The monster surf has long lured spectators to Hawaiʻi in the winter months. It’s not unusual for traffic to crawl along Kamehameha Highway on Oʻahu’s North Shore, as people craned their necks to watch the huge waves roll in. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational—arguably the most anticipated surf meet in the Islands—attracts thousands of people to […]
We love everything about the beaches in Hawai‘i: the golden sand, the warm breeze, the lazy lapping of the ocean. But every beach, even those visitors and residents have deemed Hawaiʻi’s favorites, has its own set of problems, from parking to just getting there in the first place. Here are a few tips to make sure
More than a month after the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Oʻahu reopened to the public, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park said it is reopening to the public on Friday. The popular visitor attraction has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. “We’ve taken advantage of the closures this year to make a
Some of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved restaurants have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: Top of Waikīkī, Like Like Drive Inn, Nobu Honolulu, Dillingham Saimin, Da Kitchen on Maui, Art Café Hemingway on Kaua’i. More than 50 restaurants have already closed—and counting. (For an updated list of restaurants that have closed in Hawaiʻi, click here.) Town, a
Like many visitor attractions on Oʻahu, Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside—commonly known as the Pali Lookout—will reopen on Wednesday after being closed in March due to COVID-19. The state closed the popular lookout due to concerns about large crowds gathering there and budgetary constraints. Starting on Wednesday, the park will be open from 6 a.m. to
Pua Hana Flower & Lei Photo: Courtesy of The Kaimukī Lei Stand “We wanted to make lei that had an old Hawai‘i feel,” says Keoni Williams, who, along with husband Makamae, had some unexpected time away from their hospitality jobs due to COVID-19 and decided to pursue their passion and open The Kaimukī Lei Stand.
This summer, a couple of months after the state issued the first shutdown to control the spread of COVID-19 in the Islands, our team visited Oʻahu’s most popular neighborhoods to see how the lack of visitors had affected these areas. There were no surprises: Lots of businesses were shuttered—mostly temporarily, some permanent—the beaches were empty
Maybe you’ve been to the Islands before. Or maybe it’s your first time. Either way, Honolulu, the state’s largest city, is a great place to start your Hawaiʻi vacation. It’s as diverse as a city can get: golden beaches next to expansive shopping malls, ethnic neighborhoods juxtaposed against urban sprawl, hole-in-the-wall eateries doors down from nationally
On Oct. 15, Hawaiʻi reopened to travel—but that doesn’t mean all your favorite attractions will be open, too. Here’s our list of 18—we know there are more!—of the top visitor attractions, from state parks to museums, across all islands, and how—or if—you’ll be able to visit them. ʻAkaka Falls State Park, Hawaiʻi Island Photo: David
Good news for anyone heading to the Islands soon: As early as Thursday, more Oʻahu businesses will be able to reopen under the mayor’s latest emergency order. The second phase—or Tier 2—of economic reopening would mean gyms, arcades, helicopter tours and short-term rentals can resume operations—albiet with some restrictions. Here’s what will change: Groups of
In two words: It’s complicated. Finding a flight to Hawaiʻi is the easy part. (In fact, many airlines are offering more routes and great deals to travel to the Islands right now.) Even finding a place to stay is more challenging, as many aren’t open yet. (See our list of what hotels are open right now.)
Updated Oct. 14, 2020 Hawaiʻi will launch its pre-arrival testing program for trans-Pacific travelers on Oct. 15. That means, if you can provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure, you will not have to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in the Islands. And with COVID-19 testing becoming more convenient and cheaper,
