|
SANDI
MARUYAMA
Marriott’s Award-Winning Concierge
Offers Top 10 Tips For What to See and Do in Paradise
Ko Olina, Hawaii – The word
“concierge” means a French caretaker of an apartment or
a hotel. For Sandi Maruyama, at the luxurious JW
Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa, it is that inviting
smile – smacked with genuine aloha spirit – which has
noted in numerous guest comment cards year after year.
In January, the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging
Association recognized Maruyama with the “2004 Concierge
of the Year” award. She beat out 14 other concierges
statewide vying for the coveted title.
Maruyama answers to the whims of each guest
requesting assistance. Here are her top ten suggestions
for enjoying Oahu and Waikiki.
1. The tour of the USS Arizona Memorial is a
must see for most of our visitors. The Navy and the
National Park Service conduct the free, first-come,
first-served tours. It is a busy location and we
therefore suggest visiting them some time during the
morning hours to secure a space on the ferry ride to the
Memorial.
The USS Missouri is another tour at Pearl Harbor. The
Missouri was the battleship that was taken to Tokyo Bay
in 1945 and used for the signing of the treaty between
Japan and the U.S. at the end of the WWII and therefore
has a great deal of historical significance.
Both the Arizona and Memorial are under heightened
security. Visitors are only allowed to bring in a
camera or video camera (no camera bags). No purses,
bags, backpacks, fanny bags, diaper bags, or other items
that offer concealment are allowed in the attractions.
There is a “bag check” in the parking lot of the
Arizona Memorial that you can leave a bag for a nominal
fee. It is not recommended to leave belongings in your
vehicles.
2. Take a drive up to the beautiful North
Shore. Dole Pineapple Plantation is a popular stop
where you can take a narrated train ride through the
pineapple fields, find your way through the world’s
largest maze and learn about crops traditionally grown
in the islands. Continuing on the scenic drive will take
you through the Historic Haleiwa Town. This ex-sugar
plantation town is popular for its art galleries,
interesting shops restaurants and shave ice. Just past
Haleiwa Town is the Waimea Valley Audubon Center. Enjoy
easy access to rare and endangered Hawaiian flora and
fauna in lush Waimea Valley. This center offers
hundreds of acres of strolling paths and hiking trails,
world-class botanical gardens and rich archaeological
sites. The drive will then take you to famous surf
beaches like Waimea Bay (home of the famed Eddie Aikau
Surf competition, which involves waves 20 feet and
higher during the winter season), Banzai Pipeline (home
of the famous Pipeline Surf Competition) and Sunset
Beach Park (great to catch a beautiful summer sunset).
3. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is Hawaii’s
most famous spot for snorkeling. It is a sunken
volcanic crater formerly a playground for Hawaiian
royalty. Snorkelers can enjoy a rainbow of reef
inhabitants, colorful schools of fish and other sea
life. The park is open every day except Tuesday.
Arrive early, as parking is limited and fills up
quickly.
4. Take a day or night or both to the famous
Waikiki. Shopping, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels
galore in this world famous visitors mecca. Stroll down
the famous 2-mile stretch of Waikiki Beach that offers a
variety of ocean activities.
5. The Diamond Head Crater is a distinctive
natural landmark at the edge of Waikiki. A steep but
short trail takes hikers to the summit of the crater and
offers a spectacular 360-degree view of Honolulu and the
coast. The trail, built by the U.S. Army in 1906,
includes 271 steps and a spiral staircase that leads to
the observation post at the summit.
6. The Polynesian Cultural Center is spread
over 42-acres in Laie on Oahu’s North Shore. It is
designed to celebrate the people and culture of the
Polynesian islands, which range from Hawaii, Tonga,
Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji and the Marquesas
Islands. The center skillfully blends education with
entertainment. Visitors to the center will get a taste
of the music, dance, food, clothing, shelter, arts and
crafts and cultural belief systems of the Polynesian
people.
7. Take a breathtaking drive through the
mountains to our East Side. There are three options
through the middle of the island, although the Pali
Highway offers a more memorable detour. Off the Pali
Highway is the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. The lookout is a
scenic point at the head of Nuuanu Valley where
Kamehameha the Great ended the bloody battle of 1795
where he was victorious. Test your wind stamina at
Nuuanu Pali, where periodic wind gusts make it difficult
for visitors to walk to the lookout point. Continuing
on the drive to the east stop by at Lanikai Beach. Here
you will find a half a mile of sparkling white sand and
pristine waters for swimming, kayaking or relaxing.
8. A day of shopping! The Ala Moana Center
is Hawaii’s premier shopping and dining destination with
over 240 stores and venues in a unique indoor/outdoor
environment. The International Marketplace has been an
island tradition for years upon years. With over 130
carts, shops and artisan stands, this open-air setting
in the heart of Waikiki sits under a century-old Banyan.
