This story was originally published in our SUMMER Digital issue, which you can view here. When Neale Asato launched an exclusive hourlong tasting menu at Asato’s Waikīkī with the kind of local snacks most of us grew up with, I was skeptical. Crack seed and shave ice for $58? Who’s gonna sign up for […]
Inspired by the Islands and rooted in culture, we’re excited to introduce a new way to experience HAWAIʻI Magazine. This year, we’re sharing our 2026 SUMMER Digital Issue. This exclusive, free digital issue offers a refreshed reading experience. In these pages, you’ll find the winners of our 26th annual photo contest—a cherished tradition for us
Chef Sheldon Simeon and his team are inviting the community to celebrate 10 years of Tin Roof in Kahului, Maui. Started by Sheldon and his wife, Janice, Tin Roof has become the go-to plate-lunch spot for locals and visitors alike. Over the past decade, Tin Roof has expanded into dinner service, weathered the pandemic and helped feed the community
The Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy returned to Front Street in Lahaina this month, three years after the shop was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires. The family business received approval to resume operations in Lahaina on Aug. 1. That morning, kahu Greg led a blessing to mark the academy’s homecoming and an exciting new chapter for the Kinimaka
Across Honolulu, you can find restaurants tapping into fun dining trends, from morning rituals and teatime to adult happy meals and girl dinner. 1. Food Fix at Common Ground View this post on Instagram A post shared by Common Ground (@commongroundhnl) Located in the island’s business district, Common Ground at AC Hotel Honolulu is the island’s boutique bodega. It recently
SPAM musubi is a signature snack in Hawaiʻi. A simple combination of white rice, SPAM, nori (seaweed), there’s really nothing better than a freshly made SPAM musubi—except for a free one. READ MORE: The History of 5 Local Grinds in Hawaiʻi L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is celebrating the 6th annual National SPAM Musubi on Aug. 8,
Nicknamed the Garden Isle, Kauaʻi is known for its verdant valleys, lush greenery and epic hiking trails. The island is also lined with beautiful beaches. From stretches of soft white sand to rugged coastlines, these are the five best beaches on Kauaʻi, according to our 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. READ MORE: Get Expert Ocean Safety Tips From the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department 1. Hanalei Bay Our
White rice topped with a hamburger patty, sunny-side-up eggs and smothered in brown gravy—that’s Hawaiʻi’s iconic loco moco. It’s a humble dish believed to have originated in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island. Today, restaurants across the Islands serve the hearty dish, and locals and travelers alike have their favorite spots. Here’s how our readers ranked the best
On a trip to Kauaʻi, I woke to the sun illuminating the sky above Kalapakī Beach. From my lānai, I watched locals heading out for morning swims while families wandered onto the sand to begin their day. Even if it’s just for a night or two, there’s something refreshing about trading the bustle of Honolulu for the slower pace of a
My dad knew trade winds and Kona winds by the direction the smoke was blowing from the sugarcane mill. But to me, the continuous gray clouds blowing from the smokestacks of the Pu‘unēnē Mill had nothing to do with wind and weather. They were just part of Maui’s natural landscape. And it never crossed my
Hiking is one of the best ways to explore Oʻahu’s diverse terrain. The island boasts miles of trails, including hikes to waterfalls, across ridges and to the top of summits. Here are the 5 best hikes on Oʻahu, according to HAWAIʻI Magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. 1. Diamond Head Summit Trail Leading to the summit
Two scoops white rice, a scoop mac salad and a generous portion of a protein like teriyaki beef, chicken katsu or grilled fish—and you have Hawaiʻi’s quintessential plate lunch. The plate lunch—or mixed plate—is a symbol of the Islands’ plantation era when workers from different backgrounds shared home-cooked meals, resulting in a blend of foods that make up Hawaiʻi’s one-of-a-kind cuisine. Today, the
