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 […]
From a single garden bed at Kīhei Elementary School to a flourishing network of green spaces across Maui County, Grow Some Good has blossomed into a beacon of sustainable education, food security and community resilience. Established in 2008, this nonprofit offers a project-oriented, place-based educational program that transforms school gardens into living classrooms. Since its
From witnessing the fiery eruption at Kīlauea to hiking through tropical forests, nature lovers have plenty to do on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island. And the charming town of Hilo is the perfect home base for them and other adventurous travelers. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is just a 45-minute drive south of Hilo International
Tucked away in an urban jungle of concrete buildings and bustling streets, Foster Botanical Garden is a hidden gem and provides a peaceful respite. Opened to the public in 1931, it’s the oldest of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, which includes Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, Wahiawā Botanical Garden and Koko Crater Botanical Garden. READ MORE:
Our morning began on a verdant mountaintop overlooking central and west Maui with hot coffee in hand. As we tasted estate-grown Kaʻū, a honey-processed estate blend and a Mokka grown in Kāʻanapali, Molly Leoso, one of the farmers and our tour guide from Oʻo Farm, walked us through the process of coffeemaking. “I often liken
A popular attraction—and one of our favorite places on Kauaʻi—closed on Oct. 31, 2024. Makauwahi Cave Reserve, the largest limestone cave in Hawaiʻi and has preserved over 10,000 years of sedimentary history, is no longer accessible to the public. After 20 years the leaseholders of the cave returned the property back to the landowner, Grove
After a three-month pause, Kīlauea on Hawaiʻi Island is erupting again. The eruption started Monday morning following increased earthquake activity beneath its summit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It started around 2:30 a.m. HST within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Webcam imagery shows flowing lava and a line of fissures spewing lava
If you’ve ever explored the Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve on Oʻahu westernmost promontory, you’ll know how special it is. Not only is it one of the last intact sand dune ecosystems in the main Hawaiian Islands, but the area is also home to wedge-tailed shearwaters, Laysan albatross and Hawaiian monk seals. (Winter months bring humpback whales
I’ve never found anything plain about vanilla. As a kid, I favored the richness of Baskin-Robbins’ French vanilla over gaudier rivals like Pink Bubblegum and Oregon Blackberry. And that small flat bottle of vanilla extract I’d use to make chocolate chip cookies was more than just an ingredient—it was something to savor. I’d inhale the
The first humpback whale of the 2024-2025 season was spotted off the coast of Kāʻanapali, Maui, on Oct. 8 by Capt. Matt Talbot and his crew. “Our crew and guests were ecstatic to be able to witness the season’s first sighted individual making its way through Maui Nui just a mile offshore, marking the start
Even as one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, the Hawaiian Islands are a bookmarked destination for many travelers. Its proximity to the equator results in a year-round tropical climate, luring many visitors. It’s this similar reason that makes the Islands an ideal place for growing an abundance of crops—including coffee. With its
Today is World Manta Day, a day to celebrate these majestic marine creatures and raise awareness of the threats they’re facing. Swimming with manta rays on Hawaiʻi Island—specifically off the Kona Coast—is on a lot of travelers’ bucket list. It’s one of the most unique experiences you can have in the Islands—floating in the warm
