Surfing Goat Dairies - Grand Dairy Tours

Located on the slopes of Haleakalā in Kula, Maui, Surfing Goat Dairies is one of two goat dairires in Hawaii. It’s a fun place to visit anytime but they are offering ‘Grand Dairy Tours’ on March 6 and March 20, 2010.

The tour includes a two-hour hands on visit and tasting experience you will love. Surfing Goat Dairies encourages families, friends, neighbors and colleagues to come on down.

• Be a goat herder and lead a herd from the pasture to the dairy.

• Feed the goats,

• Try milking a goat.

• Kids can play with goat kids.

• Learn about the process of cheese making

• And … last but not least, enjoy the grand cheese experience … dig into over 20 of the many different varieties of Maui Gourmet Goat Cheeses served with crackers, olives, pickles, grapes and nuts.

Make your reservation early as these tours sell out quickly!

$25.00 per person ... includes a soft drink and the cheese tasting

Time: 9:00am

Location: 3651 Omaopio Rd., Kula, Maui

For more information, visit: http://www.surfinggoatdairy.com/about.html

Photo:  Surfing Goat Dairies

Location change: Pacific Roller Derby Season Kickoff on March 6

Saturday, March 6, 2010

PRD Season Opener Bout has changed venues! Instead of Sand Island, the bout will now be at Kamiloiki Community Park in Hawaii Kai, 7750 Hawaii Kai Drive.

The event is now free to the public although donations are greatly appreciated!  Whistle blows at 5pm at the roller hockey rink on the corner of Hawaii Kai Drive and Lunalilo Home Road.

Oahu’s local roller derby league, Pacific Roller Derby is gearing up for the 2010 season opener on Saturday, March 6. With this past year’s expansive recruiting efforts and the national release of Drew Barrymore’s influential film, Whip It, PRD has experienced a huge growth within the community and is proud to announce 3 home teams for 2010: the Carnevils, the Villains, and neighbor island Maui’s Crazy 808s.

Fans can root for their favorite team at this season’s monthly family-friendly bouts.

The first whistle blows promptly at 5pm.

For more information, visit www.pacificrollerderby.com

Photo by Raul Soria, courtesy of Pacific Roller Derby

Top of Waikiki restaurant is offering 'Birthday Celebration Special'

Hawaii’s only revolving restaurant (makes one revolution every hour) is offering a special 4-course, $48 menu for birthday celebrants and their entire party until March 31, 2010.

Serving Pacific Rim cuisine, the menu offers a choice of appetizer, soup or salad, choice of main course and choice of dessert.

Pictured here are:  Spicy Ahi Poke Stack appetizer, Simple Green Salad, Shrimp Carbonara and Candy Bar dessert

   

 

Top of Waikīkī also has a daily happy hour from 5 – 7 pm and free validated parking.

Tip … go early and enjoy a cocktail and the sunset view before dinner.


TOP OF WAIKIKI
2270 Kalakaua Avenue
Suite 1800
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-3877

http://www.topofwaikiki.com/

12th Annual E Pili Kākou takes place this weekend on Kauai

The dates for the 2010 E Pili Kākou are February 26, 27 and 28 at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort.

E Pili Kākou brings together some of Hawai‘i’s most accomplished Kumu Hula and cultural specialists to teach workshops in all styles of hula and chanting in a non-competitive environment. The event also showcases arts and crafts, food, music and entertainment unique to Hawai‘i.

Founded by Kumu Hula Blaine Kia and hosted by Ka Laua‘e Foundation, E Pili Kākou includes presentations by Ed Collier, Charles Kaupu, Leialoha Amina, Keola Ching, Keali‘i Ceballos, Auntie Ku‘ulei Punua, Sonny Ching, Leimomi Ho, Chinky Mahoe, Auntie Paulette Kahalepuna, Healani Youn, Pohai Souza and Michael Kop.

Enrollment fees for one day with dinner are $100 and $110 and for two days with dinner are $175 - $185 and includes a t-shirt, lunch, admission for the evening function and dinner. A variety of other prices are offered for anyone interested in the Ho‘olaule‘a and Ho‘ike activities.

