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,
*This story was updated on April 1, 2026. 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.
*This story was originally published on Jan. 15, 2025, and updated in January 2026. The muʻumuʻu has come a long way from its reputation as a gaudy house dress. In fact, it’s very in vogue these days. So much so, January is Muʻumuʻu Month in Hawaiʻi. It started 11 years ago by Kauaʻi designer Shannon
It took a few months before I finally realized that my new normal really wasn’t so normal. For much of the summer I woke up with two numb fingers—middle and ring—sure signs of carpal tunnel that I’d forget about after coffee. And morning coffee was nonnegotiable: Interrupted sleep was the norm for me, and stress
Every year we like to look back at the stories HAWAIʻI Magazine readers viewed and engaged with the most. From new restaurants in Lahaina, Maui, to the best beaches across the Islands, here are the 10 articles that received the highest number of views on hawaiimagazine.com in 2025. (Click on the headlines of the stories to read more!) 10. Best Towns in Hawaiʻi in 2025 One-of-a-kind towns dot the
Hawaiʻi takes its firework shows seriously. On New Year’s Eve, beaches are lined with eager crowds waiting for midnight to strike as the night sky lights up with dazzling fireworks. From the shores of Waikīkī to the sands of Wailea, there are dozens of firework displays across the Islands to ring in 2025. Here are
*This story was updated on Dec. 24, 2025. A year ago on Dec. 23, 2024, one of the world’s most active volcanoes awoke. That morning, lava fountains spewed from a line of fissures at the base of the summit caldera. Declared episode one, the event was only a prelude to a series of dramatic eruptions at Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Prior to that, the
*This story was originally published on Dec. 12, 20218, and updated in December 2025. Who says there’s no winter in Hawaiʻi? Here are 12 ways to enjoy the winter season across the Islands. 1. See Sand-ta Claus at Sheraton Waikiki View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sheraton Waikiki Beach
*This story was originally published on Dec. 24, 2024, and updated in December 2025. With its year-round tropical climate and an endless-summer energy, it’s no surprise snowbirds flock to Maui every winter. But that doesn’t mean the island lacks holiday spirit. Across the Valley Isle, you can enjoy festive celebrations throughout December. From
In Hawaiʻi, we’re decking the halls across the Islands at holiday parades, light shows and pop-up events. On Oʻahu, you don’t want to miss ’Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice, a spectacular 56,0000-square-foot wonderland. Held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, ’Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice, presented by American Savings Bank, is
