Win 100,000 HawaiianMiles in Aston Hotels sweepstakes
Aston Hotels & Resorts is holding a One Million HawaiianMiles Sweepstakes where 10 grand prize winners will each receive 100,000 HawaiianMiles redeemable for travel anywhere Hawaiian Airlines flies.
In addition, three first-place winners will receive a four-night stay at one of Aston’s Oahu or Maui resorts.
Entries are being taken now through Oct. 15, and winners will be announced Nov. 5. To enter log on to www.astonhotels.com/millionmiles or visit Aston’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/astonhotels. Enter by mail by sending a postcard with name and contact information to Aston Hotels & Resorts, Attn: Sweepstakes Entry, 2155 Kalakaua Ave., 5th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96815.
HawaiianMiles membership is free at www.HawaiianAirlines.com.
Hit the surf or take a hike with deals at Park Shore hotel
The Park Shore Waikiki hotel is offering a surfing-hiking package that includes an ocean-view room for $199 and daily breakfasts. The Hans Hedemann Surf & Turf Package features:
» A two-hour group surfing or stand-up paddle surfing lesson for one person.
» A one-hour free surfboard or SUP rental for one person.
» Bike/hike Diamond Head tour with Hans Hedemann Surf, plus a sandwich and soft drink from Lulu’s restaurant for one.
» One daily Subway breakfast for one.
Additional surfing lessons and hikes are available at $75 plus tax, per person.
The package is available through Dec. 31 and requires a minimum three-night stay.
For reservations, see www.parkshorewaikiki.com or call toll-free 866-406-2782. Local callers should call 924-6543.
Honoka‘a gets set for festivities marking annual Day of Peace
Honoka‘a Town on Hawaii island is the site for the Sixth Annual Parade and Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace on Sept. 22.
The parade will include marching bands, dancers, taiko drummers, floats and street performers. The festival will follow with food, music and a bon dance in the Honoka‘a Sports Complex. For details, visit www.peacedayparade.org or find it on Facebook.
GLOBE TROTTING
Yodel recordings dot Alpine trail
VIENNA >> In one part of Austria, the hills are again alive with a particular sound of music: yodeling.
The Alpine country has inaugurated a new hiker’s path where participants are invited to let loose with an occasional melodic mountain yell.
Organizers say it’s push-button easy: At rest stops along the way, hikers press a knob and hear a recorded yodel in two-part harmony. They can also listen to each part separately and decide which one to try.
Local yodeler and hotel owner Christian Eder came up with the idea. He told state broadcaster ORF Monday that it is an attempt “to get people to loosen up a bit with a simple yodel.”
Festival in Ocean State lasts weeks
PAWTUCKET, R.I. >> Organizers of the Pawtucket Arts Festival have announced the dates for this year’s 3 1/2-week celebration of the performing and visual arts.
The festival will run Sept. 6-30. Opening night will feature a concert by “three tenors” at Opera Providence.
The festival, in its 13th year, features live music, arts and crafts, dance performances, film screenings, ethnic food samplings and other multicultural activities. Its annual Chinese dragon boat races will include professional teams from Boston and New York as well as teams of locals.
Website touts Vermont food sites
MONTPELIER, Vt. >> With the growing interest in local food, Vermont has come out with a new interactive website to help link people to nearly 400 food experiences around the state.
DigInVT.com is designed to promote agriculture and tourism.
Visitors to the website can learn about locally grown Vermont products and the farmers, producers and chefs who make them.
The website was developed by the state of Vermont, the Vermont Fresh Network and the Vermont Agriculture and Culinary Tourism Council, which is made up of 13 food producer groups, nonprofit associations, tourism organizations and state agencies that want to promote tourism that focuses on experiencing culture through its food.
