Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Four Seasons Lanai

Today the beautiful, south Pacific island chain of Hawaii celebrates its 50th anniversary of statehood. It was on August 21st in 1959 (a full five years before our current president was born on the capital island of Oahu) that President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the documents incorporating Hawaii into the union. A lot has changed in the years since statehood: the grass shacks have been replaced by modern homes and high-rises and the sugar plantations that brought a rich diversity of immigrants to the islands have been replaced by tourism as the state’s main industry. Through it all, the exotic tropics have continued to surprise and seduce visitors. Whether it's your first visit or your 50th, these record-low hotel and flight deals make taking a Hawaiian vacation almost too easy.

See all of today's top deals.

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Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Sheraton Kauai

50% Off Rates at The Sheraton Kauai Resort

The Draw:Kauai, the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain is, ironically, the least developed. People fall in love with its tropical waterfalls (including one used in the opening shot of the 80’s TV show Fantasy Island), as well as its endless fringe of sandy beaches. You can also drive from one end of the island to the other in an hour and a half, making it a very manageable piece of paradise. The south side of the island has the The Sheraton Kauai Resort, located right on Poipu Beach (great for families), and nestled inside a community of other resorts.

The Deal:In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hawaii’s Statehood, the Sheraton Kauai is offering the 50th Package. That’s 50% off rack rates until Dec 25th. The package includes a 5th-night free and a $50 daily food credit for stays of 5-days or longer plus a 2 for 1 surfing lesson with the local outfit, Hawaiian Surfing Adventures.

Book it: Call 866-716-8141 and ask for rate plan 5050.

Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel for $19.27

The Draw:After a multi-million dollar facelift that has restored its former glory, the original Pink Palace of the Pacific reopened in 2009 as part of the Starwood Luxury Collection of hotels. Art deco influenced interiors with Moroccan textiles and bellmen in turbans might seem out of context, but they're true to the original Arabian Nights theme.

The Deal: Experience the best of the past and present with the “1927 Package” that honors the year of the Royal Hawaiian’s original opening. The first night of a 4-night stay is just $19.27, a fee that will be donated to the Historic Hawaii Foundation to support the preservation of indigenous culture. The package also includes Mai Tais and dinner for two at the resorts’ Mai Tai Bar and Azure restaurant, right on Waikiki Beach.

Book it: www.royal-hawaiian.com; 866-716-8110.
Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines West Coast to Hawaii Discount Packages

The Draw:When long-time competitor, Aloha Airlines, called it quits in 2008, Hawaiian Airlines could have easily rested on its laurels. Instead this is the little airline that could, ranking #1 in airline quality and on-time flights in 2009 among 19 different national airlines. Hawaiian Air doesn't just fly between the islands, it also offers flights from major west coast cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

The Deal:Would you consider a Hawaiian vacation if you knew that you could score airfare, hotel, and rental car for less than $1,000? Guess what—it's possible. Hawaiian Air is running a promotion where guests can customize special vacation packages for their needs. Case in point: right now, a package including round trip flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu for two, seven nights at the Aqua Waikiki Wave Hotel and a Dollar compact rental car, through November 2009 can be had for as low as $1668 – or $834 per person. Make coffee at home and bring it to work in a themos and you’ll save more than that in eight months.

Book it: www.hawaiianair.com

Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Kona Village

Kona Village Gives $800 Air Fare Credit

The Draw:Hawaii’s only "almost all-inclusive" resort is one of the oldest on the Kohala Coast. Its own brand of barefoot luxury began in 1966, before there were even paved roads to the district. Back then, those seeking to really get away were flown in over the striking black lava fields to a private airstrip. A few free-standing grass shacks built up on stilts have multiplied into several clusters, creating the feel of a large Polynesian village. And while AC, house phones and a few hot tubs have been added, people still come to this memorable spot to unplug. Now the castaway feel is just an illusion – it's less than 20 minutes drive from the Kona International Airport and adjacent to one of the most elite fairways in the world, the Hualalai Golf Course.

The Deal:The Fare Deal Package running until December 18, 2009 includes an $800 resort credit to offset your air fare costs. Book any published room rate for a Deluxe, Superior or Garden category “hale” or bungalow for 5-nights or more and get $800 off your bill at check-out. Even better, you’ll also get a one category room upgrade when you book.

