Gliding blissfully under the sea’s surface, manta rays are some of Hawaiʻi’s most fascinating and beautiful underwater inhabitants. And to coincide with World Manta Day on Sep. 17, the Have Aloha Will Travel crew has invited Keller Laros on to discuss everything manta. Famously known for his YouTube video documenting a bottlenose dolphin asking for […]
It’s no surprise the Hawaiian Islands are a top travel destination. While the scenic beaches, lush tropical forests and ‘ono (delicious) food are unforgettable, it’s the welcoming people willing to share Hawai‘i and its rich culture that make a trip to the Islands exceptional. However, Hawai‘i isn’t just a destination—it’s home to 1.5 million
Amid concrete buildings and bustling streets, a quipo tree towers over a collection of palms and tropical plants. The quipo is a deciduous tree which reaches heights of 150-200 feet, and the tree in Foster Botanical Garden was planted more than 90 years ago. Not far from the quipo tree in the garden is a
Standing among a row of tall, verdant trees, Kea Keolanui hands me a small leaf and says, “Chew on this.” The bitter taste is slightly mouth-numbing and I have zero guesses of what this spice is. Keolanui tells me it’s clove. The aromatic flower buds are from Syzgium aromaticum tree, which are native to Indonesia
Two areas on Hawaiʻi Island—both ecologically and culturally important—will now be managed by a government agency, with the hopes of protecting these natural resources. A roughly 1,260-acre parcel in Waiea on the western flank of Mauna Loa has been designated as part of the State Natural Area Reserve (NAR) system managed by the Hawaiʻi Department
A‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia. “No task is too big when done together by all.” That is the motto of this year’s “Get Into Your Sanctuary Day” event, which will be from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Mā‘ili Beach Park tomorrow (Aug. 6, 2022), where a beach cleanup, marine debris art show, and
Nāhuku at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is closed until further notice—once again. The walk-through lava tube, formerly known as Thurston Lava Tube, is one of the top attractions at the national park. A half-mile loop leads visitors through a verdant rainforest to the 500-year-old cave. But on Sunday, park officials closed the lava tube.
Summer is in full swing. Here in Hawaiʻi, this means more daylight, south shore swells and an abundance of mangoes. It also means kids are out of school. If you’re looking to occupy your keiki at home or while on vacation, exciting family-friendly activities are scattered throughout the Islands that will thrill your little ones
Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources announced ʻĪao Valley State Monument on the island of Maui will be closed beginning Aug. 1, 2022. The park is expected to remain closed until Jan. 15, 2023, for the final phase of a slope stabilization project and parking lot improvements. This comes on the heels of another
Hawai’i is a place that enables visitors to relax and recharge by enjoying mai tais, sunsets, and beach time. Through the growing voluntourism movement, some people are choosing to reinvest in the islands by spending a few hours of their vacation volunteering. What might seem at first like work that detracts from time off is
For World Oceans Day on June 8, the “Have Aloha Will Travel” podcast is thrilled to sit down with Tapani Vuori, the general manager at Maui Ocean Center. Located in Māʻalaea, the eco-conscious aquarium cares for one of the world’s largest collections of live Pacific coral. Its exhibits and educational programs engage with residents and
This World Ocean Day, join Pacific Whale Foundation as it celebrates visual storytellers who are passionate about protecting the ocean and marine wildlife during the 6th Annual World Whale Film Festival. Presented by the nonprofit ocean conservation organization with funding provided by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Fund, the film festival lights
