My friend Brian pointed out to me that a new Marriott hotel would be opening in Waikiki soon. The new property in question will be the first Waikiki Autographic Collection hotel: The 'Okina, Autograph Collection Hotel. The 'Okina Hotel will actually be the first Autographic Collection hotel on Oahu. And though it's a "new" Marriott property in Waikiki, it's really just … [Read more...] about First Waikiki Autograph Collection Hotel
Feds Want Airlines to Pay Up for Delayed Bags
According to a recent Bloomberg article, the Feds want airlines to pay up for delayed bags. This fee refund is part of a set of proposed new rules. The aim is to make travel more fair by requiring airlines to refund checked bag fees if bags are significantly delayed. What "significantly delayed" means is anyone's best guess. According to Transportation Secretary … [Read more...] about Feds Want Airlines to Pay Up for Delayed Bags
Restaurant Review: Piggy Smalls
The Pig and The Lady is one of the hottest restaurants in the state. Heck, it's one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Period. They're known for their take on modern Vietnamese cuisine, as well as their outstanding dessert program. So when it was announced that the P&L team would be opening a new restaurant, it sent ripples through the local restaurant scene. That … [Read more...] about Restaurant Review: Piggy Smalls
Outrigger Joins Global Hotel Alliance Discovery
Hawaii is home to a variety of different hotels and hotel operators. It's an interesting mix of local companies, foreign investors, and large global brands. Some local companies and foreign investors use large global brands for property management, while some go at it on their own. The Courtyard Waikiki Beach was an example of this before. It one time it was owned by a … [Read more...] about Outrigger Joins Global Hotel Alliance Discovery
Waikiki Celebrity Chef Restaurant Shakeup!
There's a Waikiki celebrity chef restaurant shakeup happening right now! With the opening of the new International Market Place, Waikiki got yet another celebrity chef restaurant: Michael Mina's Strip Steak. Roy Yamaguchi even opened his second Waikiki location at the International Market Place, Eating House 1849. But, it isn't all good news in Waikiki, especially if you're … [Read more...] about Waikiki Celebrity Chef Restaurant Shakeup!
Hyatt Centric Waikiki is Opening on December 8
The Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach, as previously reported, is the first Hyatt Centric property in Hawaii. The property's page initially listed the opening date as "Winter 2016." Reservations then opened up for March 15, 2017, and beyond last month. Now we've learned that the Hyatt Centric Waikiki is Opening on December 8, 2016. The new opening date was reported in an … [Read more...] about Hyatt Centric Waikiki is Opening on December 8
Home Security When Traveling
Home security when traveling has always been a concern, and even more so now days. We've already talked about ways to prevent break-ins on the road in your RV but not it's time to talk about how you protect your home while you're on the road. Depending on where you live, home break-ins can be a non-existent to a serious issue. And while it can seem like these times of crimes … [Read more...] about Home Security When Traveling
Do You Explore Through Food?
At last week's Hawaii Tourism Conference, food was a big topic of discussion. In this case it was how do we use food to lure more tourist to Hawaii? Food based tourism is already big in other parts of the world, so why not here too? If you think about it, it makes sense. Hawaii is famous for its coffee, pineapples, and fresh seafood. Increasingly, though, Hawaii has become … [Read more...] about Do You Explore Through Food?
Hawaiian Air Lie-Flat Seats are Now Bookable
Back in May, Hawaiian Airlines revealed its new business class products. For the first time in the Airline's history they'd be offering lie-flat seats. While new for Hawaiian, lie-flat seats are nothing new. But, since Hawaiian primarily serves leisure travelers, it's understandable that they'd take their time deciding. And over the past couple of months they slowly began … [Read more...] about Hawaiian Air Lie-Flat Seats are Now Bookable
Iao Valley State Monument Reconstruction Begins
Back in mid-September, torrential rains pummeled Maui and much of the rest of the state. Maui, however, saw the most damage out of all the islands. And while much of the island experienced bad flooding, the worst devastation occurred in Iao Valley. There, the Wailuku River doubled in size during this weather event and devastated everything in its path. But today, the Iao … [Read more...] about Iao Valley State Monument Reconstruction Begins