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The Ritz-Carlton’s Luxury Liner Is Debuting in French Polynesia and Hawaii in 2026

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The Ritz-Carlton’s Luxury Liner Is Debuting in French Polynesia and Hawaii in 2026


The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection wants to help you escape the cooler months.

The cruise line just unveiled itineraries for winter 2026–2027, providing travelers with an array of exciting new yachting experiences across French Polynesia, Hawaii, and Asia-Pacific. No sweaters needed, either. Running from October 2026 through April 2027, the season includes 32 new multi-night voyages to far-flung destinations.

The 623-foot Evrima will debut in the South Pacific, offering trips to the remote islands of French Polynesia and Hawaii for the first time. The 13 voyages, which range from seven to 12 nights, will spotlight true Polynesian gems, such as the breathtaking lagoons of Bora Bora, the soaring volcanic peaks of Raiatea, and the gorgeous beaches of Huahine. Evrima will also head to the Hawaiian Islands for the first time, allowing seafarers to explore the rugged landscapes and local traditions in Honolulu, Maui (Kahului), Hilo, and Kona. Each itinerary also includes immersive experiences, such as traditional Polynesian dance performances and guided tastings of regional fare.

The beautiful Bora Bora landscape.

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Dana Neibert/Getty

As Evrima is more compact than the average cruise ship, the vessel can access smaller ports and anchorages. It is also equipped with a marina that can be deployed in calm waters to provide guests with direct access to the ocean. Evrima’s interior is similar to a ritzy hotel, offering 149 expansive suites that each come with private balconies, double-vanity bathrooms, and the Ritz-Carlton’s signature king-size beds. Guests can expect personalized service, curated cultural programming, and plush onboard amenities, too.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Evrima

The aft decks of “Evrima.”

Edgardo Contreras

That’s not all the Ritz-Carlton has in store for the next two years. The upcoming 794-foot Luminara will stop at 10 new ports in Asia, including Cebu in the Philippines, Semarang in Indonesia, and Miyazaki in Japan. Ranging from five to 14 nights, the new voyages cover both vibrant cities and lesser-known destinations. Travelers can take a relaxed walk through Komodo National Park and meditate in a temple in Bali or explore the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh and tuck into some street food in Penang.

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Set to launch on July 3, Luminara is a little larger than Evrima and the 790-foot Ilma that hit the seas in July 2024. The liner will offer 226 spacious suites for up to 452 guests, as well as world-class dining, an extensive wine collection, and a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa.

“Our winter 2026–2027 voyages represent an exciting next chapter as we expand into Polynesia and strengthen our presence across Asia-Pacific,” the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection president Ernesto Fara said in a statement. “Our commitment is to unlock the world’s most extraordinary places through exclusive privileged access and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

Reservations for the winter itineraries are now open. For more information, visit the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection website.





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Chinatown shops offer Black Friday deals, features local products

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Chinatown shops offer Black Friday deals, features local products


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Chinatown businesses are participating in the annual Shop Around event on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season.

The Shop Around features deals on locally-made products and Hawaii-themed merchandise.

Roberta Oaks owns a shop at the intersection of Nuuanu Avenue and North Pauahi Street called Roberta Oaks Hawaii.

It releases new items specifically for Black Friday each year.

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“We always love to put out a couple of new things on Black Friday,” Oaks said. “Our bamboo and chartreuse shirt this year will be a great Christmas shirt coming up.”

Local partnerships support event

American Savings Bank sponsors the Shop Around event, which Oak says is helpful for business.

“They’ve sponsored us for a few years now,” Oaks said. “They totally help us get print materials figured out. We’re able to hire a local artist to do our graphics, and then they also sponsor all of the tote bags that we end up giving away to customers on Black Friday.”

Focus on Hawaii-made products

Oaks’ shop features textiles, including aloha shirts, kitchen linens, and pouches, with a gift-with-purchase pouch promotion planned for this year.

The store also carries products from local artists, including blankets, jewelry made in the islands, bags made in Kaimuki, and ceramics.

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“I’m really big on supporting local artists and other handmade items,” Oaks said.

She emphasized the importance of supporting Hawaii-made products during the holiday shopping season.

“Made in Hawaii products, it’s so important to support the economy here in the islands,” Oaks said. “We are a very self-contained place. Supporting local made products, keeps jobs local. And shopping small, shopping local really does go a long way.”

The Chinatown Shop Around event runs Black Friday and Saturday, with participating businesses offering deals throughout the holiday season.

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Navy sailor dies after attempting to rescue children at Hawaii beach

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Navy sailor dies after attempting to rescue children at Hawaii beach


A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands died Saturday after attempting to rescue children from high surf at a Kauai beach, authorities said.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz died after first responders pulled him from waters off the military installation along the Hawaiian island’s western shore, the Kauai Police Department said in a release Monday.