For more event information, visit www.epilikakou.com/epilikauai or contact Paddy Kauhane, pkauhane@hulaspirit.com and Emma Rogers, emmacrogers@aol.com.

For hotel reservations during the event, Kaua‘i Beach Resort is offering rates of:

$99 single or double plus taxes per night, room only
$119 single or double, plus taxes, per night, room and breakfast buffet for two
$119 single or double, plus taxes, per night, room and compact car
$169 single or double, plus taxes, per night, room, breakfast buffet for two and compact car

For additional information Kaua‘i Beach Resort, visit, www.kauaibeachhawaii.com or contact Jody Omo at jomo@aquaresorts.com and Maile Lewis at mlewis@aquaresorts.com

Allerton Garden on Kauai is not to be missed

Allerton Garden, is located in the Lawai Valley on the south shore of Kauai. It is a National Tropical Botanical Garden - a not-for-profit institution, dedicated to discovering, saving, and studying the world's tropical plants and to sharing what is learned.

I recommend seeing this former estate, known for the series of outdoor garden rooms, its landscape beauty and fascinating history sometime during your visit to Kauai. Walking is involved but its not strenuous and there are many opportunities to take gorgeous photos.

A special tour offered at sunset would be perfect. Currently, a 10% discount is available off the Sunset Allerton Estate Tour, a guided tour of the garden focusing on the estate’s features and history, with oceanfront sunset and pupus on the lanai.

Cost per person: Adults (13 yrs. and above) $60; children 10-12 yrs. $30
Children 10 yrs. and above only on tour

Call (808) 742-2623 to reserve.

Offer good now until 4/2/2010

For more information on the island of Kauai, visit their website.

Top photo: View down into the valley and garden
Botton: Mermaid Fountain. Both images, courtesy of Daderot

Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Restaurant Row to host a Wine Dinner

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Hawaii will host a Meritage Wine Dinner on Tuesday, February 23. The Meritage dinner is the first of a series of wine dinners planned for the restaurant, located at Restaurant Row.

Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm with reservations at $95 per person (plus tax and gratuity) required by calling the restaurants directly, 808.599.3860. Guest Sommelier will be Alan Suzuki with CWUS (Constellation Wines U.S.) Hawaii.

Dinner begins by showcasing Robert Mondavi, Fume Blanc 2007 against two unique creations - Escargot sautéed in a garlic butter sauce and served on a crostini followed by Smoked Salmon served with warm fingerling potatoes and finished with a tobiko yuzu butter sauce. The experience continues with a grilled lamb lollipop encrusted with chopped pistachios and Dijon mustard, accompanied with a goat cheese fritter and served with Estancia Meritage 2006 and Blackstone Rubric 2006.

The entrée is our Signature Filet Ala Ruth, wrapped with apple bacon and topped off with Boursin cheese and crispy Hawaiian taro, served with sweet island corn and garlic mashed potatoes; your entrée will be served with Clos Du Bois Marlstone 2005 and Franciscan Magnificat 2005. Baked Brie served with OPUS ONE 2004 and, as a grand finale, Ruth’s Chris will present our Berries and Cream served in a chocolate basket and complemented with Robert Mondavi Moscato D’oro 2008.

This superlative food and wine pairing is a not-to-miss-event. Reservations are required.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

500 Ala Moana Blvd,

Restaurant Row,

Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: (808) 599 - 3860

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger

WHAT: Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday: Year of the Tiger
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010,
(new hours for activities 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
WHERE: Honolulu Academy of Arts
PRICE: Free
INFO: 532-8700, www.honoluluacademy.org


The Academy celebrates Chinese New Year with “Year of the Tiger.” Lion dancers will wind their way through the museum starting at noon to ring in the Lunar New Year. From Chinese folk dancing to narcissus bulb carving, the day is filled with a broad spectrum of Chinese culture for visitors to enjoy.

