From birthdays and graduations to weddings and momentous achievements, lei is a ubiquitous gift commemorating celebrations and life transitions. The gift is considered a symbol of gratitude, love and honor in Hawaiʻi. For many long-time residents, it’s a ritual to visit the neighborhood lei stand to pick a gift made from fresh pua (flower) such as […]
As the sun sets over the Pacific, Maui’s sky turns into a fiery canvas. Off the beach, calm, glassy waters shimmer with vibrant shades of red and orange. From the mountains, lucky observers watch as the magic hour casts its spell over the Valley Isle, and from a delightful seaside restaurant, diners feast their eyes
Açaí and superfood smoothie bowls exploded in popularity thanks to their touted benefits and beautiful presentations. And the craze is still strong. In the Islands, local shops take açaí and smoothie bowls to the next level. Here, you’ll find açaí bases packed with extra superfoods and smoothie bowls topped with Island favorites like poi and
Regardless of the season, Hawaiʻi lures travelers with its warm weather, clear skies and cooling trade winds. But that doesn’t mean all seasons in the Islands are equal. Take the rainy season, which runs from November through March. This February, Hawaiʻi experienced a storm system referred to as a Kona low, a type of subtropical
Episode 104 of the “Have Aloha Will Travel” is a tribute to Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown. The streets of these Oʻahu neighborhoods are filled with fascinating stories and are home to establishments that have persevered through some of the most transformative decades in Hawaiʻi. READ MORE: Your Guide Downtown Honolulu, Oʻahu These businesses include
While gusty winds and heavy rain persist across Hawaiʻi, Mauna Kea on Hawaiʻi Island was blanketed with snow. And the summit wasn’t the only spot on the volcano to receive dusting. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, it snowed at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center, which sits at an elevation of about 9,200 feet. The
As winter comes to an end and spring begins to bloom, festivals and events are sprouting up across Hawaiʻi. You can kick off the month of March by celebrating International Women’s Day at a market featuring local wāhine artisans. The following week, Honolulu Festival returns for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a
From white wine and apple cider to rice and sherry, diligent shoppers are probably familiar with the regular lineup of vinegars on grocery store shelves. But at Hawaiian Vinegar Co. the tart liquid is different, more nuanced. It’s bright, flavorful and just acidic enough to make your lips pucker, and each batch of the company’s
Cross soft Japanese mochi with a fluffy Portuguese malasada and the result is an out-of-the-ordinary but delightful mochisada. “It’s the love child between malasadas and mochi,” says Kevin Yim, the vice president of marketing and communications at Zippy’s. At the local chain restaurant—which has 24 locations across Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island—customers can indulge
Tomorrow isn’t just Feb. 21. It’s Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras. In Hawaiʻi, it’s more commonly known as Malasada Day; a day to indulge in the popular deep-fried, sugar-dusted doughnuts. To celebrate one of sweetest days of the year, Kevin Allen, Catherine Toth Fox and Grace Maeda unpack their go-to indulgent
It’s difficult to find a name more legendary in Hawaiʻi’s shave ice industry than Matsumoto. Serving the Islands’ ubiquitous cold treat and maintaining an endearing charm, Matsumoto Shave Ice has drawn residents and visitors to Oʻahu’s North Shore for decades. This week the Matsumoto family celebrates 72 years of business in Haleʻiwa. On Saturday, Feb.
