Hilton Hawaiian Village Tower Completes Renovation

Above, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tower in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel at Waikiki Beach was one of Elvis Presley's favorite places to stay while in the islands. 

I got to see it back in 2016 while at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. I also visited it and bought an ice cream sundae at their ice cream parlor.

Travel Weekly reports that the Hilton Hawaiian Hotel Rainbow Tower's renovation has been completed:

One of Waikiki's most iconic landmarks, the Rainbow Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu has completed its renovation. The tower's rooms have been refreshed with design touches rooted in Hawaii.

To read more, go here. 

Travel + Leisure: Complete Guide To The Big Island of Hawaii

Above, lava inside a Kilauea volcano crater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten years ago this month, I took a vacation trip to Hawaii. It was a package trip by the Automobile Club of Southern California. It was a great deal that included air travel and hotels.

The trip comprised a few days in Waikiki and a few days on the Big Island of Hawaii. While on the Big Island, we took a helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls and the coast near Hilo. 

Travel + Leisure posted a "complete guide" to Hawaii's Big Island.

It begins with:

It’s no secret that the Island of Hawaii is a tropical paradise filled with beautiful beaches, thoughtfully designed resorts, important cultural landmarks, impressive national parks, and some of the most delicious food in the Pacific. That's why Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island, has long remained one of the top vacation destinations in the world.

Whether it’s a trip to one of the island’s main events—the Kona Brewers Festival in March, the Big Island Chocolate Festival in April, or the Ironman World Championship in October—or you're looking to relax in a location packed with views of swaying palm trees, cerulean seas, and volcanic outcrops, the Big Island is a destination that cannot be missed.

To read more, go here. 

Some Americans Find Hawaii Vacations Less Appealing

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki is where I stayed in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have only been to Hawaii once in my life. I mainly stayed in Waikiki on Oahu and Kona, on the Big Island.

That was ten years ago this coming May. It appears that I visited Hawaii just in the nick of time before prices skyrocketed.

Nowadays, some American travelers find Hawaii less appealing as a vacation destination.

MSN posted a slideshow article on why this is so.

They begin it with:

Hawaii is becoming one of the most expensive vacation destinations in the U.S., and travelers are noticing. Hotel rates, flights, and daily expenses have all climbed sharply over the past few years.

What once felt like a special but manageable trip now requires a much larger budget. Many repeat visitors say the overall experience no longer matches the price they are paying.

The islands are still beautiful, but the total cost of getting there and staying comfortably has reached a point where people are reconsidering. This growing gap between expectation and reality is changing how travelers view Hawaii as a destination.

To read more, go here. 

Elvis Slept Here: Inside the Luxurious Waikiki Resort

Above, the Hilton Waikiki Village from the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Expect a flood of Elvis Presley articles in the media as EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert is opening this week in theaters.

One is from USA Today about the Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel at Waikiki Beach. I visited the hotel in 2016 while vacationing down the beach from it at the Sheraton Waikiki.

The article begins with:

Elvis loved quite a few things: luxury cars, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and Hawaii. The King of Rock and Roll spent nearly 20 years of his life visiting Hawaii, and more specifically, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, an iconic resort that’s still open today — and brimming with fellow Elvis fans who want a glimpse into the King’s past.

The resort has an elite roster of famous fans who’ve roamed its halls, from Barack Obama to Ronald Reagan to Michael Jackson. But Elvis is regarded as the superstar who put this hotel on the map, having filmed “Blue Hawaii” on its property in 1961 and returning frequently over the course of two decades.

As you can imagine, the hotel has embraced the iconic connection. Visitors can explore the resort’s timeline wall, which features photos of Presley during his stays, information about the star, and memorabilia from his various visits.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Has Become Too Expensive for Middle-Class Travelers

Above, Diamond Head from Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I went to Hawaii back in 2016 before the pandemic and Hawaii vacations skyrocketed in cost.

