Zanzabar Nightclub in Waikiki is still one of Hawaii’s best hot spots, once the sun sets over the deep, blue Pacific Ocean.

Zanzabar is located in the middle of Waikiki, inside the Waikiki Trade Center – at the corner of Seaside and Kuhio Avenues.

Even though Zanzabar Nightclub may no longer be as popular today compared to several years ago, the nightclub is still the most famous nightclub in all of Waikiki.

Zanzabar offers patrons state of the art equipment that creates the perfect playground for their very talented DJs to spin sounds that keep the hottest eye candy on the floor all night long.

If you are looking for some privacy, then VIP members can enjoy a sound-proof room and specialized entertainment for non-stop uninterrupted fun.

Popular Zanzabar Nightclub is known internationally, and it’s where both visitors and kama’aina (locals) play together until dawn.

Courtesy of:  Zanzabar Nightclub (VIP Room)

Featuring cutting-edge style, atmosphere, terrific music, clientele, and class, Zanzabar Nightclub is definitely the place to be to dance the night away.

Zanzabar can accommodate up to nearly 1,000 people, so plan to get their early for your best spot.
The nightclub welcomes people 21 and over or even 18 and over on certain nights. You can find parking available in the same building for $3 with validation.

Zanzabar Nightclub
2255 Kuhio Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: 808-924-3939

The Hawaiian Lei is an image that most people associate directly to Hawaii. It’s a wonderful island greeting for arriving tourists as well as used by locals for many special occasions.

Be sure to treat yourself to one of the traditional single-strand leis, featuring beautiful, fresh local orchids. But what’s the history of the Hawaiian Lei?

The history of the lei dates way back to the time of ancient Hawaiians. They wore a variety of braided leaves, shells, native flowers, stones, feathers, and even bones to beautify themselves.

Ancient Hawaiians also offered these garlands to each other in addition to their gods as a tangible symbol of both their love and friendship. The lei was treasured and worn with pride by people from every age group.

Polynesians who had voyaged to Hawaii from nearby Tahiti, introduced the lei to the Hawaiian Islands. A lei was worn as a form of decoration, similar to how people wear jewelry today. They were also given in greeting or to honor the recipient.

The traditional flower lei, which is basically a garland worn like a necklace, is created by stringing together individual flowers into single or multiple strands. When completed, the ends are then tied together.

Leis are still carefully made by hand, weaving fragrant, colorful flowers and leaves together to create a work of art. Leis are worn on all special occasions and given to family and friends as gifts of love. Indeed, the lei is a symbol of Hawaii.

Each Hawaiian island has its own signature lei flower. In addition to the shells for Niihau and the red Lehua for the Big Island, Oahu favors the orange Ilima. Kauai uses a green vine and berry called the Mokihana and Molokai has the Kukui, the white blossom of the Candlenut Tree. Maui’s choice is the Lokelani, a small rose. The yellow moss, Kuanaoa, is the choice of Lanai.

Today, in addition to weddings and special ceremonies, flower lei are most often presented to honor birthdays and graduations. Islanders will also wear a lei on May 1, which is Lei Day in Hawai’i, and during the Aloha Week festivities that take place throughout the islands during the Fall.

The lei is also was used in more formal ceremonies. Beautiful Jasmine flowers or pikake are traditionally used in courtship and marriage.

As 2009 winds down, another New Year celebration – Hawaiian style, is in store for both locals and visitors to Hawaii.

Hawaii has many venues with plans for wonderful New Years celebrations. Hawaii will definitely be a great holiday to spend the New Year.

Anybody lucky enough to be in Hawaii for the the New Year will experience Hawaii in all its festive glory. Enjoy the many island celebrations as well as take time to explore the ravishing beauty of the exotic islands.

The celebration of New Year in Hawaii is unique. There are the awesome fireworks displays but also more traditional events due to the cultural heritage the Hawaiian Islands offer.

In the Hawaiian language, the phrase for “Happy New Year” is “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou”.

Hawaiians celebrate this time of the year and honor the earth for the plentiful food it provides. Since it coincides with the western Christmas and New Year, it’s a special time on the islands.

This particular period of resting and feasting is called Makahiki (mah-kah-HEE- kee) and it lasted about four months in length.

During this period, historically there were no wars or conflicts. Because makahiki also means “year”, the Hawaiian phrase for “Happy New Year” became “Hau’oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)”(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho).

