Brought to life by the newly opened hotel Romer Waikīkī at The Ambassador, the Waikīkī Swim & Social Club is the perfect space for kamaʻāina (locals) and visitors to lounge in Waikīkī. The idea of a swim and social club seems like something out of yesteryear, however the concept remains undeniably hip even in to […]
Many first timers to Hawaiʻi set their sights on Oʻahu, thanks to its visitor-friendly activities and locales known around the world. The island is home to the state’s capital city, Honolulu, and sites including Waikīkī Beach, Diamond Head (the Hawaiian place name is Lēʻahi), Pearl Harbor and the North Shore. While travelers should certainly include
Sometimes, you don’t have to be the biggest hotel on the block to be the best—and the winners of the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards “Best Boutique Hotels on Oʻahu” category prove just that. These accommodations top-in-class at mixing humble, small-scale abodes with touches of luxury and finesse, and visitors love staying at these unique properties
Standing in a circle of native Hawaiian crops, I extend my hand as Ramsey Brown pours a handful of small, dried brown flowers into my palm. “This is our ʻilima,” he says. “A single ʻilima lei is made with 500 to 1,000 of these flowers.” I clasp the seeds just as a tropical breeze sweeps
Last month Foster Botanical Garden, the oldest of five city-run gardens on Oʻahu, reopened after it had been closed for improvements to pathways and bathrooms. Not much has changed at the 14-acre botanical garden, which can trace its roots back to 1853. That year Queen Kalama, the wife of King Kamehameha III, leased a 4.6-acre
I’m about to begin my journey through the massive Pineapple Garden Maze at the Dole Plantation on Oʻahu’s North Shore. But first, I breathe in the fresh air and pump myself up. The plan is to rush through the maze as fast as I can; I might not leave with a record time, but for
Is there a more perfect meal than brunch? It combines the sweet offerings of breakfast—think crispy-edged pancakes and stuffed French toast—with the savory bites of lunch. And everything is topped with an egg! Oʻahu has no shortage of breakfast and brunch spots, from staples like Zippy’s Restaurants (where you can order breakfast all day in
You’ll want to come hungry to the Hale ‘Aina Gala on Sept. 9, put on by our sister-publication HONOLULU Magazine. A feast for the eyes and stomach, the event celebrates the Hale ‘Aina Awards’ 40th year, and no expense has been spared to make sure this year’s gala is a truly memorable one for awardees
Everything tastes better in Hawai‘i, right? We found five treats that are even better served in unique vessels, from fruit shells to Spam cans. Soft Serve in a Pineapple View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banán (@banan) Banán is known for Instagram-worthy bowls of its plant-based soft serve made from
As clouds of dust get kicked up from the all terrain tires of the UTV Raptor in front of me, I’m glad I brought my bandana to cover my mouth on this Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour. Zipping along a dusty dirt road in Kualoa Ranch’s expansive property, we’ve only just begun this two hour journey
Don’t judge a book by its cover, and don’t judge The Lei Stand by its front door. This Honolulu speakeasy pays homage to its Chinatown roots with its authentic-looking storefront and sign on Bethel Street. But once you shimmy through the plastic drapes separating the storefront from the bar, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Some of you might remember Shore Bird, the iconic oceanfront restaurant at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort. It opened in 1979, a restaurant with one of the best views in Waikīkī and a grill-your-own-steak experience; it shuttered in 2017 after 38 years. But when the hotel planned an extensive, multimillion-dollar renovation, the plan was