Hotels and resorts have hiked prices as has the state government with various taxes. We know which political party has total control of the state's government (the same one that messed up California). 

It now appears that Hawaii has become too expensive for middle-class travelers. 

Fodors posted an article on this and it begins with:

There’s no denying it: it’s gotten more expensive to visit Hawai‘i since the pandemic. 

In an op-ed for SFGate, contributing editor Christine Hitt poses that very question, noting that average daily hotel rates statewide have risen 25% since 2019, and on some islands, including Hawai‘i Island (the Big Island) and Kaua‘i, the increases are in excess of 50%. 

The state’s tourism promoters have said this is by design, as the state looks for ways to maintain the economic contribution of visitors to the state’s economy without growing their overall numbers. In 2025, they’ve largely succeeded, with total year-to-date visitor spend showing a healthy increase over 2024, with the total number of visitors remaining relatively flat.

But as Hitt points out, that also leaves travelers fewer options if their budgets are more modest—particularly Hawai‘i residents seeking to vacation on other islands, and native Hawaiians wishing to visit friends and family in Hawai‘i after being driven to the continental U.S. by the islands’ high cost of living. 

 To read more, go here.

Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations and Avoiding Them

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a Hawaii vacation nine years ago instead of during recent years.

I have been reading on how a vacation there has gotten more expensive. Back when I went there in 2016, I didn't feel prices were any worse than anywhere else. But, times have certainly changed. 

There are some traps that can ruin a Hawaiian vacation. Beat of Hawaii lays them out and also tells how to avoid them.

They begin with:

A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

To read more, go here. 

Waikiki May Soon Look Nothing Like You Remember

Above, Waikiki Beach near the Sheraton Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2016, I went on a vacation trip to Hawaii. The first part of it was at the Sheraton Waikiki on Oahu.

Much of the time on the beach was spent at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon near the Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel, a favorite haunt of Elvis Presley.

It seems that Waikiki Beach has been eroding away and the powers-that-be are taking steps to restoring it. In looking over my photos of Waikiki, there's not much sand there.

According to Beat of Hawaii:

Waikiki Beach is quietly slipping away—and with it, a century of shoreline illusions. Engineered more than a hundred years ago and maintained ever since with imported sand and coastal structures, Hawaii’s most famous beach is now retreating faster than ever before. In some places, the sand is already gone. In others, walkways are simply crumbling underfoot.

Now, state lawmakers are being asked for $5 million to kickstart final plans for the latest $60 million beach rescue effort. But experts warn: if the funding stalls, so does Waikiki’s future.

To read more, go here. 

Affording Hawaii In 2025

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pretty much everything costs much more thanks to the rampant inflation we're enduring.

That also includes travel. Travel to Hawaii has skyrocketed during the past several years. People are wondering if it is too expensive.

Travel to Hawaii is more expensive, but there are ways to cutting costs. That is the topic of an article in Beat of Hawaii. 

They begin it with:

Hawaii’s soaring travel costs have left many wondering if a vacation to the islands can ever be within reach. Between rising airfare, astronomical hotel rates overall, activities, and everyday expenses, the perception is that Hawaii has become too expensive except for the wealthy. But with the right strategies, a trip to paradise can still be affordable—even in 2025. Here’s how.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Resort Fees Are Skyrocketing Again

Above, hotels in Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like that it was a good thing that I went to Hawaii when I did in 2016. Hotels and resorts are planning to hike their resort fees on stays.

Beat of Hawaii reported:

Hawaii resort fees rankle travelers and residents alike, significantly inflating the cost of a hotel stay. These charges can easily add hundreds more dollars to the bill, often covering questionably chargeable services like internet access or beach amenities that might otherwise be included in the room rate.

Combined with Hawaii’s 18% state and county accommodation taxes, plus a range of other fees labeled as everything from “conservation” to “local tax,” hotel bills can quickly surge by over 50%. That’s before factoring in parking costs, adding as much as an additional $60 per night.

