Like most visitor attractions in Hawaiʻi, ʻIolani Palace closed in March due to the spread of COVID-19. But the iconic landmark in Honolulu is planning to reopen on Friday, June 19, albeit with new regulations (face mask requirements, temperature checks) and adjusted hours. “While we are eager to say ‘e komo mai’ once again, the […]
In Hawai‘i art and aloha go hand in hand. For nearly 15 years, the Hawaiian nonprofit arts organization, 808Urban, known for its large-scale murals, has spread the aloha spirit through community organizing and art. Most recently, 808Urban collaborated with the Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa to create “Leialoha,” a mural of lei spanning 15
Thousands of people participated in protests and marches in Hawaiʻi this weekend—joining hundreds of thousands around the world—in support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the killing of George Floyd in May in Minneapolis. There were families, friends, coworkers, classmates. Most people wore face masks—a sign of the times—and held handwritten signs that read, “Silence
The Honolulu Zoo reopens today—but don’t expect to pet goats at the Keiki Zoo or visit the playground. (Though you can see the new twin lemurs that were born at the zoo in April!) The playground remains closed. Photo: Courtesy of the Honolulu Zoo
Artists across the state are coming together under the banner of “Hawai‘i Arists for Racial Justice” to raise money and awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement, which saw a resurgence in public visibility due to protests ignited last week after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man from Minneapolis. Proceeds from this
The mandatory 14-day quarantine for interisland travelers will end on Tuesday, June 16, according to Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige. The decision was made to allow families to reconnect with each other. “It’s an important step in reopening our kamaʻāina economy,” Ige said at a press conference today. Plans for Mainland and international travel will be announced next
On June 5, the Honolulu Zoo will reopen to the public after temporarily closing months ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But there will be changes. The zoo’s new hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It will be closed for maintenance and cleaning Monday and Tuesday. And the Keiki Zoo, playground,
Earlier this year, more of the expansive Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reopened, including the popular Nāhuku, or Thurston Lava Tube, and a new viewing area for the Hōlei Sea Arch, after an unprecedented and destructive Kīlauea eruption in 2018 that forced the longest shutdown in the park’s history (134 days). Then COVID-19 happened. Like other state and
Hawaiʻi is slowly reopening. Key word: slowly. Gov. David Ige announced a four-phase reopening strategy for Hawaiʻi’s economy on Wednesday, allowing medium-risk businesses—churches, gyms, theaters, museums, restaurants, hair salons—to begin operations in June as part of Phase 2. Hawaiʻi is currently in Phase 1. Already, malls and shops started to open their doors on May
With a heavy heart, those close to William Awihilima Kahaialiʻi, better known as Willie K among his fans and just “Uncle Willie” to friends and family, announced that the beloved musician lost his lengthy battle with lung cancer. The Lahaina-born Maui native, who was known for performing Hawaiian, blues, rock and opera music for over three
Starting Saturday, May 16, Oʻahu beaches and sand bars will reopen for sunbathing, small gatherings and other activities, so long as people practice social distancing. Up until now, beaches were open to people for exercise or to access the ocean (also for exercise) only. This news comes as the state has begun to ease restrictions on closures; this
Shopping malls and retailers across the state will start to reopen today, May 15, in an attempt to slowly and safely reopen Hawaiʻi’s economy. Gov. David Ige authorized malls and stores on Oʻahu to reopen Friday—a week later than other islands—as long as proper social distancing measures are in place.
