Growing up on Oʻahu, I spend a lot of time in Mānoa, a sleepy neighborhood a few miles mauka (upland) of Waikīkī. I take my son to play at Mānoa Valley District Park, hike the trails in the area, grab lunch at Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies and meet friends at quaint coffee shops. It’s easily […]
Known for its all-day breakfast and addictive Coco Puffs, Liliha Bakery has been local favorite since it opened in 1950. Starting today, Aug. 31, the bakery opens its fifth location, this time in Pearl Highlands Center in Central Oʻahu. It opened its fourth location in November 2021 in the International Market Place—its only in Waikīkī.
Amid concrete buildings and bustling streets, a quipo tree towers over a collection of palms and tropical plants. The quipo is a deciduous tree which reaches heights of 150-200 feet, and the tree in Foster Botanical Garden was planted more than 90 years ago. Not far from the quipo tree in the garden is a
When vacationing on O‘ahu, visitors almost always include a lūʻau on their to-do list. Add award-winning entertainment, a 750-seat theater and Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson tribute artists to the mix, and you’re in for a memorable one-of-a-kind treat. It’s not every day you get to spend an evening in the heart of Waikīkī, so
From pristine beaches and verdant rainforests to renown restaurants and all the hidden gems in between, there’s a week’s worth of exploring on Maui. But sometimes, you just fall short on time. So, for those with only a day to spend on the Valley Isle, here are a few pointers and recommendations to experience the
Standing among a row of tall, verdant trees, Kea Keolanui hands me a small leaf and says, “Chew on this.” The bitter taste is slightly mouth-numbing and I have zero guesses of what this spice is. Keolanui tells me it’s clove. The aromatic flower buds are from Syzgium aromaticum tree, which are native to Indonesia
Seeing a waterfall in Hawaiʻi. Yes, it’s a thing. And one of the most accessible waterfalls is ʻAkaka Falls on Hawaiʻi Island. In fact, you can see two waterfalls—ʻAkaka Falls and the smaller Kahuna Falls—on this short but beautiful hike through a lush rainforest filled with bamboo and wild orchids. And it’s only a half-hour
Summer is in full swing. Here in Hawaiʻi, this means more daylight, south shore swells and an abundance of mangoes. It also means kids are out of school. If you’re looking to occupy your keiki at home or while on vacation, exciting family-friendly activities are scattered throughout the Islands that will thrill your little ones
After two years of virtual concerts, the Honolulu Zoo Society’s Wildest Show is back this summer in Waikīkī. These popular outdoor concerts on the lawn at the Honolulu Zoo are held on Wednesday evenings and feature live local entertainment from Hawaiʻi’s top leading musicians. The five-week series takes place every Wednesday evening from June 29
Like most of the neighborhoods on Kauaʻi, the quiet town of Kīlauea is a tranquil respite—and not to be confused with the active Kīlauea volcano on Hawaiʻi Island. While it’s home to the historic Kīlauea Lighthouse, it’s a town often bypassed on the drive to Hanalei. But it’s worth the detour to stop and wander
Hawai’i is a place that enables visitors to relax and recharge by enjoying mai tais, sunsets, and beach time. Through the growing voluntourism movement, some people are choosing to reinvest in the islands by spending a few hours of their vacation volunteering. What might seem at first like work that detracts from time off is
From parrotfish and butterfly fish to Moorish idol and yellow tang, many of Hawaiʻi’s most colorful and rare creatures are in the surrounding seas. With its crystal clear waters and interesting coral formations, Kauaʻi provides ideal conditions to explore this underwater world. So, grab a snorkel and pair of fins and check out the snorkeling
