TNT NewsHawaii® is an ongoing monthly newsletter we send to people like you who visit our website and request information about Hawaii. The newsletter is just one way we hope to keep you connected with Hawaii before and after your visits to the islands.
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For readers of this newsletter only – find great discounts and other cost saving packages from major travel providers. Just look for the words “TNT Special.”
* Coming Events (see below)
Discover exciting upcoming events on Kauai, Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu.
* Best (Hidden) Places Hawaii (see below)
Find your way to the special places in Hawaii that other visitors may miss.
* Taste of Hawaii Recipe (see below)
Try a mouthwatering Hawaiian recipe from one of the most-renowned chefs in the islands.
* Travel Tips (see below)
Hawaii is so unique that it even has its own time zone. Enjoy the latest pointer from our collection of travel ideas to enhance your Hawaiian vacation.
* Ask the Big Kahuna (see below)
Find answers to questions from travelers. Submit a question for the Big Kahuna to answer in a future issue.
Kauai
March 15, 2003
ANNUAL FAMILY OCEAN FAIR
The Annual Family Ocean Fair offers fun for all ages with free activities designed to enhance the appreciation of Hawaii’s precious marine life. This event, held at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, provides an exciting day of live entertainment, lectures, games, food, hands-on demonstrations, projects, displays and exhibits. Off site parking and a shuttle service to the fairgrounds will be provided at no charge. Admission is free!
Maui
March 15 and 16, 2003
OCEAN ARTS FEST IN LAHAINA
Lahaina celebrates humpback whales with a Marine Arts Festival at Banyan Tree Park . Local artists display their best ocean and marine-life themed art for sale; Hawaiian musicians and hula troupes entertain. Kids learn & have fun with art activities, games and Creature Feature exhibit in the Visitor Center — all free.
Big Island of Hawaii
March 14 – 16, 2003
4TH ANNUAL TAHITI FÊTE OF HILO
An exciting and electrifying event at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium near the Hilo Airport, featuring dazzling performances by Tahitian and Polynesian dance and music companies from all over Hawaii, the mainland USA, Japan, Tahiti and Mexico. Polynesian craft vendors and local foods complete this colorful weekend. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the box office on the day of the event.
Oahu/Waikiki
March 14 – 16, 2003
9TH ANNUAL HONOLULU FESTIVAL
Hawaii’s premier event promoting cultural understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. The 2003 Festival kicks off at Honolulu Hale, and will feature a variety of events at different Oahu venues. The Festival will culminate with a grand parade down Kalakaua Avenue on March 16.
For contact details and a complete annual calendar of events by month for each of the Hawaiian Islands, visit our online Events Calendar.
TNT SPECIAL: Take advantage of double the free nights on Maui with Pleasant’s new “Take Off Tuesday” winter promotion. For travel now through March 25, 2003, depart from Los Angeles or San Francisco on Tuesday for seven nights on Maui and you’ll enjoy TWO FREE NIGHTS! Seven night packages start at just $559, so contact your professional travel agent or call 1-800-742-9244
Request TNT Special Value Offer – Email Direct Now!®
For more information and reservations, contact your professional travel agent or click below to visit Pleasant online.
Contact: Reservations
Toll Free: 1-800-742-9244
Pleasant Holidays Website: https://www.pleasantholidays.com
TNT SPECIAL: 10% discount when you mention Best Places Hawaii for all rentals arriving in May, September and October, most homes have 5 night minimum.
Request TNT Special Value Offer – Email Direct Now!®
Marketing upscale vacation rental homes on Oahu.
Contact: Eva Ogawa
Toll Free: 800-891-4809
Paradise Hideaways LLC Website: https://www.paradisehide.com
The Blue Room, Inside Kauai’s North Shore Cave
Located in the upper wet cave near Ha`ena, shortly before the end of the road on Kauai’s north shore, is a phenomenon unknown even to most locals. It’s called the Blue Room. It’s a separate chamber where light, filtered through the cold, fresh water, turns everything blue. Accessing it requires swimming in the cold cave water to the back of the cave, going through a triangular shaped opening and swimming about 10 feet to your left until you enter the chamber. Once inside, there’s barely anything to hold onto, so you will probably have to tread water until your eyes adjust. The chamber is about 7-8 feet in diameter and 5-6 feet overhead.
To get there, park on the lot on the ocean side of the highway 2/10 mile before the end of the road at Ke`e. There is a short trail up to the wet cave on the mauka (mountain) side. Be careful walking down into the cave; it’s slippery.
