On Maui this week? If so, you can catch a glimpse of West Maui’s sugar plantation past at the third annual Lahaina Plantation Days. The stars of this year’s event will be two original steam locomotives — No. 7 (pictured, right) and No. 97 — used by Pioneer Mill Company, West Maui’s last sugar plantation. […]
The Islands where surfing was born more than three centuries ago is now the first state in the U.S. to recognize surfing as an official high school sport. In an announcement made on Waikiki beach this week, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced a plan that would allow Hawaii public high school students to be able
Two tail slaps — both courtesy of a humpback whale yearling. That’s what a Sea Quest tour captain witnessed on Mon., Sept. 26 in Honaunau Bay, which edges the Big Island. The slapping event marked first confirmed whale sighting for the 2011-12 whale-watching season in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary,
Hawaiian Airlines’ Great Hawaiian Winter Getaway Sale offers deals on nonstop roundtrip travel to or from Hawaii and its 10 mainland cities in North America. The sale’s fares will be offered through Mon., Oct. 3, for nonstop flights from Nov. 21 through Feb. 9, 2012, with the exception of West Coast departures from Dec. 14-26,
Not all ecotourism operations in Hawaii — or anywhere else, actually — are the same shade of green. Most provide some sort of nature experience, anything from a hike in a remote area to a snorkeling cruise circling an offshore reef. But which ones are most respectful of the host culture? Which contribute to environmental
Starting in January, Hawaiian Airlines will offer nonstop flights from Maui to San Jose (three days weekly) and Oakland (four days weekly). Hawaiian is offering an introductory roundtrip fare of $298.40 (plus applicable fees) for travel from both California Bay Area cities to Kahului for travel between Jan. 10 (San Jose) — Jan. 11 (Oakland)
Continental Airlines is offering round-trip airfare deals to the Islands from more than 20 Mainland cities through a sale dubbed Tropical breezes of Hawaii. Flights touch down on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. The special offer, which took effect this morning, includes roundtrip fares as low as $422 from Los Angeles to Hilo.
In 2002, Maui County officials passed a law that bans the display of captive cetaceans, including dolphins, which live in the near-shore waters of the county’s three islands. An annual celebration of the mandate, Wild Dolphin Days, is slated for this weekend, Sat., Aug. 13 and Sun., Aug. 14. Festivities, hosted by Maui’s Pacific Whale
A stretch of old koa forest growing on the misty slopes of Maui’s Haleakala Crater is now designated as Hawaii’s 20th natural area reserve. Earlier this month, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources created the 1,500-acre Nakula Natural Area Reserve (pictured, right) to help preserve what remains of a native forest that once
The 12th annual Maui Film Festival is under way at the Wailea Resort and at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. The five-day event, according to organizers, is packed with more than 50 screenings of “life-affirming” independent films, celebrity appearances and awards honoring actors Olivia Wilde (TRON: Legacy), Andrew Garfield (The Social Network),
Bon dance season in Hawaii is now under way. The Japanese custom of o-bon — Hawaii shortens the word to bon —honors the spirits of family members who have passed away. You’ll find o-bon festivals slated for just about every weekend at Hawaii hongwanji missions and temples, from June through August. According to tradition, it
It’s nearly impossible to not relax when you’re standing on the west Maui coastline, where you don’t need a sweater — even on evenings when gentle breezes give way to strong, gusty winds. Where the water shimmers in several shades of calming blue under sunny skies on Kapalua Bay. This is the postcard-perfect scene I
