Hawaii travel guides, island

Hawaii State Vacation Planner - Hawaii vacation information, Waikiki and Big Island of Hawaii vacation rentals, Maui and Kauai hotels, Hawaii travel guides, island maps and Hawaii vacation stories Win a Trip to Hawaii! '10 Best in Hawaii' Insider's Guide Scenic Tours Maps Explore the Site Free Vacation Planner Service | Exclusive Discount Card | Travel Discounts Newsletter Hawaii Vacation or Vacation Hawaii -- these two Hawaii travel phrases define the dream tropical vacation experience of a lifetime. The Hawaii State Vacation Planner helps you plan and experience your own dream Hawaii Vacation. Best Places Hawaii is where you can "stop searching and start planning" your dream Hawaii vacation. Here, you will find complete Hawaii travel and vacation information including the largest direct source of Hawaii vacation rental homes, vacation rental condos, bed and breakfasts, resorts, hotels, and spas. The Hawaii State Vacation Planner also features the largest collection of vacation activities including luaus, helicopter tours, whale-watching, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, surfing, hiking, golf, guided tours and more. You will find extensive information on wedding and honeymoon services, major Hawaii events, dining, entertainment, shopping, real estate, airlines, rental cars, and travel booking providers. How to Use the Hawaii State Vacation Planner To explore any of the main Hawaiian Islands on your own, just click above on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, the Big Isle or specific categories. For even more personalized tour and travel information for planning your dream Hawaii vacation, take advantage of the totally Free Hawaii Vacation Planner Service , the ultimate vacation match-making service. Simply complete your personal profile and receive free information from Hawaii vacation providers (accommodations, activities, wedding services, Hawaii travel and tour companies, etc.) who will make your dream Hawaii vacation a reality. Also, be sure to sign-up now to receive TNT News Hawaii , a monthly Hawaii travel newsletter filled with entertaining, valuable, and useful Hawaii vacation information along with discounts on Hawaii travel. Welcome to the Hawaii State Vacation Planner, dedicated to making your Hawaii vacation the dream of a lifetime. - What's New - Special Offers and Savings! Exclusive travel discounts and Hawaii vacation savings for Best PlacesHawaii visitors only. Get big discounts, free nights, free goodies, and more... new Specials allthe time. Best Places Hawaii Discount Card Free to Get - Pays to Use! Sign up now to get the only totally FREE Discount Card in Hawaii! Available at no cost and welcome at locations across Hawaii. No Signup or renewal fees; No obligations; Never expires. Click to get! Free Listings for Hawaii Travel Businesses | Affiliate Administration Login © Best Places Hawaii , 1995-2005. All rights reserved. Photos by Mario Perez. Contact Us | Marketing/Advertising | Email this Page to a Friend | Privacy Policy

Hawaii Wedding Countdown Checklist

Bride's - Destination Weddings: Hawaii: Oahu choose a quick link ----------------- accessories bouquets bridesmaid dresses budget cakes ceremony destination weddings dresses favors flowers food guest lists hairstyles honeymoons invitations jewelry makeup message boards music photos real weddings receptions registry veils wedding dresses Find all your wedding vendors near you select region: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas CA - Central CA - North CA - South Canada Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida GA - Atlanta GA - Other Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico NY - Hamptons NY - Metro NY - Upstate North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon PA - Central/West PA - Philly Area Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee TX - Austin TX - Dallas/Ft.Worth TX - Houston Texas - Other Utah Vermont Virginia Washington DC Washington State West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Getting Married in Oahu view honeymoon article Why Here? Home to Honolulu, killer surfing, and into-the-wee-hours night-life, this buzzing outpost appeals to beach bums looking for a big-city fix. Sweet Spots One of the most elegant lodgings on earth, Halekulani specializes in perfection, from the bridal suite in its new marble-lined spa (spacious enough for a gaggle of bridesmaids) to the view of Waikiki Beach from its orchid-shaped pool. After a garden ceremony and a reception replete with filet mignon, sushi, and macadamia tartlets, you’ll start to see how Halekulani (translation: House Befitting Heaven) got its name. Halekulani: Weddings from $2,500; doubles from $325; 800-367-2343 or halekulani.com Enter these two words in your nuptial planner: Mike Doi. The concierge of the Outrigger Waikiki is also the property’s crack wedding coordinator. Ministers, chapels, park permits for ceremonies at Diamond Head Crater or the Hoomaluhai Gardens—Doi will make sure you get to celebrate just about anywhere you’d like. Bonus: A proponent of à la carte pricing, Doi is also known for saving couples big bucks. Outrigger Waikiki: Weddings from $490; doubles from $290; 800-688-7444 or outrigger.com —Sallie Brady Hawaii Wedding Countdown Checklist Hawaii Wedding Style Real Hawaii Wedding: Holly & Jeremy Getting Married in : Oahu Maui Big Island Kauai Molokai Lanai Brides.com Home | Fashion | Beauty | Wedding Style | Etiquette & Planning | Registry Ideas | Honeymoon | Real Brides Local Planning | Shop Online | Prizes and Offers | Newsletter | Privacy Policy | -- Advertise With Us | Contact Us Brides magazine In This Issue | Subscribe | Customer Care | Media Kit | Bookstore Fairchild Bridal Group Wedding Planning Sites: Brides.com | ModernBride.com | ElegantBride.com Prom Planning Site: YourProm.com Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy .© Fairchild Internet, Inc. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Fairchild Internet, Inc.

