Not Long Now Waikiki

My next trip to Hawaii has sprung up rather quickly.  Last night we were trying to figure out the final itinerary in terms of activities during the trip when it occurred to me that I definitely didn't schedule enough time in Hawaii before I make my way back to Sydney, Australia for a family visit.  We are booked solid for four days straight (although I did schedule pool time and beach time in there, thank goodness).  But between dining at Alan Wongs, catching up with friends, attending a luau and celebrating at Duke's Waikiki which is where J & I first met, there isn't going to be much time left. 

I think I need to book another trip for early next year just to relax from this trip.  While it does get cooler over Christmas and New Year, it still beats the nasty Seattle weather.  The biggest challenge is finding time on the schedule to actually go! I'm thinking June, but that just seems so far away.  Let's hope it is sooner than that.

Forbes Ranks Honolulu as 3rd Safest City in America

Forbes Magazine recently announced 'America's Safest Cities' - and taking 3rd spot is Honolulu, HI.  Honolulu has almost always been classified as a safe city, and I like how Forbes shared their methodology behind the results to help readers understand how they compiled the list.  Another interesting nugget that someone brought up at Blogworld last week was that many media outlets, both print and online, make up 'lists' - Best Places to Live, Best Resorts in the World etc, but don't share the methodology of how they made their decisions. It's important to share this so that people have all the facts!

You can read the complete methodology in the article (link is above).  The Top 10 Safest Cities (according to Forbes) are as follows:
1. Plano, TX
2. Portland, OR
3. Honolulu, HI
4. San Jose, CA
5.Omaha, NE
6. New York, NY
7. Santa Ana, CA
8. Anaheim, CA
9. San Diego, CA
10. Glendale, AZ

Can't Decide on a Hawaii Hotel?

I listened in on a very interesting conference track yesterday at Blogworld hosted by John Forrest Ales, who leads communication strategies for Hilton Hotels and Resorts.  He explained some great dos and don'ts for travel bloggers who are looking to pitch travel brands, especially for free hotel stays and other activities as part of a trip you may be planning.  One key piece of advice I did like was to ask for something that you may not have otherwise been able to experience while on your trip, instead of expecting that a brand will comp your entire stay.  These companies still need to make money!

With that said, I am booked and heading to the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the next few weeks for vacation.  I always use my vacations to gather more content for my blog, and this one is no exception.  We are planning on attending the Waikiki Starlight Luau during our stay, and I have seen the penguins, flamingos and swum in the super pool so many times that I plan to email John Forest and find out what else I might be able to do during my trip.  Maybe there is some secret tour at the Hilton that I don't know about?  Or maybe I can get a room upgrade so I can have uninterrupted views of the crystal clear Hawaiian waters.  Stay tuned, I'm excited to hear what he says!

In any case, I will be doing a full review of our stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village so watch this space for more information over the next couple of weeks.

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). 

Attend the World Premiere of Hawaii Five-O

Book ‘Em, Danno!

Save the date on Monday September 13 - Catch the world premiere of the new Hawaii Five-O at Sunset on the Beach. Score a spot on the sand early, grab some local grinds, and then watch as stars Daniel Dae Kim, Scott Caan, Alex O’Loughlin and Grace Park roll in.

When: Monday, September 13
Live entertainment, 5 p.m
Red carpet arrivals, 6 p.m
Premiere, 7:30 p.m

Where: Sunset on the Beach, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki

Although I can't attend the premiere I can't wait to watch on TV!  Are you excited for the new series?

September is Pineapple Month at Alan Wongs

The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and while many people associate pineapples with Hawaii, the exotic fruit (like most residents of Hawaii and the United States), was once an immigrant. Historical records show that the pineapple was brought from the Caribbean to the New World by Christopher Columbus and eventually found its way to Hawaii in the 1770s.

The pineapple was the symbol of hospitality back in colonial America and still is today, especially to the millions of visitors who visit Hawaii.

To celebrate this wonderful fruit, Alan Wong has officially declared September to be Pineapple Month.  Join the Alan Wong's team at their Honolulu restaurant as they prolong the summer season with new pineapple specials added to their a la carte menu all September. Start with a refreshing new pineapple libation and end with a luscious pineapple dessert.

