Aloha to all our Hawaii lovers,
When publishing the April 2012 Big Island Events, the biggest Hawaii event was without any doubt the 2012 Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo. The hula festival started officially yesterday April 8th Easter Sunday with a Ho'olaule'a at the auditorium behind the Stadium with lots of music, food and fun. Be aware that this was just the opening of a week-long festival of cultural events including Hawaii's most prestigious hula competition.
The Merrie Monarch Festival announced changes in the statewide coverage of its hula competition. The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival was first televised in 1981 on KITV (channel 4). That's where Keoki and I would always watch it. The high definition TV broadcast event is now moving to KFVE (channel 5). The 2012 Merrie Monarch Festival TV show will be a perfect way to internationally promote Hawaiian culture. When you are a hula fan like us, you can follow the show live via Internet streaming when are in Hawaii or thousands of miles away. It's a program which touches your heart and your soul and wants everybody to come back to Hawaii.
Merrie Monarch Hula Festival Miss Aloha Winner 2011
Enjoy the hula with Tori Hulali Canha
For all our current Hawaii visitors, the Merrie Monarch Festival offers lots of free events displaying Hawaii cultures and traditions like the crafts fair which starts on Wednesday, with incredible fresh Hawaiian leis and unique Hawaiian crafts in the building adjacent to the Stadium. The Wednesday hula performance is very special because it is a FREE hula exhibition night at the Stadium which begins at 6:30 pm. For the following Hula performances, tickets are needed. Normally, tickets are sold out way in advance but this year I could not find out from the Merrie Monarch website whether there are still tickets available.
Wishing you a unique experience with the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival 2012 in Hilo, live at home or at the Hilo location. Your Merrie Monarch Hula festival comments are most welcome. We' d love to hear from all our hula lover friends. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacation
Hawaii Hula Festival Related Posts
Monday, April 9, 2012
Merrie Monarch Hula Festival started
Thursday, November 17, 2011
3 Reasons for Star Watching in Hawaii in December
Watch Geminids Meteor Shower in Hawaii December 14th
Sunday, September 18, 2011
2011 Hawaii Ironman - Who will win?
Aloha Kona,
Watch the Kona Ironman countdown on the Ford Ironman World Championship site including 2011 Hawaii Ironman athlete guide, 2011 lottery winners and latest news like the last professional triathletes who have qualified for the 50 available spots for male athletes and 30 for female triathletes for the 2011 Hawaii Kona Ironman. Who will win 2011?
I think a question in an interview with Armstrong last year about returning to doing triathlons, which he has started his career with, and maybe planning a Hawaii Ironman in 2011, got it all this hype going. After I read on ESPN that Lance Armstrong confirmed 3 days ago he will compete September 24 on the XTERRA course that covers a 1-mile swim, 20-mile mountain bike ride and 6-mile trail run, I thought maybe he really will show up for the Hawaii Ironman 2011. Checking Google did not give me the answer immediately but the 2011 Hawaii Ironman athlete registration list does NOT show any or THE Lance Armstrong.
2009 Hawaii Kona Ironman Visitors Information
Kona Ironman accommodations 2008
Visit Hawaii 2007 Hawaii Ironman in Kona
Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Kailua Kona 2006 - 'Earthquake' Ironman
Watch 2006 Ironman Kona videos Full Day's action through Ironman Live videos
Thursday, July 28, 2011
How to watch a meteor shower in Hawaii
"Friday will be your best shot this year to see shooting stars burn in the Hawaiian night sky as the Delta Aquarids meteor shower reaches it peak.
Normally the mid-August Perseid meteor shower steals the show with on average up to 60 shooting stars per hour during its peak. This year however, the full moon will outshine all but the brightest of the Perseid Meteors, which forces those of us with a long wish list to turn to another shower.
Luckily, the Delta Aquarid meteor shower is a worthy contender. It may not be as active as the Perseids, but the peak of the Delta Aquarids coincides with the new moon coming Friday (July 29th). On top of that you will also be able to see the first of the Perseid meteors as the shower slowly starts building up to its (poorly visible) peak on August 13th. The combination of these two showers with the new moon make Friday the best night of 2011 to watch a meteor shower in Hawaii. Expect to see up to 15-30 shooting stars per hour against a clear and dark sky.
