What is NonstopHonolulu.com?

A team of former Honolulu Advertiser employees who produced Metromix Honolulu for the newspaper’s website has created a website that covers food, events and nightlife on O'ahu.  This is a great resource for locals and visitors alike.

NonstopHonolulu.com launched today with photo galleries, restaurant reviews, party pictures, event listings and blogs, with a similar look and feel to Metromix Honolulu.

The new site will include many former Metromix Honolulu personalities, including Tracy Chan, Melissa Chang, Mari Taketa, Catherine Toth and Edward Morita. NonstopHonolulu.com will be cross-promoting with partners Hawaii News Now and InsideOut magazine.

You can follow the team on Twitter too: www.twitter.com/nonstophonolulu !

**Photo Courtesy of NonstopHonolulu.com**

The Other Side of Hawaii - The Mountains!

If you haven't been to Hawaii before, you may not know that in addition to the amazing ocean that surrounds the Islands, there are some unbelievable volcanic mountain formations to look at too. All of the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanoes erupting from the sea floor from a magma source described in geological theory as a hotspot. The volcanic activity and subsequent erosion created impressive geological features, which can be seen in the following photos. All these photos were taken on the Island of O'ahu, and in person the view is just breathtaking. No matter where you look you are surrounded with natural beauty. Another reason why living in Hawaii rocks!

When I head back for my next trip in August, I plan to take some pictures while driving down the Pali Highway, made famous by Magnum P.I., one of my mom's favorite shows (and actors)! Now that will make for some serious kodak moments.

New Store to Open at Waikele - True Religion

I am a bit of a shopaholic, and this became more apparent when I moved to Hawaii. Compared to Australia, the US is so much more affordable for shopping, specifically clothes, shoes and accessories. Outlet malls are very popular in the United States, which is great for those looking for some good bargains. The Waikele Premium Outlet Mall in west O'ahu has a great selection of stores, and in May True Religion will be joining the list, located between the Ever Blue Factory Outlet and AX Armani Exchange. True Religion already has a store at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, and this will be their first outlet store on the Island. True religion was established in 2002, and is is known for its line of premium denim and casual sportswear for women and men.

Hawaiian Presence at the Seattle Travel Show

I have only written one post on my blog about a hotel in Hawaii, but I am heading to the Seattle Travel Show this weekend, and to my great delight there are a number of exhibitors from Hawaii who will be representing tourism in the Islands. When you have lived somewhere, or been a regular visitor you tend to see things through your own lens, and often forget that there is so much more out there! At the Seattle Travel Show, some of the exhibit highlights for me will be:

Hawaiian Airlines - My airline of choice when visiting the Islands, and when travelling from Seattle to Sydney.

Big Island Visitor's Bureau - Although I lived on Oahu and spent most of my time there, my trip to the Big Island was one of the most amazing travel experiences I have had - I have never seen anything like the active volcanoes in my life.

Maui Visitor's Bureau - I have been to Maui a couple of times and enjoyed it very much. However I know there is a lot more to explore (besides Lahaina and the shopping) and I am looking forward to getting more info so I can write more about Maui on my blog.

Oahu Visitor's Bureau - Undoubtedly my favorite Hawaiian Island. I think I know a lot about Oahu and what it has to offer, but I hope I will be pleasantly surprised with what I have been missing....

There are some other great exhibitors who will be at the event, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Paradise Cove Luau, Kona Beach House and Hilton Waikoloa Village. If you live in Seattle and are looking for a weekend activity, head to the Seattle Travel Show - its cold outside but once you visit all the Hawaiian exhibitors, you will feel like you are in paradise. Its on from 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday, and tickets for adults are $8.

