When I was invited to stay last November at the recently renovated Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Hawaii's Big Island, I was a little worried about what I might find. On our first trip to the Big Island of Hawaii in the early 1990's, we stayed at the resort when it was operated under the Outrigger brand. My wife and I both had very fond memories of our stay.

I am please to tell you that the resort, now operated by Marriott International, is bigger and better than ever. For those of you who stayed at the resort prior to its recent renovation, I can tell you that most of what you enjoyed the most is still there and the new additions and improvements make this one of the top resorts on the Big Island.

Read our review of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and view our gallery of 24 photos of the resort.

The island of Maui has so many activities and attractions that's it's hard to decide what to see and do. I've been to Maui almost every year for the past decade (sometimes even more than once a year) and I still have plenty of things I want to experience.

Aside from the many great activities that require advance reservations and, in some cases, significant cost, there are plenty of things to see and do which cost absolutely nothing or, at least, very little (such as admission to Haleakala National Park.)

I've put together some of my favorite things to do for free (or almost free) on Maui. I hope you try a few when you're next on the Valley Isle.

Aqua Hotels & Resorts is celebrating President-elect Barack Obama's victory with the "Obama-rama" package at all 12 Aqua Hotels in Waikiki.

"The people of Hawaii are very proud of Barack Obama's island heritage and so are we," said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua's VP Sales & Marketing. "Growing up and attending school on Oahu helped shape Obama into the fine leader he is today and we've developed a special package that shares insights on what being raised in a multi-cultural society is really all about." As Obama himself has said, "What's best in me, and what's best in my message, is consistent with the tradition of Hawaii."

Aqua's "Obama-rama" special includes:

• Rates starting from $159 per night for Aqua Boutique hotels and $139 per night for Aqua Lite properties
• One book per room booked: The Dream Begins – How Hawaii Shaped Barack Obama by veteran Hawaii authors Stu Glauberman and Jerry Burris
• Automatic compact rental car for each day booked (driver must be 25 years or older)

"Recently, the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau unveiled a microsite that shares where Obama likes to go and what he likes to see and do on Oahu," added Churchill. "It's a list that visitors can easily duplicate if they are interested to see what our next President enjoys about Hawaii and the rental car allows them to explore the island at their leisure." For more information you can read our feature Barack Obama's Hawaii.

The "Obama-rama" special is available through June 30, 2009, based on availability. Rates quoted are for single or double occupancy, plus taxes. The special cannot be combined with any other offer. For reservations, see your preferred travel agent, book online at www.aquaresorts.com or call Aqua toll free at 1-866-406-2782. From Hawaii, call 808-924-6543.

Located at the foot of the 2,000 foot Ko'olau Mountains in the Valley of the Temples in Oahu's Kaneohe Region sits the beautiful Byodo-In Temple.

While always a popular stop for visitors who seek locations off the beaten track, the Byodo-In Temple has become more popular since it was used as a filming location in the first season of the ABC Emmy Award winning drama series Lost, where it served as the home of the Korean woman Sun's powerful father.

Join me for a walking tour of the Byodo-In Temple and Grounds. Read more...