The wait is over! HAWAIʻI Magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards is out and on newsstands. (Get your copy here.) From the best beaches and hiking trails to romantic resorts and top poke spots, our list celebrates the best of the best in Hawaiʻi. Over the next few weeks, you’ll get a snapshot of the winners, as we share stories about them—including the best islands […]
Staying at “the Grand,” as we affectionately called it, was like a dream vacation for us kids. With its epic waterslides, lazy river and hidden hot tubs scattered across its pools, the resort was the ultimate destination for families—and it still is. As a 7-year-old, the hours spent in the pool were bliss, and when
In my Oʻahu neighborhood, plumeria and pua kenikeni trees sit in yards of generous neighbors always willing to share their pua. Anytime I need to make lei, I ask a neighbor if I can pick a few dozen flowers. From birthdays to graduations, giving lei is how we celebrate special occasions in Hawaiʻi. Known for her vibrant, one-of-a-kind lei, Oʻahu-based lei lei maker
With its peaceful energy, Kauaʻi is often regarded as a place of healing. That energy—mixed with the island’s spiritual retreats, health clubs and unique spa services—has been attracting travelers and locals for years. While the wellness industry has boomed lately—today it’s worth about $2 trillion, according to McKinsey & Co.—communities on the Garden Isle have
On a quiet morning, gray skies cloud Maui’s usually sunny West Side. But those familiar with the area know that clouds never linger long here: The sun always breaks through. By late afternoon, I’m already relishing the sun’s rays at The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows. Perched on a serene shoreline in Kā‘anapali, the resort
Raised on Maui, Alana Kysar is a down-to-earth recipe developer known for her debut cookbook, “Aloha Kitchen.” Sitting at her dining room table in Upcountry Maui, she recalls her favorite dish growing up was her mom’s mochiko chicken. “That’s what childhood tastes like to me.” As a kid, Kysar sharpened her cooking skills in her family home. “I grew up in the
At Kaʻana Kitchen’s expo line—a kind of traffic control center between the kitchen and dining area—“it’s controlled chaos,” Chance Savell says as he plates a dish. The executive sous chef has been on the resort’s culinary team since the Andaz Maui by Hyatt opened in Wailea in 2013, and like him, many on the restaurant’s
Whether it’s a trip to another island, the continental U.S. or abroad, locals like to bring home omiyage to share pieces of their travels with family and friends. The Japanese term omiyage generally refers to souvenirs or gifts—but it’s more than that. In Hawai‘i, it’s an endearing practice meant to express appreciation and aloha. The
The vastness of Hawai‘i Island has always felt like uncharted territory to me. It’s the Big Island, after all, nearly twice as large as all the other Hawaiian Islands combined. I’ve traveled there numerous times, visiting Kailua-Kona on the west side, Waimea up north and Hilo on the east side. But I’ve never ventured far beyond those towns. In the last few
From flying saucers and saimin to kūlolo, Kauaʻi is known for a few signature dishes. But beyond its iconic foods, the Garden Isle is also home to unforgettable eateries that are off the beaten path. You just need to know where to look. 1. Japanese Grandma’s Café Tucked in the colorful town of Hanapēpē, Japanese Grandma’s Café serves a blend of authentic and
Halekūlani is a cherished resort that has been welcoming guests to for more than a century. Tucked in a peaceful cove in Waikīkī, it’s celebrated for its luxury amenities and top-tier service. What has always delighted me about Halekūlani is that you can easily spend an entire evening visit its unique collection of restaurants and
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Bianca McKee has been a flight attendant with Hawaiian Airlines for 10 years. Here, she shares what drew her to a career in the clouds and provides some insider tips for folks traveling to the Islands. What first drew you to being a flight attendant? I was attracted to working at Hawaiian