Hawaii visitors often feel blindsided by how these fees are disclosed.

While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has advocated for pricing transparency, most hotels reveal resort fees late in the booking process. On platforms like Booking.com, nightly rates have become loss leaders, luring travelers before piling on hidden costs.

Despite federal initiatives, resort fees will remain widespread across Hawaii in 2025, leaving many questioning if meaningful change is possible. Although earlier proposals inspired some hope, doubts persist about whether the industry will shift, even in the face of consumer outrage.

Hawaii resort fees now.

Resort fees in Hawaii vary significantly depending on the property. Here’s just an assortment. Since Hawaii has such a vast number of hotels, you’ll need to check. The Royal Hawaiian will increase its fee to $52 per night starting December 2024. Fairmont Orchid recently raised its resort fee to $48 per night. Hilton Hawaiian Village remains among the highest in Waikiki at $59 per night. Montage Kapalua Bay maintains its $50 per night charge, with additional costs for valet parking.

To read more, go here. 

Lonely Planet: Guide To O'ahu

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that vacation season is here and one is planning to spend a vacation in Hawaii, Lonely Planet has posted guide to O'ahu for first-timers. Oddly, it doesn't mention paying a visit to Pearl Harbor. That should be a must-see for everyone, especially first-timers.

It begins with:

Welcome to Oʻahu, home to some of the most well-known natural landmarks in the world – from famed Waikiki Beach to towering Diamond Head to the surfable North Shore.

Known as a beautiful beach destination, this island is great for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing to your heart’s content. But beyond the sunny shorelines, Oʻahu has a wealth of greenery-filled hikes, internationally-inspired restaurants, and cultural landmarks for you to explore.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Hotel Rates Rising

Above, surfers on Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a vacation trip to Hawaii eight years ago before the current inflation rate made hotel accommodations very expensive. Prices have risen so much so that it is pricing out some potential visitors.

According to SFGATE:

Hawaii’s hotel room rates have increased dramatically in the past five years. It’s causing some travelers to look elsewhere, as the number of visitors to Hawaii is declining.

The state’s average daily hotel room rate increased 35% in April 2024 compared to April 2019, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Hawaii Hotel Performance Report. Oahu increased the least, at about 20%.

“It’s inflation. Some people try to blame it on Hawaii. It’s everywhere,” Jo Wattle, travel adviser and owner of Travel with Jo, told SFGATE. 

The Island of Hawaii and Kauai top the state in terms of percentage increase. Daily room rates in April 2019 were $260 and $267 respectively, while April 2024 data shows rates have increased more than 60% to $442 and $432.

Josh Hargrove, general manager of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, agrees that inflation has increased Hawaii’s overall room rates. 

To read more, go here. 

10 Best Honolulu Hotels For Every Type of Traveler

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki hotels and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If there is a shortage of anything in Honolulu, Hawaii, it certainly isn't the number of hotels. There are plenty to choose from.

Travel + Leisure has compiled a list of what they consider to be the ten best hotels in Honolulu.for every type of traveler.

They begin with:

Honolulu, the capital of the “Aloha State,” located on Oʻahu, became a popular vacation destination with the advent of convenient air travel during the 1950s and 60s. Beloved for its gorgeous shoreline, stunning sunsets, tropical scenery, and friendly Aloha spirit, Honolulu has grown as visitors have increased over the years.

Couples, families, groups of friends, and business travelers flock to Honolulu’s beaches, restaurants, and attractions like the Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial, museums, golf courses, and places of natural beauty like Diamond Head. Hotels have been built, renovated, and recreated to meet the demand, and there’s something for every type of traveler, from budget to extravagant. 

Combining recommendations from travel advisors, frequent visitors, and Travel + Leisure readers who vote in the annual World’s Best Awards, we’ve created this list of Honolulu hotel suggestions.

To read more, go here. 

