The theater lights dim, a drumbeat ripples through your headphones and the IMAX-style screen bursts to life with stunning footage that takes you from the slopes of Haleakalā to the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Live musicians and dancers blur the line between stage and screen in a fusion of Hawaiian tradition and modern technology. […]
No trip to Hawaiʻi—especially for first-time visitors—is complete without attending an authentic lūʻau. These immersive gatherings share Hawaiian and often Polynesian history, culture, cuisine and dance to offer a glimpse into local traditions and storytelling. From beachfront settings and mesmerizing performances to flavorful dishes like kālua pork and lau lau, bottomless mai tais, and warm
What started as a normal day on Aug. 8, 2023, ended with me helplessly watching as the island where I was born and raised was consumed by a fiery hellscape. The next morning, all of Maui awoke to discover the horrifying reality that our beloved, historic Lahaina Town was gone. The days that followed were
Step back in time and into the heart of Hawaiian hospitality at the Old Lahaina Lūʻau, which reopened its doors on March 12 following a seven-month hiatus. The return of Old Lahaina Lūʻau marks a historic milestone and a beacon of hope after the Aug. 8 wildfire that destroyed Lahaina Town, including homes inhabited by
UPDATE: Sep. 19, 2023 In a video posted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, greenery blooms in a sea of dead leaves. It is none other than the Lahaina Banyan Tree, which has acted as a ray of hope for Lahaina locals and residents who lost everything in the deadly Maui wildfires
On a Thursday afternoon in the heart of old Makawao town, volunteers sew with great care and beneficence. The day’s project is stitching bags for kūpuna (elders) to attach to their wheelchairs. In the spring of 2020, a group of Maui residents began sewing together to address the severe shortage of face masks on the
Nestled on Mauna Kahālāwai on Maui is a hidden oasis. Native Hawaiian plants like the a‘ali‘i, a shrub with small green leaves and burgundy flowers, grow in a forest among naio, a false sandalwood, and alehe‘e, a tree with delicate and fragrant white flowers. Nearby, kalo (taro) sprout from a lo‘i (an irrigated terrace, especially
Wailuku is already one of the best towns to visit in Maui. Its eccentric streets, collection of locally owned small businesses and jovial community are uniquely Hawaiʻi, and encapsulate what it means to have aloha spirit. Doubling down on its artistic personality, Wailuku is also seeing a number of grand mural pieces and large-scale art installations
Standing in the doorway of Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House—located in the central Maui town of Wailuku—I’m struck by how much it looks, and feels, like a real home, not a museum. One of the oldest buildings of its kind on island, the plantation-style house was built in 1832 as missionaries were beginning to
Sprawling green hills, fields of lavender, vibrant jacaranda trees and panoramic views are all trademarks of Upcountry, Maui. But those that venture a little further passed Kula Country Farms and Grandma’s Coffee House will find Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park in Keokea. Here, all the splendors of Upcountry and more can be enjoyed. Resting high
This World Ocean Day, join Pacific Whale Foundation as it celebrates visual storytellers who are passionate about protecting the ocean and marine wildlife during the 6th Annual World Whale Film Festival. Presented by the nonprofit ocean conservation organization with funding provided by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Fund, the film festival lights
As the sun begins to peak over Haleakalā, silence breaks on Maui’s west side with chants to the sun. Dozens of people, including kumu (teachers), kamaʻaina (locals and long-time residents) and visitors, stand in gentle surf at Honokahua Beach (D.T. Fleming Beach). Every year, the emotional and enriching e ala e and hiʻuwai ceremonies commence