Hours of Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday activities are also taking a shift. While the museum and its galleries are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., activity hours for Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday are now 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ART ACTIVITIES + DEMONSTRATIONS

• Narcissus Bulb Carving, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Calligraphy, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Be in an art project, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Phoenix Dance Chamber, 1 p.m. -1:30 p.m.: High school students showcase various Chinese Folk, Classical and Modern dances.
• Chinese Lion Dance, 12 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lions from the Lee Shaolin Boxing Academy will travel through the museum grounds to exorcise bad spirits and summon luck & fortune for the new year. After the dance, visitors can join them in the courtyard for a martial arts demonstration.

Chinese Lion photo by Sandi Yara

Waimea Valley Announces Pulama Na Kupuna Program “Cherish the Elders”

Waimea Valley, located at 59-864 Kamehameha Highway (across from Waimea Bay), is proud to announce the Pulama Na Kupuna “Cherish the Elders” Program, which is an outreach program to the kūpuna (elders) in our community.

The program invites kupuna to experience Waimea Valley through a variety of Hawaiian cultural activities such as Hana Noeau (Arts and Crafts), Himeni (Singing), Moolele (History and Stories of Waimea), and Holoholo I Ka Wailele (Walk/Ride to the waterfall).

Pulama Na Kupuna offers kupuna a unique opportunity to visit Waimea Valley and discover its beauty and significant history. For some it may be their first visit, for others, it may be a return to their childhood, a place they may have come to long ago.

The cost of the program is $5 per person inclusive. No minimum group size required.

For more information call (808)638-7766 or visit www.waimeavalley.net.

Photo courtesy of HTJ

$69 Waikiki hotel rate available until June 30

Aqua Hotels & Resorts recently announced an introductory special for the Maile Sky Court Hotel ... located at 2058 Kuhio Avenue.

The MSC Introductory Special is available for $69 per night for a City view room, with one free room upgrade upon availability.

The Maile Sky Court is an ideal property for budget-minded travelers looking for comfortable accommodations, friendly staff and a convenient location. The hotel offers a selection of amenities that will appeal to a variety of guests including on-site restaurant, sports bar, beauty salon, pool and Jacuzzi, business center and free WiFi Internet in the lobby.

MSC Introductory Special is available until June 30, 2010. There is no minimum night stay requirement as the special is based on availability. The rate quoted is based on single or double occupancy, plus taxes and cannot be combined with any other offer. For reservations, see your preferred travel agent or call Aqua toll free from the U.S. and Canada at 1-866-406-2782. From Hawaii, call 808-924-6543.

For more information, visit www.aquaresorts.com

Valentine's Day suggestions from Royal Hawaiian Center

For kamaaina or anyone visiting Oahu during Valentine's Day weekend, the Royal Hawaiian Center suggests the following restaurants, February 12 to 14:

- Beijing Chinese Seafood Restaurant: Set menu dinner for two, $120. The set menu offers 9 dishes. Call (808) 971-8833 for reservations.

- Chibo Okonomiyaki Restaurant: Enjoy a nine-course dinner for two, $140. The 9 courses are accompanied by two glasses of champagne and consist of three assorted appetizers, tsukemono, miso soup, and dessert. Call (808) 922-9722 for reservations.

- P.F. Chang’s Waikīkī: Enjoy a seven-course dinner for two, $49.95. The menu includes a choice of egg drop soup or hot & sour soup, one appetizer, two entrees, and two desserts. Call (808) 628-6760 for reservations.

- Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener: Order the special steak and lobster dinner for $79.00, and get a Wolfgang’s Teddy Bear. Call (808) 922-3600 for reservations.

Royal Hawaiian Center is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information on events and promotions at Royal Hawaiian Center, call Lei Ohu Guest Services at (808) 922-2299 or visit www.RoyalHawaiianCenter.com.

FREE PARKING: offer valid through June 2010. The Center’s free parking promotion offers 3 hours of free parking with any restaurant validation and 2 hours free parking with any food court validation. Five hours of parking is $5 when validated at Royal Hawaiian Theater. LEVEL 4 validations apply for $5 parking after 10 p.m. Dining and entertainment validations can be combined with retail validations of $2 for 2 hours. No minimum purchase is required for validation.

