Checking into your room and hitting the hotel bar for a mai tai has long been step one for many travelers to Hawaiʻi. And the next time they’re in town, those travelers might notice something different about their favorite watering holes. Throughout Honolulu and Waikīkī, hotels are reenvisioning basic lobby bars and swapping them for […]
This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2014. “You didn’t pre-order?” As she says this, the woman behind the counter at Two Ladies Kitchen stares at me in disbelief. A line of customers winds behind me and out of the small downtown Hilo mochi shop and onto the sidewalk alongside bustling Kīlauea Avenue.
This story was originally published on July 13, 2021. In Hawaiʻi, people talk a lot about who has got the best local grinds—slang for food. It is a contentious subject because, in the Islands, we love our food! And while it may surprise Mainland visitors, 7-Eleven holds a very special place in the hearts—and tummies—of kamaʻāina
Most afternoons you can find Faria chef and co-owner Kawehi Haug prepping in the restaurant’s kitchen alongside her family. Haug’s dad—also the restaurant’s accountant—is scooping bay leaf butter onto dishes for bread baskets while her mom—head of human relations—is making desserts, and her hānai cousins are setting up the dining room and bar. When they
With a revolving menu of both wine offerings and delicious food pairings, The Tasting Room on Kauaʻi never gets stale. Wine and spirit lovers familiar with Kauaʻi’s south side have most likely met Dan and Ellen O’Connell, owners of The Wine Shop—a fixture in Kōloa Town for nearly 20 years. As a natural extension, “Dan-o”
Hawaiʻi Island is home to an incredible variety of local farms and producers, providing chefs with the opportunity to prepare creative dishes with the freshest ingredients available. Across the island, you’ll find restaurants committed to working and supporting local farms, ranchers and fishermen. The results are beautiful dishes highlighting the one-of-a-kind flavors of Hawaiʻi. Here
Oʻahu’s Chinatown is home to dozens of markets, restaurants and shops. Packed within just a few blocks, they’re brimming with local and imported produce, fresh meats and fish, Chinese herbal medicines, authentic dim sum, and plenty of lei and libations. Here are four places that have opened within the past year that are worth visiting
It’s well-known among locals that if you’re visiting Hawaiʻi Island, you better return with delicious omiyage (gifts) to share. From fluffy sweet bread to delightful strawberry mochi, some seriously iconic sweet treats can be enjoyed on Hawaiʻi Island. According to HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, these are the best bakeries on the Big Island in 2025.
The story of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dish goes back decades. Over 30 years ago, he and five other chefs arrived at Haliʻimaile General Store in Upcountry to work a charity event. After it wrapped, when the chefs were ready to relax and have something to eat, Matsuhisa put together a late-night snack with leftover
On an island known for its high prices, finding delicious cheap eats can feel like striking gold. Yet, many of Hawaiʻi’s iconic dishes are the result of creative cooking with humble ingredients. From the simple Spam musubi to no-frills saimin and shave ice (it’s literally just ice!), these foods prove that you don’t need to
Hawai‘i boasts an incredible and vibrant culinary scene. And with exciting restaurants opening every year, it’s hard to narrow down which new eateries are the best. Thanks to our savvy HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, here are the best five new restaurants in Hawaiʻi that rose to the top of our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. 1. Makawao
*This story was originally published on Jun. 28, 2019. After months of watching and waiting, it’s finally here: mango season, which, in Hawaiʻi, runs from March to November, depending on the variety. The sweet and tangy orange fruit first arrived in Hawaiʻi from Mexico in the early 1800s and has been an Island favorite
