『Hawaii Vacation Connection』のカバーアート

Hawaii Vacation Connection

Hawaii Vacation Connection

著者： Bruce Fisher
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 The Hawaii Vacation Connection is a one-of-a-kind podcast that is produced live every Monday, straight from a recording studio in Hawaii Kai, Oahu. Hosted by Hawaii Aloha Travel owner Bruce Fisher, the podcast touches on an array of Aloha state news topics and is dedicated to Hawaii’s guests. Whether you’re a first time visitor or repeat traveler, the Hawaii Vacation Connection keeps you in the loop and in the local know.HAWAII ALOHA TRAVEL 旅行記・解説 社会科学
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  • The Hidden Costs of a Hawaii Vacation: What You Might Overlook

    The Hidden Costs of a Hawaii Vacation: What You Might Overlook
    2025/06/04
    First-time visitors often overlook fees, taxes, and everyday costs that quickly pile up. From mandatory resort charges to surprise parking rates and even the cost of sunscreen, Hawaii has a way of nickel-and-diming travelers if they're not prepared. Here’s what you need to know to avoid sticker shock when your credit card bill arrives after paradise. Resort Fees: The Price of Paradise Comforts Most mid-range to upscale hotels and even some budget-friendly spots charge a daily resort fee, whether or not you use the amenities. These can run anywhere from $30 to over $60 per night, per room. What do you get for that? Usually Wi-Fi, towel service, beach rentals, and local phone calls. Sometimes it's a shell lei greeting and access to a fitness center or yoga class—but don't expect to opt out. This fee is mandatory, and it adds up fast. Hawaii’s Hotel Taxes and New Green Fee Hawaii tacks on a state hotel tax (10.25%), a general excise tax (around 4.712%), and now a new “green fee” in some areas aimed at protecting natural resources. As of 2024, certain counties—especially Maui—have introduced conservation-related charges for visitors staying overnight. The green fee may be wrapped into your nightly rate or added at checkout, but either way, it’s becoming more common—and it’s not optional. Parking: Not Always Free, Rarely Cheap Most Hawaii hotels charge for parking, some condos too, and not just a few bucks. Expect $35–$65 per night for valet or self-parking. Even vacation rentals and condos that advertise “parking available” may charge separately. Street parking? Good luck. It’s scarce, metered, and strictly enforced. Rent a car, and you’ll likely need to budget just as much to park it as to drive it. Tip: Some hotels offer packages that include parking—worth asking about. Car Rental Taxes, Fees, and Hidden Costs of a Hawaii Vacation Renting a car in Hawaii can seem cheap—until you check out. On top of the base rate, you’ll pay: Renting a car in Hawaii can seem cheap—until you check out. On top of the base rate, you’ll pay: Airport facility fee Vehicle registration recovery Taxes on top of all of the above Optional add-ons like Insurance, Car Seats, and Dropoff-fees It’s not uncommon for a $60/day rental to balloon into $100 or more after all the extras. What’s more, gas prices hover above the national average, especially on the neighbor islands. Dining: Sticker Shock in Paradise You’re on vacation—you’ll want to eat well. But remember, most restaurants automatically add a tip or service charge, especially for larger parties or hotel guests. Quick breakfasts or snacks from a café can cost $20+ per person. A decent sit-down dinner? Easily $50–$100 per head, without alcohol. Tip: Many vacation rentals come with kitchens. Shopping at Costco or Foodland and preparing a few meals at home can stretch your budget significantly. Tips and Gratuities: Not Always Optional In Hawaii, tipping is part of the culture. Here’s a rough guide Bell staff: $2–$5 per bag Valet: $3–$5 each time Housekeeping: $3–$7 per day Tour guides: $15–$20, depending on length and group size Wait staff 20% (cash is better) Tour guides: $5–$20 depending on length and group size Booking a snorkel tour, ATV ride, or helicopter flight? You’ll pay state taxes, sometimes harbor fees, and possibly fuel surcharges. Equipment like snorkels, fins, or wet suits might not be included. Even hikes into some popular areas now require reservations and entrance fees—like Waimea Valley or Hanauma Bay. Incidentals You Didn’t Pack Many visitors forget about TSA restrictions and end up buying pricey items after they land. Here are a few common culprits: Sunscreen (reef-safe brands are required and more expensive) Aloe for sunburns Water shoes or reef-safe footwear Hats or rash guards Beach toys for kids
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    15 分
  • Hidden Bites in Waikiki: My Favorite Hole-in-the-Wall Spots You’ll Wish You Found Sooner

