Travel Briefs
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Break for culture
Aston Hotels & Resorts Hawaii invites guests to take a break from surf, sun and sand to experience Hawaii's culture and the arts as part of Aston and the Arts Week at The Contemporary Museum, 2411 Makiki Heights Road.From Aug. 25 through 29, guests staying at any of Aston Hawaii's 13 hotels and resorts on Oahu will receive free admission to the museum by showing their room key at the museum admission desk.
On view will be the museum's Biennial Exhibition of Hawaii Artists, featuring work by artists living and working in the islands.
The exhibition continues through Aug. 31.
Participating properties are: Aston Executive Centre Hotel, Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, Aston Waikiki Beachside Hotel, Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel, Aston Waikiki Parkside Hotel, Honolulu Prince, Waikiki Joy Hotel, Aston Coconut Plaza Hotel, Aston at the Waikiki Banyan, Aston Waikiki Beach Tower, and Aston Waikiki Sunset.
For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.astonhotels.com, or call 800-321-2558. From the mainland or Canada, call 800-92-ASTON (800-922-7866).
Sail away on Maui
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa guests can sail aboard the newly refurbished Kiele V catamaran that departs daily at 10 a.m. for Honolua Bay, a marine sanctuary, and snorkel sites.The luxury catamaran accommodates 49 passengers on a trip that includes continental breakfast, deli lunch, open bar, use of snorkel gear, and snorkeling instructions for novices. The cost is $85 adults, $70 teens, and $50 ages 3 to 12.
For details, call the Hyatt at 800-55HYATT (800-554-9288).
Local tales at the Ritz
The inaugural Mai Ka Pu'uwai (From the Heart) speakers series will begin 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, amphitheater.The event will take place one Friday a month and feature kamaaina sharing their stories of life on the remote corner of Maui, in an intimate setting.
Hawaiian healing and philosophy expert Lyons Kapi'ioho Na'one and kupuna Ku'ulei Haina will participate in the first session, entitled "Backside Maui: Hana, Kipahulu and Kaupo."
The two will share childhood memories, and tales of the good times and challenges of living in Maui's remote areas.
Mai Ka Pu'uwai offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about subjects that go beyond the superficial factoids often presented to vacationers.
This event is an addition to the twice-weekly "Sense of Place" encounters, offered at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays by the resort's cultural advisor Clifford Nae'ole.
For information or reservations at The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua, call 808-669-6200, or toll free 800-262-8440.
