A Whale of a Good Time
Now that spring has officially sprung, Hawaii’s famed beach season is finally upon us. But the warmer days ahead spell the end of another unmissable island experience that’s worth catching while you still can: the annual humpback whale migration. Between late December and early May, thousands of humpback whales congregate in the warm, shallow waters…
The Best of Honolulu’s Live Music
Between the soothing sounds of the ukulele and the hypnotic harmonies of slack-key guitar, Hawaii is renowned for its musical heritage. Venues across Honolulu keep that legacy alive today, whether by supporting the performance of traditional music or promoting more recent innovations like “Jawaiian,” a Pacific spin on reggae. While this fertile musical soil has…
How Hawaii Fell in Love with SPAM
Peruse enough restaurant menus in Hawaii and you might notice a surprising ingredient among the pork, pineapple, and poi. Hawaiians consume more SPAM per capita than any other US state—a whopping five cans per person each year, totaling more than 7 million cans annually. There’s a cookbook dedicated to SPAM—Ann Kondo Corum’s Hawaii’s Spam Cookbook—an…
The BIG Islands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea#/media/File:Mauna_Kea_from_the_ocean.jpg Measuring in at just under 11,000 square miles, Hawaii is one of the smallest U.S. states. But we make the most of our tiny footprint. We boast big waves, a big culture, and some of the biggest attractions around. Here’s a sampling of can’t-miss destinations that will leave you wondering if, after all, everything…
Hawaii Five … Snow?
Earlier this week, visitors to Hawaii’s tallest peak were treated to an island rarity: fluffy white snow. Believe it or not, Mauna Kea is one of three mountains—along with Mauna Loa and Haleakela—that receives snowfall most winters. It’s a surreal experience to gaze down on our famous beaches as snowflakes drift down around you. While…
HONK for Hula!
November is squarely in the middle of our rainy season here in (usually) sunny Hawaii, but one can’t-miss bright spot is Hula O Nā Keiki on November 9-11. An annual event now in its 34th year, Hula O Nā Keiki (or HONK, for short) is Hawaii’s only children’s hula competition, where kids aged 5-17 vie…
A Scarily Good Guide to Halloween in Honolulu
Hawaii is famous for its endless summers, but we know how to have a blast in all seasons. We’ve rounded up three Halloween events in Honolulu that will have you screaming Alo-aaaah! Nightmare Pop-Up Bar, October 1—31 Kick off the fright nights with a visit to Nightmare, a Halloween-themed pop-up bar that’s open this month…
Paradise, Elvis Style: Your Guide to the King’s Hawaii
No non-native Hawaiian is more closely associated with the islands than musical icon Elvis Presley. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll couldn’t help falling in love with Hawaii and frequently vacationed on Oahu throughout the 1960s and ‘70s. He even filmed three movies here: Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (2963, and Paradise, Hawaiian Style…
Get Off Your “Iron Butt” and Try Some ʻŌkolehau
Today, Hawaii’s beer scene is overflowing with delectable West Coast-style IPAs and refreshing tropical fruit beers. But throughout the 1900s, beer making struggled to get off the ground in Hawaii until Prohibition finally obliterated the industry in 1920. Thankfully, we Hawaiians had an alternative to keep our whistles wet: ʻŌkolehau, Hawaii’s only indigenous liquor. The…
Insider’s Guide to Honolulu’s Museums
Hawaii is all about natural splendor, of course, but when you need to beat the heat or escape a rainstorm a museum is the perfect refuge. Luckily, Honolulu is home to some of the best museums around. Check out some of our favorites to walk through Hawaii’s storied past. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hawaiian_Hall_-_heiau_recreation_in_miniature.jpg The Bishop Museum Founded in…