Coconut, or nui in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), arrived in Hawaiʻi via canoes sailed by Polynesian voyagers roughly 4,500 years ago. Native Hawaiians considered the coconut tree to be the god Kū in physical form. For them, coconut water was sacred and therefore used for important ceremonies and rituals. Many of the coconut trees’ ancient […]
I don’t often stop in Wahiawā. I’ve driven through it hundreds of times—growing up on the North Shore, I’d pass by the town on my way to, well, anywhere. Now that I live in Honolulu, I zip through Wahiawā on my way to surf in the country, but rarely do I stop. But the area
If you’re craving traditional Hawaiian food fare—we’re talking kālua pig, lau lau and poi—stop at these reader-endorsed restaurants. Read More: What’s in a Hawaiian Plate, Anyway? 1. Helena’s Hawaiian Food This humble restaurant in Kalihi has topped our list multiple times. It opened in 1946, serving traditional, local Hawaiian food, including its popular version of pipi
The famed Turtle Bay Resort, perched on Oʻahu’s North Shore, is changing owners and will be rebranded as a Ritz-Carlton. Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., which owns almost 80 hotels, entered an agreement to acquire the 450-room resort and nearby land for $725 million from Blackstone Real Estate. Blackstone bought the 1,180-acre oceanfront hotel in
From its humble beginnings when vendors peddled cups of powdered ice sweetened with fruit syrups out of pushcarts along the Honolulu Harbor, shaved ice has been a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Over a century later, a trip to Hawaiʻi is still not complete without this iconic local treat. 1. Matsumoto Shave Ice For
After a five-year the Pan-Pacific Festival returns today through Sunday, June 9 at various spots on O‘ahu, including Ala Moana and Waikīkī. The free event, which will feature performers from Japan and local musicians and arts, showcases everything from taiko to hula to food. And yes, there’s a parade, too. “We are thrilled to be
This week residents and visitors on Oʻahu have a unique opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of the various indigenous communities that make up the Pacific Islands. The 13th annual Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) comes to Hawai‘i—for the first time—for 10 days of cultural exchange starting June 6, hosting more than
I’ve been visiting Choco leʻa, a charming chocolate boutique in Mānoa on Oʻahu, since it first opened 10 years ago. Its artisanal chocolates make perfect gifts for my kid’s teachers, my neighbors and, well, myself. I’m there a lot. In its 10th year—a milestone for a small business!—the shop has launched a new hands-on tour
Traveling to Hawaiʻi can be expensive. But in Waikīkī, one of the most popular towns in the Hawaiian Islands, you can spend an entire day wandering around this historic town without spending a penny. Here’s how. Read More: 22 Reasons Why We Love Waikīkī Right Now 1. Watch a Hula Show Launched this year, the Kilohana
Slipping into the brown vinyl booths at Kailua’s Times Coffee Shop feels reassuringly familiar. I’m already anticipating the sturdy white mug of coffee sliding across the just-wiped wood-grain laminate. Most likely, I’ll order eggs over easy with housemade corned beef hash patty. If my kids are with me, somebody’s getting the plate-sized buttermilk pancakes with
Let’s face it: Sometimes a vacation is getting away from kids. Yours and others. While Maui has the adults-only Hotel Wailea, Oʻahu, which sees the bulk of visitors, hasn’t had anything like that. Until this summer. Opening on June 1, Romer House Waikīkī on Nāhua Street will be the island’s first—and only—adults-only hotel. It’s located
With more than 20 locations in the U.S., Sugar Factory American Brasserie is now serving its Instagrammable goblet drinks and extravagant desserts on Oʻahu. The chain opened on April 10 at Ala Moana Center, in the space vacated by Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks in the Hoʻokipa Terrace. Along with its extensive menu of burgers,
