Prince Resorts Hawaii's "Winter Escape" offers discounted room rates with resort credits for dining, spa and activities at its oceanfront properties on Oahu and the Big Island:

• On Oahu: Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club rates start at $189 for its vista category with a daily $50 resort credit.

• On the Big Island: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel mountain-view rooms start at $450 per night with a $100 daily resort credit.

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel terrace rooms start at $249 per night with a $50 daily resort credit.

Prince Preferred members receive added discounts and bonus airline miles on this package.

The "Prince Winter Escape" is offered Jan. 3 to March 31; no minimum night stay. 866-774-6236, www.PrinceResortsHawaii.com/Winter.

4th night's free at Paia Inn: Paia Inn on Maui's north shore offers travelers four nights for the price of three. Rates start at $189 per room, per night for reservations made by Dec. 31. The fourth night free is valid for travel now through Dec. 31. Accommodations include: private beach access, activities, concierge services, complimentary morning coffee and tea bar with muffins and fresh fruit, complimentary wireless Internet access, gym membership, business center, fully stocked mini-bar, iPod docking station, free parking, use of bodyboards, snorkel gear, umbrellas, beach mats and chairs.

Paia Inn is a boutique hotel. Guests can walk to three separate beaches, linked by three miles of walking paths. The inn, built in the early 1920s, was renovated in 2008. Offer is not available online. 800-721-400, 808-579-6000, www.paiainn.com.

Ring in New Year at Waikoloa: HotelsCombined.com has named Hilton Waikoloa Village No. 1 in its "Top 10 Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve." The resort's Blue Moon New Year's Eve Party will ring in the New Year under a historic blue moon (this month's second full moon, Dec. 31), and will not occur again on New Year's Eve until 2028.

Continental expands service: Continental Airlines will launch service between Maui and Orange County, Calif., March 7. The airline will operate the flight four times per week until the summer, when Continental will increase to daily service. Also on March 7, Continental is starting previously announced service from Los Angeles to Maui and from Orange County to Honolulu. Continental has decided to operate Orange County-Honolulu flights daily instead of four times per week. www.continental.com.

Seeing stars on Maui: Hyatt Regency Maui presents Tours of the Stars with Edward J. Mahoney ("Eddie"), the resort's director of astronomy and NASA solar system ambassador. Mahoney leads guests on a funny and educational astronomy show atop Hyatt's Lahaina Tower.

Groups are limited to 10 for viewing the night sky through powerful binoculars and a 16-inch reflector telescope.

The program is offered at 8, 9 and 10 nightly; $30 for Hyatt guests ($20 ages 6-13) www.maui.hyatt.com, 808-667.4727.

Christmas on Kauai: Kauai's 13th annual Festival of Lights runs through Dec. 24 at the Historic County Building in Líhue.

Visitors can view the Christmas decorations between 6 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Families can also visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. Docents will be present to provide background on the collection.

Many decorations on display are from the 50-year collection of the late "Auntie" Josie Chansky, a folk artist born and reared on Kauai. www.KauaiFestivalOfLights.com.