The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed, p. 185
TNT SPECIAL: Two free roundtrip airfares from anywhere in the United States for selected dates ($1,500 limit) with a one week booking. For guests not desiring airfare, two complimentary nights will be offered when 5 are rented consecutively. Inquire regarding additional discounts and ammenities including two free lakeside massages or Hawaiian healing treatments.
Request TNT Special Value Offer – Email Direct Now!®
Kilauea Lakeside Estate is a luxurious, gated, private, 5 acre waterfront retreat. A secluded tropical playground, with private beach and stream, surrounded by botanical gardens and 20 acre lake. Swimming, kayaking, fishing and golf on the property. Custom three bedroom main facility with all amenities.
Contact: Steve Hunt
Phone: 310-379-7842
Kilauea Lakeside Estate Website: https://www.kauaihoneymoon.com
TNT SPECIAL: Book 2 days of 2 tank boat or shore dives and receive a “FREE” Dive Kauai
Scuba Center logo T shirt. Not vaild with any other offer. Good for direct
booking only. Expires June 30, 2003
Request TNT Special Value Offer – Email Direct Now!®
Dive Kauai Scuba Center is Kauai’s exclusive PADI Gold Palm Instructor
Development Dive Center offering daily Boat dives, Shore dives and all
levels of PADI Diving Certifications including 1st time Discover Scuba
Diving experiences. Sales, rentals, service.
Contact: Michael Gough
Toll Free: 1-800-828-3483
Phone: 808-822-0452
Dive Kauai Scuba Center Website: https://www.divekauai.com
Panang Seafood Curry
Courtesy of FRANK KE, JR
Royal Kona Resort
Seared Ahi and Red Tobiko Sauce
5 T red curry paste
2 C sugar
2 jars peanut butter (32 oz jar)
10 cans coconut milk
1/2 gal water
2 C fish sauce (patis)
salt to taste
15 pc each, carrots and potatoes
10 pc round onions
5 pc broccoli
1 lb cilantro
5 lb mixed assorted seafood
(your choice)
5 lb rice noodles
Combine first 6 ingredients on medium heat. Heat till all incorporated;
simmer for 10 minutes. Blanch vegetables separately, add to sauce, and
simmer for 5 minutes with seafood mix. Blanch noodles just before
serving. Pour curry over a bed of rice noodles. Yield: 50 portions.
Courtesy of Taste of Hawaii®, the Ultimate Sunday Brunch.
TNT SPECIAL: 10% Discount when you mention Best Places Hawaii.
Request TNT Special Value Offer – Email Direct Now!®
Capt. Sundown Departs Hanalei daily (except Sundays) taking 15 passengers along the Napali Coast. Join him for real sailing on a 40 foot Catamaran. Enjoy snorkeling whalewatching and just plain fun.
Contact: Bob or Stephanie
Phone: 808-826-5585
Capt. Sundown Catamaran Sailing Website: https://www.captainsundown.com
TNT SPECIAL: Five dollars off every night.
Request TNT Special Value Offer – Email Direct Now!®
Deep in the lush Kauai rainforest is a ten acre tropical paradise known as Plantation Retreat. Secluded jungle cottages overlook a rushing river with private swimming holes, rope swings, waterfall, caves and hiking trails. All cottages include a fully equipped kitchen, TV/VCR with free movies, queen beds, gas BBQ, stereo, and a lanai with gorgeous views. Also for guests only, is a state-of-the-art Jacuzzi, diving cliffs, bicycles, boogie boards, fresh fruit trees, a guided tour and plenty of hammocks swaying on ripe coconut palms.
Contact: Jim or Becky
Phone: 808-822-7832
Plantation Retreat Website: https://www.PlantationRetreat.com
- Round trip air travel from the continental U.S.
- Flower lei greeting
- 8 days/7 nights stay
- Use of a rental car
- Candlelight dinner
- Package of romantic tropical isle specials!
It’s free and easy to enter and win – just click “Love Stories of Hawaii” Contest! Sponsored by Pleasant Holidays & Idea Travel.
