What's Sizzlin' on Hawaii's Big Island of Adventures, Events & Activities (Nov. 2009)

Come to the Big Island and explore Hawai‘i’s Island of Adventure

Hawai‘i’s Big Island (Nov. 2, 2009) – As the year winds down, the fun begins on Hawai‘i’s Big Island: the humpbacks are back, a new direct flight from Oakland to Kona ramps up service, Pele continues her mesmerizing show, and next year’s specials are exploding like fireworks.

ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Uplifting News for Travelers. Following the successful launch of its direct Seattle to Kona flight last November, Alaska Airlines announces a new direct service between Oakland and Kona International Airport three times a week starting Nov. 10, and will expand neighbor island service, too. www.alaskaairlines.com.

Volcano Awareness Month. January 2010 marks the 27th anniversary of K?lauea’s ongoing east rift zone eruption. Throughout the month, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and other partner organizations will offer extraordinary opportunities: guided hikes, informative talks, living history programs, and educational workshops, to increase public awareness of Hawaiian volcanoes. A calendar of daily events will be posted in early December on HVO’s website hvo.wr.usgs.gov. Call (808) 967-8844 or email jbabb@usgs.gov for more info.

Whales Aplenty! Hawai‘i’s Big Island welcomes “our” beloved, migratory humpback whales back every winter, and a bevy of whale watching charters depart from our island harbors from December through April, during peak humpback whale season. But did you know that other whale species can be observed year-round? Pilot whales, pygmy sperm whales, beaked whales, sperm whales and false killer whales are frequently spotted off our shores, as are spinner and bottlenose dolphins. On the Big Island, it’s whale season all year long!

Whale Watchers Needed. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking volunteers to help count and monitor humpback whales from 20 coastal sites along Hawai‘i’s Big Island. The Sanctuary Ocean Count happens the last Saturday in January, February and March (peak humpback whale season), from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. To sign up, call (888) 55-WHALE, ext. 253, or visit hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/welcome.html for information.

Aaargh, She Blows! The “pirates” aboard Captain Zodiac specialize in adventurous whale watching all year long, but when the humpback whale season officially begins in December, the award-winning charter company offers new tours and times: three-hour whale watches on Tues. & Thurs. from 9 a.m. to noon; and four- to five-hour whale/dolphin/snorkel adventures Mon.-Sun. Call (808) 329-3199, or visit www.captainzodiac.com.

Atlantis Sub Tour and Whale Watch Combo. Explore Kona’s marine life below and above the ocean’s surface with this special combo, and never get wet! Atlantis Submarines carries guests more than 100 feet underwater to see schools of colorful fish thriving in a beautiful 25-acre coral reef garden. Then enjoy a whale watch cruise and experience the magnificence of Hawai‘i’s biggest winter visitors, the humpback whales, as they frolic offshore. $150 for adults, $70 for children. Visit www.AtlantisSubmarines.com or (800) 548-6262.

Ocean Sports kicks off humpback whale season with a new, fifth location, Ocean Sports Whale Center in Kawaihae. Adults and kids of all ages will be able to check out interactive displays, view a photo gallery, listen to whale songs, make whale hats and play Whale of Fortune before boarding Alala or Sea Smoke for a whale watching adventure of a lifetime! Call (808) 886-6666 ext. 208 for the new Whale Center.

Your Zipper is UP! Take your need for speed to new heights near Hilo on the new Umauma Falls Ziplines with KapohoKine Adventures. The longest and the only side-by-side dual track on Hawai‘i’s Big Island takes thrill seekers soaring over 14 stunning waterfalls. Brave a suspension bridge perched 100 feet above roaring rapids, or swing 160 feet over the water below. Take five zipline tours (1.5 hours, $149), or seven Zipline tours (2.5 hours, $169). Open daily starting Nov. 10, call (808) 964-1000, or visit www.KapohoKine.com for more info.

Anna Ranch Heritage Center in Waimea Opens New Gift Shop. Located in Anna’s historic kitchen, the Gift Shop features the work of local artisans, and an eclectic mix of new and vintage. Many beautiful items have been brought in specifically for the holidays. While there, take a tour of the historic home or enjoy a stroll of the magnificent gardens. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed. thru Sat. Group tours by appointment. Visit www.annaranch.org or call (808) 885-4426.

It’s Always Manta Season. Hawai‘i’s Big Island is well known as a divers’ paradise, and night diving and snorkeling with giant manta rays is one of our most popular and exciting undersea adventures! Kona Honu Divers offers “mantastic” stay and play lodging and dive/snorkel specials. Visit www.konahonudivers.com or call (808) 324-4668 for information.

For BIVB’s press kit, photo gallery, press releases and industry news, visit media.bigisland.org

Special note to media: The Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the modern Hawaiian language; and the kahak? [?] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as K?lauea). However, BIVB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.

Big Island Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Jessica Ferracane, Irondog Communications, (808) 895-5740, jessica@irondogpr.com