Family-Friendly Hawaii Resorts

Above, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort was a favorite place to stay for Elvis Presley. According to an article in Travel Weekly, it is also a good place to stay if one has children in tow.

I have never personally stayed there, but I did wander around the resort's outside area and bought some ice cream at their ice cream stand. 

Travel Weekly has posted a list of the best resorts in Hawaii for families.

They begin it with: 

Considering that Hawaii visitors will be spending the majority of time outside of their hotel rooms, it's not always necessary to find a resort that caters to children and teens, or even has amenities they might appreciate. But there are some Hawaii resorts that do, and the kids love them for it.

Here's my short list of hotels where I've personally stayed with kids and that I would recommend for any families traveling to Hawaii. 

To read more, go here. 

3 Best Hotels In Honolulu

Above, a view of Diamond Head from the Sheraton Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Previously, I had blogged that hotels in Hawaii have hiked their prices around 70% since the end of the pandemic. Some say that this may ease the "overtourism" that has been reported.

Those who are undaunted about going to Hawaii, particularly Honolulu, The Manual has posted what they consider to be the three best hotels there.

As it turns out, the first one listed is the Sheraton Waikiki, which recently completed a massive renovation. I stayed there in 2016 and, even then, it was quite a nice hotel.

The Manual starts with: 

Honolulu is home to some 47,000 hotel rooms. And while it’s virtually impossible to have a bad time in paradise, some of these establishments are in an elite league of their own. Like the very best wines or a timeless rock ‘n’ roll record, the superiority lies in the details.

The following three hotels in Honolulu not only offer prime locations and unmatched service but also go the extra mile by way of unrivaled experiences like high tea or immersive luaus. Some are teeming with incredible history, while others get bonus points for being highly sustainable. Together, they capture the incredible brand of hospitality genuinely unique to Hawaii and allow visitors to absorb legendary Waikiki and Honolulu, Hawaii’s largest metro area and a delightfully diverse one at that.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Hotel Prices Up 70%, May Stifle Overtourism

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The "powers that be" in Hawaii are talking about stifling overtourism by adding fees lately.'

However, that may not be necessary since hotel room rates have risen 70% since the end of the pandemic. They may take care of the overtourism "problem".

According to Beat of Hawaii:

With the nightly cost of Hawaii hotels, the state may not need to worry much longer about over-tourism. Between high prices and the pressure on vacation rentals, the issue could become self-regulating. Regular commenter John W. said today that “Hawaii hotel prices are outlandish.” And we concur. The December numbers speak for themselves.

BOH editors will be in West Maui in February to bring you more on-the-ground coverage. What we found, no matter how hard we tried, or where we looked, was what we deemed to be just too high pricing. In the end, given the cost, we chose not to book yet, waiting until the last minute. In addition to costs, the cancellation notice and penalties were too much to feel comfortable.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Vacations Less Expensive In 2024?

Above, a pool at the Sheraton Waikiki with Diamond Head in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Travel experts say that travel to Hawaii in 2024 will be more affordable.

I, for one, would have to see it to believe it. 

Travel Lifestyle has posted an article in which this is what the experts are saying.

It begins with:

Hawaii is a state that relies heavily on tourism revenue. However, there will come a point — experts suggest sooner rather than later — when cost-cutting will be necessary to sustain this tourism.

The terrible wildfires on Maui in August played a major role in the decline in visitor numbers this year. In addition, the cost of travel to other tropical destinations, including Bora Bora, has dropped significantly, forcing Hawaii to keep up with tourism demand.

According to experts, demand and price will soon be more in line in Hawaii, resulting in far less expensive travel. Experts and travel gurus predict Hawaii will become more affordable as prices fall elsewhere.

To read more, go here. 

When's The Best Time of The Year To Visit Hawaii?

Above, a view of Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we went to Hawaii seven years ago, it was during the month of May. We enjoyed warm weather and no rain.