    Hidden Bites in Waikiki: My Favorite Hole-in-the-Wall Spots You’ll Wish You Found Sooner
    2025/05/14
    When people visit Oʻahu and stay in Waikiki, most just look for whatever's nearby and end up at chain spots or hotel restaurants. They’re everywhere—and they’re often overpriced. What’s more, many visitors assume that anything affordable or truly local is far away. But Waikiki is just three miles long. You don’t need to leave the area to eat well or save money—you just need to know where to look. I’ve eaten at all the spots below, and trust me, they’re worth finding. Here’s a short list of my favorite low-key gems—small on size, big on flavor. Pho Minh Thu Waikiki Address: 2301 Kūhiō Ave #136, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $10–$14Portion Size: Generous; big bowls, sharable apps Pho Min Thu I walked into Pho Minh Thu on a humid afternoon craving something comforting and left borderline obsessed with the beef pho. The broth is clear but deeply flavored, and they pile in the tendon if you ask. I could drink that broth like tea. What to order: Beef Pho with tendon, shrimp spring rolls Zigu Waikiki Zigu Address: 413 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $18–$32Portion Size: Full entrées, craft presentation Zigu brings a modern touch to Japanese izakaya dining. The interior is hip, and they use local ingredients for a fresh take on traditional dishes. It feels more upscale without being stuffy. What to order: Local vegetable tempura, wagyu sushi, uni udon Maguro Spot Address: 2441 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $9–$16Portion Size: Bowl portions; solid for one You’ll miss it if you blink, but this tiny window spot serves some of the freshest poke in Waikiki. No frills, no fluff—just rice, raw fish, and flavor. It’s grab-and-go, and the price is fair. What to order: Spicy ahi poke bowl, shoyu ahi with avocado maguro Buho Cantina Address: 2250 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Top floor of Waikiki Shopping Plaza)Price Range: $16–$28Portion Size: Large; great for sharing This rooftop Mexican spot delivers killer views and tasty bites. It’s lively at night but still chill enough for lunch. They’ve got solid tacos, strong margaritas, and a vibe you won’t get downstairs. What to order: Short rib tacos, churros, jalapeño margarita Buho Cantina Teddy’s Bigger Burgers Address: 134 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $11–$15Portion Size: Big burgers, filling fries This is where I go when I want a real burger. No prefab patties—these are juicy, messy, and cooked to order. The seasoned fries seal the deal. What to order: Original Burger with garlic fries, teri burger Teddy's Bigger Burgers Nakamura Ramen Waikiki Address: 2141 Kalākaua Ave #1, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $12–$18Portion Size: Big bowls, filling Good ramen in Waikiki is rare—Nakamura nails it. Broth is flavorful, noodles have bite, and the char siu melts. It’s a small place so you might wait, but it’s worth it. What to order: Tonkotsu ramen, black garlic ramen Stix Asia Food Hall (Waikiki Shopping Plaza) Address: 2250 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $8–$20Portion Size: Small-to-medium; food court variety It’s not your average food court. Stix has a curated lineup of Japanese, Korean, and other pan-Asian stalls. It’s air-conditioned, clean, and fast. Good for picky eaters or when you’re craving variety. Stix Asia Food Hall What to order: Spicy miso ramen, tempura udon, yakitori skewers Waikiki Business Plaza Food Options Address: 2270 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $10–$20Portion Size: Varies; mostly fast casual This building has low-key good eats if you know where to look. There’s udon, curry, local bento, and even a sweet shop. Perfect for a no-fuss lunch stop while shopping. What to order: Katsu curry, oyakodon, mochi ice cream BBQ Chicken Hawaii (Waikiki) Address: 2299 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $12–$18Portion Size: Shareable boxes, heavy sides
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    14 分
  • Enough Talk: Why Hawai‘i Tourism Needs a Real Local Reset

