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
Year after year we’re amazed and inspired by the hundreds of images submitted to the annual HAWAI‘I Magazine Photo Contest—and this year is no different. From the Islands’ endemic species to its legendary surf breaks, these captivating images offer a glimpse into Hawai‘i’s dynamic landscapes. We recently launched a category dedicated to the island of
Red Salt at Koʻa Kea Resort on Poʻipū Beach is an ode to Kauaʻi’s red earth and the red ʻalaea (salt) it produces. The restaurant pays homage to this sacred ingredient by incorporating it with the island’s bounty—from the land to the sea. With fresh, local ingredients, Red Salt weaves together Hawaiian tradition and the
Hawaiian land snails are among the most threatened animal groups on the planet. Researchers believe 11 species of Endodonta once lived in the wild across the Hawaiian Islands—part of a family of about 200 species. Today, it is likely the last remaining species in the Endodonta genus. READ MORE: One Hawaiian Snail Dies, but the
Across Merriman’s, Peter Merriman’s popular restaurants, the kālua pork and mango onion quesadilla appetizer is a consistent crowd-pleaser. Just one bite, and it’s easy to see why. With succulent kālua pork and layers of melted cheese, the pūpū perfectly marries nostalgia and Island flavor. What really makes this quesadilla so ʻono is the dipping
The first confirmed humpback whale sighting of the 2025-2026 season was off the coast of Kauaʻi on Oct. 14, 2025. Holoholo Charters recorded the sighting at 7 a.m. Captain Kekoa and his crew aboard the vessel Holoholo spotted the whale along the island’s western coast while en route to Niʻihau for a tour. The