Happy Holidays and welcome to the luxury Waikiki Parc Hotel on Oahu.

This year, the Waikiki Parc Hotel is pleased to present its third annual “A COOL CHRISTMAS AT THE PARC” which is inspired for its guests.

From December 16th – 25th Waikiki Parc invites its guests to experience daily, festive experiences.

Enjoy daily matinee holiday films poolside in the roof-top home theater – Merge.

Check out the chicest nine days of festive fun in paradise, including events at Nobu Waikiki, leading up to the BIG DAY!

Waikiki Parc Hotel
2233 Helumoa Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
(800) 422-0450

Ulalena at the Maui Theatre in Lahaina, is more than just another Maui nighttime show. It’s a first-class performance and a remarkable experience you won’t soon forget!

The show’s performance is an artistic tribute to the wide ranging and unique cultures and traditions that Hawaii offers. Taking you along a musical journey, explore the breadth of Hawaii’s mythical history via a magical adventure.

Ulalena is shown at the state-of-the-art Maui Theatre in Lahaina, Maui. Ulalena is a riveting production that is on par with any Broadway show on the U.S. mainland.

Ualena stands for the ancient Hawaiian word representing both the “hopeful and cleansing wind” that only occurs in Maui. According to Ancient Hawaiian creation chants, Ualena is also a form of rain that’s reddish yellow in color, when viewed at twilight. This enchanted wind carries people to other times and places through mystical memories and mythical means.

There are various shows on Maui, but if you can only see one show that celebrates Hawaiian culture, Ulalena is definitely the only show to see.

Ulalena has deservedly received many awards, including “Best Show” and “Best Attraction” by the Hawaii Visitors & convention Bureau.

One of the primary goals of Ulalena is to help promote Hawaiian culture. It appears that many of Hawaii’s many tourist attractions have moved toward commercialism and abandoned the fascinating history of the Hawaiian Islands. Ulalena continues to buck that trend.

The multi-million dollar Maui Theatre is classy as well as state-of-the-art. It’s now ten years old but still looks like it opened just yesterday. At the time, the Maui Theatre was build specifically for Ulalena and holds about 680 seats. Due to its half-moon crescent seating arrangement, every seat offers an amazing stage view, yet still creating an intimate experience.

The air-conditioned Maui Theatre is equipped with some of the best sound and lighting equipment around, using the latest in computerized technology.

Ulalena is comprised of nine various scenes that takes the audience on a magical journey through the ages of Hawaii’s deep history.

Through imagery, music, song, dance, acrobatics and even humor, the universal elements of nature come alive before your eyes. You’ll see how Hawaii’s gods and goddesses coexist amongst us all. This allows our imaginations to wander, leaving all of our troubles behind.

The show offers vivid, rich and imaginatively designed costumes along with intense lighting and stage design that when blended together, make for a wonderful entertainment experience.

The cast of Ulalena is comprised of many of the most talented stage performers and musicians on the Hawaiian islands. Their commitment, talent and enthusiasm exudes in their every move.

Ulalena begins with a lone man on a spiritual quest, heading for an unknown destination.

The show’s journey brings in many of the common elements that make up Hawaii: the ocean, a mythical forest, a village, a volcano, and many more. Each scene appears to progress the story and teach us something unique and intimate about Hawaii’s history and culture.

One of the most memorable scenes is titled “The Mythical Forest”. It’s a tantalizing experience that presents a guardian lizard spirit known as Mo’o, who lives and moves effortlessly around a waterfall. The female acrobat displays an amazing balance of beauty, strength and theatrics as she glides up and down a suspended giant loop of white silk.

The show’s musical score is an integrated component and key to the show’s success. The live band performs on an elevated stage to the right of the main stage. They produce an array of heart pounding drums and percussion rythyms that immerses the audience into the importance of music in Hawaiian culture.

Patrons have several seating and dining options available to choose from. The “Dinner Package” offers a fine dining experience at nearby Ruth’s Chris restaurant, either before or after the show. The package also includes premium VIP Seating, a complimentary beverage, and the opportunity to meet the cast and crew after the show.

Although each of the scenes are unique and incredible on their own, once the last curtain drops and the standing ovation subsides, you feel that you have just experienced something you will never forget.

