Mangoes, lychee, south swells and bon dances. These are all the things we look forward to in summer in Hawaiʻi. Wait—what’s a bon dance? The Obon—or bon—festival is an annual Japanese holiday held in the summertime that commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors. It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives. […]
Who doesn’t love a lūʻau? And Oʻahu has some of the best. Don’t believe us? Check out this list, all voted as the best in our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. 1. Paradise Cove View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paradise Cove (@paradisecoveluau) Sprawling across a beautiful 12-acre beachfront estate, Paradise
A fraction of a second. That’s what it’s all about. The late-night track preps. The early morning tow. The money. The time. All for a fraction of a second. On the west coast of Kaua‘i, past the small country town of Kekaha—where, for many, farmers markets and shoreline fishing are the premier weekend activities—lies a
Aloha wear has long been a symbol of Hawai‘i’s cultural heritage and the upcoming exhibit “Fashioning Aloha” at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), opening on April 12, takes viewers on a deep dive through nearly 90 years of aloha wear, showcasing 53 garments including holoku, mu‘umu‘u, holomu‘u and aloha shirts. The exhibit takes the
The prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival wrapped up this weekend in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island—and the hula and mele were nothing short of spectacular. Kaʻōnohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes, who represented the Oʻahu-based hālau Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e, took home the title of Miss Aloha Hula 2024 on Thursday night. The Oʻahu hālau, under the
While hula is the main attraction at the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, the gorgeous flowers used in lei and other adornment are show-shoppers, too. Many of these flowers are native to the Islands and have cultural significance to Native Hawaiians. Here are some flowers you might see on stage this year. Read More: 6 Iconic Tropical
Step back in time and into the heart of Hawaiian hospitality at the Old Lahaina Lūʻau, which reopened its doors on March 12 following a seven-month hiatus. The return of Old Lahaina Lūʻau marks a historic milestone and a beacon of hope after the Aug. 8 wildfire that destroyed Lahaina Town, including homes inhabited by
Anyone who meets Carissa Moore immediately feels her warmth and bright spirit. The humble athlete grew up surfing on Oʻahu’s south shore. But Moore is a house-hold name in the Islands. The professional surfer has spent the last 14 years competing on the World Surf League Championship Tour and during this time she’s clenched an
Hawaiʻi is the only U.S. state with two officials languages—English and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian. The language had been banned in the public education system in 1896; Hawaiʻi was annexed by the U.S. two years later. The language was on the verge of vanishing. Then, in 1978 the state constitution gave the Hawaiian language the
The 61st annual Merrie Monarch Festival runs from March 31 to April 6, with the competition held at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island. One of the largest events of the year, the festival features three straight days of competition—the Miss Aloha Hula competition on April 4, the kahiko division on
Hana Hou Hilo bustles with energy. Once an antiques and collectibles store focused on Hawaiiana and Oceania art and accessories, the boutique in sleepy Hilo town now sells an assortment of locally made goods, curated jewelry and apparel, as well as zero-waste, sustainably made products. And it all started with a wahine (woman) and her
Summer is one of the best times to visit Hawaiʻi. The days are longer, the weather is perfect—and there’s so much to do. From lounging on golden beaches to walking through botanical gardens, there’s already a lot to do in the Islands. And then there are the summer events and festivals. If you’re planning a