What are shooting stars or meteor showers
Meteor showers happen as Earth plows through the trail of debris that is left in the wake of a comet. Because our planet moves with the incredible speed of 90,000 miles/hour, all swept up particles quickly burn up in the atmosphere as a shooting star.
What is the best time to watch the meteor shower in Hawaii
You can see shooting stars during any time at night. However, you can see by far the most meteors after midnight. This has everything to do with the rotation of the Earth. Between midnight and sunrise Earth's rotation has brought you on the leading edge of our planet, and Earth can sweep up many more meteoroids!
Comfortable meteor watching is best done with a reclining chair or a blanket to lie down on, because you will be looking up for a long time. Bring a pillow for your neck and find an as dark spot as possible. Once installed sit back, relax, and allow 15 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness. As with all Meteor showers around the globe, the best time to watch the meteor shower in Hawaii is the early hours before dawn."
p.s.
Don't tell us your wishes but tell us when and where you watched a meteor shower in Hawaii.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
4th of July in Hawaii
Dear Best Hawaii Vacation visitors,
Are you in Hawaii for 4th of July and wonder how to celebrate your Independence Day in Hawaii? Hawaii 4th of July events are very popular among Hawaii visitors and residents alike with parades, festivals, BBQs and 4th of July fireworks all over the Hawaiian Islands.
A Hawaii 4th of July event on the Big Island celebrates a very different and unique independence. It's the independence of the Hawaiian green sea turtle! The turtle (honu in Hawaiian) is one of the attractions when snorkeling or scuba diving in warm Pacific ocean around the Hawaiian Islands. In order to keep it that way for many years to come, everything is done to preserve the Hawaiian green sea turtle.
This is what 'Turtle Independence Day' on the Big Island is all about. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel educates theirs guests and Hawaii visitors on the Kohala Coast on their daily 'fish tour' around the premises with wonderful tropical fish ponds offering baby sharks, sting rays, huge variety of tropical fish like humuhumunukunukuapua'a and...Hawaiian green sea turtle babies which had a home in those ponds for a few years till Turtle Independence Day get released into the ocean when they are three and four years old after growing up in the Honu Ponds at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.
At 10:30am on 4th of July, the turtles will be gathered from the Honu ponds and paraded to the beach front for release into their new home, the vast Pacific Ocean. A welcome ceremony will start the event. What a wonderful Hawaii 4th of July event celebration with live entertainment and BBQ to save our Hawaiian wild life and celebrate Independence Day at the same time. Please, tell our visitors about your 4th of July in Hawaii. Happy Independence Day! Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Hawaii Hula Festival Videos
A Komo Mai everybody,
At Best Hawaii Vacation Blog, we are proud of sharing big Hawaii events which keep Hawaiian traditions and culture alive with all our friends who are in love with Hawaii. Hawaii vacation is not only about white sand beaches, as we all know, but also about the Hawaiian culture which we experience everywhere on the islands. Aloha spirit and hula are the biggest part.
In the past, we wrote many posts about the meaning of hula and hula festivals in Hawaii. The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival on Hawaii Big Island is coming up for its 48th anniversary this 2011 Easter. Good reason to get you in the hula festival mood with our Hawaii Hula Festival videos.
For those who have not heard about the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, here is some basic information for Big Island visitors, who are in Hawaii and would like to visit Hilo for the Hula Festival this Easter. Merrie Monarch Festival is a non-profit organization that honors the legacy left by King David Kalakaua, who inspired the perpetuation of Hawaii traditions and culture, Hawaiian language and arts.
The week-long festival features an internationally acclaimed hula competition, a huge crafts fair, an amazing Hawaiian art show, a grand parade through Hilo town and last but not least, a three-day hula competition that has received worldwide recognition. This year's 2011 Merrie Monarch Festival takes place April 24-30, 2011.
In preparation of this Hawaii Hula Festival blog I perused many hula videos on youtube including some of the older Merrie Monarch Festivals. Enjoying all thess hula videos, the chants and songs, beautiful Hawaiian style costumes and the special sounds of Hawaiian music, I came across the following video by the Polynesian Cultural Center's about hula shows at Moanikeala Festival. I was so impressed by it that I decided to post it here.
Most impressive of this Hawaii hula festival video was for me that hula is a dance of all generations from the youngest keiki to the older generation. Please, enjoy this huge variety of hula dances.
We close our Hawaii Hula Festival post with a video from the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival presenting Halau Hula Olana, which shows the grace, the love, the beauty and the commitment of the Hawaiian wahine in their hula performance.
Let us know what you think about these Hawaii hula videos and of course your experience with the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. Mahalo and aloha, Pua
Hawaii Hula Related Posts
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Sunday, January 30, 2011
Cherry Blossom Festival in Hawaii
A Komo Mai 'Best Hawaii Vacation blog' visitors,
As all of you know monthly events are plentiful in Hawaii. Hawaii visitors to the Kohala Coast on the Big Island have to choose from a lot of events in the Kohala Coast event calendar for February. Admitted, February events are not the big national events like the Big Island Triathlon in Kona or the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo. However, there are lots of local area events in Hawaii, which came to life through their residents and their different cultural background and traditions.
One of those traditions is the Cherry blossom festival in Hawaii. Honolulu's Cherry Blossom Festival has a long tradition and offers lots of events for Hawaii visitors and residents alike all the way through February and March as long as the cherry blossoms are blooming.
And yes they are blooming not just in Honolulu but also in upcountry Waimea on the Big Island. Each year an abundance of cherry tree blossoms are blooming in Church Row attracting with their beauitiful pink colors and wonderful scent. The Japanese residents of Waimea and Big Islanders from all over will come to Waimea to celebrate the blossoming of the cherry trees on Church Row Park, just east of KTA shopping center on Saturday, the 5th of Februray.
The tradition of flower viewing of cherry trees has it roots in Japanese culture, but has become a tradition across the U.S. to celebrate the unofficial arrival of spring. There is even a National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the gift of cherry trees from Japan in 1912.
Those planning to attend the Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival will be able to view a Japanese bon dance, taiko drumming and Cherry blossom art. Waimea also has two very extensive Farmers markets providing fruits, veggies and prepared foods for those with a hearty appetite. This year's event pays tribute to master lei and kapa maker Marie McDonald, and Milton Yamasaki.
During the 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. festival, a host of activities will take place from the Parker Ranch Historic Homes on Mamalahoa Hwy. 190 to the Hawaiian Homestead Farmer's Market on Hwy. 19. Enjoy Japanese and multi-cultural performing arts, plus demonstrations of bonsai, origami, tea ceremony and mochi pounding and a wonderful craft fair.
Hope you can make it to the Cherry Blossom in Honolulu or Waimea. If you do, let us know what you liked best at this year's Cherry Blossom Festival in Hawaii. Photos of the cherry blossom trees in Hawaii are most welcome too. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
Thursday, September 30, 2010
5 Best Tips for Kona Big Island Ironman Visitors
Welcome back everybody who is interested in Hawaii vacation tips!
After our recent post about '10 Best Hawaii vacation tips' today's post has vacation tips for those Hawaii visitors who are visiting Kona for the Big Island Ironman.
I can't believe it that another year has passed and Kona on the Big Island is once again preparing for its biggest Big Island event: the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Ford World Championship. It's still 9 days to the Big Island competition of this biggest endurance race for triathletes in Kona Hawaii on October 9th but Kona is already hustling and bustling with hundreds of triathletes getting a feel for this year's race swimming the rough Pacific Ocean waters, running along Alii Dr or even trying a bike ride to Hawi.
Before I share my personal '5 Best Tips for Kona Big Island Ironman Visitors' with all of our Best Hawaii vacation fans, here is a great youtube video by everymantri.com which shows an interview with top triathletes like Craig Alexander, twice Ironman champion in the last two Big Island Ironman races. What does Craig think? Can he do it again? Get right into the Ironman mood with this interesting preview event video from Kailua-Kona Hawaii Big Island.
Having been to the Big Island Kona Ironman many times in the past, live and later on through TV and videos, here are 5 tips which pop up in my head for Hawaii visitors who visit Kona for the Ironman this year 2010:
1. When you stay at a Kona hotel downtown, don't even think about taking your car to get anywhere on the day of the Kona Ironman. You can't.
2. When you come from a place farther away on the Big Island, get early into Kailua-Kona like around 6am to secure a parking place and a good observation point in Alii Dr for watching the spectacle at 7am when thousands of swimmers jump in the ocean and fight for a top position. BTW, best top triathletes get a privileged early start before big crowd.
