Kaua‘i’s rainy North Shore is particularly verdant as I make my way to Common Ground in Kīlauea from my home on the south side. The 83-acre property, once home to the Kīlauea Sugar and Guava Kai plantations, has been repurposed as a community gathering place and a starting point for future agricultural projects. The sun-soaked […]
This playful and refreshing cocktail brings together two Hawaiʻi-Island based brands: Kōlea Sparkling Hop Water and Kuleana Rum Works. Both companies are crafted on Hawaiʻi Island, drawing inspiration from the land, its ingredients and the community. The collaboration celebrates local pride, blending the spirit of Kuleana’s rum with the crispness of Kōlea’s sparkliing water. READ MORE: The Beloved Kōlea Birds Return to Hawaiʻi Kōlea in the Tomato Patch Ingredients 1.5 oz Kōlea Classic Hop
To me, the best part of traveling is eating. You can learn a lot about the history and culture of a place through its foods; take Hawai‘i, for example. The Islands’ diverse cultures and rich history are showcased through its varied cuisine. You can find everything from Vietnamese pho to Portuguese bacalao to Puerto Rican
*This story was originally published on March 3, 2020, and updated in February 2026. During Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), families began displaying hina-ningyo or dolls, on the third day of the third month. Timed with the blooming of vibrant pink peach blossoms, displaying hina-ningyo was believed to ward off evil spirits. The custom became known
The soft glow of the string lights shines down on groups of customers, some seated at a high top while others play giant Jenga around a picnic table, and a few dance to a local funk band called The New Salts. This place, “it’s about bringing the sugar mill back to life,” says Nate Sisler,
Beloved chef and two-time “Top Chef” fan favorite Sheldon Simeon is inviting readers back into his kitchen this spring. Available on March 31, 2026, Simeon’s second cookbook “Ohana Style,” includes more than 100 unfussy, flavorful recipes that celebrate the multifaceted traditions of Hawaiʻi. From weeknight dinners to big gatherings, the cookbook delivers approachable, local recipes rooted in ʻohana. Embracing
We pull into the lush Keaʻau farm early, eager for dinner. Coming from SCP Hilo Hotel about 45 minutes north, our driver anticipated hitting rush hour traffic but instead made surprisingly good time. My partner and I are escorted to a standalone, open-air structure with farmhouse-style décor. A long dinner table is draped with gingham
With its retro neon sign, pink-and-white-striped awning, blue script logo, and the usual line outside, Leonard’s Bakery has become a can’t miss destination for foodies on Oʻahu. The bakery, a family business that’s been famously featured in guidebooks, food blogs, Instagram roundups and more, is dedicated to keeping a local tradition alive. Since opening in
Cooking alongside each other, chefs Ahu Hettema and Nili Yildirim—the mother-daughter duo behind Istanbul Hawaiʻi—thoughtfully share the flavors and traditions of Turkey with Honolulu, Oʻahu. This citrus-forward cocktail recipe by Ahu Hettema feels like a breath of fresh air from the Mediterranean. Hettema explains that she and her mother are from the coastal city of Soli, now known as Mersin. “Before it was
Hawaiʻi may be renowned for its mai tais and lava flows, but those classic tiki drinks are being reimagined for a new kind of bar guest. Whether you’re participating in Dry January or joining the growing number of people ditching alcohol altogether, Maui is a place to explore zero-proof tropical creations. I scoured bars across
It’s not at every hotel that, after mailing a coconut (yes, you read that right), you can hop on a beach bike and ride along a shoreline path to dinner. But that’s what it’s like at Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, a luxury retreat originally built in 1961 on a lava field fronting storied Kahuwai
*This story was originally published on Dec. 31, 2019. People worldwide are welcoming the new year with spectacular firework shows and glasses of Champagne. In Hawaiʻi, we celebrate with popping firecrackers (to ward off evil spirits), eating noodles (which symbolize longevity), cleaning our homes (so you don’t carry your old life into the new year)
