Considered the pinnacle of long-distance Hawaiian outrigger canoe racing, the Kaiwi Channel is a grueling 41-mile stretch of open ocean separating the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai and Oahu. In Hawaiian, ka iwi suitably means “the bone”—it takes every muscle and fiber of the human body to complete, a reminder that, when one’s physicality is stripped […]
Manaola Yap makes history this week as the first Native Hawaiian fashion designer to present an entire runway line at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Getting the chance to take part in the world-renowned event is remarkable on its own, never mind that Yap’s company and brand, Manaola, is only 2 years old. A
The Emmy award-winning special, “Rap’s Hawaii,” was produced for KGMB way back in 1982, but still cracks up Hawaii folks more than 30 years later. At the time of broadcast, Reiplinger was already a name in Hawaii. He’d made his bones in the ’70s, performing with James Grant Benton and Edward Kaahea as Booga Booga
Every occasion is an occasion to gift a lei, says expert lei maker and fashion designer Meleana Estes. It’s something her late tutu (grandmother), also a lei maker, instilled in her as a child. Perhaps more important than the techniques and methods of lei making, her tutu taught her that making and gifting a lei
While you may already be familiar with the many photos of legendary waterman, five-time Olympic gold medalist and father of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku, film clips of him are few and far between. That’s what makes these black-and-white peeks into pivotal periods of his life so incredibly special. 1. See Duke break his own record in the 1920
On August 13, hundreds of fans and onlookers packed all three levels of the main atrium at the International Market Place to watch the unveiling of a statue honoring the late Hawaiian musician Don Ho. The unveiling coincided with the legendary entertainer’s 87th birthday and the shopping center’s one-year anniversary. The placing of the statue
Along the southerly slopes of Kahoolawe, a sacred pohaku (rock) is poised dangerously at the edge. The flat boulder, about 12 feet in diameter and etched with petroglyphs, sweeping lines and 32 poho, or pecked man-made cupules, lies horizontal from the precipice of a fast-eroding ravine. Elevated 20 feet high, believed to be purposefully aligned
If it’s Thursday morning in Kaanapali, and you’re walking in front of the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, you might see people lizard crawling and swinging around really large sticks. It’s all part of the Kiakahi program that’s now offered at the resort—an innovative style of fitness unlike anything you’ll find at a gym. Opened
The passing of Roland Cazimero on July 16, 2017 at the age of 66 makes an already difficult year in Hawaiian music that much more so. Having lost folks like Mahi Beamer, Martin Pahinui and Eddie Kamae, among others, 2017 shows no signs of letting up. But we’ll always have the tunes to remember each
Hawaii’s busiest tourist district has changed a lot over the last century, but some landmarks have stayed the same. Here are some incredible images that show just how Waikiki Beach and its hotels, culture and people have changed. Landing on Oahu Then: Visitors arrived to Oahu after a days-long ocean voyage. In 1927, Matson built the
Sitting atop a piano in a glamorous, black evening gown, a red feather boa flung dramatically around her neck and belting out a popular 1940s Hawaiian standard, Amy Hanaialii is in the zone. In the darkened room, a single spotlight beams down as she charms the audience from her throne with a jazzy rendition of
Beneath the light of the full Big Island moon, a magical string of moments transpires: The air fills with mele (songs) and laughter over a kanikapila session, where all are welcome. It’s the kind of tropical ambiance many young and old yearn to replicate—a Hawaiian night that shines a light on the past. Thanks
