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Love our Aloha state? Stay in touch with Star of Honolulu®! Our travel blog features Star of Honolulu news, specials and holiday offerings as well as fun things to do around Hawaii, our favorite Hawaiian recipes, and interesting features about Hawaiian history and culture!

Top 6 Things To Do During Summer on O`ahu

4月 6, 2018

Heading to Hawaii this summer? We’ve got your list for top activities to enjoy this season with the whole family! From ship to shore, we have you covered. Check out our list of top 6 activities to do during your summer on Oʻahu.

1. North Shore
About an hour away from Waikīkī is the North Shore, which is home to the quaint town of Haleiwa where visitors can shop and eat like a local. Take a drive along the northern coast and you’ll see some of the best beaches the island has the offer with calm waves that offer perfect swimming conditions during the summer! Take a tour of this scenic coast from the comfort and convenience of a Royal Star Hawaii private luxury SUV.

2. Dolphin Watch
Take the whole family to spot wild dolphins as they jump and play along the Waianae coast. Dolphin Star, O‘ahu’s largest dolphin vessel, offers a great dolphin watch cruise with certified Naturalists who educate guests about Hawaii’s beautiful marine animals.

3. Sunset Cruise
For a fun tropical evening on the water, book a sunset cruise off the shores of Waikīkī ! Star of Honolulu offers various cruise packages, including its Pacific Star Sunset Buffet & Show cruise, which features a buffet dinner with a roast beef carving station, complimentary E Komo Mai Tai and Polynesian show.

4. Pearl Harbor
Explore some of Oahu’s most historic landmarks, including the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument with the Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl National Cemetery and Downtown Honolulu. To explore the Arizona Memorial & downtown Honolulu, Royal Star Hawaii offers a tour for a great value!

5. Luau & Show
For the ultimate Hawaiian experience, dine under the stars in our cabana with an upscale island luau buffet. Guests will be treated to Hawaiian entertainment during the luau. Then, they will enjoy Waikiki’s biggest show, Rock-A-Hula, complete with hula, fire knife dancing and legendary performances! Our premier theater is located at the Royal Hawaiian Center, where our guests can escape in the heart of Waikiki.

6. Iolani Palace
A living restoration of a proud Hawaiian national identity and registered National Historic Landmark, Iolani Palace is the only official royal residence in the United States. Walk through the halls of the Palace, and get transported back into Hawaiian history when King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii. When you choose to Create Your Own Tour with Royal Star Hawaii, you can personalize your visit of this historic site in one of their luxury vehicles.

Check us out in Honolulu Family!

3月 14, 2018
Our friend, Jennifer, from Honolulu Magazine had a great time aboard the Star of Honolulu for the Premier Whale Watch and Lunch Cruise.  She and her family enjoyed our buffet lunch, which features dishes such as citrus-miso-glazed white fish, roast beef, Big Island sweet potatoes, and furikake rice. Afterward, they searched for whales and joined in for family fun during our cultural activities!

Read more about Jennifer’s experience on the Star of Honolulu! For more information or to book a Whale Watch Cruise today, call (808) 983-7827 or visit www.starofhonolulu.com.

Easter Brunch Cruise in Waikiki – Hop on Aboard the Star of Honolulu

3月 13, 2018

Hop aboard the Star of Honolulu for a unique alternative to Easter brunch! Skip the long lines on land and join us for an Easter Champagne Brunch where you’ll have the opportunity to spot whales off the shores of Waikiki.

The Star of Honolulu will be celebrating Easter with this egg-cellent special with activities the whole family is sure to enjoy. During our Hawaiian cultural activities, you can learn to make leis, play the ukulele and dance the hula!

Kids will get to enjoy an Easter egg hunt and will also have a chance to win gift baskets filled with fun toys to excite both boys and girls while adults will be treated to a champagne toast. These days, with only a select few places offering complimentary champagne, Star of Honolulu provides a fun Easter experience for the best value!

For more information, call (808) 983-STAR (7827) or visit StarofHonolulu.com.

Fireworks Show Dinner Cruise in Hawaii

2月 27, 2018

Kick off your weekend with an unobstructed view of the fireworks in Waikiki! Every Friday evening, the Hilton Hawaiian Village puts on a shimmering display of fireworks on Waikiki Beach. For a more unique viewing experience, take a journey with us off the shores of Waikiki and climb aboard the Star of Honolulu!

When you join us for a dinner cruise, you’ll be able explore our panoramic decks to catch breathtaking views of the Hawaiian sunset and on Fridays, we stay out an hour later to see the weekly aerial fireworks show! On our award-winning vessel, you’ll indulge in a gourmet dinner and experience live entertainment with our “Polynesian Journey” show, as well as enjoy the best views of the city lights and Honolulu skyline.

There is a $10 additional charge for Friday night bookings. For more information, call (808) 983-STAR (7827) or visit StarofHonolulu.com.

4 Top Tips to Spot Whales in Hawaii

2月 23, 2018

In Hawaii, whale watching season is one of the most anticipated times of the year! For the best viewing opportunity to see whales, join us on board the Star of Honolulu and use our favorite tips for spotting these magnificent creatures:

  1. Explore all sides of the STAR. With four walk-around decks and a 60-foot high observation deck, our vessel offers cruise-goers 360-degree views of the expansive, blue ocean and stunning Waikiki coastline! Take the opportunity to explore our decks and observe whales from all angles of the vessel.
  2. Listen to the Naturalists. Our certified Naturalists are well-versed in whale watching and know all of the best sights to look out for when searching for whales. Be sure to listen carefully when they’re making their announcements—they may be spotting a new pod of whales!
  3. Bring your binoculars. To ensure the safety of Humpback whales, the STAR stays at least 100 yards away from the whales at all times. From this distance, it may be tough to spot certain pods, so bring a pair of binoculars to see them up close.
  4. Don’t forget your cameras! Humpback whales are amazing creatures to behold—you’ll want to do your best to snap a photo so you never forget that moment you saw a whale! Set your camera on a fast shutter speed to ensure that your photos come out clearly.

