Hawaii Rental

Guide to Apartment Living and Renting an Apartment  You are here: About > Home & Garden > Apartment Living / Rental Home & Garden Apartment Living Essentials How to Find an Apartment Apartment Lease Basics Move Into Your Apartment First Apartment Checklists Renters Insurance FAQ Topics Find an Apartment Roommates & Neighbors Leases / Agreements Money Issues Moving Pets Apartment Living Pest Control Rights & Safe Living Housing Discrimination Public Housing Lease Changes / Endings Glossary Buyer's Guide Apartment Essentials State Farm Renters Insurance Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Apartment Living / Rental newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Apartment Living / Rental From Jennifer Lai , Your Guide to Apartment Living / Rental . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Items You'll Need When You Sign the Lease These are the items you'll need when you sign the lease: Certified checks or money orders . Get seperate checks for the rent and the security deposit , because the landlord must deposit the check in its own interest-bearing bank account. Thinking cap. If you have yet to see the apartment lease , don't just blindly sign it without reading all the fine print. Be prepared to question any clauses that seem unfair to you. Any changes to the lease must be written down on the lease or a seperate sheet that is signed by both you and the landlord. Bag or folder for the lease. After both you and the landlord sign the lease, you will each receive a copy. Keep all the papers in a safe place, starting with something in which to transport the lease to your new apartment. Wednesday January 25, 2006 | permalink Avoid Bad Roommates Your last roommate drove you crazy. This time around, avoid choosing a bad roommate . This is especially important when you're considering living with a friend. Remember that the bonds of friendship are not the same as the bonds between roommates. Your friend's spontaneity and free spirit may start to irk you when this translates into late rent payments or lost apartment keys. Monday January 23, 2006 | permalink How Much Money Do You Need When You Sign the Lease? When you sign an apartment lease, you'll be handing over a lot of money to the landlord, all in a form of payment that must be equivalent to cash. That means, you can't use a credit card--only cash, certified checks, or money orders will be accepted. Make sure you're prepared by saving enough money to cover yourself when you sign the lease. Friday January 20, 2006 | permalink 2006 College Grads - Start Building Up Credit Now In six months, you will be graduating from college and getting your own apartment. Your credit report is part of the process of renting an apartment. The landlord uses the credit report to gauge whether you will have enough money to pay rent monthly and to pay on time. If you've been using your parent's credit card, now may be a good time to get your own and start building up good credit. There are other ways to establishing good credit . Keep in mind that while a credit card is an excellent way to build good credit, it can also damage your credit, if you rack up debt or pay your bills late. Learn how to maintain good credit with your credit card. Wednesday January 18, 2006 | permalink Get Rid of Rats I had two pet rats when I was a child. Some may be nauseated at the thought of rodents as pets, but I assure you—pet rats are cute, social, and intelligent creatures. On the other hand, rats also are one of the most disgusting and frightening of pests. They're larger than mice and much smarter. So, getting rid of a rat requires different strategies than getting rid of mice. Tuesday January 17, 2006 | permalink No Dogs Allowed! Finding a Home for Frodo Finding an apartment that allows dogs or cats can be difficult. Some landlords do not allow cats, claiming that they'll leave around fur or dander that may bother future tenants with cat allergies. However, it's generally easier to find an apartment that allows cats. Dogs, on the other hand, pose a concern for landlords, primarily because they bark loudly and may frighten other tenants. If you have a pet, there are some apartment listings online that feature pet-friendly apartments . Sunday January 15, 2006 | permalink How to Prevent Loneliness Living by yourself can feel very lonely without anyone to chat with before bedtime or nod sleepily to in the morning. There are ways to keep the feeling of loneliness from overwhelming you. Follow Blanche Evans's advice to keep your apartment from feeling lonely . Friday January 13, 2006 | permalink Before You Rent an Apartment, You Need Money Renting an apartment is expensive. Oftentimes, rent takes up a huge chunk of our monthly paycheck. However, even before you move in, you will fork over more than the first month's rent to the landlord and broker (if you use one). Thus, it is essential that you determine how much money you will need . Wednesday January 11, 2006 | permalink Talk to Your Roommate about the Safety of Your Pet There are so many hazards in an apartment that can harm your pet. To avoid any fatal accidents or fights, explain to your roommate the importance of household safety for your pet . Make sure they understand why you get upset when they leave chocolate lying around or feed your dog chicken wings. Tuesday January 10, 2006 | permalink Alternatives to Breaking the Lease Need to leave your apartment prematurely? Nervous about outrightly breaking the lease? Research alternatives to breaking the lease before you make any decisions. 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Around About Tips to Losing Weight Guide to Distance Learning How to Travel for Less PHOTOS: Italy PHOTOS: Hybrid Cars What's Hot Apartment Living / Rental - Articles Humane Mouse Removal How to Move State Farm Renters Insurance Starting Capital Headlines Items You'll Need When You Sign the Lease These are the items you'll need when you sign the... Avoid Bad Roommates Your last roommate drove you crazy. This time around, avoid... How Much Money Do You Need When You Sign the Lease? When you sign an apartment lease, you'll be handing over... 2006 College Grads - Start Building Up Credit Now In six months, you will be graduating from college and...

