This story was originally published on Aug. 5, 2016. The monster winter swells on Oʻahu’s North Shore is world famous, but summertime is a different story. While the surf may be flat and professional surfers are chasing waves elsewhere, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. Here are four reasons why the North […]
My friend and I sit on wooden Adirondack chairs, basking in the sun and talking about the next few days of our Maui getaway. It’s her first time on the Valley Isle and we have a lot planned: Visiting Haleakala, cruising Upcountry, seeing the culturally significant Kukaemoku (Iao Needle). Plus, she has a foodie’s hit
Around 5 p.m. every week, more than 2,000 people descend onto the Wailua Marina State Park in Kapaa to tuck into some kalua pork and watch festive hula. Nestled into the back of the verdant valley park in east Kauai’is Smith’s Tropical Paradise, home of Kauai’s most popular luau. The family-owned and -operated company, started in
I make a scoop with my hand and pull out sticky, slippery white beans from a ridged, yellow pod. It’s a cloudy Friday afternoon in Kapaʻa in East Kauaʻi. I’m in a small clearing in a cacao orchard on Lydgate Farms. Every month, Will Lydgate, the owner and namesake of Lydgate Farms, hosts cacao-harvesting volunteer
Kapaa is a charming Kauai town, known for its colorful, eclectic storefronts and rolling white sand beaches. Located on the southeast shore of the island, Kapaa is only about 9 miles from the Lihue Airport and takes roughly 20 minutes to reach by car. Once a part of Kauai’s plantation past, this bustling, historic town
Several Maui restaurants have dedicated zero-proof menus for patrons who want to enjoy beverages sans alcohol, which isn’t a bad idea following an overindulgence of food and drink during the holidays. Dubbed mocktails—mock cocktails—these handcrafted drinks are made with fun ingredients such as housemade syrups, local fruit juices and muddled herbs. They’re so good, you
Located on Kauai’s northwest shore, the towering green bluffs of the Napali, which means “the cliffs” in Hawaiian, rise from the edge of the island like an emerald-encrusted crown. There are only three ways to see the Napali Coast: on foot, by air and by sea, and for this trip, I’ve chosen the latter. Aa
As I bounced along the dirt road to my cottage on Kauai’s west side, I felt I had traveled to another time in Hawaii’s history. Booking a stay at Waimea Plantation Cottages will make you feel that way, the bucolic homes are interspersed in a coconut grove overlooking the ocean, far removed from the hustle
Elizabeth Freeman had just finished eating soup from the Healthy Hut Market & Café in the small town of Kilauea, Kauai, when an idea came to her. She set down her spoon, looking at it with newfound appreciation. “I was looking at the spoon convex side up, and I wondered if I could make the
For the past 25 years, Hawaii Forest and Trail has cultivated a reputation for fun, knowledgeable tours of some of Hawaii Island’s most thrilling locales. Founded by husband and wife, Rob and Cindy Pacheco, their company is known for taking visitors and residents on adventurous activities, such as stargazing atop Mauna Kea and hiking on
I first spot them as I rumble along the long gravel road. The soft, bristled flowers are like mini red fireworks dotting the forest. I’m in Mountain View, a small town about 15 miles east of Hilo, visiting a tucked-away property called the Lyons Estate. True to its name, Mountain View is known for its scenic
Inside each tank is an adult day octopus—called hee in Hawaiian—native to Hawaii waters and active during the daytime. At Kanaloa Octopus Farm, it’s a look and touch kind of experience. It’s a sunny Friday afternoon and I’m on a tour with 20 other people. Kanaloa Octopus Farm is located at scenic Keahole Point, about 10
