Sunday was a historic day for the Hōkūleʻa as it began its four-year journey around the Pacific. The Hōkūleʻa—a performance-accurate waʻa kaulua, a Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, operated and sailed using traditional Polynesian navigation techniques—left Statter Harbor in Juneau, Alaska, at 4:15 a.m. AKDT. And it will be on its journey through the Pacific Ocean […]
A long-held Buddhist tradition, Obon festivals are held every year to honor the spirits of our ancestors. At the festivals, everyone can communally partake in lively bon dances with live music to greet the spirits. Bring your whole family and join in the festivities of good food, shimmering lanterns and a celebration of life. OʻAHU
Maybe you’ve already booked your trip to Hawaiʻi Island—or maybe you’re planning a last-minute vacation to the Big Island. Either way, you’ll definitely want to visit Kīlauea, which began erupting again on June 7, 2023—and putting on quite a show, too. The new eruption began just before sunrise on June 7, filling Halemaʻumaʻu Crater with
Three Hawaiʻi beaches made the 2023 Top 10 Beach List—but, like last year, none topped it. Oʻahu’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach moved up to No. 2 in the rankings by coastal coastal expert Stephen Leatherman—aka Dr. Beach—a professor at Florida International University. Wailea Beach on Maui and Poʻipū Beach on. Kauaʻi took the No. 7 and No.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument is a verdant 4,000-acre park home to one of Maui’s most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200-foot ʻĪao Needle. The peaceful area is popular among residents and regularly draws travelers. The park has been closed since Aug. 1, 2022, due to a slope stabilization project. After this nine-month closure, the Maui park is
This March, HAWAIʻI Magazine readers spent a lot of time preparing to travel to Kauaʻi—whether they’re first-timers or seasoned regulars—visitors wanted to know what to expect on a trip to the beloved Garden Isle. Along with what to pack and where to make reservations across the Islands, readers wanted to know what not to do
This article was updated with a few new things not to do. The original piece was uploaded on Aug. 13, 2019. You don’t often hear about the things not to do in Hawaiʻi, so let this be your guide. Think of them more like insider tips on how to stay safe, be respectful and get
While gusty winds and heavy rain persist across Hawaiʻi, Mauna Kea on Hawaiʻi Island was blanketed with snow. And the summit wasn’t the only spot on the volcano to receive dusting. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, it snowed at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center, which sits at an elevation of about 9,200 feet. The
Hawaiʻi has long lured visitors with its tropical climate and golden beaches. But recently there has been concerns about how tourism—particularly overtourism—is impacting Hawaiʻi’s natural environment. And, maybe more importantly, how Hawaiʻi has changed to accommodate visitors. Traditions are ignored, culture is dismissed, and visitors aren’t experiencing what really makes the Islands so unique and
It’s difficult to find a name more legendary in Hawaiʻi’s shave ice industry than Matsumoto. Serving the Islands’ ubiquitous cold treat and maintaining an endearing charm, Matsumoto Shave Ice has drawn residents and visitors to Oʻahu’s North Shore for decades. This week the Matsumoto family celebrates 72 years of business in Haleʻiwa. On Saturday, Feb.
Considered to be among the country’s most prestigious honors, the James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries. Today, the foundation announced the semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards, which includes 11 Hawaiʻi restaurants and chefs. From hole-in-the-wall eateries to upscale restaurants, the Islands are home to a
This story was originally published on Jan. 24, 2023. It’s not every day the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational happens at Waimea Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore. In fact, in 34 years, the surf contest, which requires wave faces to be consistently larger than 40 feet (measured from the front of the wave)
