For my Big Island Bird-Watching Adventure, I chose to rent with Avis Car Rental Hilo. Why? Price, of course. I would've much rather gone with Alamo, which, spoiler alert, was confirmed by this experience, but Avis was much cheaper for my dates. So, Avis, it was. … [Read more...] about Review: Avis Car Rental Hilo
Island Miler
Southwest is Devaluing Rapid Rewards in 2024
Boo! Southwest is devaluing Rapid Rewards in 2024! Specifically, the airline is reducing the value of Rapid Rewards points, meaning you'll need to use more points for award flight redemptions. Fortunately, we still have time to book flights at the old rate. … [Read more...] about Southwest is Devaluing Rapid Rewards in 2024
Review: Tali’s Bagels and Schmear
Recently, I had a hankering for some bagels & lox. Since we were in the area, I decided to check out Tali's Bagels and Schmear and Ward Center. This is the second bagel shop that's popped up in recent years, the other being Montreal-style bagel spot Empty Elle's in Kailua. … [Read more...] about Review: Tali’s Bagels and Schmear
Hilton LXR Brand is Coming to Hawaii
No, Hilton isn't developing a new hotel, nor is it rebranding an existing property. Instead, an existing luxury condo-hotel is rebranding, which is how the Hilton LXR brand is coming to Hawaii. But what property is rebranding? Read on to find out. … [Read more...] about Hilton LXR Brand is Coming to Hawaii
Hawaiian Must Use or Lose Its Haneda Slots
Recently, United Airlines tried to snatch Hawaiian's nighttime slot at Tokyo Haneda. The slot is typically used for Kona-Haneda, which hasn't flown since pre-COVID. But now, the DOT says Hawaiian must use or lose its Haneda slots. … [Read more...] about Hawaiian Must Use or Lose Its Haneda Slots
Hawaiian is Planning to Divest A330s?
Yes, you read that title correctly. I touched on this briefly during my most recent post about Hawaiian's PW1100G woes, but an article from the other week casually mentioned A330 lease extensions. That made me take a double take and ask myself, Hawaiian is planning to divest A330s?! … [Read more...] about Hawaiian is Planning to Divest A330s?
Review: Obake Honolulu
The loss of Kaimuki's HeiHo House was a gut-punch to me. There, they served up quirky, unique, yet insanely delicious food and drink, by some of the best people in the industry. So I was elated to hear that the team would be back together at a completely different concept: Obake Honolulu. … [Read more...] about Review: Obake Honolulu
Maui Tourism Remains Depressed
Three months since the deadly Maui wildfires, and things are still far from normal - no surprise there, really. Despite West Maui reopening completely (with the exception of Lahaina), Maui tourism remains depressed and is likely to stay that way well into 2024. Of course, that's only making the situation worse. … [Read more...] about Maui Tourism Remains Depressed
United is Taking Newark-Honolulu Seasonal
Currently, you can fly from Honolulu to three cities on the U.S. East Coast non-stop year round. However, that's changing next year as it seems that United taking Newark-Honolulu seasonal. This is, of course, United's longest domestic flight, along with their longest Hawaii flight. … [Read more...] about United is Taking Newark-Honolulu Seasonal
Review: Hawaiian Airlines 212 HNL-ITO
As I mentioned in my introductory post, I chose not to fly Southwest Airlines to Hilo because of the poor timing. That's how we found ourselves on Hawaiian Airlines 212 - the first time I've purchased an inter-island flight on Hawaiian in nearly a decade. … [Read more...] about Review: Hawaiian Airlines 212 HNL-ITO