Hawaii

Visiting Iolani Palace on Oahu

February 27, 2013
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Did you know that we used to have royalty here in the U.S.? Funny how that never made it into the history books I studied in school. I didn’t know until I was planning my trip to Hawaii that the 50th state was once a kingdom with a monarchy, and that because of this, the [...]

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Looking Back on a Year of Adventures

December 19, 2012
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I love this time of year. In addition to looking ahead to the new year, making plans and setting goals, I’ve also been reflecting on the year that has passed. Here’s what 2012 looked like, from a travel perspective, for me: By the Numbers Number of Trips: 4 (keep in mind I have a full-time [...]

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A Tour of Waikiki In Photos

October 31, 2012
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Hello, gracious and forgiving readers! (How’s that for a lead-in?) I am embarrassed to admit I don’t have a regular blog post for you this week. Truth is, I’ve been struggling with a massive writer’s block for months, and it finally caught up with me this week. It’s not that I haven’t written anything. I’ve [...]

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Hotel Review: Aqua Palms Waikiki

October 17, 2012
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I arrived at the Aqua Palms Waikiki last February at midnight. It’s hard to get a good sense of a hotel at midnight—especially when you’ve been awake, on planes and in airports, for 24 hours. When my shuttle dropped me off, all I could see was the brightly-lit lobby. I couldn’t really assess what I’d [...]

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Using TheBus in Honolulu

September 19, 2012
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I have a confession to make: I don’t really enjoy driving. I do it at home, because it’s the fastest way to get to and from work, but it’s also stressful. In case you hadn’t noticed, a lot of people who drive suck at it. Every day during my 8-mile round-trip commute to and from [...]

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Touring Oahu with Cousin Kevin

July 25, 2012
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*This is not a sponsored post. I paid in full for this tour. My first impression of Discover Hawaii Tours was very positive. I had arrived at the pickup point in front of my hotel five minutes early to find my driver and guide, “Cousin Kevin,” already there. I climbed aboard the tour bus alone, [...]

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Byodo-In Temple: A Serene Escape on Oahu

June 19, 2012
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If you want a Hawaiian vacation experience that involves a great variety of activities, an urban setting, and a bustling nightlife, the Waikiki area of Honolulu is the place to be. That’s why I chose Honolulu. I’m a city girl. I like having lots to do and the ability to get around via public transportation. [...]

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Visiting Pearl Harbor, an Act of Remembrance

May 25, 2012
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As we head into the 3-day Memorial Day Weekend, a time that marks the official beginning of summer–cookouts, road trips and summer blockbusters–it’s also the time to remember and honor our fallen soldiers, those who have died defending our country. Towns will host parades featuring veterans of past wars; individuals will visit cemeteries to lay [...]

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The Polynesian Cultural Center

April 17, 2012
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If you’re traveling to Oahu, Hawaii, one destination that should absolutely be on your list is the Polynesian Cultural Center, located in Laie on Oahu. Why is it such a must-see? One of the things I wanted to make sure I got out of my trip to Hawaii was being exposed to the cultural traditions [...]

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