How to turn your digital camera into a scanner:

Your digital camera can double as a scanner if you learn a few secrets. The important thing is that all pages of the contract are VERY CLEAR AND LEGIBLE as it is a legal document and thus should be easily readable with no ambiguities. Here are some tips and examples:

• Set your camera to black and white mode.
• Set your camera to at least 1600 x 1200 pixel width for good photo resolution. (The larger example photos on this page have been reduced to 800 x 600 pixels to conserve bandwidth.)

Take one photo of each page, not one photo of all pages at the same time.



Make sure no text of the pages is cut off. Make sure all the text of each page is in frame.



If the photos have shadows, turn on your flash and/or place a lamp on the table near the page.



Washed out. If your flash is too bright, try the close-up or "flower" setting which on some cameras may reduce the power of the flash. Or, try setting the page near a lamp or bright window during daytime and turn the flash off. With the flash off you will need to hold the camera very steady or you will get a blurry photo.



Two things can cause blurry photos; out of focus and a slow shutter with a hand that is not steady. If your photos are blurry, press the camera button half way, wait for it to focus, and then press all the way. This will help the camera focus on the document. If you have your flash turned off (shutter speed may be slower), hold the camera very still as you take the photo. Zoom in on this photo and you will see that the letters and words are not readable.



The page should rest completely flat on a table, not against a wall to avoid document distortion.



Look for a black and white picture taking mode on your camera. This will save you and I lots of color printer ink!



Keep the camera just close enough to the pages so that your table doesn't show, but not too close that text is cut off.



Luke Skywalker may like this one, but it's difficult to read. Avoid the starwars movie credits skew by keeping the camera directly above and centered on the page.



Don't forget to initial the contract where required.



Don't forget to fill out all lines and sign the contract.



And finally... perfection. (Remember to photograph all pages of the contract, not just the last page.)



Aloha,


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How do your Bamboo and Kuhio vacation rentals compare?

Our two vacation rentals are very similar to each other in many respects, they are even located very near each other (one block apart), but here are some of the biggest differences between them to help you decide which one best meets your lodging needs.

What does the Kuhio have that the Bamboo does not? 24 hour convenience store in the lobby Larger laundry facilities Electronic key fob elevator security Leather Sofa

What does the Bamboo have that the Kuhio does not?   Pool   Jacuzzi   BBQ area   Two double beds   24 hour front desk   Sauna

So if both condos are available the nights you wish to stay, choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.

Aloha,


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Hotels, Vacation Rentals, Apartments... What's the difference?

Apartments are usually for long term rentals, sometimes with contracts like six months or more and come unfurnished or furnished. Quite often a credit check is required and you would pay the landlord monthly with no set check-out date. The nightly/daily rates are of course the cheapest of the three.

Hotels are typically more expensive than vacation rentals and apartments, but have cleaning and other services everyday. People tend to book them on short notice and often pay the price for it.

Vacation rentals on the other hand are for short term like a hotel, but without the fuss and extra expenses that come with hotels. No credit check is required like an apartment because usually you must pay in advance before you check-in. Also, unlike apartments, vacation rentals are usually fully furnished. Vacation rentals are ideal for the smart traveler who wants to save money on their vacation. It's like buying a used car with only 30,000 miles from a private owner and getting a good deal rather than buying a new car from a dealer and paying through the nose.

	Term	Fully Furnished	Payment Terms	Maid Service	Price
Apartments	Long term	No	Credit Check, month-to-month	No	$
Hotels	Short term	Yes	Credit Card	Yes	$$$
Vacation Rentals	Short term	Yes	Payment in Advance, Credit Card, Checks or Money Orders (very flexible)	No	$$

For more information, Wikipedia's info on Vacation Rentals can be helpful.



Aloha,


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Too many fun things to do at Kailua Beach.

Take the Pali Highway north and keep going until you get to Kailua. Click here for a map & directions to Kailua Beach from Waikiki.

On a windy day you will see many kitesurfers and wind surfers at Kailua Beach. You can rent a sailboard from Hawaiian Watersports or Kailua Sailboards and do some wind surfing. You can not rent a kite, but you can rent an instructor... he comes with a kite. They will give you a lesson for about two hours. Don't expect to master kitesurfing on your first day. Many people take about 3 months to become proficient. If you have prior windsurfing, wake boarding or flight experience, your learning curve could be faster.


