Travel.Food.Wine.Family.Life
On site at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa, the Bayside Chapel is surrounded by lush greenery with the Keauhou Bay in the background. Here love abounds as sweethearts wed and renew vows on the coast’s only resort chapel.
Even nature mimicks love. Wait…is it natural or man-made?
For our recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, we knew for sure that we wanted to have a rental car. With the exception of visiting Lana’i, all of our Hawaii trips have included a rental car and the option to venture about and see the things we want while vacationing on the islands. It’s a freedom that we love, and it gives us a chance to experience the islands in a way that fits our schedule and needs.
Searching around, I found that DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com has some really competitive rates.
Our mission is to offer the most personalized service and the LOWEST RATES for your Hawaii car rental in true Aloha Spirit.
For just the two of us and a total of 7 days, we could rent an economy car for just over $130 before taxes and fees. That starts us off with a full tank of gas, unlimited mileage, and basically the roads at our desire. Sure we can’t go off-roading with this style car, but we’d take an excursion with a tour guide for that before we’d brave it ourselves anyway.
Easy to book online, make sure you write in the appropriate airport, dates of pickup and dropoff, and general requests for the car of your choice. Plenty of options such as convertibles, vans, and off-road vehicles are at your disposal plus if you need additional guidance around the islands you can add a GPS unit to your car.
Once you arrive in Kona on the Big Island, you head to baggage claim for bags if necessary and just outside the area you’ll find the shuttle spot.
Car rental companies are listed on the vans and take you right to the car rental station assigned to you. Before our trip, I printed the reservation confirmation and found myself in and out of the affiliated Avis Rent-a-Car office in 15 minutes. There I inspected my Chevy Cruze for pre-existing dents or scratches so I wouldn’t be held liable for damage. Keys in the ignition, we were off. The car took us safely about the island for over 440 miles (love that feature in the dash) before we filled up and returned the car on our last day. Checking our car back in only took a few minutes, shuttle was already in the parking lot and off to the terminal we went.
Staff was friendly, and despite being new, my agent was prompt and courteous and had a smile on her face. DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com works when visiting any of the islands and gives you a great and easy experience to have the freedom of taking yourself around at your leisure, be sure to look to them when you want to rent a car in Hawaii.
Our rental was discounted in exchange for our honest post. All opinions are our own.
My husband and I are heading back to the beautiful state of Hawaii next week, this time to the Big Island, primarily the Kona distric! So far, everyone we talk to has informed us that Hawaii island is not like any of the others. We welcome that idea and look forward to exploring an amazing landscape that only an island with live volcanoes can provide.
Flying in on the wonderful Hawaiian Airlines, once we reach the airport in Kona we’ll be teaming up with Discount Hawaii Car Rental to have some freedom on the island. I don’t know about you, but a week on an island with so much to see, I prefer relying on our own transportation as much as possible.
Where We’re Staying
We will enjoy some of the best lodging in the Kona-Kailua area at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa, Outrigger Royal Sea Cliff, and the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona. After a day of exploring all of our lodging looks to provide us with great views, lovely accommodations, and aloha! I love the opportunity to check out 3 different locations plus when my reviews come out, you have a great idea of the options when you visit the island!
What We’re Doing
It’s more like what aren’t we doing! We’ve booked an afternoon with Fair Wind Cruises and we’re snorkeling in the Kealakekua Bay! This will be my second time and I’m hoping to be less anxious and that I can really enjoy the sights below! Also we’ll be mouths agape on a Volcano Tour and taking a Big Island Sightseeing Tour with KapohoKine Adventures. My husband can’t contain his excitement.
How romantic does a historic sunset cruise sound? Body Glove Hawaii will give us a wonderful view of the Kona Coast while we dine on traditional Hawaiian fare. How about putting a kayak in Kailua Bay? We will kayak, stand up paddle board and snorkel with Kona Boys and their Day at the Beach adventure and I’m hoping to look more of a natural than a beginner while doing it!
Other options…my husband may take an adventure with Bike Volcano , we may stand beneath the Kohala Waterfalls, or we may take a tour on a submarine…I know, the possibilities are magically endless!
What we’ll be eating
Rays on the Bay for sure, that’s booked and here’s what I know about it…
Rays on the Bay is the only Hawaii Island restaurant built on lava cliffs so close to the ocean it offers a perfect view to Keauhou’s resident giant manta rays every evening.
We’re going to play the rest by ear, but I have received some suggestions:
Follow Along
I’ve created the hashtag #BigIsle2012 for our travels and will use it on Twitter (@themomjen) and on Instagram (themomjen), check it out to see photos and read updates on the best of our island adventure! Then in the weeks following our return, I’ll be posting full reviews of our adventures and tons of photos, stay tuned!
