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

04/01/2009

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

Hawai‘i’s Big Island (April 1, 2009) – It’s no joke that Hawai‘i’s Big Island erupts with endless opportunities for adventure and exceptional deals on accommodations – and the Big Island Visitors Bureau is framing its story angles for travel media with a brand new look to its press releases. Let us know what you think, and take a look at the latest leads below!

ADVENTURE, ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Visitors can now get a waterborne perspective of the rich and diverse cultural history of the Kona Coast on a new Kealakekua Bay Historical Cruise offered by Body Glove Cruises. The daily three-hour cruise leaves from the Kailua Pier and travels 12 miles south to historic Kealakekua Bay aboard the spacious, comfortable 65-foot Kanoa II catamaran, with food, drinks and local musical entertainment. Educational, scenic and fun! $78 adults, $58 children 6-17. Call (800) 551-8911 or visit www.bodyglovehawaii.com.

Fair Wind, Big Island Guides Offers Website Specials – Book a Fair Wind or Hula Kai morning snorkel cruise online and receive 50 percent off a Hula Kai Manta Dive Adventure, Whale Watch Cruise or a Fair Wind Afternoon Snorkel Cruise. Offer valid now through June 30, 2009. Web-direct bookings only. Not combinable with other offer(s). Cruises are subject to space availability, other restrictions may apply. Visit www.fair-wind.com or contact (808) 345-0268

Pedal Pushers, Don’t Start Your Engines. BikeVolcano.com offers new Kona pick-up service for its guided bicycle tours of Kīlauea volcano. Instead of driving, enjoy the tropical scenery of waterfalls, lush jungles, a black sand beach, and dynamic landscapes to the world’s most active volcano. Then, bike Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, followed by a wine tasting session or Bike to Pele – an east rift zone & active lava flow bike adventure. Call (888) 934-9199 or visit www.bikevolcano.com. Starting from $169 per person.

You Deserve a Good Paddling. Kona Boys recently opened a second location in the heart of Kailua-Kona, at Kamakahonu Bay behind the pier. The new Kona Boys “Beach Shack” is located on the sand and provides everything Kona Boys are famous for: kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, snorkel gear rentals, plus retail. They’ve also added two new offerings for ocean enthusiasts, 90-minute Stand-Up Paddle Board Lessons ($75/person for group lessons; $150/person for private lessons) and Kayak/Snorkel Group Tours ($115/person for a two-and-a-half hour tour). Visit www.konaboys.com, or call (808) 328-1234.

Camp ‘Imiloa Family Program is a two-day weekend experience at Hawai‘i’s newest cultural and astronomy center. The mission? To explore science in this “Return to the Moon” program designed for parents and children grades 2-6, June 27-28. Requires participation of one adult with children. From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, includes Camp ‘Imiloa T-shirt and full access to ‘Imiloa, including cultural and science exhibits, and the 3D stereo planetarium. There’s also a five-day camp for kids-only June 29-July 3. Visit www.imiloahawaii.org.

Lava Ocean Adventures flows with summer savings on its lava boat tours, fishing charters, and waterfall tours. Couples who book the adrenaline-fueled charter to see lava flow into the sea near Kalapana receive $25 off; fishing charters start as low as $399. Custom charters available, call (808) 966-4200 or visit www.lavaocean.com for details and lava ocean updates.

Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation offers a free VIP tour with purchase off its “Roastmaster for a Day” session. Guests learn to roast their own five-pound batch of 100 percent Kona Private Reserve beans. Have your own logo or photo? Mountain Thunder’s robust brew, which has won the Kona Coffee Council’s prestigious “Cream of the Crop” every year since 2003, is labeled as yours! The Roastmaster session is $175; the VIP tour ($35 value) includes a private tour of the family-run orchard and facilities. Call (808) 325-2136 or email aloha@mountainthunder.com for information.

Visitors to the Parker Ranch Store in Waimea are finding more and more island-made products dominating the shelves. Supporting local vendors across a wide variety of disciplines is important to the mission of the store. From Famous Parker Ranch Broiling Sea Salt in two flavors (Ko‘ala Pa‘akai and Alaea Ko‘ala Pa‘akai) to private label Parker Ranch Paniolo cookies in unique flavors like Lilikoi and Poha, everyone can shop online at www.ParkerRanchStore.com or pay a personal visit for some upcountry cowboy shopping Hawaiian-style.

25th Anniversary of Maunaloa Eruption Marked by DVD Release – On Mar. 25, 1984, Maunaloa, earth’s most massive mountain, began spewing lava. The first day, enough molten lava gushed out to pave a highway all the way to the moon. Wish you’d been there? Now you can be. A DVD has just been released of the award-winning 1985 documentary, Rivers of Fire ($24.95). There’s a Japanese track too. Pick it up at Hawai‘i’s national park visitor centers. Or, order at www.hawaiinaturalhistory.org, or call (808) 985-6051.

