FEATURE
STORIES
Hawaii Memories
Hawaii celebrates its 50th year of statehood in
2009. To commemorate the anniversary of the 50th
state, we asked AAA employees to recall their
favorite memories on the islands. Many waxed
poetic about the sunsets and overall beauty and
tranquility that keeps Hawaii on many travelers’
“must see” or “must return to” lists.
Others spoke of the sense of romance embodied there,
making it a popular locale for weddings: “My son
was married on the beach in Wailea, Maui,” recalled
travel agent Jeni Frazier, “There was a threat
of rain that day, but the clouds parted just in
time and the ceremony was performed just as the
sun was setting. It was beautiful!”
On the following pages is a compilation of those
experiences.
To share your favorite Hawaii moments, e-mail highroads@arizona.aaa.com.
My friends and I hired a taxi at the cruise port
in Kauai to sightsee. The driver was a colorful
local with extensive knowledge of the island. She
said to call her “Auntie Jo” and she drove everywhere
with her three-month-old puppy sleeping behind
her legs on the floor of the taxi. So my three
companions and I had a wonderful two-and-a-half-hour
tour of Kauai and got to pass around and snuggle
with a cute little fluff ball named Bella.
Susan E. Starr – Insurance Agent, Phoenix
My sister and I went to Maui two years ago and
went on a zipline tour with Skyline Eco 
Adventures
(they have two zipline courses; we went on the
one in Ka’anapali). This half-day trip started
with a short drive up the mountain, where we were
given a harness and helmet and loaded into a Pinzgauer
to begin our trek up to the course. The first zipline
was fairly short, but as the day went on, the ziplines
got progressively longer. We had to hike between
the ziplines, but the scenery was so picturesque,
we didn’t mind. Halfway through the tour, we were
served lunch on the edge of a 1000-foot overlook.
What a view! I look forward to going back to Maui
soon to try the other course!
Rachel Albert – Database Marketing Manager
If you have a chance, you must take a helicopter tour . Yes, they are kind of expensive but there
truly is no better way to see the islands. To get
up above everything and get bird’s-eye views of
waterfalls and canyon walls and the diverse landscape
of these ancient volcanic wonders is so majestic.
Make sure you take your camera, because the photo
ops are one of a kind!
Jared Pflaster – Group Travel Specialist
I went with a friend to do an open water swim.
We swam about two and a half miles, from Diamond
Head Beach to the beach in front of the Royal Hilton
Hawaiian on O’ahu. It was my first time and I had
a great time. I was scared, but I did it. I also
went kayaking, which was a lot of fun and another
first for me.
Mimi Hickey – Membership Operations Manager
We took the kids to swim with dolphins,
but I was even more excited than they were. It
was surreal to interact with a creature of the
deep as if it were a pet. It was not as much fun
when the dolphin peed next to me, but still unforgettable.
Billie Worth – Graphic Designer
Trilogy Lanai Ocean Sports was great. They are
so friendly and go out of their way to make the
adventures special. The whale watching was
something I will never forget. I learned to appreciate
these magnificent mammals.
Donna Lowy – Insurance
Agent, Prescott
My first visit was one I will never forget. I
enjoyed shopping at the International Market
Place in the heart of Waikiki. You just lose
yourself in that place. You can get great deals
on authentic hand-made jewelry and get delicious
Hawaiian Ice and a hot dog. Another experience
that was unforgettable was on the Big Island, the four-hour
snorkel cruise by Fair Wind Big Island Snorkeling.
It was an amazing trip that starts at Keauhou Bay
and treks along to Kealakekua Bay where you have
about 2 1/2 hours to snorkel, swim, eat and drink.
They even have a 15-foot slide. The last experience
I'd like to mention is the Volcano National
Park. It’s very different from anything I've
ever seen. It seems so desolate, yet it’s the heart
of the nature and the livelihood of the island.
This place should not be missed. There are plenty
of hiking trails in lush green forests and lava
tubes that seem to never end. It is breathtaking
and not to be overlooked. Hawaii is a place that
definitely has something for everyone, from nature
lovers to fast-paced night owls. If you have the
means, make your way to the islands. Aloha!
Ginny Trotter – Travel Phone Center
At Pearl Harbor, I was able to get a photo taken
with a survivor. And the Polynesian Cultural Center
was fabulous — a hands-on experience focused on
the people, the culture and the beauty. The luau
and show were the best I have ever seen and I still
carry the colorful memory close to my heart. With breathtaking
views and serene waters, Hawaii is a true paradise.
The accommodations were superb, the food divine,
and the people gentle, both on Oahu and Maui.