Book it: www.KonaVillage.com; 800-367-5290.

Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Pride of America

Norwegian Cruise Lines Offers Couples $300 Off

The Draw: Islands are always best viewed from the water, and even on the “Pride of America”, an impressive floating hotel of a ship, you’ll gain a better appreciation of the journey ancient Polynesians made across the Pacific to settle here. Norwegian’s signature freestyle cruising means less restrictions on your time – eat, sleep, play – whenever you want. And by cruising, you’ll get to see four islands – Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii, without ever having to unpack more than once.

The Deal:A full week at sea on the 7-Days roundtrip from Honolulu, with stops on four islands, is being offered for the remaining weeks of 2009 for $849 per person, double occupancy, discounted from $1000.

Book it: www.ncl.com

Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Hotel Hana Maui

Exclusive Hotel Hana Maui Resort & Honua Spa $500/night

The Draw:Ever wonder what it must have been like to visit unspoiled Hawaii 50 years ago? A visit to Hana, accessible only via a 2-hour drive along the infamous stomach-turning Hana Highway, is as close as you can get. The road to Hana acts like a filter, keeping this still sleepy village with a large population of native Hawaiians, stuck in time. The attractions here are natural -- red and black sand beaches, and the Seven Sacred Lava Pools once used for private bathing by Hawaiian royalty. There’s not a town per se or even a single fast food joint (unless you count Tutu’s food truck parked in Hana Bay), but Hana is home to one of Hawaii’s most unforgettable properties, Hotel Hana Maui Resort & Honua Spa.

The Deal:Set on rolling green hills and ranch lands overlooking at the sea, the luxury ocean view cottages are already discounted from $825 to $595 a night. But through December 23, 2009, couples booking the "Hawaii Five-O" package for 5-nights or more can expect a $500/night rate plus $150 in resort credits – a $50 credit towards a spa treatment, one dinner, and one purchase at the lovely boutique. And as anyone who has done the drive to Hana can tell you, there is nothing worse than arriving in this glorious place and having to turn around and drive right back.

Book it: www.hotelhanamaui.com

Fifty and Fabulous: Deals to Celebrate Hawaii's 50th Anniversary
Four Seasons Lanai

Four Seasons Lana'i, $295/Night by Land or Sea

The Draw: Long a pineapple plantation, auaint Lana'i island is virtually undeveloped, save for two of Hawaii's most intriguing luxury resorts, Manele Bay and the Lodge at Koele, both operated by the Four Seasons. The Manele Bay resort is a classic Hawaiian beachfront spread with a pool and restaurant looking out over Hulopo'e Beach. The Lodge at Koele is set slightly north of Manele Bay and amidst a romantic mist and extensive landscaped gardens. The area around both of the resorts looks like it is straight out of a National Geographic photo-shoot with breathtaking beaches, green landscapes, and the famous "Garden of the Gods," known for its eerie stone sculptures.

The Deal:Both resorts are offering standard rates of $295/night (a record low for a Four Seasons) through December 18, 2009.

Book it: www.fourseasons.com/lanai

Kapohokine

Oceanfront Homes on The Big Island $115/Night

The Draw:An oceanfront private home rental may not be out of your budget. On the lesser known Puna side of the Big Island, dramatic lava shelves have fallen into the ocean, creating dramatic cliffs with sheer drops right into the tumultuous azure sea. This area is up and coming due to close proximity to the single most popular tourist attraction in the whole state of Hawaii—the active Kilauea Crater in the Volcanoes National Park (just 20 minutes) away. The charming towns of Hilo and Pahoa are also both about 30 minutes away when you need to stock up on tropical fruit, good wine and groceries.

The Deal: Mele Kohola (meaning house of the “whale song”) is a three bedroom, three bath oceanfront home that is available for a jaw-dropping $115/night until Sept 31st. It's perfect for families with older children (the property is not safe for those with younger children due to its proximity to the lava cliffs), or three adult couples who will find good use for the outdoor grill and hot tub.

Book it: www.bigislandvacationrentals.com

Kona Village



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