A day with little or no wind is the best day to do some kayaking. Kailua Sailboards rents kayaks in the Kailua Beach Shopping Center. They provide a dolly to roll the kayak on about 1/8 of a mile to the beach. They provide a safety video to watch and a map. There are a few islands you can paddle out to. Flat Island and the Mokulua Islands. Here is a photo from one of the Mokulua Islands looking towards Lanikai beach. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, water and a camera. Buying a dry bag is a great idea.


When you get hungry stop at Bob's Pizzeria also in the Kailua Beach Shopping Center. If Bob is in, ask him to show you a magic trick.


Aloha,


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The Best Restaurants on Oahu

Round Table Pizza at the Enchanted Lake Shopping Center in Kailua must have the BEST pizza on Oahu due to their fresh ingredients. Other pizza shops pale in comparison and you will realize you've been eating tomato paste smeared on cardboard. But at Round Table Pizza in Kailua you will taste the quality ingredients and wonder why that other cr*p deserves to even be called pizza. Caveat: the Round Table Pizza in Waikiki uses different types of ovens and the difference in taste is noticable. Save your appetite for Kailua.

Parking: free and plenty
Price: $$
Restrooms: Yes
Cleanliness: Very clean
Employee IQ/customer service: Fairly bright
Free soft drink refills: No. Alas, nothing's ever perfect.
Website: www.roundtablepizzakailua.com


Cholo's Mexican Food. Located in Haleiwa in the North Shore Market Place, Cholo's has mexican food that rivals the flavor you get from mainland Mexican restaurants. Good Mexican food is hard to find in Hawaii but Cholo's proves it can be done. After your visit you'll be saying, "La comida a Cholo's es muy deliciosa!"

Parking: free and plenty
Price: $$
Restrooms: Yes, in the same strip mall
Cleanliness: Fairly clean
Employee IQ/customer service: Fairly bright
Free soft drink refills: Yes
Website: www.cholosmexican.com/


Denny's Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner open 24/7. Located at 2345 Kuhio Ave near the corner of Kuhio and Walina Street near the Food Pantry.

Parking: No parking.
Price: $$
Restrooms: Yes
Cleanliness: Fairly clean.
Employee IQ/customer service: Fairly bright
Free soft drink refills: Yes
Website: www.dennys.com


Cheeseburger in Paradise has a chain of 3 restaurants (at last count) in Waikiki. The original one is located on the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Kealohilani Avenue. The food and atmosphere is great and service is pretty good. Years ago they used to have a live band playing in the evening, but I guess they had some cut-backs. The other restaurants are on the corner of Kalakaua and Ala Moana Blvd and inside the Beachwalk Shopping Center on Lewers Street.

Parking: Only the one on the corner of Kalakaua and Ala Moana Blvd has parking.
Price: $$$
Restrooms: Yes
Cleanliness: Very clean.
Employee IQ/customer service: Very bright
Free soft drink refills: Yes



Koa Pancake House has several restaurants on Oahu including Kaneohe, Waipahu, Aiea and Wahiawa. If you are headed to the North Shore, stop at the one in Wahiawa. Headed to Kailua, dine at the one in Kaneohe on Kahuhipa Street. They have the fluffiest and most delicious pancakes on Oahu with reasonable mainland prices. They make IHOP look like IFLOP! And they expose the ridiculously puny portions, long waits and high prices of Eggs 'N Things.

Parking: Free and plenty.
Price: $
Restrooms: Yes
Cleanliness: Very clean.
Employee IQ/customer service: Quite bright
Free soft drink refills: Yes
Website: www.koapancakehouse.net


Bravo is the BEST Italian restaurant on Oahu by far. The food is delicious and the little complimentary garlic bread rolls they serve up by the basket will send you into a taste bud orgasm. They are located in Aiea in the Pearlridge Uptown Center about a 20 minute drive from Waikiki. If you were on death row and could eat just one last meal, you'd choose Bravo!