Oahu FADs Fishing Season

Hawaii Fishing Charters - Oahu Fishing Charters - Kuuloa Kai Sport fishing Weather Haleiwa, Hawaii Jan 24, 2006 09:55 PM Mostly Cloudy Winds Variable 7 MPH Temp 68° F Kuuloa Kai Home The Crew The Boat The Quarry Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Hawaii ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -- Oahu FADs Fishing Season Boat Records Top Anglers Fishing Report Photo Gallery Charters Reservations Rates & Deposit Charter Calendar Guest Comments What to bring Directions Weather Report About Us Mailing List Contact us Local Fare Information Lodging Dining -- Shopping Tackle & Gear Tours & Services Waikiki Trolley Other Charters Outer Islands Mainland World Wide Directories Mainland & World Wide Resources Resources 2 Lodging Lodging 2 Shopping Shopping 2 Tackle & Gear Tackle & Gear 2 Services Services 2 General - Misc General - Misc 2 Webmasters Advertise Link To Us Add URL Apply for Award Award Winners The Humuhumu login Reports | Avaliability | Rates | Reservations | Fishing Season | Directions | Weather Haleiwa, Oahu. Hawaii Fishing Charters Charter Fishing Hawaii Aug 20, 2002. Marlin fishing is a team effort. Gary French, Scot, Jim and Captain Rusty land a boat record 835 lbs. Blue Marlin.','Aug 20, 2002. Marlin fishing is a team effort. Gary French, Scot, Jim and Captain Rusty land a boat record 835 lbs. Blue Marlin.');" Aug 20, 2002. Marlin fishing is a team effort. Gary French, Scot, Jim and Captain Rusty land a boat record 835 lbs. Blue Marlin. More... A special breed of angler flocks to this nook of the world, where fishing loreis born. Hawaii sport fishing is home to legendary tales of hour-long fights,reel-spooling runs, and an angry marlin majestically soaring above the water toshake off a lure. This is Hawaii fishing, reel peeling, line screaming, pin you tothe gunwale action. Marlin Fishing Hawaii Hawaii Marlin fishing is a team sport. Blue Marlin are at the top of the ocean's food chain,they fear nothing. Selecting an experienced crew is crucial. If you are fishingin Oahu, Hawaii and want to land a big Blue Marlin, you need the experienced well-seasonedcrew of the Hawaii fishing charter, Kuuloa Kai . Skipjack Tuna abound in the waters off Haleiwa, Hawaii because the sea mounts attractand keep them. They aren't alone: Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, and Sailfish all loveto feast on Skipjack Tuna. The waters are teeming with the hunters and their prey.When the Billfish schools arrive in Hawaiian waters to fatten up during their pelagicmigrations, Oahu big game sport fishing is pole-busting. Deep Sea Fishing Oahu, Blue Water Hawaii Fishing Mar 30, 2003 . Mike Corell lands a 669 lbs Blue Marlin More... Pelagic game fish, such as Blue Marlin (Au), Wahoo (ono), Dolphin Fish (Mahimahi) Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi)and Skipjack Tuna (Aku)tend to prefer deep blue water, ranging from the surface to about 1,000fathoms. Hence the term Blue Water Fishing. The rule of thumb is the deeper the water the biggerthe fish. Yet, monster fish have been caught just out side the harbor, so its just a rule ofthumb. You never know when or where a big fish will strike. The Kuuloa Kai team is prepared tohook up and boat a big fish at all times. Deep Sea Fishing Waikiki, Deep Sea Fishing Honolulu Hawaii deep sea fishingcenters around floaters and Fish Aggregation Devices (FAD). "Floaters",the term fishermen call flotsam, act as nurseries for many pelagic species.Where there is food you will find big predators. FADs act as virtual floaters creatingthis food chain. Deep sea fishing Hawaii concentrates around FADs. Due to heavy shippingtraffic, FADs are not positioned as densely on the Honolulu side of the island of Oahu.Deep sea fishing Honolulu means long travel times. The beauty of the windward side is thatwe get floaters blown to us first and have several FADs to choose from. Another rule of thumb:the choppier the water the better the bite. This makes Haleiwa the idealfishing venue. You fish where the fish are. June 2002 . Captain Rusty with 131 lbs. Yellowfin Tuna, Hanapa'a Jackpot Fishing Tournament. Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Hawaii Oahu, Hawaii's world-famous North Shore may be a surfer's paradise. But its best-kept secretis that it is also one of Hawaii's hottest big game fishing locations. Massive schoolsof big Yellowfin Tuna visit Haleiwa, Hawaii's coast every year. Because of this annual migration,it is home to Haleiwa, Hawaii's North Shore Hanapa'a Jackpot Fishing Tournament . Of course, Hawaii is famous for Ahi, the Yellowfin Tuna. Hooking one of these is blue waterbig game fishing at its best. Yellowfin Tuna, pound for pound, are some of the hardestfighters ever built. Just imagine, the Hawaiian State record was 356 pounds of muscle.Indeed, Yellowfin Tuna are true heavy weights bursting with brute strength. They are a toughfighting fish with a fast recovery rate. They will mix deep dives with long, fast runs totest both angler and tackle. This is Hawaii fishing at its best. Oct 2, 2002 . David Scotka boats a 108 lbs. Striped Marlin with Scot Spencer at gaff. (l-r) Scot Spencer, Kyke Scotka, Rob Kapp, and David Scotka. More... Hawaii Fishing for Mahi and Ono Close to