Blue Sea Cruises is adding Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to its noon Dolphin Adventure & Glass Bottom Cruise offerings beginning Apr. 8. This two-hour, 15-minute eco-tour highlights the magnificent Hawaiian spinner dolphin in its natural habitat along the beautiful Kona coast, and offers a luncheon. Also operating at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, this tour is fully narrated as the 70-foot Spirit of Kona cruises southward from the Kailua-Kona pier. Call (808) 331-8875 or visit www.blueseacruisesinc.com.

ACCOMODATIONS

Hawai‘i’s Newest Luxury Retreat has opened in North Kohala! Hawai‘i Island Retreat, a sustainable eco-lodge and destination spa perched on 50 secluded acres in Kapa‘au, has the architectural charm and open-air elegance of royal Hawaiian summer palaces. Eight lavish suites with large soaking tubs, a 1,200-square-foot oceanfront yoga studio, spa, garden-side dining, and more await guests. Grand opening rates from $250/night, three-night minimum through June 30. Visit www.hawaiiislandretreat.com or call (808) 889-6336 for information.

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel invites guests to explore the grounds where King Kamehameha the Great once resided, in the heart of the historic fishing village of Kailua-Kona. Take advantage of spectacular Sizzlin’ Summer Specials, starting from $84/night if you stay four or more nights, a 30 percent savings. Must book by May 31 and stay by Sept. 30. Visit www.konabeachhotel.com or call (800) 367-2111.

Stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village and receive your 7th night free! Complimentary night is applied at time of check-in. Reservation must be booked in the 7th night free program (Rate Plan 7NF) to apply. Offer valid now through Dec. 20. Black-out dates apply and reservations are based on availability. Not valid with any other discounts, offers, or specials. For reservations call (800) HILTONS or (808) 886-1234 or visit www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/specials_and_packages

There are probably more than 1,000 reasons to visit the new Hualālai, and Four Seasons will start you off with $1,000. A $1,000 resort credit that is applied to your account can be used toward a stay in any of their new suites, an experience their newly expanded spa, a meal at a new beachfront restaurant, and more. Available July 1 – Sept. 30, 2009; from $725 per night, 4-night minimum stay required. Reservations subject to availability (black-out dates are Aug. 1-14). Call (888) 340-5662 or www.fourseasons.com/hualalai.

Celebrate Hawai‘i’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood in a state of bliss on one of our very best beaches. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel presents a special Spring Into Summer package, with luxury accommodations from $269 to $299 per night, including a daily $50 resort credit. Use yours to book a tee time on the Arnold Palmer-designed Golf Course or romantic reservations at the sunset-view Coast Grille – or other wonderful resort amenities. Available Apr. 1-Sept.30, 2009. Some restrictions apply. www.HapunaBeachPrinceHotel.com, (866) PRINCE-6.

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i offers a new Adventure Package, which includes deluxe accommodations, daily breakfast for two, daily tennis, Fun & Sun Activity passes, picnic lunch for two, enrollment in a Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute class, admission to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and donation to HVNP. Prices from $449/night including taxes. Book with your preferred travel agent, by calling (800) 845-9905, or visit www.fairmont.com/orchid/hotelpackages. Three-night minimum stay required. Valid through Dec. 20, 2009.

Spring has sprung at the oceanfront Kona Village with Spring Break savings from $590 to $905 on a five-night stay in a private thatched-roof bungalow. Book by June 10 for stays between Apr. 19 and June 15 and receive the 5th night free PLUS a $200 resort credit that can be applied towards Ribcraft ocean adventures, relaxing massage, tennis lessons or more. Rates include meals and numerous complimentary activities. Meals not included 5th night. Logon to www.KonaVillage.com/reservations.aspx

After the successful Celebration of the Sea program, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is rolling out its next offering in the series – “Celebration of the Land.” Guests who stay at Waikoloa Beach Marriott for five consecutive nights from Apr. 15 to Aug. 15, 2009 will automatically receive one complimentary Kohala Wai PinzTrek land adventure and vehicle admission (one vehicle) to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park per room booked as part of Celebration of the Land. Visit www.waikoloamarriott.com

Spring Forward with Aston Escapes – In celebration of Aston Hotels & Resorts’ 60 years of hospitality in Hawai‘i, as well as Hawai‘i’s 50 years of statehood, Aston guests will receive the gift of savings. Take advantage of the limited time Aston Escapes promotion for low rates at Aston Shores at Waikoloa (starting at $166/night) and Aston Kona by the Sea (starting at $169/night). The offer is valid for travel in 2009 based on booking dates from now through June 11. Visit www.AstonHotels.com or call (866) 774-2924.

NOTE: BIVB recognizes the use of diacritical markings, i.e., glottal stop (‘), macron (ā), 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