oakland–Honolulu and SFO–Honolulu varied by as much as $184 in June ($385 vs. $569) and by up to $179 in July ($420 vs. $599). Note: Fares to outer islands are higher, and there's usually a premium for nonstop flights.
Maui: Consolidate for a better rate
With school letting out soon, it can be hard to find a cheap hotel rate for your island getaway. But you can save a little on your vacation by consolidating expenses at a single property. The Ka'anapali Beach Hotel offers a two-night "Noble Surfers" package for $699, including a partial-ocean-view room, compact rental car with unlimited mileage, daily breakfast buffet, a lunch for two, one daily cocktail per person, one surf lesson per person (have the cocktail afterward), use of snorkel equipment and a disposable underwater camera. Additional nights are $265 (including room and car). For reservations, www.kbhmaui.com (Related) www.kbhmaui.com (Related) or (800) 262-8450.
Families can take advantage of the "Kids Eat Free" program for ages 12 and under at the Hyatt Regency Maui : Reserve for at least four nights from June 11 through August 25, and a child eats free for every accompanying paying adult at four of the resort restaurants. For reservations, www.maui.hyatt.com (Related) www.maui.hyatt.com (Related) or (888) 591-1234.
Oahu: Car ferry to Kauai, Maui
Despite lingering controversy, the Hawaii Superferry —a high-speed shuttle for cars and passengers between Honolulu and ports on Kauai and Maui—says it's set to start accepting reservations in late May and begin sailing in July. Discounted ticket prices have also recently been announced for the three-hour trips aboard the newly built Alakai ("ocean path" in Hawaiian).
One-way rates are: Adult, $52 off-peak (Tuesday–Thursday), $62 peak (Friday–Monday), with a $5 discount for advance online purchases. Children ages 2 to 12, seniors 62 and over, and veterans: $41 off-peak, $51 peak; children under 2 are $17 anytime. Cars, $59 off-peak, $69 peak; motorcycles, $34/$44; bicycles or oversized baggage, $25 anytime.
The 350-foot Alakai , which sails to Hawaii via the Panama Canal in May, can hold up to 866 passengers and 262 cars. It will depart Honolulu at 6:30 a.m daily and arrive at Kahului, Maui, at 9:30 a.m; it leaves Maui at 11 a.m. and returns to Honolulu at 2 p.m. Service to Kauai is daily except Saturday, departing Honolulu at 3 p.m. and arriving at Nawiliwili Harbor (Lihue) at 6 p.m.; the return voyage leaves Kauai at 7 p.m. and docks in Honolulu at 10 p.m.
Of course, that's just the plan: Concern over potential environmental damage has led to legislative efforts to delay the start of the service until further environmental review has been conducted. The ferry company argues that similar reviews were not required of other marine traffic in the islands and notes that, unlike other ships, the Alakai will not discharge wastewater or trash into the ocean and its design and construction will help avoid transporting "aquatic hitchhikers" and invasive species. Vehicles caked in dirt and mud will also not be allowed on ship (something to consider if you're thinking of taking a rental car to Kauai for a couple of days). Onboard lookouts will be strategically placed to spot whales and other marine mammals that could be damaged by the high-speed ferry. To find out the latest developments, visit www.hawaiisuperferry.com (Related) www.hawaiisuperferry.com (Related) .
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