Or try the Aloha Flea Market at the Aloha Stadium,
which is the biggest swap meet, garage sale, flea market
and crafts fair in Hawaii. It has been a running event
for over 20 years and attracts about 900 vendors and
sellers. The Aloha Flea Market is open on Wednesdays,
Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
9. Downtown Honolulu, with Chinatown and its
diverse ethnic influences and unique historic landmarks,
is worth at least a day trip. Built in 1882 for King
Kalakaua, Iolani Palace is the only restored royal
palace in the United States. Until 1893, when the
United States government overthrew the Hawaiian
monarchy, this Renaissance-style building was the
official residence of King Kalakaua and Queen
Lili’uokalani, Hawaii’s last two monarchs. Guided tours
of the palace are available Tuesday through Saturday
from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Reservations are
recommended.
Bishop Museum is Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s gift
to the world. It is the largest museum of natural and
cultural history in Hawaii and the Pacific. There are
many facets to the museum including a planetarium,
traveling exhibits, guided tours, demonstrations and
live performances.
The King Kamehameha Statue located in front of
Ali’Iolani Hale pays tribute to Hawaii’s warrior king.
Standing 8 feet tall, the statue depicts Kamehameha in
his royal garb, including a helmet of rare feathers and
a gilded cloak. The spear in his left hand serves to
symbolize the kingdom’s willingness and ability to
defend itself from hostile nations. His right hand,
however, is extended in a welcoming gesture of aloha.
These are just a few sights that downtown Honolulu has
to offer.
10. Hawaii offers a multitude of popular ocean
activities. Companies like the Ko Olina Cat offer
Snorkel and Dolphin Sails (Whale Season mid-December
thru April) on the Leeward Coast, where playful dolphins
call home. Beautiful waters and reef offer excellent
snorkeling. Experience the thrill of surfing! Surf
lessons are a popular activity on the island whether it
is learning from a surfing pro or in the safe hands of
firefighters. Either will provide a memorable
experience. Enjoy the ocean waters by paddling to a
secluded island or through sea turtle territory on a
guided kayak tour! Paddling a kayak is a good way to
let everything go and work off a little tension.
The
new Waikiki
Outrigger starts Beach Walk Upgrade
Outrigger Enterprises, Inc. has
broken ground on Waikiki Beach Walk (www.waikikibeachwalk.com),
the $460 million, 7.9-acre hotel-retail-entertainment
redevelopment that will transform the dated
Lewers-Kalia-Beach Walk area of Waikiki into a premier
leisure destination featuring name-brand hotels, shops
and restaurants into a unique Hawaiian-style,
pedestrian-friendly setting.
The project -- which
has been ten years in planning -- will transform an
aging, congested area of Waikiki into a "must see"
visitor destination center featuring an outdoor
entertainment plaza, 40 specialty retailers, four major
restaurants and several smaller food and beverage
outlets, plus four nationally-recognized hotels.
"Waikiki Beach Walk will be an unsurpassed, fully
integrated mixed-use Waikiki destination where you can
stay, play and experience Hawaii all in one area,"
explained Carey.
The project's unique
architectural style will celebrate Hawaii's voyaging and
ocean heritage and incorporate design elements from the
Hawaiian outrigger canoe and the sea. Graceful glass
canopies suspended over the outdoor plaza take their
inspiration from ocean waves; supporting beams are
shaped to represent the ama of an outrigger canoe. Water
features, tropical plants and flowers, and stone
walkways are also incorporated throughout the project,
giving it a natural, open-air feeling of Hawaii.
Orlando-based Fairfield
Resorts, Inc. -- the world's largest vacation ownership
company -- will totally renovate and convert the
480-room OHANA Reef Towers into a brand new 195-unit
vacation ownership resort containing 95 one-bedroom
units, 83 two-bedroom units, and 17 two-, three- and
four-bedroom Presidential suites. Fairfield Hawaii at
Waikiki Beach Walk will be Fairfield's first resort in
Waikiki.
Outrigger will
completely renovate the existing OHANA Waikiki Village
and OHANA Waikiki Tower hotels and reopen them as the
upscale Embassy Suites Hotel-Waikiki Beach Walk.
Outrigger will continue to own and operate the new 421
all-suite hotel after the conversion of the 844 existing
hotel rooms.
The last component of
Phase One is the 90,000 square foot entertainment-retail
complex being built by a partnership between Outrigger
and well-known local developer Dick Gushman. The
entertainment-retail complex will capture the essence of
Hawaii and feature local flavors and island influences.
World-renowned Roy's
Restaurant -- whose new Waikiki location will be a
significant draw to the area -- and Wolfgang Puck
Express have recently been announced as the first two of
six signature restaurants within Waikiki Beach Walk.
Additionally, six specialty retailers -- including
Whaler's General Store, ABC Stores, Maui Divers, TT&K
Hawaiian Shirts, Malibu Shirts and Freaky Tiki Tropical
Optical -- have also been named as part of the new
center.
Phase One construction
is is expected to span 15 to 18 months.
