Amid concrete buildings and bustling streets, a quipo tree towers over a collection of palms and tropical plants. The quipo is a deciduous tree which reaches heights of 150-200 feet, and the tree in Foster Botanical Garden was planted more than 90 years ago. Not far from the quipo tree in the garden is a […]
From pristine beaches and verdant rainforests to renown restaurants and all the hidden gems in between, there’s a week’s worth of exploring on Maui. But sometimes, you just fall short on time. So, for those with only a day to spend on the Valley Isle, here are a few pointers and recommendations to experience the
Standing among a row of tall, verdant trees, Kea Keolanui hands me a small leaf and says, “Chew on this.” The bitter taste is slightly mouth-numbing and I have zero guesses of what this spice is. Keolanui tells me it’s clove. The aromatic flower buds are from Syzgium aromaticum tree, which are native to Indonesia
Waikīkī’s largest and most unique water sports festival returns this year. Catch menuhune surf competitions, canoe regattas and hydrofoil challenges from Aug. 20-28 all at Duke’s OceanFest. Held on the shores of Waikīkī nearly every year, the festival celebrates the life and athletic legacy of Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku. The week-long series is
Can’t decide on which island of Hawaiʻi to visit? Having pre-vacay headaches trying to decide between Maui, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and the Big Island? Are you trying to find out which is the best Hawaiʻi island? Don’t fret, we’re here for you. From the glittering sands of Waikīkī on Oʻahu to the epic black sand beaches
When people think of Oʻahu’s golden North Shore, Haleʻiwa is often the town that comes to mind. But those who drive further north will find the small town of Kahuku. Situated on Oʻahu’s northeastern coast, the town of Kahuku lies between Haleʻiwa and Laie. During Hawaiʻi’s sugar era, Kahuku was once a booming agricultural hub
A‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia. “No task is too big when done together by all.” That is the motto of this year’s “Get Into Your Sanctuary Day” event, which will be from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Mā‘ili Beach Park tomorrow (Aug. 6, 2022), where a beach cleanup, marine debris art show, and
Set on Hawaiʻi Island’s Kohala Coast, the beautiful Floating Lantern Festival brings together hundreds of residents and visitors to commemorate loved ones who have passed. The enchanting festival derives from Toro Nagashi, a Japanese tradition which translates to “lantern offerings on water.” During the Floating Lantern Festival on the Big Island, hundreds of paper
A trip to Oʻahu isn’t complete without at least one visit to exciting Waikīkī, where you can have iconic Hawaiʻi vacation experiences all within a budget. READ MORE: How to Spend a Day in Kailua, Oʻahu with $40 6 a.m. Hike Diamond Head at dawn ($5) Google Waikīkī and you’re guaranteed to find Lēʻahi (aka
The smell of fresh cut flowers fills the air as jubilant ʻukulele melodies provide the soundtrack for a tropical evening. Kālua pork and fresh poi are loaded onto plates and accompanied by sweet mai tais. After a feast of Island cuisine, the heart pounding thunder of drums begins, and an exciting show unfolds for a
Like most residents on Oʻahu, I was surprised to see gondola rides being offered on the island. It seemed like another kitschy tourist attraction. On Hawaiʻi WOW Gondola Tours’ website, the company tells visitors to “embrace the shimmering water of Waikīkī’s Grand Canal,” while on a Venetian-style gondala ride. The company is referring to
Seeing a waterfall in Hawaiʻi. Yes, it’s a thing. And one of the most accessible waterfalls is ʻAkaka Falls on Hawaiʻi Island. In fact, you can see two waterfalls—ʻAkaka Falls and the smaller Kahuna Falls—on this short but beautiful hike through a lush rainforest filled with bamboo and wild orchids. And it’s only a half-hour