I want to know, have you been to the Big Island of Hawaii? I’d love to hear your suggestions on excursions, food, and fun! We just can’t wait!
Lovebirds will be atwitter to learn that the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach recently welcomed back its highly-popular complimentary, beachfront vow-renewal ceremony. This popular Hawaii hotel — in the process of wrapping up a four month renovation which includes a remodeled pool and upgrades to guest rooms — invites couples to recommit their vows to one another in a Hawaiian ceremony on the hotel’s oceanfront lanai fronting iconic Waikiki Beach and the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Vow renewal ceremonies for guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach are available every Monday and Thursday at 7:45 a.m.
“We’re so excited to welcome back to the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach one of our most popular amenities — our Hawaiian vow-renewal ceremony,” said Patsy Narimatsu, director of sales & marketing for Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. “When most travelers think of Hawaii, they think of our beautiful oceans and romance — and our complimentary, Hawaiian vow-renewal ceremony combines the two into one unforgettable experience that our guests will remember for years to come.”
To-date more than 9,000 vows have been exchanged since the program launched in 2003 providing guests a memorable and distinctive “Hawaii” experience. The non-denominational Hawaiian ceremony is conducted by a Hawaiian officiant. The ceremony begins with a traditional Hawaiian welcome chant. Couples are then treated to a graceful hula and serenaded with Hawaiian song before being blessed with a gentle sprinkling of sea water and reciting vows in the Hawaiian language. The ceremony concludes with a performance of the beautiful Hawaiian Wedding Song, accompanied by a hula. A commemorative certificate is presented to each couple at the conclusion of the ceremony to remember the day.
Vow-renewal ceremonies are open to guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. The ceremonies take place at 7:45 a.m. every Monday and Thursday at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and every Tuesday and Friday at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Couples must sign up at their respective hotel’s concierge desk by 3 p.m. the day prior to the ceremony.
In addition to Waikiki, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts offers free vow renewal ceremonies to guests on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. Each vow-renewal ceremony was created with the guidance of a Hawaiian cultural expert to provide a distinctive and culturally-rich experience to help couples celebrate their love as well as the history and heritage of the island.
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach offers rates starting from $259 per night (plus tax) and commands one of the best locations on Waikiki Beach. With stellar views of world-famous Diamond Head and all the comfort expected from a deluxe, first-class hotel, guests will easily rekindle their romance. Reservations for this Hawaii hotel can be made by contacting your preferred travel professional or by calling toll free 1-800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit www.outriggerwaikiki.com or e-mail reservations@outrigger.com.
For up to date resort information, follow @OutriggerWaikiki on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/OutriggerWaikiki.
Who’s already planning their Christmas holiday plans? Why not head to Oahu this Christmas! One of the holiday season’s most recognized figures, Santa Claus, is scheduled to make a return visit to a few of the Outrigger hotels there this December with two popular Christmas in Hawaii events that are open to the public.
Hawaiian Santa Arrives by Outrigger Canoe
December 8 – Saturday, 9 am, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
Welcome Santa Claus as he arrives via outrigger canoe on the beach in front of the Outrigger Waikiki hotel. Hundreds are expected on Waikiki Beach as Santa sheds his sleigh for this island mode of transportation powered by Waikiki beach boys. Keiki (children) from Halau `O Pua Kahale will be on hand to greet Santa Claus with a gift of hula. The arrival will be followed by complimentary photo-taking with Santa in the hotel lobby. Free and open to the public.
Breakfast with Santa Claus
December 18 and 19 – 8 am to 10 am, Outrigger Reef on the Beach
What child doesn’t dream of having just a few precious moments with Santa Claus to whisper in his ear their special holiday wish? Kids can do just that and more at this year’s Breakfast with Santa set for two mornings this December at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. A buffet breakfast, picture taking, balloon art, and face painting are all part of the morning’s activities on December 18 and 19; but the highlight certainly will be the time children spend with Santa. $25.00 per person, inclusive of tax, tip and FREE photo with Santa; $12.50 children 5 – 11 years; children 4 years and younger eat free. Reservations required: 808-924-4993.
Christmas in Hawaii is always a busy time of year with visitors choosing to escape the cold for the warmth and sunshine of Hawaii, so early reservations are a must. Hotel reservations can be made by contacting your preferred travel agent or call toll free 1-800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit www.outrigger.com or e-mail reservations@outrigger.com.
