waikiki 2.0

can it be? modern design and eco-friendly in waikiki? yep, it seems aqua hotels recently unveiled hotel renew (formerly known as the ocean tower hotel in its past life) as their boutique entry into the growing green hotel movement. in addition to the in room guest recycling program, each room features a sexy dimmable lighting system (energy conservation, perhaps?), water saving fixtures in the bath, and housekeeping gets the job done with non-toxic cleaning products.

and, be still my beating heart, there appears to be a faux eames aluminum management chair in guest rooms.

amenities include a pillow menu, complimentary wi-fi, lcd televisions, organic snacks to tempt you in the mini bar, and the hotel gets bonus points for being completely non-smoking. geeks will surely want to play around with the in room computer/entertainment system that offers everything from netflix to satellite tv/radio plus a place to dock your ipod.

the hotel is located about a block from the zoo and is a short walk to kuhio beach.

introductory rates start at $149 a night through the end of year, and if you are planning a waikiki holiday be sure to inquire about the stay free package (fyi - work is still being completed in the lobby so be sure to request a room on a higher floor).

click over to tripadvisor for traveler reviews before you go.

nalu kai lodge

you may have heard that maui's recent crackdown on vacation rentals has reduced the available inventory of affordable accomodations for visitors on a budget. if you refuse to shell out resort rates and are not one for early morning b&b chit chat with strangers, paia's nalu kai lodge may be an alternative.

the 60's style property has been renovated and rooms now feature a cottage style complementing it's fresh boutique lodge vibe. if you prefer a little more space, there is also a one bedroom apartment with a full kitchen that would be perfect for a family traveling with a little one.

you can walk to paia town & the beach, soak in the ocean view from the deck, or have a cookout at the outdoor bbq/tiki bar. keep in mind that it is a vacation rental so do read the fine print regarding cancellation and deposit policies before booking. even so, rates are a bargain and start at $99 on the weekend and includes free wi-fi.

no reviews yet on tripadvisor so if you book a stay do post a trip report.

field of greens

nalo farms

it's been quite some time since the last saturday travel post, but today's pick is one sure to pique the interest of kama'aina and visiting foodies. nalo greens have become a staple on local menus whether it's served up on a plate lunch or presented with your gourmet dinner.

now you can actually walk the famous fields of waimanaolo's nalo farms for a behind the scenes tour of how your greens get from farm to table. the 45 minute tour sounds like a delicious diversion for foodie fans who want to peek inside the operations of one of the earliest purveyors of hawaii's resurgent slow food movement.

farm fresh greens & herbs are also in abundance at nalo's booth at the weekly farmers markets in kailua and at kcc.

tour details:

• ten person minimum per group
• reservations required (ring 808.259.7698 for more info)

{via hawaii magazine}

my fare lady

waimea canyon

it may not be a $1 ticket but the latest $25 o/w fare will still buy you a nice lunch with the extra savings. there were plenty of seats available when i did a quick price check for the usually elusive sale tix, however, since only a few seats are typically discounted, it's always a good idea to nail down your dates quickly to take your pick of the flight schedule.

details:

• book it: by sun, aug 19th
• fly: now to sep 30th
• blackout dates: aug 31st, sep 2nd & 3rd (aloha & go!)
• cities: honolulu to hilo *or* kahalui *or* kona *or* lihue

fly, fly, fly: aloha airlines | go! | hawaiian airlines

maui underground

hana lava tube

the next time you find yourself traveling down the world famous hana highway, consider taking a detour to explore the hidden caves of hana where lava once flowed deep beneath the earth. the ka'eleku cavern, aka the hana lava tube, is estimated to be over 1000 years old and is believed to be the 18th largest lava tube on earth.

if you have ever meandered through the thurston lava tube at volcanoes, the hana tube is a bit longer at two miles and is tall enough to fit a 6 story building. as adventures go, the self guided tour sounds relatively mellow so you don't have to be an experienced spelunker to make the trip underground since pathways have been cleared and guide rails lend a helping hand.

ti leaf maze

and, for those who prefer to stay up where the sun shines, additional amusement can be had by wandering amongst the red ti leaf plants which form an island style botanical maze on the property.

happy traveling!