Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Merrie Monarch Festival returns in all its glory this year. After a mix of pandemic cancelations and hybrid festivals, competition hula performances are finally open those who snagged coveted general admission tickets. The event is set to run from April 9-15 in Hilo, on Hawaiʻi Island. Dedicated to perpetuating […]
The credits roll as the lights come on. I’m seated in the foyer of the Hawai‘i Theatre and I can’t stop staring at the walls. Intricate gold detailing highlights the delicate ornaments and fixtures fixed around the theater screen, which had just finished showing “The Princess Bride.” The viewing had been unlike any movie-watching experience
From birthdays and graduations to weddings and momentous achievements, lei is a ubiquitous gift commemorating celebrations and life transitions. The gift is considered a symbol of gratitude, love and honor in Hawaiʻi. For many long-time residents, it’s a ritual to visit the neighborhood lei stand to pick a gift made from fresh pua (flower) such as
The first time Markus Stolz ate baumkuchen, a traditional German cake that resembles a hollowed cross-section of a tree trunk, he was in Japan—not Germany. “It’s really soft and moist,” says Stolz, whose parents moved from Germany to Japan, where he was born and raised. “That makes this version much more different.” The German version
This article was updated with a few new pidgin phrases. The original piece was uploaded on Sep. 9, 2019. EDITOR’S NOTE: For the sake of clarity, we will be using Hawaiian diacritics, such as okina (ʻ) and kahako (āēīūō) in this article. If you’re coming to Hawaiʻi for the first time, prepare to be blasted
Hawaiʻi has long lured visitors with its tropical climate and golden beaches. But recently there has been concerns about how tourism—particularly overtourism—is impacting Hawaiʻi’s natural environment. And, maybe more importantly, how Hawaiʻi has changed to accommodate visitors. Traditions are ignored, culture is dismissed, and visitors aren’t experiencing what really makes the Islands so unique and
In today’s world of technology with navigational aids in the palms of our hands, getting from here to there is pretty much a cinch. On land, smartphones provide turn-by-turn driving directions, and GPS devices can pinpoint your exact location on the globe, even in the middle of the sea. But at the turn of the
On episode 102 of the “Have Aloha Will Travel” podcast, co-hosts Kevin Allen and Grace Maeda welcome Dane Lam. The conductor is making history as the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra’s first music director in its 10-year history. HaveAlohaWillTravel · Have Aloha Will Travel EP102: Meet Dane Lam, Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra’s New Music Director In this newly
While there are nearly 10,000 7-Eleven stores across the U.S., and a strengthening international presence, there are local comfort foods and nostalgic snacks that can only be found in the chain’s 7-Eleven Hawai‘i locations. These are six local items you won’t find outside of the Islands. READ MORE: 7-Eleven in Hawaiʻi is Amazing—Here’s Why 1.
Descending from a long line of Hawaiian artisans, Micah Kamohoali‘i is a renowned kumu hula (hula teacher), traditional kapa (bark cloth) artist and fashion designer. In 2005, he launched Dezigns by Kamohoali‘i, in which he weaves traditional Hawaiian designs into modern styles. Following his September 2021 show at New York Fashion Week, Kamohoali‘i opened two
Since guided tours have been paused, I worried that my self-guided visit to Kaua‘i Aadheenam would hinder the experience. Thankfully, I could not have been more wrong. After driving inland toward the lush mountains of Wailua, I arrived at the Kauaʻi Hindu monastery. With a pareo covering my shoulders, I made my way to the
This article was originally posted on Jan. 31, 2018. Since we missed a few celebs, we’ve decided to update the list. With a population of a little under 1.5 million people, Hawaiʻi puts out its fair share of musicians, athletes, actresses and actors. Here are a few local Hawaiʻi celebrities who have attained the status
