When Native Hawaiians lived in Haena in the late-18th century, kids would hike the 2 miles to Hanakapiai Valley in 20 minutes to catch hihiwai (shellfish) and oopu (a type of fish) for their families. It took my group of four, wearing 30-pound backpacks, about an hour and a half to get there—today’s average hike […]
Whether you’re dreaming of crystal-clear waters, authentic cuisines or sunny, tropical weather, it’s safe to say that Hawaii makes the perfect living destination for the entire family. It’s so great, in fact, that many visitors think about making the Islands home. When looking for that new home, location and cost are often buyers’ top priorities,
Of Kauai’s many charms, it was the waterfall-laden town of Hanalei that impressed Kyrylo Babenko the most. Specifically, its quiet beauty and friendly people. At first, he found it odd that strangers would greet him and his wife as they walked north shore’s short streets and big, expansive beaches during their honeymoon vacation. But then
The next time you go to Kapaa, listen to the locals. The 8-mile drive from the Lihue airport to the district’s historic center was the only set of directions I had upon arriving to Kauai, and turns out it was the only one I needed. My day cruising through Old Kapaa Town quickly, but casually,
Following a first visit to Kauai’s astounding Waimea Canyon, Keiko Napier stopped in the tiny town of Hanapepe. She was smitten. With its art galleries, spice shop and out-of-print bookstore lined against quiet, red-dusted roads, Hanapepe’s rugged, beatnik charm captivated her. A few months later, at her home in Venice Beach, California, Napier came across
What’s wobbly-footed, bobble-headed and able to fly more than 2,000 miles in a single stretch? The Laysan albatross, a magnificent bird with an almost 7-foot wingspan known for its incredible capacity to stay at sea for up to five years without ever touching land. The expert glider can soar for hours without so much as
Since the introduction of mangoes to Hawaii in the early 1800s, the tropical fruit has become an adored harbinger of summer. The Aloha State boasts dozens of fragrant, lip-smacking mango varieties most often enjoyed fresh off the tree as a breakfast or dessert. In many ways, mango season here is truly the most wonderful time
Your escape will be dramatically different if you decide to shack up at a resort replete with every luxury under the sun or if you choose instead to unwind in an oceanview tent beneath a sky of brilliant stars. Here, your options extend far beyond campsites and hotels. Check out three noteworthy retreats you should
Anyone who has visited the Garden Isle knows it can be a difficult place to leave. But, just because your vacation days have run out doesn’t mean you must relinquish all signs of the aloha spirit. Thanks to the island’s rich culture and artistic heritage, you can bring home a memento of your time in
In 1971, I was a young reporter considering a job on Kauai. When I flew to Lıhue for the first time, out the right side of the plane window I could see the Kukii and Ninini Point lights, which guide ships into Nawiliwili Harbor. I took the job, settling with three housemates into an aging
Actors Rita Moreno and Howard Keel during the filming of “Pagan Love Song.” Photo: Kauai Historical Society In 1950s Kauai, the tourism industry was just beginning to take off. There were no direct flights to the island, but visitors could now travel eight hours from Los Angeles to Honolulu by plane—a lot faster than the
The wood-burning fireplace in the dingy, barely insulated state cabin at the Lodge at Kokee on Kauai wasn’t enough to keep me warm that first night, so I had donned everything I had in my backpack: a long-sleeved shirt, a thin hoodie, two pairs of socks and a rain jacket. It worked out, since that’s
