Hawaiʻi Island is home to an incredible variety of local farms and producers, providing chefs with the opportunity to prepare creative dishes with the freshest ingredients available. Across the island, you’ll find restaurants committed to working and supporting local farms, ranchers and fishermen. The results are beautiful dishes highlighting the one-of-a-kind flavors of Hawaiʻi. Here […]
Oʻahu’s Chinatown is home to dozens of markets, restaurants and shops. Packed within just a few blocks, they’re brimming with local and imported produce, fresh meats and fish, Chinese herbal medicines, authentic dim sum, and plenty of lei and libations. Here are four places that have opened within the past year that are worth visiting
It’s well-known among locals that if you’re visiting Hawaiʻi Island, you better return with delicious omiyage (gifts) to share. From fluffy sweet bread to delightful strawberry mochi, some seriously iconic sweet treats can be enjoyed on Hawaiʻi Island. According to HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, these are the best bakeries on the Big Island in 2025.
The story of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dish goes back decades. Over 30 years ago, he and five other chefs arrived at Haliʻimaile General Store in Upcountry to work a charity event. After it wrapped, when the chefs were ready to relax and have something to eat, Matsuhisa put together a late-night snack with leftover
On an island known for its high prices, finding delicious cheap eats can feel like striking gold. Yet, many of Hawaiʻi’s iconic dishes are the result of creative cooking with humble ingredients. From the simple Spam musubi to no-frills saimin and shave ice (it’s literally just ice!), these foods prove that you don’t need to
Hawai‘i boasts an incredible and vibrant culinary scene. And with exciting restaurants opening every year, it’s hard to narrow down which new eateries are the best. Thanks to our savvy HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, here are the best five new restaurants in Hawaiʻi that rose to the top of our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. 1. Makawao
*This story was originally published on Jun. 28, 2019. After months of watching and waiting, it’s finally here: mango season, which, in Hawaiʻi, runs from March to November, depending on the variety. The sweet and tangy orange fruit first arrived in Hawaiʻi from Mexico in the early 1800s and has been an Island favorite
In 2024, two chefs decided to deviate from Hawaiʻi’s regional fare, choosing instead to explore the cuisines and cultures of the Mediterranean. Through extensive research and dining experiences, they found similarities between Hawaiian culture and the cultures of the Mediterranean, especially when it comes to hospitality and the sharing of food. They also noted the
*This story was originally published on Jun. 24, 2015 Where did the Spam musubi originate? What does “manapua” mean? We traced the history of five Hawaiʻi comfort food favorites all the way back to their earliest origins to decipher the roots of their modern-day multicultural appeal. Malasadas These chewy, steamed or baked buns, filled
Waikīkī is welcoming a new addition to the neighborhood—just in time for Hawaiʻi’s annual “May Day is Lei Day” celebration on May 1. Tucked in the Romer House Waikīkī, The Lei Stand Waikīkī pays tribute to the legacy of local lei shops and the timeless symbol of aloha, all while embodying modern Island style. From
At Waiola Shave Ice, there’s a comforting sense of nostalgia, even for first-timers. Whether it’s the familiar syrup flavors or the charm of the shop—or both—Waiola Shave Ice remains an endearing classic on Oʻahu. The family-run shop, tucked in Mōʻiliʻili about a 10-minute drive from Waikīkī, has specialized in shave ice since the late 1970s,
At 8 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2024, a crowd of over 100 people hovered around the TVs at Coco Deck Kitchen + Bar in West Maui. Chef and co-owner Alvin Savella put a blast out on social media announcing the restaurant would be opening early that day to show the Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway
