Disney to Open Family Resort in Hawaii

by Catherine Bodry on

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts announced Wednesday it has bought 21 acres of oceanfront property on the western side of Oahu that it will use to build an 800-room hotel complex. It won’t be Disneyland Hawaii, but even without a theme park there will be plenty to entertain the family.

Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo assures locals that the resort will emphasize Hawaiian culture. The resort “will give our guests another way to visit a place that they’ve loved for many years,” Rasulo said. “As the crossroads of Asia, it is your diverse culture that makes this place so special.”

Amenities will include include educational and cultural activities, including local entertainers and hula dancers.

[via Msnbc]

Ferries for Hawaiian Island Hopping

by Jamie Rhein on

Years ago when I went to Hawaii to visit a great-aunt and uncle who lived in Kailua on O’ahu, my uncle arranged for a three day trip to the Big Island. The package deal included airfare, a rental car and a motel room. This was a low-budget, low-keyed jaunt and a high point of our vacation. (I’ve been thinking about Brook’s musings about the difference between travel and vacations. We landed in Hawaii after spending a week in Taiwan and a week in Japan. That felt like travel. For some reason, Hawaii felt like a vacation. I’m still musing myself about the difference.)

Anyway, when we went to the Big Island, we flew. To get to the Big Island flying is the way to go. However, according to this USA Today article, ferries are to start operating between O’ahu and Maui and Kaua’i. These will be the high-speed type that can also take cars. Eventually, there will be one to the Big Island, but that one isn’t due to open for a couple years. On the Hawaii Superferry Web site you can make reservations. The first departure is slated for August 28.

Although these inter-island ferries sound like a good idea, all is not well with this transportation venture. The humpback whales are a concern since the ferries may interrupt their migration. Also, if people can bring their cars with them, what will this do to tourism? That’s my thought. Will more cars choke up the roads? Or maybe this will be a tourist boost. Still, people do need some way to get from here to there unless we are all willing to stay home.

Photo of the Day (6/27/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on


In all my days spent on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, I never once saw this turtle or a sunrise in Mokolua. I have said many times that my days on Oahu are done, but this shot here makes me wonder if I might be missing something more. Thanks to Rob Webster for plugging this one into the Gadling Flickr pool. Very nice shot!

Photo of the Day (10/7/2006)

by Adrienne Wilson on


Despite the box or object obstructing our full view of this very, very flexible fire dancer in Hawaii, I still think it’s a good shot. Taken by snwbeast during some time spent at Hilton Waikoloa Village, I’m a little jealous I never saw any fire dancers as intense as this resident dancer here. If you look closely you’ll see both his head and his feet touching the ground at the same time, while his back remains arched and oh, did I mention that’s fire he’s twirling? I can do that too. In my dreams…

Sounds to Sail to the Islands

by Adrienne Wilson on

Sit listening to my music collection on party shuffle  for an hour and you’ll find I’m all for jarring sound transitions. Follow me closely here. Music is about movement. It’s about the flowing, swaying, and gyrating movement of bodies rocking harmoniously on packed dancehall floors in places with little ventilation. Sometimes it’s sudden and spur of the moment while others it’s calculated. Most of us find music takes away in the comfort of our homes allowing our limbs the freedom to burst out in the most unlikely body gestures and some will set adrift to discover music exotic places. I’m for the later idea.

Here’s a few of my own top music picks to help you skip to the islands this summer including concert and festival happenings around the area:

5. Sail to: Portugal’s Azores islands, Europe
When: July & August – several music events happening throughout the islands.
Song: Island of Wonder – Nelly Furtado (album: Folklore)

4. Sail to: Barbados, West Indies
When: July & August – for the island’s popular five-week Crop Over festival with origins tracing back to the 1780’s.
Song: A Girl Like Me – Rihanna (album: A Girl Like Me)

3. Sail to: Oahu, Hawaii
When: August 4-5, 2006 – 13th Annual Hawaiian International Jazz Festival.
Song: Moana Chimes – Jon Brion (album: Punch Drunk Love sdtk)

2. Sail to: Ibiza, Spain
When: July & August – Clubs and clubs galore! Dance in the day or dance at night. If you’re a bit on the mellow side, lay out in the sun at Playa de Ses Salines where DJ is sure to be spinning a record or more.
Song: Wake Up With Me – Be Noir (album: Undiscovered Ibiza)

1. Sail to: Jamaica, West Indies
When: August 3-6, 2006 – The world’s greatest Reggae festival, Reggae Sunsplash, returns and the roster looks as promising as ever.  What better island to be jammin’ on than Jamaica?
Song: Sun is Shining – Bob Marley & the Wailers (album: Kaya)