the top of the ocean's food chain are Mahimahi, also known as Dolphin Fish andOno, called Wahoo elsewhere. These predators are great fun to catch. When Haleiwa, Hawaii'sMahimahi season is in full swing, multiple hookups are common. Hawaii fishing is about pureadrenaline pumping action. Hawaii Deep Sea Fishing with Light Tackle Let's not forget those plentiful Skipjack Tuna. Although they are the feeders for all thebig game fish, catching 5 to 20 pounders on light tackle is a kick in the pants. These babiesfight like torpedos. Member Area Guides Fishing the Carolinas OnlineCoast.com Coastal Restaurants Brunswick Cnty NC Oak Island NC Southport NC Bald Head Island, NC Ocean Isle, NC Holden Beach NC Myrtle Beach SC Wilmington NC Old Southport NC Asheville NC Charlotte NC Hickory NC Raleigh NC SouthPortDesign.com Microsoft VBScript runtime error '800a000d' Type mismatch: 'LoadXMLExEx' /sponsors/our_sites.asp , line 16

Hawaiian Cruise

Cruise Ship Profiles Cruise Lines - American Hawaii Cruise Home Photo Gallery Cruise Talk Cruise Search Cruise News Search -- Search CruisePage -- Book a Cruise - CruiseServer - Search Caribbean - Search Alaska - Search Europe - 866.469.4733 Forums Cruise Talk Rail Talk Air Talk Destination Talk Hotel Talk Buy Stuff Evolution of the Ocean Liner Poster Reviews - Ship Reviews - Dream Cruise - Ship of the Month - Reader Reviews - Submit a Review - Millennium Cruise Community - Photo Gallery - Join Cruise Club - Cruise News - Cruise Survey - Cruise Jobs - Special Needs - Maritime Q & A - Sea Stories Industry - New Ship Guide - Former Ships - Port Information - Inspection Scores - Shipyards - Ship Cams - Freighter Travel - Potpourri Shopping - Shirts & Hats - Books - Videos - Reservations - Vacation Specials - Web Deals Contact Us - Reservations - Mail - Feedback - Suggest-a-Site - About Us Travel Resources Reservations Destinations Hotels Air Travel Cruise Travel News/Weather SHIP PROFILE American Hawaii SS Independence TravelPage.com Rating : Submit your review here Operator: American Hawaii Cruises Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1951 / 1994 Length / Tonnage: 682 / 30,900 Number of Cabins / Passengers: 406 / 872 Officers / Crew: American / American Operating Area: Year-round Hawaii Telephone / Fax: Tel 150 2244 / Fax 150 2244 Review by Mark H. Goldberg, TravelServer.net, Cruise Editor Hawaii captures you, soothes and enchants you, she lets you hangloose and envelop yourself in the bright colors of her land andsea. Sail the INDEPENDENCE and it won't be long before you'redecked out in a loud, colorful Hawaiian shirt and enjoying lifethe Old Hawaiian Way. Simply because the State of Hawaii iscomprised of islands, the ideal way to approach them is from thesea and the best way to see them is by this wonderful old cruiseship. Able to produce a maximum of 55,000 shaft horsepower at 150rpms, her steam turbines geared to twin screws are a sight tobehold. When she was new the INDEPENDENCE showed how powerfulthat is when she steamed at just over 26 knots on her trials offCape Cod. By international rules, when new, the INDEPENDENCE was theeleventh largest liner in the world and certainly one of thefastest. The big question was...would anyone care? For spoken intones of a flat declaratory to a shrill protest the cry "No onetravels in an American ship!" was heard in steamship agencies andsmart parties the world over. Experienced travelers and neophytesalike looked upon American ships with a bemused condescension,secure in the "knowledge" that in terms of food and service,those "Yankee" liners just couldn't produce - the foreign linerswere better. American ships had a severe image problem. Yet theAmerican twins INDEPENDENCE and her identical twin CONSTITUTIONsoon proved themselves extraordinarily popular, hostingglittering rosters of notables intent on sailing under the "Starsand Stripes". Movie producers were drawn to them. Cary Grant andDeborah Kerr starred in "An Affair to Remember" costarrinq theCONSTITUTION. After United States Lines stodgily rebuffed Desilustudios, American Export sent plenty of material and film footageof the twin liners to Hollywood. Who among us can ever forgetLucille Ball "landing" by helicopter on the after Bridge Deck ofthe CONSTITUTION? And yes...THIS is the INDEPENDENCE the agent onthe pier mentioned when he told a distraught Lucy that she couldget to Europe on the following sailing... So great was theirpopularity that in 1958 American Export Lines sent both ships formajor overhauls. Fitting additional First Class cabins, theforward ends of their superstructures were massively altered. Forall that, against the ANDREA DORIA and CRISTOFORO COLOMBO andlater the LEONARDO da VINCI and the superliners MICHELANGELO andRAFFAELLO on the "Sunny Southern Route", the American liners justcouldn't compete. The results of a projected trio of 20,000 ton express liners forthe Mediterranean route, these ships began to take shape as farback as 1940 when American Export Lines, Inc. planned for thefuture. It would be YEARS before any such ships were built andwhen they were, there were two, not three. And bucking anAmerican Export Line tradition, the two ships were not givennames beginning with "EX" but were instead named for historicU.S. Navy