Aqua's Blog » Experience Waikiki

Restaurant Week Hawaii

Lori Downes — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:56:42 +0000

The second annual Restaurant Week Hawaii starts today and goes through Sunday, November 22. From fine dining to fast food, participating restaurants will feature special menu items, promotions and discounts. Restaurant Week is a reminder that Hawaii is a culinary destination with top chefs, farm to table dining, wonderful wine and a lot more to discover and explore.

A portion of the proceeds from Restaurant Week Hawaii will support the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head.

Find participating restaurants.
(Many near our Aqua Waikiki Hotels!)

See Hawaii Now in Street View on Google Maps

Lori Downes — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:25:45 +0000

Now that Hawaii has been added, you can get street views and 360 degree views from all 50 US states. And Hawaii has some spectacular views! If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii and want to get a better idea of where hotels and activities are, Street View on Google Maps can provide some wonderful information. Take a virtual vacation, see ground level panoramas of cities, neighborhoods and other notable landmarks or check out where each of our Aqua Hotels and Resorts® are located and choose the one that best fits your needs.

Google worked with the Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau to create the collections in the new Street View Gallery which features Hawaii’s best beaches and hometown favorites of President Obama.

Photographer’s Night at the Waikiki Aquarium

Lori Downes — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:36:42 +0000

Whether you live here or are just visiting this is a great opportunity to get nature photos of some of Hawaii’s marine life. This program is for amateur photographers to snap pictures without the crowds. Professional photographers will be on hand to offer tips. Attendees can then send in their favorite photos which may get posted on the Aquarium’s website.

Where
Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua Avenue
(808) 923-9741

When
Tuesday, November 10, 6-7:30pm

Cost
$8 per person (members) or $10 per person (non-members)
Recommended for photographers 16 and up.

Continental’s 48 Hour Sale

Lori Downes — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:38:01 +0000

The deals just keep coming! Continental Surf Hotel has rates as low as $50 per night. How do you get this rate? During the month of November, book on a Monday or a Tuesday for stays between November 1 and December 31, 2009 and save big.

This is a no frills hotel but you will still enjoy a penthouse fitness center and rooms outfitted with mini-fridges, coffee makers and Kona coffee. And Continental Surf Hotel is committed to Earth-friendly practices and is a proud member of the Green Hotels Association.

You can even bring your pet if you’d like. The Continental Surf Hotel is proud to welcome dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and offers two pet-friendly floors.

Book Your Stay at the Continental!

48 Hour Sale at the Bamboo

Lori Downes — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:55:39 +0000

Another great special! Make your reservations on a Saturday or Sunday in November for any stay between November 29 and December 23, 2009 at the Aqua Bamboo and Spa and get an incredible rate of only $89 for selected room types!

Everything about the Aqua Bamboo and Spa has been designed to create an island sanctuary for your getaway to paradise. Stay in one of our recently renovated 93 contemporary, clean and sleek rooms and suites and you’ll find yourself in a sanctuary for the senses. Guests rooms include a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker and FREE in-room high-speed Internet access.

Book Your Stay at the Aqua Bamboo and Spa!

A little history of Waikiki’s landmark hotel-

Lori Downes — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:34:05 +0000

The Ilikai, home of the famous opening shot of Hawaii Five-O with Jack Lord (Steve McGarrett) standing on the penthouse balcony, is a Waikiki icon. Here’s a little more about this Waikiki landmark-

Groundbreaking for the Ilikai began in 1961. A Monkey pod tree was planted by Chinn Ho and his high school classmate Duke Kahanamoku and the tree still stands in the courtyard.

On February 29, 1964, the Ilikai Hotel opened with 1,050 rooms. It was designed by John Graham, the same person who designed Seattle’s Space Needle. And, it featured Hawaii’s very first glass elevator.

Visitors can enjoy the torch lighting ceremony which has been performed for the last 40 years at sunset, rain or shine.

For more information about the Ilikai Hotels & Suites or to book a reservation, visit IlikaiHotel.com

Floral Parade This Weekend

Lori Downes — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:15:31 +0000

This Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 am – Kalakaua Ave, Ala Moana Park to Kapiolani Park

This Waikiki event is part of the Aloha Festival that was created in 1946. Come see Hawaiian dancers, floats made of Hawaiian flowers, marching bands and even equestrian riders. And all of our Aqua Waikiki hotels are near the parade route!

Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho’olaule’a

Lori Downes — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:45:27 +0000

This Saturday, September 19 at 7:00pm
Kalakaua Avenue will play host to a huge block party. Lei vendors, hula crafts, entertainment and best of all … lots of food! The theme of this year’s Aloha Festival: Hula!

Surfing Wirelessly with the Aqua Island Colony

Justin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:29:21 +0000

Do you want to look up a good hike, and get directions there instantly? Want to do it from your hotel room, the city bus, or from the beach? Now you can! The Aqua Island Colony is proud to offer its guests Hele Wireless Broadband Internet access by Mobi PCS!

We understand that you’ve got a busy trip ahead of you, and that every savvy adventurer needs access to the worldwide web. How else are you supposed to coordinate a snorkeling trip, get tickets to a Tahitian fire-knife show, and find a shuttle back to the Island Colony while you’re enjoying shaved-ice on the north shore?

The Aqua Island Colony knows that finding great value and having a summer blast can all come together with the click of a mouse, and if you are reading this blog, you probably know that too. So bring the ol’ laptop after-all, and Aqua will be sure you’ll make good use of it. Ask the Front Desk about getting island-wide internet access for only $9.95 per day with Hele Wireless Broadband on your next stay at the Aqua Island Colony!

Join us and celebrate Lei Day, Hawaiian Style with Aqua.

Justin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:35:58 +0000

Celebrating May Day with Music, Crafts and Lei making in the Lobby of the Aqua Palms & Spa. In Hawaii, May Day or Lei Day was started in 1929 and is celebrated with the tradition of Lei. Be sure to check this out event on Friday, May 1st at the Aqua Palms & Spa located at 1850 Ala Moana Blvd.

Schedule of Events:

9:00am – 1:00pm: Crafts and Bake Sale in the Lobby

9:00am – 12:00pm: Lei Making Instruction “Make a lei and give a lei”

10:00am – 12:00pm: Hawaiian Music and Hula by Sam Makua and Friends

Hawaiian Crafts and Lei Displays throughout the Lobby.