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
You’ve probably heard of the age-old question: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? For the team at Bizia Surf, falling trees not only do make a sound, they also make an impact. Founders and owners, Joey and Christine Valenti, opened a
Waking up the morning of my 9 a.m. tour at Hi Honey Farm I felt like a kid waking up on a school day knowing a field trip was the only thing on the agenda. Good night’s sleep? Check. Light breakfast? Check. Sunny weather? Check. With our eagerness and excitement in tow, my friend and
If I’m not working or chasing south-shore waves on Oʻahu, I’m somewhere in the mountains. And usually with a dog. I’ve been hiking in Hawaiʻi since I was a kid, trekking the 4.8-mile ʻAiea Loop Trail on Oʻahu with my family or wandering along the ridges of the Koʻolau Mountains with friends. Hiking is one
Hikers agree: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has some of the most unique trails anywhere in Hawaiʻi. You can walk across a hardened lava lake from a 1959 eruption or venture through a 500-year old lava tube. The 333,308-acre national park on Hawaiʻi Island has dozens of trails for every level, from the well-paved Devastation Trail
As the sun dips below the horizon, the Maui sky is illuminated with a rich symphony of colors. I’m aboard the Trilogy catamaran, on a voyage through time and nature. This journey is part of a legacy that dates back to the 1920s, when brothers Eldon and Afton Coon built a fishing boat in Washington
We should always be kind to the planet, but April 22 is Earth Day—officially the day we show special appreciation for our natural world. (It dates back to 1970, when Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson organized a national event aimed at raising awareness around important environmental issues.) And there’s a lot we can do, from volunteering at
This story is part of our Meet the Makers feature, which was published in our Fall 2023 issue. In Hawai‘i, we always try to support local. Whether we’re buying produce from the nearby farmers markets or shopping at the mom-and-pop boutique down the street, it means a lot for us to give back to our Island
Maui could really be called the Waterfalls Isle. There are dozens of waterfalls on Maui, from roadside falls to ones cascading from steep cliffs. A bunch are accessible without much effort, too. Here are some of the island’s best and most popular waterfalls. Note: Check weather conditions before heading to any waterfall in Hawaiʻi. Flash
