The Royal Hawaiian Center

Going to Oahu? You must visit the renovated Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, now named Royal Hawaiian Center or RHC. It's hard to miss as you stroll along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Standing on the mauka (mountain) side of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. If you've been to the shopping center before, you'll be pleasantly surprised. After $15 million spent, It has been transformed. Where it was once a dim and concrete environment, it now is a tropical and open aired environment. The concrete bridges have been changed into open breezy walkways and escalators replaced the dreary elevators. The landscaping has become warm and welcoming, reminding you that you are in beautiful Oahu.

The roster of retail stores has changed as well. It is now a nice combination of luxury, international stores and lower priced and local stores providing the shoppers with a wonderful variety of choices. It has some local favorites such as Crazy Shirts, Xcel Hawaii and the ABC store mixed in with widely known stores such as Hermes, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi, Harley Davidson, and Borders Express (the only bookstore in Waikiki). RHC is also home to the largest Apple store in Hawaii, the highest grossing Cheesecake Factory in the U.S and the Hawaii's only Senor Frog, Kate Spade and Tourneau.

RHC has the Paina Lanai food court which offers a variety of foods for their international visitors. They have kept some of their longtime restaurants like Paradiso Seafood & Grill and Suntory. Some of the new restaurants include Doraku Sushi, Wolfgang's Steakhouse and P.F. Chang's.

In keeping with RHC's Hawaiian history focus, the Kaulani Heritage Room invites visitors to view three special HD
presentations. Make sure to catch at least one of the free classes. There are Hula, lei-making, Hawaiian quilting, lomilomi massage and Bob's ukulele classes!

I think the Royal Hawaiian Center has improved greatly and visitors will find it a wonderful place to go to during their time in historical Waikiki.

Bishop Museum

If you find yourself on Oahu after August 7, 2009, (and I suggest you do), make sure to visit the newly renovated Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall. It's been going through a $21 million renovation for the past three years. The museum is a must for people looking to learn about the history and culture of Hawaii from the perspective its people.

With three floors to explore in, and admission at about $16.00 for adults and about $13.00 for children; the Bishop Museum is well worth the visit. I like going to the Arizona Memorial and the Museum on the same day and then having a late lunch at maybe Bubba Gumps at Ala Moana Shopping Center or Mariposa at the Neiman's in Ala Moana. You have fun and get to reflect on everything you learned and experienced.

The Big Island

You know many people think Hawaii is one big place so you can go to one island and know how the others will look and feel.
You could not be more wrong... with the exception that they are all surrounded by water!

Each Hawaiian island is uniquely different from the rest. They have different foliage, weather, animal life, atmosphere, water movement, people, culture, look and feel. This is what makes Hawaii so incredible; you can island hop and have a completely different experience just 30 minutes of flight time away!

The Big island, named Hawaii, is amazingly beautiful and still raw with the activity of Kilauea, it's active volcano. The national park has lava tubes that you can walk through! The largest of all the Hawaiian islands and the youngest has miles and miles of beautiful driving available to all.

Although the majority of hotels and resorts are found on the Kona side of the island, it is well worth the drive to visit Hilo.
You can make an entire day of visiting the volcano and then driving to Hilo. See where many of the locals live and have lunch at a local restaurant. They won't look like any restaurant in your Kona resorts but the local flavor is delicious and inexpensive!
Make sure to go to Big island candies, (one of my favorite cookie companies); address 585 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720. You can get samples of their cookies and coffee and even watch the great workers that create these goodies. Make sure to think of souvenirs here, they can ship them home for you! Head over to Rainbow Falls; the waterfall is right in Hilo and has a parking lot to make it easy!

Make sure to stop by Hilo Homemade ice cream on Waianuenue Avenue for some macadamia nut ice cream! Make sure you stop by Akaka Falls before heading back to your hotel!

Maui On My Mind

Ok, Maui is usually not far from my mind... how do you think I keep my sanity?!
But in trying to find a family a trip to San Diego, a lovely place; I was able to find
a trip in the same budget for Maui, including airfare and rental car.

When you find yourself on a budget or you're taking the whole family along, a
condo is a good choice. There are many available in different areas and they are
usually quite larger than the hotel rooms. They come with kitchens so you can
save a lot of money by simply cooking some of your meals. Remember, you're
on Maui where fresh fish is always available in the markets. I have stayed in
hotels and condos on Maui.

When in a condo, I'll have a great breakfast out on
the lanai and then head out. I'll have a nice lunch out and then a candlit dinner
on the lanai again or I'll have a nice dinner out. You can buy a cooler and have a
romantic picnic on the beach. I've gotten many compliments for doing that and it
was inexpensive and took little effort. Save the cooler for your trip to Hana and
upcountry; you'll be using it again!

Don't Forget Kauai!

Ok, I haven't spoken about Kauai... yet but it is well worth jumping up and down about.

First of all, how many places in the US are as beautiful and so down to earth that when
you exit the airport and try to get on the rental car shuttle bus, you are greeted by one
of the more colorful locals..... Da Kauai chicken!!!! That's right, you heard me correctly.

The chickens roam free on Kauai and are very much a part of the local atmosphere you'll
find there. They bring free entertainment, much laughter and stories to bring back home
that will have your friends and family wondering.... where are the photos!

In all seriousness, Kauai have fantastic mountains and foliage. Make sure you rent a car and
around. Movie buffs, get a map of where famous movies and shows have been filmed or take
a tour. It's fun imagining that big dinosaurs could be lurking behind the Na Pali Coast!

One of my favorite memories was finding turtles in the waters off our balcony in Poipu.
There were just hanging ten, trying to get some Breakfast from the coral.... you have to love it!

Oahu on Sale & Looking Good

The major renovations Oahu has been undergoing the last few years are pretty much done. With many properties renovated and new walk and shop areas in Waikiki, it looks better than ever. The economy has hit Hawaii hard as many other places. The pricing has fallen and if you've always wanted to go to Oahu or have thought of returning.... now is the time! I suggest using a travel agent so you don't end up in one of the properties that has not renovated.