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 […]
Hula, surfing, Kona coffee and Spam musubi are all at home in Hawai‘i. But did you know we have the only commercial vanilla farms in the U.S., or that cowboys roamed the Islands before the Wild West? Here are five things that are distinctive to Hawai‘i that you may not have known about. (We didn’t, either!) Rock-Walled Fishponds According to Hawaiian moʻolelo
Eight contenders will compete in the inaugural Ka Makou Kōnane Invitational Tournament at Bishop Museum on Oʻahu—the first of its kind in modern Hawaiʻi. Kōnane is a traditional Hawaiian board game, similar to checkers, that requires strategic and analytical skill. Two competitors from qualifying events on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island will convene in the championship tournament, the
*This story was originally published on Feb. 3, 2025, and updated in January 2026. February is Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Language Month, and it’s now more important than ever to celebrate this living language by learning, embracing and respecting it. Three years after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, the Hawaiian language was
*This story was originally published on Feb. 4, 2021, and updated in January 2026. Romance and Hawaiʻi seem to go hand-in-hand. If you happen to be in the Islands for Valentine’s Day—lucky you!—here are some of the most romantic beaches, lookouts and places in Hawaiʻi. 1. Watch the Sunrise at Lanikai Beach Imagine watching the
Maui is more than just a vacation destination—it’s a place people come for deep healing, spiritual guidance and to reconnect with themselves. As wellness trends lean further into the metaphysical, travelers are stepping into a new realm of soul-centered experiences. From energy work to astrology and divination, these Maui resorts offer activities and spa treatments
In heavenly Hanalei, lush fields of kalo and pristine beaches are set against Kauaʻi’s misty mountains. Before the arrival of Westerners, Hawaiians cultivated kalo in Hanalei Valley on the island’s north shore, creating extensive loʻi (taro fields). Kalo is used to make poi, which continues to be a staple starch in Hawaiian culture. Hanalei was
ICYMI: Running clubs seem to be everywhere. You might have noticed while scrolling on your social media feed that many of your friends and colleagues are active in run clubs. In a place like Hawaiʻi where connection matters, these clubs offer a way to stay active, meet people and experience the Islands on foot. Whether you’re a kamaʻāina or a visitor, most clubs are free and you typically just have
Most locals know the concept of the ahupuaʻa, a land management system that extends from mauka (mountains) to makai (ocean). About a decade ago, the Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club installed signs marking the ahupuaʻa in the Koʻolaupoko district on Oʻahu—roughly Waimānalo to Kahuku. That inspired an islandwide program—a partnership between community organizations and the state—to identify the physical boundaries of
Hawaiʻi Island chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona recently released “Growing Up Hapa in Hawaiʻi.” Beyond a collection of recipes, the cookbook is a profound memoir about being raised to be proud of one’s heritage. Aiona tells the story of how food has helped him reflect on and honor his Hawaiian and Italian roots. Raised in Waimea, Aiona’s
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
With its refreshing cool climate and sprawling ranchland, Makawao is a picturesque little town in Upcountry Maui. When I was a kid, home was just a 15-minute drive from the area, and on weekends my family would pick up cream puffs and sticks of doughnuts from T. Komoda Store & Bakery, and on special occasions,
