It’s that time of the year—when fierce winter winds blow, snow falls (even here in Hawaii) and Travel + Leisure Magazine’s globetrotting staff return from far better climes to bestow its annual gift to hotels, inns, resorts and lodges worldwide: a spot on the pub’s annual 500 World’s Best Hotels list. This year, 23 Hawaii […]
A government-funded technological innovation threatens the livelihood of an entire species on their tropical island home. Sounds like a plotline worthy of the Sci-Fi Channel, but it’s true. You’ve probably seen advertisements for the nationwide mandatory conversion from analog television to a digital feed, scheduled for February 17, 2009. However, in Hawaii the switch to
It’s official: big surf season is upon us. This morning’s surf report announced gargantuan swells along the north-facing shores of all the Hawaiian Islands. Surf heights of 10 to 15 feet are expected today on the north-facing shores of Oahu, Molokai and Maui, while surf of 14 to 18 feet is expected along the north
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced this week a proposal to add 48 species found exclusively on Kauai to the federal endangered species list; among them 45 plants, two birds (the akikiki, pictured, and akekee) and a Hawaiian picture-wing fly. This is a new approach—developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is
The latest issue of Outside Magazine features 50 American “Great Escape” getaways. The focus? Places in our U.S. so far removed from typical vacationers itineraries, Starbucks wouldn’t consider setting up shop. A couple of Hawaii spots are highlighted: Peaceful Cove Cottage on Hawaii’s Big Island and Milolii Beach on Kauai. The Na Pali coast doesn’t
This month we again bring you Hidden Hawaii. Last issue, photographer David Croxford and I visited the small Big Island towns of Hawi and Kapaau. This month we hit the road to Western Kauai. Many visitors, especially those staying in popular Poipu, drive up to Waimea Canyon. But they often speed through the charming towns
You Ask. We Answer. We got an e-mail from a reader named Cathy, asking, “Is Waimea Valley Audubon Center anything like it was years ago when it was Waimea Falls Park?” Short answer: No, and no. Oahu’s Waimea Falls Park was a commercial operation, with shuttle service, cliff diving exhibitions, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking,
Lots of HawaiiMagazine.com readers still click daily on our February post titled, “What happened to Flumin’ Da Ditch kayak tours?” The answer remains: It’s closed due to damages caused by the November 2006 Big Island earthquake, under repair, and currently doesn’t have a re-opening date. But that doesn’t mean there’s no ditch flumin’ going on
Mayor of Kauai Bryan J. Baptiste died yesterday after suffering cardiac arrest at his home on Kauai. He was 52. News of Baptiste’s sudden death was a surprise to Hawaii residents. Baptiste had just been released from Honolulu’s Queen’s Medical Center on Friday after undergoing bypass surgery on June 13 and was said to be
What’s your favorite town in Hawaii? Place to stay? Favorite treat or indulgence in Hawaii? Is it Kona coffee or fresh pineapples? Tell us. We want to know. If you haven’t already filled out our Best of Hawaii ballot, you still have time. There’s two ways you can participate: fill our ballot out online and
The love of Expedia users has its rewards. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts’ Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa has scored the no. 21 position on the travel reservation site’s annual Insiders’ Select list of favorite worldwide hotels. Since when is the number 21 something to celebrate outside of, say, Las Vegas? How about when you’ve got
With the prices of just about everything skyrocketing these days, it doesn’t hurt to save a little. The same goes during vacation time, which is why TripAdvisor.com just released their annual list of the Top 10 free attractions in the country. We are pleased to note that a pair of local treasures found their way
