Just in time for the winter surf season, The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay is bringing back its iconic bar. After a five-year closure, Surfer, The Bar returns as a pop-up from Dec. 5 to 13, welcoming kamaʻāina and resort guests to kick off surf season on the North Shore. While at the resort, it seems […]
When I was a kid, my mom’s go-to dessert recipe was pineapple upside-down cake. She used canned pineapple—just like every other mom who grew up in the 1950s and ’60s—placed maraschino cherries in the center of each slice and served her gooey masterpiece on a glass cake platter. After dinner, using an antique silver cake
*This article was originally published on Dec. 13, 2018, and updated in December 2025. There’s nothing better than picking out your own Christmas tree, and at Helemano Farms in Wahiawā, Oʻahu’s only Christmas tree farm, it’s easy. “We have the full service here,” says Carol, a longtime worker at Helemano Farms. “We greet our
Kauaʻi is home to local businesses and artisans whose products make memorable gifts. From punny chocolate to exquisite jewelry, these delightful ideas from the Garden Isle will help get your holiday shopping started. 1. Rooster Poop from Aloha Spice Co. Aloha Spice Co., a charming shop in Hanapēpē, is known for its salts and spice
While Hawaiʻi doesn’t experience dramatic seasonal changes, there are still plenty of ways to feel the holiday spirit throughout the Islands. From Christmas parades to Santa Claus paddling in a canoe, these festive events will help you get into the jolly spirit. Let the festivities begin! Oʻahu Honolulu City Lights Nov. 29 to Dec.31, 2025
It may be hard to believe, but there are certainly signs winter has arrived in Hawaiʻi. On Oʻahu, you know it’s the holiday season when a jolly 21-foot Santa Clause is throwing a shaka outside of Honolulu Hale. The annual Honolulu City Lights is one of the most anticipated festivals every year. Residents and visitors
*This story was originally published on Dec. 3, 2024, and updated in November 2025. A languid afternoon, a tray of desserts, maybe a glass of Champagne. That’s how I want to spend the holidays. And afternoon tea service, especially the ones on Oʻahu, offer all of that—and sometimes an ocean view. Here are six
When my older brother came back to Maui on his college breaks, he would often pick me up from school and we’d spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach. Many days ended with us grabbing plates of poke at one of his favorite spots, a shave ice stand in Pāʻia—which remains one of
ʻIolani Palace invites guests to walk its halls during its Queen Kapiʻolani Evening Tours in late December. The experience celebrates the queen’s birthday, with tours available only on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28. Tickets are available now. “In the evening light, you feel the presence of our aliʻi in these halls,” said Paula Akana, president
*This story was originally published on Nov. 8, 2023, and was updated in November 2025. While traveling in the winter anywhere else in the world may subject visitors to colder weather, snow and darker days, Hawaiʻi sees tropical weather and perfectly sunny weather even in December and January. Sure, it may rain a bit
Dark chocolate melts on my tongue as I stand in the shade of the orchards at Maui Ku‘ia Estate Cacao Farm, grateful for the brief reprieve from the infamous Lahaina sun. I feel as close as I can get to savoring chocolate straight from the source. I’m here for the Maui Chocolate Tour’s newest offering:
Executive chef Brad Dodson is cooking up fresh culinary experiences at 855-Aloha, Romer House Waikīkī’s signature—and uber-cool—restaurant. Dodson took the helm of the restaurant in July, and by August he had reimagined a menu that brought 855-Aloha back to its old-school roots, perfectly complementing the nostalgic vibes of the hotel. The playful menu celebrates the
