Saint Damien went to the island of Molokai where the Hawaii government’s leper colony was located in 1873.  Soon, Saint Damien decided to stay permanently and dedicated himself to caring for the people in the colony. He contracted the disease in 1888, and after 16 years of selfless service, died in 1889. On October 11, 120 years after his death, Father Damien was elevated to sainthood in Rome.

If you get the chance to visit the island of Molokai, the Aqua Hotel Molokai offers affordable, oceanfront bungalows on Kamiloloa Beach, adjacent to Hawaii’s only barrier reef – a perfect location to explore all Molokai has to offer including the site of Saint Damien’s work.

If you are on Oahu, there is also a special exhibition in downtown Honolulu:

My coworker has a Thing for the Gnome. I count 7 in her office.

Robin H and The Seven Gnomes?

I leave you with this: Diamond Head at sunset last week, as I took a stroll down Waikiki Beach.

Fundraising starts weeks before the actual walk, and Aqua’s hotels held car washes, staged a golf tournament, and sold yummy homemade grindz (including kalua pig with cabbage, chili mac, and lumpia – mmmmm).

On Oahu the walk starts at 7 am, with 8,000 participants gathered at Ala Moana Beach Park. Walkers wind 6 miles through Waikiki, getting a card stamped at each of over a dozen checkpoints. The checkpoints, sponsored mostly by area hotels, also give out water, juice, cookies, fruit, brownies, shave ice and other assorted goodies. Walkers end up back at Ala Moana Beach Park, and they present their completed stamp cards for a free lunch. It’s gladly needed after several hours in the hot Hawaii sun!

Aqua’s checkpoint was in front of Island Colony Hotel, located at the corner of Ala Wai and Seaside (and offers welcome shade after the long stretch down Ala Wai Boulevard!). Aqua provided water to walkers and runners and passersby enjoyed Hawaiian music and dancing.
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$99 or less in Waikiki, Hawaii

Get away from it all this summer with Aqua Hotels & Resorts. Our collection of 13 hotels on Oahu and Maui includes a range of unique hotels designed for discriminating travelers, regardless of budget. Enjoy rates starting at $99 or less at all of our 12 Waikiki boutique hotels.

Click here to find the Aqua hotel for you under $99 per night.

James, a true salesperson, sent me these:

It appears that he never even left the building during CITM, which is, well, great for Aqua!

Aqua values our partners all over the world, and we’re excited to explore the possibilities of the China market. A big mahalo to James for being our Asia road warrior!