Doing what I do best - Hanging out at the Ritz Carlton in Maui

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

Driving around the Island of Oahu, you will find that there are a bunch of shrimp farms, hence the abundance of shrimp trucks. I have not had the chance to eat at all of the shrimp trucks (yet - there is only so much shrimp you can eat per Island circle drive) - but the one that was recommended to me and the one I suggest you visit first is Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck. They are located on the North Shore and are definitely the most popular of all the shrimp trucks. I have been there twice in a 3 year period, and the good news is that the menu and prices have stayed the same. Here's what you get:

For $US12 (including tax) you have the choice of 12 fresh shrimp cooked in the following ways:

• Garlic Shrimp - had chunks of garlic in it but its so good
• Lemon Butter Shrimp - again I love this one, but a little heavy on the butter
• Spicy Shrimp - I have not dared to try this - as at the counter it clearly states no refunds on the spicy shrimp - suggesting to me that this might blow my head off with the level of heat

All shrimp comes with a side of rice (2 scoops). The shrimp is cooked while you wait, so it takes a few minutes but definitely worth it. Nothing beats good shrimp (or should I say prawns!) - depends who you are talking to!

I only have one warning when purchasing your shrimp - get one plate for yourself, not to share - it is so delicious that you will want to go back for more. Yum.

Oahu

Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian island and is affectionately known as 'the gathering place'. Oahu is the most populated of all the Islands, with the majority of those people living in its capital, Honolulu.

According to the history books, Oahu was the first island to be seen by Captain Cook - the name explorer who discovered Australia. Man did that guy get around - he discovered half the world!

My love of Oahu came from the first time I stepped out of the plane and into the airport - the smell of the air and the humidity that surrounded me was captivating. All I could smell were flowers and the ocean, it was awesome. Before finally moving to Oahu, I had travelled there three times, each time discovering more and more hidden treasures. I know that a lot of people prefer to travel to the other islands, Maui in particular, but if you really want a true Hawaiian vacation you should definitely spend some time on Oahu. There is definitely more to the island than just Waikiki Beach.

My top 5 things to do when visiting Oahu

1. Take an Island Circle Tour - by bus is good but you can do yourself
   


2. Head to Ala Moana Center



3. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay



4. Walk to the top of Diamond Head



5. Watch the sunset from Waikiki Beach
   

I could go on and on about my favorites on Oahu - but here are some pics that remind me and show you what an awesome place it is - not only to visit but to live. Aloha!

Chinaman's Hat

From Here to Eternity Beach

Kalakaua Ave from the Waikiki Gateway Hotel

John near Rabbit Island

Fort DeRussy Beach

Diamond Head

Diamond Head is one of those landmarks that you associate with Hawaii, in particular Waikiki and the island of Oahu. It can be seen in almost every television or magazine commercial, and unless you are living under a rock its the first thing you notice when you fly in/out of Honolulu.

Diamond Head is known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi, probably from lae 'browridge, promontory' plus ʻahi 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline is similar the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin. The name Diamond Head was decided by British sailors in the 19th century, who thought that calcite crystals embedded in the rock were actually diamonds! That would have been nice - diamonds for all!

You can actually hike to the top of Diamond Head - anyone can do it (in fact I have seen Japanese tourists in high heels do it) - so don't skip this one! It costs $1 to enter the park and take the hike and $5 for parking. It takes around an hour to get up and back, and be sure to take water with you - no ABC stores at the top.

I have included a few shots of Diamond Head as well as proof of my trip - as you can see it is a sight hard to miss.

Finally - The First Post on Natalani!

This blog has been in the making for some time now. But finally I am ready to publish. This blog will be about Hawaii and everything that makes it special and unique. I was lucky enough to live in Hawaii (not to mention a number of vacations) and also met my husband there. So for me, Hawaii has a special place in my heart, and although I am not living there right now - I plan to get back there. Not sure quite how yet, but I have made a promise to myself that I will do what I have to so I get back to the land I love. I can't quite describe the way Hawaii makes me feel - but I have never felt so at peace with myself and my life as when I lived there. I hope by writing regularly about the things that I love about Hawaii, it will help me to explain why it is my home and my readers will understand why I need to go back!

I hope to look back on this first post one day and see that I have accomplished what I set out to do - and that is to share with people the best things about Hawaii, and to finally be writing this blog from my own beach house on Oahu!

I want to thank my friend and colleague - Jordana Bruner - who helped me get this set up. She has an awesome blog - http://www.clutch22.com/ so be sure to check it out! Thanks Jordie you rock!