frigates. Had the intended third sister been built, shewould likely have been named CONSTELLATION. Asking for inputfrom many quarters, it is Gustavo Pulitzer, famed Italianinterior designer who should be given first initial credit formany of the pleasing touches in the ultimate form of theseclassic liners. Noted American industrial designer Henry Dreyfussin collaboration with the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporationdeserves credit as the designers of the INDEPENDENCE and hersister CONSTITUTION. With the help of mail contracts and buildingsubsidies to pay the $25,000,000 each ship cost (that's over $150million each, in TODAY's dollars!) two ships were laid down atBethlehem Steel Company's Quincy, Massachusetts yards at thevery end of the 1940's, the INDEPENDENCE on March 29, 1949, theCONSTITUTION on July 12th. Their plans included many eventualdefense and military needs so safety provisions, fire proofing andrapid convertibility to trooping requirements took first place inthe design of the pair. And the INDEPENDENCE is still a very safeship today! Debuting with a 53 day cruise to the Mediterranean, Red Sea andIndia in 1951, the INDEPENDENCE got into service before theItalian postwar liners came out and captured the cream of theItaly trade. And even had the competition been less, theINDEPENDENCE and CONSTITUTION would have been hard pressed tomeet the enormous costs of operating under the American flageither on their regular Atlantic service or on cruises throughthe Mediterranean or to the Caribbean. By the late 1960s theseAmerican liners were desperate for money and American ExportLines entered into an agreement with Diner's Club/Fugazy to jazzup the twin ships. Only the INDEPENDENCE was actually updated toappeal to a "mod" generation and when she appeared with Harlow'seyes peering out from her halo of a "mod" sunburst on her whitehull, eyes rolled in contempt. Before the ship lover knew it, sheand the CONSTITUTION were gone from our lives. Withdrawn by 1968,the CONSTITUTION went into idleness at Jacksonville, Floridafollowed a few months later by the INDEPENDENCE which was laid upat Baltimore with their fleet mate ATLANTIC. Reports of a sale ofone or both of the sisters to Chandris came to naught. A plan tooperate the INDEPENDENCE on charter by Wall Street Tours, aManhattan based travel company also went nowhere. Should theyfind buyers willing to operate them, they would be but shadows oftheir former selves. The ships were idle for years until 1974 when fabled Chineseshipowner C.Y. Tung came to their rescue. Buying the pair with anobligation to return them to the control of the United Statesgovernment in time of war, he had each ship's twin funnelsrepainted with his signature livery, a red chrysanthemum on buff.Prefacing each ship's name with "OCEANIC", he sent them to HongKong. Some work was found for the OCEANIC INDEPENDENCE but nonefor her sister which now rode at anchor in the shadow of VictoriaPeak. For a while in 1975 the OCEANIC INDEPENDENCE shuttledbetween Lisbon and Angola carrying refugees, mostly civiliansfleeing Angola to Portugal Lisbon. Then, despite several goodintentions, she was again retired and returned to lay up. When Matson and later Pacific Far East Line went out of thepassenger business leaving the piers at Aloha Tower bereft ofpassenger tonnage save the occasional cruise caller, C.Y. Tungsaw possibilities where others saw problems and investigated thepossibility of operating his beautiful OCEANIC INDEPENDENCE as acruise ship among the Hawaiian Islands. But since Congressthought to protect American ship owners and shipbuilders as earlyas 1886, any ship operating Hawaii cruises would have to haveAmerican registry. American ships sold abroad are ineligible toreturn to U.S. registry except in time of war. Though Americanbuilt, the ship was now registered abroad and THAT could havebeen a big problem for the proposed weekly cruises through theHawaiian islands. Unanimously approved by both the U.S. Senateand House of Representatives in 1979, an Act of Congress broughtthe OCEANIC INDEPENDENCE back under the Stars and Stripes andallowed American Hawaii Cruises to go into business. The pleasanttask of refurbishing the graceful vessel for modern cruisingbegan. Eliminating class distinctions, upgrading cabins on thelower decks and altering the decor to include the soft atmosphereof the Hawaiian Islands, the OCEANIC INDEPENDENCE was ready tobegin a new life. Wearing a traditional Hawaiian lei at her stemas she arrived off Honolulu for the first time, she paused offPearl Harbor long enough to drop a wreath in memory of Americanforces killed in the surprise attack there on December 7, 1941. But after that, at least since her maiden sailing on her 7 daycruise circuit of the major islands on June 21, 1980, the gentleHawaii of the tradewinds reigns supreme aboard this wonderfulship. In the meantime American Hawaii Cruises has changed handstwice and the newest owners, who also own the wonderfulMISSISSIPPI QUEEN, AMERICAN QUEEN and DELTA QUEEN decided toupgrade and substantially improve the INDEPENDENCE. In 1994 theship was withdrawn from service and sent to Newport NewsShipbuilding and Drydock Company where she was extensivelyrefitted and prepared to last