Hawaii Vacation Connection

By: Bruce Fisher
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  • Summary

  • The Hawaii Vacation Connection is a one-of-a-kind podcast that is produced live every Monday, straight from a recording studio in Hawaii Kai, Oahu. Hosted by Hawaii Aloha Travel owner Bruce Fisher, the podcast touches on an array of Aloha state news topics and is dedicated to Hawaii’s guests. Whether you’re a first time visitor or repeat traveler, the Hawaii Vacation Connection keeps you in the loop and in the local know.
    HAWAII ALOHA TRAVEL
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Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
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Episodes
  • Why You’re Not Seeing New Hotels in Hawaii

    Why You’re Not Seeing New Hotels in Hawaii
    Apr 3 2025
    If you’ve been to Hawaii recently, you might’ve noticed something surprising. Despite their rising popularity, the islands are not seeing many new hotel constructions. So what gives? Today, we'll dive into why you're not seeing more new hotels In Hawaii. The market demonstrates strong demand through high occupancy rates during peak seasons and stable room rates. Building new lodging in Hawaii presents distinct challenges. They include rapidly increasing construction expenses alongside restricted land availability and stringent zoning regulations. The Disney Aulani Built way back in 2011 The Big Picture: Why Developers Aren’t Building New Hotels - The state of Hawaii faces a scarcity of buildable land. As a result, authorities protect most available areas for their cultural importance, or developers avoid them due to prohibitive costs.- Construction expenses in Hawaii rank among the highest nationwide. Construction materials require shipping from other places. Additionally, labor costs remain high, while the permitting process also continues to be lengthy.- Developers steer clear of most available areas because high costs and cultural protections make building difficult. Combine that height limitations and strict environmental rules present significant barriers to new hotel approvals.- Local communities push back against new development. "This is largely due to concerns about overtourism and cultural disrespect, which in turn often lead to project delays or cancellations before they even begin. Risk vs. Reward For New Hotels in Hawaii Rebuilding from scratch often isn’t worth it. Hotels originally constructed in the 1970s and 1980s usually select renovations. This approach provides quicker results at a lower cost while avoiding controversies. Still, to this day, most hotels offer the same basic boxed rooms.. Most contain the same square footage even after the renovations. Here are some recent standouts: 1Hotel Princeville Kauai- Developers have extensively converted the former Princeville Resort into a luxury wellness resort. It emphasizes sustainable design and native landscaping elements. - The Royal Sonesta underwent renovations a couple of years ago—owners gave the property a facelift and remodeled all the rooms. Renaissance Honolulu Hotel and Spa Oahu- Hawaii Hospitality Group renovated the Ambassador Hotel Waikiki and the Romer House Waikiki, an adults-only, both of which offer affordability.- Hilton Hawaiian Village updated its renowned Rainbow Tower by preserving its mid-century design yet introducing modernized rooms and facilities.- The Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa is the latest addition near Ala Moana which delivers a modern upscale accommodation experience for both business and leisure visitors. Big Island- Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort stands today as one of Hawaii's most stunning beachfront properties. Following its reconstruction after a natural disaster destroyed the original structure.- Hapuna Beach Resort is currently in the midst of major renovations. They will match its design and standards with its sister property Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.- After pandemic restrictions eased, Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection transformed its focus towards luxury combined with cultural immersion experiences. Maui- The Fairmont Kea Lani underwent extensive changes to rooms , dining areas and public spaces. The result is one of the island’s most luxurious destinations that's perfect for couples and families.The Andaz Maui stands out as a newly constructed building. It replaced what used to be the Renaissance Hotel following extended demolition and redevelopment efforts. It's The property is now getting its second refresh since developers first built it. Fairmont Kea Lani Why New Hotels in Hawaii Matters TThis explains why you’re seeing your preferred hotel under renovation or charging higher rates. Despite modernization efforts in hotels,
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    13 mins
  • Getting Around Kauai – Princeville, Haena and Ke’e Beach