Hawaii vacation rentals ,

Kauai, Hawaii Vacations and Rentals by Suite Paradise - Accommodations at Kauai condos and resorts Specializing in Kauai, Hawaii vacation rentals , condos and vacation homes at some of the most beautiful resorts in Hawaii, Suite Paradise welcomes you to the islands. Each vacation package features high quality accommodations carefully selected and meticulously maintained by Suite Paradise -- at deeply discounted rates. View sample rate guides for each accommodation, and for even greater savings , click on the book online link to check availability or make a reservation. As a Suite Paradise guest, you'll enjoy the carefree resort lifestyle for which Kauai hotels are famous, along with the extra privacy and spaciousness of a vacation rental or home. Book online now for our lowest rates! or call 1-800-367-8020 | 1-808-742-7400 International Toll-Free Phone Numbers Inquiries & Brochure Request Poipu Beach on Kauai, Hawaii's sunny south shore Suite Paradise focuses on providing fine Kauai, Hawaii vacation accommodations at Poipu Beach , rated one of America's top beaches. Guests have access to discount travel packages , low-cost airfare, rental cars, Kauai golf resorts , outdoor adventure activities and groceries delivered prior to arrival . Our vacation rentals are highly recommended by travelers. Over 50% of guests are returning visitors and their friends, indicating an astounding level of satisfaction. See what previous guests have to say about their Kauai, Hawaii vacation experience Heavenly Kauai, Hawaii Vacations for Less Poipu Kai Resort Kiahuna Plantation Nihi Kai Villas Whaler's Cove Poipu Crater Resort Poipu Shores Poipu Kapili Lawai Beach Resort About Kauai Activities Kauai's Beaches Golf Weddings Honeymoon Map of Kauai Map of Poipu Beach Special Offers Guest Services Things to do on Kauai Guides & Info About Us Terms & Conditions Testimonials Inquiries & Brochure Request Contact Us About Suite Paradise | Email Us | Inquires & Brochure Request | Privacy Policy | Site Map © 1998 - 2004. All Rights Reserved. Suite Paradise - High quality Kauai vacations - Fine beach resorts. Everyone welcome.

