Just Sail Into The Sunset

Sailboats chase the sun as it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Just another awesome January sunset. 

View from Magic Island (Oahu)

The Waikiki Lights Are On Again

View from Queens Surf

The lights are back on in Waikiki with hope that they remain on as the state navigates the management of Covid-19. There are still many restrictions in place that keep changing.

If you are planning on visiting Hawaii you should do your homework on Hawaii before making your travel plans so you are aware of the current regulations in place. Be prepared for your visit so you can have a memorable vacation.

The Beautiful Hawaii Sunset in July

Nature doesn't care what's going on in the world. Nature is an artist who delivers some beautiful sunsets to view. Every moment in time that goes by you witness a new view. 

I like to make an effort to capture beautiful moments in time that nature delivers. I'm just a romantic that loves sunsets. For a few minutes, you can be mesmerized by the beauty of our world.

Ala Moana Beach Park - Honolulu

Is the Aloha State going down for the count with COVID-19?

Waikiki waiting to welcome visitors back

The countdown to August 2020 to reopen The Aloha State to visitors is in jeopardy with the rise in daily COVID-19 cases. Hawaii was doing very good prior  to July. The carefully staged reopening of the businesses and parks is now yielding some undesirable results with a spike in COVID-19 cases in the state.

Everyone did their part during the shelter in place period to have a low number of COVID-19 cases. It's now July and it looks like people are letting there guard down trying to live like COVID-19 does not exist anymore. I witness a lack of urgency to contain the virus daily when I see irresponsible individuals behaving like someone gave them the all-clear message that COVID-19 is gone.

The State really needs to open up to allow visitors to resume their vacations in the Aloha State, but it could come with a cost of sickness and deaths to bring in revenue to help re-boot a state in dire straits.

The plan to allow visitors to skip the current 14-DAY quarantine law is in jeopardy due to a lack of a clear plan that needs to be in place on August 1st. Everyone needs to be on the same page on how this plan will work. The plan is to have out of state visitors tested 72 hours at a site approved by the Hawaii State Department of Health and provide evidence of negative results upon arrival in Hawaii to skip the 14-day quarantine. This plan is not foolproof. What will happen when some visitors fall through the cracks and bring in COVID-19 and spreads it all around? Is Hawaii able to meet the demands of additional healthcare for visitors with the current spike in resident's healthcare?

By the way, the visitors are responsible for the cost of the testing. That will be an additional cost for their vacation, but a choice many will opt for. States on the mainland are currently seeing a big spike in COVID-19 cases. Is it too early or overdue to open the Aloha State? 

Many questions are awaiting answers with solid action plans while the clock is ticking with the State of Hawaii on the mat after receiving a deadly COVID-19 knock-out punch in the head causing massive hemorrhaging to it's Banana Republic economy that depends heavily on tourism to fund the state.

The Aloha State - Closed (Covid-19)

Waikiki - Covid-19

Waikiki hotels are dark, with hope and optimism that better days are ahead in the Aloha State. The state imposed a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving into the state. All visitors need to stay put in their hotels for 14 days and residents staying put in their homes for 14-days. Break the quarantine and you will be fined and arrested with jail time. Vistors that have been arrested have been sent home to avoid jail time. The 14-day quarantine is scheduled to end on July 31st, 2020.

The state is slowly re-opening now with a majority of hotels opting to keep their doors closed until the 14-day quarantine is lifted. The business that depends on tourism is hurting bad. The 14-day quarantine can be extended past July if the Governor feels that the state is not ready yet to handle a large volume of visitors that could infect the state. 

Hawaii is counting the days to welcome back visitors. Right now the state prefers visitors to postpone their visit until the pandemic is under control. 

Summer has arrived in the Aloha State

Summer 2019 has arrived. 

I'm so blessed to live in a place that many visitors spend their precious vacation time $$$$ to visit. I don't take this paradise for granted. I play tourist all the time by taking in the beauty of Hawaii.

If you are planning a summer vacation make it a Hawaii vacation and enjoy the beautiful beaches and fresh air.

Now for Hawaii locals, you need to get outside and enjoy your beautiful state. 

