VIRTUAL ALOHA ARCHIVE

October 2002
Issue #42

Hawaii ’s Only Hot Air Balloon Adventure
If you are looking for a unique way to sight see while in the Hawaiian Islands this is it!! There is only one place you can enjoy a Hot Air Balloon ride in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and that is on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hot air balloon adventures set sail at sunrise from the slopes of Mauna Kea at about 4,000 feet above sea level then it’s up-up-and away! While on your flight over Parker Ranch, a working cattle ranch, you are given a historical narration of the ranch’s interesting 150-year history as well as information about hot air ballooning and some points of interest on the Big Island . The views of Mauna Kea and Parker Ranch are breath taking with lots of amazing photo opportunities. After your flight you celebrate with a yummy continental breakfast which is included. Each passenger also receives a “Balloon Flight Certificate” along with a framed photo as wonderful keepsake mementos of their adventure. Flight duration varies depending on weather, wind and passenger load conditions. For people who typically experience motion sickness hot air balloons glide with the wind and because they move with air currents, not against them, there's no resistance, which is usually what causes motion sickness. Also people who suffer from acrophobia, a fear of heights, tend to do fine on the Hot Air Balloon adventure because in a balloon there is no point of reference, like buildings or the edge of a cliff, between the balloon and the ground. For more details on these and other island specific Hawaii adventure suggestions visit www.alohafriends.com/all_islands.html

Permanent Hawaiian Souvenir
Tattooing has been a part of Polynesian culture since long before the first Polynesians landed in the Hawaiian Islands and has become a very popular lifetime souvenir from an awesome Hawaiian vacation. Ancient Hawaiian tattoo artists used fish bones to make the actual tattoo needles where the barbs were slit to form a needle like point. Then grooves were carved along the sides allowing ink run to the tip. Multiple needles could be laced together to form a composite needle to cover a larger area on the skin. The fishbone needles were attached to a wooden club and tapped with another wooden club to make the cuts into the skin to create the design then tattoo ink was rubbed into the cuts. The tattoo ink was created by combining fish bones, shavings of Sandalwood, and Kukui nut oil which was burned and pounded into a fine powder and added to Neneleau root with drops of seawater. Prior to contact with Western World ancient Hawaiians primarily had a style of tribal tattooing depicting geometric shapes and patterns. Ancient Hawaiian men and women favored tattoos on their hands, feet, fingers, arms, calves, and face. The tongue was also tattooed as a sign of grief.
Today one-time-use sterile needles and India ink are typically used to create the designs and there are lots of great options for designs. There are tattoo parlors located on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island which feature hundreds of examples of Hawaiian tribal and standard tattoo options to choose from ranging from things like a simple small turtle or dolphin to a beautiful full back hula girl design or detailed tribal armband tattoo. You can also bring in your own artwork or have a tattoo artist design something especially for you. If you’ve considered getting a tattoo but don’t want to make the lifetime commitment there are temporary tattoo options of  Henna tattoos, airbrushed tattoos, and stick on tattoos also available in Hawaii that are fun alternatives and only last up to a week. For more details on these and other fun island specific adventures visit www.alohafriendshawaii.com 

CREATE AN AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN LUAU ANYWHERE!
Luaus are fun for birthday/anniversary parties, promotion/retirement parties, family reunions, company picnics, block parties, bridal/baby showers, or just when a few good friends get together. For lots of great decorating tips, tasty recipes, and fun Hawaii theme game ideas visit www.alohafriendsluau.com and have a party that everyone will enjoy! There are even instructions for creating an underground imu pit to cook your feast like the ancient Hawaiians did! Another fun option is to host a Hawaiian Theme Cookie Decorating Contest with suggestions and cookie cutters featured at www.alohafriends.com/HIcookiecutter.html 
Getting married? Check out our tips on creating a Hawaii theme wedding anywhere at  www.alohafriends.com/Hawaii_wedding.html 
Planning to host a Christmas in April party? Check out our NEW tips on creating a Hawaiian theme Christmas luau at www.alohafriendsluau.com/christmas.html  

