Spirit of Aloha Catamaran - Arrives in Waikiki!
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa marked the return of the resort's sailing tours with the July 1, 2010 launch of Waikiki's newest catamaran, Spirit of Aloha. The vessel, operated by Port Waikiki Cruises, offers six different tour options daily, from breakfast and snorkel tours to sunset cocktail sails. In addition, a weekly Friday fireworks dinner sail gives guests a front-row seat to Hilton's spectacular fireworks display.
A Hawaiian blessing and Ho`omana Ceremony was held on June 28. Invited dignitaries and guests participated in a transfer of spiritual power and aloha to the catamaran before it set sail on its first voyage from the Hilton pier, escorted by Waikiki beach boys, paddlers and surfers.
The Spirit of Aloha is a modern, 54-foot motor-sail vessel built by Gold Coast Yachts, the world leader in commercial sailing catamarans. The catamaran accommodates up to 48 guests on each excursion. Its captain and three lifeguard-certified crew members, well-versed in all things maritime, are available to answer guests' questions about the ocean, navigation, sea life and marine conservation.
Whales, dolphins and green sea turtles are just a few of the creatures are seen on any given tour. Passengers also enjoy unobstructed views of Waikiki Beach with a backdrop of the Ko`olau mountains, and in the evenings the twinkling Honolulu skyline. The catamaran's custom-designed sunset-orange and maile lei sail is a stunning contrast to the azure Pacific as it sails along the Waikiki coastline.
Amenities featured on The Spirit include a full bar with draft beer; a large fully-enclosed and covered cabin with table and bench seating; two full restrooms; freshwater shower; surround-sound system and multiple stairway entry points for snorkelers entering the water. Ample outdoor areas for sunning are available both fore and aft of the vessel.
Passengers board the Spirit of Aloha from the pier at Duke Kahanamoku Beach, which was named after the legendary Hawaiian waterman and recently named to Dr. Beach's 2010 list of America's Best Beaches. Duke, as he is affectionately known, spent his boyhood years on the grounds now occupied by Hilton Hawaiian Village and it was he who introduced the world to surfing. Duke also defined the spirit of aloha when he penned his own Creed of Aloha, which asks people to greet friends, loved ones or strangers with aloha. "Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality," he wrote.
Catamarans have been a part of Hilton Hawaiian Village's offerings for decades, dating back to the 1950s when industrialist and developer of the resort, Henry J. Kaiser, first built the Ale Ale Kai. Over the years, several different Hilton vessels have graced the shores of Waikiki, with the catamaran sails ending in the mid-1990s.
Port Waikiki Cruises offers a menu of seven different tour options that range in price from $45 to $125 per person.
- Hilton Breakfast Sail - 90 minutes - $90
- Hilton Lunch Snorkel Sail - 2.5 hours - $110
- Hilton Adventure Sail, Early Afternoon - 45 minutes - $45
- Hilton Adventure Sail, Late Afternoon - 45 minutes - $45
- Hilton Sunset Cocktails - 90 minutes - $90
- Hilton Friday Fireworks Dinner Sail - 2 hours - $125
- Hilton Moonlight Dessert Sail - 45 minutes - $60
The catamaran excursions complement the ocean activities already available at Duke Kahanamoku Beach, including surfing lessons, standup paddle board lessons, board rentals and the Atlantis Adventures' submarine tours. For more information on the "Spirit of Aloha" cruises, e-mail reservations@portwaikikicruises.com, or call (808) 234-7245. Port Waikiki Cruises is independently owned and operated.
Mahalo For Reading.
If you or anyone you know is thinking about buying or selling a condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, it would be my pleasure to help.
Douglas Fischer, R.A., REALTOR, ePro, C.D.P.E.
RE/MAX Honolulu
www.HNLCondos.com
808-497-3810
Douglas@HNLCondos.com
Douglas is an experienced and respected Honolulu, Hawaii Realtor Associate, in partnership with his Japanese speaking partner, Christopher Sumida, who specialize in residential Real Estate and the sale of Condos in the greater Honolulu area including the neighborhoods of: Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Moana, Kakaako, Kapiolani, Makiki, Chinatown and Downtown Honolulu.
Doug... great blog here I hope you had a great weekend have a wonderful week ahead it's hot here in Dallas Texas !
Aloha! Thank you for your comment. The weekend was productive and thankfully our blessed warm weather is rarely what you would consider "hot". Have a great week! Mahalo.