    Getting Around Kauai – Princeville, Haena and Ke’e Beach
    Mar 28 2025
    I haven't been to Kauai since they started the new shuttle service so I wanted to see first hand how getting around Kauai works using the service up on the North side of the island. . I became interested in testing out the new shuttle system, which was introduced to handle the growing number of visitors. Getting around Kauai - Why the Shuttle System Was Necessary The North Shore regions of Hanalei (remember the song Puff the Magic Dragon?) and Haena Point experienced extreme crowding. About 3,000 visitors arrived daily at this location, resulting in significant frustration for local residents and travelers. The location was unable to support such a high number of visitors, which makes getting around Kauai a lot easier. The North Shore regions of Hanalei and Haena Point experienced extreme crowding. About 3,000 visitors arrived daily at this location, resulting in significant frustration for local residents and travelers. The location was unable to support such a high number of visitors. This new reservation system limits the reservations to 900, a significant change for the good. Don’t Miss Limahuli Garden I recommend visiting Limahuli Garden if you have available time to experience its beautiful botanical displays featuring Hawaii's native plants. The gardens provide a brief tour of 20-25 minutes that works well between shuttle rides. The shuttle makes a stop at this location so passengers can disembark to explore before getting back on later. My Shuttle Experience and Hiking Trail Getting around Kauai on the North Shore Shuttle Bus The 12:40 pm shuttle slot was ideal for me because I intended to hike just a short section of the Hanakapiai Trail. The later time slot gave me a chance to take my time getting around Kauai up there, and I got there a little earlier, at about noon, so they accommodated me earlier. I completed a two-mile trek to the first lookout, which satisfied me for the day, although adventurous hikers can extend their journey to the beach. The shuttle service functions well and provides stress-free North Shore access at $40 per person for roundtrip travel. Pro Tip - Consider going later in the day. The afternoon visit allowed me to explore leisurely without any time pressure. Where to Catch the Shuttle Multiple stops along the route provide shuttle pickup options.- The Princeville Shopping Center is the best starting point for shuttle service if you’re staying in Princeville.- The primary pickup location for shuttles is Waipa Park & Ride, which sits just before Hanalei.- Explore the delightful country atmosphere at Wai‘oli Country Market which makes it worthwhile to visit.- Hanalei Colony Resort functions as an excellent shuttle stop that is simple to reach is you're staying in the condos there. The shuttle service concludes its route at Haena Beach Park which is situated close to the Hanakapiai trailhead leading to multiple scenic beaches. The trailhead is easy to find, with clear signs The view from the first lookout on the Hanakapai Trail Hanakapai Trail the start of the Kalalau Trail Family-Friendly Beaches and Activities The North Shore offers an abundance of beach choices for your day at the shore. Hanalei Beach is actually divided into three sections:- Black Pot Beach Park provides an ideal location for both family outings and picnic activities.- Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park offers ideal conditions for swimming and relaxation.- Wai‘oli Beach Park stands out as my top choice because of its casual atmosphere. **Pro Tip: You should arrive early at the beach if you want to park and spend time there. The reservation system now helps control traffic flow and crowd sizes. Consider Splitting Your Stay For a complete Kauai experience you should divide your stay between the North Shore and Poipu’s South Shore. The North Shore delivers a peaceful nature-oriented getaway while Poipu presents visitors with convenient access to fine dining,
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    13 mins
  • The Truth About Some 5 Star Hotels in Hawaii

    The Truth About Some 5 Star Hotels in Hawaii
    Mar 20 2025
    In today’s podcast, I'm taking a deep dive into the truth about 5 Star Hotels in Hawaii hotels in Hawaii and giving you my personal take on the realities of spending big bucks on your next Hawaii vacation. This episode will help you anticipate which resorts to choose and how to maximize your luxury Hawaiian vacation if you plan to invest in a high-end resort.What to Expect from a 5-Star Hotel Stay in Hawaii. The term "five-star hotel" creates an image of comprehensive luxury with exclusive waterfront bungalows. However, Hawaii operates differently. Top-tier resorts do not offer all-inclusive packages, which means guests must pay extra for meals and activities. Despite their high costs, ranging from $600 to over $14,000 per night, 5 Star Hotels in Hawaii provide excellent service along with prime locations and luxurious features, which validate their premium prices. I recommend travelers throttle back their expectations about what five-star hotels in Hawaii can deliver. While resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean aim to provide complete vacation experiences within their walls, Hawaii offers authentic experiences beyond hotel premises. Step outside your hotel to explore the Hawaiian islands while discovering beautiful landscapes and experiencing authentic local cuisine and Hawaiian culture. Staying exclusively at a resort inhibits your chance to experience the true essence of Hawaii. A major point to remember is that the "five-star" label on a hotel doesn’t guarantee value for money. Certain properties meet their luxury ratings, but others offer less value for their high prices. Before you book a five-star hotel, you should seek advice from an expert (like me!). Consulting with an expert will help you secure the most fulfilling hotel experience that matches your financial limits. 5 Star Hotels on Oahu Halekulani Orchid Suite Halekulani - This classic luxury hotel underwent recent renovations and delivers exceptional service alongside gourmet dining options and panoramic ocean views. Although the rooms display high-quality fixtures, beautifully done, top-notch furnishings, and the rooms (about 500 SF) are large, the interior upgrades enhanced the hotel, yet the public areas stayed unchanged, preserving the property's distinctive elegance. Guests can enjoy oceanfront views from this hotel but won’t find an actual beach immediately behind its property. The pool's small size is compensated by the excellent atmosphere and exceptional service. This upscale refined option falls short if your main concern is finding a property with a substantial beachfront space. At the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oahu The Royal Hawaiian - Pink Palace of the Pacific is a historic hotel that showcases much charm and character yet falls short of providing a genuine five-star experience. The resort enjoys a prime location on Waikiki Beach yet suffers from outdated rooms and overcrowding due to shared facilities with neighboring Sheraton. People searching for a luxury getaway should consider other options because this may not fulfill those expectations. The hotel maintains its nostalgic charm for guests seeking to experience a historic and iconic property. Espacio- This five-star experience at this location somewhat matches its remarkably high cost and is one of the best 5-star hotels in Hawaii. The rooms are huge, have their own private elevators, and if you have a family with a healthy budget, it’s probably the nicest accommodation on the Island of Oahu. Espacio provides spacious suites with personal butlers and rooftop infinity pools, which make it stand out as one of Waikiki’s top luxury accommodations. This location offers privacy and exclusivity for those who don’t mind the cost. Also, be aware that it’s overlooking the beach, but not on the beach and not obstructed by any buildings. I actually prefer this side of Waikiki and the beach there compared to hotels actually on the beach. Riz- Carlton Turtle Bay Resort
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    17 mins

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