Three generations ago, a unique Kauai attraction became a must-see for visitors. Today, the Fern Grotto cruise is a classic, an understated gem of an activity amid all the modern-day hoopla over ziplines, paragliding and whale-watching. For visitors interested in a smattering of cultural and natural history, hula and old-time Hawaiian music, a few chuckles […]
This week, as we celebrate Earth Day, green-minded voluntourism opportunities in Hawaii, ranging from beach cleanups to native plant restoration efforts, are in the works. By volunteering for even a few hours with endeavors aimed at preserving paradise, you can gain a deeper appreciation of Hawaii’s awe-inspiring yet fragile environment. Environmental voluntourism offers vacationing visitors
A statewide holiday and annual celebrations this weekend on Oahu and Kauai will honor the birthday of Hawaii’s Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. Who is Prince Kuhio? Born in the south Kauai town of Koloa in 1871, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole created much of the Hawaii the world sees today. A prince of the Kingdom of
It’s raining, as it has been for the past few days on Kauaʻi. Cars swerve to avoid potholes and people are armed with hooded sweatshirts, umbrellas and newspapers held over their heads. The scene in Līhuʻe looks more like Seattle in the summer than Kauaʻi in January. Still, while the bus stops and parking lots
There’s still much talk swirling in the national and international media about just how much of Hawaii is really open for business in the wake of last Friday’s tsunami-generated ocean surges, spawned by the Japan earthquake. So much talk, in fact, that Hawaii tourism officials and Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie took to issuing multiple media
Picture yourself at a beachside barbecue, on the lawn at aptly named Paradise Cove, Oahu. As the sun sets through the waving palms, you wander from food tent to food tent—and realize this is not just any barbecue. There’s roast duck with red wine teriyaki sauce. A seafood pouch with shrimp, clams, mahimahi and honshimeiji
Trust us. You haven’t truly sampled everything Hawaii residents love to eat until you’ve had a Spam musubi. It’s the perfectly portable Hawaii snack—a slice of fried Spam over a compacted block of sticky white rice, and all of it wrapped with a ribbon of dried nori (seaweed). There are dozens of versions of this
Beginning this week, businesses on Maui and Kauai will not be able to provide most types of plastic shopping bags to customers. The ban on the bags are part of new laws enacted in both island counties. What does this mean if you visit a retailer or restaurant on either island? Those businesses will be
The months between November and May are whale-watching season in Hawaii. Nearly 10,000 humpback whales make the long journey from the waters off southeastern Alaska to mate, give birth and nurse their calves in warm Hawaiian waters, where they are protected. They linger until late April or early May. They best way to see them
There’s no better place to bid aloha to 2010 than in Hawaii, with fireworks over the Pacific Ocean. Imagine balmy weather on New Year’s Eve, lounging in slippers on a stretch of sandy beach, maybe a tropical cocktail in hand. No snow to plow, no heavy coats to wear, no chance of hail in the
Even dressed in muddy boots and jeans, Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama has an entire tour group hanging on her every word. It’s not every day you get to meet a fifth-generation farmer from Kauai’s lush Hanalei Valley. The wetland taro fields that stretch out green and glimmering as you cross the one-lane metal bridge into Hanalei? That’s
What would the holiday season on Oahu be missing without Honolulu City Lights—the city that never snows’ annual display of Christmas spirit? Let’s see … • Honolulu’s 50-plus foot official Christmas tree, festooned with kaleidoscopic light effects and Hawaii-inspired ornaments, just outside the mayor’s office, Honolulu Hale. • A month-long festival of Christmas trees and
