The Honolulu Pride Parade has a new and groundbreaking reason to be proud this year. The annual parade will be led, for the first time ever, by a military color guard. This exciting breakthrough in civil rights came with the repeal of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

This year the parade will be led by active-duty service members who are also part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. They will proudly carry flags from their branches of service as the parade makes it’s way through Honolulu and Waikiki.

The Honolulu Pride Festival includes a parade through Waikiki and a fun day in Kapiolani Park. Photo: Kitty Rainbow on Flickr.

Honolulu Pride Parade & Festivities

The Pride Parade will start at 10:30 a.m. on Magic Island across the street from Ala Moana Shopping center on Saturday, June 2 and will travel down Kalakaua Avenue through Waikiki. Ending in Kapiolani Park around 11:00, the celebration continues through the afternoon with good food, live entertainment, LGBT community groups, and even a bounce house.

This year’s parade is themed “Time 2 Get Equal” and could not be more fitting. Along with the civil victory of the repeal of the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the LGBT community was ecstatic about President Obama’s support of equal marriage rights back in May. Honolulu Pride was so thrilled they have named the President as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

Honolulu Pride Parade: Celebrating Pride, Equality, and Patriotism. Photo: Mattradickal on Flickr.

The President’s support of equal marriage rights is paired with the unanimous decision from the First Circuit Court of Appeals that the Defense of Marriage Act, which has been denying federal benefits to same-sex married couples, is unconstitutional.

With so much to celebrate, this year’s festival will be the biggest and best ever. If you’re going to be in Waikiki this weekend, be sure to keep an eye out for the parade and be sure to check out the festivities at Kapiolani Park!

Allegiant Airlines announced Wednesday it will be adding flights to Hawaii. The airline will begin service between Monterey, California and Honolulu, Hawaii scheduled to begin November 16. Allegiant is offering special introductory fares as low as $199 to promote early bookings.

This most recent addition of flights to Hawaii goes along with the upcoming new departures from Fresno, California and Las Vegas, Nevada which are set to begin this June.

Allegiant Airlines is adding 5 new weekly flights to Hawaii. Photo: Cliff 1066 on Flickr.

Flights to Hawaii from smaller airports

Monterey is the not the only airport in the Allegiant network to begin scheduling flights to Hawaii. Other cities on the list for November are Bellingham, Washington and Eugene, Oregon along with Stockton and Santa Maria in California. Oahu is not the only island Allegiant will fly to, as Kahului, Maui will have service from Bellingham as well.

The company has been expanding and adding new departures for the last few years. Allegiant’s business model is aimed at secondary airports and leisure travelers in the winter months, hence the expansion of Pacific northwest cities.

Allegiant Airlines is starting flights to Hawaii from Las Vegas and Fresno this June.

To promote these new flights Allegiant is offering huge discounts on their fares. For example, flights to Hawaii from Monterey are as low as $199 and must be purchased by June 5, 2012 for travel before January 5, 2013.

Why wintertime is a great time for a Hawaiian Vacation

Winter is a great time to take a Hawaiian vacation. You can escape the blustery weather of your hometown and quickly find yourself in a tropical paradise. Hawaii is beautiful and sunny all year round, but it rains more frequently in the winter. And rain in Hawaii is weird; it will be sunny and raining at the same time. Depending on where you’re coming from the weather here is certain to be better, or at least warmer.

Winter in Hawaii means waves! Especially on the north-facing shores of the islands.

Winter in Hawaii also means waves! North pacific storms send huge swells directly at Hawaii, with the North Shore of Oahu at the epicenter. Every year thousands of spectators gather around spots like the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay to see daring surfers ride gigantic and deadly waves.

You can see the big winter waves on these spectacular beaches by taking a North Shore tour with us!

Aloha!

The NFL Players Association and NFL announced this morning that the 2013 Pro Bowl will be played in Hawaii. For the 33rd year Aloha Stadium in Honolulu will host the Pro Bowl and continue this tropical tradition of America’s favorite sport.

