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Girls get away #3

California
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45,310 posts
144 reviews
136 helpful votes
Girls get away #3
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This is the third year my 4 friends and I have escaped to Lana'i for a day or two after being on Maui. This year, I was at my home on Kauai so I flew over while the others took the ferry. Oh boy, but Island Air has issues. Big issues. EVERY single flight was delayed, cancelled or something else was wrong that day. While in Kauai the pilot waited for 2 people to arrive while the rest of us were on time and boarded. Guess what? They made 5 of us late for our connection. We asked the flight attendants to inform the pilot to hold the flight in HNL to wait for us. They came back and said the pilot had called ahead. Guess what again? They didn't. So we get to HNL, go up to the agent at the gate and say, "we are the five who were delayed and called ahead." With the puzzled look on her face, she says, "we called your names and gave your seats to someone else", as we still see our plane at the gate loading bags. The next flight was full (and 3 hours later) and they were going to ask operations if the Maui flight would make a stop on Lanai and take us. So we wait and wait and finally I see the other 4 stranded Lana'i bound passengers in line in the direct flight to Lana'i. They had been called to board, but the agent forgot about me (a lone traveler). Good thing I went up to the desk (and I was sitting right next it) and said "what about me"? As they say "oh sorry here's your ticket" I race to the door and am almost the last passenger to board to one of my favorite places, The Four Seasons, Lana'i.

I run to my room at Manele Bay, drop my bags off and wait for my friends at the poolside bar for their good mai tais. When I wake up in the morning, the view erases my painful experience the day before.

We head to breakfast which is included in the room price and guess who sits down next us? I'll give you a hint. He parked his GIANT yacht in the bay. Yup good old Larry Ellison, the owner of the island, was there with friends. He got up and waited in the buffet line like the rest of us peons. I doubt a check appeared at his table, but no one bothered him and he seemed to enjoy his omelette. When I first say the yacht as the sun was coming up, I thought, "did Carnival start a new route". Nope it was just Larry's little yacht. It was gorgeous and quite a site at night.

Staying at Manele Bay is all about relaxing to me. Lots is going on with construction of some rooms but I saw some nice changes. One is the food has improved. Two they installed fire pits. Nice touch. We got to wedding crash a beautiful wedding on the lawn and had a nice dinner at the poolside restaurant one night, though my pasta was way undercooked. Even the chef came out and said how sorry he was and they took it off the bill. Customer service is still premo at this resort. From the front desk personel to the pool boys, they are all so nice and remember is year after year. "Oh there are the girls from California who always sit in the same spot" Marlon said when he say us. I love those guys.

I want to warn people that lots construction will be going on this year. At the Lodge too. Make sure you ask when inquiring about accommodations. Also if you stay at the Lodge you can't use the pool at Manele any longer. You can go to the beach though.

Our ferry ride home was like a Disney ride. We had 8 foot swells and I have never been in such rough seas and I sail all over the world. The winds even blew over the umbellas at the pool and walking under a palm tree was dangerous. I didn't care. I love Lana'i, I love the Four Seasons and I can't wait to go back. 2 1/2 days isn't long enough.

St. Paul, MN
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1,207 posts
18 reviews
8 helpful votes
1. Re: Girls get away #3
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You should have shared your Island Air experience with Larry Ellison. He owns the airline now.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/15/larry-ellison-hawaii-airline_n_2886418.html

Edina, Minnesota
Destination Expert
for Lanai
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4,257 posts
32 reviews
66 helpful votes
2. Re: Girls get away #3
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Mahalo jebett for sharing your experiences, both good and bad. That must have been pretty cool to see Larry Ellison. I consider it important for the owner to experience what his guests experience.

I am not sure what is worse, a boat trip with 8 foot swells or Island Air.

Despite the hassles from construction, it is nice to see that Mr. Ellison is investing in his island and resorts.

Minnesota
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23,238 posts
56 reviews
42 helpful votes
3. Re: Girls get away #3
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Wow! Glad they got you on that flight. It is really too bad because when we had used Island Air in the past, we had no problems. Sounds like they have a lot to work through! I loved our stay at Manele Bay last March and definitely want to return again. We were told his yacht would be there if he was on island. Hopefully he will get Island Air in line as he is the hotels. Glad you had a great time with your friends!

Snohomish...
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24,108 posts
17 reviews
60 helpful votes
4. Re: Girls get away #3
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Wow, rubbing elbows with Ellison at the omelette station. Too bad he wasn't on your flight, might of been on time! Sounds like a great time.

Vacaville...
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687 posts
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Thanks for the mini report. Sounds grand except for the travel issues on both ends. What we do to get to paradise!

Hana, Hawaii
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11,164 posts
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I had a rough ride on the ferry, coming back from Lana'i to Maui on my trip. The sun was setting; I was up on the upper deck. Windy and cold. This was "B.L." (before Larry) and so that day I was the the only celebrity on the Pineapple Isle (Dr V was in MN doing what them good doctors do).

I'm glad you had a wonderful time on Lana'i with your friends Jebett. I had a really good feeling you WOULD. Thanks for your report.

P.S. Did Larry ask about me? :)

Princeville, Hawaii
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7,989 posts
36 reviews
34 helpful votes
7. Re: Girls get away #3
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You note, jbett that Larry did not take Island Air.

California
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45,310 posts
144 reviews
136 helpful votes
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Larry flew over on his own plane and then boarded his yacht. He did not offer me a ride I am sorry to say. All in all the travel to and from was totally worth it. I wouldn't change a thing. I am flying back to Kauai now from Maui and I think Larry's yacht was in the little bay on the way to the airport.

Hana, Hawaii
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11,164 posts
9. Re: Girls get away #3
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Like Tom Petty said, it's good to be King. Or Larry Ellison, with your own island and yacht. "....when your bulldog barks and your canary sings...yea you're out there with winners.....it's good to be King".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aogOR8c8Q4

10. Re: Girls get away #3

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