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If you love to bag bargains, head to the International Marketplace -- a shopper's paradise with scores of vendors at kiosks selling all types of jewelry, souvenirs and clothing. No trip to Hawaii is complete without purchasing some Royal Hawaiian jewelry: gold earrings and pendants, etched with plumeria flowers and filled with black enamel. I've bought just about everything here -- sarongs, divine tropical soaps, pearl earrings and pendants, strands of freshwater pearls. At Gold Classics, you'll discover its best-selling 14-karat gold Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry, which is handmade on site. Individual gold charms start at $15; small gold flower earrings, cultured pearl earrings and sterling silver sets of pendants and earrings all start at $25. 2330 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu.
Where to Eat
Winner of awards too
numerous to mention, Ono Hawaiian Foods is a hole-in-the-wall, no-frills
restaurant 3/4 of a mile outside Waikiki. Its owner is an 84-year-old
semi-retired woman who opened the business as its chef and financial wizard. Ono
Hawaiian foods ("Ono" means "delicious" in Hawaiian) is one of the few
restaurants to serve authentic aloha food, from jerky-like pipikalua to laulau
(ti-leaf wrapped steamed packets filled with taro leaves and chunks of pork) and
poi. Try the chicken long rice combination plate for $9.50, which includes lomi
salmon and a square of scrumptious haupia coconut custard for dessert. Closed
Sundays; open daily 11 a.m. - 7:45 p.m. 726 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, (808)
737-2275.
MAUIWhat to Do
Every night at 7 p.m., Whalers Village,
Kaanapali, hosts free entertainment of Polynesian music and dance on the Center
Stage. 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, (808) 661-4567. After, head to the Hyatt Regency Maui's rooftop and
take the "Tour of the Stars" at 11 p.m.; a special tour for couples only is held
on Friday and Saturday nights. The event includes Champagne, chocolate-covered
strawberries and a guided tour of Maui's superb skies, thanks to "Big Blue," the
16-inch high-powered telescope. You'll see the Southern Cross, star clusters and
galaxies. $25 per person at this writing. 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Lahaina, (808)
661-1234.
Where to Shop
Locals and
celebrities swear by Maui Babe
browning lotion. The local secret potion, made upcountry in Wailuku, is used
by models and sports figures all over the world. It's made with Kona coffee,
kukui nut oil and aloe. When used alone or on top of sunscreen with any SPF, it
will turn you an amazing cocoa tan (and you'll smell good enough to drink). Find
it in $9 and $13 sizes at ABC stores and Long's. (800) 250-3581. Not convinced
it's a necessity? Buy the small size -- you'll swear by it -- and used
sparingly, it can last far beyond your Hawaiian cruise.
Or rent a car and drive to the outdoor market opposite Kalama Park, Kihei, held 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. daily. You'll find excellent deals on local, handmade paper products, koa-wood merchandise, clothes, soaps, candles and much more.
Where to Eat
Make fish your main dish at Alexander's Fish, Chicken and Chips (which is next to the Kihei outdoor market, and also in Lahaina and Kahului). I can vouch that Alexander's offers a satisfying lunch, and they're known for "great food fast at fast-food prices." Everything's made from scratch daily, and when frying, they only use canola oil. You can order a lunch entree of mahi, ono or ahi fish for just $7.95, or a broiled fish or chicken sandwich for $7.25. In Lahaina at 840 Wainee St. (808) 667-9009.
KONA, BIG
ISLANDWhat to Do
Perk yourself up with a visit to one of the Kona coast's legendary coffee farms. The one closest to the pier is Kona Blue Sky Coffee Company, a 15-minute drive to Holualoa. The free 20-minute tour includes a video, a stroll in the gardens, tastings of decaf and various roasts, and samples of coffees and chocolate-covered coffee beans. In the retail store, you can purchase made-in-Hawaiian gourmet goodies such as chocolate, macadamia nuts and pancake mix. Two-ounce bags start at $4.50, while 3.5-oz bags of coffee covered in chocolate are just $8. Yum! (877) 322-1700. The best show in town is at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where the 4,000-ft. Kilauea volcano has erupted continuously since 1983. Rent a car and head to this fascinating place; entrance fees to the Kilauea Visitor Center are just $10 per car. Click here or call (808) 985-6000 for an eruption update. Open 7:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
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