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Hawaii Travel / Oahu Travel / Maui Travel / Hawaii Superferry / Ferry Travel / → All Tags

Is the Hawaii Superferry Finally Catching On?

After lots of drama, it seems that the Hawaii Superferry is finally catching on. Seats on the boat sold out on some trips over the Fourth of July weekend, and officials say ridership is on the rise. But is that because people genuinely enjoy it?

Doubtful, says Jeff from the Beat of Hawaii blog:

The best deal through September 30 for Oahu-Maui travel is the Superferry, which is $98 round trip. But you must book by August 4.

Hawaiian Airlines and go! are doing the same duopoly that Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines did for years. The average round trip is now back at about $200, which was what it was before go! entered and sometimes dropped prices to below $20 round trip.

Ah hah! So it's not really that people enjoy the Superferry any more than they like flying; it's simply the cheapest way to go island-to-island. We will give 'em some credit though: You can actually take liquids aboard the boat!

Related Stories:
· Superferry Ridership up [KHNL, via]
· Hawaii Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: eye of einstein]

Honky-Tonk-Surf-Towns / Surfing / Active Travel / Oahu Travel / Videos / → All Tags

Honky Tonk Surf Towns: Haleiwa, Hawaii

It's not just the presence of some of Hawaii's best surf schools that make this town on the north side of Oahu a prime surfing destination. In its evolution from remote plantation to tourist destination, the city of 2,225 described by Outside magazine as "the anti-Waikiki" has lost none of its charms, and the waves still hit its shores in a way that makes even experienced riders say, "Dude!"

With a high sand-to-reef ratio and a low difficulty rating, new surfers can feel comfortable, too. Major surfer dude and singer Jack Johnson even wrote a song called "Haleiwa."

To get you in the mood, we've also got some footage from the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, held in Haleiwa in 2005, just after the jump.

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Protests / Landmarks / Attractions / Tourist Attractions / Hawaii Travel / Oahu Travel / → All Tags

Iolani Palace Not the Best Idea Today

A separatist group occupied the Iolani Palace in Honolulu yesterday, closing the landmark to tourists to protest the "occupation" of Hawaii by the United States. The peaceful demonstration by the Hawaiian Kingdom Government lasted about eight hours, and no arrests were made.

The group says it wants to reestablish the Iolani Palace as the seat of the islands' sovereign government. The HKG plans to reoccupy the grounds today, though the organization doesn't plan to lock people out like they did Wednesday. Still, might not be the best day to visit.

The palace was the residence of the last two Hawaiian monarchs and it's now a National Historic Landmark. When it's not being occupied, you can visit on a docent-led "Grand Tour" for $20 or just take a self-guided tour of some of the galleries for $6.

Related Stories:
· Group Occupies Hawaii Palace [Honolulu Advertiser]
· Hawaiian Sovereignty Seekers Take over Palace Grounds [AP, via Google]
· Iolani Palace [Official Site]
· Hawaii Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: PeterWebb]

Hawaii Surf Schools / Hawaii Travel / Surfing / Maui Travel / Oahu Travel / → All Tags

Surfing in Hawaii :: Aloha Surfergirls

Aloha Surfergirls--yep, without the space--is a company that offers girls and women surfing lessons, both private and group, in four different locations--Los Angeles, San Diego, Costa Rica and Hawaii.

On Hawaii, the surf lesson locations are on Oahu and Maui. A nice touch? Wherever Aloha Surfergirls are surfing and teaching, they'll pick you up and drop you off:

One of our local team members will pick you up from your hotel and will bring you to the beach best suited for your surfing lesson. You will start with a half hour land lesson and then once you have all your techniques under your "bikini," we'll take you into the water for another fun and safe hour with the instructor. After your surf lesson you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Aloha Surfergirls can also conduct corporate events and themed parties like bachelorette and birthday parties so long as there are a minimum of 10 ladies.

Our only concern is how confusing the company's website is. For example, when you click on the Maui surf lessons, it says the surf lessons will take place on North or South Shore of Waikiki. That's on Oahu. So they could mean Maui's North Shore but it's not clear. We suggest calling Surfergirls at 858/427-0644 to avoid any confusion.

Related Stories:
· Aloha Surfergirls [Official Site]
· Hawaii Surf School Map [Jaunted]