After years of intentional planning and renovation, the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui completed its stunning cultural redesign this January. The project updated more than just the resort’s luxurious one-bedroom suites and two-story villas; it also introduced a reimagined lobby with a new bar and restaurant as well as an immersive Hawaiian cultural center. The […]
If you’re craving traditional Hawaiian food fare—we’re talking kālua pig, lau lau and poi—stop at these reader-endorsed restaurants. Read More: What’s in a Hawaiian Plate, Anyway? 1. Helena’s Hawaiian Food This humble restaurant in Kalihi has topped our list multiple times. It opened in 1946, serving traditional, local Hawaiian food, including its popular version of pipi
Heading to Maui but want to stay somewhere other than a busy hotel or sprawling resort? Here are three under-the-radar accommodations that will make your vacation to the Valley Isle really feel like an escape. Lumeria Maui, Makawao The moment you walk onto the lush 5.6-acre property in Upcountry Maui, you get what Lumeria Maui
When people think of animal encounters in Hawaiʻi, they may envision majestic whales, energetic dolphins, serene sea turtles and vibrant schools of fish. However, there is also a plethora of land animals worthy of attention and affection. Here, we’ve compiled five farms on Maui that offer hands-on opportunities for visitors to interact with their beloved
From its humble beginnings when vendors peddled cups of powdered ice sweetened with fruit syrups out of pushcarts along the Honolulu Harbor, shaved ice has been a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Over a century later, a trip to Hawaiʻi is still not complete without this iconic local treat. 1. Matsumoto Shave Ice For
After a five-year the Pan-Pacific Festival returns today through Sunday, June 9 at various spots on O‘ahu, including Ala Moana and Waikīkī. The free event, which will feature performers from Japan and local musicians and arts, showcases everything from taiko to hula to food. And yes, there’s a parade, too. “We are thrilled to be
Mangoes, lychee, south swells and bon dances. These are all the things we look forward to in summer in Hawaiʻi. Wait—what’s a bon dance? The Obon—or bon—festival is an annual Japanese holiday held in the summertime that commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors. It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives.
If I’m not working or chasing south-shore waves on Oʻahu, I’m somewhere in the mountains. And usually with a dog. I’ve been hiking in Hawaiʻi since I was a kid, trekking the 4.8-mile ʻAiea Loop Trail on Oʻahu with my family or wandering along the ridges of the Koʻolau Mountains with friends. Hiking is one
Maui has it all, from award-winning restaurants to luxe resorts to some of the best beaches and hiking trails in the state. Here are five ways we love to enjoy the outdoors on the Valley Isle. 1. Pīpīwai Trail, Kīpahulu On the rugged eastern side of Maui is the Kīpahulu district of Haleakalā National
Hikers agree: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has some of the most unique trails anywhere in Hawaiʻi. You can walk across a hardened lava lake from a 1959 eruption or venture through a 500-year old lava tube. The 333,308-acre national park on Hawaiʻi Island has dozens of trails for every level, from the well-paved Devastation Trail
“It’s like a pad Thai fell into your mai tai.” That’s how Johnny, tiggerish bartender at Kai Maikaʻi, described the Sugarcane Blaze cocktail, an unexpected and fiery combination of smoky mezcal, Kō Hana Kea rum, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, peanuts and Szechuan pepper orgeat and mango syrup. And he’s not wrong. The cocktail, with a
Known for its golden-sand beaches and waterfalls, Maui has long been a favorite of visitors. The Valley Isle offers the best of all words—outdoor adventures, global cuisine, rugged terrain, world-class surf and luxury. Here are five of the best high-end hotels and resorts—chosen by readers in our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards—that combine style, luxury, comfort
