FEB 25
2011
Only a half hour’s drive from the Ko Olina Resort, the Waikiki Shell is a large outdoor amphitheater in Waikiki’s Kapiolani Park. The location seats 1,958 visitors in stadium chairs and includes space for an additional 6,000 guests on various lawns.
The Waikiki Shell was built in 1952 and is often billed as a place to “see the stars under the stars.” The Shell is decked out with a large stage, dressing rooms, professional sound and lighting systems. The large seating capacity and convenient location offers a popular venue for large concerts, conventions events, meetings and receptions.
The Waikiki Shell also houses… a smaller amphitheater located closer to the ocean which hosts a daytime hula show…. and the Diamond Head Greens, described by some as “a wonderful tree-lined lawn area for theme parties, receptions, banquets and weddings.”
The next time you are in Ko Olina, be sure to see what’s happening at the Waikiki Shell.
- Starfish and marine life in ocean off Ko Olina
SEP 2
2009
Across from the J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa and Ko Olina Golf Club will be a major Walt Disney property. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is in the process of building its first Hawaiian destination. The 21-acre oceanfront property is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011 (no part of the construction site cannot be seen from the Beach-Front part of the Ko Olina Beach Villas).
Just like the Marriott, the Disney destination will overlook crystal blue lagoons and white sand beaches. The project, which was first unveiled last October, is on schedule to open in 2011 at Ko Olina Resort & Marina.
Reports indicate, “The resort is also being planned to connect with the local culture of the Hawaiian Islands. The Walt Disney Imagineering team has been working with local architects and cultural experts as part of the resort’s creative design process.”
SEP 1
2009
The Byodo-In (平等院) Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple located on the island of O’ahu in Hawai’i at the Valley of the Temples. A trip to the Byodo-In Temple is a sight to behold. The temple is a marvel, and the setting with the pine trees and Koolau Mountains as the backdrop. The temple is off the beaten tourist path, but considered worth the effort to see it. The temple is on the other side of the island from the Ko Olina Resort.
The Byodo-In Temple was constructed in 1968 to honor the first Japanese immigrant’s arrival to Hawaii. It is an exact scaled replica of the 900 year old Fuji Temple in Japan. The temple was built without the use of any nails; an amazing feat when you get a chance to actually see the temple.
Things to note:
* At the entrance to the Valley of the Temples, stop at the gate to tell them you are there to visit the temple and ask for directions.
* Byodo-In is a Buddhist Temple.
* The Valley of the Temples is actually a memorial (cemetery) park, so please do be sensitive to those who are visiting the area.
* Admission to walk around the grounds and visit the temple is $3 per person, $2 for seniors. If you just wanted to snap a photo from the bridge, you can do that for free.
* Allow plenty of time for your visit.
he Byodo-In Temple is visited and used by thousands of worshipers from around the world. It is open to people of all faiths. Apart from worship, the temple grounds are also used for weddings and office meetings.
The Byodo-In Temple is located off Highway 83 (47-200 Kahekili Highway) at the Valley of the Temples in the Kaneohe area of Oahu.
AUG 24
2009
Downtown Honolulu is only a 30-45 minute drive from the Ko Olina Beach Resort. And downtown Honolulu has a party each month called First Friday. It is a homegrown street festival that occurs on the first Friday of each month between 5:00pm and 9:00pm. Visit the art galleries for refreshments, art and live entertainment for free. After nine, the district gets a little more festive, thanks to a growing number of bars and clubs (20-30 or so now).
As the First Friday website has said, “Chinatown is the place to be if you want to join the hip crowds at the many unique galleries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants that feature exciting art exhibits and free entertainment.”
AUG 24
2009
During your stay at the Ko Olina Beach Villas, a place to consider for a day excursion is Shark’s Cove in Sunset. You can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, or even paddle surfing; however, some local say the snorkeling is best on the right side of Shark’s Cove. Visit Pu’u O Mahuka Heiau, “Hill of Escape,” an ancient Hawaiian heiau up above Waimea Beach to do some hiking or to enjoy the beautiful North Shore sunset. Locals also advise not to leave your car unattended.
Another activity, one that could be for the whole family, is found out on Highway 99 between Haleiwa and Wahiawa and is the Dole Plantation. Reports say it has the world’s largest maze. There’s a 2-mile train ride around the plantation and they have a koi pond, gardens you can stroll through, outdoor places to eat, plus shopping and food vendors.
AUG 24
2009
Snorkeling at Kahe Point, which is nicknamed Electric Beach, can be very interesting with lots of fish, turtles, and sometimes even spinner dolphins. It is called Electric Beach since an electric plant has two huge cooling pipes where clean warm water is sent into the ocean. Because the water temperature at the openings of these pipes is several degrees warmer than the surrounding ocean, the water attracts a lot of sea life. Use caution though and stay away from the actual pipe openings as they can be dangerous. Since our resort at the Ko Olina Beach Villas is close by, it makes for a nice excursion.
