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Happening Honolulu Nightclubs

May 7th, 2009 No comments

From luscious designer cocktails and microbrews, to themed dance clubs, with vibrant interiors and art events after dark, Honolulu nightclubs are proof that fun in the sun isn’t the only thing Hawaii has to offer.

From hip gathering spots in Chinatown, modern urban venues in well known hotels, upscale national chains and overboard faux tiki bars, a revival is going on in Honolulu nightlife.

There is a certain appeal to a brewpub with more than 100 beers on tap piped through five miles of icy-cold metal pipes. The hour long wait on weekends at brew chain Yard?s House in Waikiki Beachwalk is evidence of that.

Join in with the buzzing throngs of twenty and thirty-somethings as they taste sampler beer six packs, or try one of more than 40 different specialty martinis between each delicious appetizer.

Trendy Pau Hana(after work) Hangout

See and be seen at The Rumfire at Sheraton Waikiki. Previously decorated in dark interiors, the 7,000 sq ft beachfront lounge is now bathed in spectacular floor-to-ceiling views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean.

The local pau hana crowd heads to treat themselves to affordable happy hour drinks, along with $6.00 specialty cocktails. But when the stars arrive on the scene, move to a spectacular drink menu with upwards of 100 different rums and pricey designer cocktails.

The Best of Honolulu Nightclubs

The hip and urban Pearl at the Ala Moana Shopping Center has been named as one of the best Honolulu nightclubs. It features private tables, well stocked bars, and a cocktail menu created by a master mixologist from Las Vegas. If you stay into the wee hours, it becomes a clubbing attraction until 4 am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Although not necessarily a part of the Honolulu nightclubs scene, ArtafterDark, a premier art and food event by the Honolulu Arts Academy, is a good show. Held on most last Fridays of the month, recent events have included, Bhutanese monks painting on surfboards, Tibetan sand painting and exquisite Indian miniature paintings.

Don’t worry about the early closing time; with so much to choose from, there’s always another night time hotspot to go to. For example, high-end wine bars are becoming more popular among Honolulu nightclubs. Amuse Wine Bar boasts more than 80 different wines on the menu. Patrons buy wine “credit cards” and use high-tech electronic carousels that dispense a customer’s choice of wine after swiping the card. Sunday nights are a great deal, since $25 will buy you double the amount of vintage blends.

Chinatown First Fridays

First Fridays in Chinatown are an experience every Honolulu traveler should enjoy. Modern and edgy art galleries open their doors and have a street party for art fans. Clubbers head on to Bar 35, where they sample delicious gourmet pizzas, enjoy specialty cocktails, taste beers from all over the world, and sip bubbly champagne in roof top and indoor bars. The entertainment is complete with live bands and hot DJs to get the party started and keep it going all night.

Another among the many happening Honolulu nightclubs in China town is Next Door. With its high ceilings and brick walls, this converted warehouse resembles a New York City loft. DJs known all over the nation play house, hip hop, and techno, and art films are screened there throughout the week.

For those with energy to spare after a day in the sun, Zanzabar plays hip-hop, trance, house, techno and top 40 to meet all tastes. In Egyptian influenced d?cor, the club also offers salsa classes, improv comedy and room enough to fit 800. High on sophistication and variety, Honolulu nightclubs are the real deal.

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Hawaii Golf Destinations

May 7th, 2009 No comments

Contrary to popular belief around the globe, Hawaii does not only attract beach lovers but golf huggers, too. Hawaii offers more than 100 golf destinations especially in cities where you can choose more such as Honolulu, Kailua Kona, Oahu and Ewa Beach. While there are so many to select from, knowing the top sites would surely help you in having the best golf traveling vacation ever.

Named by the Golf Digest as the #1 Golf Course in Oahu, ranked 7th in Golflink.com as part of the 2008′ s “Top 100 United States Golf Courses”, rated in Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Places You Can Play” and tagged as “The World’s Most Challenging Gold Course”, Ko’olau Golf Club presents a slope rating of 155 plus, 200-acre course, which was carved out of 1,500 acres of rainforest in 1991. Located just over the Pali Highway from Honolulu, the 20-minute drive can lead you to a spectacular view of the luscious forest, tropical green terrain, and majestic mountains of Hawaii. The 18-hole Ko’olau is a par 72 course at 7,310 yards, which features a course rating of 74.4 and a slope rating of 158 on Bahia grass. Declared by USGA (United States Golf Association) as the toughest course in the United States, Ko’olau Golf Club also offers challenging golf courses for all skill levels.

Another golf piece of Oahu is the Makaha Resort & Golf Club. Better known as “Makaha West,” this golf course has also been listed in 2002 as one of the “Places to Play” by Golf Magazine. It was also named by Honolulu Magazine as Oahu’s number one golf course. A few minutes from Honolulu, situated in the stunning Makaha Valley, surrounding Wai’anae Mountains, this resort also provides a 7,022-yard, 18-hole, 72 par championship golf course rated 73.2 by USGA. More than the course itself, guests and professionals can enjoy the classic, fresh looking valley, and the extraordinary scenery of the Pacific Ocean. Amateurs can avail of group or private golf training from PGA experts. Visitors can go for the cart access to all fairways, the driving range, and pro shop wherein you can purchase gold apparel and accessories, and rent shoes and clubs.

