A cosmos of plankton swirls near my face as I breathe through my snorkel, making sounds not unlike Darth Vader. Tiny orange shrimp, just-hatched, staple-sized translucent larval fish and green algal blobs dance in front of my mask, all driven by internal instinct to the surface by a spotlight facing the seafloor. Beyond, blackness is […]
It’s not often that new eateries open up right off Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona. There, popular chains mix with pubs and long-standing Island stalwarts in a way that feels entirely predictable. So you can imagine my excitement when earlier this month Foster’s Kitchen, a new eatery promising locally sourced produce and a neighborly vibe opened
Hurricane season in Hawaii runs from about the beginning of June till early November. Fortunately, hurricanes are rare—the last major hurricane to hit Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki, which severely damaged Kauai in September 1992. Below are some helpful traveler tips we received from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center of things you should know if you are
There’s something life affirming about watching the creation of new land—oozing lava bubbling and hissing as it hardens against the sea. As the only Hawaiian Island with currently active volcanoes, Hawaii Island is the place to go to see this natural phenomenon in play (Maui’s Haleakala is considered active but hasn’t erupted since the 18th
It was a grey and drizzling day last September when scientists on the island of Niihau discovered an emaciated female Hawaiian monk seal pup still sporting its black lanugo coat. She was, they thought at first glance, a newborn. But instead of trying to suckle her mother for milk, the hungry seal, named Kilo, approached
When you step inside the Kilauea visitor center, the first sign you notice is the one on everyone’s mind: “How do I see lava?” This burning question draws more than 1.5 million visitors annually from around the world, myself included, to this very spot at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) atop Kilauea’s caldera. Among other lava-seekers on this
Wander north of Kailua-Kona and you’ll quickly wonder where the buildings are. Vast lava flows, the ancient remnants from Hualalai volcano, are pocked by tufts of golden grass and extend for miles along the coast before meandering toward the resorts at Waikoloa. In front of you is Kohala, the oldest and only truly extinct volcano
If you’re heading to Mauna Kea for some star gazing and have a few hours to kill before sunset, head to Hawaii Island’s newest public trail amid the mountain’s dry forest. There, at 7,000 feet and within dwindling strands of native mamane forest, is your only chance to spot the critically endangered palila, a chubby yellow bird that is
Sometimes the best dining experiences are the ones you least expect, which is what I encountered when I visited Holuakoa Gardens and Café on my visit to Hawaii Island. I was only there for brunch, after taking a leisurely mid-morning drive about 15 minutes up the mountain from Keauhou Bay. This was the first time
Whether you’re dreaming of crystal-clear waters, authentic cuisines or sunny, tropical weather, it’s safe to say that Hawaii makes the perfect living destination for the entire family. It’s so great, in fact, that many visitors think about making the Islands home. When looking for that new home, location and cost are often buyers’ top priorities,
As you’re probably well aware (along with the thousands currently embarking on their Pele pilgrimages to the southeast side of Hawaii Island), lava is currently spilling into the ocean there and it’s epic. 1. So much epicness. A photo posted by Brandon & Katie (@adventureisoutthere_kb) on Aug 3, 2016 at 9:27pm PDT 2.
Many of Kona’s most popular resorts—including Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows and the Fairmont Orchid—are tucked along the coast around Waikoloa. Surrounded for miles by empty black lava flows 19 miles north of the airport and 27 miles north of Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa’s location offers a
