Hawaii comes third in statewide beauty contest

A survey of more than 25,000 online consumers across 35 countries ranked Hawaii third in a survey of “How the world sees the states.” The Anholt State Brands Index 2006, powered by Global Market Insight, Inc., was designed to learn how familiar consumers are with the states. According to the survey, Hawaii is perceived as the most beautiful state with the best climate beating New York. California and Florida ranked one and two respectively.

Consumers were surveyed on their perceptions of the cultural, political, commercial and human assets, investment potential and tourist appeal of each state. For more information, visit NationBrandIndex.com.

Travel + Leisure’s 2006 World’s Best Awards recognized Kaua‘i as the secondbest island in the world. Maui followed in third place and Hawai‘i’s Big Island ranked ninth. The survey targeted travelers from around the world. The islands were judged based on natural attractions, activities, sights, restaurants, food, people, and value. For more information, visit TravelandLeisure.com.

Hawai‘i beat North Carolina and Georgia and ranked fifth in a list of Top 10 Places to Shoot in the U.S by P3 Production Update. Ten finalists were defined by the greatest number of industry responses. P3 Production Update magazine provides the latest trends and news to professionals in film and video production all over North America. Finalists were judged on financial incentives, increased growth, cost of living factors, revenue generated from film and television industry in 2005, level of difficulty for productions, crew base, and overall desire to return. For more information, visit P3Update.com.

What’s New in the Islands of Aloha

Dec 1, 2006

KAUAI MUSEUM HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

The Annual Christmas Artisan Craft Fair is one of the Kaua`i Museum’s signature events. Held in conjunction with the “Festival of Lights” in downtown Lihue, the fair affords children and adults the opportunity to visit the museum, support local artisans, enjoy culinary delights, participate in Hawaiian music and hula performances, and partake of the diversity and exchange of culture between visitors and residents. This one day event will be held on December 1, 2006. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Contact: Information (808) 245-6864

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 1, 2006

THE RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Kapalua Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is the annual season opener with live music, hula dancers, and the lighting of over 250,000 sparkling lights around the Christmas tree and dozens of pine and palm trees on property.

Contact: Information (808) 669-6200

Type: Event

Island: Maui

Dec 1, 2006

MENEHUNE MOONRISE – SLACK KEY CONCERT

Friday 4:00-5:30pm. Hanalei Family Community Center. Live concert of traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar & ukulele featuring songs & stories of Hawaii’s ancient people, the Menehune. FREE gift drawing. Tickets $10 ($8 keiki/seniors) Seating Limited. Portion of proceeds support Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei.

Contact: Aloha Plenty (808) 826-1469

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 1, 2006

MATATO’A

Co-presented with East-West Center. This group from Rapa Nui presents an unforgettable spectacle bedecked in traditional fibers, feathers and takona (body paint) as they involve audiences in “hoko” –dances and songs to express mana. RESERVED SEATNG EVENT! Tickets: $30 adults|$26 students, seniors, military

Contact: http://lcctheatre.hawaii.edu | LCC Theatre Box Off (808) 455-0385

Type: Event

Island: Oahu

Dec 1, 2006

OPENING CEREMONY, 10TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Enjoy 40 years of Christmas folk art by Auntie Josie Chanksy. Favorites include a Christmas tree made from 7,500 green toothpicks and wreaths formed from egg cartons. The Opening Ceremony will take place 6:00-6:30 p.m. on December 1, 2006, and will include the Kauai Chorale, Immaculate Conception Children’s Choir, Lighting Countdown of the Historic County Building Park, and Santa & Mrs. Claus. The Lights on Rice Parade follows at 6:30 p.m. The Opening Ceremony will coincide with the Kauai Museum’s Christmas Artisan Craft Fair.

