Imagine the perfect escape where the only criteria are good food and drink in a relaxed, carefree environment. Sound like wishful thinking?

Not at Tommy Bahama’s, where the purveyor of island lifestyles has evolved their successful men’s and women’s upscale casual sportswear, golfwear, accessory and home furnishings collections into a well respected restaurant and retail operation that serves up island-inspired fare and lots of tropical fun.

The cafe is located on the second level above a Tommy Bahama retail shop.  The immediate view is of the parking lot, however, the distant views of the Mauna Lani resort grounds are pleasant.

There are tables on the lanai and tables indoors, though the restaurant was open air throughout.   As you would expect, the restaurant is very tastefully decorated in an island motif. I did find it odd that the decor was Caribbean themed.  When in Hawaii, I prefer a Hawaiian theme.

Live music was playing, which was pleasant, however it was also more of a Jimmy Buffet type music.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Jimmy Buffet music, but when I’m in Hawaii, I want to soak up all things Hawaiian.  So, I would have preferred music with a local vibe.

The Hawaiian island of Lanai is the smallest of Hawaii’s inhabited islands. Lanai measures approximately only 140 square miles, with a coastline of about 47 miles.

On the remote northern shore of Lanai, you will find scenic Polihua Beach. About a mile and a half long, Polihua Beach is the longest white sand beach on the island of Lanai.

Beaches on Lanai are never crowded since the island’s population is so small and it receives so few visitors. Lanai City is the only town on the island.

Polihua Beach used to be an egg-laying spot for the endangered green sea turtle. The name Polihua means “egg nest.”

Although Polihua Beach is picturesque, it’s waters can be dangerous. The beach receives high winds and rough surf, along with an unpredictable surf.

Swimming in the ocean waters off Polihua Beach is not recommended and it could be quite unsafe.

If you do make it the island of Lanai, be sure to visit Polihua Beach … even if you don’t go into the rough waters.

Polihua Beach is only accessible via a rugged dirt road.

The P’haku Naha or better known as the Naha Stone, is located on the eastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii, in the city of Hilo.

Legend states that King Kamehameha proved them all wrong. He not only moved the 7,000 pound stone, but actually flipped it completely over when he was only 14 years old!

Kamehameha lifted the stone to fulfill a prophecy. Legend was the person who lifted the Naha Stone would unite the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaii is a tropical island destination and offers an incredible luxury vacation, VIP experience. Enjoy warm ocean waters, terrific year-round weather and a rich culture. Be sure to visit the Naha Stone.

With breathtaking views of Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach and Honolulu’s famous skyline, Sarento’s Top of the “I” brings a bit of Italy to Hawaii with style.

This popular, Hawaiian dining establishment has old country warmth, hospitality and live piano music are part of the atmosphere that makes this fine dining establishment one of Hawaii’s most celebrated.

Sarento’s Top Of The I in Honolulu is a two star Italian restaurant. This restaurant is quite expensive, but well worth every dollar.

The restaurant is located in the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki, in Waikiki, Hawaii.

It’s been awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence award. This place features great views. When you step inside the restaurant, you’ll notice an elegant atmosphere.

This fine dining restaurant offers diners a casual elegance but with superior service. Combined with the terrific culinary offerings and has well earned numerous accolades from the local Hawaiian community.

Sarentao’s also features fine wines to meet everyone’s taste. It’s a wonderful place to dine in Hawaii and share special memories with friends and family. The Life of Luxury can help you plan a trip to Hawaii and enjoy a VIP experience in this tropical paradise.

Sarento’s Top of the “I”
1777 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 955-5559

Fairmont Kea Lani Resort

White sand and calming blue waves against a picturesque cloudless sky backdrop, Maui is nothing short of paradise.  Now, it can add one more reason to visit: the new Fairmont Kea Lani.  In the past three years, the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui – Hawaii has invested $28 million in the property to continue elevating the luxurious Maui experience.

The Fairmont Kea Lani renovation spanned across every suite, villa, pool deck, ballroom, corridor, and even the elevator of the entire resort.  Every detail that is guest-facing has been considerably examined and further upgraded.

