Oahu Activities: Waikiki Paddle Festival 2012

Quiksilver Waterman Collection presents the Waikiki Paddle Festival:

Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6

The two day event kicked off this morning at 8:30A with the opening ceremony at Duke Kahanamoku Beach. Events include survivor format races, open races, team races, and long distance races.

On-site registration will start again tomorrow morning at 7:30A. Rental boards will be available from Surftech on a first come, first served basis (808-596-8693 or bobby@surftech.com for reservation information).

For those not in Hawaii, check it watch it online at www.quiksilver.com/watermanevents

(Waikiki Paddle Festival poster in Wet Feet’s window in Aina Haina Shopping center.)

For more information

Hawaii Hotel: The Royal Hawaiian’s History

Built in the Spanish-Moorish style, The Royal Hawaiian opened on February 1, 1927. The Pink Palace of the Pacific(more commonly known as The Pink Palace), is located on shores of Waikiki Beach, where Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace once stood. After a five day voyage across the pacific ocean, it was the destination of Matson ocean liner passengers.

Once hosting Hollywood celebrities and heads of state, during World War II, The Royal Hawaiian was closed to tourists and was leased exclusively to the US Navy as a rest and recreation center for those serving in the Pacific Fleet. Re-opened to the public in 1947 after a $2 million renovation, its timeless elegance has been preserved through another seven month restoration in 2008.

From the green grass of Coconut Grove garden, walk through the corridors and through time. At the end of the corridor, get a glimpse of Waikiki Beach — and pink umbrellas — through the rounded Spanish doorways.

BOOK YOUR ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL STAY FOR UP TO 50%-OFF

Thing To Do Oahu: Parasailing

We took a friend parasailing over Maunalua Bay, off Hawaii Kai, for her birthday.  From a dock in Hawaii Kai Marina, we were taken to a boat already carrying parasailors. When you get there they make you watch a video for your safety which helped assure us that we would be safe.

When we got on, they got off. Then we had to put on our gear. A pair at a time, we were first…

A few dips in the water first (though I’m sure you can ask them not to do it), then up, up and away. If are looking for a fine activity to do in Hawaii that is a lot of fun and adventurous, you need to try parasailing.

Book this Activity in Hawaii at a Discounted Price

The view from the top, you really can’t beat the views from up here!

Book this Activity in Hawaii at a Discounted Price

Things to Do Oahu: Taste of Waialua

One of the many things to do on the island of Oahu is driving out to the North Shore. Known for its big waves and beautiful beaches, there are a lot of other things you can do besides just surfing. This past weekend we drove out to Waialua on the North Shore of Oahu for the fifth annual Taste of Waialua. Once a sugar mill town, there has been a resurgence of local products, shops, and businesses.

Waialua Estate, which grows its coffee and cacao on former Waialua Sugar plantation land, were there giving samples of hot chocolate and milk and dark chocolate bars.

But what I really wanted to try was the Old Sugar Mill’s lilikoi natural shave ice, made with North Shore grown fruit. I will say this, it was interesting. It cost $6 for one of these and it is a little more expensive then your basic shave ice but worth the try. This was my first time at the Taste of Waialua and my impressions were that there was great entertainment, great food and I had a lot of fun. One warning though is that it does get busy and it can be hard to find parking so get there early

Hawaii Airfare Special – LA to Honolulu

We’ve been finding some great airfare deals to Hawaii from the Bay Area and folks in Southern California were wondering when they were going to get some great deals. Well it looks like it has finally happened. Hawaiian Airlines is offering an airfare special to Honolulu from LA for $159 each way. For those of you living in LA and have been looking at the airfare prices to Honolulu you know that $159 one way fares are a great deal. Usually the prices for one ways tickets are around $250. The travel dates for this special is traveling between February to April. The rates may be higher for some dates so you need to keep on searching till you find this rate. Remember that if you’re looking for the best prices you need to travel on weekdays as the weekends will have higher prices. For those of you not in LA or are looking to travel to an outer island it sounds like there may be even more deals coming so keep checking back for more info.