Parking: Free and plenty.
Price: $$
Restrooms: Yes
Cleanliness: Very clean.
Employee IQ/customer service: Brilliant
Free soft drink refills: Yes
Website: www.bravorestaurant.com

Aloha,


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How NOT to get a sunburn

A sunburn can take all the fun out of a day in the sun. A sunburn can make your vacation miserable. So here are some tips to avoid it and enjoy your time in the sun.

Everybody's skin responds to the sun differently. Some people don't even need sunblock and they don't burn, they just tan. (Not fair!) If you're like most people you will need some sun protection. A hat is a good start to keep the sun off the most sensitive skin on our bodies, our face. There are many stylish hats you can buy at the shops in Waikiki. Sunglasses with UV protection is also a good idea.

Now the UV rays in Hawaii are not as strong as some places in the world such as Miami, but you can still burn. A 30 SPF sunblock or stronger is effective. If your skin is very sensitive, use 50 SPF.

I've seen people make the mistake of using 8 SPF or less thinking they are going to get a great tan, but they get burned instead. If you aren't sure, go with 30 SPF or higher. A little sun each day over the course of a one week vacation while using sunblock will tan your skin gradually without the unnecessary risk of an acute burn.


Beach umbrellas are a great idea for the very sensitive. You can rent them in many places on Waikiki Beach and you can buy them at ABC stores, Wal-Mart or K-mart for about $10. Safety tip: Always anchor your umbrella with a string or thin piece of rope. Tie the other end to something that weighs at least a few pounds such as your beach bag. With unpredictable gusts of wind you might just save a life from a runaway umbrella piercing them in the heart.

The common mistakes of different types of sun worshipers:

• The lobster: The guy from a northern European country, Wisconsin or Canada whose skin is florescent red in some places and completely white in others. You may even see white spots on his back surrounded by red- a clear sign he tried to apply the lotion all by himself.
• The zebra: This girl got burned yesterday and has a new bikini today that fits differently. Thus, the stripes.
• The snake: Skin is peeling, shedding and falling off. This person got burned really bad. Sometimes you can develop a very nice tan, but if you continue to get too much sun you can ruin your perfect tan and your skin will start to peel. Try using a moisturizing lotion in the evenings to help prevent it from peeling.
• The owl or raccoon: This guy wore his UV protective sunglasses all day but cooked the rest of his face.
• The ghost: The person on the beach with a huge hat, long pants, long sleeves and an umbrella to boot. Their skin is snow white. Wonder why they are even there.

How often to apply? Apply sun block about every 45 minutes, especially from the hours of 10am to 2pm when the sun's rays are the strongest.

Body parts not to forget when applying your sunblock: Your face, ears, bikini line, backs of your knees, underarms and feet. Get some under your bikini straps as the straps may shift later leaving you with a red line. Whether you're bald or just like to part your hair, you'll still need to apply sunblock to your scalp wherever it's exposed. If you have very short hair, rub it into your entire scalp. If you are wearing sandals or thongs don't forget to apply it to your feet and toes before you go outside. And if you're headed to the nude beach... instructions for those parts are beyond the scope of this article, but good luck anyway!



Aloha,


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Directions from the Honolulu International Airport to Waikiki

People often ask me, "What's the best way to get to Waikiki from the Honolulu Airport?" Well, it's about 20-25 minutes and 9-10 miles by car from the Honolulu International Airport to Waikiki.

Group shuttles are available to and from the airport for about $12 each way. Taxi cabs are about $40 each way give or take a few Quantitative Easings from the Federal Reserve Bank's inflationary money printing. Group shuttles can be very affordable, but can take well over an hour to get to the condo due to the many stops they make at various hotels.

If you are getting a rental car, take Nimitz Highway east. The same road changes name to Ala Moana Boulevard as you get near Waikiki. Stay on Ala Moana Boulevard until you come to an end at a "T" intersection with Kalakaua Avenue. Turn right on Kalakaua (it's a oneway street here so you can only turn right) and stay in one of the two left lanes. The road will fork, right being Kalakaua and left will be Kuhio Avenue. Veer left and continue east on Kuhio Avenue about 10 blocks or so and you will be in the heart of Waikiki. See also the Google map below. I think this is the simplest route but you can check out the alternate route provided by Google.



View Larger Map


Aloha,


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