Murray On Travel

Spa Olakino is located at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki in the Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. As the wife of the great MurrayOnTravel I'm a spa buff and seek out spa treatments whenever possible. I would suggest you may want to book a treatment here.

The Spa Olakino is managed by the Paul Brown companies, a local salon in Honolulu. There is definitely a "local style" happening at this spa....no one is in a big hurry....and that's not a bad thing when you are in spa mode!  The services and prices make up for any lassitude at the front counter.

The greatest feature about the Spa Olakino is the quiet area. Lava rock, island flowers and an eye level view of Waikiki Beach will captivate you as you relax and wait for you treatment. This lounge area has 8 or so comfy chases, a full tea service and plenty of fashion magazines. Plan to hang out here - it's a peaceful place overlooking the turquoise water and you don't have to put on sun screen.

The sitting area is fabulous and I could stay there all day, however, the shower, bathroom area is not up to par with other spas. Perhaps that is why the Spa Olakino describes itself as a "boutique spa". There is only one shower, two bathroom stalls and one sink and a tiny area to undress. You won't have much privacy in this area; however, over the years I've been to this spa 3 times and rarely see more than one or two people at a time.

The Spa Olakino features a Magic Island Massage, 80 minutes for $160, body wraps with pure Hawaiian spirulina, 75 minutes include 25 minutes LomiLomi massage for $155 and Papaya Pineapple facial, 60 minutes for $130.

If these prices are too much for your budget, then you have to check out the Early Bird and Night Owl spa specials! Great treatments for great prices! The Early Bird Specials will suit you well because you will probably be waking up at 5:30 am because of the time change; take advantage of it. I had a 25 minute scalp massage and a 25 minute mini facial for about $100. The specials are from 8 am to 10 am or 8 pm to 9 pm everyday.

Each treatment room is decorated with a Hawaii theme. For example, lava rock walls, stone sinks and a dark decor adorn each room. All spa treatments incorporate Hawaiian-influenced products and there is a small boutique to shop for products. I have never been "sold" to after a treatment and I like that about the Spa Olakino. The last thing I want is to be pressured to buy a mud pack after a relaxing, expensive spa experience.

The Spa Olakino also offers full Salon services at reasonable prices.

Online at: www.SpaOlakino.com- Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort, 2552 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 - Telephone: 808.924.2121

I've been writing about the problems that Norwegian Cruise Lines has had operating ships in the Hawaiian Islands since the first ship arrived in the islands in July 2004. You would think that cruising and Hawaii would be a match made in paradise, but it hasn't been.

Over the years NCL has had four different ships working the islands, today only one remains, the Pride Of America.  The other ships have been relocated and renamed the Pride Of Aloha is now the Norwegian Sky and is sailing three- and four-night Bahamas cruises out of Miami.

I've cruised on several of the ships, but I've written mostly about my interviews of exiting passengers.  I lived for four years not far from Honolulu Harbor and started to despise my weekend trips to greet the arriving passengers.

 It wasn't easy.  Especially later in the morning as I would start to meet cruisers waiting to board the ship just after have interviewed angry exiting passengers. During my recent trip to Honolulu I decided to stop by the harbor again and see what passengers had to say.  The Pride Of America no longer arrives at the beautiful Aloha Tower complex but at Pier 2.

You can read my comments about the Pride Of America cruise ship. Photo Copyright Bruce Murray.

Pocket Express is a software application that runs on smart phones like the iPhone, Blackberry, and the Treo.  The services give you fast access to flight times, news, sports, weather and other information.  Some of the services are offered for free, but the majority of the services require subscriptions.  A discounted bundle of subscriptions is available for 6.95 per month or $70 per year.

Try out the FREE options, click here.  The thing I like about this service is that it is customized to your device so it displays data that websites may not render well on a mobile web browser.  NOTE: It can also run on other WiFi connected devices like some of the HP iPAQ units.