On Oct. 15, those planning to travel to Hawaiʻi may be able to bypass the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test result. And although travelers are more than ready to come back to the Islands, is the state ready for visitors? That’s what Cat and Kevin explore on this week’s episode of […]
When ESPACIO opened in Waikīkī in September 2019, it was lauded as the most indulgent luxe hotel on Oʻahu—arguably the state. The hotel features just nine three-bedroom suites sprawling over 2,250 square feet each with ocean-view balconies equipped with Jacuzzis and personal butlers. Rooms start at $5,000 a night, which includes two 50-minute spa treatments and
Good news for families and Disney fans of all ages: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina on Oʻahu is planning to reopen on Nov. 1. SEE ALSO: Disney Aulani Resort’s Hidden Treasures The popular—and arguably most magical—resort had been closed since March due to the spread of COVID-19 in the Islands and around the world. Since
The story of Hala Tree Coffee started with a vacation to Hawaiʻi Island. In 2012, Jean and Danielle Orlowski jumped on a plane to the Big Island for a weeklong—and much-needed—vacation. Jean, who worked for a futures and option broker for about 20 years on Wall Street, was burnt out. The couple immediately fell in
Oʻahu eases some restrictions on its latest stay-at-home, work-at-home order starting Sept. 24, including allowing up to five people to hit trails, beaches and parks together. This comes after the Hawaiʻi Department of Health officials today reported 63 new coronavirus infections statewide—55 on Oʻahu—bringing the total number to 11,522 cases. Today marks the third day in a row
This is the news many frequent visitors to the Islands have been waiting for. Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige announced today that out-of-state travelers with negative COVID-19 test results may be able to skip the 14-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival in the Islands starting Oct. 15. This much-anticipated pre-travel testing program—first announced back in June and postponed
The latest plan was to start a pre-arrival testing program to reopen tourism in Hawaiʻi on Oct. 1. That might get postponed again. After a surge in new COVID-19 cases, primarily on Oʻahu, the state implemented another stay-at-home, work-at-home order, with strict guidelines on what businesses can open and restrictions on gatherings and the use of public beaches, trails and
By the time you read this, things will have already changed. (In fact, I’ve had to update this letter since it was originally published in our Summer 2020 issue.) By late March, COVID-19 was widespread and this summer it only got worse . There are nearly 200,000 deaths around the world and more than 10,000 confirmed cases in Hawai‘i.
I grew up in Haleʻiwa, so believe me when I say that the streets of this little beachside borough have never been this quiet. Due to COVID-19, as well as the latest stay-at-home, work-from-home orders, dozens of businesses around Haleʻiwa have closed their doors, some temporarily, others permanently. That, coupled with the fact that the
This is the fourth blog in a series about how Hawai‘i neighborhoods have changed since the spread of COVID-19. Read what O‘ahu’s Waikīkī, Kailua and Hale‘iwa look like now. Popular Scandinavian Shave Ice is still open—but workers now use face shields when preparing and serving its shave ice. Photo: Laura Dornbush With a mandatory 14-day
If there was a silver lining to COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi, it’s Hanauma Bay. The protected marine bay in East Honolulu on Oʻahu closed to visitors on March 18 and still hasn’t reopened. (Other city beaches had reopened since, but the bay remained closed this whole time because visitors are required to watch an educational video
A decade ago, Watermark Publishing, our magazine’s sister company, published a book that became the go-to resource to understanding Hawai’i’s unique culinary history. And I loved it because it was filled with Island-style recipes! But “Kau Kau: Cuisine and Culture in the Hawaiian Islands” by Hilo-based writer Arnold Hiura had been out of print for years—until