Want more tips before your next cruise? Contact us! For more information, call (808) 983-STAR (7827) or visit StarofHonolulu.com.

Welcome Aboard from Whale Naturalist

1月 19, 2018

Aloha, Ladies and Gentlemen!! Welcome aboard for our 2018 Whale Watch Season! My name is Jillian, and I’m one of the Whale Naturalists aboard the Star of Honolulu! Every year from December to April, the North Pacific Humpback Whales migrate down from their feeding grounds of Alaska to their breeding grounds right here in Hawaiian waters! Humpback Whales are distributed all over the world, and in October 2016, the Humpback Whale population as a whole came off of the Endangered Species list! These majestic creatures are slowly repopulating the waters, and I couldn’t be more happier! Come aboard explorers and lets have a whale of a time!!

Star of Honolulu Cruises & Events Receives the 2017 Cruise Company of the Year Award

1月 15, 2018

This calls for a sea-lebration! The Luxury Travel Awards recently named Star of Honolulu Cruises & Events as the 2017 Cruise Company of the Year. This prestigious award coincidentally comes as we reach our milestone 60th anniversary. As one of Oahu’s most popular attractions, we strive to provide the highest quality cruise experience for our valued guests and this award is definitely a testament to that commitment.

The 2017 Luxury Travel Awards recognize companies and attractions that have exhibited excellence within the luxury travel sector, including hotels, airlines and tour operators. The award distinguishes both the 1,500-passenger Star of Honolulu and the 149-passenger Dolphin Star catamaran for excellence in entertaining visitors from around the world.

Make your reservation today and join us aboard our award-winning ship!

Climb aboard Star of Honolulu’s Premier Whale Watch Cruise

1月 3, 2018

Dive into winter with a whale watching cruise for an experience you will never forget! We’re thrilled that the majestic Humpback whales have made their annual journey back to our islands’ warm waters, and our favorite way to spot them is aboard the Star of Honolulu. From now through April 5, 2018, we invite guests to climb aboard Hawaii’s most popular whale watch adventure!

With four walk-around decks, three types of stabilizers and a 60-foot high observation deck, the Star of Honolulu is the best vessel for viewing whales in their underwater home. During the whale watch experience, guests will enjoy our friendly and knowledgeable crew of Naturalists, informative handouts and an educational program for the keiki (children). Adults and keiki alike can also immerse themselves in a wide range of cultural activities, from lei making to ukulele lessons.

Our friends at the Star of Honolulu look forward to meeting you at the dock! For more information or to book a cruise today, call (808) 983-STAR (7827) or visit www.StarofHonolulu.com. Our dolphin friends would also love to see you, so for more information on a Wild Dolphin Watch cruise, visit www.dolphin-star.com!

Illuminating the Past with Aloha Tower Marketplace

12月 20, 2017

We love our Star of Honolulu home situated at Pier 8 of Aloha Tower Marketplace. Lauded as the most recognizable building in all of Hawaii, Aloha Tower is one of the most iconic symbols of Hawaii, embodying the warm aloha spirit that welcomes visitors every day.

Constructed in September 1926, Aloha Tower was once the tallest building in Hawaii, equipped with both a lookout station and a separate observatory for harbor pilots. The lighthouse also operated as a navigational landmark, and was often regarded as Honolulu’s very own “Statue of Liberty.”

Though no longer exclusively an observatory or lighthouse, Aloha Tower still stands as a recognizable landmark for residents and visitors alike. In addition to our Star of Honolulu docking port at Pier 8, the Aloha Tower area also houses Hawaii Pacific University’s student residences and community study spaces, as well as a variety of beloved local restaurants. The observation deck at the top floor is still open to the public, offering picturesque views of downtown Honolulu and the Hawaii coastline.

The next time you join us for a cruise, take a moment to explore all that the historic Aloha Tower Marketplace has to offer!

To learn more about Star of Honolulu or to book a cruise today, call (808) 983-STAR (7827) or visit StarofHonolulu.com.

The History of Hula

8月 21, 2017

Hula is one of Hawaii’s most iconic art forms, dating back to the time of the gods. The origins of hula have long been debated, often associated with Laka, goddess of hula, and Pele, goddess of fire. Since the time of these Hawaiian legends, hula has endured as vitally important to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.

With the revitalization of hula under the reign of King David Kalakaua, the style of hula transitioned from the kahiko form, accompanied by oral chants, to hula auana, the dance we see so often performed with accompanying ukulele or other stringed instruments. Today hula is celebrated throughout the islands, with events like the Merrie Monarch Festival and the Prince Lot Hula Festival paying tribute this beautiful and one-of-a-kind art form.

Here at Star of Honolulu, you’ll enjoy live hula performances even before you board the ship! From our nightly pier-side welcome hula to the exciting “60 Years of Aloha” show, which celebrates both traditional hula as well as Tahitian and Maori dance, we keep you entertained non-stop as you sit back, relax, and enjoy your cruise.

 

Interested in learning how to dance hula?
Check out our video below !