Oahu’s west side gets a bad rap: Parents tell their kids to leave their valuables at home if they’re heading in that direction, and its town names, such as Waianae and Nanakuli, strike fear into the hearts of some visitors and locals. However, much of that is unwarranted and the rugged beauty of the island’s […]
Nestled along the slopes of the dormant Hualalai volcano on Hawaii Island, a traditional stone forno (Portuguese for “oven”) burns with sweet anticipation. Master baker Laurie Westrich, her hair wrapped up in a palaka (checkered) bandana and wearing a matching apron dusted with white flour, rakes the hot kiawe coals heating up the forno’s domed
Everyone loves spotting Hawaiian monk seals along Hawaii’s shores. They’re an adorable reminder why Hawaii adopted the animal as its state mammal. Known primarily for its plump figure and lounging attitude, here’s some extracurricular information on our favorite beach-goers. They have many names Although referred to in English as the Hawaiian monk seal for its
A cosmos of plankton swirls near my face as I breathe through my snorkel, making sounds not unlike Darth Vader. Tiny orange shrimp, just-hatched, staple-sized translucent larval fish and green algal blobs dance in front of my mask, all driven by internal instinct to the surface by a spotlight facing the seafloor. Beyond, blackness is
In the beginning, there’s a garden. But for those embarking on the Islands’ most celebrated road trip, like so much of the sprawling vegetation along and up East Maui’s mountainsides, it’s easy to cruise right past without proper notice. Just 15 minutes into what’s projected to be a two-and-a-half hour escapade to Kipahulu, I can
Wherever Kathy Carroll goes on the small, friendly island of Lanai, invariably someone asks her about one of her cats, or says a playful “good meow-ning” to her in passing. Kathy Carroll, Lanai Cat Sanctuary founder. Photo by Steve Czerniak for HAWAII Magazine Carroll is known as The Cat Lady. She feeds and houses 425 cats
The Aiea Loop trail is a popular hike along Halawa Valley in south central Oahu. You’ll see everyone on this hike, from small children and bounding dogs to trail runner and elderly hikers with walking sticks. We also saw a group of mothers, carrying their young children in hiking carriers. The 4.8-mile loop, although long, is
If you ask someone where Turtle Town is on Maui, it’s likely you could get two, maybe three different answers. Several spots just south of Wailea from Nahuna Point to Black Sand Beach have impressive snorkeling with an abundance of turtle sightings. Best of all, none of these spots have the crowds of say, Hanauma
One of Hawaii’s most beautiful scenic byways is a 19-mile stretch of road on Kauai’s warm and sunny south shore. It is a gateway to adventure and an interactive storybook of the people and places that define the tiny town of Koloa. Holo Holo Koloa Scenic Byway highlights two dozen points of archeological, historical and
Year-round, even when the winter surf is up, Hanalei River remains gentle and placid for those who want to safely explore Kauai’s waterways. The palm tree-lined river forms on the slopes of Mount Waialeale—one the wettest spots on earth—and edges up against Hanalei town, where there are numerous surf shops with stand-up paddleboards (SUP) available
You came to the Islands for its stunning sandy beaches, the turquoise waves tickling your toes. But there are great botanical gardens, too. Each is maintained with lush, indigenous flora, as well as unique plants and trees from across the globe. These gardens are worth a visit. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time for
Hāna is just a gorgeous drive away. A gorgeous two-and-a-half hour drive with 59 bridges and 620 curves away, to be exact. The Road to Hāna, a highway that connects Kahului to Hāna, is a highly recommended daytime drive to really see the undeveloped scenery of Maui’s east side. Whether you’ve been to the island
