The Paradise of the Pacific, Hawaii, it never fails to attract even the most confused of travelers. Sun, sand, sea and good food are complemented greatly by hospitality. Hawaii today is not only a visitor’s paradise but also becoming an iconic commercial hub in this side of the pacific. Geography and Demography, Hawaii is ringed by the Pacific Ocean. The 132 islands in Hawaii make it the world’s longest chain islands running a total length of 1523 miles. This is the only state that is not part of the North American Continent but is located 2,400 miles southwest of the Continental United States. Hawaii occupies 10.932 square miles, 6432 square miles are land areas and 4,508 are land areas covered by water. The census of 2005 estimated a state population totaling to 1,275,194 Hawaiians. Hawaii is home to a mix of people coming from the different parts of the world. Hawaii is made up of 8 major islands namely, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Ni’ihau.

The Hawaiian economy is fueled by its tourism industry with Agriculture as it’s second largest. Other industries in Hawaii are as follows: Retail trade, Services, State and Local Governments and Construction. There are several public corporations in Hawaii namely Amfac (food processing, merchandising and land development), Castle and Cooke, which owns DOLE and Bumble Bee food which is into food product lines. There is Dillingham, which has a hand in maritime industries and land development. Brewer provides the world with sugar and Macadamia nuts. High Spots in Hawaii, Maui the magic Isle boast of wonderful beaches, Hawaii- The world’s beautiful rainforest’s can be seen in Volcanoes National Parks. Honolulu – a busy seaport and is also the university belt. Kauai – one of the oldest islands is also called the Garden Isle have magnificent sunsets, Lanai – The archeologists’ favorite haunt. Molokai – where the temples for humans sacrifices still stands and also where fishponds and pineapple fields are found. Kauai is the island, which is best known for its surfing beaches, grottos and golf courses. Big Island – takes pride in its arboretum, gardens and parks. Molokai – an island lost in time where there are no tall buildings and magnificent deserted beaches. Kahoolawe – has its beautiful landscape absent of people where visits have to be arranged. Ni’ihau – a rubber plantation owned by the Robinson Family also called the Forbidden Island.

Real estate in Hawaii is also a booming industry in Hawaii. It’s no surprise that people clamor for a part of the estates on these islands. Hawaii is an ideal and beautiful place to live in, near the beaches, golden sunshine, plantations and other things that Hawaiian real estate has to offer. Indeed Hawaii is known as a short vacation spot but many people are beginning to put up homes. Hawaii is becoming a commercial zone and Hawaiian real estate is a part of it.

On the U.S. mainland, big-box retailers have been offering discount or wholesale prices on a spectrum of different goods and services for several years.  Customers find that the prices, quality, and affordability of these retailers make for a comfortably lifestyle at bargain basement prices.  The island of Oahu is just the same.  A large portion of real estate in Hawaii is devoted to big-box retailers and wholesalers that provide consumers with quality goods and cheap prices.  These stores have allowed Honolulu and its residents to be able to afford the relatively high cost of living in the urban center of the state.

Costco, which operates two locations in Honolulu, is one of the most popular.  It operates establishments in the Hawaii Kai and Iwilei neighborhoods.  Costco is a members-only wholesaler club that keeps prices low by using a warehouse-style set-up and only selling goods in bulk.  Kmart and its “Big K” brand has a long established store near Honolulu Harbor.  Wal-Mart is another big retailer in Honolulu and recently just opened its latest location near Ala Moana.  Wal-Mart’s warehousing and members-only wholesale offshoot Sam’s Club also operates a store at the Ala Moana location.  Target Stores, a highly anticipated discount store, finally opened locations on Oahu, although neither of them are actually located in the Honolulu area.

Hostels have gotten something of a bad rap ever since the  release of the horror film “Hostel” and several subsequent sequels and related films. Unfortunately, these movies have portrayed hostels as unfriendly, hostile, and absurdly dangerous places run by sketchy characters and mass murderers. Like most other creations of Hollywood, this portrayal is the direct opposite of the truth. In reality, hostels are a great option for students and other cost-conscious individuals looking for accommodations almost anywhere in the world. Most hostels are maintained by organizations and non-profits such as Hostellers International, which acts as an umbrella group for literally thousands of hostels worldwide. Admittedly, hostels do not offer the same services or luxuries as hotels, motels, or timeshares, but this is just a consequence of keeping the price of the hostel low and affordable. Generally, hostels offer weary travellers a bed, dormitory, or private room in addition to a shared common area, kitchen, and bathroom for a negligible fee. Hostels depend much more on a system of bartering as opposed to the simple currency exchange model of hotels and motels, as long-term residents of hostels often exchange services such as room cleaning and desk work for accommodations.

