Current Press Kit

NOVEMBER’S SIZZLIN’ NEWS FROM HAWAI‘I’S BIG ISLAND

Come to the Big Island and explore Hawai‘i’s Island of Adventure

Hawai‘i’s Big Island (Nov. 2, 2009) – As the year winds down, the fun begins on Hawai‘i’s Big Island: the humpbacks are back, a new direct flight from Oakland to Kona ramps up service, Pele continues her mesmerizing show, and next year’s specials are exploding like fireworks.

ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Uplifting News for Travelers. Following the successful launch of its direct Seattle to Kona flight last November, Alaska Airlines announces a new direct service between Oakland and Kona International Airport three times a week starting Nov. 10, and will expand neighbor island service, too. www.alaskaairlines.com.

Volcano Awareness Month. January 2010 marks the 27th anniversary of Kīlauea’s ongoing east rift zone eruption. Throughout the month, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and other partner organizations will offer extraordinary opportunities: guided hikes, informative talks, living history programs, and educational workshops, to increase public awareness of Hawaiian volcanoes. A calendar of daily events will be posted in early December on HVO’s website hvo.wr.usgs.gov. Call (808) 967-8844 or email jbabb@usgs.gov for more info.

Whales Aplenty! Hawai‘i’s Big Island welcomes “our” beloved, migratory humpback whales back every winter, and a bevy of whale watching charters depart from our island harbors from December through April, during peak humpback whale season. But did you know that other whale species can be observed year-round? Pilot whales, pygmy sperm whales, beaked whales, sperm whales and false killer whales are frequently spotted off our shores, as are spinner and bottlenose dolphins. On the Big Island, it’s whale season all year long!

Whale Watchers Needed. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking volunteers to help count and monitor humpback whales from 20 coastal sites along Hawai‘i’s Big Island. The Sanctuary Ocean Count happens the last Saturday in January, February and March (peak humpback whale season), from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. To sign up, call (888) 55-WHALE, ext. 253, or visit hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/welcome.html for information.

Aaargh, She Blows! The “pirates” aboard Captain Zodiac specialize in adventurous whale watching all year long, but when the humpback whale season officially begins in December, the award-winning charter company offers new tours and times: three-hour whale watches on Tues. & Thurs. from 9 a.m. to noon; and four- to five-hour whale/dolphin/snorkel adventures Mon.-Sun. Call (808) 329-3199, or visit www.captainzodiac.com.

Atlantis Sub Tour and Whale Watch Combo. Explore Kona’s marine life below and above the ocean’s surface with this special combo, and never get wet! Atlantis Submarines carries guests more than 100 feet underwater to see schools of colorful fish thriving in a beautiful 25-acre coral reef garden. Then enjoy a whale watch cruise and experience the magnificence of Hawai‘i’s biggest winter visitors, the humpback whales, as they frolic offshore. $150 for adults, $70 for children. Visit www.AtlantisSubmarines.com or (800) 548-6262.

Ocean Sports kicks off humpback whale season with a new, fifth location, Ocean Sports Whale Center in Kawaihae. Adults and kids of all ages will be able to check out interactive displays, view a photo gallery, listen to whale songs, make whale hats and play Whale of Fortune before boarding Alala or Sea Smoke for a whale watching adventure of a lifetime! Call (808) 886-6666 ext. 208 for the new Whale Center.

Your Zipper is UP! Take your need for speed to new heights near Hilo on the new Umauma Falls Ziplines with KapohoKine Adventures. The longest and the only side-by-side dual track on Hawai‘i’s Big Island takes thrill seekers soaring over 14 stunning waterfalls. Brave a suspension bridge perched 100 feet above roaring rapids, or swing 160 feet over the water below. Take five zipline tours (1.5 hours, $149), or seven Zipline tours (2.5 hours, $169). Open daily starting Nov. 10, call (808) 964-1000, or visit www.KapohoKine.com for more info.

Anna Ranch Heritage Center in Waimea Opens New Gift Shop. Located in Anna’s historic kitchen, the Gift Shop features the work of local artisans, and an eclectic mix of new and vintage. Many beautiful items have been brought in specifically for the holidays. While there, take a tour of the historic home or enjoy a stroll of the magnificent gardens. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed. thru Sat. Group tours by appointment. Visit www.annaranch.org or call (808) 885-4426.

It’s Always Manta Season. Hawai‘i’s Big Island is well known as a divers’ paradise, and night diving and snorkeling with giant manta rays is one of our most popular and exciting undersea adventures! Kona Honu Divers offers “mantastic” stay and play lodging and dive/snorkel specials. Visit www.konahonudivers.com or call (808) 324-4668 for information.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Prince 2010 Free Night Promotion makes a getaway to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel or Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel a dream come true for beach lovers! At Hapuna, your third night is free with two paid consecutive nights, from $299/night. At the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the fourth night is free with three consecutive paid nights, from $450/night. Book now through Jan. 31, 2010 and travel from Jan. 3, 2010 through June 13, 2010. Hawaiian Miles and Prince Preferred members enjoy bonus miles. Visit www.PrinceResortsHawaii.com, or call toll-free, (866) 774-6236.