Kathy Cox – North American Travel Specialist, Mesa
The Arizona Memorial (at Pearl Harbor) is a must,
but it was our tour guide, Sam, at the USS Missouri,
who really made for a moving tour.
Bobbeye Allen – Travel Agent, Peoria
Favorite Eats
When traveling on the North Shore (of Oahu), stop
by Giovanni's Shrimp Truck (83 Kamehameha Hwy.,
Kahuku). Its heaping plates of locally harvested
shrimp are $12 a plate. Get it with the infamous
Hot & Spicy sauce (“hot as volcanic lava”)
that’s also sold separately for $5 a bottle.
The truck is decorated with handwritten comments
from loyal customers.
Debbie McKnight – Cruise/Tour Specialist
Ono’s (726 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu) is great authentic
Hawaiian food on Oahu. The snorkeling and scuba
diving was terrific also, especially in Kona with
the Body Glove boat.
Geri Tanzer - Regional
Insurance Sales Manager
Here Today, Gone to Maui
Maui is my favorite island. I’ve been going once
a year for a long time and stay in Kihei
in south
Maui. Condos are the best way to go; the prices
are better than what you can get in a hotel. My
favorite is Big Beach, south of Wailea. It’s big
with lots of sand and is a wonderful place to boogie
board. If you keep driving south past Big Beach
until the road ends, there is a wonderful spot,
where, if you’re lucky and arrive before 9 a.m.,
you can swim with wild dolphins. Not many people
know about this spot.
For snorkeling, the Quicksilver
crew is very nice (Tom Barefoot’s Tours; tombarefoot.com/maui/quicksilver_charters.html;
800-621-3601). If you want to go on your own, go
past Ka’anapali to a can’t-miss cove with great
snorkeling.
I’ve driven the Hana Highway many times and have
hiked in the rain forest. The best luau is the
Old Lahaina Luau, and I’ve been to all of them
on the island. For shopping, I like Lahaina for
little stores and Wailea for high-end stuff.
I’ve been to the other islands, but this is the
one I like best. The people are nice, it’s very
quiet, and the beaches are very easy to get to.
Kathy Gandolph-Hommen – Administrative Assistant,
Facilities
The Ulalena show at the Maui Theatre (mauitheatre.com;
877-688-4800) is a must.
David King – Travel Agent, Scottsdale
I attended the The Ulalena show in Maui
and it was amazing. The story, the music and the
dancers are unforgettable.
Marie Sonego - Travel
Agent, Sun City West
Fond Memories
I went to Hawaii when I was 19 to visit family.
I entered a surfing contest and came in second place. My overall experience on the islands was
just breathtaking. The food and the people were
great and I would do anything to go back. I did
a lot of sightseeing and surfing when I was there.
I am now 33 years old and I plan on taking my
wife to Hawaii for our anniversary.
Michael Ridder – Fleet Driver
Awesome Accommodations
The Princeville Resort on the north shore of Kauai
is my idea of paradise (5520 Ka Huku, Rd., Princeville;
808-826-9644; princeville.com). The resort has
undergone a renovation, but was wonderful in the
first place (it will open as the St. Regis Princeville
this spring). As a Phoenician, I consider rain
to be a treat - so I welcome the daily dousing
on Kauai. It makes the island so green and lush
— quite different from the desert in which we dwell.
Jeff Carroll – Travel Agent, Peoria
The Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island
of Hawaii (69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr.; 808-886-1234;
hiltonwaikoloavillage.com) offers excellent service
(food and concierge suggestions for places to visit),
onsite activities and events for children. There
are waterfalls everywhere and the grounds are beautiful.
Verdell Madison
– Insurance Agent, Phoenix
My husband and I stayed at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa (2365 Ka’anapali Pkwy.,
Lahaina; 808-667-2525;
westinmaui.com) for our honeymoon. It was one of
the best hotels I have ever stayed in. The staff
was great and the location was beyond perfect!
Correna Stachiw
– Travel Technology Specialist
Wedding Albums
My last two visits to Hawaii were my daughter’s
wedding on the Big Island and my son’s wedding
on Maui.
Jill Ross – Travel Agent, Goodyear
One of my family members had her
wedding at the Hilton in Kauai. Family from all
parts of the country came for a family reunion/wedding.
Kauai is a one-of-a-kind place where everyone is
relaxed and free from the hustle and bustle of
other tourist spots. It was so nice to sit on the
beach with the family and relax, but also be able
to do adventurous activities, such as snorkeling,
ziplining and we even took a large group of the
family on a dinner cruise along the Napali coast.
It was one of the most beautiful things I have
ever seen.
Shelley Smith – Marketing Specialist
