George Szigeti
President and CEO
Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association
Aloha Kakou,
Hauoli Makahiki Hou! If you happen to be reading this column, congratulations! You have made the wise decision to escape the cold of winter and escape to a much-deserved break to enjoy rest, relaxation and “only in Hawai‘i” entertainment here on O‘ahu. And don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every hour as you bask in the warm Hawaiian sun.
There truly is so much to experience in Waikiki from outdoor activities, such as surfing and outrigger canoe paddling, to historical walking tours, cultural learning opportunities, exciting shows and events, rejuvenating spa experiences, gastronomic adventures and plenty of world-class shopping. A big part of Waikiki’s appeal is that there is really something for everyone to enjoy at a pace that you set from the moment you get off the airplane.
A big reason why travelers love Waikiki is the fact that it is constantly evolving. Take the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, for example. Last November, the resort debuted a 10,000-square-foot, 400-seat multi-million-dollar theater and nightclub in its Tapa Tower that is home to CabaRAE, Waikiki’s hottest new variety show directed by former Cirque du Soleil director Alan Goldberg. The stunning and dynamic two-hour performance thrills audiences with incredible aerial acts, daredevil feats of strength and gut-busting comedy. This is one show you don’t want to miss. The show runs Wednesday through Sunday, and tickets are available online at cabarae.com.
For golf fans out there, the Sony Open in Hawaii takes place January 11-18 at Waialae Country Club, a quick 15-minute drive east from Waikiki. Here, 144 of the PGA Tour’s finest tee it up in paradise for four rounds of competition at this legendary course. This is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with your favorite players on the course, while enjoying great food, hospitality and beautiful weather. Check out sonyopeninhawaii.com for tickets and more information.
Finally, for football fans looking for a great place to watch the big game in Waikiki on February 1, Giovanni Pastrami will host the ultimate Super Bowl party with 20 HD flat-screen TVs, drink specials and a tasty menu. Enjoy a wide selection of breakfast (served all day!), sky-high New York-style deli sandwiches, fresh pastas, pizza, burgers and all new gourmet hot dogs (the same hot dogs featured at the SF Giants AT&T Stadium!). Reservations are highly recommended. Call (808) 923-2100 to reserve your table or visit giovannipastrami.com.
For these reasons, and many more, you can see why Waikiki has been a favorite resort playground for discerning travelers for more than a century. I encourage you to get out, explore and take advantage of all that Waikiki has to offer.
