Who doesn’t love the plucky sounds created by the ʻukulele, one of Hawaiʻi’s favorite and most iconic instruments. A distant member of the lute family, the ʻuke was actually brought over to the Islands by Portuguese immigrants from Madeira, however, Hawaiʻi locals—and monarchs like King Kalālakaua—quickly adopted the four-stringed noisemaker. Now, the ʻuke has gone global, […]
This episode of the “Have Aloha Will Travel” podcast is special for a few reasons. First and foremost, Roy Sakuma joins Cat and Kevin on the cast this week to talk about his history as a student of famed ʻukulele virtuoso Herb “Ohta-San” Ohta, how ʻukulele has changed his life and how he’s changing other
I’m banking hard, shifting my weight to meet the sloped dirt trail ahead of me. My balance doesn’t fail me, and I coast through the turn, only to have to lean left, then right as a series of tight corners puts my cycling abilities to the test. Finally, the path straightens out just enough to
Unlike O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and even Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i’s youngest island is also the biggest in the state. And that’s very exciting. Those with a sense of wanderlust, who love exploring unmarked dirt paths, who are always searching for the next best thing, will find solace on Hawai‘i Island. Calling the island and its beaches, businesses and boroughs hidden is almost
For years, Aloha Mondays didn’t even have a sign outside its unassuming kitchen in the heart of Hilo, on the corner of Lono Street and Kīlauea Avenue. And they still don’t have a set menu, but that’s on purpose. Known for its catering and food delivery services, Aloha Mondays also serves lunch and dinner, which are based entirely on
There are numerous reasons why visitors and locals love Onekahakaha Beach Park. Just south of downtown Hilo on Hawai‘i Island’s eastern shoreline, this family-friendly beach park is well-suited for those traveling with keiki (children). Lifeguards are on duty year-round. The beach’s expansive sand-bottom cove is protected from the ocean’s turbulent swells by a wall of lava rock and
Shadi Faridi stands in front of a wall dedicated almost entirely to lauhala hats, ranging in style from fedoras to berets to the more iconic wide-brimmed pāpale design. “I think I’ve always done this,” she says, admiring the different styles of hats that were handwoven by her mother, Michele Zane-Faridi, sister of famed Hawai‘i Island designer Sig Zane. Faridi practically grew
More often than not, the journey to a truly hidden gem starts on a small, bumpy dirt road. That applies to the bay that borders Kaloko Fishpond in Hawai‘i Island’s Kailua-Kona district. The area has many small, glassy little tide pools and a few picnic tables, often unoccupied. Located at the end of the Ala Nui Kaloko,
You’ll hear the same story from restaurants around the state: They want to work with as much local produce as possible, knowing that food grown right here in Hawai‘i is as fresh as it gets. However, there are always some concessions. This comes from Costco. That we have to bring in off-island. Those are too expensive
Over 700 years ago, ancient Hawaiian settlers founded Lapakahi, a small seaside village that for years prospered within Koai‘e Cove. The waters were abundant with marine life, the location was sheltered from the harsh Kohala winds and numerous thatched-roof hale (houses) were erected in the area. Today, it’s easy to see what once was at Lapakahi, now a historical
“An hour in the garden puts life’s problems in perspective.” This is on a sign posted on the door of Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden’s visitor center. I’ve only been here a minute, but I can already understand the sentiment on a spiritual level. Ever since my girlfriend, Kaila, and I crossed the the Ko‘olau Mountains on
UPDATED, March 9 2021: Starting March 15, Diamond Head State Monument will be open six days a week, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Wednesdays. Quietly, and without much grandeur, Diamond Head State Monument reopened on Dec. 18, 2020 after being closed for nine months. The hike, and its views, remain unchanged
