Hawaii & Military Discounts
Welcome to Hawaii! One thing you have probably heard about island living even before you received orders here is how much more expensive things are compared to the mainland. Everything from gas prices, groceries, rent…the prices are high! However, Oahu is all about thanking service members and their families through discounts to attractions, eateries and more. Many local spots around the island offer Military discounts due to how much the Military community helps boosts Hawaiian economy. Now more than ever since tourism has taken a hit due to the pandemic. Here are some of our favorite businesses and attractions to visit and use their advertised Military discount. Disney Aulani Disney Aulani offers specific Military discounts for booking throughout the year, you can visit their website to check out dates. You can also follow the Aulani Staycation group stay info Facebook group to save on group booking deals and receive discounts throughout the year. https://www.facebook.com/groups/AulaniStaycation https://www.disneyaulani.com/ Atlantis Adventures Take a cruise adventure and go whale watching or go under the water in their submarine tour. Will re-open after March 2021 due to covid restrictions. https://atlantisadventures.com/military/ Kailua Beach Adventures Offers 25% off Military discount on their paddleboards, snorkel gear, kayaks, boogie boards and bikes rentals. https://www.kailuabeachadventures.com/military-discount-activities-oahu Honolulu Zoo If you are looking for a place to take the kids all year round the zoo is a great place to let them have fun. They offer military discount for adults 13 & over: $8.00 and children 3-12 years: $4.00 https://www.honoluluzoo.org/visit-honolulu-zoo/ Waimea Valley Waimea Valley’s botanical garden includes 52 themed gardens and is the home to over 5000 documented types of tropical and subtropical plants including native Hawaiian plants and globally endangered species. Enjoy the day at their waterfall. https://www.waimeavalley.net/admissions/view/fees WetnWild Hawaii Enjoy the day out in the sun at WetnWild. Have fun at their surf sliders, keiki kove and brave their Tornado tunnel slide. https://www.wetnwildhawaii.com/tickets/ Kualoa Ranch They offer Military and Kama’aina discounts on their tours and attractions. https://www.kualoa.com/military-kamaaina/ Dolphin Excursions Dolphin excursions and whale watching tours military discounts. https://dolphinexcursions.com/ Windward Mall Military Mondays at Windward mall is an all-year-round discount offered to Military members and their families. For a list of participating stores visit: https://www.windwardmall.com/events/military-mondays/ Ka Makana Ali’i Military Mondays at Ka Makana Ali’i shopping center is an all-year-round discount offered to Military members and their families. For a list of participating stores visit: https://www.kamakanaalii.com/event/Military-Mondays/2145490435/ Waikiki Aquarium Offers Military discount Currently the Aquarium is closed indefinitely due to COVID-19 restrictions. https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/visit/buy-tickets/ Bishop Museum Check out all the amazing exhibits and learn about Hawaiian culture and history. Visit their Planetarium and enjoy their monthly museum events. https://www.bishopmuseum.org/tickets/ Children Discovery Center Take the kids out for a day of learning fun. http://discoverycenterhawaii.org/general-information/ ‘Olino theaters Enjoy movie night at ‘Olino theaters. All verified Military members and families receive discount on tickets. https://www.consolidatedtheatres.com/olino/discounts There are plenty of places that offer discounts. If you are new to Hawaii and are looking to change your state I.D most places do offer Kama’aina discounts with a Hawaiian I.D verification. You can also visit your local MWR ITT office to check out the discounts they offer for attractions around Oahu. MWR Hawaii The MWR Hawaii offers military discounts on a variety of attractions all over Oahu. You can visit a MWR ITT location or check their website for more info. Their Yearly pricelist and specials is out now for 2021. https://hawaii.armymwr.com/programs/leisure-travel-services Hope you find these helpful and you get to enjoy Oahu to the fullest!
Hawaii Culture Do’s & Don’ts
Welcome to Hawaii! You have finally arrived to the island of Oahu, and now it's adventure time! But is there anything you need to know about Hawaii and its rich culture before you step out of your hotel and disrespect someone by accident without even knowing what you did wrong? This happens quite often due to the lack of knowledge about the island, its history, people, do’s and don’ts. We are here to help you with a breakdown of things you should know before going out and about to explore Oahu. Let’s start by understanding the language. You can only use the term “Hawaiian” when it comes to describing the people and culture of Hawaii. Anyone not Hawaiian is known as “locals” or “Kamaaina” (“Child of the land”). Hawaiian Pidgin English is creole language which to new comers might sound like broken English, however it is a mixture of words from different languages. It is preferred if you do not attempt to speak Hawaiian Pidgin unless you are very proficient at it otherwise it is taken as disrespectful or as if you are mocking. Driving around the island can be both a little intimidating and nice. Always tough to make your way through traffic and drivers from different parts of the World and tourist buses. However, when someone is courteous and let’s you through on their lane throwing a shaka is encouraged! It is not common in Hawaii to use your car’s horn while driving unless honking as a friendly greeting! The gifts of Lei in Hawaii are a beautiful tradition and a huge must do! Lei are flower, shells, nuts or leaves garlands worn around the neck or head to show appreciation. In Hawaiian history these were used by ancient chiefs and were a tradition brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesian voyagers coming from Tahiti. A lei is worn draped over the shoulders hanging on both your front and back. Lei are part of all special occasions but you can wear them just because if you want. A big don’t which you have probably heard of before is to never take lava rocks from a volcano or rocks and sand from a beach. Superstition says this will bring on a curse on whoever takes them. Hawaii culture has always show high esteem on rocks due to the many ways they were used through out the years to build, use as tools and even deities. Leave them where you found them, do not take them with you! While in Hawaii remember to always take care of the Aina. Wherever you go take with you whatever you brought. Do not leave trash behind while hiking or at the beach. Do not throw waste in the ocean, do not disturb the wild life. Hawaii’s ecosystem is a wonderful thing to explore but do so while showing respect to the land always. For example: The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu) are protected by State and Federal laws. Never touch a Sea Turtle in the water or while sun bathing or nesting! The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is the only Indigenous reptile found in Hawaii. For Hawaiians the Honu is symbol of good luck. There are many ways in which you can gain more understanding about Hawaii and everything that encompasses this beautiful place. These are just come cultural do’s and don’ts but if you are interested in knowing more about the history of the islands you can always visit our local museums to learn more and acquire new knowledge. Here are some of our favorite must visit places to further your knowledge: 1. The Bishop Museum 1525 Bernice St, Honolulu, HI 96817https://www.bishopmuseum.org/ 2. Iolani Palace State Monument 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813https://www.iolanipalace.org/ 3. Queen Emma Summer Place 2913 HI-61, Honolulu, HI 96817https://hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/queen-emma-summer-palace/ 4. Washington Place 320 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96813http://www.washingtonplacefoundation.org/ 5. Hawaiian Mission Houses 553 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813https://www.missionhouses.org/ Remember to show Aloha wherever you go, be thankful and respectful!
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