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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, February 19, 2006

HOLOHOLO
New air link for Maui, Lana'i, Kaua'i

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Staff Writer

AIRLINE DEALS: Daily flights will connect Maui with Lana'i and Kaua'i: Island Air is expanding its service, with two nonstop routes connecting Maui, Lana'i and Kaua'i.

Beginning April 2: Flight 340 departs Lana'i at 11:30 a.m. and arrives in Kahului, Maui, at 11:50 a.m. Flight 341 departs Kahului at 12:20 p.m. and arrives on Lana'i at 12:40 p.m.

Beginning June 1: Flight 524 departs Lihu'e, Kaua'i, at 11:45 a.m. and arrives in Kapalua, Maui, at 12:45 p.m. Flight 525 departs Kapalua at 1:05 p.m. and arrives in Lihu'e at 2:05 p.m.

One-way tickets for both routes start at $69. Reservations: 484-2222, www.islandair.com. Online bookings receive a 10 percent discount.

ON THE BIG ISLAND: Hawaii Forest & Trail's Hualalai volcano tour is via a 12-passenger, six-wheel-drive Pinzgauer vehicle.

"PinzTrek Hualalai Holoholo," takes guests to the upper slopes of Hualalai in the all-terrain vehicle developed by the Swiss military. In the cool, quiet and misty world just below Hualalai's summit, in the open-air Pinzgauer, guests traverse dryland forest, lava flows and gigantic pit craters left by eruptions over the centuries, accompanied by an interpretive guide. Cost: $115 ($99 for children 6-12). Information: www.pinztrekhawaii.com.

HF&T also offers a second off-road adventure, "PinzTrek Kohala Wai," and six nature adventures for guests to star-gaze from Mauna Kea, visit rainforests, see rare birds, walk to waterfalls and experience Hawai'i volcanoes. Hawaii Forest & Trail tours, www.hawaiiforest.com or (800) 464-1993.

ON MOLOKA'I: The Lodge and Beach Village at Molokai Ranch introduces its Stargazer program in May and September.

Large telescopes are placed at the best points in the resort for viewing the night sky. The resort's astronomer tailors stargazing for groups and individuals, combining lectures and guided tours with special events.

"Few places offer stargazing from beachside bungalows under warm winter skies. Here, the stars are displayed for amateur astronomers, active families and couples yearning for romance," said Barry Peckham, vice president of the Hawaiian Astronomical Society (www.hawastsoc.org) and coordinator of the program. More information: www.molokairanch.com, (888) 627-8082.

Reach Chris Oliver at coliver@honoluluadvertiser.com.