When Ken Hirata vacationed in Hawai‘i more than 20 years ago, he tried poi, a traditional Hawaiian staple made from mashed taro. Realizing that fermentation was a key process in making both poi and shochu, a beloved distilled spirit made in his home country, Japan, Hirata wondered if he could craft good shochu with Hawai‘i-grown […]
On a short stretch of Māmalahoa Highway, just before the town of Kealakekua, you can spend your entire day perusing the various wares, relics and vintage clothing of thrift and antique shops of Captain Cook. Make sure your eyes aren’t bigger than your savings, however, or you’ll lose your afternoon and whatever you’ve got in
If you think you know a thing or two about coffee, pick up “The Hawaiʻi Coffee Book: A Gourmet’s Guide From Kona to Kauaʻi” (Watermark Publishing, $17.95) and prepare to be enlightened. The 154-page love letter to coffee and Hawaiʻi’s coffee culture is written by Shawn Steiman, a coffee scientist—he holds a doctorate in horticulture from
You’ve seen the suits: chic, slinky maillots with sultry lacing running up the spine and a cool mesh texture. Stylish bikinis splashed with tropical blooms in magenta and orchid-purple. Sporty two pieces with unexpected high-waist cuts and dusty natural shades. In the 11 years since Hawaii-based Acacia dove into the beachwear scene, it has amassed
It never occurred to me, as a kid growing up in Hawaii, that Santa’s thick, heavy suit wasn’t very practical for delivering presents around the world, particularly to this always-tropical climate. I just figured it was his thing. Maybe he didn’t have enough time to swap the suit for a breezy aloha shirt and board
Got yourself a Christmas tree yet? Maybe you’ve already pulled out the artificial one from the closet or picked up a Norfolk pine from Helemano Farms in Wahiawa on Oahu. Regardless, no Christmas tree is complete without its ornaments, and we’ve picked out a few of our favorites that might make you want to hum along to the tune
Not done with your Christmas shopping? We feel you. Here’s a list of 22 Hawaii-inspired, island-themed gifts for anyone on your shopping list—including you. For Kids Keiki Kaukau Wooden Food Play Set Photo: Courtesy of Hawaii Says Hi Kauai-based Hawaii Says Hi has a slew of great locally made gifts, from handcrafted soaps to extra-large
In 2014, Pineapple Palaka launched its high-end neckties that blend modern Hawaiian prints with its signature backing of vintage palaka, an old-school checkered pattern rooted in Hawaii’s plantation era. What owners Jonathan Fong and Rick Abelmann soon discovered was the same Hawaiian-style prints on the sleek silk ties—bird of paradise, monstera, ohia—were becoming a coveted
When three friends launched Kealopiko in 2006, creating unique T-shirt designs that showcased Hawaii’s diverse ecology and native culture—not just your typical Hawaii imagery of palm trees and hula dancers—it was a refreshing change from the usual aloha ware. They went from screenprinting small batches of shirts to full-scale production, some of it done in
The Hookipa Terrace restrooms located near GEN Korean BBQ House. Photo: Kayla Rivera It’s probably the most important question you can ask. For starters, there are six main bathrooms at Ala Moana Center (the ones inside retail shops don’t count). Center Court near Centerstage (the biggest) In Makai Market Food Court In The Lanai between
Photo: Courtesy of Flip Flop Makers Design your own slippers (or flip flops) at this family-owned business, which started in 2011 on Hawaii Island. (The business is now called Flip Flop Makers, but the Ala Moana store still bears the original name.) You can customize a pair with adornments—flowers, cute animals, jewels—to the straps, too. Kids will
The Mauka Ewa parking structure is your best bet at finding a stall. Photo: Courtesy of Ala Moana Center If you’re not picky about where you park, the newly constructed mega parking lot on the mauka (mountain-side) and Ewa (west-side) corner of the mall is a solid choice. There are roughly 4,500 spots here, which