2013 Pro Bowl will return to Hawaii! Photo: Core Media Product Demo on Flickr

Set for Sunday, January 27 the Pro Bowl will kick off celebrations leading up to Super Bowl XLVII, which will be held in New Orleans the following Sunday. NBC will host live television coverage of the event starting at 7:00 pm ET.

The Future of the Pro Bowl

There was some debate on whether there would even be a 2013 Pro Bowl. While pulling in excellent TV ratings, concerns about the deteriorating quality of play over the last few years gave the Pro Bowl a questionable future. This morning’s announcement came as a mix of relief and excitement for NFL fans across the country.

“The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson. This tropical NFL tradition is not only a favorite event for players, but also football fans everywhere. Especially those in Hawaii.

Football fans in Hawaii love the Pro Bowl! Photo: Hawaii County on Flickr.

The debate Pro Bowl’s future was overcome with a shared understanding by the NFL and the NFL Players Association on the necessity to improve the quality of the game. The goal for this year is to improve competitiveness to bring the level of play back up to NFL standards. Changes to player insurance, game rules, and bonus incentives are all being considered as ways to improve the 2013 Pro Bowl as a product. The efforts going into this year should make it the best Pro Bowl yet!

Pro Bowl & Aloha Stadium

Hosting the Pro Bowl is the biggest event for Aloha Stadium every year. During the rest of the year Aloha Stadium is home to concerts and the biggest flea market in the state. From T-shirts to trinkets, the Aloha Stadium Flea Market is great destination for souvenirs and shopping. You can find almost anything here for much less than anywhere else, and grab some local style lunch too!

Be sure to tune in for the excitement of the 2013 Pro Bowl to see your favorite players throwing shakas, touchdown passes, and saying “Aloooha!” to everyone back home.

Aloha!

Dr. Beach’s list of top ten beaches in America for 2012 has been released, and we are proud to announce that three Hawaii beaches made the list! As “America’s foremost beach expert”, Professor Stephen P. Leatherman ranks his beaches based on environmental quality and safety for swimmers. Taking a dip and spending the day on the playful shores of Hawaii beaches sounds like the funnest prescription I’ve ever heard of!

Dr. Beach’s top ten beaches of beaches in America for 2012:

1. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
2. Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
3. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
4. St. George Island State Park, Florida
5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
6. Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
7. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
10. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina

If you’re looking to visit these beaches then we have just what the doctor ordered! We visit all three of these beautiful Hawaii beaches on our tours and love sharing them with our visitors. Here is a look at the tours we offer which visit the favorites on Dr. Beach’s top ten beaches list.

Kahanamoku Beach

Located just outside the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, Kahanamoku Beach one of the best places to soak up the Hawaiian sun. Protected by reefs which make for great surfing, there is a second underwater barrier protecting it which heavily diminishes the oceanic currents making it the most keiki friendly beach in Waikiki.

The calm cool waters and amenities of Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki.

Being so close to the hotels of Waikiki, Kahanamoku Beach has many amenities to offer like food, restrooms, water sports, and umbrella rentals. Join us and see Kahanamoku Beach on a spectacular guided Segway tour through Waikiki. Segway tours ride through Waikiki and visit Diamond Head, Magic Island, and historic Honolulu sites.

Starting off a super Segway tour at Kahanamoku Beach.

Kahanamoku Beach is also the best place in Waikiki to watch the Friday night fireworks which start at 7:45 pm.

Hamoa Beach

It is only fitting that one of the most beautiful beaches in America would be found on one of the most beautiful drives in America. Located off the Hana Highway, the shimmering white sands and crystal clear waters of Hamoa Beach is surrounded by coconut palms and lush rainforest to make one of the most picture perfect scenes in all of Maui.

Maui's beautiful Hamoa Beach just of the road to Hana.