3. You stay on another Island and decide for last minute visit to Kona for Ironman and try to book a hotel room. Kona Hotels are solidly BOOKED for the Ironman weekend and most of the Ironman week. Try places north of Kona like vacation condos in Waikoloa Village (best rates, about 30min drive to Kona) or condos at Waikoloa Beach Resort (more expensive, about 30min drive to Kona). Another option for Ironman accommodations is South Kona.
4. Prepare yourselves for a long day in the hot Hawaii sun and heat: water, sun screen + hat are a must. Remember you'll have an early morning start and it will take a bit over 8hrs for the first men and about 9hrs for the first women to arrive at the finish line after the marathon.
5. Stay away from restaurants at the regular meal hours. They will be totally jammed. Plan your lunch for 2pm and your dinner for 9pm or even later. After the first huge Ironman excitement between 3 - 5 pm with lots of cheering, things calm down somewhat later but if you are in for the long haul, there are many more exciting moments coming before midnight when the Ironman cutoff (no more counting who comes in at what position) takes place.
Hope these 5 best tips for Kona Big Island Ironman visitors will help you make it through a day of unbelievable excitement and exhilaration. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacation
p.s.
Last but not least, get yourself a Kona and Big Island West Coast map to make sure you know which roads or highways are closed for the Kona Ironman race on Sat. 10/9. Also see Ford Ironman World Championship Road restrictions from Kona to Hawi.
Big Island Ironman Related Posts
Ever wanted to visit Big Island Ironman for your Hawaii vacation
2009 Hawaii Kona Ironman Visitors Information
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Friday, August 13, 2010
Learn more about Hawaiian culture
Dear Hawaii lovers,
Here is a great opportunity for Big Island visitors who currently spend their Hawaii vacation on the Kona Kohala Coast. This weekend on August 14 + 15 Establishment Day, a true Hawaiian Festival, is celebrated. It is held in Kawaihae on the Kohala Coast near the beach below Pu'ukohola Heiau. The public is invited to participate in the cultural demonstrations and workshop activities in Pelekane (royal courtyard) with only one stipulation: that each visitor learns at least one craft before leaving the area to help preserve a part of the Hawaiian culture.
Hawaiian Culture related articles
Monday, March 29, 2010
Biggest Hula Event in Hawaii coming up
Halau o Kekuhi men performed Auana hula at the Merrie Monarch 2009 Ho'ike in Hilo, Hawaii
Sorry guys if you got all excited and maybe plan a last minute visit to Hilo Hawaii for the hula festival, Hilo vacation rentals and Hilo hotels are sold out. The tickets for the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival are sold out too, just like in the years before. I don't know what your chances are and how long the lines will be for the Wednesday night hula performances but I can assure you when you are on Hawaii vacation during the hula festival, Hawaii TV stations are proud to show you the best of Hawaii's hula. So enjoy it then or buy a DVD of the biggest Hula Event in Hawaii later. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Planning a Hawaii vacation 2010?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hawaii Game Fishing A Hawaii Story
Dear Hawaii visitors,
First things first, the Kona Ironman condo (sleeps 6) at the best rate for Kona Ironman accommodations, is still available at this moment. What do realtors always say 'Hurry, this won't last long'. Well, we are not realtors but definitely would like to help those Hawaii visitors who still want to visit Kona for the 2009 Ironman and were just not lucky yet to find a Kona vacation rental for the price they can afford.
We are also happy to welcome back Bill for one of his fantastic stories about Hawaii and island life. His story fits right into the time frame of the First Hawaiian Storytelling Conference with people from Hawaii and from around the world. Story telling starts today in Honolulu 7/16 - 20. There will also be a continuing part on the island of Maui on 7/23/09. We are so happy to hear about this new event to keep Hawaiian traditions not only alive but further support the tradition of storytelling in the Hawaii's culture. Let's get right to our today's Hawaii story about Hawaii Game Fishing.
Bill picks up Big Game Fishing in Hawaii which experiences a high season during Hawaiian summer. If you are interested in fishing, not just the little fish but big game fishing, check out our article about 'Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament July 20 - 24, 2009'. or visit their site about the Kona Billfish Tournament.
