Bloggin' It - Vegas Style

I don't need to say it although I will - my blog has been less than impressive lately in terms of posts and content.  I just started a new job my company about 6 weeks ago and it was around that time that my creativity hit a wall and my blog took a vacation. I'm blogging today from Las Vegas - I'm at the Blogworld New Media Expo and boy have things changed since I attended this event in 2008.  Blogging is no longer for geeks - its mainstream.  Lots of different age groups are represented here at the conference and its so lovely to see a travel blogger track this year (which is where I have been spending a lot of my time so far). 

I'm hoping the conference will give me a kick in the butt and help me get back to the blogging game.  And with a trip to Hawaii less than one month away, now is a perfect time to kick into high gear!

One of the things I learned at the conference today (although its really a no-brainer) is use your own photos on your blog - its much more compelling for travel writing than taking other people's content off the Internet. You'll notice I don't have a photo on this post - because I need to get down to the strip and capture all that is Vegas on my own!  Hopefully I'll be able to share some with you early next week (yes I forgot the cord for my digital camera). 

Hawaii Facebook Pages

To stay on top of the many activities going on in Hawaii, I like to use Facebook fan pages as a way to get a quick update on the latest news.  I have a fan page Natalani Hawaii- are you a fan?


I wanted to share a list of my favorite fan pages with my readers - if you love visiting Hawaii or perhaps you are trying to find out more while planning your next vacation, take a look at these pages and become a fan (I think you now click 'like' to receive updates - I can't keep up with all the Facebook changes!)


HAWAII Magazine - This is a must for anyone interested in Hawaii.  The fan page of the popular magazine, HAWAII Magazine and its Web site HawaiiMagazine.com are for anyone who loves the Islands—whether you live here, visit us regularly or are still dreaming of doing both. The Facebook page provides links to their stories and great photos for you to enjoy as you plan your next Hawaii vacation.


Go Visit Hawaii - A fan page founded by Sheila who has made the page a community-based site. Go Visit Hawaii readers can share tips, photos, and discuss their Hawaii vacation.


MVP Hawaii - Provides readers with the latest news from the Islands.  The page regularly has discounts offers from hotels and restaurants and also shares fun facts - who knew that there was free parking at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center for 3 hours with restaurant validation!

Oahu Concierge Magazine - The Oahu Concierge Magazine is an industry publication for hospitality employees.  They provide up-to-date information on what's happening around Oahu each month, covering special events, arts, Hawaiiana, dining, and entertainment through monthly articles, an updated calendar, and more.  This is great for locals and for tourists - you want your concierge to know what's happening during your visit!

Edible Hawaiian Islands - I have recently discovered this page and find it to be a wonderful resource for all things food related in Hawaii.  Edible Hawaiian Islands is dedicated to celebrating the harvest of the Aloha State, season by season.  You can pick up their newsletter at various locations in Hawaii, or subscribe to their newsletter online.

If you have any suggestions on some great Hawaii fan pages, please share them with me!  Add your favorite page to the comments section.

The Drive to Hana and Hotel Hana Maui - By A Maui Blog

One of favorite Hawaii blogs is A Maui Blog - and most recently, Liza has written about her stay at hotel Hana Maui and the drive on the road to Hana.  Take a look at her great blog post here, and for all you Hawaii bloggers, be sure to add A Maui Blog to your blogroll!

Blogging Inspiration

I am trying to read more blogs, websites and other travel related material, not only for blog inspiration, but to expand my knowledge in general.  There are good days and bad days; sometimes I find blogs and feel so depressed that I have such a long way to go, but other days I read things and I can put things into perspective, in terms of my writing quality and quantity. 

Today I came across this amazing blog, The Road Forks - 'where food and travel intersect'.  When I read this blog, it inspired me to want to take my writing to the next level.  Not only do I love Hawaii, I am a foodie and a world traveler at heart and I really want to be able to share more of those experiences as my life unfolds.  Seeing this blog made me realize that I just need to write about the things that are important to me, in a timely fashion, and variety is the spice of life.  While my blog will continue to be about Hawaii, I think its time for a little more in terms of travel news, travel tips, and travel inspiration.  Thanks Akila and Patrick for helping me see the light.  Happy Friday!

Time For A New Look

I have been writing and creating this blog for almost one year. It's hard to believe actually, time really gets away from you. I have played around with many ideas in regards to changing the look, feel and overall image of the blog, in order to completely represent me and my thoughts about Hawaii. So, as I embark on vacation starting on Saturday, I plan to play around with the blog, and starting in September, things may look a little different. Its time to step it up a notch, and with the 1 year anniversary around the corner, I think now is a great time to get started!