We specialize in road to Hana tours. Our friendly guides are experienced drivers who expertly navigate the 600+ curves and 50+ single-lane bridges along the coastal road to Hana. They also know where the best places to stop, like Hamoa Beach, and all about them. Join us today for one of the most scenic drives in America!

Waimanalo Beach Park

Nestled amongst the rocky cliffs of Oahu’s southeast shores lies the serene and idyllic Waimanalo Beach Park. Stretching from Lanikai Point to Makapu’u Point, the soft sands of Waimanalo Bay have always been a local favorite, and Waimanalo Beach is right in the center.

Protected from waves by an outer reef, the area is great for snorkeling, kayaking, and for little ones to play in the water. Steep mountains resting near shore make for great scenery and have been a hotspot for hang gliding and parasailing for the last 30 years.

A view of Waimanalo Beach Park in the Heart of Waimanalo Bay.

The turquoise waters, offshore islands, and white sands make for such beauty, much of the 1980′s television series Magnum P.I. was filmed there. In fact, the estate where Magnum lived in the show is beachfront right on Waimanalo Beach!

Join us on a visit to the stunning Waimanalo Beach on wonderful tour filled with Oahu’s best sites or an exciting and delicious luau!

The steep cliffs of the Ko'olau mountains overlooking Waimanalo Beach.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Dr. Beach for adding Hawaii to his list of top ten beaches, and you can see why! Hawaii’s beaches are so beautiful they rank on many lists of top ten beaches. Check out this recent post and see how Hawaii ranks in TripAdvisor’s “Traveler’s Choice 2012″ awards.

Thank you for reading,

Aloha!

The sun in Hawaii is hot. But that’s one of the reasons millions of people visit Hawaii each year. Many of vacationers also leave with the same souvenir: A Hawaiian sunburn.  Besides, if you get too burnt and peel, you wont have that tan you were wanting!

Here are a few tips on how to avoid a sunburn or make the one you already have feel better.

Preventing Hawaiian Sunburn

• Wear Sunscreen: The best way to protect yourself from a Hawaiian sunburn is to wear sunscreen. One thing many vacationers want is to get a tan while visiting Hawaii, and wearing sunscreen will not prevent that from happening. Overexposure to the sun will cause a pain and discomfort during your stay, which is something no traveler wants, so wear sunscreen starting on day one! If you can, purchase sunscreen at home and pack it in your checked luggage, because it is considered a liquid and is not allowed in carry-on bags.

Just one of the many types of sunscreen which will prevent a Hawaiian sunburn.

• Protect your face and neck with a hat: Part of sightseeing is walking around and exploring the amazing sites Hawaii has to offer. Even though you may not be at the beach you can still get a Hawaiian sunburn. Your face and neck are almost constantly exposed unless you’re in the shade or wearing a hat. The great thing about wearing a hat is many convenience stores like ABC stores sell a wide selection of hats that will make you feel likeyou’re on vacation. I like to pretend like I’m on vacation when I wear mine on a sunny day, and I live here!
  

  Just one of the many types of hats which will protect your face from the sun. Photo: Kristoffer M.C. on Flickr

Recovering from Hawaiian Sunburn

• Recover faster and sooth the pain with Aloe:If you wind up getting sunburned, Aloe Vera gel is just about the only thing which will ease the pain. The most effective type looks like a green gel with bubbles trapped in it. There are other types which work well, but in all my sunburn experience I have found this stuff works the best. It feels cool and refreshing and can dub as a massage oil when you get your loved one to apply it to your back. It’s like win-win!
  

  Aloe gel looks just like this inside of the bottle. Photo: Matt Biddulph on Flickr.

I hope these tips help you prevent the painful effects of a Hawaiian sunburn, or help you recover from the one you already have. For more travel tips, check out our Hawaii Travel Blog. Filled with insight to the best parts of Hawaii and great ideas on how to make you vacation more fulfilling, its a great travel resource. We also have an extensive travel guide and its free!

Thank you for reading and enjoy your vacation,

Aloha!