"As the summer blooms full and broad across the boundless Hawaii sky, days are long and lazy, and the nights are brightened by a zillion stars. The sun baked land seems to sigh as the cool evening casts welcome shadows across the brilliant flanks of towering Mauna Kea. The daily flock of trade wind clouds now gathers in the lee of Hualalai, and the reaching leaves of the high forest embrace soft rains at Kukuiohiwai. We see these things, and our hearts rejoice that we are among the luckiest to enjoy this wonderful natural theatre each day.
While the shimmering summer air sweeps and swirls around our towering mountain peaks, lacy patterns of bright daylight and racing shadows play over the vast stretches of pasture and forest, lava and sun beaten coastline. This is the sea of air that we live within, the vast atmospheric ocean of north Pacific breezes with their rich currents of oxygen and cooling squalls, while just below us the deep currents of the sea itself surge and grunt against the incredible bulk of the Island. Summer in the off shore waters has a story of its own to tell, and we big game fisherman listen very closely.
Game Fishing for Ono Ahi and Mahimahi on the Kona Coast with Bill on his boat 'Kakalina'
Far below the marching waves, where the rough skin of the Island stirs dark currents of rich, cold water up into the warm surface layers, great plumes of kailua stretch up and down the coast, attracting hundreds of schools of opelu and young aku with a swelling banquet of shimmering nehu and clouds of plankton and algae. Pelagic hunters migrate across the endless expanses of ocean to feast on this rich gift. These oceanic hunters arrive as schools of giant ahi, packs of high speed ono and the always terrifying Pacific Blue Marlin. Few people know that the Pacific Blue Marlin was not documented as a separate species until Captain George Parker, of Kailua-Kona, caught one in November of 1954. That fish weighed 1002 pounds, and Captain George caught it single-handedly from the Mona H on his way to Honolulu for dry dock.
While the ahi and ono provide wonderful meals to friends and family, the marlin provides the most hair-raising episodes a fisherman or woman will ever experience. We don’t hang those fish much anymore. On our boat, Kakalina, we tag our marlin and send them on their way instead of killing them just to weigh. It is good to know that same fish may come back to wrestle with us another day.
Going fishing is the sort of thing that occupies the mind during the soft summer months in the world’s most beautiful place to live. Aloha, Bill"
Thanks Bill for this wonderful story about fishing big fish in Hawaii ocean waters. Not to forget the fun youtube video of your fishing tour in Kona with family and friends. What do you think of big game fishing in Hawaii on vacation? We'd love to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
Bill has been living on the Kohala Coast for most of his life and has helped many people in the past to find their Hawaiian dream home. Also visit Bill's other Hawaii blog stories on our Hawaii blog guest author page.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
2009 Hawaii Kona Ironman visitors information
Hawaii Kona Ironman Related Articles
Visit Hawaii 2007 Hawaii Ironman in Kona
Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Kailua Kona 2006
Friday, March 27, 2009
Big Island Triathlon is coming up
Dear Hawaii lovers,
Best Hawaii Vacation blog is still waiting for sharing your 'Favorite Hawaiian Flower' with our blog visitors. We know there are too many beautiful tropical flowers to choose from. Which one do you like best?
What's our today's blog title 'Big Island Triathlon coming up' all about? Everybody knows that the Big Island is not only famous all over the world for its active volcano but also for hosting one of the most attractive and popular Hawaii events, the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in Kona in October.
In March each year, there is another Big Island Triathlon happening on the Kohala Coast, which you might hear about for the first time. The Lavaman Ironman is kind of a spin-off of the real Ironman Triathlon in October.
Well, when you are currently still on your Hawaii vacation on the Big Island, you have a chance to watch the 12th Annual Lavaman Triathlon on Sunday March 29, 2009. The Lavaman Triathlon consists of 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run. Not much compared to 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile run of the real Ironman competition.
I remember we both participated in a 10k run many years ago and were quite wasted afterwards, despite the colder upcountry climate. What are the Lavaman Ironman participants up against? Definitely, the heat in the coastal areas of the Kohala Coast and the wind, which can be strong and gusty when biking Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy. Plus ,one never knows about the ocean conditions. At this time of the year, the Pacific ocean can be quite choppy and challenginging for the swimmers.
Mastering this 'Mini' Big Island Triathlon makes the competitors a Lavaman and can be a first step in the direction for preparing for the ultimate goal for triathletes, a spot on the Ford Ironman Triathlon Worldchampionship in Hawaii. Come and see for yourself what it takes to be a Lavaman Triathlete.