Air Hawaiian

Customers First: Hawaiian Airlines Participates in ATA Customer Service Agreement Help/FAQ Sitemap Our Customer Service Commitment About Us Customer Service Commitment Investor Relations News Releases Corporate Info & Fact Sheet History Contact Us Privacy Policy Business Ethics and Conduct Help/Frequently Asked Questions Customer First A Service Commitment * * * Effective December 15, 1999 * * * Contract of Carriage | Responsiveness | Fare Information Reservation Changes or Cancellations | Prompt Ticket Refunds | Disclosure Accommodating Special Needs: Unaccompanied Children , Disabled Travelers , Service Animals Check-in and Boarding | Keeping Customers Informed | Ensuring Comfort and Safety Prompt Baggage Delivery | Baggage Liability Limit | Code Share Operations Additional Sources of Information | Seat Configuration Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is committed to delivering superior service by making air travel an easy and positive experience for every customer. Our passengers' comfort is of utmost importance to us, second only to our concern for their safety. Since 1929, our company has built an unmatched reputation for safety and hospitality. In 1999, the Air Transport Association (ATA) and its member carriers developed CUSTOMER FIRST, an Airline Customer Service Commitment. Hawaiian Airlines' commitment to participate in this program and strive to further improve our service demonstrates our ongoing dedication and focus on improving air travel. All of our employees receive training so that the commitments contained in this Customer First service plan are implemented in a manner that reflects Hawaiian's commitment to serving our customers at levels set forth in this plan. Our Customer First training plan covers customer service skills, job-specific technical skills, service recovery skills and aligning service standards and expectations with our company vision, values and critical success factors. Implementing our pledge to provide service to our passengers beyond common carrier duties and consistent with our policy of putting the customer first, Hawaiian Airlines sets forth the following commitments to our customers: Contract of Carriage While this Customer First document outlines in general terms Hawaiian's commitment to certain customer service standards, specific policies and procedures are contained in our Contract of Carriage and tariffs. Our Contract of Carriage provides detailed company policies pertaining to passenger rights in domestic operations. Passenger rights on international flights are documented in our tariffs. Both the Contracts of Carriage and the tariffs are incorporated by reference on any Hawaiian Airlines travel document. Copies of our Contract of Carriage, tariffs and this document are available at our ticket offices, airport ticket counters and our web site ( www.hawaiianair.com/flightinfo/coc/ ) or by request through any licensed travel agency. Responsiveness Hawaiian Airlines is dedicated to keeping passengers informed, to responding to issues raised by our customers and to resolving those issues expediently. It is Hawaiian Airlines' goal to respond substantively to complaints within thirty (30) business days of receipt. Click here for information on how to contact a Hawaiian Airlines Customer Advocate. So that we may effectively meet these goals, we request that customers notify Hawaiian Airlines airport staff within four (4) hours after flight arrival of any baggage damage or loss claim arising from transportation on any of our flights. This notification is required to document the claim and to take immediate steps toward researching and resolving the claim. Our Contract of Carriage requires written notice of a claim within thirty (30) days of a flight if the claim does not involve personal injury or death. Claims for overcharges must be made within one (1) year of the ticket issue date. Fare Information Hawaiian Airlines' Reservations Department will offer, based on the information provided by the customer, the lowest available published fare for which the customer is eligible. Our agents will work with our customers to offer the lowest fare available for the itinerary planned (date of travel, class and flight, etc). Hawaiian Airlines recommends planning in advance. The lowest fares often require a purchase seven (7), fourteen (14), or twenty-one (21) days prior to departure, although at times low fares are offered which may require only a three (3) day advance purchase or no advance purchase. If customers plan in advance, there is a greater likelihood that low fare seats will be available on their preferred flights. The lowest fares are often nonrefundable and may require roundtrip travel and/or travel which requires return to the city of origin. Some low fares are offered based on the day of the week or the time of day or may have other restrictions. Reservation Changes or Cancellations Customers will be allowed to hold Transpacific reservations without purchase for forty-eight (48) hours guaranteed at the price quoted by Hawaiian Airlines over the telephone and will be allowed to cancel unticketed reservations for any reason, including finding lower fares through other outlets or carriers. Hawaiian Airlines reserves the right to cancel reservations that remain unticketed after forty-eight (48) hours. Hawaiian Airlines reserves the right to cancel any itinerary remaining on a trip for which a flight coupon is not used in the sequence ticketed, unless the passenger notifies Hawaiian Airlines of the change of plans before