Hawaii is a Popular Backdrop in Movies and on TV
Since 1918 many feature films and television shows have used the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands in their productions. You have probably seen the majestic mountain tops or secluded beaches of Hawaii many times in movies or TV shows and didn’t even know it. Most of the films shot in the Hawaiian Islands use locations around the islands of Kauai and Oahu . Several exterior jungle scenes in Raider of the Lost Ark were shot in a tropical rainforest on Kauai and the Huleia River, located near the Menehune Fishpond behind Nawiliwili on Kauai, is where the headhunter and cave opening scenes in "Raiders" was set.  Elvis Presley LOVED Hawaii and filmed three of his movies in the islands. The beautiful Kauai Coco Palms Resort was a favorite of Elvis and is where he was married in the movie “Blue Hawaii”. Unfortunately this historical resort has remained closed since a devastating hurricane in 1992. Some of the MANY television programs that have filmed around Hawaii are; E.R., My Wife and Kids, Mrs. USA Pageant 2002, Baywatch Hawaii, Pacific Blue, Fantasy Island, Thorn Birds, Byrds of Paradise, One West Waikiki, Marker, Jake and the Fat Man, Magnum P.I., Hawaii Five-O, The Brady Bunch, Gilligan’s Island, Wheel of Fortune, MTV’s The Real World, and ESPN’s Body Shaping.
The next time you are at the video rental store enjoy a mental vacation to Hawaii by checking out movies filmed in Hawaii . Below are some of the MANY movies with scenes shot around the Hawaiian Islands: Dragonfly, WindTalkers, Pearl Harbor, George of the Jungle, 6 Days-7 Nights, Beyond Paradise, Outbreak, Waterworld, Mighty Joe Young, Picture Bride, Jurassic Park I - II & III, The Time Machine, Dinosaur, Honeymoon in Vegas, Hook, North, Father Damien, Sliver, Nemesis, Lord of the Flies, Throw Momma From the Train, Black Widow, Raiders of the Lost Ark, King Kong, Man With The Golden Gun, The Hawaiians, Hawaii, Rampage, Diamond Head, Blue Hawaii, Paradise- Hawaiian Style, None but the Brave, Wackiest Ship in the Army, The Old Man and the Sea, South Pacific, Underwater, Bird of Paradise, Hawaiian Buckaroo, South Aloha Hawaii, From Here to Eternity. 
There are guided tours on Kauai and Oahu where you can get a up close and personal look at movie locations. For more details on these and other fun island specific adventures visit www.alohafriendshawaii.com 

Famous Hula Show Dances Their Final Performance 
After 65 years of entertaining more than 10 million visitors from around the world the famous Kodak Hula Show/Pleasant Hawaiian Hula Show will be no more! Visitors and residents have been treated to this FREE hula show since March 1937 where during the one hour show you were not only entertained but also educated about Hawaii ’s unique cultural heritage. The hula show was first performed on Waikiki beach near the Natatorium and in more recent years at the Waikiki Shell in Kapiolani Park ( Diamond Head end of Waikiki ). In 1999 Kodak who had sponsored the hula show for over 63 years changed its “corporate strategy” and decided to end its’ long time sponsorship of this island tradition. Pleasant Hawaiian picked up the sponsorship in July 1999 allowing the show to continue but in September 2002 they ended their sponsorship and the free hula show has danced what appears to be their final performance. There are still other free hula shows and many interesting Hawaiian cultural events for you to take in around the Hawaiian Islands . For more details on theses and island specific activity suggestions visit www.alohafriends.com

HOLIDAY CARDS, ORNAMENTS, AND GIFTS FROM HAWAII   
STAND OUT FROM THE REST AND BRING LOTS OF SMILES!!! 
New adorable Hawaii theme Christmas ornaments for 2002 have arrived! Delightful Hawaiian theme cards and ornaments as well as over 200 exotic treats and treasures from Hawaii make it easy finding thoughtful & impressive gifts for everyone on your list. For Holiday cards and ornaments visit the Hawaii Christmas Boutique at www.alohafriends.com/christmas.html and to browse the Island Gift Shop visit www.alohafriends.com/products.html  To ensure items you want to give as gifts are in stock and arrive in time place your Holiday orders now!  PLANNING TO HOST A CHRISTMAS PARTY? CHECK OUT OUR NEW TIPS ON CREATING A FUN HAWAIIAN THEME CHRISTMAS LUAU AT www.alohafriendsluau.com/christmas.html

Howling Good Fun on Halloween! 
If you will be vacationing on Maui or Oahu on October 31 there are two great places for Halloween festivities whether you dress in costume or not. On the island of Maui the town of Lahaina is transformed into the Marti Gras of the Pacific. Front Street is closed to traffic from 4pm to 2am for Halloween festivities of costume contests, a Haunted House, live music, food, and crafts.  Many bars in Lahaina also have Halloween parties going on and costume contests for a howling good time for Adults.
On the island Oahu the festivities are a bit less extravagant but are still lots of fun. In Waikiki spectators line the sidewalks on both sides of the main drag, Kalakaua Avenue , armed with cameras as those in costume (primarily adults) parade up and down the sidewalks. Those in costume enjoy celebrity status with lots of requests for photos with tourists. We go to the Waikiki festivities all dressed up in costume and enjoy having all the people stop us for photos and videos. Halloween is not celebrated around the World and it is quite amusing to talk to foreign visitors who have no idea why people are dressing and acting so weird. People start flocking to Waikiki at about 8pm and the festivities last well after midnight . There are also lots of bars in Waikiki that throw Halloween parties with costume contests so you can dance the monster mash all night and check out all the great costumes! For more details on other island activities visit our web site at www.alohafriendshawaii.com 