Here are a few tips for Big Island visitors of the 12th Lavaman Triathlon this Sunday:
-Most of the Lavaman events take place at Waikoloa Beach Resort.
-There will be plenty of parking at the Queen's MarketPlace and the Kings' Shops.
-Watch for bikers when driving Hwy 19 between 7:30 - 11.30am.
-Bikers will go from Waikoloa Beach resort to Turnaround at mile marker 88, near Hualalai Resort.
-Hilton Waikoloa Village is the official hotel for the Triathlon Waikoloa.
-Find information on special triathlon rates at Hilton Waikoloa.
Visit the LavamanTriathlon site for more information on race details and events or call 808-329-9718. Have fun at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. No worries about food. The Queens Marketplace and Kings Shops have plenty of restaurants, from affordable to pricey, for satisfying your stomach. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Hawaiian Traditions
Dear Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors,
The ones of you who visit our Hawaii blog frequently know that we, Pua and Keoki, are not just dedicating this blog to providing you with the best Hawaii vacation tips for travel to the Hawaiian Islands. We love to go beyond that by introducing Hawaiian culture, traditions and heritage to all of you you want to know more about Hawaii, the land and the people. Today we warmly welcome another guest author who will be assisting us to accomplish this mission.
Catherine Tarleton, the blog author of today's post had worked at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for 18 years. When the hotel closed for renovation in 2006, she looked for new ways to get actively engaged in keeping the Hawaiian heritage alive and thriving. Cathey is a free lance writer on the Big Island of Hawaii who had become involved with promoting the rich and beautiful Hawaiian tradition and culture through the 'Moku O Keawe' International International Festival, which is coming up at the beginning of November 2008.
Here is what Cathey has to share with Big Island visitors about the Festival which features an amazing hula competition by dancers from Hawaii and Japan and several cultural workshops led by some amazing kumu in the arts of chant, hula, lei-making, language and more:
"Experience the rich Hawaiian culture during Moku O Keawe International Festival, November 5-9 at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Top hula troupes from Hawaii and Japan take the stage for exciting kupuna, kahiko and auana competition under the stars in the Waikoloa Bowl at the Queens' Gardens.
And during the day, cultural workshops offer an in-depth excursion to practice protocols, gather materials and make authentic lei, a look at the intricacies of lauhala weaving, a visit to the Makali'i to learn story and song about the fabled voyaging canoe--and much more. Kickoff concert starring Na Hokuhanohano Female Vocalist of the Year Napua Greig, fabulous made-in-Hawaii Marketplace and final night Ho'ike starring workshop students and special guest halau complete the third annual event.
Through what is learned in the cultural workshops, hula competition, exhibits of Hawaii-related arts and crafts and other extraordinary events, the Hawaii traveler from near or far can take the Moku O Keawe experience home and share it with their community.
For information visit www.MokuOKeawe.org or call Margo at 808-886-8822."
Much mahalo, Cathey, for your nice invitation to this amazing festival of celebrating Hawaiian traditions and sharing them with our Hawaii Big Island visitors. If you don't know where Waikoloa Beach Resort is, check our Kohala Coast map. It's at a great central location between Kona and the Kohala Coast and Waimea area.
A visit to the Moku O Keawe Festival will be a unique Hawaii experience on your Big Island vacation. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations and Big Island Vacation
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Friday, August 1, 2008
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Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Ever wanted to visit the Big Island Ironman for your Hawaii vacation
or even wondered what it would be like to be an athlete participating in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in Kona on the Big Island?
Read our blog post and you might want to stay with the visiting crowd as the majority of thousands of tourists does. Watch a spectacle of a life time! I must admit though being a spectator is not as rewarding and adrenaline rush pushing as the guy who finishes his first Ironman. To make it across the finish line before midnight, when the clock stops counting, is for many the accomplishment which they will tell their kids in years to come: I did it. I finished the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon!
As an athlete myself, I have the biggest respect for anybody who can say that of himself or herself. I was never challenged by the urge to try. Maybe it was my close encounter with the physical and psychological battle it takes to literally survive the day of the Ironman competition. It was at the1992 Big Island Triathlon in Kona. I had graduated from the Hawaiian massage school in Kona, passed my state licence exam and volunteered, like all my other massage therapist friends from my class, to massage the triathletes after the triathlon race.
