*This story was originally published on Aug. 24, 2020. Born Aug. 24, 1890, Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku became one of Hawaiʻi’s most celebrated citizens during his lifetime. From winning gold medals for the U.S. Olympic swim team to serving as sheriff of Honolulu, the ever-suave Kahanamoku ended up becoming the Islands’ ambassador […]
This story was originally published on Sept. 26, 2017. Beginning in the 1850s, as the sugar industry grew and plantations began to multiply throughout Hawaiʻi, plantation owners—many tracing their ancestry to English and American missionary families—began importing contracted laborers from outside the Islands to supplement Hawaiian laborers. By the early 20th century, thousands of
*This story was originally published on May 19, 2020. Every surf break on Oʻahu, even the ones that only emerge during historic swells, has a name. And these backstories can be intriguing, clever—or downright hilarious. Here are some of the stories behind Oʻahu’s surf breaks, thanks to the manaʻo (thought, belief, theory) of historian John
*This story was originally published on Jan. 26, 2018. When it’s my turn to order at Kaimukī’s Crack Seed Store, I tell Mr. Young, the owner, that I’ll have whatever the guy in front of me had. What the guy had was a strawberry Icee with li hing mui (preserved plum) juice and vanilla
Walking through the Ching Young Village Shopping Center is like taking a step back in time. With mom and pop shops that have called the center home since the 1980s and ’90s, the plaza captures Hanalei’s charming mix of small-town spirit and surf culture. Generations of residents and visitors have come to cherish browsing through
Cultural classes and Hawaiian entertainment returns to the Royal Hawaiian Center. Since the center opened its doors on Kalakāau Avenue in 1980, it has welcomed both locals and visitors and aimed to provide the best shopping and dining experiences and cultural lessons. Step into The Royal Grove to discover the legacy of Helumoa, Waikīkī’s historic
History lives all around us—even in our street signs. Yes, those light green indicators of where you are in the city also happen to be named after significant figures, places or people in Hawaiʻi’s history. And in Waikīkī, once home to Hawaiian royalty, there are dozens of street signs all with their own fascinating tales.
It’s no puzzle why people have been stocking up on jigsaws during COVID-19. The home hobby is a great way for ‘ohana to silence the outside noise (and electronics) and engage in something together. The problem, last year, was that puzzles were selling out. At one point, one Target in Honolulu only had two designs
While each Hawaiian island is as beautiful and postcard-perfect as the next, each has its own distinct personality—and its own nickname, too. But, if you’re unfamiliar with each island’s individual history and peculiarities, it might be a mystery as to why Lānaʻi, for example, is called The Pineapple Island. So let’s dig in! Oʻahu (The
Over 700 years ago, ancient Hawaiian settlers founded Lapakahi, a small seaside village that for years prospered within Koai‘e Cove. The waters were abundant with marine life, the location was sheltered from the harsh Kohala winds and numerous thatched-roof hale (houses) were erected in the area. Today, it’s easy to see what once was at Lapakahi, now a historical
The origin of the shaka, and how it got its unique name, has long been shrouded in mystery. Some say it came from David “Lippy” Espinda, who owned a local gas station and would greet his customers with a shaka. Others believe that the shaka came from Spanish immigrants, who would put their thumbs to
Halloween is just around the corner and you know what that means! Tricks and treats, an assortment of pumpkin-flavored beverages, horrifying costumes and—of course—spooky stories. The kind that gives you chicken skin (Hawaiʻi slang for goosebumps) and makes it hard to sleep at night. Our staffers, and friends from sister-publications, shared with us a few terrifying