another forty five years! Conceived to be an example of luxurious modernAmerican living at sea the INDEPENDENCE still offers relaxedelegance in a bright and airy modern decor reflecting the naturalbeauty and colors of Hawaii. The INDEPENDENCE has acres of deck space and both open andcovered promenades. The design of the ship includes a pair ofwings over the old Sea Isle Club, once the First Class pool. Fromthere you have an eaqle's view of the festivities on the afterdecks. It's also a great place to see and not be noticed...Justbeyond the former Sunlane Club, now called the Ohana Lounge isthe big swimming pool and its surrounding lido is the scene ofmany a party. The main public rooms are the semicircularCommodore's Terrace...aft on Kamaa'ina (formerly Promenade) Deckwhere evenings are welcomed with a cocktail and a tune from thetalented pianist. Next is the Hoi Hoi Showplace where sightlinesare mostly good and the efforts of the cruise staff and twoHawaiian dance troupes are shown during nightly shows.Centerpiece of the INDEPENDENCE's public rooms, though, is theKama'aina Lounge...newly thought out and opened up during herrecent refit...so it now extends to the floor to ceiling windowsof the former glass enclosed promenade. Tropical in decor it'sworth a visit if only to write a postcard home...if you can evenremember you had a life before you came to Hawaii. One deck below are the Ohana Lounge and the Ohana Buffet...theformer providing seating for people feasting from the buffet aswell as offering a venue for some late night entertainments. Waydown deep in the ship is a cinema while in spaces once occupiedby Tourist Class public rooms on Maui (formerly A) Deck are thegym and a conference center. There are generally two sittings at dinner, mostbreakfasts and lunches are served in open sittings. Down in the420 seat Hibiscus Dining Room on sailing night there's a buffet.The more intimate 110 seat Orchid Dining Room doesn't operate onSaturday night...it opens for breakfast on Sunday morning. "Aha!"you'll think if you are skeptical of American tonnage - the hotdogs. "There must be something fishy here...Is this an Americanship? This is a sumptuous set up and it looks good," you'llthink. That's what I thought the first time and every time I'vesailed since as I pile on enough shrimp, roast beef and assortedfoodstuffs to choke a pig. A steward brightly garbed in an Alohashirt will escort you to a table and your culinary adventurebegins. For a change I cannot say enough about the food in theINDEPENDENCE. Maybe it's because my expectations were low ormaybe because the food is so good...in fact the food is usuallybetter than good and I'll spill the beans...one feisty old lady,a Mrs. Gottrocks in her own right...and something of a cruiseship reviewer proclaimed the only cruise ship to serve betterfood than she ate on the INDEPENDENCE was the SEA GODDESS I, anaccolade I surely second.... You will eat so well aboard this ship I'd be surprised if you'reable to muster up the curiosity to investigate the midnightsnack. If the lunch buffet doesn't tempt you and the menu in the DiningRoom does, GO...even if you feel less than hunger pangs. Iremember sitting down and thinking "Drat!, foiled again! No HotDogs" - but for simple meals there are great burgers assembled asyou like them, a big sandwich and several choices of hot dishes. Every brochure in the business trumpets the praises of the shin'scuisines so loudly that few can really deliver. American HawaiiCruises has always underplayed its claims to wonderful foodthough the food aboard the INDEPENDENCE is a treat. Somewherebehind the scenes in this American operation must be a Jewish orItalian grandmother demanding that all hands be overfed! Underlining the contemporary American way of living, there was solittle cleavage between First and Cabin class spaces it seemedthat most cabins were interchangeable between the two. And therewas a lot of truth in that for 40% of the 1,003 berths in eachship were interchangeable among classes. Only 205 berths werepermanently graded First Class, 109 always Cabin Class and 258full time Tourist Class. That flexible passenger arrangement gaveAmerican Export Lines tremendous leeway in following marketdemands. Highlight of modern American living were cabinsconvertible to sitting rooms by day. Most cabins are still soequipped and that sofa you use in the afternoon is a verycomfortable bed - because it's not a pull out...the sofa back folds down to reveal a thick comfortable mattress. TheINDEPENDENCE is a one class ship now offering a dazzling 13different varieties of private quarters from tiny Category GBudget Cabins (both inside and outside available) to a CategoryAAA Superior Suite...Category D is the lowest grade for two lowerbeds but for this cruise...your cabin is not where you will wantto be. Take a look at an outside cabin on A deck forward. Decorated withHawaii in mind, it has a Hawaiian name as well as a number. It'sbig enough to sleep four comfortably and the round portholereminds you you are aboard ship. Once you unpack you will bepuzzled by the surfeit of storage space for there are enoughclosets for a dowager and enough drawers for an apothecary. What is small, though, is the shower...but that good Americanplumbing