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.

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. 

A Serene March Sunset in Waikiki

Beautiful view from a balcony at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel - Waikiki

March delivers very beautiful sunsets in Waikiki. Always make the time to enjoy the beauty that nature creates. Set your mind free from all the craziness that is going on in the world and focus on those beautiful moments in time. 

Merry Christmas from Hawaii - 2019

The Sheraton Waikiki continues the Christmas tradition of displaying a Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus sand sculpture in the hotel lobby every year. If you are in Waikiki make some time to pose with the sculpture to capture a nice Christmas pic. 

Mele Kalikimaka means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian.

Sheraton Waikiki - Lobby 

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

Liquid Glass courtesy of the King Tides

Summer has arrived so get outside and watch the ocean and sun put on a show. I was able to catch a snapshot of a wave smashing into a sea wall on a day when it was a King Tide day.

Queen's Surf Beach
Waikiki

The 2016 Christmas Season Has Arrived in Hawaii

The Sheraton Waikiki has a tradition of displaying a Santa & Mrs. Santa sand sculpture in the hotel lobby every year to welcome in the Christmas season. If you are in Waikiki take a snapshot with the sand sculpture.

Mele Kalikimaka! 
Merry Christmas in Hawaiian.

Sheraton Waikiki - Lobby 

 

The Waikiki November Sunset

Just sitting on a bench taking in the view

A calm Friday afternoon in Waikiki sitting on a bench watching the sun make its descent into the Pacific Ocean is a beautiful experience.

Queen's Surf Beach

Nature is an artist 

The golden sunset is so beautiful when it interacts with the ocean and clouds.

Queen's Surf Beach

Sundown silhouettes 

Just a beautiful sight to watch sailboats grace the calm Pacific Ocean as the day comes to an end to welcome in the evening.  

Queen's Surf Beach

The Honolulu Cookie Company

The Honolulu Cookie Company makes the most delicious premium shortbread cookies in the shape of a pineapple. There is a wide assortment of flavors to select from. They are known for their cookies dipped in various flavors of chocolate and their seasonal special cookies.    

When you are in Waikiki visit the Honolulu Cookie Company at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach location and be greeted and helped by some very nice sales associates. You will walk in without a bag and walk out with a bag full of cookies. Once you try the samples you will find your favorites and buy some to bring back home from your vacation.

These cookies are prefect for wedding and birthday favors. They make great gifts for any occasion. No occasion then treat yourself to some scrumptious cookies because you deserve it. The locals love these cookies too.

I have visited various locations and you will always get a warm friendly greeting and great customer service when you visit their store.

Warning these cookies are addictive.

They have more locations to visit: http://www.honolulucookie.com/store-locations

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
2335 Kalakaua Ave #L-102
Honolulu, HI 96815
Ph: 808-922-4818
Fax: 808-922-4851
Mon-Sun 8am-11pm

Always filled with customers.

The Christmas Season Is Here

The Sheraton Waikiki has a Santa & Mrs. Santa sand sculpture in the hotel lobby. Don't forget to strike a pose and get a snapshot with the sand sculpture if you are in Waikiki. The little helpers are Menehunes taking a selfie.

Mele Kalikimaka!

Mele Kalikimaka means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian

Good Bye October

October was a flash. Where did the time go? It's November already.

Some nice pictures to say farewell to October on Halloween. I'll see you next year October.

Sunset at the Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon.

The Moana Surfrider lobby.

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.

Happy Hour at Harbor Pub

Check out Harbor Pub for Happy Hour from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM daily including the weekends. I recommend this place to relax and have a good time. Enjoy the drinks and food. The staff is awesome there, they will make you feel at home. 

Harbor Pub & Pizza - located at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor & Marina 

Open Monday through Sunday from 7AM to 2AM.

1765 Ala Moana Blvd. #1, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

http://www.harborpubhawaii.com

(808) 941-0985 

Mai Tai and Nachos Grande

                                                                                 

October sunsets in Hawaii

October sunsets are pretty spectacular on the island of Oahu as you watch the sun slowly set into the Pacific Ocean. The sky is lit up with radiant colors. We say Aloha to another day as we get ready to welcome nightfall. 

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. 

Lei greeters that prey on tourist in Waikiki

Be on guard for lei greeters on the sidewalk or beach near the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Hale Koa Hotel. They are attempting to give an impression that they are giving out free leis. That is not the case after they place the lei on the happy visitor. What happens next is a fund raising story to get you to dish out some serious donation cash. They are ripping you off if you buy the lei.

This picture ilistrates a brother and sister that tought they were getting a free lei from the young girls. What they got was disappointment as they walked away not paying the rip off price for the lei. These poor kids will take home a tarnished vacation memory of Hawaii.

Breakfast for Dinner at Waikiki Beach Eggspress

Sometimes you want to have breakfast for lunch or dinner. Waikiki Beach Eggspress is my favorite place to have corned beef hash and eggs. The food is great there. You need to check this place out because they have more delicious Items on their menu. The staff are very friendly and will make you feel at home.

Convenient Waikiki location in the lobby of the Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel:

2464 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu Hawaii 96815

Phone＆Fax: (808) 926-EGGS (3447)

Hours: Open Daily ／6:00am to  2:00pm

                                  4:00pm to 10:00pm

Website: https://www.eggsnthings.com

　　　　　　　　　　

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs with potatoes.

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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