Happy Monday! Here's what's new in Hawaii:


Inter-Island Airfare rates have dropped to an unheard of $29 one-way. Tickets must be purchased by tomorrow and used by September 30th, 2006. Go! Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines made these latest cuts and Aloha is thinking about what it will do. Gotta love this airfare war. Go Go!
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jul/31/ln/FP607310329.html

Marriott has banned smoking in all their hotels. Marriott has several hotels in Hawaii. As a matter of fact, I'm planning a trip in October to the Waikoloa Marriott with my girlfriends. Hey, as a non-smoker, this is great news, in my opinion.

Now, for what's new at andHawaii.com

I wrote a review of the Maui Revealed book. I wrote a guide to Moving to Puna for those of you thinking about relocating to the Big Island, and I started a new What's New page so you can always keep track of my newest articles. Oh, and I started a survey - win a $100 gift cert for 5 minutes of your time. :)

Lisa

question
What is the latest on the sharks in Oahu and Maui? We're coming in late July - Aug.

answer
Hmmm, I don't know that there is a latest. There were sharks seen and the beaches were closed, but reopened after the sharks seemed to have moved on. I haven't heard anything in several days so these issues are probably over for now.

Sanjay over at thingsindian.com has put up a page advising of Indian Restaurants in Hawaii. Right now they are all on Oahu, so if you know of any on the other islands head over and let him know.

Well, it won't start till June 9th, but man I can taste those low fares already! Go! airlines has started selling $39 one way inter-island tickets between all the major Hawaiian Islands (maui, oahu, the big island, and kauai). The cheapest tickets you could get from Aloha or Hawaiian for years now is $71 one way normally, so that is practically half-price!. Of course, if you go to Aloha or Hawaiian now, they are selling seats for $39 too. That makes me mad, actually. Either you can afford to sell seats for $39 Aloha and Hawaiian, or you can't. And if you can ... why have we been paying so much these last few years?!?

I welcome Go! with open arms, and am excited about the new, cheaper fares.

Kuhio Highway on Kauai, the only road to the north shore, is closed. The road is actually gone, washed into the ocean after a dam broke after weeks of heavy rain. The onrushing water completely leveled an area forest, washed away two houses, and destroyed the road. 7 residents are missing and feared dead. :( :( :(

It's still raining.

I don't know what the arriving and departing visitors to the area are doing - there's been no word.

County crews hope to have a lane open sometime today, but it's still raining and there are fears of a second dam breaking and doing it all over again. Keep an eye on the front page of the advertiser for updates.

After writing an ezine article about the best Oahu Beaches I got some reader feedback about one I did not include. Here's what she said.

" ... Waimanalo (Beach). The beach is beautiful, the water is great for swimming (even with keikis), there are trees for shade, there are no crowds, and there is plenty of local flavor. Of course, it may not appeal to all tourists, depending on what they're looking for, but 'Nalo epitomizes Hawaii for me."

keikis = kids
'Nalo = nickname for Waimanalo

Thanks again Lori, I agree with you.

Perfect Picture of Waimanalo Beach

Directions to Waimanalo Beach from the Airport
Take H1 East and exit at the Pali Highway exit, take a left onto the Pali Hwy (61), go through 2 tunnels and at the fourth stoplight after the tunnels, take a right at the sign reading "Waimanalo". After about 10 minutes, you can follow your nose to the beach.