Hawaii Dream Vacations

United Airlines has slashed prices for airfare from Chicago O’Hare to Maui this fall.

If your travel dates are flexible, these heavily discounted package prices are definitely worth considering a last minute vacation to Paradise!

Castle Kamaole Sands - from $871/person

Kaanapali Beach Hotel - from $971/person

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa - from $1,290/person

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa - from $1,380/person

All packages include:

Valid for certain departure dates Sunday - Thursday in late October and November

These prices won’t last long and seats are already filling up quickly.  Call today for the best price and selection.

Abby Lapointe
Personal Travel Consultant
Hawaii Aloha Travel
1-800-843-8771 ext 23
abby@hawaii-aloha.com

To get the most value out of your Hawaii vacation and to really experience the most of the islands, taking a cruise is one of the best options out there.  Cruises are like floating resorts, where you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, inter-island flights, accommodations, and what you’re going to do for meals every night.  Your cruise fare your stateroom accommodations, transportation between the four main islands of Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and the Big Island, all-you-can-eat meals, daily entertainment, and wide variety of first-class onboard amenities.

The Pride of America, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, departs Honolulu every Saturday at 8:00 pm for a 7-day cruise through out the Hawaiian Islands, returning to Honolulu the following Saturday morning.

After extensive renovations, and now the only cruise ship that sails exclusively in Hawaii roundtrip from Honolulu, the Pride of America has been receiving rave reviews.

"Words are few to describe the experience we lived in Hawaii… Everything during the cruise was simply PERFECT!  From the check-in until the check-out someone was near us to make our stay as pleasant as possible.  Of course booking a suite is definitely recommended for having a much greater time!  The ports of call, the "free-style" cruising, the shore excursions, the staff (especially our Butler), our great cabin and it’s balcony(!!!!), the restaurants, the events all were so live and exciting that I don’t believe I’m back home!…  After all the activities we ended up at our lovely suite’s balcony and it’s long chairs.  How relaxing that was!!!

    -Kelly, Greece

"We have covered most of the South Pacific and Thailand in the past let me say that our Hawaii holiday was the best holiday we have ever had.  I have not one bad thing to say about the whole time, only the entertainment on the cruise was not really happening. We have been on two other cruises with P&O and they really put on a show. Apart from that we loved the ship and the people on board, the food was fantastic and now I have to work twice as hard at the gym to lose those extra kilos (but that’s what holidays are for)."
    -Rosemarie, Australia

"The ship was lovely, although the cabins are quite small. I had imagined sitting out on the balcony, relaxing with a cocktail on my hand, but actually as we didn’t sail until the evening by which time it was almost dark, and the view from the dock was not the greatest, so we didn’t really use the balcony.  WOW what a great holiday, I LOVE HAWAII. It is all so beautiful, and everyone was so friendly. I wish we could have stayed the whole summer."
    -Wendy & Amy, Australia

We work directly with the cruise lines and offer their lowest authorized fares.

If you’re considering a cruise, there’s an amazing promotion going on right now.  For selected cruises on the Pride of America departing April through November, 2009, if you book by October 12th, you’ll receive special discounted pricing, a FREE upgrade to the highest booked category (inside, oceanview, or balcony), an onboard credit up to $100, as well as a complimentary welcome amenity of fresh fruit and a bottle of wine.  

Call today for more information and to book your stateroom.

I highly recommend booking as soon as possible to get the best fare and the best stateroom choice.

Abby Lapointe

Hawaii Cruise Specialist

1-800-843-8771 ext 23

abby@hawaii-aloha.com

Ho’omaika’i Ana (“congratulations”) to Edwin and Skarlett Ibarra from Guatemala, and the new addition to their family, Juan Daniel.

After almost 10 years of marriage and no children, Edwin and Skarlett visited Hawaii last November, 2007.

They enjoyed a 7-day inter-island cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, explored the islands to the fullest, and were truly embraced by Hawaii’s magic and overwhelming spirit of aloha.  The warmth and beauty of the islands truly encourages the celebration of love and romance was in the air.  After returning to Guatemala with wonderful memories, nine months later, Juan Daniel was born!

Best wishes to Edwin, Skarlett, and Juan Daniel.  May the spirit of aloha always be in your hearts!

Abby Lapointe

Hawaii Aloha Travel

• Explore the Na Pali Coast
  

• Go tubing through the island’s lush green interior
  

• Spend a day or evening in Hanalei Town
  

• Take a hike
  

• Zipline through the forest canopy

• Visit Waimea Canyon - the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"
  

• Take a boat ride down Wailua River to Fern Grotto
  

The island of Oahu is known as the "Gathering Place" and with a population of just under 900,000 people, this is the most populated and developed of the Hawaiian Islands.  This is the island that I live on and love, and I think Oahu doesn’t get enough credit sometimes because so many people just stay in Waikiki when they come here and think that Waikiki is Oahu.  Oahu is actually, in my opinion, one of the most diverse and beautiful of the islands.  And there’s so much to do here!  Basically anything you want to experience on your Hawaii vacation you can find on this island. 

