This March, Hawaiʻi is honoring the 50th birthday of Hōkūleʻa, a symbolic voyaging canoe. When the vessel was first built and launched in the 1970s, it sparked a cultural renewal in the Islands and around the world. To celebrate the momentous 50th anniversary, the Polynesian Voyaging Society invites the public to a series of special […]
Tucked away in an urban jungle of concrete buildings and bustling streets, Foster Botanical Garden is a hidden gem and provides a peaceful respite. Opened to the public in 1931, it’s the oldest of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, which includes Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, Wahiawā Botanical Garden and Koko Crater Botanical Garden. READ MORE:
Oʻahu’s North Shore attracts professional surfers from around the world, lured by the massive swells that arrive every winter. But it’s also become a top destination for nonsurfers, with top-notch restaurants, trendy cafés and chic boutiques, all of which can be a bit pricey. However, you don’t have to spend a cent to have a
Many people make the winding trip on Tantalus-Round Top Drive to the top of Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside for the panoramic views. Yet, few people—visitors or locals—know about the small-scale lūʻau at the park. The Nutridge Estate is nestled on the slopes of Mount Tantalus, overlooking Honolulu. The estate opened in the 1920s as one
The holidays are officially in full swing! While there’s no drastic change between seasons here in the Islands, there are still plenty of ways to feel the holiday spirit and celebrate. From wandering through a winter wonderland to sipping cocktails at Christmas-themed bars, these attractions and pop-up activities on Oʻahu will help you get into
The server at Alaia places a bowl in front of me full of tender baby arugula topped with red and golden beets, slices of watermelon radishes and thinly sliced hearts of palm. Everything except the hearts of palm was grown at a nearby farm. That may not sound too unusual, especially in Hawai‘i where restaurants
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is breaking ground with its first resident show in Hawaiʻi this December. The production is entitled ʻAuana, loosely translating to wander, veer off the beaten path or to embark on a journey in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). Cirque du Soleil, famous for its jaw-dropping acts and theatrical artistry, promises
In Hawaiʻi winter brings cooler weather, humpback whales and, of course, massive surf to north-facing shores. Surfing—or heʻe nalu in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language)—is believed to have originated in ancient Polynesia and brought to the Islands, where it thrived. Once a sport reserved for aliʻi (Hawaiian royalty), commoners were allowed to hit the waves when
The early morning sun streaks through monkeypod trees as my wife, Kaila, and I walk the aisles of the Kapi‘olani Community College Farmers Market, run by the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau. Here, dozens of local farms and businesses sell their produce and products every week. And, it turns out, it’s also the perfect starting point for
When you think of Hawaiʻi, you think of beaches—and Oʻahu has some of the world’s best. From Waikīkī to Waimea Bay, here are your picks for the best beaches on Oʻahu, according to our 2024 Readers’ Choices Awards. 1. Waikīkī Beach Waikīkī Beach is one of the most recognizable shorelines in the world, stretching along
The 78th annual Aloha Festivals takes place in September, culminating in an annual floral parade on Saturday down Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī. This year’s parade—the 76th one, presented by ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach—will feature a procession of festive floral floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands and, of course, traditional pāʻū riders. The parade runs from 9
Hawaiʻi is ranked as the healthiest state in the U.S., according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health index scores. While the mild, consistent weather and close proximity to the ocean and mountains enable year-round outdoor activities, a daily vitamin D boost from the sun and a deep connection to nature all contribute