Well, to tell you the truth, I did not know what I had volunteered for. To cut a long story short, the 1992 Hawaii Ironman was becoming my own marathon, massage marathon that was! I started massaging at 3pm, not the winner of the race - for the record, I had to check who the winner was in 1992 (Mark Allen) - but guys who were hurt and had dropped out early. Believe it or not, I had to throw the towel at midnight. With just half an hour break, I had to quit. 'Only' 9 hours of marathon massage! What made these triathlete guys and women not quit and keep going for hours and hours in the 'flash eating' sun of Hawaii or down pours of the 2006 Ironman, the challenging trade winds blowing in their faces on their way from Kona to Hawi with lots of uphill struggles and finally, when they are already exhausted to their core, to run the marathon?!
Watch the 2006 Hawaii Ironman video. Competitors have 17 hours to finish! See for yourself what it takes to be an Ironman to accomplish a 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile run in one day!
This Ironman video is about the rivalry between Mark Allen and Dave Scott. It shows Mark Allen defeating for the first time Dave Scott in the 1989 Ironman. This race was one of the most remarkable in Ironman history!
Now, we got you all hyped up for a visit of the 2007 Ironman in Kona, Big Island. OK it's still almost 4 weeks to the Ironman competition on Saturday October 13. You might still get a fall flight special to Hawaii but make sure to have a room before you book. Kona hotals and Kona vacation rentals are booked. Look for vacation rentals or condos north of Kona at Waikoloa Village and south of Kona at Captain Cook and Kealakekua. Get early into Kona on the day of the Ironman competition to find a parking space and secure your spot on the Pier at Alii Drive to watch the most spectacular start of the Ironman, when thousands of athletes jump in the ocean at the same time. Get caught up in the 2007 Ironman Triathlon World Championship frenzy, an experience of a lifetime!
As usual, let us know what you think about the Hawaii Ironman, the athletes, sunny Kailua-Kona and whatever! Can't wait to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Kohala Coast Vacation Guide
p.s.
Don't forget your camera and read the tips for taking photos in Hawaii by renowned Hawaii photographer Jennifer Crites. She might come up with some special ones for the Ironman. My photos of Norman Stadler and Faris al Sultan on their bikes were not too impressive (more like a blur, to be honest), unfortunately...after waiting for hours in the hot sun of Hawaii!
Related articles
2006 Big Island Ironman Triathlon
What it takes to be an Ironman
Monday, September 3, 2007
Visit Hawaii Aloha Festival Events on your Hawaii Vacation
This Hawaii blog post is sponsored by Affordable Hawaii Vacation
Aloha and welcome back at our Best Hawaii Vacation blog,
With the overwhelming response on our post interview about Hawaii photos with Honolulu based Hawaii photographer and Hawaiian travel writer Jennifer Crites, we are well aware that you are waiting for Jennifer's photo tips when on Hawaii vacation. Photo tips will be coming soon!!!
Today, we feel there is one huge Hawaii event which deserves the attention of our Best Hawaii vacation blog and all the visitors to Hawaii during the months of September and October...the Aloha Festivals have started! When speaking about best Hawaii events, the Aloha Festivals take center stage, more so because it's not a one island but Hawaii statewide event. Read more about the Aloha festival on our Aloha Festival post from last year.
So be prepared, even though September are generally low season months, you might run into some increased traffic depending on what Hawaiian island you vacation and at what location. As Aloha Festivals is Hawaii's premier cultural showcase, a celebration of Hawaii's music, dance and history intended to preserve the unique island traditions, it usually attracts a big crowd of visitors. Attending Aloha Festival events in Hawaii is not just big fun but also very educational to learn more about Hawaiian culture and heritage beyond the Hawaiian hula and luau traditions. Aloha Festivals is proudly presented by the Hawaii Tourism Authority & Hawaiian Airlines. We invite you to explore Aloha Festivals. Find out more on the Aloha Festival Events of the island where you are staying.
The island of Oahu started this year's Aloha Festival on August 24th when the Aloha Festivals king, queen, prince and princess assumed their place on the royal court. There are so many more Aloha Festival events going on on the island of Oahu at the moment. Best you visit our list of Oahu Aloha Festival Events to choose which event you would like to attend on your Oahua Vacation.