Ulalena is a journey like no other. Consider yourself fortunate if you are ever able to see it and experience the true “Aloha Spirit” …. firsthand.

Ulalena – Maui Theatre
(Old Lahaina Center)
878 Front Street
Lahaina, Maui – HI
808-661-9913 or
877-688-4800

Indulging in an authentic Hawaiian luau is a must. Enjoy a spectacular tropical evening with a delicious Hawaiian buffet, a sensational Polynesian revue and a breathtaking fire dance at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau Havaiki Nui – A Journey to New Lands.

This Tihati Production of Havaiki, “A Journey to New Lands”, will give you a glimpse of Hawaiian history, culture, and tradition. You will find the feast unparalleled, with traditional Hawaiian dishes, as well as delicious cuisine from all of Hawai‘i’s modern-day cultures.

An essential part of any Hawaiian lu‘au is the entertainment and this one is top notch. Enjoy contemporary Hawaiian music while sipping a tropical drink and sampling pupu (appetizers). Then relax and delight in the extraordinary Polynesian revue. You will definitely enjoy this slice of Hawaiian culture and take with you a new-found reverence for our Hawaiian host culture, as well as a pleasantly full ‘opu (belly).

The amazing luau entertainment features authentic Polynesian musicians and dancers performing various chants, songs and dances from all of the Polynesian islands. Experience the ancient Hawaiian hula kahiko, modern hula ‘auana, the pulsating dances of Tahiti, Maori dances from New Zealand, and the exhilarating fire knife dance of Samoa.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau feast offers dining guests the best of traditional Hawaiian and modern Hawai‘i fare. You will enjoy traditional Hawaiian dishes such as Kalua Pork – tender pork cooked in an underground imu or oven, haupia – a coconut pudding, roasted Hawaiian sweet potato, and poi – a staple food made from the mashed root of the taro plant mixed with water and fermented for about up to 3 days, frequently called “Hawaiian Yogurt”.

It’s now been just over one year since legendary Hawaiian singer Don Ho’s death.  Since then his showroom has gone dark, and soon will become home to a new venue named for another celebrity.

His music has ended, but his death has caused stress and turmoil. His former crew at the Hoku Hale has scattered. Family members have split over the future of his estate, and a court case is pending.

Even Don Ho’s Island Grill is due for a name change. One might say the bubble has burst, referring to Don Ho’s world famous song, “Tiny Bubbles.”

It’s not the way he would have wanted to be remembered, said a longtime friend and confidant.  Full article

Cirque Hawaii!

Brought to you by some of the very same talented individuals that made Cirque du Soleil such a huge success, Cirque Hawaii features a talented cast of more than 34 performers from around the world who are guaranteed to dazzle and amaze with their unbelievable acrobatic skill and superb dance ability!

Cirque Hawaii has exploded on Waikiki’s entertainment scene with all the joie de vivre that can be expected from a show patterned in the tradition of the wildly popular and purely magical Cirque du Soleil performances of Las Vegas and international fame. Mounted by two former Cirque du Soleil performers, the Waikiki show features a troupe of 34 award-winning aerialists, acrobats and dancers from around the world.

The show is staged in the Cirque Hawaii Theatre, formerly the IMAX Theater, at 325 Seaside Ave. in Waikiki. The performance is not so much a circus but a story about a circus choreographed by a former Cirque du Soleil performer. The costumes, music and lighting, acrobatic artistry and fine-tuned talents of the performers are laced together to bring precision and enchantment to the magical illusion of the show.

The story follows the journey of lead character Josephine, who searches the globe for the best talent for her exotic circus. Flamboyant costumes, extravagant theatrical make-up and captivating music add to the spell of a well-crafted show with highly skilled performers.

Audiences of all ages, locals and visitors alike, are blown away by the high-energy, precision acts, the laugh-out-loud antics and comedic narration, as well as the elaborate costuming and bright, fanciful make-up – and it all takes place in Cirque Hawaii’s multi-million dollar showroom which features a state-of-the-art light and sound system!

There are several different packages to choose from, but the Deluxe Producer’s Package just can’t be beat and includes VIP seating, a backstage tour, and a complimentary group photo with the show’s amazing troupe of artists!

There’s nothing quite like it in all of Waikiki, and, in fact, the entire island of Oahu, so why not come see what all the excitement is about, and “Experience The Unique” at Cirque Hawaii!