Take your sweetheart to Kaua‘i Beach Resort for Valentine's Day

There are lots of options for Valentine's Day. Just check online or the local newspapers and you'll find a slew of restaurants offering specials for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even cocktails. There are so many choices - it will make your head spin!

To help you decide, here's a suggestion that is perfect if you want to do something that's special without blowing the budget.

The Kaua‘i Beach Resort is offering very reasonable specials for Valentine's Day in their Naupaka Terrace, a plantation-style open air restaurant overlooking fishponds, pools, waterfalls and the Pacific Ocean.

Valentine's Sunrise Buffet: Available from 6:30 am - Noon for an unbeatable $21.00 per adult and $10.00 for children 5 - 12 years (yep, children are welcome).

Valentine's Day Dinner: Selection of entrée includes appetizer, salad and scrumptious Valentine Chocolate Dessert Buffet, available 6 - 9 pm.

Appetizer
Roasted Squash Soup with Crisp Pancetta

Salad
Smoked Duck Salad with Apple Chips

Entrée Selections
- Hoisin Glazed Salmon with Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Orange-scented Couscous, Asparagus, $25.00
- Pan-seared Rib Eye Steak with Kentucky Bourbon Gravy, Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, $27.00
- Maple-Barbeque Chicken Breast with Garlic Fried Potato, $23.00

Valentine Chocolate Dessert Buffet
Chocolate-dipped Strawberries, Chocolate Bread Pudding, Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Fondue with Heart Cake

Prices for the Valentine's Sunrise Buffet and Valentine's Day Dinner do not include tax or gratuity. Reservations are recommended. Call 808-245-1955.

For Valentine's Day to be even more special for you and your sweetheart, book a room at Kaua‘i Beach Resort and make a romantic weekend of it. Kama‘āina room rates start at just $99 per night.

The oceanfront Kaua‘i Beach Resort features:

- Complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport and nearby golf courses
- Three main pools and two whirlpool spas
- Sand bottom fresh water pool
- 75 ft. lava tube waterslide

For room reservations, call Kaua‘i Beach Resort direct at 808-246-5517 or toll free at 1-888-805-3843 or book online at www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com.

Photos courtesy of Aqua Hotels & Resorts

Kamaaina specials at Aqua Hotel Molokai

I would venture to guess that many locals have never been to Molokai. I'm not quite sure why that is. Luckily for me, working in the visitor industry brought opportunities to visit all of the major islands. And, it's true ... each island is different. Each island has its own personality. Molokai is very laid back. It has the highest percentage of native Hawaiians. It's can be very peaceful. It can be very adventurous. It can be very spiritual. It's a great place to visit for a couple of days. A chance to get away from the 'city life' and just hang out. If you need to go over for business, it will be a different and pleasant experience.

From now until June 10, 2010, Aqua Hotel Molokai is offering several kamaaina rates specials. This is the only full-service hotel on the island and is home to the most popular restaurant and bar - Hula Shores. It seems 'everyone' on the island eventually stops by to enjoy the entertainment, good food and drink.

Service Special - $79 per night is available to: Policemen/women, firefighters, doctors, nurses and teachers.

The rate is extended to these groups of hard-working individuals so they may seriously consider spending some downtime on this easygoing neighbor island.

State Special - $89 per night is available to State (as well as Federal and City) employees on official business travel.

Anyone traveling to Molokai for work should know that Aqua Hotel Molokai is the only full service hotel on the island. It is also centrally located with all the amenities needed to conduct business. Rooms with kitchenettes are also available.

Kamaaina Special - $12% discount off the prevailing best available rates at time of booking.

Rooms at the beachfront Aqua Hotel Molokai start at $109 per night.

No matter what days you happen to be visiting, you will be pleasantly surprised by the lack of traffic. With the great rate that's available, this might be a good time to plan a family visit to Saint Damien’s Kalaupapa – a deeply moving experience that’s part of Hawaii’s recent history.

Rates quoted are based on availability. No minimum night stay requirement. Valid Hawaii State ID and/or proof of employment required upon check in. Cannot be combined with any other offer and subject to change.

For reservations call Aqua reservations at 808-924-6543 or the property direct at 808-553-5347.

Photos courtesy of Aqua Hotels & Resorts