by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
One of Honolulu’s premier attractions, the Star of Honolulu has been dazzling guests for 65 years and counting, offering world class Hawaiian entertainment, chef prepared cuisine, and signature Island hospitality.
Not only is the Star of Honolulu Hawaii’s largest dinner cruise ship, but it remains one of the most consistently top-ranked activities on a vast array of travel and review platforms, which is a testimony to this company’s ardent commitment to offering only the finest quality and most well-rounded experience for its guests.
Upon arrival to Hawaii’s beautiful and iconic harbor, you’ll take in the sight of the stately, breathtaking ship as she awaits the arrival of her passengers. A bevy of talented vocalists and hula dancers, adorned in cultural regalia, greet guests with upbeat, traditional dance and music as they climb onboard, set to embark on an incredible adventure to excite and delight all the senses.
Once you board the ship, a friendly host will escort you to your table, where you’ll get a bird’s eye vantage point of some of a vast array of entertainment, while savoring a mouth-watering, chef-prepared five-course feast.
DRINKS:
Each experience on the Three Star Cruise comes with two premium drink tickets, affording guests (21 and older) to enjoy selections from a wonderfully curated menu, offering libations ranging from island cocktails (the pina colada, mai tai and Blue Hawaii drinks tend to be guest favorites) as well as a staggering line up of wines, beers, and sparkling beverages. (Non-alcoholic variations of the vast majority of the cocktail options are available for those under legal drinking age, and each beverage experience is preceded by a complimentary “champagne” toast.)
Lynn (photographer for Backstage Pass and our fashion branding company, Magnifique) selected a Lava Flow as her premium beverage of choice while my adventure-loving grandmother, Mimmie (who accompanies us on nearly all of our excursions imbibed with a classic Strawberry Daiquiri). Heeding the recommendation of the manager, Rose Aputo, I ordered the wildly unique, exceptionally delicious, Tokyo Tea, a delightfully strong libation with a flavor just as vibrant as its striking neon green color.
Once you have selected your beverages of choice, meander on over to the appetizer bar, decked out with a large assortment of imported and domestic cheeses (Brie, blue cheese, port salut, cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack and crackers. A wide variety of fresh seasonal tropical fruits are also on display and are just as viscerally pleasing as they are delicious).
The evening’s salad consists of tender, flavorful locally-sourced Hawaiian greens, featuring purple endive, waipoli baby romaine, grape tomatoes, all topped with a bold, flavorful Lilikoi Tarragon Vinaigrette.
Arguably one of the highlights of the evening’s culinary experience is the one pound whole Nova Scotia Maine Lobster, imported with the greatest of care to the island from the icy cold waters of New England. This upscale staple is artfully presented and garnished with fresh lemon, clarified butter, and citrus ponzu sauce. Those who prefer to not crack their own lobster can request the assistance of a friendly and helpful server, who will assist them in carefully and precisely extracting the succulent crustacean’s tender, white meat from its shell.
The main course also consists of a hearty serving of tenderloin of beef (accented with a sweet Madeira wine sauce, homemade Idaho russet and Big Island Okinawa Mashed Potatoes, served with a colorful medley of fresh seasonal vegetables on the side).
Our group, however, does not eat red meat, and the exceptionally accommodating staff at the Star of Honolulu provided us an alternative entree consisting of a succulent, tender chicken breast, grilled with a flavorful rosemary and olive oil blend.
Note: Alternative entrees are available with a 24 hour notice.
Dessert, which can be savored along with Star’s signature, island sourced Kona Blend Coffee by Hawaiian Paradise Coffee and freshly brewed hot tea, is a masterfully baked Elvin’s Bakery Hawaiian Mango Mousse Cake (served with white chocolate garnish, Furikake Lavosh, and sweet butter breadsticks with butter.)
Throughout the duration of your meal, you’ll take in the wonderful sights and sounds of live Hawaiian music, ranging from the tranquil, distinctive strum of the ukulele to powerful Maori and Samoan slap dance performances. Each table receives an up close and personal vantage point of the ship’s highly trained and undeniably skilled dancers, while the main stage is inhabited by an exhilarating line up of vocalists, dancers (performing a stellar assortment of styles and genres ranging from traditional hula to the pulse pounding Polynesian dance), and much, much more.
A love struck couple, “Mr. and Mrs. Aloha” portrayed by two of Star of Aloha’s triple threat performers, are introduced to the audience as they embark upon their “honeymoon,” filled with many grand song and dance-laden adventures which the crowd received the opportunity to experience right along with the happy newlyweds.
Three Star Dinner Cruise guests are also given the opportunity to explore the large expanses of the upper deck, offering 360 degree views of some of the Island’s most pristine and world renowned landmarks, including Diamond Head Crater, the legendary Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and much more.
Featuring delectable dining, fivestar entertainment, and a palpable sense of “Aloha,” you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere are just a few of the many elements which make the Star of Honolulu a guaranteed highlight of your trip to the Island.
Special thanks to the amazing Kamla and the Star of Honolulu staff for an absolutely unforgettable experience.
WEBSITE: www.starofhonolulu.com
PHONE NUMBER: (808) 983-7730
INSTAGRAM: @starofhonolulu
ROCK A HULA:
Waikiki’s biggest and best Hawaiian Show has been lauded by critics and audiences alike as a “must see,” bringing together elements of a Las Vegas-style tribute show, a plethora of high octane song and dance numbers celebrating the vast and rich Hawaiian culture, local and celebrity guest vocalists and a full band. This internationally acclaimed, award-winning show can be enjoyed on its own or combined with a chef-curated and prepared luau buffet dinner (highly recommended) for an exemplary value sure to provide you and your family an experience that you will treasure and fondly remember for many years to come.
