Kōkeʻe State Park is a hiker’s dream, with 45 miles of hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of Kauaʻi’s fabled Nāpali Coast. But as someone who has made all sorts of travel mistakes in my life—including thinking we could grab dinner at the park’s restaurant only to find out it closes at 4:30 p.m. and […]
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Kauaʻi is for those who truly want to get away. Lush mountains, cascading waterfalls, remote beaches — the island offers the Hawaiʻi vacation of your dreams. Hike through tropical rainforests or along breathtaking pali (cliffs). Kayak through verdant valleys to hidden waterfalls. Walk along more than 50 miles of beaches. If you want get away,
It’s International Poke Day (Sept. 28)—so what does that mean? That means you should celebrate by eating Hawaiʻi’s iconic dish—with cubed raw fish, seaweed, sweet onions and inamona (roasted kukui, or candlenut)—wherever you are. Unless you don’t have access to fresh ʻahi. Or you’re a vegetarian. Or you don’t like fish. Or you’re not in the Islands, which
Growing up in Kaimukī on O‘ahu, Keoni Williams remembers learning how to string plumeria lei with his grandmother, who used to work in a flower shop in Hilo. “That’s one of my earliest memories of making lei,” Williams says. “It kinda stuck with me through the years.” So when the pandemic hit in 2020, Williams
Maui has something for everyone. Hikers can trek through the otherworldly Haleakalā National Park, couples can stroll along Mākena Beach at sunset, families can snorkel near honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) at Maluaka Beach (aka Turtle Town). Here are 10 essential experiences every traveler should have while on the Valley Isle. 1. Catch Sunrise (or
Growing up on Oʻahu, I spend a lot of time in Mānoa, a sleepy neighborhood a few miles mauka (upland) of Waikīkī. I take my son to play at Mānoa Valley District Park, hike the trails in the area, grab lunch at Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies and meet friends at quaint coffee shops. It’s easily
Known for its all-day breakfast and addictive Coco Puffs, Liliha Bakery has been local favorite since it opened in 1950. Starting today, Aug. 31, the bakery opens its fifth location, this time in Pearl Highlands Center in Central Oʻahu. It opened its fourth location in November 2021 in the International Market Place—its only in Waikīkī.
Following an 18-day closure, the popular Nāhuku lava tube in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has reopened after the National Park Service deemed it safe enough for visitors to return. The walk-through lava tube—formerly known as the Thurston Lava Tube—had been moving more than usual. Park officials were concerned the tube was widening, making the large
Planning a trip to Oʻahu this winter and thinking of staying in a vacation rental and not a hotel? There’s a new law going into effect Oct. 23 that will increase the minimum stay at a short-term rental—think Airbnb or Vrbo—in a non-resort area from 30 to 90 days. The controversial bill was passed by
A question we often receive from readers is how they can ship haku lei—or any lei—from Hawaiʻi to the Mainland (continental United States). The answer is really just knowing which local lei companies to use. The gesture of giving and receiving lei is incomparable. To adorn someone you love with a colorful, fragrant accessory made entirely
Standing among a row of tall, verdant trees, Kea Keolanui hands me a small leaf and says, “Chew on this.” The bitter taste is slightly mouth-numbing and I have zero guesses of what this spice is. Keolanui tells me it’s clove. The aromatic flower buds are from Syzgium aromaticum tree, which are native to Indonesia
