Spend new year on Kauai

Aqua Hotels & Resorts photo

Aqua Hotels & Resorts Kauai Sands Hotel is offering a "Kamaaina Special" available through Jan. 31, 2013.

The oceanfront property is offering rates starting at $75 for a deluxe pool view room, $85 for a deluxe ocean view room and $95 for a junior suite with kitchenette. Kamaaina booking the special also receive free daily parking, free 10 a.m. early check-in and free 3 p.m. late check-out.

Located on the Coconut Coast in Kapaa, the island-style Kauai Sands Hotel sits on 6 acres of lush lawns and tropical gardens with a private oceanside jogging path and two outdoor swimming pools. The Kauai Sands Hotel is an easy 10-minute walk to the Coconut Marketplace and Kapaa town.

The ‘Kamaaina Special” is available now until January 31, 2013 (blackout periods apply). Rate quoted is based on best available rate, single or double occupancy plus taxes, and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Blackout periods apply.

A valid Hawaii I.D. is required at check-in. For reservations, book online at www.kauaisandshotel.com or call 808.924.6543.


420 Papaloa Road,  Kapaa. Call 808.822.4951.

Outrigger helps couples renew vows

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts photos

A kahu presides over guests' beachfront vow renewals at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.

Maybe you didn't make plans, but caught up in the romance of paradise, you feel compelled to tell the world about your continuing love story.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach makes it easy to share your romance with the return of its free, beachfront vow-renewal ceremony, which invites couples to recommit to one another in a Hawaiian ceremony on the hotel’s oceanfront lanai fronting iconic Waikiki Beach and the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. The vow renewal ceremonies for guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach are available at 7:45 a.m. every Monday and Thursday.

More than 9,000 vows have been exchanged since the program launched in 2003 providing guests a memorable and distinctive Hawaii experience. The non-denominational Hawaiian ceremony is conducted by a Hawaiian officiant and begins with a traditional Hawaiian welcome chant. Couples are then treated to a hula and serenaded with Hawaiian song before being blessed with a gentle sprinkling of sea water and reciting vows in the Hawaiian language.

More than 9,000 couples have renewed their vows through the 

Outrigger Hotels & Resort's free vow renewal program.

The ceremony concludes with a performance of the beautiful "Hawaiian Wedding Song," accompanied by a hula. A commemorative certificate is presented to each couple at the conclusion of the ceremony to remember the day.

Vow-renewal ceremonies also take place every Tuesday and Friday at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Couples must sign up at their respective hotel’s concierge desk by 3 p.m. the day before the ceremony. In addition to Waikiki, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts offers free vow renewal ceremonies to guests on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. Each vow-renewal ceremony was created with the guidance of a Hawaiian cultural expert to provide a distinctive and culturally-rich experience to help couples celebrate their love as well as the history and heritage of the island.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach offers rates starting from $259 per night (plus tax) and commands one of the best locations on Waikiki Beach, at 2335 Kalakaua Ave. Reserve by calling toll free 1-(800)-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call direct to (303)-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit www.outriggerwaikiki.com or e-mail reservations@outrigger.com.

Aqua Lotus gets a facelift

Aqua Hotels & Resorts photo

The Aqua Lotus guest rooms get a clean, sleek makeover.

Guests checking into Aqua Hotels & Resorts 51-room Aqua Lotus Honolulu will find a fresh new look awaiting, with the recent completion of guest room renovations and upgrades totaling $2.5 million.

The boutique Aqua Lotus Honolulu was transformed under the direction of Kory Wong-Oglesby of deZigns Interior Planning, which took a minimalist approach with the use of clean sleek lines. A darker wood finish was utilized to help accentuate the white walls and cool color tones, with subtle tropical patterns on the upholstery and bedding.

Custom artwork of local artist/photographer Kaypee Soh compliments both the in-room aesthetic and the sweeping views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. Guest rooms also received 42-inch flat-screen LCD HDTVs, as well as upgraded bedding and linen.

For reservations within Hawaii, call Aqua at (808) 924-6543, or dial toll free at 1-(866) 406-2782. Located at 2885 Kalakaua Ave., the hotel enjoys a tranquil and quiet setting within walking distance to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and Waikiki Shell.

More information: www.aqualotus.com

The new guest bathroom.

