On Jan. 1, 2026, Hawaiʻi increased the statewide transient accommodations tax, or TAT, from 10.25% to 11%, with each county allowed to impose a surcharge of up to 3%. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green signed off on the increase in May 2025; the initiative establishes what state officials call the nation’s first climate impact fee, referred […]
*This story was updated on Dec. 24, 2025. A year ago on Dec. 23, 2024, one of the world’s most active volcanoes awoke. That morning, lava fountains spewed from a line of fissures at the base of the summit caldera. Declared episode one, the event was only a prelude to a series of dramatic eruptions at Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Prior to that, the
Hawaiian land snails are among the most threatened animal groups on the planet. Researchers believe 11 species of Endodonta once lived in the wild across the Hawaiian Islands—part of a family of about 200 species. Today, it is likely the last remaining species in the Endodonta genus. READ MORE: One Hawaiian Snail Dies, but the
The first confirmed humpback whale sighting of the 2025-2026 season was off the coast of Kauaʻi on Oct. 14, 2025. Holoholo Charters recorded the sighting at 7 a.m. Captain Kekoa and his crew aboard the vessel Holoholo spotted the whale along the island’s western coast while en route to Niʻihau for a tour. The
The first time I learned about the Alakoko Fishpond on Kaua‘i was back in 2012, when I hopped on a stand-up paddleboard on the Hulē‘ia River and glided right past it. Back then it was referred to as the Menehune Fishpond, named after the legendary craftsmen who worked at night, building heiau (temples) and fishponds.
Kīlauea continues to keep the world enthralled with its epic eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, which started on Dec. 23, 2024. Ten months later, the volcano remains active and mesmerizing. On Oct. 1, 2025, episode 34 began at 12:53 a.m. HST. According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, lava fountains soared to an estimated 1,300 feet. By
This story was originally published on Oct. 1, 2020 and updated on in September 2025. Autumn in Hawaiʻi is a subtle season. No golden foliage or snow days or apple-picking (apples don’t grow here). Fall is Hawaiʻi’s shoulder season—and is severely underrated. The weather starts to cool—the wettest months in Hawaiʻi are from November
Sept. 26 is Nēnē Awareness Day! The day celebrates Hawaiʻi’s state bird, while also highlighting the cultural significance of the endemic species and the threats it continues to face. Nēnē, or the Hawaiian goose, are found nowhere else in the world. The birds almost went extinct in the mid-1900s. Their habitats were destroyed during the Islands’
*This story was originally published on Sept. 17, 2024. Today is World Manta Day, a day to celebrate these majestic marine creatures and raise awareness of the threats they’re facing. Swimming with manta rays on Hawaiʻi Island—specifically off the Kona Coast—is on a lot of travelers’ bucket list. It’s one of the most unique
August may mark the start of school in Hawaiʻi—but it’s also sea turtle nesting season. Since 2020 nesting activity by Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, has increased every year across the state—a hopeful sign for this threatened and protected species. But that also means there may be more hatchlings on Hawaiʻi beaches, and beachgoers
This story was originally published on July 31, 2019. Perhaps you’ve seen the friendly, distinctively-colored nēnē (pronounced “nay-nay”) at a park, wildlife refuge, ranch, golf course or zoo in Hawaiʻi. But there’s more to these inquisitive birds than meets the eye. 1. The goose descends from the Canadian goose. Photo: Getty Images Did you