Golf Magazine included Hapuna Golf Course in its “Gold Medal Resorts” list in 1998. It was also ranked as the “Best Public Course” in 1995-1996 and placed 11th in 1997-1998. The USGA labeled Hapuna Golf Course as “The Course of the Future” in 1997 and rated as one of the most environmentally sensitive golf courses, not mentioning its 75th rank in Conde Nast Traveller’s “Top 100 Golf Resorts” in 2006. Over a decade ago since it opened, this 18-hole, par 72, 6,875 yards golf course, nestled 700 feet above sea level in the Big Island, has continued to deliver a “nature-filled” golf experience. It also offers a One Day Golf School program to let you enhance your skills and get acquainted with its golfing landscape.

After a review of some of Hawaii’s top golf courses, it will surely bring a dream golf experience combined with nature’s gifts. For avid golfers out there, taking a trip to Hawaii will definitely make you want for more inspiring holes.

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Places To Visit in Oahu

March 18th, 2009 No comments

Many millions of visitors each year land at Honolulu International Airport expecting a holiday of a lifetime on these islands. Immediately after landing, visitors hop in to buses or taxis sent by the hotel and zoom past downtown Honolulu to reach their pre-reserved accommodation at a Waikiki hotel. The attraction of Waikiki is nearly magnetic – the bustle of the busy streets, the long and extended beaches and the rich history of the land soon make the visitors hit the streets. Waikiki is known for its excitement, so much so in fact that many people never leave this area to explore other beautiful parts of the island. With six million visitors annually, you would expect them to want to see the island but most remain within Waikiki’s two square miles.

If you are a visitor who would like to get a taste of Oahu through the eyes of a resident, this article may be of special interest to you.

Magic Island Beach Park – This popular park is located just west of Waikiki, across the street from the Ala Moana Shopping Center. What are the points of attraction in this park? It has two beaches, a jogging path stretching up to 3 miles, tennis courts and much more. A walk around the park will expose the center of Hawaiian culture – people with large extended families gather around hibachis, spending the day together with a good food and plenty of sun. This is a great place for a barbecue and considering the beaches are never overcrowded, it makes for a fantastic sun-filled day.

The Contemporary Museum – This beautiful museum is not very large by museum standards and is situated high up on a ridge that offers spectacular vistas – it can be found on Makiki Heights drive. The exquisite exhibits in this somewhat small museum keep changing in the 5 galleries and when you have finished viewing these, you could go outdoors for a walk in to the sculpture gardens. 5 acres, includes sculptures as well as places for meditation, and can offer an unforgettable view of Honolulu.

Leong’s Cafe – A lu’au is a must-do on any trip here and along with the fantastic entertainment they can also offer great native Hawaiian food. But if you are true connoisseur of authentic Hawaiian food, then the place you ought to visit is Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. Here they have been serving the Hawaiian population for in excess of five decades with traditional dishes enjoyed by many.

Champion Malasadas – there is a local treat that originated in portugal called Malasadas which has become so popular that they even renamed Fat Tuesday to Malasadas day. The location details, where this venerated and most popular bakery is Champion Malasadas, 1926 South Beretania Street. Anyone that enjoys donuts will like these (even though they do not have a hole) and they come with a variety of fillings or if you prefer, you can eat them without any type of filling.

Honolulu Chinatown ” Walk through the lanes of Chinatown and you start thinking where am I, and what era am I in? Everything from dim sum to fresh produce can be found here but it also has more modern treats to like the new Hip Lounge. The shops and streets are unforgettable, offering goods, which you would never find in an average American store. While you could always take a guided walking tour of the place the wisest thing to do is to go for a walk by yourself, walking leisurely and only stopping to see something, which tickles your areas of interest.

If you are interested in seeing Oahu through a locals eyes, be sure to spend some time outside of Waikiki. Stop by some or all of the spots listed above and see some of what truly makes Hawaii special.

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Discover Romance on Hawaii Honeymoon Cruises

February 24th, 2009 No comments

One of the preferred destinations to spend your honeymoon is aboard a Hawaii cruise. This place on Earth offers incredible scenery, charm and that special magic you can only find in these islands. Read on to learn more about Hawaii honeymoon cruises.

To start planning for your Hawaii honeymoon, you’ll need to opt for a cruise line. You can find many cruise line available covering this route, like for example Princess Cruises, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian cruises, Holland America, among other options.

You will also need to choose a departure point, and this will also depend greatly on the cruise line you choose. If you are looking to save money, choose a place that is close to where you are, departure points include Ensenada (in Mexico), California, Vancouver and Hawaii itself.

Hawaii cruises give you the possibility to explore romance while traveling to the different islands. Besides the big island – Hawaii – you’ll get a chance of enjoying the beauty of Maui beaches and of course the breathtaking waterfalls and cliffs you can only find in Honolulu.

Starting your married life on a Hawaii honeymoon cruise is a unique and unforgettable experience. Since the moment you dock on the islands, you’ll enjoy the warmth of this land and will be treated as a special guest.

Each cruise line will have its own honeymoon specials and packages. While some lines prefer to bring to the couple special gifts and souvenirs, other lines prefer to give a special detailed service with special touches of romance.

If you are from the USA, spending your honeymoon on a Hawaii cruise is very simple. You don’t need to have any special paper to travel to Hawaii, as your ID will be enough proof of your US citizenship.

A Hawaii honeymoon cruise will give you the perfect setting for passion and romance during this special time. Be sure to take advantage of it!

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