is happily in evidence. American Hawaii Cruises is very"INTO" Hawaii...so much so that one of the most popular employeesaboard ship is the KUMU, the Hawaiian story teller....whose jobit is to tell the visitor as much as possible about Hawaiianlore, customs and culture... Around twilight time on Saturdayevenings, passengers gather in the Hoi Hoi Showplace for aHawaiian Show, one show aboard ship I'm glad I saw. Thisextravaganza of Hawaiian music and hula dancing and memories ofthe "Aloha" that evening will remain with you long after theINDEPENDENCE stops sailing. With the full range of usual cruiseship activities enhanced by some like lei making and ukelelelessons apropos in these parts, it's not hard to imagine how mostpassengers spent their day at sea. I saw some at breakfast in theDining Room where the extraordinary personalities of friendlystaff broke the ice of a first morning at sea. I saw others atthe breakfast buffet while I was on my way to stock up withlogoed souvenirs in the ship's signature shop. But a visit to theNavigation bridge of THIS ship always gets me and I alwaysvisit...even if only for another look at the framed noticeinstructing the officer on watch to take the ship immediately tosea in the event of a nuclear attack. My favorite Hawaiian island is always the one I'm on and I thinkI'd like to keep with the INDEPENDENCE until I have done everyshore excursion the line offers... and at last count there are 56of them. Getting ready to board the INDEPENDENCE I grin like ahyena even before a lei is placed around my neck and I pause forthe obligatory mug shot cruise lines like to sell boardingpassengers. Even before sailing the INDEPENDENCE offers a lot ofthe Hawaii experience but for me one of the best is the moment ofdeparture on this unique American flag ocean liner. Once out ofthe harbor the ship turns to port and is soon off Waikiki. Sunday - It's not far from one island to the next but Sundays are spent at sea and for most of the day from nearly anywhere outon one of her 23,000 feet of open dock space, you can look outand see islands, Kahoolawe, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, depending uponthe circuitous route the Captain chooses to navigate. An activesort, I spent usually spend Sunday afternoons aboard theINDEPENDENCE in a deck chair outside the Surfrider Bar, hardlyable to pause later for some fresh popcorn. When Monday morning comes...be ready for a wonderful time onKauai, the Garden Island. There should be time for a drive out toHanalei Bay. If there is a prettier spot than that end of Kauai,its not on this planet. It's vaguely around the corner from theNa Pali coast, a formation of lushly covered steep cliffsshrouding pretty beaches accessed only by boat orhelicopter.Compelling is the word for the helicopter trip theline offers for a look at those cliffs which rise majesticallyfrom the sea. It's a toss up as to which is lovelier...Kauai orMaui but since the ship arrives at Kahului, Maui on Tuesday foran overnight call, you have plenty of time to check it out anddecide for yourself IF YOU CAN! Maui, so deservedly popular withvacationers, exudes a charm of her own. From the jumbled strandsof spaghetti paved into a road called the Hana highway, a 55 milecourse through landscape inordinately compelling to the majesticIao valley, Maui is a sensual delight. Never mind that AmericanHawaii brings a fabulously rousing Hawaiian show to entertainpassengers here. It's during the Maui call that American Hawaiioffers a shore excursion like no other. Uncommercial in theextreme, it's Tour 32 (at least it USED to be), not a trip forthe queasy or the debile. Leaving the ship's side at 3:30 AM,participants follow a tour leader and bike down the slopes fromthe summit of Mt. Haleakala, 10,000 feet above sea level.MAGNIFICENT! On Thursday the INDEPENDENCE calls at Hilo on the Big Island ofHawaii where you can pick up another rental car and drive it toAkaka Falls, catch another look at Volcano National Park, drivedown the Chain of Craters Road and maybe have lunch in town.(Whatever you do...DON'T bother with the buffet at VolcanoHouse...) To me it is near Hilo, sleepy, rainy little Hilo, wherethe air is gentlest and the breeze softest. Kona on the bright,dry side of this big island is the next port and the INDEPENDENCEanchors there on Friday mornings and the tender gives youflawless views of the ship as it pulls away, runs alongside andcuts across the liner's gently raking bows. Coffee plantations,macadamia nut farms and the Parker ranch are on this side of theBig Island. After the INDEPENDENCE clears Kona on Friday evening, my leiwent into the sea from the after deck. I know that it washedashore and will bring me back...A week in the INDEPENDENCE speedsby like an hour, drawing all to soon to a close. This graciousGRANDE DAME really does turn on its ear for all time must be thatabsurd old saw, "No one travels in an American ship" for here inthe waters of Hawaii the INDEPENDENCE is deservedly popular, anAmerican ship that wins the hearts of most who sails with her. The "who's who" of who has sailed in the INDEPENDENCEor CONSTITUTION at some point in the ship's career really doesread like "Who's Who" for so many names in that book have been onthe ships' passenger