Think Hawaii this winter

The Perrin Post at Conde'Nast Traveler

The last time Obama was in Hawaii--a couple of weeks ago, to visit his grandmother for the last time--he stayed at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, which is offering third nights free, plus a comp upgrade and daily breakfast for two, through December 19.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: This is the winter to go to Hawaii. I'd be headed there myself for post-Election Day de-stressing if work assignments didn't have me bound for other parts of the globe.

Last week I told you about fares to Honolulu for $244 from L.A. and $452 from New York. Then yesterday Beat of Hawaii reported fares of $421 from Washington, D.C., and $426 from Boston, including over Thanksgiving!

We also learned yesterday that Hawaii hotel occupancy fell to only 63 percent in September. That's the worst it's been since the months right after 9/11. All those empty rooms will force resorts to offer big discounts and incentives this winter. How to nab the best deals?

My hunch is that the biggest Hawaii bargains are yet to come and will take the form of airfare-plus-hotel packages (since packages allow airlines and hotels to lower rates without advertising that they're doing so). You might want to look for packages that include any of these Hawaii beach resorts, which have been rated tops in the state by the very well-traveled and selective readers of Conde Nast Traveler. You also might want to follow two blogs that single out some of the best deals: Beat of Hawaii and Go Visit Hawaii.

If you've already got airline tickets and all you need now is accommodations, there are a ton of third- and fourth-night-free deals to choose from. Be prepared to act fast, though: The steepest sales nowadays last only a few days. And don't forget about vacation rental homes, which may well offer the best value for your dollar.

Madam Pele's Amazing Volcanic Activity

Kilauea Volcano spews lava

This is definitely the most prominent activity in years a show by Madam Pele not to be missed. Join Interisland Airways for a fantastic tour of this force of mother nature and madam pele.

June and July Photo's from the Volcano Tour

The World Famous Diamond Head a well known landmark of Oahu.







Pu'u'O'o Vent has been extremely active the last few months these photo's taken from the air tour portion of the Volcano Orchid Tour.



Thurston Lava Tubeis one of the most popular stops along our tour.

NEW TOUR - Coming Soon

Volcano Twilight lava walk & Rainforest Eco Tour

See some of the most scenic natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands on this exciting combined day and night Flightsee and Sightsee tour to the Hawaiian Volcanoes.

Highlights include:

• Flight briefing on arrival at the Interisland Airways private terminal at Honolulu
International Airport.
• Narrated Flightsee tour of 6 Islands with an up close viewing of the Hamakua coast
• Narrated Sightsee tour of Hilo viewing Hilo Bay, Banyan Drive, Rainbow Falls, the famous Big Island Candy factory. Delve deep into the beauty of the Big Island skirting along the rugged coastline view amazing beaches and breathtaking Scenery. Explore the mystery of the rainforests at Lava Tree Park.
• Relax at Uncle Roberts Hawaiian shack for snacks and some Hawaiian history (Included in the price of tour) then take a short hike along a future coconut grove that leads you to the world’s newest Black Sand Beach!
• Then onto the Kalapana devastation caused by Madame Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire
• Lava walk the frozen fire at Kalapana to the steamy fury of the Volcano exploding into the ocean at twilight. A magnificent sight not to be missed!
• Star gaze on your flight back to Honolulu with full memories of the Volcano at night

Free hotel pick-up and drop-off in Waikiki

Hamakua Coast line

The Hāmākua coast is the windward coast of Northern Hawai'i and hence dominated by erosional cliffs that drop from a height to the ocean. This section of the coast is formed by the flanks of two dormant volcanoes: Mauna Kea and Kohala.

The smooth forms of the shield volcanoes that comprise its mass are interrupted by erosional valleys formed by streams coming from high up the mountain. Streams and cliffs dominate the landscape, which therefore has few and small beaches, but lush and verdant stream valleys.

Rainfall is extremely frequent due to the windward location, giving the entire coast the appearance of the land of green and waterfalls.

Kilauea Volcano extremely active

Kilauea Volcano is active at two locations. At the summit, low ash production and elevated sulfur dioxide emissions continued from the Halema`uma`u vent. Seismic tremor levels continued elevated to several times background levels. At the east rift eruption site, lava resumed nearly full flow from vents in the east rift zone through tubes into the ocean at the Waikupanaha and Ki ocean entries with some lava diverted into a few surface flows.



Above a Japanese family smiles for our tour guide in the background Halema'uma'u Crater Overlook

"Shaka"

Visitors pose for our tour guide giving the famous "shaka" sign.

Hawaiian locals use the shaka for various meanings, like "all right", "cool", "smooth", etc. Residents of states other than Hawaii who use the shaka may describe it as meaning "hang loose". It is also used to convey what locals in Hawai'i call the "Aloha Spirit," a gesture of friendship and understanding between the various ethnic cultures that reside within Hawai'i. It can also be used to signal a "hello", "goodbye", " 'till next time", "take care", "Alright!"

According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, prevailing local lore credited the gesture to Kalili Hamana of Laie, who lost the three middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Hamana was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved over the years into the "shaka".