Below are my top ten personal recommendations for "must-do" activities while you’re here.

• Learn about island culture and enjoy a luau feast at the Polynesian Cultural Center
  The Polynesian Cultural Center is located about one hour from Waikiki on the unspoiled north shore.  The center has been Hawaii’s top paid visitor attraction since 1977 and features seven Polynesian "islands" representing Samoa, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga.  Visitors learn about island life and Polynesian culture through displays, hands-on activities, an IMAX movie, and a canoe pageant show.  At 6:00 pm, the islands close and the center offers the Ali’i Luau dinner buffet, complete with an imu ceremony (the traditional roasting of the pig).  The highlight of the experience, however, is the spectacular evening show Horizons! A Celebration of Polynesian Discovery, the largest Polynesian revue in the world, featuring a cast of over 100 islanders, with multi-level stages and special effects.  There are several packages for the Polynesian Cultural Center - I recommend the Ali’i Luau Package for $100/person ($79 for children), which includes roundtrip transportation from Waikiki, admission to all the villages, the Pageant of the Long Canoes afternoon show, an optional free tour of Laie town and the Mormon Temple Grounds, the IMAX show, Ali’i dinner buffet, and admission to the evening show.

• Step back in time with a visit to Pearl Harbor
  This is a definite must for history buffs and a moving experience for most everyone.  Although the center is open daily to the public, I definitely recommending visiting as part of a guided tour.  Aloha VIP Tours operate daily tours that will pick you up right from your hotel in Waikiki for a full day tour of Pearl Harbor and an insight into the history of WWII.  Your journey begins with a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, a somber reminder of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the US into the war, followed by a guided tour of the battleship USS Missouri where General MacArthur accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese marking the end of the war.   After spending the day at Pearl Harbor, you’ll return to Honolulu with a drive through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater and stop at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii where you will experience the history of the U.S. Army in Hawaii and the Pacific as well as a tribute to ancient Hawaiian warriors.  Full day tours are $59/person.

• Get wet at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
  Located only 30 minutes from Waikiki, this is Hawaii’s only water park, and one of the larger water park in the world, and definitely a lot of fun for the whole family!   The park is located along a set of cliffs in West Oahu, filled with natural tropical plants and animals, and the rides are catered to children of all agents, and adults as well.  The Big Splash Package ($85 for adults and $58 for kids 3-11) is the best deal, and includes roundtrip transportation from Waikiki, a passport for all the park attractions, a Body Board lesson and session at Hurricane Bay, unlimited soft drinks, a BBQ lunch, souvenir logo gift, and unlimited Body Board rides on Da’ FlowRider, a standing wave.
  

• Explore the 4,000 acres of Kualoa Ranch by horse, ATV, helicopter, jet ski or kayak 

• Be like the locals and learn to surf!
  If you’ve never tried surfing, this is the perfect place to learn.  World-class surfers come from all over the world to ride the big waves on the north shore.  If you’re not quite a professional, however, Waikiki Beach has the ideal conditions for learning.  There are several companies that offer surf lessons, but Hans Hedemann Surf School is the best.  Group lessons are $78/person for 2 hours and guarantee to get you up and riding.
  

• Play a round of golf on one of Hawaii’s world-famous courses  

• Kayak to the famous Mokulua Islands

  The eastern coast of Oahu has the two most beautiful beaches on the island (and I would argue in all of Hawaii) - Kailua and Lanikai.  Off the coast are two sister islands, the Mokuluas, which are bird sanctuaries and a wonderful spot to paddle out to for a picnic lunch.  Two Good Kayaks, a small, local paddle sports company, offers great guided kayak tours daily that depart from Kailua and Lanikai Beach.  Tours start as low as $63 for adults.  The best package is $115 ($57 for children) and is a full day guided tour that includes transportation from Waikiki, kayaking equipment and accessories, snorkeling equipment, instruction, a picnic on one of the secluded Mokulua Islands, a visit to the seabird sanctuary, and a small trek to a secret cove to swim in the tidepools.

I’m very passionate about sharing this wonderful island with you, so please don’t hesitate to contact me any time to discuss the details of your travel plans and how we can work together to customize the most memorable vacation for you.

Abby Lapointe
Hawaii Aloha Travel
1-800-843-8771 ext. 23
abby@hawaii-aloha.com

Dorthy, Christina, and Eric Beckwith, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, recently returned from a 9-night vacation in May to the Big Island and Kaua’i.  Dorthy was kind enough to share some of the many wonderful pictures from their trip and memories that will last a lifetime.

On the Big Island, they stayed their first three nights at the Castle Kona Bali Kai, an oceanfront condominium resort on the Kona Coast, following by one night at the Volcano House in Volcanoes National Park.

"Off the balcony of our first stay ~  paradise!!

On Kaua’i, the Beckwiths stayed at the Plantation Hale Suites.

"Plantation Hale.  We love it there…had a room on top and in the middle….could see the ocean from our room and an easy walk to the beach."