On Saturday afternoon, emergency personnel were dispatched to Waiapua‘a Bay near Shenanigans, a restaurant located along the beach at PMRF, after reports of a swimmer in distress, according to the release.

Authorities said Diaz had entered the water to rescue two children who were “struggling in high surf.”

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“While the children made it back to shore safely, he encountered trouble in the water,” the Kauai Police Department said.

Ocean Safety Bureau and Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services Department personnel rescued the 47-year-old from the water and undertook lifesaving efforts, authorities said. He was transported to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, where he was later pronounced dead.

Diaz reported to PMRF in October, according to the Navy. He previously served on the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross and at Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, among other duty stations.

His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation and Kosovo Campaign Medal, among others.

Diaz enlisted in the Navy in 1997, according to service records. He promoted to master-at-arms 1st class in 2022.

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Beth Sullivan is an editor for Military Times. Previously, she worked as a staff reporter for The Daily Memphian and as an assistant editor at The Austin Chronicle.



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LIST: Here’s the holiday hours of malls on each island

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LIST: Here’s the holiday hours of malls on each island


HONOLULU (KHON2) — Not sure when the mall closest to you is open? This is your island-by-island mall guide to shopping during the holiday season of chaos and cheer!

Oʻahu

The busiest malls on Oʻahu include: Ala Moana Center, International Market Place, Kahala Mall, Ka Makana Aliʻi, Pearlridge Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikele Premium Outlets and Windward Mall.

Ala Moana

Normally open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the mall will extend their hours starting Dec. 5–although individual store and restaurant hours may be different.

The following hours are the holiday schedule:

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  • Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
  • Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 (Normal hours) – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 5 to 23 (Extended hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
  • Dec. 26-30 (Extended Hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Jan. 1 (Fukubukuro) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

During their extended hours, the mall will close at 8 p.m. on Sundays.

International Market Place

The International Market Place’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.

Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.

Kahala Mall

Regular mall hours for Kahala are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The following hours are the holiday schedule:

  • Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
  • Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Nov. 29 to Dec. 22 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 23 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
  • Dec. 26 to 29 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 30 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On Jan. 2, 2026, the regular mall hours will begin again for the new year.

Ka Makana Aliʻi

Ka Makana Aliʻi’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.

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Monday through Saturday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.

Pearlridge Center

The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The following is their extended holiday hours:

  • Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
  • Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Nov. 29 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 (Regular hours):
    • Mondays through Saturdays – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Sundays – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 8 to Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 15 to Dec. 19 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Dec. 20 to Dec. 23 – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
  • Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Some stores and restaurants may operate with varying hours.

The mall will return to its regular hours starting Dec. 26.

Royal Hawaiian Center

According to their website, Royal Hawaiian Center’s hours will not change for the holidays.

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Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain restaurants.

Waikele Premium Outlets

Starting on Dec. 1, the following are the extended hours for the center:

  • Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – CLOSED
  • Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Nov. 29 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Nov. 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 7 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Dec. 8 to Dec. 12 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 13 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Dec. 15 to Dec. 20 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 21 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Dec. 22 to 23 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
  • Dec. 26 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 27 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 28 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 29 to 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) to Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Windward Mall

The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Extended holiday hours are listed below:

  • Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving) – Closed
  • Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed

Kauai

The busiest shopping areas on Kauai include: Kukui Grove Center, Poipu Shopping Village, Princeville Center and The Shops at Kukuiʻula.

Kukui Grove Center

The center’s regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.

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Poipu Shopping Village

The village is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.

Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.

Princeville Center

The center’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.

The Shops at Kukuiʻula

Regular hours for the shops is 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.

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Shopping hours for Nov. 28 (Black Friday) are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Maui

The busiest places to shop on Maui include: Maui Mall Village, Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center, The Shops at Wailea and Whalers Village.

Maui Mall Village

From Nov. 17 to 23, the village hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.

Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center

The center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.

The Shops at Wailea

Regular hours at the shops are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours or closures.

Whalers Village

The village hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store and restaurant hours varying.

Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.

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Hawaiʻi Island

The busiest shopping places on Hawaiʻi Island include: Prince Kuhio Plaza, Queens’ Marketplace, The Shops at Mauna Lani and Waimea Center.

Prince Kuhio Plaza

The plaza’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.

Queens’ Marketplace

The marketplace hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.

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The Shops at Mauna Lani

The shops are open on Monday to Sunday with varying hours for each store.

Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.

Waimea Center

The Waimea Center hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

Hours vary for each store, but extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.

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