Yaling Fisher joins Aloha Bruce with some Hawaii travel planning ideas, recent booking challenges, Hawaii tourism news, and a recent news report about Hawaii vacationing.

Bruce starts off by encouraging listeners to reach out to Hawaii Aloha Travel with questions and input about Hawaii vacations. Bruce talks about planning a multi-island Hawaii vacation and a possible Pride of America cruise that may be launched in October that will travel to all islands. “It’s big bucks,” Bruce notes, commenting on the high prices visitors are facing when planning a Hawaii vacation. He mentions a $10,000 price tag on two rooms at a Hyatt property in December.

Our hosts urge listeners to stay up to date on travel restrictions and rules as Hawaii’s COVID case numbers climb to record levels. Bruce says this is largely due to community spread and not due to visitor arrivals.

It’s also important to make plans and reservations as far in advance as possible. “Start with the car,” Bruce says. “It’s the number one reservation you need to be worried about.” Bruce goes on to explain how important to be a respectful traveler at a time when demand is extremely high. He urges private tours like those offered through Secret Hawaii Tours that encourage responsible, respectful travel. Bruce also notes HAT’s Waikiki condo is an affordable option that comes with a special podcast listener rate.

The conversation moves on to a recent KRON News feature “Guide to Visiting Hawaii” that claims that there are a lot of options outside of Waikiki for Oahu visitors. Bruce and Yaling unpack the feature, which includes an incident that saw a visiting couple fined for harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. The article mentions Kualoa Ranch and the Polynesian Cultural Center and mentions two different tourists drowning on consecutive days on the North Shore. Bruce returns to the importance of enjoying Hawaii’s beaches and natural attractions with respect.

Bruce and Yaling talk about a dilemma faced by podcast listener Christine who has concerns about being too late in planning a Big Island vacation and also visit Maui and Kauai. Bruce quickly put together a package for her party of two that was quite expensive. Bruce found rooms at the Hyatt on Maui but recommended a condo instead, and the Coconut Beach Resort in Kapaa on Kauai. Without a car, “it ended up being 6500 bucks. For a week. Ouch!” There are options. “Call us!” Bruce returns to the point that rental cars are prohibitively expensive.

Bruce and Yaling note booking an August package at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, mentioning Southwest Air routing. An October booking for three in October at the hotel for about $3500 is noted, as well as a booking from Philadelphia for February 2021 with an ocean view room that came it $6200 for 10 days for two at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel (without a car). “It’s a very Hawaiian hotel,” Bruce says.

Our hosts remind listeners about private Secret Hawaii Tours that include the Hawaii 5-0 Tour, the Aloha Plate Food Tour, and other specialty tours. “Tours are the way to go!”