While in Kaua’i, they also enjoyed the Hiva Pasefika Luau.

"Working with Abby for our family vacation was a blessing. We did not require to change the package she suggested at all.  With the wonderful accommodations at the Resort Quest Waikiki Beach Tower, we were in heaven. We had an awesome view from our terrace balcony right on Waikiki beach. Abby did a wonderful job for us, answering all of our questions promptly, giving us great information and suggestions for a fun packed and educational stay in Honolulu. The Polynesian Cultural Center was wonderful, as well as the emotional tour of the USS Arizona Memorial.  Thanks to you Abby we had a wonderful vacation and we are looking forward to working with you again next year. Mahalo." - George Schmehr, San Diego, CA

In addition to relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, shopping, "kicking back" and enjoying the excitement of Waikiki, the Schmehrs also spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center and took a full day tour of Pearl Harbor.

"We were all pleased with the Tour at the Polynesian Cultural Center, that is a must see for any tourist coming to Honolulu.  It is not only entertaining the entire time, it is very educational.  The Arizona Tour was fantastic, the line was long but they are so organized we were inside in no time at all. The USS Nimitz was coming into port, so they closed the harbor.  Our tour guide took immediate action and gathered us all, and we went on the city tour first. Then came back to the Arizona and was next in line to go in."

The Schmehr’s Vacation Package:

5/23/08 - 5/29/08

5 travelers                      

Roundtrip airfare from San Diego, CA on Hawaiian Airlines

6 nights in a 2-bedroom deluxe oceanfront suite at the Resortquest Waikiki Beach Tower

    *including the 5th night free, coupon booklet, and 2-for-1 luau

SUV rental car          
—————————————————————————

Total package price = $5,543 ($1,108.60/person)

The Stutzman family, from Redmond, Oregon, recently returned from a multi-island vacation to the Big Island and Maui.  On the Big Island, they stayed in a 2-bedroom/3-bath townhouse condo with views of Mauna Kea and the ocean.  On Maui, they ended their vacation in luxury at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

"We had a total blast!  The Hyatt was AWESOME, Abby, you definitely head the nail on the head with that suggestion…it was everything we wanted and more!  The pool areas were so impressive, just what I had in mind.  The spa was delicious, the gym facilities outstanding…I’m running out of adjectives!  We took the boys for private surfing lessons at the Goofy Foot Surf School in Lahaina for their birthday, had a spa day for our anniversary, did the Eco-Adventure Zipline Hike, and the Molokini Snorkle Cruise on the Four Winds II.  Everything we did was fun and exciting, well worth the money spent and worthy of nearly 1000 pictures.  By the way, thanks for the gift left for us at the Hyatt…it made for some good snacking after all that swimming!  Abby, we were thrilled with every aspect of the vacation.  It was one we’ll never forget.  Thank you so much for all the effort on our behalf–we appreciate you so much!  We will definitely be back…and you’ll be the first to know!" - Lisa Stutzman, May 2008

Thanks Lisa, Randy, Andrew, and Matthew!!!

For the latest promotions at the Hyatt and other excellent resorts in Hawaii, please call 1-800-843-8771 ext 23 or email abby@hawaii-aloha.com. 

Traveling all the way from Ohio, Mary Hrib, Leslie Sullivan, and Kristi Jaschek recently returned from a fun-filled multi-island vacation to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.  Here’s what Mary had to say about their trip:

"My friends and I really enjoyed working with Abby on our multi-island trip.  She coordinated flights from several locations on the mainland, booked us in a couple of wonderful hotels, and hooked us up with fabulous tours!! Her recommendations for 3 active, fun-loving women helped us get the most out of our 10 days in Hawaii. 

Just to mention a few of our fun activities, we went snorkeling in a shark cage…

In Volcanoes National Park we got to see Kilaeau plume about 7 hours after its eruption and lava flowing to the sea…

On our fourth day in Oahu, we visited the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor in the morning and snorkeled in beautiful Hanauma Bay in the afternoon…

   

On Easter Sunday we went on the best whale-watching tour ever on Trilogy.  Whales were swimming right under and next to our boat!…

In Maui, we did the "Road to Hana" drive - which is a windy drive through the rainforest part of Maui…

We also went on a catamaran to Molokini Crater - Leslie took a crash scuba diving course on the boat ride over and went on a scuba dive with me and the divemaster and two others.  She did an awesome job for her first scuba dive!!  We saw giant sea turtles and we went up to 30 feet deep.  Kristi decided to stick with snorkeling.  We saw lots of lovely tropical fish and coral reef.

Throughout the whole planning process, Abby was friendly and helpful and thanks to her expert advice/coordination..we had the PERFECT Hawaiian vacation!!  Yes…and we did go back with a lot of great memories and we told our friends that we know a great travel agent to use for that upcoming hawaii trip!  We LOVED our trip and did not want to leave.  Thanks Abby!"

Thanks Mary, Leslie, and Kristi!