There it was in the newspaper (Honolulu Star-Bulletin 7/9/08), the same sad story written by a visitor to Hawaii. I see this same letter several times a year. The story is almost exactly the same. The only difference is the author.

The visitor came to Hawaii, had a wonderful time, people were great, the weather was fabulous, they really felt the Aloha spirit. Then: disaster. They got ripped off. They lost everything. Their luggage, their cameras, their wallets their valuables. Everything gone in the blink of an eye.

It’s the same sad story, again and again.

The saddest part of the story is this disaster was totally preventable. Totally and completely preventable. Totally and completely.

Let me explain: in the latest version of this letter, the tourists had just finished a wonderful vacation. They had a late flight and decided to stop at Ala Moana (a major shopping center), for a late night dinner before their departure.

Here is a qoute from the letter:

The writer goes on to explain, the entire family will never return to Hawaii. They will also discourage anyone else from vacationing in Hawaii.

I really am angry and frustrated that no-one from the rental car agent to their hotel clerk to anyone else they met, explained Hawaii’s dirty little secret: there is a very small but very dangerous group of locals, whose full time job is to steal from anyone they can.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Hawaii is any different from any other place. You will find the same small dangerous group of rip-off artists anywhere you go.

But, just because you are vacationing in one of the most beautiful places on the planet does not mean there are not criminals here.

Listen: these creeps know that the only person who would drive a Chrysler Sebring convertable, is a tourist.

Believe me, your rental car sends out a beacon to would be crooks that says: “Steal from this car”. It’s like there is a flashing light and an arrow in the air pointing directly at your rental car. “Beep beep. Flash flash. Valuables inside! Steal from this car now”

Listen: there are literally thousands of cars parked at Ala Moana at any given time. What do you think the odds are that these Bozos picked out a random car to break into?

This was no random act. This was planned and calculated. The car was there less than an hour. This was a crime of opportunity. And unfortunately, you just rewarded these cockroaches with new luggage, clothes and souvenirs. So now the next time they see a tourist rental car, they will break in again.

Sure, I agree that there needs to be better security and more police patrols and hasher sentencing for criminals.

But the best thing you can do is to follow this advice:

Never, ever, never leave anyting of value in a rental car.

Never, ever.

This is one of those times when an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Be procactive. Be smart. You need to outwit the bad guys before they act.

This one bit of advice will save you a ton of heart-ache. Had these latest victims taken their luggage with them, to the food court, a crook would have broken into an empty car. Or they easily could have checked in their baggage, and eaten at the airport.

So if you come to Hawaii and you rent a car: never leave anything of value in the rental car. This includes going to the beach, going shopping or even stopping off somewhere for a plate lunch.

So now you know. If my rant saves one less tourist from getting ripped: I will be elated!

Taste some Hawaii right now:

Respectfully.

Albert Grande
Pizza Therapy
Pasta Therapy, Make Pasta, Eat Pasta, Love Pasta
Discover Hawaii Vacations and Hawaii Vacation Videos

Sure you can surf in Hawaii. That’s to be expected. You can surf the best spots on the planet. But can you ski in Hawaii?

Yes you can. You can ski in Hawaii. This is not artificial snow, this is the real deal. It takes somewhat of an effort, but you can have a lot of fun, on skis. Not Water skis, snow skis…

Check out this incredible video:

aloha,
albert
Hawaii Secret Dot Com
Learn how to make pizza

One of the best secrets about Hawaii is no secret. Israel Kamakawiwo’le touched hearts wherever he went.

His memory lives on in those who knew him. His music has become part of the landscape of Hawai itself.

I was fortunate to see Bruddah Iz play live. It was in a tiny bar in Kaimuki. He was with the Makaha Sons of Niihau. His brother Skippy, who would die a few short years later was still in the band.

Thier music was haunting and beautiful. Israel had a sweet voice.

I have spoken to seveal people who knew him. One was his classmate from the 8th grade. He said Israel was a rascal back then. He was funny and friendly.

Another was a math teacher, who had Iz in in class in high school. She said all he ever wanted to do was to sit outside and play his ukelele. He wasn’t to interested in math.

I miss Iz…

Aloha,

albert
Hawaii Secret Dot Com
Hawaii Vacations

Maui has some amazing surf.

