It’s been more than two decades since Kaʻiulani Blankenfeld began her career at Fairmont Orchid. A lifelong hula practitioner and teacher, Blankenfeld brings invaluable knowledge to her role as director of Hawaiian culture at the resort on the Kohala Coast on Hawaiʻi Island, a job she’s filled since 2019. Blankenfeld joined Fairmont Orchid 25 years […]
*This story was originally published on Jan. 22, 2019, and updated in September 2025. It’s early on a Thursday morning, the sun is just beginning to rise over North Kohala and I’m staring up at the king himself. Standing regally with his right arm outstretched, the King Kamehameha statue looks out over the small
Around the world, hotels are reimagining the culinary options for their guests—and properties throughout Hawaiʻi are keeping up with the trend. Today, hotel guests don’t need to leave their resort to find vibey cocktail lounges with clever drinks crafted with premium ingredients. And it doesn’t end with beautiful beverages. From innovative omakase to twists on
*This story was updated in January, 2026. Valentine’s Day will be quickly approaching. So, don’t wait to start planning. If you’re looking to create an unforgettable Valentine’s Day, consider coordinating a trip instead of a typical dinner date. Fortunately, there’s hardly a better time for a Valentine’s Day getaway since this year Feb. 14 falls
Outside my car window, all I see are lava fields—an archetypal characteristic of the landscape in Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island. Ancient Hawaiians classified the distinct types of lava here as ‘ā‘ā, denoting rough and jagged rocks, and pāhoehoe for lava that’s smooth and billowy. The expanses of lava rock are a sign of the Big
Nothing says summer like a tropical-themed pop-up bar at an oceanfront resort in Hawaiʻi. Add to that a little Bruno Mars—and it’s a bonafide party. The multi-Grammy award-winning, Hawaiʻi-born artist was in town in May to launch the SelvaRey Rum Bar, a pop-up bar at the Fairmont Orchid on Hawaiʻi Island. The bar, which front’s
It’s no wonder why Hawaiʻi is considered one of the most romantic places on the planet. Stunning sunsets, secluded beaches, luxurious resorts and intimate restaurants that make you feel extra special—the Islands offer the perfect backdrop for romance. The rest, though, is up to you. Read More: 7 Romantic Spots in Hawaiʻi Perfect for Couples 1.
Set on Hawaiʻi Island’s Kohala Coast, the beautiful Floating Lantern Festival brings together hundreds of residents and visitors to commemorate loved ones who have passed. The enchanting festival derives from Toro Nagashi, a Japanese tradition which translates to “lantern offerings on water.” During the Floating Lantern Festival on the Big Island, hundreds of paper
If you’ve ever been to the luxe Fairmont Orchid on Hawaiʻi Island—and lucky enough to dine at Brown’s Beach House on a Tuesday or Wednesday—you might have tried the dessert special: the Tropical Malasada Shortcake. (At least you should have!) It’s a housemade malasada, sliced in half and filled with vanilla ice cream and topped
These days, when I’m thinking about the perfect vacation in Hawaiʻi, it involves somewhere I can put my toes in the sand, a place where I can feel pampered, where I can enjoy an oceanside massage complete with salty breezes, cocktails that fizz and foods that showcase the bounty of the island. My recent kamaʻāina
