Killeen, TX is holding a Polynesian Christmas Festival starting today and running through Sunday, December 13th.  The main cultural events are tomorrow and include:

• 9am – Free cultural festival featuring singing, dancing and music along with Polynesian arts and crafts for sale.
• 7pm – Luau with tropical dishes and performances by groups from Hawaii, Alaska, Austin and Killeen.  Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children (ages five and under are free).

For tickets to the luau, call (254) 394-4952.

• $420,000 stimulus to upgrade Hawaii Volcano Monitoring – “These funds will be used to upgrade equipment and analyze data from recent eruptions. With the improvements, more reliable and robust information will be provided to emergency responders, helping them to protect lives and reduce damage.”
• Tahiti fisheries commission meeting considers Pacific tuna and protection for international waters – “Despite calls from scientists to reduce catches since 2001, an all-time record high was hauled out of the Pacific just last year. Fleet capacity is growing and fishing techniques are becoming ever more efficient, leading to far more rapid depletion of tuna fisheries than ever before.”
• Fiji Fashion Week begins – “FIJI Fashion Week held its grand opening Friday night at Albert Park, showcasing creations and designs of established and emerging artists in the Asia Pacific region.”

Starting in June 2010, Delta will start nonstop flights from San Diego to Honolulu and Detroit to Honolulu. Residents in these two cities who wish to visit other Hawaiian destinations can connect via Los Angeles.

San Diego – Honolulu roundtrip flights can be booked now.  Flights will be offered daily, departing San Diego at 5:45pm and arriving at Honolulu at 8:45pm.

Detroit – Honolulu roundtrip flights can be booked starting December 5, 2009 and will depart Detroit three times a week on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Book your tickets at Delta.com!

Technorati Tags: delta, detroit, flights, hawaii, honolulu, san diego

• Hawaii plans to add to South Maui artificial reef – “The state plans to add about 1,500 concrete structures to the artificial reef off South Maui’s Keawakapu Beach… The 52-acre reef, which was created in 1962, has 150 cars, 2,250 tire modules, 35 concrete slabs, and one vessel.”
• Five places: Hawaiian style on the mainland – “Say aloha to these five island-themed spots in California (muumuus and hula skirts not required).”
• First Japanese eatery on Easter Island thrives – Francisco Xavier’s Izakaya Kotaro offers “nine kinds of sushi using local tuna and white fish…tofu and wheat noodles as well as ramen from flour.”

Starting February 1, 2010 Fiji will start offering VAT refunds to tourists who meet certain eligibility requirements:

• Must spend $500+ at a single store.  Store must participate in the VAT refund program.
• Only applies to visitors departing from Nadi airport or Suva Wharf.

The VAT refund is a substantial 12.5%. The goal of the VAT program is to increase shopping by visitors, as well as promote Fiji as an attractive shopping and tourist destination.

Technorati Tags: fiji, vat refund