Travel Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
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Magazine says Maui really no ka oi
Shhh! Interisland relations are not at their best in light of Superferry's travails, but Maui has recaptured "Best Island in the World" honors in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards poll. Kauai came in second place.
Maui beat out other top destinations including the Best Australian City (Sydney), Best U.S. City (San Francisco), Best Europe City (Florence) and Best Asian City (Bangkok). In a coup for the state, Kauai came in third overall of any destination in the world.
Other islands ranking in the Best Pacific Island category include: 3. Great Barrier Reef; 4. Borabora; 5. Moorea; 6. Hawaii island; 7. Oahu; 8. Lanai; 9. Cook Islands; and 10. Tasmania.
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Hawaii's only AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star property) was named Top Resort in Hawaii with a score of 96 and also ranked No. 15 in the world. Rounding out the Aloha State's scores were Hawaii island's second-place Four Seasons Resort, third-place finisher Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lodge at Koele; and fourth-place Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. The Halekulani on Oahu placed fifth, and Hotel Hana-Maui tied for sixth place with the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Complete results will appear in the November issue, which arrives on newsstands later this month.
Maui center takes Halloween undersea
Celebrate Halloween with an underwater twist. Marine explorers have long known the oceans are home to many bizarre and fascinating creatures with even stranger abilities and defenses. From the color-changing skin of the octopus to the strange, warty appearance of the frogfish, these animals don't even need Halloween costumes.
Activities at Maui Ocean Center Oct. 24-31 will include trick-or-treating, naturalist presentations, crafts stations, a children's sleepover and even a visit to a haunted undersea cave.
Daily presentations include:
» "Honu's Horrors": At Turtle Lagoon, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
» "Shocking Sharks and Franken-fish": open ocean exhibit, 1 and 2 p.m.
» "Daring Divers in the Deep": open ocean exhibit, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
» "Creature Costumes and Camouflage": living reef (entrance), 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Special events are:
» "Trick or Treat": Children 12 and younger can trick-or-treat for candy, fun and educational "Freaky Fish" cards, 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
» "Fright Night" Sleepover: Discover all the bizarre creatures found lurking within the aquarium exhibits, 5:30 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday; $65 per child. Call 270-7075 to register.
Maui Ocean Center is at 192 Maalaea Road.
Call (808) 270-7000, e-mail info@mauioceancenter.com or visit www.mauioceancenter.com.
Downtown hotel offers kamaaina rates
ResortQuest at the Executive Centre Hotel offers kamaaina rates for a downtown experience, any time, any occasion, targeting the crowds busy with late-night club crawls or First Friday overnighters.
The Executive Centre offers access to downtown night life, cafes, entertainment, shops, galleries, museums and architecture.
All guest accommodations are suites with separate sleeping areas and bathrooms with in-room jet spas. Executive one-bedroom suites feature kitchen facilities and washer/dryer, while the business suites have a wet bar and refrigerator.
Rates are available from $132. For reservations, call toll-free (800) 949-3932 or e-mail info@resortquesthawaii.com and ask for "kamaaina rates."