The surf spot known as “jaws” will destroy you, if you are not careful.

According to the film maker” “Waves are known to reach up to 75 feet in face height & speeds of 60 mph. Located somewhere off the north shore of Maui, tow-in surfers from around the world come to pay homage to her beauty & mana (power).”

You can experience the power right now, from the relative safety of your computer….

Mahalo,

Albert Grande
http://albertgrande.com

My friend Kai, loves his motorcycle. And how can you blame him?

Its a 2008 Harley Davidson Custom Deluxe. He used to have a Fat Boy. But he outgrew it.

Now his pride and joy is the Harley.

I spoke to him about the bike, how he planned to cusomize it and thoughts about Harley’s in general. He would never ride any other bike.

Here is the interview:

Ride on my friend, ride on.

Aloha,

Albert Grande

Hilton Alves is on a mission.

He wants to share his art and environmental message with the local community of the NorhShore on Oahu.

He also wants to get kids involved.

Here is an interviw with him.

Aloha,
Albert Grande
Somewhere on the North Shore

My favorite Chinese restaurant is Legends Seafood Restaurant located in Chinatown, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Certainly this is truly a Hawaii Secret.
Let me introduce you to one of the best of Chinese foods. Dim Sum are little packages of food wrapped in their own edible container. Considr them Chinese dumplings, if you will.

A waitress rolls aound a steam cart and brings the fresh hot dim sum right to your table. There are many different kinds featuring seafood, vehtables and meat.

The waitress will show you what she has on her cart and it is up to you to decide which kind you want. It really is an amazing process.

Let’s go to Legends Seafood, right now:

I’ll see you at Legends. Make sure you save some dim sum for me…

mahalo,
albert

You know the old story.

A girl wants to travel with her boyfriend to Hawaii. She loves Hawaii, She needs Hawaii. She’s got limited cash.

In an act of desperation, she decides to put up a website, to help finance her travels.

You can watch the entire story right here:

So what can you do to help?

Visit her website. Support here quest. It’s the least you can do… Her name is Alexa Sky, tell her Hawaii Secret Dot com sent you.

Here is the link:

http://wetravelhawii.com

Aloha,

albert grande

Malasada’s are hugely popular in Hawaii. As a matter of fact ask anyone from Hawaii, “What is Malasada Day?” and you will get an immediate answer.

The malasada is a piece of dough which is deep fat fried and rolled in sugar. Brought to the Islands by the Portuguese, the malasada stands out as one of Hawaii’s hidden treasures.

Most tourists who come to Hawaii never get to sample these desserts. I will answer the questions of what is a malasda and their importance in present day Hawaiian culture with the following video. I also reveal my absolute favorite place to get malasadas.

If you come to Hawaii…you need to get a malasada!

See More Hawaii Videos at:

Hawaii Vacation Videos

Discover more Hawaiian ethnic food here:

Mahalo,

Albert Grande
http://pizzatherapy.com
Grande Publishing
http://hawaiisecret.com
http://albertgrande.com/memory-loss/

Take a break from your day to day activities and come with me to Big Beach, Maui.

Relax, enjoy, let go of all stress. You have truly found paradise. A heaven on earth, is here. Smile. You are here.

Listen to the waves as they sing to you. Come walk on a deserted beach.

In Hawaii, they say “No Worries” (Don’t Worry about it). Find out why, with this volume:

Maui is an incredible Island.

Maui No Ka Oi (Maui is the best)

Mahalo,

Albert Grande
http://albertgrande.com

Surf Season on the Northshore of Oahu is incredibly exciting. The energy level is pinging. The absolute best surfers in the known universe converge on the Island. Traffic jams are to be expected. Don’t even think about surfing here, unless you know what you are doing.

It’s not uncommon to experience the energy as you watch these “riders of giants.” Some of the moves on these tiny boards do not seem possilbe.

I was fortunate to live down the street from Pipeline for a number of years. I still try to make it to surfing events when I can.

Take a peek with me at The Pipe, one of the hardest spots to surf.

This is Hawaii surfing at its most exciting. And to be part of The Pipeline Masters means you have arrived.

Eddie would go…

Aloha,

albert grande

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