Contact: Elizabeth Freeman (808) 828-0014

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 1, 2006 –

Dec 3, 2006

THE KALAKAUA NUTCRACKER

See the Nutcracker Ballet as never before, as Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music brings to life the Honolulu Dance Theatre production of The Kalakaua Nutcracker featuring King Kalakaua and Princess Kaiulani in a Christmas tribute to the people and islands of Hawaii. Hawaii Theatre Center, Friday 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m. Attend the Grand Ball at the Iolani Palace and meet many historic figures whose eminence has helped to shape the course of Hawaii’s history.

Contact: Hawaii Theatre Center Box Office (808) 528-0506

Type: Event

Island: Oahu

Dec 1, 2006 –

Dec 17, 2006

2006-2007 DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE SEASON – CINDERELLA (MUSICAL)

CINDERELLA…a musical filled with wonderful songs, wicked (but hilarious) stepsisters, a lovingly pompous king and of course the glass-slippered heroine, Cinderella. Diamond Head Theatre, Performances run Thursday and Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (second and third weekends) and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Contact: Box Office (808) 733-0274

Type: Event

Island: Oahu

Dec 1, 2006 –

Dec 24, 2006

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th & Last Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri & Sat of Dec

10TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Enjoy 50 years of Christmas folk art by Auntie Josie Chansky. Favorites include a Christmas tree made from 7,500 green toothpicks and wreaths formed from egg cartons. Opening Ceremony: December 1, 6:00-6:30 p.m. Local choirs, Lighting Countdown and Santa & Mrs. Claus. Lights on Rice Parade at 6:30 p.m. Through Christmas Eve, enjoy Auntie Josie’s collection at the Historic County Building, as well as the Park Lights Extravaganza and Santa & Mrs. Claus: Fridays-Sundays, 6:00-8:00 p.m.; and Mondays-Thursdays, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Contact: Elizabeth Freeman (808) 828-0014

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 9, 2006

HAWAII YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE @

ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE

Kick off the holidays with an island-style parade…on Honolulu’s Harborfront! Join us at Aloha Tower Marketplace for live entertainment, door prizes on our Pier 9 stage, and FREE photos with Santa in the Center Atrium. The event culminates with the festive boat parade sailing through Aloha Tower Marketplace’s waterfront, delivering warm and happy wishes for all. Best of all, it’s FREE! 6-9 p.m.

Contact: Guest Services (808) 566-2337

Type: Event

Island: Oahu

Dec 9, 2006

12TH ANNUAL HAWAII YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

Deck the hulls! Kick off the holiday with an island-style parade on Honolulu’s Harbor front! Join us at Aloha Tower Marketplace from 6:00pm for live entertainment and door prizes on our Pier 9 stage; FREE photos with Santa and gift-wrapping in the Center Atrium from 5-9pm; and the boat parade at approximately 6:30pm. Festively decorated boats will sail through Honolulu Harbor, delivering warm and happy wishes for all. Best of all, it’s FREE!

Contact: Information (808) 566-2337

Type: Event

Island: Oahu

Dec 22, 2006

A KAUAI CHRISTMAS HULA CONCERT BY LEILANI BOND, HALAU HULA O LEILANI

Lively hula show and concert by Leilani Rivera Bond and Halau Hula o Leilani features original Christmas songs and Hawaiian favorites, plus hula by keiki and ladies in Leilani’s hula school. Songs are on her new Christmas CD, A Kauai Christmas. Friday, December 22, at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort in Poipu. Tickets in advance $15 for adults, $10 for ages 5-14 (4 & under free) available at ticket outlets. Prices $20 and $15 at the door. Ballroom doors open at 6:30; show at 7 pm. Larry Rivera special guest. Call Leilani Rivera Bond, 651-0682.

Contact: Leilani Bond (808) 651-0682

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 22, 2006

HAWAIIAN SUNSET MUSIC CONCERT

Friday 4:00-5:30pm. Hanalei Family Community Center. Serenade of traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar & ukulele featuring soothing sunset songs & stories. FREE gift drawing. Tickets $10 ($8 keiki/seniors) Seating Limited. Portion of proceeds support Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei.

