Tag: Hawaii

 Six months ago a certain guy from Hawaii introduced the “Yes, we can!” mantra to the American public, & now we’re reprising it right in time for the end of summer. After too many months of denying yourself all things fun & sunshine-y, the question as August rolls around is, “Can I somehow manage a Hawaii vacation after all, even on a shoestring budget?” The answer is …YES YOU CAN…

…get a cheap meal in the islands
In Oahu, Haili’s Backyard Luau, the new lunch wagon at Ward Centers, serves the same great Hawaiian plate lunches that were popular at former neighborhood fave Haili’s Hawaiian Foods for more than 50 years.  The Makai Market food court at Ala Moana Center offers everything from Japanese noodles & Korean BBQ to Hawaiian plate lunch & deli sandwiches. Diamond Head Market & Grill is especially well known for bakery items like the signature blueberry cream cheese scones, but later in the day it offers gourmet plate lunches, sandwiches, wraps, & desserts. Read the rest of this entry »

By Lena Katz

Mother’s Day might have been the original inspiration for the “girlfriend getaway,” and it’s still one of the best. Whether your idea of a great moms & daughters’ getaway consists of brunch and shopping or snorkeling and sightseeing, a Hawaii vacation might be just the ticket. Island by island, I’ve hand-picked the coolest mother-daughter bonding activities…some for active travelers, and some that offer 100% R&R.

Oahu
For the traditional Mother’s Day experience, enjoy a lavish brunch buffet at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, John Dominis or, if you can luck out with a reservation, the legendary Orchids at Halekulani hotel. (Usually this latter is booked for months in advance, but in today’s economy, who knows…)  Follow that with a day of serious shopping at Ward Centers, which has lots of cool local stores like the Nohea Gallery and Island Soap & Candle. Or, if you want to get out of Honolulu, opt for brunch and a spa day at the luxurious JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, located in Ko Olina on the peaceful west side of the island. Read the rest of this entry »