Hawaii Blogger Profile – Pam Mandel

I had the chance to connect with some amazing Hawaii bloggers in the last month, via email and thanks to HARO.com. Today, I have decided to spotlight Pam Mandel, author of Nerd’s Eye View, and World Hum — Hawaii: Holoholo Wale.

Pam currently lives in Seattle and travels to Hawaii about every two years. She started blogging in 2007 and when asked why she chose Hawaii as a subject, in her words: “I’m enchanted. Really, it’s like I’m under some kind of spell. When World Hum asked me what topic I wanted to cover, in Hawaii was at the top of my list.” Her main focus is Island culture.

Pam tries to reach readers who are interested in Hawaii beyond just being tourists; she likes to target people who want to know more about Hawaiian culture, politics, and the ecosystem; independent travelers who are interested in seeing places with more than the transitory vacationers set of eyes.

When I asked Pam about how she spreads the word about her blog, she mentions that she can’t shut up about it! I love this – and the fact that she backs it up with social media channels is great too. When you are passionate about something it’s easy to talk about it. And writer’s block? Forget it, she can’t even imagine that day, and when it happens, she may move on.

Pam’s inspiration comes from the warmth and generosity of the Hawaiian people. She cares about the history of the native Hawaiians, ways to protect and share Hawaiian culture and nature, and is continually excited by Hawaii’s diversity. She also has a thing for Hawaiian music (just look at her picture for proof!)

Hot topics on her blogs include politics and photos that she shares with her readers are also popular. For those who already have a blog or are planning on starting one, Pam recommends that you make time to read other Hawaii blogs and get to know the people behind them. She emphasizes, “Bring your own aloha; you’ll get more than you can imagine back in return.”

Finally, I asked Pam: “If you could share one special idea/thing/thought about Hawaii what would it be?”

Her answer: “The aloha spirit is real. When you find yourself in the middle of the warmth and generosity of the people that live in Hawaii, you are experiencing the best Hawaii has to offer. Sure, the nature and the climate are near perfect, but the true marvel about Hawaii is the aloha spirit.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Thanks to Pam for sharing her thoughts on Hawaii and being an awesome Hawaii blogger. More blogger profiles coming soon.

O’ahu Population Is On The Rise…Slowly

According to a new study just out, the island of O’ahu will add nearly 33,000 people by 2025, with forecasts based on U.S. Census Bureau population data. I’m hoping that I am included in that number!

The projected growth rate of Honolulu and surrounding suburbs ranks 201 among 250 U.S. metropolitan areas studied by bizjournals.

Honolulu is expected to grow 3.6% from its 2005 population of 899,673 to a 2025 population of 932,587, an increase of 32,914 residents, according to the report.

What’s also interesting – The Big Island is expected to grow even faster. The Hilo area ranked 37 out of 250 U.S. metro cities with a projected growth rate of 43% by 2025. The Big Island is expected to grow from 164,462 residents in 2005 to 235,367 in 2025.

To read more about this study and to see where your city ranks in population growth, visit the bizjournals website.

Ala Moana Center Adds New Stores….Again!

Oh I love shopping. Someone asked me the other day what it was that I loved about shopping, and my answer: the act of exchanging money for goods and services. The feeling I get when I hand over my credit card and I get something special in return is great! This not only applies to clothes and shoes, but even the grocery store is fun for me!!

Ok I am getting off track. I wanted to share the news that Ala Moana Center is opening seven new stores! They are:

• LEGO – opening July
• Victoria’s Secret – opening in fall
• Links of London – opening July
• Ala Bella – opening July
• Taco Del Mar – opening July
• American Apparel – just opened
• Lin’s Market – just opened

Ala Moana Center is one of my favorite shopping experiences – you can get almost anything you need (including my favorite, Louis Vuitton!) Happy shopping and see you in August Ala Moana Center.

Wyland Waikiki Is No More….

During my last visit to Hawaii we stayed at the Wyland Waikiki. We had such a great time during our stay and would definitely have stayed there next time we went back. However in the news this week it was reported that the Wyland is no longer the Wyland – it’s now a Courtyard by Marriott. I am really bummed about this! Not only is this no longer an Outrigger property (it is still managed by Outrigger) – it is much more expensive to stay there! I went to the Marriott website to see how they were promoting/branding the property, and they have rooms listed from US$209 per night, which is much more than we paid when we stayed at the hotel. I also didn’t notice any special deals or offers like the Wyland had offered previously (we had a stay 2 nights, get one night free deal), so I am thinking that our last visit to that hotel may have been our last. Too bad, we really liked it and would recommend it.

