While the moment-to-moment experiences of being in Hawaiʻi—having your toes in the sand, reaching an overlook on some stunning trail, sipping a mai tai at sunset—may be the main reason people vacation to the Islands, it is the memories, those glimpses in time that remain in your mind for eternity, that make people’s trips truly […]
There are a lot of reasons visitors and locals love Kauaʻi. The aloha-first atmosphere, catching views from the breathtaking Waimea Canyon and hiking the iconic Nāpali Coast are all great reasons to visit the Garden Isle. But for some—actually, many—it’s the beaches that steal away the hearts and minds of those who visit. Below are the five best
When Doug Brunner first visited Hawaiʻi in 1988—during Spring Break while he was attending college in Wisconsin—he fell in love. With the plumeria tree. “I was amazed at all the varieties,” says Brunner, who now owns Maui Plumeria Gardens in Haʻikū on Maui with more than 400 trees. “There was the common Celadine, but there
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
You voted—and we tallied! This year’s Readers’ Choice Awards may look different—we published a digital issue instead of a print one—but the list is just the same, maybe even better. It’s more focused and useful—and we had a record number of votes this year. Without giving too much away, there are some surprises—we already told
With tourism once again ramping up, Hawaiʻi has seen a large influx of visitors enjoying everything the Islands have to offer. And Hawaiʻi Island, often referred to as the Big Island by locals, is no different. From the sleepy streets of Hilo to the stunning beaches of Kona, the island has seen a resurgence of
Hawaiʻi boasts nine national parks, from the site of an attack that launched the U.S. into World War II to areas sacred to Native Hawaiians. These important sites are great places for visitors to explore and learn more about Hawaiʻi’s unique history and culture. (And it’s great week to do it—it’s National Park Week!) Here
It’s almost that time of the year again, where we release our annual HAWAIʻI Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards results! Who will win this years’ categories, like Best Island, Best Beach and Best Town? You’ll have to check out the digital issue—via the HAWAIʻI Magazine app—to find out … or you can listen to this week’s episode where
Sure, the beaches and hikes and landscapes of Hawaiʻi get most of the attention from visitors, but when it comes to what gives Hawaiʻi that aloha spirit, you have to take into account the Islands’ towns. That is, after all, where the people are. From businesses to tours, shops and boutiques, it’s the positive attitudes and
On April 5 Kauaʻi rejoined the state’s Safe Travels testing program, which would allow travelers to bypass Hawaiʻi’s mandatory 10-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before arriving in the Islands. (It originally opted out in December 2020.) That means traveling to Kauaʻi is now an option—as long as you meet all the
Disclaimer: Don’t listen to this podcast on an empty stomach! This week’s guest, Kevin Yim, vice president of marketing at Zippy’s, knows everything there is to know about the local comfort food chain and he has some delectable dishes to recommend. The podcast also centers around the history of Zippy’s—and Napoleon’s Bakery—, how they became
While many incoming visitors to Maui may only have one thing on their minds—the beach!—it’s important to know that The Valley Isle has so much more to offer. From emerald-green tidepools to a flora-infused stone needle that towers 1,200 feet into the sky, adventurous visitors will find countless attractions that are worth a day away
