*This story was originally published on Mar. 17, 2020. It is another warm Saturday morning in downtown Honolulu. Gentle streams of light pour through the windows of ‘Iolani Palace’s former archives building and into the cool, air-conditioned room. Dozens of women are busily setting up space amongst the tables and chairs, arms full of […]
*This story was originally published on May 19, 2020. Every surf break on Oʻahu, even the ones that only emerge during historic swells, has a name. And these backstories can be intriguing, clever—or downright hilarious. Here are some of the stories behind Oʻahu’s surf breaks, thanks to the manaʻo (thought, belief, theory) of historian John
“Here Comes Santa in His Red Canoe” by the Surfers Here’s a mele kalikimaka question: If Santa’s part of a crew of paddlers, which position does he take? Steersman? Stroker? Is Santa a middle, power guy? Unfortunately, “Here Comes Santa in His Red Canoe” doesn’t give us any answers, but the 1959 rock-a-hula tune does
Here’s HAWAII Magazine’s list of the twelve most romantic songs ever to come out of our Islands. Many of the compositions that made the final cut were pretty obvious, but if we missed your favorite, feel free to let us know. Be sure to click on each of the song titles to hear them. 1. “Ke
Updated on April 23, 2021 One of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic tree, the ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is steeped in the Islands’ history. The flowers are gorgeous—coming in a variety of colors from red to yellow and even white—and have played muse for many local clothing and accessory
Six of us stand outside ‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu, looking through a wrought-iron fence encircling a mound covered in grass and flowers. “That is a burial mound,” Lopaka Kapanui says. “Sometimes, groundskeepers still catch people trying to unearth the bones that lie underneath.” The sun has already set and the humid summer heat seems to
Maybe I’m a bird nerd, but every summer I log in my calendar when I see the first kōlea of the year. It’s one of those momentous occasions for me, seeing a Pacific golden plover flap its long wings—these birds have a 17-inch wingspan—or perch on a rooftop in my neighborhood. Growing up on Oʻahu, I
Many of us are stuck at home (again) and looking for crafty things to do. We asked our friend, Honolulu-based crafting guru Joy Shimabukuro (@thejoyofcrafting) of Ben Franklin Crafts, to come with something fun for us to make at home. SEE ALSO: Watch: Make This Simple Ribbon Lei for May Day Wherever You Are And BONUS:
This is the first of three blogs about how Oʻahu neighborhoods have changed since the spread of COVID-19. Read what Kailua looks like here and Haleʻiwa here. Growing up on Oʻahu, there were only three reasons I ventured into Waikīkī: to go to a wedding or prom, to surf, or to celebrate a special occasion at a fancy
Tucked away on Oʻahu’s Windward Side, at the base of the majestic Koʻolau Mountains, Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is one of the best-kept secrets on O‘ahu. Although the temple is just a short drive from popular destinations like Windward Mall and Kāneʻohe Bay, when you step onto its quiet grounds, you’re
Warrior. Leader. Ruler. Legend. King Kamehameha the Great held many titles during his reign as ali‘i nui (high chief, ruler) of the Hawaiian Islands. Celebrated as one of the most important and significant rulers in Hawaiian history, the monarch is honored on June 11—King Kamehameha Day—when lei draping ceremonies, parades and other cultural celebrations take
In Hawai‘i art and aloha go hand in hand. For nearly 15 years, the Hawaiian nonprofit arts organization, 808Urban, known for its large-scale murals, has spread the aloha spirit through community organizing and art. Most recently, 808Urban collaborated with the Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa to create “Leialoha,” a mural of lei spanning 15