Looks like I will have to start looking around for another diamond in the rough – any suggestions?

Hawaiian Springs on the Mainland

It was a simple coincidence that I had Hawaiian Springs Water on my Polyvore last Friday (see below) – when today, I read that the water is now available for sale on the mainland!

The natural water company, which draws from the Keaau aquifer on the Big Island, is now selling its bottles at health food retailers throughout California, Arizona and Nevada including Whole Foods and Mother’s Market.

Hawaiian Springs has been distributing bottled water mainly in the Hawaiian Islands since 1995, so the news of expansion is great for the company, given the current economic sitation. Recently the company has done some rebranding and the new packaging looks awesome. It reminds me a lot of Fiji Water, also one of my favorites. Great news and I hope to see Hawaiian Springs Water available for sale in Seattle soon!

A Few of My Favorite Hawaiian Things…..

I whipped this up using Polyvore – Happy Friday!

Authentic Hawaiian Souvenirs

The first time I visited Hawaii, I bought so many souvenirs that I could barely close my suitcase. When I returned home and examined all these souvenirs, I was shocked to find that most of them (ok all of them) were not made in Hawaii. How did this happen? Well, there are so many places to buy souvenirs and they are all competing for your business, so they entice you with their cheap prices. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that many items I had purchased were “designed in Hawaii” but made in China.

When I visit any destination I want to buy gifts for my friends and family that are from the actual place that I travelled to. If you are going to Hawaii, you need to look carefully before making any purchases if you want to buy something of quality that is made in the Islands. One place to get authentic Hawaiian gifts is at Shop Pacifica at the Bishop Museum. If you head downtown there are also a number of locally-run stores that have Hawaiian food products available for sale. Instead of taking a bunch of plastic flower leis home,why not buy a fresh lei and keep it in your hotel room so you can enjoy the beautiful scent of the flowers for the same price?

When buying souvenirs, be sure to ask if the product is made in Hawaii before purchasing (and check the label too). Granted, the items will cost more but they are more authentic and you will be supporting the local Hawaiian community.

VS.

Hawaii – Researching, Writing, Reading

I have been on a “staycation” for the last week and have spent some time thinking about how to spice up my blog. I have been able to get in contact with some great Hawaii bloggers recently and I am working on a few different posts about these bloggers and what Hawaii means to them. I have also been watching the conversations on Twitter as they relate to Hawaii – there is a LOT of talk going on, mostly positive. It’s hard to be constantly involved in these conversations while being in Seattle (although these conversations are online). That’s something that I need to work on. I think it’s important to be involved in the conversations, but you also need to listen to what others are saying – communication is a two-way street!

Travel Channel This Weekend – Big Island

I don’t usually write about the Big Island, not because I don’t like it but because I have so much to share about O’ahu that I just haven’t been able to get to it! However, I did just hear that the Big Island will be featured as part of Samantha Brown’s Great Weekends. The show is airing on Saturday evening at 7pm, and as part of her trip she explores rivers of molten lava, blesses a newly built outrigger canoe and feasts her senses at the only authentic luau on a black-sand beach. She will also be checking out the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival so this show is well worth the watch.

This show should be great for those looking to learn more about what the Big Island has to offer, both locals and tourists alike. For more information on Samantha Brown and her adventures visit their website.

I Really Thought I Was In Hawaii

This past weekend in Seattle was amazing, weather wise. We wait a long time for the sun to come out and when it finally appears, it doesn’t disappoint. Saturday was superb, so I headed outside as soon as I could to get as much vitamin D as my skin could absorb. With me I took:

Flip Flops

Coppertone Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Lemon Drop Cocktail (and it wasn’t just one)

Novel: “Here Today, Gone to Maui“, by Carol Snow

So, I sat in my backyard and soaked up the sun, and as I got into the book, I really thought I was in Hawaii (or maybe it was the Lemon Drops)! It was great to feel the sun on my skin, to smell the sunscreen, and to be so hot that I had to go inside and cool down – it’s been a while since that has happened.

I am taking a few days off over the Memorial Day weekend, so I hope that mother nature is as kind to me as she was this weekend – all I need now is a new book!