travel by sidney louie
In these tough economic times, it may be too indulgent to travel. But quality of
life should not compromise quality of experience, and you probably need to take
Honolulu
a break anyway from California especially after Proposition 8. That ideal destina-
tion is Hawaii; in particular, the Island of Oahu, where you can find places that will
not break your bank, and where you can experience seasonal joy with memories Holidays
that are, for a lack of better term, priceless.
You can have a winter wonderland in Honolulu, the Capitol of Hawaii. For
the past 24 years, the Mayor’s office has presented “Honolulu City Lights,” an
unforgettable electrical display of holiday lights throughout downtown’s
civic grounds and municipal and historical buildings. Take the trolley ride in the
evening and view the spectacular installations at Honolulu Hale (City Hall) that
includes a three-story Santa Claus in a Hawaiian outfit. Pass the Board of Water
Supply’s whimsical display of the island’s freshwater source, the rain. And view
the hanging lanterns that respectfully trail to Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace
in the United States.
Your holiday high can be enhanced when entering Waikiki, the epicenter of
entertainment, and only a 15-minute drive from downtown Honolulu. The recently
renovated Royal Hawaiian Center spans three blocks along Kalakaua Avenue, the
main strip in Waikiki, and has over 110 stores and restaurants. As it is owned by
Kamehameha Schools, which is dedicated to the education of children of Hawaiian
descent, the Royal Hawaiian Center is also a cultural resource center. Not only can
you ogle at a tantalizing diamond from Cartier or a cute handbag from Kate Spade,
you can also partake in free Hawaiian cultural lessons, such as Lomilomi massage,
the Hawaiian tradition of healing, and Hula, Hawaii’s beloved art of dancing. You
can also enjoy live Hawaiian music Tuesdays through Fridays in the early evening at
The Royal Grove, located in the heart of the Royal Hawaiian Center.
The entertainment continues at the edge of Waikiki, where Hawaii’s longest
running and best gay bar resides, Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand. Hula’s boasts a view
of world-famous Diamond Head, and a much closer view of hot bartenders and
waiters who are more than happy to serve strong tropical drinks, replete with
umbrellas and pineapple spears. Friendly patrons,
both local and visitors, strike up conversations, and
everyday drink specials enable you to buy a round or
two for your new friends, or receive a round or two
from them.
Hula’s offers an immensely popular catamaran
cruise every Saturday afternoon that departs off the
beach fronting the Sheraton Waikiki. At only $20 per
person and what seems like an endless supply of Mai
Tai cocktails for sale, for about 90 minutes you can fly
across the Pacific Ocean, taste the salty air, and feel
the wind-swept ocean spray, all to the beat of house
music. The ticket includes a complimentary Mai Tai
at Hula’s, where you meet up before embarking on
the cruise.
Hula’s celebrates the holidays with the tradition of
Makapuu Lighthouse
decorating a young Banyan tree, known as the Chris-
tine Snyder Tree. It is a memorial for the old Hula’s
located on the corner of Kuhio Avenue and Kalaimoku
Street, where hipsters from the 1970s to 1990s partied under the iconic Banyan
tree adorned with lights wrapping around the tree’s hanging roots. When the old
Hula’s was razed, a root was retained from the century-old tree and planted in the
park across from the current Hula’s location. This tree is dedicated to its planter,
Christine Snyder of the environmental non-profit group Outdoor Circle, who
died on September 11, 2001 in the hijacked airliner that went down outside of
Honolulu
86 RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2008
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