Libations
Pineapple "Margarita"
Experience a taste of 'ole Hawaii. Fresh pineapple, a heaping scoop of Okolehao, organic lime, and a pinch of sea salt on the rim of your glass.

Bully's Drink
The "Wong Way" Pineapple Martini - Infused Svedka Vodka with fresh island pineapples.

"Celebration of Pineapple"
Refreshing thirst quencher that captures the spirit of a "pineapple cooler." Fresh pineapple juice, pineapple wine and pineapple-infused Vodka.

Locavore Pineapple "Creamsicle"
A bee-licious blend of Naked Cow Dairy Yogurt, fresh Hawaiian Crown Pineapple from Kunia, and All Hawaiian Honey. A healthy non-alcoholic smoothie.

Entrees
Lobster, Kauai Shrimp and Octopus Ceviche on Frozen Pineapple "Tiger's Milk"
A Modern Day "Shrimp Canton"
Pineapple Glazed Smoke Pork Shoulder, Pineapple Honey Mustard Relish

Dessert
"Pineapple Upside-Down Cake"
Plantation Style Pineapple Ice Cream, Caramel-Dipped "Pineapple"

For reservations please call  (808) 949-2526 and for more information, visit http://www.alanwongs.com/. 

Need a Job in Waikiki? Forever 21 is Hiring!

Fashion retailer Forever 21 is holing a three-day job fair this week to hire more than 200 employees for its much-anticipated Waikiki store at Royal Hawaiian Center slated to open in November. For those not familiar with the store, the store is aimed at teen/young adults, and priced accordingly.  They have some amazing bargains - but beware, you get what you pay for and I don't expect my purchases from there to last any more than about one or two seasons!

The company is conducting open interviews this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at Royal Hawaiian Center’s Level 4 Nightclub and Ultralounge. They are looking for retail managers, visual merchandisers, cashiers, sales associates, stockroom workers and housekeepers.

Forever 21’s three-level store next to The Cheesecake Factory (my favorite)  at Royal Hawaiian Center has been under construction for almost a year. The space previously was to be the location of Hilo Hattie’s flagship store but those plans fell apart when the company filed for bankruptcy last year.
The Los Angeles-based Forever 21 also has stores at Pearlridge Center and Ala Moana Center. The Waikiki location will be its largest in the state.

**Image Courtesy of Forever 21**

Hawaii Five-O - Casting Call!

Alohaupdate.com announced on their blog that this weekend, there is a casting call for the new CBS series Hawaii Five-O! Saturday August 28 CBS will hold an open casting call for extras to be on the show and fill the streets!  I want to go!

The casting call will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Aloha Tower Marketplace and the show is looking to cast people of all ages, races and backgrounds for upcoming shoots. Many of these roles will also be speaking parts!  OMG!

If you can bring a headshot photograph and a resume great, but its not a necessity - just be sure to bring your ID. According to the casting director, you don’t need a film or TV background to get cast. If they like your look, you will be cast!

Hawaii Five-O premieres on with a sneak preview on Monday September 13 at Sunset on the Beach at Waikiki. The CBS network premiere will be Monday September 20.

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**

Hawaiian Party = Hawaiian Playlist

My friends over at Lei Chic Hawaii shared a great Hawaiian playlist yesterday in preparation for Admission day. Admission Day or Statehood Day is a legal holiday in the state of Hawaii and is celebrated annually on the third Friday in August to commemorate the anniversary of the 1959 admission of Hawaii into the Union.

Here's the perfect Hawaii playlist to celebrate; more info can be found at http://www.leichic.com/

1 . “Kihei Town,” by The Throwdowns

2. “HI-808,” by Blue Scholars

3. "Two Weeks In Hawaii," by Hellogoodbye

4. “Honolulu,” by The Deadbeats

5. “Hawaii,” by Meiko

6. “Honolulu,” by Tassho Pearce a.k.a. Emirc

7. “Hawaii,” by David Singer

8. “Chinatown,” by Black Square

9. “Hawaii (Brian Wilson),” by The Queers

10. “Hats Off To Hawaii,” by The Kung Fu Monkeys