According to Chinese zodiac, Feb. 17, 2026, marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse. Locals and visitors are invited to celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome in good fortune at Chinatown 808’s 50th Chinatown Festival and Parade on Saturday, Feb. 14. The all-day event runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. In partnership with American Savings Bank (ASB), Chinatown […]
The essence of Valentine’s Day is spending time with your kuʻuipo, or sweetheart. In Hawaiʻi, there’s no shortage of ways to make Feb. 14 memorable. Here are creative ways to spend Valentine’s Day in Hawaiʻi. 1. Share a Sweet Treat Local bakeries and confection shops are rolling out Valentine’s Day-themed treats. At Chinatown bakery
Cooking alongside each other, chefs Ahu Hettema and Nili Yildirim—the mother-daughter duo behind Istanbul Hawaiʻi—thoughtfully share the flavors and traditions of Turkey with Honolulu, Oʻahu. This citrus-forward cocktail recipe by Ahu Hettema feels like a breath of fresh air from the Mediterranean. Hettema explains that she and her mother are from the coastal city of Soli, now known as Mersin. “Before it was
Eight contenders will compete in the inaugural Ka Makou Kōnane Invitational Tournament at Bishop Museum on Oʻahu—the first of its kind in modern Hawaiʻi. Kōnane is a traditional Hawaiian board game, similar to checkers, that requires strategic and analytical skill. Two competitors from qualifying events on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island will convene in the championship tournament, the
ICYMI: Running clubs seem to be everywhere. You might have noticed while scrolling on your social media feed that many of your friends and colleagues are active in run clubs. In a place like Hawaiʻi where connection matters, these clubs offer a way to stay active, meet people and experience the Islands on foot. Whether you’re a kamaʻāina or a visitor, most clubs are free and you typically just have
Hawaiʻi Island chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona recently released “Growing Up Hapa in Hawaiʻi.” Beyond a collection of recipes, the cookbook is a profound memoir about being raised to be proud of one’s heritage. Aiona tells the story of how food has helped him reflect on and honor his Hawaiian and Italian roots. Raised in Waimea, Aiona’s
For more than a decade, The Pig and The Lady has been sharing modern Vietnamese and Asian cuisine with locals and visitors in Honolulu. The Pig and The Lady started as a stall at a local farmers market back in 2013. Chef Andrew Le turned his business into a bustling eatery in Chinatown, drawing the island’s foodies as
Hawaiʻi takes its firework shows seriously. On New Year’s Eve, beaches are lined with eager crowds waiting for midnight to strike as the night sky lights up with dazzling fireworks. From the shores of Waikīkī to the sands of Wailea, there are dozens of firework displays across the Islands to ring in 2025. Here are
While Hawaiʻi doesn’t experience dramatic seasonal changes, there are still plenty of ways to feel the holiday spirit throughout the Islands. From Christmas parades to Santa Claus paddling in a canoe, these festive events will help you get into the jolly spirit. Let the festivities begin! Oʻahu Honolulu City Lights Nov. 29 to Dec.31, 2025
It may be hard to believe, but there are certainly signs winter has arrived in Hawaiʻi. On Oʻahu, you know it’s the holiday season when a jolly 21-foot Santa Clause is throwing a shaka outside of Honolulu Hale. The annual Honolulu City Lights is one of the most anticipated festivals every year. Residents and visitors
ʻIolani Palace invites guests to walk its halls during its Queen Kapiʻolani Evening Tours in late December. The experience celebrates the queen’s birthday, with tours available only on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28. Tickets are available now. “In the evening light, you feel the presence of our aliʻi in these halls,” said Paula Akana, president
Voting is now open for HAWAIʻI Magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards! Thousands of you voted in our 2025 awards, selecting your favorite hotels, restaurants and beaches—and we need your help again. From malasadas and poke bowls to hiking trails and lūʻau shows, this is your chance to vote for your favorite businesses and spots across
