While some are feeling the pinch of an economic downturn, Hawaii’s tourism industry remains strong. Two well known ‘families’ have made the most recent contribution to Oahu’s ever-growing hotel population: The Hilton Family and a very large family that includes one very popular Mickey Mouse!

Opening in December, 2008, The Hilton Grand Waikikian became the newest addition to the sprawling 22 acre Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa on Waikiki Beach. This 38 story, 331-suite luxury time share is a vacation home to the elite members of The Hilton Grand Vacation Club. Club members will spend between $40,000 and $80,000 for an annual week-long stay at this upscale property.

Paradise awaits you in the islands of Hawaii. From its white sandy beaches to it crystal clear waters, the former childhood home of President Barack Obama has a lot to offer its visitors.

Whether it is a family vacation that you planned or a romantic getaway for two, nothing will have you saying, “Aloha!” more than a night or two at Kualoa Ranch located in beautiful Oahu. Set in between the steep mountainside of Hawaii and located near the shores of the sea, visitors have their pick of activities to choose from including: horseback riding, a jungle expedition, and ATV rides.

In spring 2009, Hawaii will host several events, some ongoing, some one-time. The ongoing events include lava viewing at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park itself has 323,431 acres, trails totalling 150 miles, and seven distinct types of ecology, from sea level – where lava flows into the ocean – up to 13,667 feet.

Some recent figures released this week bode very well for anyone interested in booking a vacation or honeymoon in Hawaii this winter or spring. Visitor industry inside sources in Hawaii are reporting that hotels are experiencing, on average, a 12.6 per cent drop in occupancy.

You know what that means – Hotel prices are dropping and vacation booking values are here!

Hawaii’s visitor industry ended the year on a sour note, with statewide hotel occupancy down 12.6 percentage points to 66.4 percent.

There’s quite a bit going on in Hawaii this winter, and in case you weren’t lucky enough to book your vacation there yet, don’t worry. All these goings-on are only helping to increase Hawaii as a hot vacation destination for 2009. Luckily, though, the economic downturn has still kept Hawaii vacations and resorts affordable.

Perhaps the biggest news to increase Hawaiian Tourism in 2009 is President-Elect Barack Obama’s vacation in Hawaii this week. A veritable cottage industry surrounding all things Obama has sprung us this week. CBS News reports that narrated tours of Obama’s childhood, costing more than $40, are now big business in Honolulu. They stop at the apartment building he grew up in, a favorite lunch hangout and the local ice cream store. The fact that he’s been golfing there all week can only help the local links attract more vacation golfers.

The University of Hawaii Warrior football team earned its third straight bowl bid with a 24-10 win over Washington State Saturday night at Aloha Stadium, and now we’ve heard from several sources that Notre Dame is heading to the Hawaii Bowl.

Only the “final blessing” from the NCAA, as one person put it, stands in the way of the Notre Dame Fighing Irish playing the University of Hawaii Warriors football team in the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl will take place December 24, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. (HST) in the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Roxy Pro Hawaii got underway yesterday at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu, with 6 to 8 foot waves and great conditions for the first day of the women’s competition. Stop No. 7 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Roxy Pro Hawaii at Sunset Beach also marks the second event of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and the solid surf at the infamous break saw Hawaiians and big-wave specialists dominating the competition. With the 2008 Women’s World Tour Champion still undecided, the Roxy Pro Hawaii is a critical contest, with Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) holding a slight ratings lead over Roxy pro-surfer Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Layne Beachley (AUS) before the start of the competition.

To celebrate the day here are some local resources to let you know what’s going on in the islands this holiday.
How to say Happy Thanksgiving in Hawaiian:
Happy Thanksgiving – Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee) 
History of Thanksgiving in Hawaii
Here’s a great site with lots of info on the history of Thanksgiving in Hawaii.
Christmas Parades begin on Oahu
Right after Thanksgiving beginning this week, Hawaii has lots of Christmas parades to celebrate the holidays, here’s a list of their scheduled dates.
How to cook Thanksgiving Dinner, Hawaiian Style
This Honolulu Star Bulletin article …