Referred to as the Olympics of hula, the Merrie Monarch Festival is one of the biggest events in Hawaiʻi. The 62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival kicks off this week in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, which features three consecutive days of competition: The Miss Aloha Hula competition on April 24, the kahiko division on April 25 and […]
*This story was originally published on Jan. 26, 2018. When it’s my turn to order at Kaimukī’s Crack Seed Store, I tell Mr. Young, the owner, that I’ll have whatever the guy in front of me had. What the guy had was a strawberry Icee with li hing mui (preserved plum) juice and vanilla
*This story was originally published on Feb. 13, 2018. The steel gate kicks open and a calf darts from the roping chute into the open arena. It barely gains a 10-foot lead before 30-year-old Kalai Nobriga is after it on his champagne-colored horse, his lasso whirling over his head. In what looks like a
*This story was originally published on Dec. 5, 2013. It’s not uncommon to walk right past an important archaeological site on Oʻahu and not even know it. It happens all the time in Waikīkī. Right outside of a police substation on Kalākaua Avenue, near the beachside statue of Hawaiʻi Olympian Duke Kahanamoku, stands a
Ever heard of the phrase, “Leave No Trace”? It’s an accepted set of seven principles—a mantra in national parks and other protected outdoor spaces—that remind visitors to minimize their impact on the environment. One of those principles can directly be applied to national parks in Hawai‘i: Leave what you find. For decades, people have taken
Before sunrise one morning, on Hawai‘i Island, a man named ‘Ulu prayed to the gods for help and guidance. His son was dying and his village was starving. Later that day, ‘Ulu told his wife he would not live to see morning. “Bury my body outside near the stream,” he said. “In the morning go
This March, Hawaiʻi is honoring the 50th birthday of Hōkūleʻa, a symbolic voyaging canoe. When the vessel was first built and launched in the 1970s, it sparked a cultural renewal in the Islands and around the world. To celebrate the momentous 50th anniversary, the Polynesian Voyaging Society invites the public to a series of special
Since February is Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Language Month, we thought it would be fun to share the literal meaning behind the names of some of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic places. Source: Hawaiʻi Places Names, 2002 Lahaina Meaning: cruel sun, from the old pronunciation Lāhainā. This waterfront town on Maui was destroyed by wildfires in 2023. Poʻipū Meaning:
February is Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Language Month, and it’s now more important than ever to celebrate this living language by learning, embracing and respecting it. Whether you’re malihini (newcomer or visitor) or kama‘āina (resident), these resources can help you get started. This is by no means a comprehensive list—thanks to the hard work of
Hawai’i offers a delightful variety of opportunities for displays of culture, creativity, and community. Whether you’re a Hawai’i resident or a visitor to the Islands, these festivals showcasing culture and food are worth putting on your calendar. For more of the latest activities and festivals in Hawaiʻi, check out HAWAIʻI Magazine’s calendar page. All the
It’s the start of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Wood Snake. During the new year festivities, it’s important to gather with loved ones and kick off the festivities with a “reunion dinner” or meal, and one of the most interactive ways is with a fun dim sum lunch. Although you can enjoy
The muʻumuʻu has come a long way from its reputation as a gaudy house dress. In fact, it’s very in vogue these days. So much so, January is Muʻumuʻu Month in Hawaiʻi. It started 10 years ago by Kauaʻi designer Shannon Hiramoto, founder of Machinemachine. The purpose was to encourage and inspire more people to wear