lists. It was President Reagan who happilysigned the bill to bring the CONSTITUTION back under Americanregistry. He was familiar with these ships and had been aboardthe INDEPENDENCE for a Governors' conference back in the 1960'swhen he was Governor of California. A framed photograph of himand Mrs. Reagan hangs in the ship's wheelhouse. It is said thatwhen he took the helm the ship veered slightly to the right... People demanding nonstop 24 hour a day loud action accompanied bypulsating bass may not enjoy a cruise in this ship (though I'd besurprised if there is ANYONE who doesn't enjoy a 7 nightINDEPENDENCE cruise). This ship is particularly popular withpeople over 40 who seem to enjoy the sock hop, pajama party andother events calculated to please us aging "boomers" but there isa lot here for everyone - from toddlers to great grandpa!. The first time I set out for Honolulu to takethis ship I hoped for the best and expected the worst. Visions ofplastic cups, paper plates and hot dogs, motel modern style andindifferent American service filled my dream track the nightbefore my first sailing in this ship. Well I needn't haveworried! That cruise was marvelous. Now, after a multi-milliondollar refit and plenty of attention to detail, the ship exudes awarm, friendly Hawaiian air. In a nutshell...this ship and her 7night Hawaii cruise is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS Check out these great deals from TravelPage.com Holland America - Holiday Adventures from $372 per person Description: Take advantage of these great holiday itineraries. Sail with Holland America to an amazing collection of ports in the Caribbean and Mexico. You won't find these fares anywhere else! Celebrity - Caribbean from $330 per person Description: More great Celebrity Caribbean values. Stroll on the velvety sands of a Jamaican beach or wander through an emerald rain forest. Swim with the stingrays or Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters or Grand Cayman. Relax with two days at sea. Cruises depart from Miami. SilverSea - Europe and South America includes $200 Onboard Credit Description: Explore the exotic ports of South America, stroll the streets of the French Riviera, or watch the changing of the seasons in New England. Sailing aboard a Silversea ship is unique and intimate. Its as if you had your own chartered yacht and could sail anywhere you wanted, except we do all the work for you while you laze in our pool, or watch the dolphins play. Crystal - Mexican Riviera and New England from $1,323 per person Description: Choose between extended itineraries to the Mexican Riviera or relaxing fall foliage cruises to Canada and New England. Sail with Crystal Cruises and discover why the difference is Crystal clear. Experience a convenient 7, 11 or 14-day voyage with the luxury Crystal Harmony or Crystal Symphony. NCL - Caribbean and Bahamas extra savings of $100 per person Description: Explore the islands and beaches of the Bahamas with stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay. Visit historic Bermuda or experience the changing of the seasons in New England. On your way home, enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Includes Philadelphia and New York departures. Disney World - 6 Days, 5-Nights from $499 Description: Vacations to Walt Disney World Resort are more affordable than ever. Plus, new magical benefits will make staying at Disney Resorts the most relaxing way to do and see everything Walt Disney World Resort has to offer. Check out these great deals. More Vacation & Cruise Specials... Cruise Home Photo Gallery Cruise Talk Cruise Search Cruise News This page, and all contents, are © 1995-2002 by Interactive Travel Guides, Inc. and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved. TravelPage.com is a trademark of Interactive Travel Guides, Inc. Powered by TravelServer Software

HAWAIIAN GIFTS, INC. Honolulu,

Online Shopping - Hawaiian Gifts and Products ONLINE SHOPPING Hawaiian Gifts & Products (See also Made in Hawaii Online and Crafts ) Help us preserve the Islands. Tell our advertisers you found them on Alternative-Hawaii. SPONSORS CREATIVE HAWAIIAN GIFTS, INC. Honolulu, HI (Island of Oahu) Tel. (808) 373-5322 or 1-800-845-9713 Fax (808) 377-0808 Email: toni@creativehawaiiangifts.com Our 18 years of experience has given us the opportunity to provide you with the most unique and unusual Hawaiian crafted and Hawaiian themed gifts. We are a company that specializes in personalized services so please feel free to call us on our toll free number - we are always happy to help. Photo HAWAIIAN ART NETWORK P. O. Box 829 Kealakekua, HI 96750 (South Kona District) Tel. 1-877-894-5644 Fax 1-866-842-4037 Email: art@hawaiian-art.net An online art gallery featuring tropical art and Hawaiian art shipped directly to you from the artist's studio. Experience dramatic discounts (up to 70%) on the same art you find in local galleries in Hawaii. Photo HILO HATTIE - THE STORE OF HAWAII! (Islands of Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai) Tel. (808) 329-7200 Fax (808) 329-2930 Email: customer-service@hilohattie.com The Store of Hawaii - the world's largest manufacturer of Hawaiian and Island Lifestyle products provides a truly unique Hawaiian