In Hawaiʻi winter brings cooler weather, humpback whales and, of course, massive surf to north-facing shores. Surfing—or heʻe nalu in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language)—is believed to have originated in ancient Polynesia and brought to the Islands, where it thrived. Once a sport reserved for aliʻi (Hawaiian royalty), commoners were allowed to hit the waves when […]
In 2021 Carissa Moore clinched her fifth World Surf League championship and a few months later became the first female to win an Olympic gold medal in surfing. And now the world can read all about it—and much more—in her new book, “Hawai‘i Gold: A Celebration of Surfing.” It’s a remarkable tribute to the sport’s
HAWAIʻI Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards are back! Thousands of you voted in our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, selecting your favorite hotels, restaurants and beaches—and we need your help again. From malasadas and poke bowls to hiking trails and golf courses, this is your chance to vote for your favorite businesses and spots across the Islands.
If you’ve ever explored the Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve on Oʻahu westernmost promontory, you’ll know how special it is. Not only is it one of the last intact sand dune ecosystems in the main Hawaiian Islands, but the area is also home to wedge-tailed shearwaters, Laysan albatross and Hawaiian monk seals. (Winter months bring humpback whales
Picture relaxing in Hawai‘i. We’re pretty sure you imagined a beach. Hawai‘i has some of the best ones in the world, from the glittering sands of Lanikai on O‘ahu to the jet-black sands of Punalu‘u on Hawai‘i Island. And some of these beach locales have more than just sandy shores: You’ll find great restaurants, cute
Years ago, I went on a ghost tour with Native Hawaiian storyteller Lopaka Kapanui, visiting haunted spots on Oʻahu. It was early evening, the sun had long set. We were standing in a remote area on the windward side of Pali Highway. And this is when Kapanui, who runs Mysteries of Hawaiʻi ghost tours, tells
I’ve never found anything plain about vanilla. As a kid, I favored the richness of Baskin-Robbins’ French vanilla over gaudier rivals like Pink Bubblegum and Oregon Blackberry. And that small flat bottle of vanilla extract I’d use to make chocolate chip cookies was more than just an ingredient—it was something to savor. I’d inhale the
The first humpback whale of the 2024-2025 season was spotted off the coast of Kāʻanapali, Maui, on Oct. 8 by Capt. Matt Talbot and his crew. “Our crew and guests were ecstatic to be able to witness the season’s first sighted individual making its way through Maui Nui just a mile offshore, marking the start
Hawaiʻi tops WalletHub’s annual list of happiest states in the United States in its recent study. The Islands stood out for having great physical health among residents and for the longest life expectancy. WalletHub, a personal finance company, conducted research across the 50 states, examining residents in three categories: emotional and physical well-being, work environment,
It’s almost Halloween, and there are lots of spooky, festive fun to be had. Here are our picks for Halloween events you don’t want to miss. O‘ahu 3rd annual Halloween Surf-Off 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay For one of the more unique takes on a costume contest, head to the
Move over, Molokini. Kāʻanapali Beach is now the No. 1 snorkeling spot on Maui, according to our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Not that should be a huge surprise since the popular West Maui beach—27 miles west of Kahului Airport—has been on the list for years. (Rounding out the Top 5 are Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay,
Even as one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, the Hawaiian Islands are a bookmarked destination for many travelers. Its proximity to the equator results in a year-round tropical climate, luring many visitors. It’s this similar reason that makes the Islands an ideal place for growing an abundance of crops—including coffee. With its