the scheduled departure of the flight segment not used. In those cases where we are informed in advance, and the ticket allows such cancellation, Hawaiian Airlines will make the necessary changes subject to any applicable fees. Prompt Ticket Refunds Hawaiian Airlines will issue refunds for eligible tickets within seven (7) business days for all credit card sales and within twenty (20) business days for cash sales, upon receipt of request and required documentation. Partially used or lost tickets may be refundable, subject to terms of our Contract of Carriage. Disclosure Hawaiian Airlines will disclose to the passenger the specific routing, any change in aircraft type, or operator on a code-shared flight bearing the same Hawaiian Airlines flight number for which flight information is requested or a reservation is made. To the extent Hawaiian Airlines has the information available at the time of the customer inquiry, we will provide the same information for any other air carrier on which Hawaiian Airlines makes a reservation or issues tickets. The rules and regulations relating to membership in Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club and HawaiianMiles frequent flyer program are provided to all members and are available at all times upon request. Annual redemption reports are available upon request to all HawaiianMiles members who have accumulated benefits within the preceding two (2) years. Upon request, Hawaiian Airlines will provide information on our aircraft-seating configuration, including seat size and pitch, for any flight. Accommodating Special Needs Hawaiian Airlines is dedicated to making our services available to everyone, subject to applicable laws and governmental restrictions. Unaccompanied Children Between the Continental USA and Hawaii : Children under 15 years of age who are not accompanied on the same flight and in the same compartment by a passenger 18 years of age or over are accepted for transportation. For travel wholly within the State of Hawaii : Children under 12 years of age who are not accompanied on the same flight and in the same compartment by a passenger 16 years of age or over are accepted for transportation for travel. Unaccompanied Children must be brought to the airport by a parent, guardian or responsible adult who shall stay with the child until enplanement and furnish evidence to Hawaiian Airlines that the child will be met by a parent, guardian or designated adult at the destination upon deplanement. Hawaiian Airlines will escort the unaccompanied child from the boarding of the aircraft until the child is met at the destination. Hawaiian Airlines requires identification and signature of the person meeting the unaccompanied child. Service charges and certain restrictions may apply. Disabled Travelers Hawaiian Airlines recommends that disabled passengers traveling with medical devices or requiring special services (such as oxygen during flight or the packaging of a wheelchair battery for shipment as checked baggage) make their reservations as early as possible and no later than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of their flight. In order to allow time for screening and pre-boarding processing, we recommend check-in at the airport no later than one (1) hour in advance of flight departure. Wheelchairs and other mobility devices accompanying disabled travelers will be accepted as cabin or checked baggage, free of charge. Check-in and surrender of devices that have special assembly or hazardous materials considerations must be accomplished at least one (1) hour before departure so that such devices may be properly disassembled and stowed. Hawaiian Airlines complies fully with the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986, as amended, and Part 382 of the Department of Transportation Air Carrier Regulations. To the extent allowed by Part 382, Hawaiian Airlines customer service and contract personnel are available to assist customers with disabilities in boarding, deplaning and connecting between flights. However, we do not provide full monitoring while waiting at the gate. If the customer requires this assistance, we recommend the customer arrange for a traveling companion. Likewise, if Hawaiian Airlines believes a passenger needs an attendant in order to ensure his or her safety, such as in the case of passengers traveling on stretchers or in incubators, those with disabilities that prevent understanding of or acting upon safety instructions, or those with an inability to assist in his or her own evacuation of the airplane, we will request that the customer arrange for a traveling attendant. All passengers may select any available seat in their ticketed class of service that has not been assigned to another passenger, subject to restrictions under Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements. Transfer service on and off the aircraft is provided using special chairs designed for aircraft aisles. Due to limited time between connecting flights we recommend use of wheelchairs provided by Hawaiian Airlines or our contract personnel for transportation between aircraft. However, if requested, the passenger's own wheelchair will be retrieved from the aircraft baggage compartment for use during layover. Upon arrival at the final destination, the passenger's own wheelchair will be made available at either the gate area upon deplanement or the baggage claim area, as requested by the passenger. Service Animals Service animals such as canines are permitted without charge with proper documentation or credible verbal assurances that they are rescue/bomb-sniffing/law enforcement animals or are providing assistance to a disabled person with mobility, visual or hearing disabilities. A service animal must occupy the floor space where the passenger sits and cannot obstruct an aisle or areas that must remain clear for emergency evacuation. Quarantine laws may apply to certain destinations. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure compliance with all entry regulations. Check-in and Boarding It is Hawaiian Airlines' policy to treat all customers with fairness and consistency. Upon any customer's request, Hawaiian Airlines employees will disclose our specific policies for handling oversold flights and will disclose whether or not the customer's flight is oversold, provided that information is available to the employee. Whenever it becomes necessary to deny boarding to a customer due to oversales, we will make every effort to remedy the customer's inconvenience, including but not limited to soliciting other passengers to release their seats in exchange for suitable compensation. Hawaiian Airlines requires that all passengers check-in no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to scheduled departure and be at the gate for boarding no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to scheduled departure. If passenger is not at the gate for boarding fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, Hawaiian Airlines reserves the right to re-assign the seat to another passenger or to cancel the passenger's reservations and assign available seats to other customers. Keeping Customers Informed We will notify our passengers in either the airport or on board our aircraft of any flight delays, cancellations or diversions as soon as any decision to make such a change is confirmed. In addition, Hawaiian Airlines employees will update passengers at minimum every twenty (20) minutes on the status of their flight, giving the estimated time of departure or the time when further information will be available. Hawaiian Airlines will ensure that employees responsible for providing information to customers have access to the latest information during irregular operations. If a flight is canceled we will use our best efforts to re-route our passengers on the next available flight, subject to the conditions stated in our Contract of Carriage and to the existence of participating interline ticketing agreements. For passengers delayed more than four (4) hours between the hours from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time, Hawaiian Airlines will provide our passengers lodging, meals, local transportation and a phone call, subject to restrictions set forth in our Contract of Carriage. Ensuring Comfort and Safety Hawaiian Airlines will make every effort to provide food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical treatment for passengers on board an aircraft that is on the ground for an extended period of time with no access to a gate, consistent with passenger and employee safety. Hawaiian Airlines has prepared contingency plans addressing such circumstances for each of its destinations. To the greatest extent possible, consistent with our contingency plans, Hawaiian Airlines will work with other carriers and airport authorities to share facilities and make gates available. Prompt Baggage Delivery It is our goal to locate and return lost baggage to the owner within twenty-four (24) hours of the owner's arrival at their final destination. Hawaiian Airlines will make every effort to ascertain ownership and locate the owner for any unclaimed checked baggage. We recommend all passengers attach their name, address and telephone number on the outside and inside of each piece of checked baggage. For protection of all passengers, baggage is subject to inspection. Medication, cameras, jewelry, travel documents, keys, and other important personal items should be in the passenger's possession and should not be placed in checked baggage. Baggage Liability Limit Hawaiian Airlines, as a member of the Air Transport Association, supported the increase in the domestic baggage liability limits for lost or damaged luggage from US $1,250 per customer to US $2,800 per customer, the amount now set by regulation issued by the United State Department of Transportation. For international flights, liability for the loss, delay or damage of checked baggage shall be US $9.07 per pound, up to a maximum of US $640 per bag. Unchecked baggage liability shall be a maximum of US $400 per piece. Code Share Operations Hawaiian Airlines works closely with its partners to coordinate customer service policies and procedures. Hawaiian Airlines has reviewed the customer service plans of each of its code share partners to ensure comparable standard service levels and commitments. Hawaiian Airlines will assist customers in contacting these partners to resolve issues that arise as a result of travel on Hawaiian Airlines through code-sharing arrangements. For more detailed information on Hawaiian Airlines customer service policies and procedures, ask any employee for a copy of our Contract of Carriage or access the document online at www.hawaiianair.com/flightinfo/coc . Click here for information on how to contact a Hawaiian Airlines Customer Advocate. Additional Sources of Information For specific information on Honolulu International Airport including terminal and baggage claim areas, administration offices, restaurants and visitor information, go to: www.state.hi.us/dot/airports/index.htm . HOME Reservations Flight Schedule/Info Special Offers HawaiianMiles Programs/Services About Us Access My HawaiianMiles • Help/FAQ • Sitemap • Contact Us • Privacy Policy © 2006 Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Barbecue