There are hostels dedicated to general audiences, in addition to those operated on behalf of specific demographics and occupations. More charity-based hostels such as those dedicated to the rehabilitation of drug addicts or impoverished individuals are generally restricted to those particular groups, as are hostels intended solely for students, medical professionals, or educators, for example. There is also a difference between hostels intended for long-term residence, as an alternative to a rental or apartment, and hostels targeted towards short term residents such as travellers or backpackers. There are some similarities between the two – both emphasize communal living over privacy, are focused on being budget friendly, and resemble dormitories. The primary manner in which the two differ is duration of visit, and consequently level of familiarity with your co-residents.

The idea of a hostel was first materialized in the year nineteen twelve, when the Altena Castle in Germany was transformed into a youth hostel. The idea was successful because students were willing to engage in a certain degree of self-sufficiency that eliminated the need for professional upkeep, maintenance, and cooking services. After a period of rapid expansion, there are currently more than four thousand five hundred hostels in the world, stretching over ninety youth hostel organizations and eighty different countries. In recent years, there has been something of a departure from the traditional concept of a hostel, especially in upscale destinations such as Honolulu, Hawaii. Essentially, hostels in Honolulu and similar locations make more of a profit than upscale hotels because hostels charge somewhat steep rates while keeping overhead drastically low. This has the effect of making hostels less accessible to students, but increasing the profits of the parent corporation. For most of the world and especially in Europe, however, the traditional ideal of cheap housing for young persons on gap years and trips remains strong.

For the millions of Americans who own pets, the question of what to do with the four legged members of the family while on vacation is a very serious dilemma. While the issue may not be particularly profound for owners of fish or rodents, when the pet in question is a beloved dog or cat, there is generally an increased desire to take especially good care of the family’s furry friend. Sometimes there is an opportunity to leave the animal with a trusted friend or relative, but this is contingent upon having such an individual within close proximity of the family. Another more expensive option involves leaving the dog or cat at a so-called pet hotel, where specially trained individuals essentially pamper pets for a highly inflated fee. This leads a large percentage of Americans to bring their pets with them on vacation, and in turn creates the need for a special breed of hotels, pet friendly hotels, to host their furry friends.

Pet friendly hotels are spread across all types of establishments, ranging from large chains such as Best Western and Days Inn to local inns and even bed and breakfasts. They represent the best option for concerned and frugal pet owners, since they allow for both cost effectiveness and individualized care. Although some people are quick to assume that pet friendly hotels are more messy than regular hotels, they are subject to the same cleaning and in many cases stricter regulations than conventional lodgings.  In other words, pet friendly hotels are just as well maintained as regular hotels, but allow guests to take much better care of their charges. For example, pet friendly hotels allow pet owners the opportunity to choose their pets’ food, bedding, and in some cases even clothing. There are a number of things that you should take into consideration when you are looking for a pet friendly motel. Obviously cost should be a primary concern; just remember that there is no such thing as a monopoly on the pet friendly hotel market. While it seem like a niche market, in reality there are literally thousands of hotels and motels that allow and even welcome pets.

There are several web pages that are great guides for those interested in pet friendly hotels, allowing individuals to not only browse and book hotels but also to explore different options, specify preferences, and learn more about the industry in general. Pet friendly hotels are much less trouble than one might initially assume – many Internet and personalized resources are available to ensure that travelling, taking care of, and above all housing travelling pets is a breeze. Finding the right pet friendly hotel involves a bit of research; some hotels and motels charge additional fees for pets, while in certain cases of international travel vaccinations and additional documentation must be provided. Regardless of which hotel or accommodation you choose, you will not regret the decision to bring your furry friend along for your vacation. By bringing the four legged member of your family along for the ride, you are not just saving money, you are giving yourself flexibility and peace of mind.