Contact: Aloha Plenty (808) 826-1469

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 23, 2006

WAIMEA LIGHTED XMAS PARADE

12th annual Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade 2006 is set to start at 6pm, Saturday, December 23, 2006 along Kaumualii Hwy from Waimea Canyon Drive to Ala Wai Rd then to Waimea Road to Hofgaard Park. Visit Kaua‘i’s most historic town (hosting the first Christmas in the Hawaiian Islands over 200 years ago) and enjoy the spirit of the holiday with not only a parade, but decorated storefronts. Lighted and decorated floats are created within the community by businesses and families, many continuing a tradition that spans generations. Free to the public.

Contact: Chris Faye (808) 337-1005

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 27, 2006 –

Dec 28, 2006

QUEEN KAPI`OLANI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

BIRTHDAY OF QUEEN KAPI‘OLANI OBSERVED WITH EVENING TOURS AT ‘IOLANI PALACE In celebration of Queen Kapi‘olani’s birthday, ‘Iolani Palace will be offering special docent-led evening tours of the State Apartments, followed by self-guided tours of the Basement Galleries. The life and good works of this beloved queen, whose birthday is December 31, will be highlighted. This is a rare opportunity to experience the soft evening glow of period lighting which surrounded guests to the Palace one hundred years ago. 

Contact: Lori Garcia (808) 522-0831

Type: Event

Island: Oahu

Dec 29, 2006

SLACK KEY LOVE SONGS – GUITAR CONCERT

Friday 4:00-5:30pm. Hanalei Family Community Center. Romantic traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar & ukulele concert featuring slack key love songs & stories. FREE gift drawing. Tickets $10 ($8 keiki/seniors) Seating Limited. Portion of proceeds support Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei.

Contact: Aloha Plenty (808) 826-1469

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 30, 2006

PAWS ON THE PATH DEC. HIKE – PEACOCK FLATS

Paws on the Path is a fun hiking club for people and their dogs organized by the Hawaiian Humane Society. We start the hike promptly at 9 and ask everyone to meet at the trailhead at 8:30. This month’s hike is Peacock Flats Trail in Mokuleia, a paved road with wonderful views of the coastline. Expect a sunny trail at the beginning and end, shady in the upper region with some steep portions. Peacocks can sometimes be heard, hence the name. We’ll hike up for about an hour, then turn around and come back down.

Contact: Liza Souza (808) 356-2217

Type: Event

Island: Oahu

Dec 31, 2006

SLACK KEY CONCERT – DOGS DIG IT!

Sunday 3:00-4:30pm. Hanalei Family Community Center. Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar & ukulele concert. “When the music’s good, even the dogs dig it!”. FREE gift drawing. Tickets $10 ($8 keiki/seniors) Seating Limited. Portion of proceeds support Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei.

Contact: Aloha Plenty (808) 826-1469

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 31, 2006

NEW YEARS EVE AERIAL FIREWORKS

Spectacular aerial fireworks display at Poipu Beach set for 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Organized by Sheraton Kauai Resort with support from Kauai County, The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club, Lawai Beach Resort, Poipu Shopping Village, Embassy Vacation Resort, Kukuiula Development, Grantham Resorts, Poipu Ocean View Resorts ,Nihikai Villas, Lawai Cannery Self Storage and First Hawiian Bank. In the event of weather problems on the 31st, the fireworks will be moved to 10 p.m., January 1st at Poipu Beach Park.

Contact: Poipu Beach Resort Association (808) 742-7444

Type: Event

Island: Kauai

Dec 31, 2006 –

Jan 1, 2007

31st of Dec

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS CELEBRATION

Aloha Tower Marketplace will ring in 2007 with an unparalleled New Year’s Eve celebration with waterfront dinning, shopping, free live entertainment and a spectacular front row fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor at midnight. Center atrium entertainment begins at 7 p.m. with live entertainment, free giveaways, and more. Several Marketplace restaurants will be hosting special menus and evening packages for the evening. For more information, please call (808) 566-2337 or log onto www.alohatower.com.

Contact: Guest Services Kiosk (808) 566-2337

Type: Event

Island: Oahu