Hawaiian Grilling - From Local Food to Luau, Barbecue & Grilling in Hawaii is unique  You are here: About > Food & Drink > Barbecues & Grilling > Meals and Menus > Regional and Ethnic Cooking > Hawaiian Grilling - From Local Food to Luau, Barbecue & Grilling in Hawaii is unique Find Recipes Advanced - Browse - Main Food & Drink Barbecues & Grilling Essentials Recipe Archives Best Grills Barbecue & Grilling Recipe of the Week Best Smokers BBQ & Grilling FAQ Topics Beef Fish and Seafood Fruit and Vegetables Grilling Help Grills Lamb Meals and Menus More Recipes Organizations Pork Poultry Sauces & Marinades Smokers Smoking Help Spices & Seasonings Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Best Gas Grills Best Charcoal Grills Top Ten Portable Grills Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Barbecues & Grilling newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Barbecues & Grilling Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Recipes Grilled Citrus Tuna Kalua Pig Shrimp on Sugar Cane Skewers Suggested Reading Shrimp Grilling Fish in Leaves All About Hawaii Most Popular Gas Grills between $500 and... Buy a Gas Grill Gas Grills under $500.00 Rotisserie Chicken Building a BBQ What's Hot Perfect Flame 4-Burner Igloo 48,000-BTU 4-Burner New York Strip, Peppers, Onion Benihana Hibachi Steak Char-Broil 65,200 BTU 5-Burner Related Topics Southern U.S. Cuisine Home Cooking Camping Freshwater Fishing Hunting / Shooting Hawaiian Grilling From Derrick Riches , Your Guide to Barbecues & Grilling . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! From Local Food to Luau Let's take a look at barbecue and grilling in Hawaii. Now before you turn away, thinking that Hawaii isn't exactly known for barbecue let me point out a few things. First, Hawaii is home to the largest privately owned cattle ranch in America. Second, Hawaii is surrounded by a wide diversity of seafood. Third, Luau. When the first Polynesians arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, they found nothing to eat. The Islands themselves, being very new geologically and very isolated had little in the way of indigenous life. The Polynesians brought with them, pigs, dogs, chickens, taro and sweet potatoes. These plus whatever seafood they could catch became the staple of life. After James Cook arrived in Hawaii, a steady stream of newcomers started arriving, bringing with them plants and animals from their native lands. Chief among these were missionaries from New England who brought cows, horses, sheep, and goats as well as a wide variety of new plants. This introduction of new foods and traditions changed the Hawaiian diet greatly. As American business began to move in and develop large plantations, new cash crops, like sugar cane and pineapples were introduced. To man the plantations, immigrants were brought to Hawaii as laborers from places like China, Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Each new wave in immigrants brought a new cooking tradition with them. What developed from all this is known as "Local Food". Local Food is an East-West Pacific mix created in the 1920s and 30s by lunch wagon cooks and small stores and restaurants. Typical Local Food meals are lunch plates which consist of rice and meat covered in gravy, a raw fish dish called Poke served with either salt and seaweed or chili peppers, sesame oil or soy sauce. Also popular is Teriyaki, which is used to prepare all kinds of meat. As you can see, Hawaiian food is a unique cuisine created from a much diversified background. It is common to see restaurants that serve American, Chinese, Korean and Local Food. And next door you'll find a place that serves Barbeque. A particular favorite in the Islands is grilled fish. What kind of fish you ask? How about, Aku, Ahi and Albacore (Tuna); Marlins; Opakapaka, Kalekale, Onaga, Uku and Taape (Snappers); Hapuu (Grouper); Ulua, Akule and Opelu (Jacks); Ono; Squid and Octopus; as well as all the shellfish like Opihi, Wana (Sea Urchins), Black Crab, Lobsters, Shrimp and Prawns.Now, about that Luau. Despite what Trader Vic or Don Ho might lead you to believe that Luau is a very rare festival in Hawaii. The sheer cost and effort of purchasing a pig, storing it until cooking time, preparing the Imu (traditional Luau cooking pit), preparing the loads of raw fish and additional dishes, is quite the undertaking, so several recipe variations have popped up to those of the formal Luau. In recent years a new tradition of cooking has evolved. Called Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, chefs have begun to put away the Spam (Hawaii is the largest per capita consumer of Spam) and have started to develop a new flavor. Mixing the cooking traditions of the Orient with that of the United States and using local products. What you get are a lot of seafood dishes (grilled of course) mixed with oriental style sauces, made from things like fresh guava, taro, mango, etc. From the looks of things I think Hawaii will start exporting many new dishes back to the mainland.   Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Tips to Losing Weight Guide to Distance Learning How to Travel for Less PHOTOS: Italy PHOTOS: Hybrid Cars What's Hot Perfect Flame 4-Burner Igloo 48,000-BTU 4-Burner New York Strip, Peppers, Onion Benihana Hibachi Steak Char-Broil 65,200 BTU 5-Burner