It doesn’t matter where I’m visiting—Kenosha, Wisconsin or Kyoto, Japan—I seek out independent bookstores. I love browsing the shelves, running my fingers along tattered spines or finding something unexpected in the not-always-organized rows of books. And you can learn a lot about the place you’re visiting from these locally own shops, too, which often showcase staff […]
*This story was updated in January 2026. I had never hugged a tree before. But there I was, on a recent Saturday morning at Lyon Arboretum in Mānoa Valley on Oʻahu, doing just that—well, actually, stroking a tree’s weathered trunk and marveling at how tall and straight it was. There was something calming and gratifying
It’s a nightmare that haunts every traveler: You’ve spent countless hours perfecting your ideal vacation itinerary, only to be welcomed by a downpour. Hawaii has its fair share of rainy days, especially this time of the year, but don’t let the cloudy skies get you down. Here are several ways you can make the most
Doughnuts may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Hawaii. But local bakeries have long whipped up tasty, unusual and downright delicious yeast and cake doughnuts that you should eat any day—not just on National Doughnut Day today. (Editor’s Note: There are two National Doughnut Days—today and the first Friday
Most people know about Hawaiʻi-grown coffee. We’re one of only two U.S. states that’s able to grow coffee plants commercially. (The other is California.) But there’s another crop that we turn to for caffeine grown here: tea.
It wasn’t until I was a mom that I realized the beauty of adults-only resorts. Not that I don’t like being around kids. In fact, kids—and their unbridled exuberance—often make a vacation way more fun. But sometimes it’s nice to be around just grown-ups, having adult conversations over adult beverages. Hotel Wailea, Maui’s only Relais & Chateaux luxury
For over a year, the Waikiki Parc Hotel has been closed for a $60 million renovation. When it reopens on Oct. 25, it will have a new name—Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani—and something else we’re exctied about: a new bakery and restaurant. Simply called the Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant, it will occupy the space vacated by
Debora Driscoll hadn’t set out to become a soap-maker. But after receiving a holiday basket containing handcrafted soaps nearly 20 years ago, Driscoll and her business partner—and then-husband—Jerry altered course. They decided to make soap. But not just any kind. Their soap would be good for the skin and safe for the environment, too. In
Gentle ocean playgrounds with sand-castle-building potential, simplified menus for elementary palates, convenience stores stocked with snacks and floaties—these amenities quickly win the hearts of families vacationing in Hawaii. But choosing the ideal resort also depends largely on what kind of experience you’re looking for: Do you want to see it all, do it all or
There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh island pineapple here in Hawaii, and on the Valley Isle one brand reigns supreme: Maui Gold. Previously hailed as the largest pineapple grower in Hawaii, longtime farm company Maui Land & Pineapple closed its doors in 2009 after 97 years. But rather than see their prized pineapples
Perhaps you’ve seen the friendly, distinctively-colored nene (pronounced “nay-nay”) at a park, wildlife refuge, ranch, golf course or zoo in Hawaii. But there’s more to these inquisitive birds than meets the eye. 1. The nene goose is descended from the Canadian goose. Photo: Getty Images 4. The Hawaiian name “nene” comes from the bird’s soft,
The regulation of unhosted, transient short-term vacation rentals has, for a while now, been a hot-button issue that could impact visitors as well as locals. The City & County of Honolulu has finally taken a side on this issue by promising to crackdown on the rentals, also known as illegal bed-and-breakfasts. And while the facts