My most anticipated event for the Fairmont is the April reopening of their signature restaurant, Kō, after a $5 million transformation.  Kō (“sugarcane” in Hawaiian) is the only restaurant I have seen that has mastered the art of true Asian fusion cuisine.  Unlike the Hollywood version of a “homemade” meal, Kō’s Executive Chef, Tylun Pang, designed a menu that features traditional family recipes by taking advantage of Hawaii’s naturally fresh ingredients.

The Fairmont Kea Lani property in Maui has over 400 one-bedroom suites and each has been carefully furnished with new furniture, décor, woodworking on doors, and HD flat screen televisions.  The remaining 37 exclusive two-story villas house two- and three-bedroom villas have also gone through an extensive transformation: new tile floors, furniture, and décor to infuse modernism into a Hawaiian motif.

Leaving no stones unturned, the Fairmont has also improved its Keiki Lani kids club with a new 140-foot water slide and toddler pool.  Adults can now enjoy Maui in a true paradise fashion with two whirlpools, a swim up bar, and spa.

For the readers looking for the perfect Hawaiian place to getaway this summer, the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui, Hawaii is currently offering a 40% discount on their room rate. To book a reservation, Click Here to contact us.

On the north side of Kauai near Princeville, you can find the beautiful Queen’s Bath.

Queen’s Bath is one of the most unique and refreshing swimming areas on Kauai. The water pool is carved into a lava shelf and is the size of several large swimming pools.

Water spills over the black, jagged lava rocks to constantly refresh the pool. This means visitors have a marvelously large solar-powered Hawaiian hot tub at your disposal.

You can reach the Queen’s Bath by taking a gentle 5 minute hike past a waterfall leads down to a rocky landscape of lava rock. Continue on for another 5 minute, walk over the rocks and you’ll end up at the scenic bath.

Be sure to call ahead of your visit to make sure it’s open to the public. The government has begun closing the site during the winter months because of lawsuits from tourists who have been hurt from natural conditions.

Directions: To get to the Queen’s Bath, take Highway 56 to Princeville. Turn right on Ka Haku Road. Turn right on Punahele and then another right on Kapiolani. There is a small parking area that accommodates between 8 or 10 cars

Dondero’s restaurant in the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa on Kauai Hawaii, will satisfy your soul as well as your appetite.

Dondero’s offers its Hawaiian diners an elegant ambiance combined with stellar service make this a dining favorite for those with discriminating taste.

Dondero’s features delicacies that include seared olive-crusted ahi with caponata, organic rack of lamb with gorgonzola and cauliflower soufflé (a favorite of Chef Valentino’s son), okinawan sweet potato gnocchi with smoked prosciutto in cream sauce, and pan-roasted sea bass with fresh tomato concasse and caper dressing.

This fabulous Northern Italian Regional cuisine is carefully paired with wines from all over the world. Delectable desserts and a cappuccino or port round out the repast.

Dondero’s
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road,
Koloa, Hawaii USA 96756
808-240-6456

Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course

Here at the Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course on Kauai, nature renown designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. have conspired to create a stunning venue for the star studded PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

A unique and unforgettable golfing experience awaits you – one that will bring every aspect of your game into fresh and thrilling focus.

Even the Golf Shop at Poipu Bay is rated as one of the finest in America… with a full line of Grand Slam and resort logo wear featured. The PGA Grand  Slam is one of Golf’s most exclusive events.

Recent Grand Slam winners include Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, and Greg Norman.

For them, in addition to Nick Faldo, Ben Crenshaw, Davis Love III, and a host of other golf greats, the ticket to tee off at Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course is victory in The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, or the PGA Championship.

For you, its a little easier: Simply book a tee time!  Poipu Bay Golf Course

Photo: BLT Steak

Do yourselves a favor, — the next time you want a restaurant meal served to perfection, make a reservation at BLT Steak – (Bistro Laurent Tourondel), located at the Trump Waikiki, 223 Saratoga Rd., Honolulu, HI, 96815

OK, I never thought I’d say this, but move over, Ruth’s Chris, Hy’s, and Wolfgang’s, –there’s a new kid in town, and he has a knack for doing things right.

