CULINARY CONVERSATIONS, a program inviting foodies
to get up-close-and-personal with America's best chefs, will start
with renowned chef Mario Batali from March 21-24 at the Mauna Lani
Bay Hotel & Bungalows on the Big Island. Batali is well-known
for hosting "Molto Mario" and "Mario Eats Italy" on the Food
Network, and for his three Manhattan restaurants -- Babbo, Esca and
Lupa -- and his three best-selling cookbooks. Weekend classes
include a session in a luxurious private home overlooking the
ocean, and a visit to a boutique lettuce farm, where guests will
pick and prepare their own produce for lunch. Wine is included.
Casually elegant parties allow students to enjoy what they've
learned. Program fees include accommodations, and are limited to 10
participants. $3,500 per person, including 4 nights and all events.
And it's commissionable. 1-800-367-2323; www.maunalani.com
THE FLUME, a new multi-million dollar water
slalom ride, will debut in Hawaii at the 31st annual Hawaii State
Farm Fair this summer. Similar to a log ride, the fast-moving
roller coaster will splash through a series of water ponds amid
wild twists and turns. In addition to rides and games, visitors can
learn about Hawaii's agriculture through exhibits, demonstrations
and samplings of island-grown produce. The fair is open to the
public on three consecutive weekends: July 18-20; July 25-27; July
31-Aug. 3. Admission: $3 for adults, $1.50 for children 5-11.
Children under 5 are free. 808-848-2074
PARKER RANCH on the Big Island has a new
activity that allows visitors to explore areas of the 200,000-acre
working ranch and learn about the ranch's history. Horseback rides
are available three times daily at 8:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. (both for
two hours), plus a sunset ride at 4 p.m. (for 1.5 hours). The cost
is $79 per person. The minimum age is 7. 808-885-5006
SUNTRIPS will expand its northern
California-Hawaii service between June and August from seven
flights per week to 11. The schedule includes direct service from
Oakland to Kona; more non-stop flights from Oakland to Oahu, Maui
and Kauai; and new nonstop Sacramento to Maui service. Connecting
flights are also available via SunTrips' interisland partner, Aloha
Airlines. Weekly nonstop service from Oakland to Kauai runs from
May 23 through Aug. 22. 800-786-8747; www.suntrips.com
CULTURAL HAPPENINGS
• King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel will host a cultural program
one Friday and Saturday per month, and when cruise ships are in the
harbor. Through demonstrations, workshops, craft exhibits, music
and hula, kupuna (revered elders) will share Hawaiian culture with
visitors. The program differs each time. 808-329-2911; www.konabeachhotel.com
• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort is hosting Hawaiian entertainment
from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily at the Moana Terrace Cafe and
Bar. Highlights include Auntie Genoa Keawe and her traditional
Hawaiian falsetto music on Thursdays, as well as Hawaiian slack key
guitarists on Sundays. 808-922-6611
PACKAGES
• Pleasant Holidays is offering a special rate through Sept. 3 on
the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa on Maui (accommodations are
terrace rooms, but at least you're at the hotel). Five-night,
land-only holidays start at $963 per person, double occupancy.
Don't forget...spa treatments through the resort are
commissionable, too. 800-448-3333; www.pleasantagent.com