I spend most of my free time in the mountains on Oʻahu. And I can honestly say, there’s no better way to experience the natural beauty of the island than by hiking any of roughly 50 state-run trails. Hiking is something I do even when I’m traveling outside the Islands. Not only do they help […]
What were once plain, tan and brown walls typical of a government building are now filled with color thanks to the addition of three new murals painted in 2020—all of which you can see just walking the historic neighborhood. The murals depict a scenic valley and sunset, native birds and flowers, colorful geometric shapes, a
It’s a crisp Saturday morning, and I’m thoroughly enjoying myself as I pick through baskets of laua‘e, kupukupu and palapalai ferns, allspice, red and green ti leaves, Song of India leaves, carnations, baby’s breath, fuchsia bougainvillea, red ‘awapuhi (ginger), roses and other flowers and foliage I don’t know the names of. I’m gathering materials to
Found across Hawai‘i, anchialine ponds, with their unique ecosystems, are little-known treasures often overlooked as part of Hawai‘i’s narrative—both past and present. Along the South Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island, hidden within the Waikoloa Beach Resort, is a short gravel path leading to scenic ‘Anaeho‘omalu Bay. Every time I walk through here it feels like I’m taking a
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner—hope that doesn’t surprise anybody—now is the time to get your Valentine’s Day dates in order. Actually a week ago was the time, but let’s just ignore that. The good news is, if you’re still scrambling for date ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve put together
Romance and Hawaiʻi seem to go hand-in-hand. If you happen to be in the Islands for Valentine’s Day—lucky you!—here are some of the most romantic beaches, lookouts and places in Hawaiʻi. (We’ll leave the wine and charcuterie board up to you.) 1. Watch the Sunrise at Lanikai Beach Imagine watching the sunrise from one of
Who doesn’t love the plucky sounds created by the ʻukulele, one of Hawaiʻi’s favorite and most iconic instruments. A distant member of the lute family, the ʻuke was actually brought over to the Islands by Portuguese immigrants from Madeira, however, Hawaiʻi locals—and monarchs like King Kalālakaua—quickly adopted the four-stringed noisemaker. Now, the ʻuke has gone global,
I’m banking hard, shifting my weight to meet the sloped dirt trail ahead of me. My balance doesn’t fail me, and I coast through the turn, only to have to lean left, then right as a series of tight corners puts my cycling abilities to the test. Finally, the path straightens out just enough to
It had been a week of staying indoors and no amount of Netflix or Magna-Tiles was staving off cabin fever. So I grabbed my 3-year-old son, packed enough snacks to feed an entire soccer team, and made the hourlong drive to Waimea Valley on O‘ahu’s North Shore. I grew up going on school field trips to the
Unlike O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and even Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i’s youngest island is also the biggest in the state. And that’s very exciting. Those with a sense of wanderlust, who love exploring unmarked dirt paths, who are always searching for the next best thing, will find solace on Hawai‘i Island. Calling the island and its beaches, businesses and boroughs hidden is almost
There are numerous reasons why visitors and locals love Onekahakaha Beach Park. Just south of downtown Hilo on Hawai‘i Island’s eastern shoreline, this family-friendly beach park is well-suited for those traveling with keiki (children). Lifeguards are on duty year-round. The beach’s expansive sand-bottom cove is protected from the ocean’s turbulent swells by a wall of lava rock and
Shadi Faridi stands in front of a wall dedicated almost entirely to lauhala hats, ranging in style from fedoras to berets to the more iconic wide-brimmed pāpale design. “I think I’ve always done this,” she says, admiring the different styles of hats that were handwoven by her mother, Michele Zane-Faridi, sister of famed Hawai‘i Island designer Sig Zane. Faridi practically grew
