Disembarking at Aloha Tower one cannot help but think back to a time when intercontinental steamships transported visitors donning aloha shirts and wide brimmed hats with champagne flutes in one hand while waving goodbye with the other. The flamingo pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel sat regally to the left as the vessel pushed forward towards Lēʻahi […]
You’ve probably heard of the age-old question: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? For the team at Bizia Surf, falling trees not only do make a sound, they also make an impact. Founders and owners, Joey and Christine Valenti, opened a
You’re on vacation. So you probably want to sleep in, right? Don’t. Get up early—at least one day—and hit one of these spots on Oʻahu to catch the sunrise. Sip Kona coffee in your Hydroflask, marvel at the glorious start to the day—then grab breakfast somewhere close by. (We provide recommendations below.) Trust us, you
For 30 years the Made In Hawaiʻi Festival has offered the largest selection of Hawaiʻi-made goods under one roof. This year’s event, presented by Hawaiian Airlines, will be the biggest one yet, boasting over 700 makers and thousands of products from clothing, jewelry, arts, crafts, food and more. Local chefs will present cooking demonstrations to
What started as a vacation to Kona turned into a second career for Jean and Danielle Orlowski. In 2012 the couple bought a neglected 6-acre coffee farm in Captain Cook, about 20 miles south of Kailua-Kona, and grew it to become one of the biggest certified organic coffee farms in the state. Now, Hala Tree
Last year Honolulu-based lei maker and stylist Meleana Estes made her debut in the publishing world with her gorgeous book “Lei Aloha: Celebrating the Vibrant Flowers and Lei of Hawai‘i,” a touching homage to lei making and the people in Hawai‘i’s lei community. Brimming with beautiful photos of lei and flowers, the book shares the
Downtown Honolulu hasn’t had a new hotel open since the Executive Centre was built in 1984. With the pandemic fading and efforts towards the revitalization of the neighborhood on the rise, it was time. Located at 1111 Bishop Street between the Hawai’i Theatre, Capital Modern Museum and ʻIolani Palace, the AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu
Before the pandemic one of the highlights at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oʻahu for many visitors was the canoe show, where dancers, singers and musicians rode double-hulled canoes and surfboards through the canals that run through the 42-acre, Polynesian-themed park in Lāʻie. Here’s what “Huki: A Canoe Celebration” looked like in 2018: During the
Snorkeling is like a stained-glass window into a world under the sea. The best part about it is, there is no expensive equipment or training needed. Anyone can jump in and experience a kaleidoscope of magnificent, tropical fish going about their day. Over 5 million people visit Oʻahu’s stunning, sandy coastlines and clear crystal water every
Since 2020 the House of Mana Up has served as a public retail space for 100% Hawaiʻi-based artisans, designers and makers to share Hawaiʻi’s ingredients and culture with the world. This month the local retailer opened its new Kakaʻako store inside South Shore Market in Ward Village. There are now five locations across O‘ahu and
With so many hotels, restaurants and retail stores in Hawaiʻi owned by overseas companies, a large portion of visitor dollars may not directly profit the residents or indigenous people of Hawaiʻi. Below, we have put together a list of more than a dozen Native Hawaiian-owned businesses—one that we will update. Choosing to spend your dollars
Waking up the morning of my 9 a.m. tour at Hi Honey Farm I felt like a kid waking up on a school day knowing a field trip was the only thing on the agenda. Good night’s sleep? Check. Light breakfast? Check. Sunny weather? Check. With our eagerness and excitement in tow, my friend and