Aloha Festival on the Big Island get started at the end of August at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. So if you missed this year's opening event at Volcano Art Center's with the Hula Kahiko performance atop the stone hula platform overlooking Ka'auea Caldera in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, there will be another one next year. Big Island Aloha Festival events for September are too numerous, of huge variety and at different Big Island locations like Kona, the Kohala Coast Resorts and Hotels, Hilo and Volcano. We are certain you find an event close to your Big Island vacation rental.
If you are visiting Kauai, you still have a chance to attend the Kauai Aloha Festival opening at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa on September 06, 2007 at 4 p.m. Admission is free. You can buy tickets for the luaau which follows the ceremony.
For all Hawaii vacationers who have booked their trip to Maui or Molokai, those Aloha Festival events are taking place in October. View the events ahead of your island arrival to make plans what Aloha Festival event to attend Maui Aloha Festival Events October and Molokai Aloha Festival Events October
We decided to include a few of the upcoming Aloha festival events
Aloha Festivals Opening Ceremony & Lu`au - Kaua'i
Aloha Festivals Opening Ceremony & Lu`au - Kaua'iThursday, September 06, 2007 4 p.m.Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort & Spa - Seaview Terrace Opening Ho`okupu Ceremony
Song, dance and luau.
http://alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/event_detail.jsp?section=kauai&docid=191
Friday, September 07, 2007 7:00PMHilton Kaua'i Beach Kauai's best falsetto singers vie for a recording contract with Hula Records. Admission fee of $20.00; $15.00 with 2007 Aloha Festivals ribbon.
16th Annual Aloha Festivals Kindy Sproat Falsetto and Storytelling Contest-Hawai`i
Saturday, September 08, 2007. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel at Mauna Kea ResortIn this Hawaiian musical art form, performers throw their voices into the upper registers of the musical scale, while combining the art of Hawaiian storytelling.
Annual Aloha Festivals Poke Contest - Hawai'i
Annual Aloha Festivals Poke Contest - Hawai'iSaturday, September 08, 2007 11:00am - 2pmHapuna Beach Prince Hotel at Mauna Kea Resort Celebrate "Hawaii's Soul Food". The contest includes amateur and professional chefs to bring their best poke dishes to the competition. After the judging, the public is invited to taste the creations. Admission is $5 with a 2007 Aloha Festivals ribbon ($5
Aloha Festivals Kaua'i Ho'olaule'a at Kukui Grove Shopping Center-Kaua`i
Saturday, September 08, 2007 10:00 AM - 3:00 PMKukui Grove Shopping Center Come and enjoy a wide variety of ethnic food booths, Makahiki games, and entertainment!
Lu'au Feast - Smith's Paradise Lu'au - Kaua'i
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 5pm Gardens Open and 6pm Imu CeremonySmith's Paradise Lu'au Gardens Special appearance by Kauai's 2007 Aloha Festivals Royal Court 6pm. Admission is $70.00; $65.00 with Aloha Festivals 2007 Ribbon.
Opening Ceremonies at ‘Iolani Palace
Friday, September 14, 2007 5:00pm'Iolani Palace
This officially marks the beginning of the Aloha Festivals events on Oahu. Traditional hula and chants introduce our O'ahu Royal Court on the grounds of the beautiful 'Iolani Palace. Free admission.
5th Annual E Hula Mai Kaua-Hawai`i
Friday, September 14, 2007 5pm - 9pmOutrigger Keauhou Beach Resorts Luau Garden Hula Palua, Couples Hula Competition: This unique hula event debuts at the Big Island's "E Hula Mai Kaua" hula competition.
14th Annual Ms. Aloha Nui Pageant-Hawai`i
Saturday, September 15, 2007 7:00 PMWaikoloa Beach Marriott
Marriott hosts the 14th Annual Ms. Aloha Nui Pageant at 7PM. The official search for the "Hostess with the Mostess" a gal with graciousness, beauty and talent, is a one-of-a-kind beauty contest featuring plus-sized women of 200 pounds or more.
We hope this post on our Aloha Festival intrigued your interest in Hawaii culture and heritage and will contribute to your Best Hawaii Vacation. Mahalo for visiting. Aloha, Pua
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