We experienced the original Waikiki Luau Buffet and Show for an optimal entertainment experience, and upon arrival to the multi-million dollar, newly renovated luau space (located on the top floor of the iconic Royal Hawaiian Center in the heart of Honolulu), where we were met with the sight of vibrant, colorful Hawaiian flowers and decor, an unbelievably diverse chef-curated buffet spread, and three, fresh, authentic handmade Hawaiian Leis, specially made for my team consisting of myself, Lynn (principal photographer for Backstage Pass) , and my “Mimmie” Ramona, who has been enjoying traveling the world with us for just over one year.
Upon receiving our beautiful, fragrant leis, we made our way to the elegant, freshly redone covered lanais (which offer a covered al fresco dining experience, specially built to provide shade from the scorching Hawaiian sun while enabling patrons to savor the warm, relaxing, Island breezes.
Our meal experience kicked off with a welcome Mai Tai (both alcoholic and alcohol-free versions are available) along with table-side entertainment throughout the duration of our dining period (including skillful ukulele playing, traditional Hawaiian folk songs, and even a personalized hula lesson to the tune of the lighthearted song, “Pearly Shells”).
After we savored our welcome Mai Tais, we each selected a premium beverage (which was offered on a complimentary ticket that accompanied our VIP package) and standout beverages included the maraschino cherry red Polynesian Punch, a potent, classic, and tasty Lychee Martini, and a lava flow. A coffee and tea bar was available for guests’ convenience throughout the buffet experience, and the sprawling buffet offered a tremendously diverse array of Spectacular chef prepared cuisines which included:
AT YOUR TABLE:
Whole sweet, family style pineapple
CARVING STATION:
Island Roasted Whole Suckling Pig
USDA Choice Top Round Grade Roast Beef with Black Sea Salt
LUAU FAVORITES
Teriyaki Glazed Chicken, Macadamia Crusted Fish of the Day with Pickled ginger beurre blanc, passion fruit, roasted jalapeños sweet potatoes, fried noodles, steamed white rice.
ISLAND SALAD BAR:
Featuring Hawaiian mixed greens with condiments, house-made papaya lilikoi and sesame dressings, Island stable macaroni potato salad, homemade Lomilomi salmon, and Limu Tofu Poke.
ASSORTED HAWAIIAN DESERT SAMPLER:
Served freshly with baked poi rolls by Elvin’s Bakery with butter and freshly brewed, uniquely robust Kona coffee by Hawaiian Paradise Coffee and Tea company
We would like to thank our server, Kanaia, for her outstanding service throughout our luau experience.
Following our delectable meal, we made our way to our VIP seats in the expansive, 750-seat Royal Hawaiian Theater, offering a birds eye vantage point of the award-winning show which was to follow. Featuring state of the art lighting, surround sound, tremendous, viscerally stunning video technology (which will transport you across the breathtaking island with a variety of striking visuals), the Rock-A-Hula show sets the bar for quality entertainment in Waikiki.
You can expect a variety of world class entertainment at this two-hour song and dance extravaganza , including tributes to Hawaiian music dating back to the 1920s and 1950s, and a rousing segment performed by internationally-acclaimed, award-winning Elvis tribute artist, Johnny Fortuno, who fully captures Elvis’s signature charm and charisma as he dances, twists, and gyrates while crooning an impressive line-up of some of Elvis’s many gargantuan hits, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Bossanova,” “Blue Hawaii,” “Burning Love,” “Suspicious Minds” and a soulful rendition of “My Way.”
Michael Jackson, exquisitely embodied in vocality, movement, and essence by world-renowned tribute artist, William Hall, was celebrated for his iconic performances at the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii in the 1990’s through high octane performances of the superstar’s plethora of hits, including “I Want You Back” and “Thriller.”
“A Wizard of Oz” segment honoring both Judy Garland and Diana Ross was performed by Hall, and other stand out moments included original music by the evening’s headliner, local singer/songwriter/recording artist, Sienna, pulse- pounding traditional Polynesian dance, outrageously complex and beautifully choreographed hula dance, and a grand finale, which featured mind blowing feats of fire spinning that will bring you to the edge of your seat and leave you mesmerized and mystified.
Upon the conclusion of our incredible luau buffet and show experience, we made our way into the Rock A Hula Music Lounge, which featured a sleek and glamorous, yet inviting, atmosphere, a mind-boggling assortment of drink specials, and some of the most skilled pianists and vocalists you’ll see on the island. (Incredible talent, Benjamin, performed the evening of our visit, beautifully covering a variety of hits ranging from Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” “The Scientist” by Coldplay and hits by Journey.
You can also enhance your full experience by touring the Green Room space and booking an exclusive backstage tour to get an inside sneak peak on all the behind the scenes action that takes place during the one of a kind Rock -A-Hula Shows!
Special thanks to the amazing Kamla and the incredible Rock-A-Hula Staff for facilitating our visit for this spotlight feature!
WEBSITE: www.rockahulahawaii.com
PHONE NUMBER: (808) 629-7458
INSTAGRAM: @rockahulahi