WOW YOUR SOMEONE SPECIAL WITH SWEET FRESH HAWAIIAN PINEAPPLES!
For Birthdays, Anniversaries, Luaus, and other special occasions uniquely express your Aloha (love) for someone special with ono (delicious) fresh pineapples from Hawaii . These sweet island treats bring big smiles and are available to be shipped anywhere within the USA . To view fresh Hawaiian pineapple options as well as other pineapple island treasures visit our Pineapple Lovers page at www.alohafriends.com/pineapples.html or to view over 200 other treats and treasures from Hawaii visit our Island Gift Shop at www.alohafriends.com/products.html 

DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know Hawaii Five-O was the longest running police series in TV’s history? 
Hawaii Five-O was considered to be the most violent show on TV for many years. From 1968-1980 Det. Steve McGarrett along with fellow policemen like Det. Danny Williams, Det. Chin Ho Kelly, Det. Ben Kokua, Det. Frank Kemana, and Det. Kono Kalakaua fought crime in the Hawaiian Islands and pursued bad guys like the infamous Wo Fat. The action packed episodes, interesting story lines, and beautiful background scenery of Hawaii has made the show a huge hit for over 30 years. There were a total of 278 episodes created which still run in syndication around the world. Although there isn’t any Hawaii Five-O museum in the Hawaiian islands if you are a fan of the show and are planning to visit Hawaii you can still check out locations shown in many of the episodes since the show was shot exclusively in the islands, with only a few exceptions.

Just Ask
Coming from the mainland to Hawaii, what are the restrictions regarding bringing food with you like snack crackers, packaged popcorn, candy etc.?
The only food restrictions are that no FRESH fruit or vegetables can be brought into Hawaii from anywhere. There will be a collection of any fresh fruits and vegetables on the plane before you land and depart the plane so bring only what you’re sure to eat on the flight. There are also amnesty bins to put fresh fruits and veggies in just before you enter the baggage claim area and Inter-island terminals. If you are caught by the agriculture inspectors at the Airport with imported fresh fruits or vegetables past the amnesty points you could receive a ticket with hefty fines. This strict import policy has been implemented to help prevent the introduction of insects found outside Hawaii . Fresh fruit that has been properly quarantined is available in stores on all Hawaiian Islands , but it’ export is restricted.
Do you have a question about anything related to Hawaii ? We are sure other Virtual Aloha subscribers are staying up nights wondering the same thing. Get it off your mind and just ask us! Submit your Just Ask question to islandtips@aol.com

 
ADD A LINK TO A FRIEND IN THE ISLANDS
Help others to enjoy a mental vacation to Hawaii by putting a graphic or text link to www.alohafriends.com on your business or personal web site. Visit www.alohafriends.com/logo.html if you would like to choose a graphic.
Mahalo for assisting us in spreading Aloha!

VIRTUAL ALOHA ARCHIVE
Check out more useful Hawaii tips and interesting articles about Hawaii in past issues of Virtual Aloha. Visit the Virtual Aloha Archive at http://www.alohafriendshawaii.com/Enews_Archive.html

This Enews letter is SENT BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY. To subscribe please send an email to Hawaiifriends@aol.com with the word subscribe in the body of the email. 

(C) Kim and Mike Crinella/A Friend in the Islands. No reprints without acknowledgement from the publisher that the article(s) are written by Mike and Kim Crinella, A Friend in the Islands at www.alohafriends.com

Disclaimer : Our activity suggestions, tips, and Enews articles are based on our experiences and research. The information contained within this site and our Enews letter "Virtual Aloha" is meant to be a guide for anyone who wants to learn more about the islands and for visitors to explore what kinds of activities are available prior to arrival. Prices are listed to use as a guide to help determine what fits in each visitors budget and are subject to change by the activity provider. We are NOT affiliated with any activity provider and do NOT make any money from activity providers our suggestions! We are concerned with the quality of our suggestions and welcome positive and negative feedback about the activities. We, Mike and Kim Crinella, and our company, "A Friend in the Islands", will not be held responsible for any accidents, loss of property, or any other misfortunes associated with activities who's information is provided. 
This page was created by and is maintained by Mike & Kim Crinella. All information, graphics, and photos contained in this web site are property of Mike & Kim Crinella. Reuse of anything for commercial purposes requires credit be given to Mike & Kim Crinella and  A Friend in the Islands at www.alohafriends.com

You have A Friend in the Islands
www.alohafriends.com  
www.alohafriendshawaii.com
www.alohafriendsluau.com
www.alohafriendsphotos.com
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by A Friend in the Islands. All rights reserved.
Revised: 30 Jun 2006 15:41:45 -0400.
For telephone contact information visit www.alohafriends.com/telephone.html
email: islandtips@aol.com