Tucked on Oʻahu’s Windward Side, the once-sleepy town of Kailua often charms visitors and locals with its go-with-the-flow vibe and sandy coastlines. Just one look at Kailua Beach and Lanikai, and you’ll be enamored, and you might even be tempted to wake up before dawn to watch the sunrise from the top of Kaʻiwa Ridge. […]
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,
After miraculously finding a spot in the Pāʻia public parking lot, the day already feels auspicious. It’s been over a year since I last spent a full day in this bohemian coastal town on Maui’s north shore, and I’m eager to see what—if anything—has changed. Classic spots like Māna Foods, which has been around since
*This story was originally published on April 22, 2021, and updated in February 2026. Latin superstar Bad Bunny took the stage as the halftime show performer at the 2026 Super Bowl on Feb. 8. Earlier in February, the Puerto Rican rapper and singer took home the Grammy for album of the year with “Debí Tirar
According to Chinese zodiac, Feb. 17, 2026, marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse. Locals and visitors are invited to celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome in good fortune at Chinatown 808’s 50th Chinatown Festival and Parade on Saturday, Feb. 14. The all-day event runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. In partnership with American Savings Bank (ASB), Chinatown
The essence of Valentine’s Day is spending time with your kuʻuipo, or sweetheart. In Hawaiʻi, there’s no shortage of ways to make Feb. 14 memorable. Here are creative ways to spend Valentine’s Day in Hawaiʻi. 1. Share a Sweet Treat Local bakeries and confection shops are rolling out Valentine’s Day-themed treats. At Chinatown bakery
*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
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
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,
From ancient fishponds and lush rainforests to a beautiful tapestry of traditions and culture woven into our communities, Hawaiʻi is an extraordinary place. This remote archipelago in the Pacific thrived as an independent kingdom for nearly a century before being overthrown by American and European businessmen. While the story of Hawaiʻi contains struggles and
