Hawaii Vacation Packages

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OAHU INFOMATION
And Celebrity Citing



Star-gazing at Oahu's top

Hollywood hot spots

 

HAW-1IHILANIW ith Hollywood just a five-hour flight away, it makes perfect sense that Hawaii has long been a favorite getaway for celebrities of both the big and small screens. While many stars seek a quiet, somewhat remote escape such as Maui, where the Four Seasons Resort at Wailea is "star central," and Kauai (the Princeville Resort in Hanalei is popular), some celebs want a mix of tropical paradise and thriving metropolis.

Bingo! The city and county of Honolulu, which includes the entire island of Oahu, fits the bill. It's home to several world-class, often star-studded, resorts at the four corners of the island: the Kahala Hotel & Resort, near Waikiki; the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki; the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina, in west Oahu; and Turtle Bay Resort, on the North Shore.

In fact, studios often refer to Hawaii as "Hollywood's favorite back lot." Travelers hoping to add some celebrity spotting to their Hawaii itineraries, or to simply vacation like a star, would do well to spend time at any of the following hot spots.

Pacific back lot

When actor Cameron Diaz and pop star Justin Timberlake were an item, they frequented the Kahala. The hotel is a home away from home for Adam Sandler and Kevin James; it's also a popular redoubt for Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, Samuel Jackson, Will Smith, the Osbournes, Noah Wyle and guest stars appearing on the ABC-TV series "Lost."

Celebrities usually don't spend much time lounging around the Kahala pool, preferring to rent chaise lounges on the hotel's white-sand beach. (In Hawaii, all beaches are public, so hoi polloi can stroll by without being accused of trespassing.)

If a beach star search comes up dry, clients can head into the surf or the skies. Some stars, such as Barrymore, Diaz and Timberlake, count former pro surfer Hans Hedemann as a mentor. The Hans Hedemann Surf School has seven locations on Oahu, the most popular being in the gentle waves of Waikiki or at Turtle Bay.

Island Seaplane, with a floating office at Keehi Lagoon near Honolulu Airport, offers seaplane tours that have given Sandler and Barrymore bird's-eye views of Oahu's most famous landmarks.

The JW Marriott Ihilani boasts its own manmade lagoon, open to the public. Major Hollywood press junkets have taken place there, such as that of "Nim's Island," starring Jodie Foster. Sports fans can partake in celeb-spotting at the resort, too. Each January, the National Football League's Pro Bowl has its base here for all its players, known to cordially sign hundreds of autographs.

Turtle Bay attracts A-list celebs such as Robin Williams and is the most production-friendly resort on Oahu. It's been the setting for dozens of films and TV shows, including "Knight Rider, "Baywatch Hawaii," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Along Came Polly." Hotel guests have even been asked to appear as extras.

If clients are outdoors and star-spotting types, Twogood Kayaks and Canoes in Kailua offers kayak rentals. Comedian David Spade has enjoyed kayaking with them.

For real thrills, point clients to Hawaii Shark Encounters in Haleiwa. American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson came face-to-face with as many as 30 sharks inside one of the firm's underwater shark cages.

It's harder to pin down where celebrities like to dine but Waikiki hotel restaurants are popular. Stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Clay Aiken enjoy Waikiki's only beachfront luau at the Royal Hawaiian, while Heather Locklear and boyfriend Jack Wagner eat at the hotel's Mai Tai Bar. Jimmy Buffett always stays at the Royal Hawaiian and surfs right offshore at a spot called Pops. And Waikiki's biggest resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village -- not surprisingly, perhaps -- is said to be Paris Hilton's favorite hotel.

 

 

 

 

CELEBRITY SPOTTING ON OAHU OAHU

Hawaii Vacation Packages- Waikiki Beach

A thriving metropolitan city and resort location combined with breathtaking island scenery? No wonder Oahu has found its way into the hearts of Hollywood’s A-list. Only five hours from Los Angeles, Oahu is the place to enjoy being pampered and relaxing at oceanfront resorts. With an impressive collection of world-class cuisine and fun-in-the-sun activities, Oahu has become the hot spot for elites to meet, eat, greet and sleep.Here’s a sampling:

                                                 Star-Worthy Adventures

                                             Cameron Diaz on a Hawaii Vacation Packages trip           Justin Timberlake

 

Celebrities have discovered ways to soak in Oahu’s beautiful landscape and ocean surroundings with outdoor activities. 
   
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake are among the celebrities that count surfer Hans Hedemann as their mentor. Hans Hedemann Surf School has seven different locations on Oahu, with the most popular being in Waikiki.
 
Located on a floating office, Island Seaplane offers seaplane tours that give stars like Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore a birds eye view of Oahu’s famous landmarks such as Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay and USS Arizona Memorial, to name a few.

Twogood Kayaks and Canoes, located on the Windward side of Oahu in Kailua, offers kayak rental services. Drew Barrymore, David Spade, and Robin Williams have enjoyed kayaking off Kailua and Lanikai beaches, often paddling to offshore islands. 
   Hawaii Shark Encounters considers itself one of Hawaii’s most thrilling adventures. Three miles off Oahu’s North Shore, Kelly Clarkson has come face to face with sharks, up to 30 at a time, in an underwater shark cage.


                                                                  Dining Delights
 
Considering the vast array of culinary experiences Oahu has to offer, celebrities have plenty of delectable eateries to choose from.
 

Hokus at the Kahala - Hawaii Vacation Packages

Hoku's Resturant The Kahala Resort

Waikiki hotels are popular dining destinations. Halekulani’s restaurants attract numerous celebrities. Kristin Davis, Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman are among the guests of the beachfront Orchids. At the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Hawaii, Sandra Bullock, Jesse James, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have dined at Hoku’s, while Janet Jackson and Will Smith have dined at Cabanas Seaside Grill. Sandler and Barrymore have also dined at the newly renovated Plumeria Beach House.

Outrigger Reef on the Beach houses two restaurants favored by celebrities. The first is Ocean House, an open-air, beachfront restaurant boasting a spectacular view of the sunset and Diamond Head, where Cameron Diaz was spotted. Mark McGrath and Rob Schneider have dined at Shore Bird.
 
The Hanohano Room, located on the 30th floor of the Sheraton Waikiki, is a Hawaiian regional dining experience preferred by the cast of “Lost.” Even stars like The Rock and Clay Aiken love a luau, and were seen enjoying Waikiki’s only beachfront luau, The Royal Hawaiian Luau. Legendary lady Elizabeth Taylor has been spotted at The Royal Hawaiian’s Mai Tai Bar.

Jimmy Buffett has treated lucky patrons at Duke’s at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach to surprise performances, and members of Pearl Jam were also spotted at the beachfront restaurant. Tiki’s Grill & Bar at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel has counted Wyclef Jean and Paul Walker among its guests.

Kyo-ya Restaurant offers the finest in traditional Japanese cuisine. Designed to please the eye and the insatiable appetite, Kyo-ya has served guests such as Sean Penn, John Woo, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson.

Located at Ala Moana Center, Morton’s Steakhouse has attracted 3 Doors Down, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, and Dominic Monaghan and Evangeline Lilly of “Lost.” Tommy Lee and Laird Hamilton have stopped for a drink at the Mai Tai Bar.

Experiencing Hawaiian regional cuisine on Oahu is a must. Venture out of Waikiki to Alan Wong’s, one of Oahu’s most celebrated restaurants and a favorite of Kevin James. Jules Asner, Tia Carrere and golf phenom Michelle Wie have dined under the colorful umbrellas at L’Uraku. Head down the Kalanianaole Highway to Hawaii Kai, where Sandra Bullock, Norah Jones and Jimmy Kimmel have dined at Roy’s.



                                      Celebrity Hotels

When stars need a place to crash, Oahu’s hotels deliver. There’s something for everyone, including the A-list, on Oahu.
 

Hawaii Vacation Packages - The Kahala Resort- Oahu

The Kahala Resort

The Kahala has housed Will Smith, The Osbournes, Noah Wyle, Cameron Diaz and
Justin Timberlake. The property features a gentle Asian décor, lush gardens, a dolphin lagoon and a secluded beach. No stranger to filming and celebrities, the Kahala was the site of the “50 First Dates” press junket and often serves as a film location for “Lost.”

Cuba Gooding Jr., Matt Lauer, Bette Midler, J.J. Abrams and Diana Krall have given Halekulani their stamp of approval. The hotel, a peaceful oasis in the heart of Waikiki, has gained a reputation for impeccable service, hospitality and cuisine.

Kate Bosworth cleaned rooms at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa while filming “Blue Crush.” The beachfront hotel, one of the few properties on Oahu’s Leeward coast, also houses NFL players during the Pro Bowl.

Cindy Crawford and Clint Eastwood have stayed at The Royal Hawaiian, one of Oahu’s historic hotels located in the heart of Waikiki, and the hotel has been used as a film location for “Punch Drunk Love” and “My Wife & Kids.” 
  


Clint Eastwood Hawaii Vacation Packages

              Clint Eastwood                        

Waikiki's biggest resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, is also Paris Hilton’s favorite hotel among those in her namesake chain. The 22-acre property features tropical gardens, waterfalls, exotic wildlife, priceless artwork and more than 20 restaurants and lounges.

Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, another one of Honolulu’s production-friendly hotels, has hosted film crews for movies such as “50 First Dates,” “Tears of the Sun,” “The Rundown” and “Windtalkers.”