It’s almost 11 a.m. and my friend and I don’t have much time to find out way back to the entrance of the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum in Mānoa. This 200-acre botanical garden, founded in 1918 and run by the University of Hawaiʻi, recently reopened to the public for two-hour visits. And we’re getting really […]
With a mishmash of auto body shops, breweries, tattoo parlors and other businesses, Queen Street, which runs from Kakaʻako to Downtown Honolulu, packs a lot into its just-over-a-mile stretch. While known for its large population of industrial services—automotive shops, large-scale storage and transmission repair shops are the norm—there’s a new wave of businesses rising from
Creating a list of Oʻahu’s top five beaches when there are so many out there just as blue and beautiful as the next is a difficult task—to say the least. Fortunately, nominations for the best Oʻahu beaches for our 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards poured in from our readers around the world. So, while every beach
Beaches, parks, mall and restaurants have recently reopened in Hawaiʻi after being closed for months to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Now, other attractions are reopening, too. This month the Bishop Museum and the Waikīkī Aquarium, both on Oʻahu, are opening their doors to the public—with new safety protocols in place. The museum, which was founded
Tucked away on Oʻahu’s Windward Side, at the base of the majestic Koʻolau Mountains, Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is one of the best-kept secrets on O‘ahu. Although the temple is just a short drive from popular destinations like Windward Mall and Kāneʻohe Bay, when you step onto its quiet grounds, you’re
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
Running on vacation may not sound like a vacation. But sometimes it’s the best way to experience a new place—or even a place you’ve been to many times before. You’re able to look around, take in your surroundings, even venture into areas only accessible by a pair of shoes. Plus, you’re burning the calories you
The Koko Crater Stairs in East Honolulu—really an old wooden tramway, remnants of an abandoned railroad track built by the U.S. Army in 1942—quietly reopened for hikers this week after access was halted by the city in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “We are super excited that it’s open and we hope everyone will show
While almost every trail in Hawaiʻi offers exceptional glimpses and views of the pristine, natural beauty the Aloha State has on offer, they’re not for every level of hiker. In fact, some hikes on Oʻahu should only be attempted by those who are in excellent physical condition and are steady on their feet. Just bring
Hawaiʻi’s beaches may be its star attraction, but these one-of-a-kind curated gardens, with their picturesque views and unique collections of flora, are lush places of wonder. Read on for the Oʻahu botanical gardens our readers voted the best in 2020. 1. Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden Photo: David Croxford Run by the nonprofit Hi‘ipaka LLC, this gorgeous
What better way than a farm tour to learn about Hawaiʻi’s rich agriculture history—and sample some of the freshest fruits around? Based on our 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards, these five farms offer the best tours. 1. Dole Plantation Photo: Getty Images Established in 1850, Kualoa Ranch sprawls across 4,000 acres on Oʻahu’s Windward Side and
When I heard the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko ʻOlina was offering a brain massage, I knew I had to check it out. With a rambunctious toddler at home and a demanding full-time job, my current wellness plan involved hours of reality TV and bottles of wine. This sounded a lot … healthier. In December
