[ISLAND HOPPING]
Family times on Kauai
The Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa is offering a Family Times package through Aug. 31, which includes fitness memberships at the ANARA Spa during the visit.The $179 per night rate is for double occupancy in a garden or mountain view room, plus access to spa facilities such as a 25-yard lap pool, Jacuzzis, open-air showers and saunas, and fitness classes. As a bonus, the cost of a round of golf at the Poipu Bay Golf Course has been reduced to $40. For reservations, call 800-742-2353.
Slack-key overnighters
In celebration of the 20th annual Slack-Key Guitar Festival, the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is offering a package combining rooms, workshops and a commemorative CD.Guests who stay between Aug. 13 and 20 will enjoy free slack-key guitar workshops and take home a CD featuring festival performances by Hawaii's top slack-key artists from the past 20 years, including Gabby Pahinui, Sonny Chillingsworth, Atta Isaacs and Leonard Kwan.
The workshops, led by master players George Kuo and David Kahiapo, will be held at the hotel on Aug. 17, with the free festival taking place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand.
Packages start at $150 per night, with a two-night minimum.
Call toll free at 1-800-Outrigger (688-7444) and ask for the Slack-Key Guitar package.
Kick back on Molokai
Pleasant Holidays and the Sheraton Molokai Lodge & Beach Village are offering Pleasant's guests reduced rates and daily buffet breakfasts when they travel through Dec. 21, 2002, and stay in deluxe or luxury accommodations.The Sheraton Molokai Lodge & Beach Village is famed for its old-Hawaii ambience. Guests may go on trail rides with Hawaiian cowboys, enjoy pristine beaches, kayaking, biking, heritage tours and more.
Five-night, land-only holidays start at $724 per person, double occupancy, reflecting a savings of $512 per room over the regular rate. Included are accommodations, a lei greeting, a daily compact car, and more.
For reservations, call Pleasant at 800-242-9244 or go online at www.2Hawaii.com
Fall is for foodies
Mark your calendar for fall, when stars of the culinary world descend on the Big Island for Food & Wine magazine's Best New Chefs in America 2002 showcase. The event runs Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, 2002.Chefs participating are Michael Anthony and Dan Berger of Blue Hill, New York; Laurent Gras, Fifth Floor, San Francisco; John Harris, Lilette, New Orleans; Thomas John, Mantra, Boston; Mark Sullivan, Village Pub, Woodside, Calif.; Deborah Knight, Mosaic, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Suzanne Tracht, Jar, Los Angeles.
Chef Andre Soltner, founder and former owner of New York's Lutece restaurant, will work with the Waikoloa Village's culinary team to prepare a special dinner and lunch.
Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays (1-800-2-HAWAII) is the fest's official travel provider. Event passes are available online at www.bigislandfestival.com