Hawaii Vacation Connection

Hawaii has been a popular choice among leisure travelers ever since the advent of jet airlines in the mid-20th century, and it's easy to understand why. However, in the year 2024, Hawaii is poised to stand out as an exceptional destination. Maui, in particular, is diligently working towards the recovery of its tourism industry. This effort involves striking a delicate balance, emphasizing respect...

Drowning ranks as the fifth most common cause of fatal injuries among Hawaii residents, resulting in an annual average of nearly 40 deaths. Notably, drowning stands out as the sole injury cause, in which non-residents make up the majority of victims, accounting for 53% of cases. This inclusion of non-residents raises the average annual number of deaths to 83. From 2013 to 2017, Hawaii had the seco...

A lot has happened here in Hawaii in the last few years. I don’t have to remind you about COVID-19 and the wildfires, but one thing hasn’t changed, and that’s the beauty of the islands and their appeal as vacation destinations. One of the things we love to do here is share fun things to do and, hotel reviews, off-the-bean path spots, help visitors understand these islands, share Hawaii's Worst-Kep...

When thinking about a Hawaii vacation, it’s important to consider the type of traveler you are. Do you want to have an adventure? Are you looking just to chill out? Is this a special occasion, a once-in-a-lifetime experience?  Or maybe you don't know!  These are some of the questions I ask clients when planning their Hawaii vacations, and I am sometimes very surprised that some people have no idea...

If you've been considering a trip to Maui recently, you might be surprised by the steep prices you encounter. One would expect that with such high prices, Maui would have a thriving tourism industry, and supply and demand would naturally govern the current pricing. However, from my perspective, something seems amiss. Given the impact of the wildfires on visitor arrivals, one would anticipate a nat...

 Today, we're going to discuss Hawaii Bungalows and Villas. This question arises frequently, and today, I will clarify what these terms truly mean in the context of accommodations here in the Hawaiian Islands. Recently, a client called me and attempted to compare Hawaii to Bora Bora, which is like comparing apples and oranges. When you hear the terms Villa or Bungalow, certain images come to mind...

Kapaa (pronounced ka pah ah) is on the east side of the island of Kauai. In 1777 (Captain Cook’s time) the town was not populated, according to the book Rainbows Over Kapaa by Bill Fernandez. There is no mention of Kapaa, which means the solid”, in early Kauai history. In 1877, 13,400 acres were leased from the government by Makee Sugar Company. The venture failed because the operators had little...

On the last podcast, I talked about driving the Ka iwi coast, which prompted a couple of responses from you. Jason, who is a long-time listener, was curious about the hike I take, and I sent him the route; he’s gonna plug it into his iFit. I also heard from Trish, who asked me about car rental in Hawaii and if I have any advice, so we talked about that on today’s podcast. The best part of being in...

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I've lived in Hawaii for almost three decades, primarily in the southern part of the island in an area known as Hawaii Kai. If you're on Oahu, I highly recommend stopping in this community before heading along the coast.  This community is the gateway to Hawaii's most beautiful coastline; the Ka Iwi Coast, located approximately 15 miles south of Waikiki.  Getting there is an easy, short drive from...

The cost of a Hawaii vacation is one of the first questions when consulting clients about their trips. While Hawaii is known to be an expensive destination, proper planning can make a Hawaiian vacation affordable and achievable for most people who want to visit the islands. There are several factors to consider when budgeting, so it's a good idea to get a head start and plan at least eight months...

The Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America sails every Saturday from Honolulu. We recommend a pre-packaged land package to spend time on Oahu before the cruise. We provide a complete itinerary and expert excursion recommendations based on our 20 years of experience. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. var formDisplay=1;var nfForms=nfForms||[];var form=[];form.id='4';form.settings={"ob...

This week, I heard from a guest who was upset about having a Hawaii Cockroach encounter in his room. He sent me multiple photos of the pesky creatures and asked me to relocate him to another property. While I was happy to do that, the reality is Cockroaches in Hawaii are a part of the Hawaiian community, and chances are you might encounter a few during your stay, so please don't be alarmed. Even w...

