Our Full-Day Circle Island Oahu Eco-Adventure Tour is $40 OFF through December 17th, 2011. Tour E1 is now only $79.99 for a limited time!

Does the weather outside your home make you have the blues? Or do you just need a little getaway and see the beauty of Hawaii?

Book now before the tour fills up! Click here to get started.

Read more: On Sale Now: $40 OFF the Oahu Eco Tour!

King Kamehameha Day has arrived once again in the Hawaiian Islands.

Draping of the Lei

Celebrated on June 10^th & 11^th, this two-day event honors King Kamehameha I, the great ali’i that unified all the Hawaiian Islands in 1810. This year’s celebratory theme is Wahine Holo Lio (woman on horseback).

Today, the festivities begin with the traditional draping of leis on the Kamehameha Statue, featuring a performance by The Royal Hawaiian Band. The ceremony runs from 3:30 to 4:30pm. Located on King Street, right across the street from Iolani Palace, this gorgeous ceremony is a favorite for both locals and visitors alike.

Saturday will play host to the 95^th annual King Kamehameha Day Parade. Starting at Iolani Palace at 9am, the parade will include women riding horses as they make their way down Ala Moana Boulevard and then through Waikiki. The parade ends at Kapiolani Park at noon, however, the festivities are far from over. From 10am to 4pm a celebration will ensue, featuring live entertainment, food stalls and cultural demonstrations for all to enjoy.

Read more: King Kamehameha Day

England might be the last place you’d go for a local Hawaii burger restaurant, but Kua’Aina just changed that when it opened a brand new store near London’s Carnaby Street. Although the royal couple won’t be serving these Hawaiian-style char-grilled burgers at their wedding, Kua’Aina also offers a variety of menu options including Lion Coffee and desserts for London eaters.

Kua’Aina opened its first restaurant in Hawaii in 1975. It now has 2 locations on Oahu, near Ward Centre and in Haleiwa Town, and 17 locations in Japan. The London location is its first restaurant in Europe.

Creative Commons Photo by Flickr user typester

What does Kua’aina mean? Literally, kua means “ridge” or “back”, and aina means “land”. The Hawaiian phrases roughly translates into English as:

The Hawaiians who formed the land, those who are connected to the land that feeds and nourishes them.

[translation source: chicagotribune.com]

Read more: Kua’Aina Hawaiian Burgers in London

On your vacation, you’ll discover Hawaii’s distinctive trademark: colorful Hawaiian shirts. Some look affordable, some expensive. One thing is certain: there are so many options in design, quality and price. It’s hard to choose just one! Popular Hawaii activities include surfing and swimming, but today you’ll learn the secrets of another favorite local pastime: shopping.

1. Where to shop:

Aloha wear in Waikiki.

Check out the Aloha Flea Market for great prices on everything Hawaii, even Aloha Shirts. Bargain stores dot Waikiki for tourists who want convenience and low prices. Consider a local thrift store for second-hand shirts galore. Boutique shops carry collector’s items dating back to the 50s, with styles starting from 9.99 and soaring into the hundreds. Department stores stock the most popular brands for quality at a manageable price, especially with a store-wide sale or money-saving coupon!

2. Quality

Tori Richard, Reyn Spooner, Royal Hawaiian Creations and Paradise Found are among many brands that offer Hawaii made shirts. Imported shirts are affordable and stylish, but aficionados think “Made in Hawaii” means authenticity. Shell, bamboo, coconut, cotton-covered, jade, metal, plastic buttons. Aloha shirt pioneer Alfred Shaheen once made ivory buttons in the shape of Buddha! Buttons shouldn’t diminish the design and should always compliment the print. Choose the material with the right weight for you. Reyn Spooner’s durable Spooner Kloth, made from pima cotton and polyester, lasts for years! Finally, a pocket should match, not interrupt, the pattern.

3. Design

Aloha wear includes shirts, pants and shorts

The are millions of designs to choose from. Some themes include: bottom heavy graphics, leis, Japanese-inspired, even advertising. Consider which styles you like before shopping—but keep your mind open to new possibilities! Don’t forget if you want a polo, button down or long sleeve. Some companies, like Sig Zane, even make ties, pants and shorts.

Have you realized there are tons of choices? Remember, no Hawaii vacation is complete without authentic Aloha wear! What are you waiting for? Join Discover Hawaii Tours Start searching on a tour to the Aloha Stadium Flea Market including Pearl Harbor.

Read more: 3 steps to finding the perfect Aloha Shirt

Fun activities throughout the islands offer endless opportunities for family vacations. Take a trip to paradise and visit some of the most popular attractions in Hawaii during your stay. Here’s just a few of the top Hawaii activities this Easter:

Sunrise services

Hawaii is the perfect place to spend Easter

110^th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific
The oldest celebration of its kind in Honolulu. Special shuttle buses depart from Waikiki. More info here.

USS Missouri Sunrise Service at Pearl Harbor
Co-sponsored by the Army and Navy, this event takes place on the famous “Mighty Mo” battleship every Easter. Read about services held in the past.

Egg hunts

Waikiki Aquarium’s annual SeaHunt
A fun-filled day of family activities for children ages 2-7. Download the PDF brochure.

Community egg hunts throughout Hawaii
Egg hunts abound on Oahu, including the towns of Kailua, Diamond Head and Manoa. On the Big Island, Waikoloa hosts a hunt with 10,000 eggs! Kauai and Maui also join in on the Easter Sunday festivities.

Sunday brunch

There’s no better place to brunch than in Hawaii.
Dozens of restaurants open their doors and reservation books for hungry diners celebrating Easter. Check out these comprehensive lists of the best brunch restaurants choose the right one for you.

Plan ahead for your Easter vacation in Hawaii. Don’t forget to visit some of Hawaii’s most popular attractions for a memorable holiday in paradise. Just remember to have fun!

Discover Hawaii Tours offers tours on Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai.

Read more: Celebrate Easter in Hawaii!