    Enough Talk: Why Hawai‘i Tourism Needs a Real Local Reset
    2025/05/04
    For over two decades, I’ve worked in the heart of Hawaii’s tourism industry, not from a boardroom or behind a podium, but face-to-face with the people who come here and the community that calls this place home. And after 23 years of building custom Hawaii vacations with a team of only local travel advisors, I’m tired of hearing the same speeches about "transforming tourism." At the recent Travel Weekly Hawaii Leadership Forum (which I've never been invited to, even though I've appeared in their magazine for 20 years), Aaron Sala, CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, made headlines by declaring, "Tourism as we have known it is over." While I applaud the sentiment and the passion behind his words, I couldn’t help but feel that we’ve been here before. I’ve heard similar statements from every new face in Hawaii tourism leadership. Yet time and again, the execution falls flat. The Real Hawaii Tourism Problem The Disconnect Between Words and Action - The core issue isn’t the messaging—it’s the follow-through. We’re still allowing mainland companies to dominate how Hawaii is sold to the world. They control the packages, the distribution, the experience—and they do it without authentic local input. Most travelers are still funneled into mass-produced experiences: big bus tours, tourist traps, travel scams, and surface-level entertainment. Meanwhile, the local voice—the one that truly understands Hawai'i's land, culture, and values—is pushed to the margins. What Makes Us Different - At Hawaii Aloha Travel, we do what no mainland company is doing: We require that every vacation we book is created by someone who either was born here or has lived here for a meaningful part of their life. It’s not marketing—it’s our foundation. Because we live here, we know the difference between a tourist itinerary and a meaningful Hawaiian experience. We build every trip with care, knowledge, and cultural respect. And we believe that if you’re going to sell Hawaii, you need someone from Hawaii in that conversation. At Hawaii Aloha Travel, we do what no mainland company is doing: We require that every vacation we book is created by someone who either was born here or has lived here for a meaningful part of their life. It’s not marketing—it’s our foundation. Because we live here, we know the difference between a tourist itinerary and a meaningful Hawaiian experience. We build every trip with care, knowledge, and cultural respect. And we believe that if you’re going to sell Hawaii, you need someone from Hawaii in that conversation. A Real Solution: The Certified Local Travel Advisor Program I’m not just here to criticize. I’ve proposed a concrete, scalable solution: a Certified Hawaii-Based Travel Advisor program. This would ensure that anyone creating, selling, or designing Hawaii vacation packages includes a certified local expert in the process.Under this program, certified advisors would be required at a minimum: Be Hawaii-born or long-term residents- Update Seller of Travel Regulations- Make it a requirement that any Hawaii-bound vacation package include a state-registered travel advisor -Licensed and regulated by the DCCA (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) - Complete cultural competency and stewardship training This is how we move from buzzwords to benchmarks, from performative allyship to genuine local partnership.Let’s Stop Polishing the Rust and Rebuild the EngineIf we want regenerative tourism in Hawai‘i, we can’t just keep tweaking the same broken model. We need a reset—and that reset must start with locals leading the experience. Let’s Stop Polishing the Rust and Rebuild the Engine If you’re in a position of leadership, I invite you to stop talking about transformation and start building it. Partner with people like me. We’re ready, we’re experienced, and we’re already doing the work. If you’re a traveler, ask who’s planning your trip. If they don’t live here, ask why.
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    14 分

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