Hawaii is often seen as a family destination, but what if you’re searching for the best resorts in Hawaii for couples? Couples love vacationing here for the same reasons that families do: there are no distractions (like gambling or bustling nightlife), there are great all-ages activities, and there’s a distinct cultural charm that sets it apart from other destinations.  However, you may struggle t...

Aloha Bruce takes a deep dive into finding a Hawaii kids club for families planning a Hawaii vacation. Bruce begins with a news update about Governor Josh Green’s proposal to impose a $50 fee per visitor coming to Hawaii. Bruce notes that it may be illegal and says Green is tying it to the recent devastating Maui wildfires as an impact climate fee. “I don’t think that will go over very well!” Bruc...

Aloha Bruce Fisher shares the benefits of Hawaii vacation bundling. He Shares “why more is better” on this latest episode of the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. Bruce starts out with an update on the situation in the aftermath of the devastating and deadly Maui wildfires. Governor Josh Green has announced that West Maui will be reopened on October 8th. “I think that’s a good thing,” Bruce says...

Aloha Bruce gets into the important topic of rethinking your Maui Vacation After Wildfires destroyed Lahaina . First, Bruce discusses Oahu beach closures due to poor water quality and high bacteria counts. “The closures are very precautionary,” he says. The Hawaii Department of Health website states that they issued many water quality advisories in August 2023. Bruce recommends staying out of the...

Aloha Bruce provides important information about the Maui wildfires that have burned Historic Lahaina Town to the ground and continue to burn in multiple areas on the Valley Isle. Bruce says straight away to come to Hawaii, “just not to Maui”, on this Saturday, August 12, 2023, episode of the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. Current Situation Bruce gives details about current conditions in Maui...

Aloha Bruce Fisher offers his take on unique Hawaii experiences on this new Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast after a brief update on the devastation of Maui wildfires. He notes that the Hyatt Regency Maui has been a hub of relief efforts in West Maui. “Tourism is kind of on hold,” Bruce says of efforts to house displaced residents, families, and disaster relief personnel. He breaks down the conf...

Aloha Bruce is in the studio to talk about Hawaii travel troubles visitors may encounter on this latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. He offers some helpful, expert advise about how to handle any disruptions that may crop up during a Hawaii vacation. Bruce begins with a discussion about the high cost for three rooms in a 4-Star  property for a family from the East Coast, coming in at over $8...

On this week's podcast I talk about some Etiquette Tips for Hawaii. As you plan your visit to the beautiful islands, it's essential to respect the local culture and etiquette to enjoy a truly authentic and respectful Hawaiian experience. First, a word about Hawaiian identity: The term "Hawaiian" is reserved for individuals of Native Hawaiian descent. If you're chatting with locals and aren't certa...

The recent stir that Tropical Storm Calvin caused in Hawaii prompts Aloha Bruce to discuss weather in Hawaii on this latest Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. Should you be concerned about severe weather that is forecasted during your Hawaii vacation? Bruce has just returned from a quick work trip to Kauai and he offers some keen insight into a “budget hotel” stay on the Garden Isle. Bruce’s asse...

Aloha Bruce has some essential pro tips for choosing where to stay in Hawaii for this latest episode of the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. From the different islands in general to specific parts of each island, Bruce breaks it down with expert local knowledge and his easygoing style. Bruce starts off with some thoughts about the approaching weather system that is currently known as Hurricane...

On today’s podcast, I’m making a case for Hawaii as the world’s premier family vacation spot. This means we also need to consider the best family resorts in Hawaii.  What sets Hawaii apart from other popular destinations, such as Mexico or the Caribbean, is its lack of the typical distractions like casinos and bustling nightlife. There also aren’t any all-inclusive options in Hawaii. Plus, you lik...

Host Aloha Bruce Fisher is offering some solid advice on avoiding common Hawaii vacation mistakes on this newest episode of the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. Simple slip-ups can put an unnecessary damper on an otherwise wonderful Hawaii Vacation. Bruce mentions the Juneteenth holiday and offers his best wishes for all of the dads out there on this Fathers Day 2023. First up, Bruce gives some...