In Hawaii, with its high cost of labor and land, locally grown tea, incapable of competing with the third-world’s commodity tea empires, falls into artisan, small-batch and specialty markets. To succeed in a niche that’s hyper-focused on quality and characterized by a long-term startup period, growers like the five here, who come from all manner […]
As avid tea drinkers, Bella Hughes and Harrison Rice were longtime fans of mamaki; while they were living in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, they frequently had the dried leaves shipped to them for a nostalgic taste of the islands. Their shared love of the native tea plant prompted the husband-and-wife team to
The band Kapena is already well known in Hawaii’s music scene. Started by Kelly “Kelly Boy” De Lima and Timo and Tiva Tatofi in 1985, the group’s harmonic vocals and Jawaiian (Jamaican-Hawaiian) jams rocketed them to stardom. Now, just over 30 years later, the group is still led by Kelly Boy, however, after the Tatofi
Cool trade winds drift in from the peaks of the Koolau mountains, rustling ridgeline trees in the rear of Palolo Valley. Roosters call and answer each other across the neighborhood. I can hear the faint whisper of rains, deep within Palolo, falling into its thick watershed forests. But other than that … quiet. It’s a
A group of wet-haired kids pours out of a traditional Hawaiian canoe on Waikīkī’s Kūhiō Beach, smiling and laughing. The kids are from Waimānalo, a rural town on the windward side of Oʻahu. They’re spending the clear, bright day in Waikīkī with their teachers. The adults, sporting rashguards, revel shamelessly in the sunshine, too. The
With Hawaii’s sunny, tropical climate, numerous hikes and beaches around every corner, the Islands perfectly match the adventurous and excitable spirits of our favorite canine companions. Whether they’re chasing sand up and down the beach or kayaking to unknown lands with their owners, the pups of Hawaii always seem to have a smile on their
If you live in Hawaii or have visited the Islands, you’re probably not used to spending more than a few dollars for a musubi, a local comfort food consisting of rice and a slab of Spam wrapped tightly together with a strip of seaweed. Well, across the pond in Seattle, Scott Lutey, an award-winning chef
And that’s a wrap. With the 55th Merrie Monarch Festival coming to a close last night, we’ve seen three full days of excellent hula performances and competition. With 24 of Hawaii’s top halau hula (troupes) competing to win an assortment of titles, and 12 female contestants striving to be named 2018 Miss Aloha Hula, it’s
Hilo becomes fashion central during Merrie Monarch week, as people take to the streets in their favorite Hawaiian attire, so we sent Hawaii Island photographer Dino Morrow to snap photos of some of the best style moments around Edith Kanakaole Stadium. Queen Liliuokalani-proud in this statement T-shirt and elegant lei hulu lauhala papale (feathered hat). Hawaii’s
After months of preparation, kumu hula (hula teachers) lead their halau (troupes) on the pilgrimage to Hilo for the annual Merrie Monarch Festival competition. And while the months of diligent practice is evident from the incredible precision and grace showcased onstage, there is one element of preparation unseen by the public eye: the legendary Merrie
These hula-minded Instagram feeds will cover all the excitement happening in Hilo during the hula community’s favorite time of year. Be sure to follow them this week as they share the fun (both on and off stage) during the 2018 Merrie Monarch Festival. For stage photos and recap: @merriemonarchfestival View this post on Instagram
Another year of extraordinary hula and Hawaiian music is taking place this week as the 55th annual Merrie Monarch Festival begins this Thursday, April 5 through Saturday April 7 in Hilo, Hawaii Island. Though tickets sell out immediately upon release in November, hula fans can still enjoy the competition from the comforts of home. And
