A couple of years ago, Melia Goodenow, who founded Hawaiian Rainforest Naturals with her mom, hiked to the back of Manoa and gathered a few sets of four stones from a sacred underground pool at headwaters of the Apuakehau Stream, which used to flow through the land on which the spa stands today. These are […]
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
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
The sun is setting on Lahaina, and golden light pours into the oceanside restaurants on Front Street. It illuminates the 19th century wooden storefronts on Lahaina’s main drag, where streams of visitors wander in and out of the popular Kimo’s restaurant and pause for photo-ops on Forrest Gump’s bench in front of Bubba Gump Shrimp
Small in comparison to some of its sprawling neighbors, Koa Kea Hotel & Resort is proof that size doesn’t matter when quality is at such a high standard. Most suitable for honeymooners, couples or small families, the immaculate U-shaped resort surrounds a large lawn, pool, outdoor bar and hot tub. Everything about it feels exclusive
It feels like I’m living inside a postcard, lying on my banana-yellow stand-up paddleboard in the middle of the gorgeous, clear-blue Kaunaoa Bay that fronts Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. I close my eyes and let the calm water drift me this way then that, satisfied with the simplicity of the moment and wish I could
The Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is perhaps one of the park’s most underrated areas. Open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., this grassy section was once a historic ranch and spans 116,000 acres. Guests can expect to see remnants of ohia lehua forests, unique plant and
When describing Mama’s Fish House, calling the seafood eatery a Maui icon would almost be an understatement. Family owned and operated since 1973, the Paia restaurant has won numerous accolades, such as placing eighth on TripAdvisor’s list of the top 10 fine dining restaurants in America and being recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist
Ready for a night on the town in Honolulu’s bustling tourist mecca? Just follow our handy step-by-step guide for some of Waikiki’s best cocktails and views, or if you’re looking for a deal, stop by one of the happy hour spots on our list earlier in the evening for cocktails and pupu (appetizers). Tommy Bahama’s
I was on an Upcountry Maui mission. There were specific places I wanted—no, needed—to stop on a whirlwind day exploring the island’s Kula district. I craved fresh cream puffs from Komoda Bakery in the cowboy town of Makawao. I had plans to stroll the fields of Alii Kula Lavender Farm, high up on the mist-kissed
We wanted to reach Haena before the noon tide swamped the beach, hiding its photogenic black and white sand, the only sandy stretch for miles on a coast known for its imposing cliffs and currents. My friend Andrew and I were alone at the beginning of the Old Puna Trail, where the tidy grid of
I wasn’t even there yet, but already I was more relaxed. I was driving east in my compact rental car to Upcountry Maui. The area, hugging the slopes of Haleakala, is known for its agriculture and has been farmed since early times. Today, Upcountry has cultivated a reputation for harvesting strawberries, onions, protea and lavender and
