It’s well-known among locals that if you’re visiting Hawaiʻi Island, you better return with delicious omiyage (gifts) to share. From fluffy sweet bread to delightful strawberry mochi, some seriously iconic sweet treats can be enjoyed on Hawaiʻi Island. According to HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, these are the best bakeries on the Big Island in 2025. […]
On an island known for its high prices, finding delicious cheap eats can feel like striking gold. Yet, many of Hawaiʻi’s iconic dishes are the result of creative cooking with humble ingredients. From the simple Spam musubi to no-frills saimin and shave ice (it’s literally just ice!), these foods prove that you don’t need to
Hawai‘i boasts an incredible and vibrant culinary scene. And with exciting restaurants opening every year, it’s hard to narrow down which new eateries are the best. Thanks to our savvy HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, here are the best five new restaurants in Hawaiʻi that rose to the top of our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. 1. Makawao
Hawaiʻi is a top travel destination thanks to its beautiful beaches, which are among the best in the world. Stretches of golden coastlines and crystal-clear waters help define the Islands as paradise. It’s nearly impossible to create a list of the best beaches in the Islands, so we ask our readers every year. The results
Hawai‘i, the most expensive U.S. State to live in, according to the world population review, can be an expensive vacation destination, too. But with some insider tips, you can significantly reduce the cost of your tripand still check it off your bucket list. There are plenty of affordable (or free!) ways to enjoy the islands,
From paniolo (cowboy) and historic plantation districts to oceanfront streets, Hawaiʻi is dotted with one-of-a-kind neighborhoods. Filled with history and charm, you can explore vibrant towns across the Islands that are home to quirky cafés, fabulous boutiques, trendy restaurants and hidden gems, too. These are the best towns in Hawaiʻi that you’ll want to add
*This story was originally published on Mar. 17, 2020. It is another warm Saturday morning in downtown Honolulu. Gentle streams of light pour through the windows of ‘Iolani Palace’s former archives building and into the cool, air-conditioned room. Dozens of women are busily setting up space amongst the tables and chairs, arms full of
*This story was originally published on Jun. 24, 2015 Where did the Spam musubi originate? What does “manapua” mean? We traced the history of five Hawaiʻi comfort food favorites all the way back to their earliest origins to decipher the roots of their modern-day multicultural appeal. Malasadas These chewy, steamed or baked buns, filled
After much anticipation, HAWAIʻI Magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards is available and on newsstands! (Get your copy here.) From the best beaches and hiking trails to family-friendly resorts and lūʻau, this list represents the best of the best in Hawaiʻi. Over the next few weeks, you’ll get a sneak peek of the winners, as
It’s 9 a.m. in Hale‘iwa on O‘ahu’s North Shore and surfers, paddlers and visitors are already hitting the beach and surf shops. But there’s another side to the world’s surfing capital: Tucked back from the main road, behind eateries and a row of palm trees, is the nonprofit Mālama Loko Ea, which has been restoring
The story of the Lydgates on Kaua‘i begins in 1865 when Will Lydgate’s great-great-grandfather William Ludgate (later changed to Lydgate), an engineer and a millwright, came to the island to work in the plantation business. His son, John Mortimer Lydgate, Will’s great-grandfather, worked for King Kalākaua as a land surveyor, and was an assistant to
If you’re like us, you love to eat—and you don’t always put a price tag on that experience. So we put together some of the most splurge-worthy dining experiences you can have in the Islands, from a candlelight dinner in a treehouse to breakfast on the rim of an active volcano. Every spot is Instagram
