[ SUNDAY TRAVEL ]
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Swim with dolphins
and learn local lore
on a Waikiki getaway
Long airport lines and tedious security checks dampen the thrill of any holiday. So why not "get away" on your home island? By saving the cost of airfare and a rental car, you can vacation in high style -- even with the whole family in tow! On Oahu, three first-class resorts are offering innovative packages that ensure you'll learn something new in addition to having a great time.By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Special to the Star-BulletinKahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii
5000 Kahala Ave.
Call: 739-8888 on Oahu or 800-367-2525 from the neighbor islands, or visit www.mandarinoriental.comSequestered in upscale Kahala, the Kahala Mandarin Oriental lives up to its exclusive ZIP code in every way. In addition to award-winning accommodations and restaurants, the 371-room property is home to four Atlantic bottlenose dolphins -- Hoku, Mahina, Hiiaka and Liho -- hotel guests can meet during encounters led by Dolphin Quest, an international organization dedicated to the protection of marine mammals and the marine ecosystem.
Dolphin Quest has been widely acclaimed for its education, research and conservation activities, which are largely funded by interactive dolphin programs such as these. Through gentle contact, coaching from Dolphin Quest's knowledgeable staff and a play session, participants learn about the anatomy, physiology, diet, behaviors, reproduction and training of these sleek, intelligent creatures, as well as the environmental issues affecting them in the wild.
"We feel the quality of education guests receive from this program is unsurpassed," says general manager Jan Goessing. "The four dolphins that reside here are much more than an attraction. They receive the very best medical care, food and protection. Our dolphin lagoon also provides a research facility for scientists, students and guests. Due to customer feedback and the popularity of the existing program, we hope to further marine education with an expanded program in the near future."
The Kahala Mandarin Oriental's three-night Dolphin Duo package includes a 30-minute adult Dolphin Encounter for two, and two 5-by-7 color photographs of the experience. The price is $1,125 for ridge view accommodations, $1,260 for ridge view with balcony, and $1,290 for Dolphin Lagoon, double. Good through Dec. 17.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
2005 Kalia Road
Call: 949-4321 on Oahu or 800-HILTONS from the neighbor islands, or visit www.hiltonhawaii.comA showplace for contemporary resort living, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa's new Kalia Tower also maintains a valuable link to Hawaii's past through Bishop Museum at Kalia, a satellite of the world-famous facility founded by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
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The new museum's collections of artifacts are just as notable. Tapa, stone tools, weapons made from shark's teeth, bowls crafted from native woods, exquisite feather lei and capes, and furniture and jewelry that once belonged to the alii (royalty) tell amazing stories about life in old Hawaii. Learning by doing is encouraged; among other things, visitors can play musical instruments such as the ohe hano ihu (bamboo nose flute), make a length of cordage from hau tree fibers and try their hand at traditional games, including konane, which is similar to checkers."At Hilton Hawaiian Village we are on a never-ending quest to enhance the experience of visitors, including kamaaina," says public relations manager Paula Imamura. "It's easy to get caught up in life and forget the magic of these islands. When we vacation close to home, we find a renewed appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us, both through nature and through the people of Hawaii. Bishop Museum at Kalia provides an insightful glimpse of the rich cultural heritage that makes our islands unique."
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The resort's Perfect Romance package entices sweethearts with admission for two to Bishop Museum at Kalia plus five nights in a Rainbow Tower deluxe ocean-view room; use of the spa fitness facility for two days for two; Mandara Spa treatment for two, including a foot bath, fresh coconut scrub and a choice of full-session massages; dinner for two at Bali by the Sea; a sunset dinner cruise for two; a private six-hour limousine tour; a helicopter tour of Oahu; and champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. The price is $2,850, double. Good through May 31.
The Royal Hawaiian
2259 Kalakaua Ave.
Call: 923-7311 on Oahu or 800-782-9488 from the neighbor islands, or visit www.sheraton-hawaii.comLuxury properties grace every Hawaiian island, but those who have stayed at the Royal Hawaiian recognize it's special. Seventy-five years old this year, the hotel exudes a graciousness and grandeur that reflects its long and cherished history. The hotel is every bit as beautiful and elegant as it was when it welcomed its first guests on Feb. 1, 1927.
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Dubbed the "Pink Palace" because of its Spanish-Moorish and California mission architectural design and eye-catching exterior color, it has hosted many luminaries over the years, including kings, presidents, corporate magnates and Hollywood stars. The Royal Hawaiian established Hawaii's standard for hospitality in 1927, says director of sales and marketing Angela Vento.In 1999, executives began contemplating how to celebrate the hotel's 75th anniversary. "We began thinking of the tremendous impact the Royal has had on our local community and so many visitors," says Vento. "We recalled many of the century's greatest dignitaries and celebrities who visited the hotel, and felt a historical perspective was the ideal approach. We felt it was essential to design a program that recaptured the romance and allure of days gone by."
Nostalgia is woven into the Royal Rhapsody package. One of its unique features is a tour of Honolulu on the Waikiki Trolley, which itself has an early-1900s appeal. Stops include significant historical sights such as Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Chinatown, Aloha Tower and the Honolulu Academy of Arts, which opened its doors two months after the Royal Hawaiian.
Guests booking the Royal Rhapsody package also receive a lei greeting, a lovely 75th-anniversary commemorative plate, a catamaran sail for two, daily buffet breakfast for two and afternoon tea for two. Nightly rates are $344 for the historic wing, $374 for the historic garden and $489 for the ocean category, double, based on a minimum four-night stay. Good through Dec. 25.
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based free-lance writer.