Ko Olina Beachfront Penthouse

Visitors to Ko Olina are often pleasantly surprised to find out that they are literally next-door to one of the best venues in all of Hawaii to experience local culture. The Polynesian Cultural Center is located only a several minute drive from Ko Olina. A 2008 recipient of the Best of the Best People’s Choice Awards, the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu is a gem.

The Center hosts several special events throughout the year, such as World Fireknife Competition, Tahitian Dance Competition, Maori Song and Dance Competition, Haunted Lagoon, and Christmas Polynesia. The regular events include an authentic Hawaiian lu’au experience at the award-winning Ali’i Lu’au dinner and show, Hawai‘i’s largest Polynesian night show with a cast of more than 100 performers, and the interactive activities and shows in each of the 8 island villages and exhibits.

Visitors to Ko Olina can immerse themselves in the Polynesian culture by visiting the Center.

I’ve sometimes wondered what it would be like to be a dolphin trainer. There is a place here on Oahu that lets you try out the experience for a day. The Kahala Hotel & Resort is home to the second Dolphin Quest in Hawaii. Available are in-water and dockside interactions with the dolphins. Other activities include assisting with meal preparations, health examinations, learning the basic principles of dolphin training, and a unique, interactive experience with the dolphins. The five day program is tailored to adults; however, there is a “trainer for a day” program for children 10 and up. Other activities are available for children from 5-10 years of age.

The Kahala is located very close to Waikiki and the dolphin lagoon is located right in the center of this resort.

Visitors to Ko Olina will eventually have another cross-Island transportation option via Kapolei….Honolulu’s newest railway project is about to enter the preliminary engineering phase. Approval is expected from the Federal Transit Authority soon. So far, it has been said that the project has a “strong likelihood” of beginning full service on the 20-mile East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center route in 2019.

The city’s statement on the subject said that the preliminary-engineering approval on the 20-mile project will be “a major milestone for the project and a significant step toward obtaining more than $1 billion in federal funding.”

The groundbreaking on this $5 billion railway project could begin as soon as late this year.

Locals consider this climb to be a beautiful and challenging exercise adventure. An energetic 1048 steps on railroad ties, the long abandoned incline was used as a tram formerly by the military to transport personnel and supplies to a lookout post on the summit. Koko Head climbs to 151 feet (46.02 meters) above sea level.

Koko Head can be quite an adventure and probably a must-do for the active hiker.

Governor Togiola Tulafono of Fiji said on his weekly radio program that discussions are underway with Fiji-based Air Pacific Limited and his administration to possibly operate flights between Pago Pago and Honolulu.

Early in July 2009, the US Department of Transportation granted an exemption authority to the federal cabotage law which bars any foreign carrier from operating a passenger service between US airports. The exemption would allow Air Pacific to operate weekly passenger and cargo flights between Nadi, Fiji, and Honolulu, via Apia Samoa.

Air Pacific is looking at September to launch services.

Sprint – touting itself as the first national carrier to test, launch and market wireless 4G technology – is coming to Honolulu later this year. It says it will offer a modem for laptops that switches to its third generation service when 4G isn’t available. Sprint has said its 4G service deliver “peak downlink speeds of more than 10 Mbps and average downlink speeds of 3-6 Mbps.”

Roy one of Hawaii and Ko Olina’s première chefs was recently seen on Bravo’s TV series Top Chef Masters. Roy chose Imua Family Services on Maui as his charity for the TV show. He says, “It’s an organization of dedicated people who do really great things for the people of Maui County.”

Although he can’t say what happened on the show, we can watch and see what happens. Roy opened his first restaurant in 1984, 385 North, on Hollywood’s La Cienega Boulevard. Taking Hawaii by storm four years later, he opened Roy’s Hawaii Kai. There are now a total of 37 Roy’s worldwide.

Thought this would be of interest since all kitchens at the Ko Olina Beach Villas were designed by Roy.

The HIBT begins today, Monday July 20^th and runs through Saturday, July 25, 2009. The event celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year with 41 teams from nine countries participating in the event. Daily fish weigh-ins occur at 4:00 pm at Kailua Pier. Fishing conditions are looking favorable for the anglers from South Africa, Kenya, California, Florida, Bermuda, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Japan, British Isles, and of course, Hawaii.

The night of Saturday July 25^th is reserved for the awards presentation and dinner at the Hilton Waikoloa Village – Monarchy Room. There is no prize money for this event; however, it offers honor and prestige. Local teams are Waianae Boat Fishing Club DH2, Hawaii; Team Ko’Olina (Private), Hawaii; Alii Brothers Marlin Hui, California/Hawaii; and Hilo Yacht Club, Hawaii.

The 2010 tournament is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 8, 2010.

A piece of history sailed into Honolulu’s Ala Wai Harbor on the eve of July 16, 2009. The wooden-hulled schooner was a contestant in the 2009 Transpacific Yacht Race; although no one expected the yacht to win the race. In fact, she came in 11 days after the Alfa Romeo and 17 days after the start of the race.

According to an article in the Examiner.com, “What was important was that she had all of the historic characteristics of the yachts that had competed in the first years of this 103-year-old race and that she had brought her crew safely to Honolulu in time for the official awards ceremonies tonight.”

She was built and launched in 2001 and is a historical adaptation of an 1812-vintage privateer. The 122-foot square topsail Lynx sails amongst ports in Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.

Here is the Lynx’s schedule from KITV.com so you can visit this historical and educational wonder.

Ala Wai Harbor

July 21-30, 2009: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Adventure Sail 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Ko Olina Marine and Resort

August 1-9, 2009: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Adventure Sail 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Michelle Wei, although starting at the top of her golf game several years ago, went through a major downfall due to wrist injuries. She was on the Forbe’s top list under 25 in December 2007. However, in the Fields Open at Ko Olina in February, Michelle finished 72nd, last of all who made the cut.

The Honolulu Advertiser reports, “But the Michelle Wie story is far from over. She still powers the ball close to 300 yards. She has a repertoire of iron shots that rivals any on the LPGA Tour. She may never putt well enough to reach her goal of beating Tiger Woods or playing in the Masters, but Michelle Wie still has the swing and the smarts to be a major force in golf. And she has time.

Annika Sorenstam didn’t win her first LPGA tournament until she was 24. Michelle Wie doesn’t turn 20 until October.”