Hawaii Gear: Secrets Only the Locals Know (till now)
Hiking poles are a third leg and you’ll need one…Bring a waterproof shell jacket…Spitting in your swim mask will clear fog…Muddy puddles make for great dye-your-own red dirt shirt dunking…It’s cheaper to rent snorkeling gear for a few days, cheaper to buy for a week or more…It’s cheaper to rent a bicycle for a couple days, cheaper to ship if biking for more than that…You can rent a bike rack for the rental car…Or hang the bikes out the trunk..It’s cheaper to rent kayaks and surfboards…Call rental places first to make sure expert advice comes with the rental…When mountain hiking, bring a plastic bag to put your shoes in after hike…Clothes are gear: No nudity on any Hawaiian beach…Attend to skin with antibacterial and fungicide: Everything grows here…Carry water, but if you don’t use a water pump, use iodine to go along with the filter…Most-common island footwear: bare feet…Bring lightweight hiking shoes that you can hose off.
These Travel Tips are courtesy of Jerry & Janine Sprout, Kauai Trailblazer, at https://www.bestbookshawaii.com/#book.
Submit your Travel Tips to [email protected].
TNT SPECIAL: Kauai Travel Value Pack: Includes a collection of the best Kauai travel publications valued at $39.45. Yours — delivered priority — for just $21.95!
Request TNT Special Value Offer – Email Direct Now!®
The Kauai Travel Value Pack includes a copy of the most recent edition of Kauai Magazine ($8.25 value), plus the latest Kauai Databook & Newcomers Guide ($19.75 value), plus a copy of the Millennium Edition of Inside Kauai Magazine ($8.25 value), plus a FREE Kauai Fold Out Map, plus a FREE Kauai Real Estate Magazine, plus a FREE 32-page full color Poipu Beach Guide.
A $39.45 value for just $21.95 (includes priority mail/handling).
Contact: H & S Publishing
Toll Free: 800-835-0583
H&S Publishing Website: https://www.bestbookshawaii.com/#travel_pack
Dear Big Kahuna,
Hey, Big Kahuna,
We’re big fish-eatin folks from Montana. We’re coming to Hawaii and bringin our stomachs. Can you tell us the best tasting eatin fish in Hawaii?
Big Boy
Big Sky, Montana
Aloha, Mr. Big Boy,
Like many things, the best tasting fish is in the mouth of the diner. Here’s a list of fish in Hawaii you may wish to savor:
ISLAND FISH/SEAFOOD
Ahi-Tuna; raw in sashimi or poke, also seared, blackened, baked or grilled; good in fish sandwiches. Try painting ahi steaks with mayonnaise, which completely burns off when BBQ ‘d but seals in the moisture. Generally most plentiful April through September.
Hapu’upu’u-A grouper not usually available during the summer; best served baked or steamed.
Kona Crab-An elusive sand burrowing crabthat can reach 8″ and can only be caught by baited nets and traps.
Lobster-Hawaiian spiny lobster is quite good; also called “bugs” by lobster hunters.
Mahimahi-Deep ocean fish also known as a dolphinfish; very common in restaurants.
Marlin-Tasty when smoked, otherwise can be tough; the Pacific Blue Marlin (kajiki) is available almost year round.
Monchong-Excellent tasting deepwater fish, available year round. Usually served marinated and grilled.
Onaga-Also known as a ruby snapper; excellent eating in many preparations.
Ono-(Wahoo); awesomeeating fish and can be prepared many ways; most plentiful May through October. Ono is also the Hawaiian word for delicious.
Opah-(Moonfish); excellent eating in many different preparations; generally available April through August.
‘Opakapaka-(Crimson snapper); great tasting fish generally cooked several ways. Common Oct.-Feb.
‘Opihi-Using a specialized knife, these must be pried off rocks at the shore-line, which can be hazardous. Best eaten raw mixed with salt.
Poke-Fresh raw fish or octopus mixed with seaweed (limu), sesame seed and other seasonings and oil.
Shutome-Swordfish; dense meat that can be cooked several ways. Most plentiful March through July.
Shrimp-Kekaha shrimp or prawns are farm raised on Kaua’i and are excellent.
Happy dining!
Aloha,
Big Kahuna
Do you have a question for the Big Kahuna?
Just email your questions to the Big Kahuna.
Due to the great number of questions asked, the Big Kahuna is unable to answer all personally. Questions of general interest will be answered in future issues of this newsletter, usually one per issue. In the meantime, we invite you to explore www.bestplaceshawaii.com.
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TNT NewsHawaii® is not meant to replace the specific information you receive from accommodations, activities, and other companies at the time of your initial Vacation Information Request. We hope you find the newsletter to be fun and useful for making future plans for visiting Hawaii.