Phase Two involves
redevelopment of the block bordered by Saratoga Road,
Beach Walk, and Kalia Road. Outrigger remains in the
planning phase of this stage of the development -- which
will affect the OHANA Reef Lanai and OHANA Royal
Islander hotels.
Waikiki Beach Walk
builds on Outrigger's deep history in the area. The
184-room Edgewater Hotel -- which opened in 1951 and is
at the heart of the new Waikiki Beach Walk complex --
was the second hotel built by company founders Roy and
Estelle Kelley, and for years was the only major
building in that area of Waikiki. (The Kelleys' first
hotel, the Islander, was built in 1947 on the site of
the former Waikiki I and II Theaters and has long since
been demolished.) The Edgewater Hotel was the first
hotel in Waikiki to have an automatic elevator and a
swimming pool, and it set the standard for Outrigger's
growth in Waikiki in the succeeding decades, meeting the
needs of generations of travelers seeking moderately
priced rooms in Waikiki.
May 1, The third annual
Hawaii Pacific University International Chorale and
Vocal Ensemble Spring Concert, "Birds, Beasts, and Bugs"
is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., at Kawaiahao Church. If
you'd like more information, please call the Director of
HPU's Choral Activities, Susan Duprey, at 544-1127.
May 3-28, "Fruit of the
Dreamtrees" Visions from the Subconscious, exhibition in
clay, glass, metal, drawing, painting and collage mining
the rich territory of dreams. Participants include:
Corey Avecilla, Aaron Char, Scott Fitzel, K.C. Grennan,
Mike Harrison, Lucille Morelli and Peter Murray. Gallery
hours: 11am to 6pm, Tuesday – Saturday Reception: First
Friday, May 6, 5 to 9pm
May 8, 2005 / 11:30 a.m. -
1:30 p.m., Mother’s Day lunch, Star of Honolulu departs
from Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 8, The Mother's Day
Champagne and Prime Rib Brunch Cruise features an ono
all-you-can-eat prime rib and local-style Hawaiian lunch
buffet, champagne toast, special Mother's Day cake, fun
cultural activities, exciting hula show and prize
giveaways.
May 12, Legendary Eddie
Kamae Jams with Mike Ka`awa and the Hawaiian Boys in
"CONCERT IN THE COURTYARD" at the Sheraton Moana
Surfrider, free. Other featured artists include Kroon
and renowned falsetto musician Mahi Beamer. 5:30 pm -
7:00 pm.
May 13, Women Rock concert,
Dita Holifield and Robi Kahakalau. Part of the Aloha
Friday concert series, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
6-8 p.m. Also John Cruz and Jeff Rasmussen. Free gift
bags for the first 250 ladies in attendance. Fountain
Courtyard by the waterfall
May 14, 10:00am- Noon: Tea
Ceremony Demonstration at the East West Center Teahouse
and Noon- 5:00pm: Tea Bowl Workshop at the University of
Hawai`i at Manoa Ceramics Lab. Tea Bowl Ceremony and
Workshops are FREE and open to the public.
May 15, Sonny Ching’s Halau, Na Mamo ‘O
Pu‘uanahulu, will perform at the 2005 Starbucks AIDS
Walk for Life at Kapi‘olani Park. This is the primary
fundraiser for Life Foundation, Hawai‘i’s oldest and
largest AIDS organization. Registration begins at 8:00am
and the walk starts at 9:00am.
Halau Na Mamo ‘O
Pu'uanahulu was founded on 1986 with a group of 20
kupuna (seniors) at Paki Park under the City and County
of Honolulu. Today, the Halau’s haumana (students) ages
range from 5 to 75, is one of the largest Halaus in the
State of Hawai'i. The Halau had a strong presence at the
2005 Merrie Monarch Festival, which was topped off when
Halau member Maile Emily
Kau'ilaniona'opuaehi'ipoiokeanuenueokeola Francisco was
named Miss Aloha Hula 2005.
May 28, free seminar for
14th annual ALS Awareness Month by the Muscular
Dystrophy Association. It will bring together those
affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or Lou
Gehrig's disease), while educating the public about this
deadly disease. Kapiolani Community College cafeteria
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Speakers include
neurologist Dr. Ronald Yamaoka,
physiatrist Dr. Jayson Takata, speech therapist Kathy
Krammer, Chaplain Clarence Liu, and Social Security
Administration officer Christina Messner.
Ward Warehouse Sunday Concerts
May 1 10:30 Hui O Kamalei * Keiki
Halau
May 1 12:00 Lord Of The Dance International
Production
May 1 1:00 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association
May 8 Hawaiian Music Sing Along (Mother's Day)
featuring: Puanani Higgins
May 15 Ray Sowders & Shawn Ishimoto * Hawaiian
May 22 (12pm noon) Anthony Natividad * Hawaiian Nose
Flute
May 22 Inoa'ole * Island Contemporary
May 22 Simplisity * Contemporary
May 29 Novalei's 61st Birthday Celebration
*Hawaiian & Contemporary Music
|