Win OHANA stay with L&L

OHANA Hotels & Resorts
In the lobby of OHANA Waikiki East

Dine at one of more than 180 L&L Hawaiian Barbecue restaurants or log onto www.hawaiianbarbecue.com before Dec. 12 and you may win the ultimate Ohana Hawaii Getaway or become one of 30 winners of a three-night complimentary hotel stay with OHANA Hotels & Resorts.

The ultimate Ohana Hawaii Getaway comprises roundtrip airfare for two from a major West Coast hub courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, and a six-day car rental with a five-night hotel stay at one of four Oahu OHANA properties or the Keauhou Beach Resort in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. The Oahu choices are the OHANA Waikiki East, OHANA Waikiki Malia, OHANA Waikiki West or OHANA Honolulu Airport Hotel.

One grand prize will be awarded from among all entries received from legal residents of California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Connecticut, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, New York, Utah, Oregon and Washington.

Visit www.hawaiianbarbecue.com for complete contest rules. Must be 21 to enter. No purchase necessary. Winners will be randomly selected and notified via email during the week of Jan. 2, 2012.

Keauhou Beach Resort double room.

Alaska Airlines onstop from California to Kona

Alaska Airlines has added more nonstop Flights to Kona International Airport. The new daily nonstop flights from San Jose and Oakland, Calif., will start on March 12, 2012.

Currently, the airline serves Kona with three flights a week between Oakland and Kona, and four flights a week between San Jose and Kona.

A complete list of fares and daily routes is available at www.alaskaair.com or by calling (800) 252-7522.

Canoe surfing at Outrigger

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach photo

True to its name, the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is sending guests out to sea for an exhilarating experience via the hotel’s "Canoe for Two" Package.

Through Dec. 21, 2011, two guests can enjoy the unique experience of surfing the Waikiki shore break on a Hawaiian outrigger canoe. The package includes a photo CD of the session that’s easy to upload to email, Facebook or Twitter.

Outrigger canoe surfing is one of the earliest and purest forms of surfing, as the native-to-Hawaii canoes gracefully catch each surge for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Experienced steersmen navigate through surfers and stand up paddlers, as the 400-pound canoe carves through the troughs. While waiting for surf, paddlers often spot turtles, dolphins and tropical fish from the canoe and the setting boasts spectacular views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. The safety of the canoe and experience of the steersmen make canoe surfing a perfect family-friendly activity, as guests of all ages are taught to paddle and provided life jackets.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is situated on central Waikiki Beach, overlooking famed surf break “Canoes.”

Guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach can also enjoy the Fee Free Escape program, which offers an array of complimentary amenities including free high-speed Internet access, free local and long-distance domestic telephone calls to the U.S. Mainland and Canada, daily newspaper, use of the fitness center (open 24 hours) and various cultural activities and much more.

The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach "Canoe for Two Package" starts at $239 per room, per night, for two persons sharing and is available through Dec. 21, 2011. Additional room nights can be purchased at the hotel’s Best Available Rate. Rates and specials cannot be combined with other offers and are subject to availability and change. Additional restrictions may apply. Hotel reservations can be made by contacting your preferred travel agent or call toll free 1-800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit www.outriggerwaikiki.com or e-mail reservations@outrigger.com.

Kamaaina special at Aqua Lotus Honolulu

Aqua Lotus Honolulu is offering Hawaii residents a Kamaaina Special for stays through Dec. 23, 2011.

The rate for the Kamaaina Special is $159 per night for a Diamond Head View room. When booking the special, kamaaina also receive a 50 percent discount on valet parking and WiFi Internet access is free.

Aqua Lotus Honolulu is adjacent to San Souci Beach along Waikiki’s “Gold Coast.” It is the closest hotel to Diamond Head at just .5 miles away and within easy walking distance to major attractions and activities such as Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and Waikiki Shell.

Amenities include:
>> Complimentary morning coffee service in the lobby
>> Use of a selection of beach amenities
>> Concierge
>> Private lanai
>> Wireless Internet access
>> iPod docking station
>> Mini-refrigerator
>> Electronic in-room safe

The special is based on availability and offered through Dec. 23, 2011. Valid driver’s license or ID with a Hawaii address is required upon check-in. There is no minimum night requirement. The special is valid for new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other offer.

For reservations, book online at www.AquaLotus.com or call Aqua at (808) 924-6543, or toll free at 1-866-406-2782.