While staying at the J.W. Marriott Ihilani, a AAA Four Diamond resort on the island of Oahu, I previewed the exterior of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, scheduled to open Aug. 29, 2011. The two properties share a beautiful golden sand beach lagoon that is, at present, quiet, uncrowded and idyllic — and undoubtedly about to change. ... Read More

Read Part One

After my weekend off I booked a flight from the Big Island to Mau. There was no security or screening here as everyone piled into a small nine-seat turbo-prop plane.  It was a fun flight as you could see into the cockpit and the pilot would look back every once in a while to see how everyone was doing.  The view from this plane was really neat as it flew a little lower and slower than commercial flights, especially when we came into Maui along the northern shore with many waterfalls and junglelike landscape.  Once in Maui, I picked up my rental car and found my way to Kihei. ... Read More

What are the odds of experiencing two tsunami warnings? As a AAA inspector, I am privileged to work part of the year in the Hawaiian Islands, where, in 2010, there was the possibility of a tsunami due to an earthquake in Chile.  The hotel I was evaluating took many steps to prepare, including moving me to an upper floor of the hotel.  The sirens sounded, people evacuated to higher ground and I watched the ocean go in and out from the bay at least four times in one hour.  I waited for the “big one” that did not happen.  The all-clear signal eventually came and I checked out of the hotel, never thinking I would experience that again.... Read More

Here are some Q&A asking for tips and advice on Hawaii-and the answers from our AAA experts.

Going to Hawaii and would like restaurant recommendations in the Kohala/Kona area of the Big Island. One of our group has a birthday and we want a place to celebrate. Can you help me out?
A couple of good choices for a birthday celebration are in Waimea: Merriman's and Daniel Thiebaut - Waimea is a little north of the Kohala/Kona area, but not a bad drive: ... Read More

I was assigned four weeks’ worth of AAA inspection work in Hawaii, specifically two weeks in Oahu and two weeks in Maui.  For those of you who have never been to Hawaii, let me tell you it is truly one of the most beautiful and romantic places I have ever been.  I have vacationed in the Bahamas, Jamaica and Cancun.  I have snorkeled off the island of Isla Mujeres (favorite snorkel spot), toured the ruins of Chichen Itza, Climbed Dunn River Falls and gone scuba diving near Ochos Rios, Jamaica.  Hawaii is second to none in my opinion.... Read More

  
I’m not sure I should be writing this article. It’s the conundrum travel writers everywhere face- Do I share all the amazing little places I love or to keep them to myself? Half the charm of Kauai lies in the fact that it’s not nearly as popular as the other main islands of the Hawaiian chain and I plan on spending lots of my future vacation time there. I suppose I can share my top five and keep just a few secret spots for myself…... Read More

Visiting ancient temples, listening to prayerful chants, learning to weave a ti leaf lei. My favorite part of visiting Hawai‘i is absorbing the Hawaiian culture. Many destinations offer sun, surf, and sand, but only Hawai‘i has the rich heritage that rode the waves with the ancient wayfarers, survived in traditions passed down through generations and lives today in the soulful sounds of chanters and the graceful movements of hula dancers.

On my first trip to the islands, I visited Pu‘uhonua o Honauanau National Historic Park on... Read More

     This list has been provided by Chuck Gross, travel and marketing manager with AAA Southern New England, a Hawaii specialist and the veteran of 20 trips to the islands.
 
1. MAUI: The Road to Hana
This may be one of the most beautiful drives on the planet. Plan a full day for the roundtrip and take your time to enjoy the adventure...too many drivers speed along thinking that the tiny village of Hana is the goal only to be seriously disappointed. From Kahului take 36 east, just past Pauwela the road will narrow and become State Route... Read More

     This is a magnificent island, as I described in a previous blog, Kauai, Yes We Have Rain, and especially for driving. Every mile brings a stunning vista, and the traffic generally is light. The island’s airport at the island capital of Lihue is equidistant between the end of Kauai roads to the west and to the north/northwest.... Read More

    Never fails. I pack a book to read on vacation and finish it in two days. Soon, I’m reduced to reading tourist magazines and the superlative-overloaded tripe composed by the local convention and visitors bureau. What’s a word-starved haole  to do? On Maui, you’ve got two bookstores to replenish your portable library. We know what Barnes & Noble is about, so I head for touristy Lahaina, wade through a sea of ice-cream-cone-licking couples in matching Hawaiian shirts and find the Old Lahaina Book Emporium. ... Read More