Family-owned mom-and-pop shops are harder to come by these days amid all of Hawaiʻi’s chain stores and off-island brands. Fortunately, the island of Hawaiʻi still has plenty of small, locally owned, often family-run businesses. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the small town of Hōlualoa, located on the upland slopes of Kona. This area—at […]
The new Ewa Wing Expansion at Ala Moana Center. Photo: Courtesy of Ala Moana Center Our editorial team walked the entire 55-acre mall, which boasts more than 2 million square feet of retail space and is one of the Top 10 biggest malls in the U.S. (It’s currently still the largest outdoor mall in America.)
“Come closer,” my guide says. My eyes widen—I’m already mere steps away from the action—but I do as I’m told. Just a foot in front of me, I watch as a woman deftly peels and folds look funn, Cantonese steamed rice noodles, into long translucent rolls. In under a minute, the stack of slippery sheets
If you’ve seen a postcard of Waikīkī, there’s a pretty good chance Lēʻahi, more commonly known as Diamond Head, will be in there somewhere, showing off its epic ridges and, after a good rain, lush foliage. The volcanic crater is open to visitors—more than 3,000 people hike here every day, making this one of the
Kihei Caffe, Kihei The taro leaf risotto. Photo: Catherine Toth Fox Nestled on the Maui Tropical Plantation, The Mill House is surrounded by the farmlands that produce much of the ingredients featured on its menu. Dishes are imaginative and delicious, from the coconut curry with Kauai-grown prawns and local fish to the toasted pavlova made
Who knew there was a heiau (Hawaiian shrine) behind Kailua’s YMCA? Not me. I’ve driven by the spot countless times on my way to the beach and somehow never paid attention to the massive historic stone structure, Ulupō Heiau, just steps from Kailua Road. It’s a spot I would have never known to visit without
Hana, Maui, is a lush place, and there’s no better way to experience the bounty grown by local farmers and caught by Hana-based fishermen than at these food trucks and farm stands along Hana Highway. 1. Ono Organic Farms Fruit Stand Da Fish Shack is recommended by locals for its fish and chips and other
When Oahu’s weather gets hot and humid, there’s only one thing on my mind: a nice, heaping serving of shave ice, soaked with flavorful syrup, drenched in condensed milk and topped with li hing mui powder. Today was no different, and to give my air conditioner a break, I grabbed my girlfriend and headed to
Instagram: It’s the new frontier, especially in Hawaiʻi, where many eateries, like the ever-inventive Black Sheep Cream Co. in Waipahu and Wahiawā, ditch websites and use Instagram as their primary way to advertise. The photo-sharing social media site is where you can learn the menus and flavors of the day—as long as you’re in the
Perhaps you’ve seen the friendly, distinctively-colored nene (pronounced “nay-nay”) at a park, wildlife refuge, ranch, golf course or zoo in Hawaii. But there’s more to these inquisitive birds than meets the eye. 1. The nene goose is descended from the Canadian goose. Photo: Getty Images 4. The Hawaiian name “nene” comes from the bird’s soft,
Snuggled in the southeastern corner of Oahu, Hawaii Kai is a hidden gem just 10 miles and a 25-minute car ride from Waikiki. Once a seaside wetland and ancient fishpond, Hawaii Kai was transformed into a residential community in 1959 by Henry J. Kaiser. While Hanauma Bay and Makapuu Lighthouse draw many to the neighborhood,
No doubt about it, summer has arrived. And although a day at the beach is always a great way to escape the heat and humidity that comes with Hawaiʻi’s dog days, sometimes you need to indulge in some shave ice, or ice shave as it’s called in Hilo. If you’re tired of staple flavors like
