The Mana Up Showcase, a celebration of Hawaiʻi’s local startups and all things trending in Hawaiʻi, is returning in 2023 with a whole new lineup of events. Presented by King’s Hawaiian, the Mana Up Showcase has made some significant changes as it enters its sixth year—so many that the 2023 event has been split into […]
Standing in a circle of native Hawaiian crops, I extend my hand as Ramsey Brown pours a handful of small, dried brown flowers into my palm. “This is our ʻilima,” he says. “A single ʻilima lei is made with 500 to 1,000 of these flowers.” I clasp the seeds just as a tropical breeze sweeps
Last month Foster Botanical Garden, the oldest of five city-run gardens on Oʻahu, reopened after it had been closed for improvements to pathways and bathrooms. Not much has changed at the 14-acre botanical garden, which can trace its roots back to 1853. That year Queen Kalama, the wife of King Kamehameha III, leased a 4.6-acre
I’m about to begin my journey through the massive Pineapple Garden Maze at the Dole Plantation on Oʻahu’s North Shore. But first, I breathe in the fresh air and pump myself up. The plan is to rush through the maze as fast as I can; I might not leave with a record time, but for
You’ll want to come hungry to the Hale ‘Aina Gala on Sept. 9, put on by our sister-publication HONOLULU Magazine. A feast for the eyes and stomach, the event celebrates the Hale ‘Aina Awards’ 40th year, and no expense has been spared to make sure this year’s gala is a truly memorable one for awardees
As clouds of dust get kicked up from the all terrain tires of the UTV Raptor in front of me, I’m glad I brought my bandana to cover my mouth on this Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour. Zipping along a dusty dirt road in Kualoa Ranch’s expansive property, we’ve only just begun this two hour journey
Growing up on the North Shore of O‘ahu, I always waited with bated breath for our next family excursion to Shark’s Cove. To me, it was a magical underwater playground with so much to do and see. And now, as an adult who lives on the other side of the island, I still look forward
Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular visitor attractions on Oʻahu—and for good reason. The protected marine bay in East Honolulu is easily the premier snorkeling spot on the island, with its pristine waters teeming with a diverse array of marine life. Prior to COVID-19, the bay received nearly 3,000 visitors a day. Today,
Under the sea, under the sea—you know how it goes. Everything’s better under the sea. It’s quiet, fish mosey along with their days and with a snorkeling mask, you can see it all with a clear view. It’s no wonder snorkeling is such an adored past time here in Hawaiʻi, where the ocean and the
Exploring the various flora and fauna of O‘ahu is always a welcome getaway. Our readers shared their favorite botanical gardens on the island—and they are our favorites, too. 1. Waimea Valley A site rich in history and culture, Waimea Valley is home to a 45-foot-tall waterfall—and call ahead to see if conditions are right for
Jim Little has been in the Hawaiʻi plumeria business for 50 years. Growing and cross-pollinating plumeria—known in Hawaiian as melia—since 1973, as Jim Little Nursery & Farms, Little has produced some of the most vibrant, fragrant and unique plumerias in the world. From ruffled flowers to plumeria in stunning shades of red and yellow, these
Early on a crisp morning I flee rush hour in Honolulu for solitude in the Ko‘olau Mountains. I set out on the Pali Highway, the view through my windshield gradually changing from concrete towers and sprawling neighborhoods to dense forests and rugged mountain ridges. O‘ahu is known as the Gathering Place, where fast urban pursuits