Hawaii Blogger Profile - Pam Mandel

I had the chance to connect with some amazing Hawaii bloggers in the last month, via email and thanks to HARO.com. Today, I have decided to spotlight Pam Mandel, author of Nerd's Eye View, and World Hum -- Hawaii: Holoholo Wale.

Pam currently lives in Seattle and travels to Hawaii about every two years. She started blogging in 2007 and when asked why she chose Hawaii as a subject, in her words: “I'm enchanted. Really, it's like I'm under some kind of spell. When World Hum asked me what topic I wanted to cover, in Hawaii was at the top of my list.” Her main focus is Island culture.

Pam tries to reach readers who are interested in Hawaii beyond just being tourists; she likes to target people who want to know more about Hawaiian culture, politics, and the ecosystem; independent travelers who are interested in seeing places with more than the transitory vacationers set of eyes.

When I asked Pam about how she spreads the word about her blog, she mentions that she can’t shut up about it! I love this – and the fact that she backs it up with social media channels is great too. When you are passionate about something it’s easy to talk about it. And writer’s block? Forget it, she can’t even imagine that day, and when it happens, she may move on.

Pam’s inspiration comes from the warmth and generosity of the Hawaiian people. She cares about the history of the native Hawaiians, ways to protect and share Hawaiian culture and nature, and is continually excited by Hawaii's diversity. She also has a thing for Hawaiian music (just look at her picture for proof!)

Hot topics on her blogs include politics and photos that she shares with her readers are also popular. For those who already have a blog or are planning on starting one, Pam recommends that you make time to read other Hawaii blogs and get to know the people behind them. She emphasizes, “Bring your own aloha; you'll get more than you can imagine back in return.”

Finally, I asked Pam: “If you could share one special idea/thing/thought about Hawaii what would it be?”

Her answer: “The aloha spirit is real. When you find yourself in the middle of the warmth and generosity of the people that live in Hawaii, you are experiencing the best Hawaii has to offer. Sure, the nature and the climate are near perfect, but the true marvel about Hawaii is the aloha spirit.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Thanks to Pam for sharing her thoughts on Hawaii and being an awesome Hawaii blogger. More blogger profiles coming soon.

Hawaii - Researching, Writing, Reading

I have been on a "staycation" for the last week and have spent some time thinking about how to spice up my blog. I have been able to get in contact with some great Hawaii bloggers recently and I am working on a few different posts about these bloggers and what Hawaii means to them. I have also been watching the conversations on Twitter as they relate to Hawaii - there is a LOT of talk going on, mostly positive. It's hard to be constantly involved in these conversations while being in Seattle (although these conversations are online). That's something that I need to work on. I think it's important to be involved in the conversations, but you also need to listen to what others are saying - communication is a two-way street!

My Favorite Hawaii Blogs

The more I blog the more Hawaii bloggers I discover. This is such great news as it is nice to know that there are many of us out there with the same passion. Its aloha Friday so I thought I would end the week by spreading aloha, and sharing my favorite Hawaii blogs that I have read this week:

A Maui Blog - awesome pictures from Maui, not to mention the cute pictures of Liza's Italian Greyhound.

Hamakua Springs - Primarily a blog about food (most recently a story about Alan Wong caught my eye), but this week focuses on the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), a plan to preserve Mauna Kea for future generations.

East Coast Wahine - a fun and popular blog written by a Hawaiian girl living on the east coast of the USA.

Beat of Hawaii - Hawaiian travel site that this week shared some amazing travel deals, including a roundtrip ticket from Sydney to Honolulu with Jetstar for only US$378. Although its a major bargain, Jetstar will never get my cash ever again!

My Island Plate - A foodie blog at the Honolulu Advertiser by Wanda Adams who has been writing about food for over 30 years.

These are some of the many great Hawaii blogs out there. Reading these blogs is a great way for me to keep up with current stories and trends, and to work out who is influential in the digital space. Happy Friday and have a great weekend - Aloha.

I Think I Have Some Blog Inspiration

I saw this book advertised at Amazon.com and I thought it looked interesting, so I decided to get it from the local library and give it a glance. Little did I know that it would get me thinking more creatively about story angles for my blog. The title: No One Cares What You Had for Lunch – 100 Ideas For Your Blog, by Margaret Mason. One of the goals I have in my career development plan this year is to start thinking more creatively. Well, why not start with the blog? I have many stories to share, especially about Hawaii but I am a very logical, factual person. I like to share the facts, and wrap it up with a brief conclusion. Who knew that creative stories were more interesting? Well, quite frankly, not me. So I am going to give it a shot and try to put a creative spin on my life in Hawaii. Same facts and information, just shared differently. Lets see what happens….