Every year May 1 marks Lei Day in Hawaiʻi. It’s a tribute to the iconic Hawaiian lei, a beautiful symbol of aloha that is so tightly woven in Hawaiian culture. Originating in the 1920s during a period of steamship travel to the Islands, Lei Day has blossomed into a beloved tradition. Throughout the Islands, festivals […]
There’s a lot to love about the Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikīkī, from its beachfront Hau Tree restaurant with unobstructed ocean views to the laid-back retro vibe that permeates the boutique hotel. And now there’s one more reason to visit: happy hour. Last month the hotel launched a new pau hana (which roughly translates to
Just before sunset, the lānai at Hau Tree restaurant fills with diners clinking glasses of rosé and frozen piña coladas. Each table, tucked beneath hau trees ornamented with wicker globe lanterns, is just steps from the sand. As the sun dips into the Pacific Ocean, a rainbow sherbet-colored sky serves as a backdrop for dinner
Chef John Taube IV takes a small pillow-shaped piece of pasta dough and, using a butter knife, presses it down at an angle and rolls it. “Essentially, you want that torn sort of look,” he explains. Then he takes the small piece of dough and puts it on his thumb, making a kind of miniature
Is there a more perfect meal than brunch? It combines the sweet offerings of breakfast—think crispy-edged pancakes and stuffed French toast—with the savory bites of lunch. And everything is topped with an egg! Oʻahu has no shortage of breakfast and brunch spots, from staples like Zippy’s Restaurants (where you can order breakfast all day in
With its golden beaches, turquoise waters and exciting surf culture, the world fell in love with Waikīkī in the 1960s. Even Elvis Presley was enthralled, filming three movies in the Islands during the decade. It was during this time that Hawaiʻi became a romanticized getaway with postcards sent from paradise. In recent years, an emerging
It was called the Hau Tree Lānai when I was growing up, an open-air, oceanfront restaurant right on Kaimana Beach in Waikīkī. It was the spot for bridal showers and brunch with friends. And because of its location—on the ground floor of the iconic New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel—many visitors to Oʻahu have fond memories
