Hawaii greets visitors with a hearty "aloha" and flowered necklaces called leis upon arrival. United Airlines flies directly there from Chicago. While the flight is more than eight hours, as long as the passenger is prepared it's not a problem. One suggestion is to eat before the ride or bring a snack on the plane. Small morsels are offered for purchase also after boarding on United Airlines for this trip.
The Modern Honolulu Hotel has an over four-star rating with breathtaking views and heated saltwater pool. Hidden behind a bookcase in the lobby like a grown up Clue game is the bar area. Fireworks explode every night and frozen coconut mojito really cools off the tourists in their lounge. It is a little off the beaten path and doesn't offer a private beach but the service and valet are top notch.
Start off the day early by visiting the fish auction, located on Pier 38, to see where local restaurants bid on their favorite member of the ocean. Bring a jacket because everything is stored in a walk-in refrigerator. The fishermen arrive at 1 a.m. to prepare the proceedings and don't stop until it is all sold with opening bids beginning at 5 a.m. Culinary classes are offered onsite with tuna and swordfish being very popular.
Next door is Nico's with an excellent fish and eggs breakfast. Don't forget to try that tartar sauce along with it.
The West Oahu Farms is a complete learning experience where farmers are students who have their tuition paid for by while learning about the environment. Whole Foods are among other vendors purchasing their food fresh from this farm.
The Naked Cow Dairy is where milking and pounding out butter is everyday life. Pickles the cow works overtime as there is a huge demand for fresh cream. With garlic and coconut butter it's easy to see why this business is booming with local sisters as owners.
The first Hawaii Food & Wine Festival kicked off with celebrity chefs such as Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and table after table of samples for the crowds to try. Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's Restaurant began the festival with a quick speech. Attendees enjoyed the festival over the entire weekend as it moved to various locations while raising money for charity. Check back on their website www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com as it promises to be even bigger and better next year.
Jared Leto's band Thirty Seconds to Mars rocked it that same evening at the Aloha Tower Water Front. This was not typical local reggae music and the fans loved it when Jared brought a few onlookers onstage.
The next morning the He'eia Fishpond proved a worthy excursion with a 700-year old taro field garden. Tourists can learn about how the fish are herded into the crystal clear water then try some poke, or sliced raw fish, at a build your own buffet.
"Eat the Street" is a big block party of lunch wagons where the community gathers monthly to try samples. Everyone loved the OnoPops with their frozen chili pepper jam swirl or another popular dessert was the Fairy Cakes baked from scratch.
Hot spots at night can be found everywhere in Honolulu with karaoke offered on almost every block. Hula's Bar and Lei Stand had a nice mix of go-go boys, a pool table and live hula show with fun drinks. After Wang Chung's was incredibly small but full of friendly locals to sing a song with no judgment involved.
Every Saturday the Kapiolani Community College Farmers' Market brings local growers together for over 50 booths with everything from pizza to sea asparagus.
Disney just opened the Aulani Resort with an amazing spa on the beach. The service is top notch as expected from the Mouse.
If a tourist wants to get away from the chain restaurants try the Rainbow Drive-In. For over 49 years this joint has served plate lunches to such big names as Shaquille O'Neal and Barack Obama. For its 50th anniversary they will roll back prices to 25-cent hamburgers to celebrate.
If chips are your favorite snack Kilauea Fire bbq sauce should hit the spot with homemade taro chips and sauce inspired by the lava of a volcano.
For recreation after eating, O'ahu is home to more than 125 beaches so try snorkeling, surfing or stand up paddle boarding. Take a class at the Hans Hedemann Surf School and the instructors will keep you safe while taking pictures to capture the moment.
Chef Mavro is the place to dine after that paddling workout with a AAA five diamond signature restaurant. With a mix of French and seafood courses, selections range from grilled diver scallop grenobloise to a caviar flight.
Each island has its own personality. It's a short flight on Hawaiian Airlines to Maui. Being the second largest of the island, Maui. Whale watching and rainfall are common in Maui.
The Fairmont Kea Lani is elegant as part of Polo Beach. The pools alone are impressive with an adult pool next to the bar. Have a massage on the beach in a private cabana or ride in a canoe on the waves. Ko restaurant is located inside the Fairmont and with the help of Chef Pang has out of this world cuisine. With a multi-million dollar renovation the new Ko will be open for lunch and dinner in February.
Don't miss a party to see the sunset as Ali'I Nui Sailing takes a cruise complete with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres making it a relaxing water getaway.
On the other side of the island is Hana, a forest paradise that is difficult to travel to but well worth it. The traveler needs to take their time on the road to Hana. Hiking and waterfalls can break up the sometimes single-lane drive to the resort Travaasa Hana. With daily spa treatments, meals included and ocean front cottages the tedious trip is quickly forgotten. This really is more than a resort but a compound where technology and loud children are a thing of the past. Travelers can surrender to a vacation that is worth the trip to escape typical civilization.
With winter quickly approaching this is the time to book a trip to one or more of the islands today.
Visit www.gohawaii.com for ideas from this adventure and more. See more pics online at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com .