shopping experience. Visit their stores or buy online. Photo MAIKAI HAWAII (Island of Oahu) Tel. (808) 685-2148 or 1-866-685-2148 Email: support@maikaihawaii.com Paradise mingles with your shopping experience at this online store of Hawaiian goods, including gifts of jewelry, leis, music, videos, books, art, toys, food and recipes of Hawaii. A free Mahalo Gift is included with each order. Photo VOLCANO WINERY 35 Pii Mauna Drive P. O. Box 843 Volcano, HI 96785 (Big Island of Hawaii) Tel. (808) 967-7772 Fax (808) 967-7679 Email: info@volcanowinery.com Sip into Hawaiian Time at America’s southernmost winery! Come in for free wine tasting of award-winning Macadamia Nut Honey Wine, Hawaiian Guava, and more. Our tasting room also features works by local artists and other unique gift ideas. We're open daily from 10-5:30, next to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at the 30-mile marker. Limited shipping to US Mainland and available in select stores throughout the state. A great stop before or after your trip to the Park! Photo Top Shopping Index | Made In Hawaii Index | Things Hawaiian | Home Page Contact Us | Sponsor Join Us Form ©Ala Mua Hawaii 1997

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Hawaii tourism - Hawaii vacation reviews - Hawaii vacations - TripAdvisor Hawaii vacations - Hawaii tourism Sign in • Sign up Home > United States > Hawaii > Hawaii Tourism Hawaii tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Dining Deals Forums Maps, etc. All Hawaii reviews Search (e.g., Boston hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Hawaii Hawaii Overview All Hawaii Reviews Hawaii Hotels Flights to Hawaii Hawaii Deals Hawaii Attractions Hawaii Restaurants Hawaii Forums Hawaii Maps Hawaii Discount Hotels Hawaii Vacation Packages e-mail this page to a friend Traveler Reviews Write a review . What was your experience with Hawaii? Tell others what's hot and what's not. 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Top-Rated hotels: Wai Ola Vacation Paradise on Maui , Lahaina, Maui Hale Koa Hotel , Honolulu, Oahu Four Seasons Resort Maui , Kihei, Maui Napili Bay Resort , Lahaina, Maui Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona , Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii Kuhio Shores Condos , Koloa, Kauai Whalers Cove , Koloa, Kauai View all Hawaii hotels Top-Rated B&Bs: Waterfalls Inn Bed & Breakfast , Hilo, Island of Hawaii Hale Hualalai Bed and Breakfast , Holualoa, Island of Hawaii Volcano Teapot Cottage Bed & Breakfast , Volcano, Island of Hawaii View all Hawaii B&Bs Find top hotels by destination: Select your destination Haleakala National Park Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Honolulu Island of Hawaii Kauai Lanai Maui Molokai Oahu Popular Hawaii Destinations Check out these popular places: Haleakala National Park Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Honolulu Island of Hawaii Kauai Lanai Maui Molokai Oahu Waikiki Hawaii Attractions and Dining Top Hawaii Attractions: Hana Highway , Maui Haleakala Crater , Haleakala National Park, Maui USS Arizona Memorial , Honolulu, Oahu Polynesian Cultural Center , Laie, Oahu Iolani Palace , Honolulu, Oahu Na Pali Coast , Kauai Bishop Museum , Honolulu, Oahu Old Lahaina Luau , Lahaina, Maui Diamond Head , Honolulu, Oahu Waikiki Beach , Honolulu, Oahu Click above or search for more attractions in your destination: Select your destination Haleakala National Park Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Honolulu Island of Hawaii Kauai Lanai Maui Molokai Oahu Waikiki Top Hawaii Restaurants: Hoku's , Honolulu, Oahu Iva's Place - Isenberg St. , Honolulu, Oahu Kakaako Kitchen , Honolulu, Oahu Hamura Saimin Stand , Lihue, Kauai Jimbo , Honolulu, Oahu Hulopoe Court , Lanai City, Lanai Hanapepe Bookstore Cafe & Espresso Bar , Hanapepe, Kauai La Mer , Honolulu, Oahu Merriman's , Kamuela, Island of Hawaii The Terrace , Lanai City, Lanai Click above or search for more restaurants in your destination: Select your destination Haleakala National Park Honolulu Island of Hawaii Kauai Lanai Maui Molokai Oahu Waikiki Hawaii Articles and Guidebooks SmartDeals From tips & tricks to rants & raves. Read the best sources and the most up-to-date reviews... "Overview of Hawaii," Frommer's "An Online Update for Frommer's Hawaii," Aug 9, 2004 , Frommer's "Fifty Five Tips for Planning an Affordable Trip to Hawaii," Mar 1, 2004 , Frommer's "More Than Just a Pretty Place," Feb 1, 2004 , aaa-calif.com / Westways Read all Hawaii reviews Find a great Hawaii hotel deal! SmartDeals show you the best rates on the best hotels. Four Seasons Resort Maui Average price: $571 Four Seasons Resort Maui - Book best available room - ClassicVacations.com More reviews, deals Wai Ola Vacation Paradise on Maui Average price: $75 Wai Ola Vacation Paradise on Maui - Low Rates - OnlineHotels.com More reviews, deals Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona Average price: $216 Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona - Great Rates - Expedia.com More reviews, deals View all SmartDeals Hawaii Traveler Forums Travelers like you give candid advice on hotels and much more. Join the Discussion Need help booking, any advice? 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