Two for One. Reserve a room at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i on the sunny Kohala Coast and receive a second room absolutely free! This special offer is available for new bookings through Dec. 20, 2009 and includes guaranteed connecting rooms in the same category booked for garden view, partial ocean view and ocean view categories – perfect for friends and families. For more information contact your preferred travel professional, visit www.fairmont.com/orchid, or call (800) 845-9905.

Travelers have made Kona Village’s “Fare Deal” package so successful that the iconic oceanfront resort of thatched-roof bungalows and Hawai‘i’s only almost-all-inclusive resort is extending Fare Deal’s $800 airfare credit* to qualified bookings *through much of 2010. The package also includes a room category upgrade. Air credit is applied at time of departure. Visit www.KonaVillage.com or call toll-free, (800) 367-5290.

Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, which recently completed a $40 million property enhancement, has a new chef at Pahu ‘ia, its fine-dining beachside restaurant. Chef Jacob Anaya was chef at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and has cooked in restaurants including Silk at the San Francisco Mandarin Oriental and the esteemed Wildfire in Sydney, Australia. In November, Chef Anaya will introduce new dishes to Pahu ‘ia, which focuses on fresh, sustainable local Big Island seafood and produce. www.fourseasons.com/hualalai

Art & Orchids Bed and Breakfast is located in the Puna district, conveniently close to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, and the Kalapana Lava Viewing Area. A new swimming pool features beautiful inlaid turtles and other sea life mosaics as well as a waterfall guests can sit behind. Rates range from $90 to $115 per night. Call toll-free (877) 393-1894 or go to www.artandorchids.com.

Keauhou Beach Resort will continue to offer all guests a complimentary self-service full breakfast buffet daily through 2010. With rates starting at just $139/night for a partial ocean view room in 2010, this is a valuable amenity for visitors. The popular oceanfront property overlooks tidepools sheltering sea turtles and reef fish, and is adjacent to Kahalu‘u Beach Park, one of the island’s most popular snorkeling and surfing beaches. Call toll free (877) 532-8468 or visit www.keauhoubeachresort.com.

Start the new year off with a bang at the newly renovated King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Book by Dec. 19 and save 25 percent off one or two nights, or get your third night free, for stays in 2010. Enjoy luxurious, Hawaiian-inspired rooms, the only white sand beach in Kailua Village, the history and culture of the area and resort, and its sparkling new pool. Visit www.konabeachhotel.com, or call (800) 367-2111.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts® and American Airlines Group & Meeting TravelSM have partnered together to create an exclusive meetings offer. At Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Sp, this means every meeting booked by Dec. 31, 2009 for arrival by June 30, 2010 receives four percent off master billed charges and DMC services through select partners, one complimentary room and one complimentary air ticket for every 25 booked, and special group rates with American Airlines® plus 2,500 Starpoint signing bonus for every 25 room nights (100,000 Starpoint maximum). Visit www.SheratonKeauhou.com.

After awarding 25 Hawaiian vacations in its “Tweet Yourself to Hawai‘i” sweepstakes, Marriott Resorts Hawai‘i is offering a video contest for a bigger prize – a trip for 12 to Hawai‘i with seven nights at up to two participating resorts of their choice including the oceanfront Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa! Create a video that best showcases why you deserve this amazing Hawai‘i trip and submit your YouTube video link to www.marriotthawaiitweets.com by Dec. 20, 2009 to enter.

Cool Pool. Hawaii Island Retreat’s beautiful new infinity pool is finished, and overlooks the serene valley below, reflecting the blue North Kohala sky. The infinity design lends a feeling of spacious expanse beyond its 50 ft. x 16 ft. dimensions, and adds to the tranquility of Hawaii Island Retreat. Visit www.hawaiiislandretreat.com or email info@hawaiiislandretreat.com

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows re-opened Nov.1 after brief refreshment. Guests will enjoy an exciting new menu at the legendary CanoeHouse as Chef James Ortiaga presents extraordinarily fresh cuisine with a contemporary flair. No resort fees and myriad complimentary activities make Mauna Lani the perfect destination for a winter vacation. The 2010 Book Early Bonus Offer is valid until Dec. 31, 2009. Call (800) 367-2323 and visit www.maunalani.com.

A Salute To Our Nation’s Military. Ocean View’s Bougainvillea Bed & Breakfast offers a Big Island “Sizzlin’ Special Double Experience” at a 20 percent discount to military personnel. Includes three nights at Bougainvillea B&B and three nights in a one-bedroom oceanfront Kona condominium. Owner Martie Nitsche is a certified travel agent who can also book rental cars and activities for inbound guests. Call (800) 688-1763 or (808) 929-7089 or visit www.bougainvilleabedandbreakfast.com.

KUDOS
Yum! Away.com picked its top culinary travel destinations, and Hawai‘i’s Big Island was listed as the world’s #3 “Hidden Gems” culinary destination. tinyurl.com/yl6ae7t. Whet your appetite on Big Island culinary and agricultural story ideas here: tinyurl.com/yjuywe3

For BIVB’s press kit, photo gallery, press releases and industry news, visit media.bigisland.org

Special note to media: The Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the modern Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as Kīlauea). However, BIVB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.

Big Island Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Jessica Ferracane, Irondog Communications, (808) 895-5740, jessica@irondogpr.com