AUG 24
2009
Many people, who visit Oahu, Honolulu, and/or Waikiki, make the trek to the grandiose Diamond Head crater to watch the sun rise from the immense Pacific Ocean east of Oahu. Climbers scale Diamond Head anytime, but it is probably best at about 6 a.m. (eluding the heat of the middle of the day). The drive is about 10-minutes up the hill and through a tunnel to Diamond Head Park, which rests inside the vast crater. The circumference of the crater is 1,072 meters and it is 230 meters high. Get ready to climb though as there is a reported 170 stairs.
There are wonderful views down to the Diamond Head lighthouse, built in 1899, and you will see surfers who are riding the perfect waves that roll in from the south toward the condos of Waikiki. Once you’ve reached the top of the crater, there are signs explaining the history; which was formed by a massive eruption some 150,000 years ago. Additionally, there is information about the trail, built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for defense purposes in 1908.
AUG 21
2009
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has broadcast the growth of the Global Entry initiative — a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pilot program that streamlines the screening process at airports for trusted travelers through biometric identification — to an 13 additional airports across the United States; Honolulu is one of the airports to be involved in this Global Entry expansion.
The extension starts August 24, 2009 and new Global Entry enrollment centers and kiosks will open at international airports in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Honolulu, Las Vegas, Newark, N.J., Orlando, Fla., Sanford, Fla., Philadelphia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Seattle.
Global Entry permits pre-approved members an another option to regular passport processing lines. At the kiosk, Global Entry members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen, and then present a transaction receipt to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers before leaving the inspection area.
The new Global Entry system is projected to help reduce average wait times by 70 percent. Additionally, it is said that almost 75 percent of travelers can be processed in under five minutes. So far, Global Entry kiosks have been used more than 51,000 times at seven airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Washington, D.C., according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“Expanding this vital program allows us to improve customer service at airports and concentrate our resources on higher-risk travelers,” Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
AUG 21
2009
Honolulu Symphony
The Honolulu Symphony was founded in 1900 and it is the oldest symphony orchestra West of the Rocky Mountains in the US. They offer regular performances September through May.
Hawaii Opera Theatre
The Hawaii Opera Theatre is the state’s only professional opera company. Founded in 1960, they usually present three springtime productions.
Chamber Music Hawaii
Chamber Music Hawaii was founded in 1982 and they present a series of concerts throughout the year which feature its three resident ensembles: Spring Woodwind Quintet, Honolulu Brass, and the Galliard String Quartet. Their season runs from September through May.
Honolulu Chamber Music Society
The Honolulu Chamber Music Society presents the world’s finest chamber music ensembles to Hawaii and the season typically runs from September through May. Recent featured artists included the Tokyo Quartet, the Emerson Quartet, the Ying Quartet, and the Pacifica Quartet.
Aloha International Piano Festival
The Aloha International Piano Festival has a week of master classes and recitals by some of the world’s best pianists. The event offers local students the opportunity to study with international artists and teachers. The event also includes a series of piano recitals, many of the free to the public.
The Atherton Studio Concerts at HPR
Located in the offices of Hawaii Public Radio, the Atherton Studio is a small recital space. The Atherton presents ongoing concert and lecture series that features music of many different genres by both local and international artists.
AUG 21
2009
Ko Olina’s Taste at Kapolei, (the all-you-can-eat benefit on the beach at Ko Olina Resort & Marina on Ulua Lagoon 4), celebrates its 10th year on Saturday, September 12, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and presents the largest number of restaurant and beverage offerings ever.
More than 30 restaurants from Honolulu to the North Shore on Oahu will be providing culinary fare ranging from Pacific Rim specialties to island poke; Okinawan, Thai, Egyptian, Italian, Japanese, and good, old-fashioned American cuisine; and cheesecake, yogurt, and more at this year’s Taste at Kapolei.
According to the press release, guests at the main venue can choose from 24 restaurants including Sam Choy’s, Don Ho’s Island Grill, Formaggio, Gordon Biersch, Haleiwa Joe’s, Hooter’s, Indigo, Kolohe’s Bar & Grill, P.F. Chang’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, and Top of Waikiki; and local favorites Auntie Pasto’s, Creations in Catering, Da Pokeman, Da Spot, Hapa Grill, Hana Sushi, Off the Wall, Souvaly Thai Cuisine, Tanioka’s, and Thai Kitchen. Nine celebrity chefs, including one flying in from Maui especially for the event, will be serving VIP sponsors. Nine fine wine, beer, and spirits companies are donating the liquid sustenance for the Ko Olina Taste.
