Ah, isn’t it nice to know we have a nice long Memorial Day weekend ahead of us? Before we take off for the weekend, let’s look at these Hawaii vacation news nuggets.
* Dr. Stephen Letterman (a.k.a. Dr. Beach) issues his annual list of top US beaches before Memorial Day weekend each year. Hawaii beaches claim two spots on the beach guru’s top 10 list including the number one spot. Dr. Letterman placed Kauai’s Hanalei Bay in the number one spot for 2009. Hamoa Beach, on Maui, claimed the fifth best spot this year. Dr. Letterman bases his annual ratings on fifty criteria that evaluate everything from sand and water quality to facilities and environmental management.
* Hilton Hawaiian Village is offering a new Friday night poolside show called Rockin’ Hawaiian Rainbow Revue. The show provides a nostalgic review of music that made Hawaii famous. Tickets for this 45-minute show cost $15 and you can purchase them up starting at 6:15pm on Friday nights. The show begins at 7:00pm and is followed by the Friday night fireworks display.
* On Kauai, Island Helicopters is offering a new tour that includes a landing at the 400-foot Manawaiopuna Falls — a waterfall featured in the movie Jurassic Park. In addition to the stop at the waterfall, this 90-minute tour covers the entire island. It’s not cheap, though, at $349 per person. (Before you book any helicopter tour, make sure you review my tips for choosing a helicopter tour in Hawaii.)
* Make plans to watch Samantha Brown’s show on the Travel Channel this Saturday, May 23. She’s headed to Hawaii’s Big Island. Here’s a link to take a sneak peek of what she’ll be seeing and doing.
Happy Aloha Friday and Memorial Day Weekend.
Sheila Beal
Andy Beal
4 comments
Re: Dr Beaches 10 Best Beaches
Dr Beach excludes previous winners, so what he’s really listing now is the 10 best also ran beaches.
He has to, otherwise Hawaii would win every year!
David
I agree with the first David. 😉 Hawaii beaches could easily dominate about half the list every year but that would get boring after a while.
BTW – Great flag picture! One of the best I’ve seen.
My father in law’s birthday is right neat Memorial day. He’s buried at the Punchbowl, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. We go there every year to pay our respects. The Boy Scouts place Plumeria Lei on every grave marker. Lots of flowers everywhere. It’s a pretty amazing site. The view is amazing as well.
@ David – yeah, the list does leave you questioning it’s validity to an entent. Overall I do admire the Dr Beach list, though. He really does use a thorough set of criteria (50 in total!) to evaluate beaches and things can change over time. For example, facilities can be built and conservation efforts established, etc.
@ Dave – Andy took the flag photo and it’s really an appropriate one for Memorial Day. He took the photo from inside the USS Arizona Memorial.
Punchbowl is a special place. I recall you mentioning that your father-in-law was laid to rest there, and each time I visit I think of that. Maybe next time I can find his resting place and pay my own respects.
Hawaii has another Top 10. It is the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea in Maui. Highly recommended!