The places we were at were Waikiki/Honolulu and at Kona on the Big Island. 

If one is wondering when is the best time of the year to visit Hawaii, AFAR Media has an article that will be a big help in one's trip planning.

It starts with:

There isn’t exactly a bad time to visit Hawai‘i. But while its islands enjoy year-round sun and consistently warm temperatures, other factors like hotel prices, crowds, and your itinerary can determine a more ideal time to visit the Hawaiian islands. Humpback whale migrations take place from December to March, making that the perfect time for snorkelers hoping to hear their calls. Meanwhile, those trying to catch (or watch) those totally-gnarly-dude
swells also may want to come in the winter, when 30- and 40-foot waves hit the North Shore.

Peak crowds arrive in December and January and on a lesser scale during the summer as people migrate for the holidays and school vacations, offering the argument that the best time to visit Hawai‘i is during the shoulder seasons of April to May or September to November. During this period, the crowds thin out and the state experiences less rainfall (though topography, like whether a location is on Hawai‘i’s leeward or windward side, can affect precipitation amounts).

To read more, go here. 

Sheraton Waikiki Unveils $200 Million Renovation

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For me, the criteria for liking a place enough is to want to go or stay there again. Such is the case of the Sheraton Waikiki, where I stayed in 2016 while in Oahu. Yeah, I'd stay there again.

The hotel, even then, was a nice place and it has recently completed its $200 million renovation. 

According to Travel Weekly:

The oceanfront Sheraton Waikiki has completed its $200 million renovation of all 1,636 guestrooms and suites. Guests will also notice upgrades in the hallways, elevator landings and event and retail spaces.

The refreshed guestrooms feature platform beds, spa-like bathrooms and daybeds on the balconies.

"We're thrilled with the results of the renovations and are beyond excited for our guests to experience the beauty, comfort and aloha spirit that the Sheraton Waikiki offers," area general manager Tom Calame said in a press release.

To read more, go here. 

Elvis Presley and the Ala Wai Heliport

A little rock 'n roll history trivia for you since this year marks 50 years since the Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii broadcast.

In January 1973, Elvis Presley was in Hawaii for his Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii satellite concert broadcast that was seen by over one billion people worldwide. 

A part of that broadcast was footage of his arrival at Waikiki by helicopter at the Ala Wai Heliport. The Ala Wai Heliport is no longer there.

From Hawaii.gov:

The Ala Wai Heliport was a State-operated heliport facility located makai [out to the ocean or seaward] of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon and adjacent to the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor.  The heliport consisted of a parking pad, a take off and landing pad, and perimeter fencing.  No overnight parking was permitted; transient parking was limited to 15 minutes for loading and unloading of passengers. No fuel facilities or fueling was permitted at the heliport.

Above, the heliport was located behind the trees.

During our 2016 trip to Hawaii, we were at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. As we sat on the beach at the lagoon, behind us were trees and on the other side of them was where the Ala Wai Heliport used to be. It was closed on May 24, 1990. 

Above the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Duke
Kahanamoku Lagoon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Prior to our trip, I wondered where the heliport was located. With a little sleuthing, I found out where it was once located. I took a walk there, but there were no traces of the former heliport. It is now just a big parking lot.

Amazon Prime Hawaii Travel Deals Starts Today

Above, a view of Waikiki surfers and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Amazon Prime is in the travel business? Who'd have "thunk" it?

Well, they are and, today and tomorrow, they are promoting some Hawaii travel deals.

According to Beat of Hawaii (from yesterday):

Big Hawaii deals are poised to be featured front and center on Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day, that will take place starting tomorrow, July 11-12. We said before that Amazon would be voyaging into the world of travel. What better place to start with than Prime Day + Hawaii. And this will be the first time ever.

Priceline will be the first travel brand to offer an exclusive Prime Day deal. The site currently runs ads throughout Amazon’s portfolio of streaming and audio products.

To read more, go here.