My friend and I had heard some good things about BLT, so we thought we would try it out ourselves and see what all the positive commotion was all about.

BLT is a medium sized restaurant and very tastefully decorated. We were seated at a corner booth located at the rear of the restaurant, which was unusually comfortable.

Starting things off, we chose a dozen fresh oysters on the half-shell ($34.00/doz.), but we first had to make a choice of which of 4 different species of oyster we desired. Now, that’s a first for me!

We made our selection after a brief course in “oysterology” from our server, and our selection was superb, –very mild tasting and very fresh, and served with lemon wedges and a horseradish seafood sauce.

An ice-cold Heineken went well with the little critters as we waited for our entree.

We chose a main course consisting of a Porterhouse for two ($72.00), cooked on the rare side of medium-rare, which was prepared with a red wine reduction and served with horseradish on the side.

I’m not a big Porterhouse aficionado, but this steak was to die for — most excellent!

A baked potato accompanied the steak for me, and my partner had roasted tomatoes. Both were prepared excellently and were quite enjoyable.

Both were priced ala carte at $8.00 each. We skipped the pre-entree salad, which I’m sure my dearly departed mother would be so upset about.

We chose an Arrowood Chardonnay, ($72.00), which was very enjoyable, but probably more suitable for the oysters than for the Porterhouse.

Dinner was capped off with a shared dessert consisting of a peanut butter chocolate mousse ($10.00), and a cappuccino. — This dessert was absolutely superb!

Our server, a young lady named Peris, was like a server from heaven. She was always attentive, very knowledgeable about everything on the menu, (including the oysters – now that was impressive!), and very professional.

I recommend BLT Steak wholeheartedly and trust that your experience will be as marvelous as ours. Please enjoy!

BLT Steak
Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk
223 Saratoga Road
Honolulu, HI 96815
Telephone: 808-683-7440

Author: Val Patacchi is a freelance writer and avid traveler.

Courtesy of: worldisround.com

On the Hawaiian island of Molokai, there is a wonderful coconut grove that was planted in the 1860′s by King Kamehameha V. King Kamehameha V. was nicknamed Kapuaiwa, and selected this particular site due to the seven sacred ponds located here.

The King ordered 1,000 tall, royal coconut palm trees to be planted on Molokai to represent each individual warrior in his mighty army, in addition to shading his sacred bathing pools of the ali’i (royalty).

The Kapuaiwa coconut grove is located on the south shore of Molokai, approximately 1.5 miles west of the town of Kaunakakai.

Sadly, not many of the original coconut palm trees still stand today. The original one thousand coconut trees covered about an area of ten acres. Now only a few hundred of these beautiful palms are still there.

Due to the danger of heavy coconuts falling from the tall palm trees, entering through the palm tree grove is not allowed.

But all is not lost. Take in a fabulous sunset view of the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove from the nearby Kiowea Beach Park.

You can also view a concrete military bunker, located at the ocean’s edge of the grove as a real historical reminder of WWII.

To reach the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, go east on Highway 460 from the town of Kaunakakai. You will then see the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove on your left, across the street from Church Row.

The Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary on Maui, was once a royal fish pond. Known in Hawaiian history as the twin ponds of Kapuoho in honor of King Kapiiohookalani.

King Kapiiohookalani started building these ponds over 200 years ago for storing and fattening fish.  The twin ponds were named after his children, Kanaha and Mauoni.

The Kanaha Pond is also an important breeding location for three endangered Hawaiian birds: the Hawaiian duck, the stilt, and the coot, as well as the endangered sphinx moth.

Located on 143-acres, this preserve is a stopping point for Canadian geese as they migrate south for the winter. About 200 stilts make the two-foot-deep pond their permanent residence.

In 1951 the Hawaiian government formally designated the pond as a bird refuge. This pond was designated a registered natural landmark in late 1971.