The view from the balcony of the Miyako Japanese Restaurant at The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel
Oahu - Waikiki

Get Outside it's Summer Time in Hawaii

Enjoy the hot summer days with the extended daylight. It's hot out there reaching the low to mid 90 degrees in fahrenheit so do put on some sunscreen lotion to protect your skin. For Hawaii standards anything over 89 degrees fahrenheit is hot. 

I remember a conversation with a good friend that I worked with about having a good day at work. I said if the sun is still up when you leave work it was a good day. I'm an Information Technology professional so you have those days that you leave work and the moon is shining on you. 

I live in Hawaii and I don't take this beauty for granted. I'm blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. 

Visit Hawaii and experience this beauty in person and make some priceless awesome memories with your loved ones. If you live in Hawaii what are you waiting for? Get out there! 

Hilton Hawaiian Village

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

Hilton Hawaiian Village

The Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

I recommend planning a vacation with your family at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. 

The Hotel has shops and restaurants to name a few of the amenities. It's beachfront so you are steps away from the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

I took this beautiful October sunset picture just yards away from the Outrigger Reef.

Go back in time at the Moana Surfrider in Waikiki

I recommend the famous historic Moana Surfrider to book your stay in Waikiki. When you arrive at the Moana also known as the First Lady of Waikiki you you will feel like you traveled back in time to 1901 when it opened its doors to guests.

The hotel has European style architecture as seen in the photo I took of the main entry lobby that has been preserved through time.

The Moana is located in the heart of Waikiki.

Hotels in Waikiki that I recommend

I woud like to recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village or Outrigger Reef Waikiki to book your stay in Waikiki. They both are nice places to stay at. There are many more nice hotels in Waikiki to stay at that I will recommend later.

I took this photo on the beach between the Outrigger Reef Waikiki and Hilton Hawaiian Village. You will be so close to beach access. Watch some of the most spectacular sunsets with a front row view. 

Plan your Hawaii Vacation

I took this picture on an evening walk in Waikiki. This is what it looks like after the sun goes down. So peaceful to just relax and watch the sky change colors.

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Romantic Hawaii Getaway at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

One of my favorite hangouts is the Hilton Hawaiian Village. You can go for a walk along the beach to have a front row view of spectacular sunsets. Watch fireworks every Friday night. 

Relax at night and cool down by the pool with a Mai Tai.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is located in a prime area of Waikiki. It's a mini city with everything that you need in walking distance. Restaurants, shops, bars, and more.

If your looking for a place to recharge and just hangout this is the place.

Relax at night poolside 

 Stunning sunsets

The Unemployed and Politicians

Over a million of long term unemployed Americans ran out of extended unemployment benefits on December 28, 2013. Can you imagine the stress of not having a job and losing a paycheck to support your family.

Vacation time for Congress, Senate and a warm 17 day Hawaii vacation for the President. All the finger pointing needs to be put aside to work for the people in need. How can anyone with a conscious go on vacation and have a good time when millions of Americans have no income to live on.

I have to concede that we have some people that just want a free check as long as they can milk it out. What about the legitimate people who depend on a check to provide for their family.

Our President is setting a bad example by going on an exotic vacation in these troubled times. The First Lady did not fly back with the family on January 4. Why? The President gave her a Birthday present of some extra time in Hawaii to celebrate and spend time with her friends. Mrs. Obama turns 50 on January 17th. What a lavish gift at an estimated cost of $800,000 to pickup her up and fly her back. Factor in the additional cost to provide protection for her. Well wouldn't you give that gift to a loved one if the taxpayers pay for it.

We all should be entitled to vacations if we can afford it and don't abandon responsibilities. In the case of the President it was in bad taste to vacation in Hawaii when so many Americans are unemployed trying not to become homeless. A slap in the face is Mrs. Obama extended Hawaii vacation. The President could have improved his image by leading by example by canceling the Hawaii vacation to make a point to Congress and the Senate. Staying in Washington DC until the extended unemployment benefits bill passed would have sent a message to Congress and the Senate to stop thinking of themselves and take care of your fellow Americans in their time of need.