Hawaii Vacation Blog

The Polihale Escape

There are few places in this world where I felt like I escaped it all, despite being only 12 miles from the nearest town. Just outside the edges of Kauai’s already rural setting and at the end of a bumpy dirt road lies Polihale State Park. This remote location of white powdery sand dunes is […]

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Surf Over to First Break Waikiki

​First Break Waikiki, a local boutique located in the Waikiki Sheraton, is popular with the tourists, but locals should check it out, too. Walking through the hotel’s lobby, you can’t help but notice this bright, attractive storefront. Its breezy fashions call out to be tried on and then worn straight out to the beach or […]

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Jack Johnson’s ‘Got You’

It’s been three years since singer-songwriter-surfer Jack Johnson came up with some new tunes. But his fans understand; he’s been busy being a family man, as a husband and father to three little keiki. We always see him cruising with his kids at Rocky Point (on Oahu’s North Shore), so it’s cool that he still […]

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No Boozing on the Beach in Hawaii

Is drinking alcohol on a beach allowed in Hawaii? Unfortunately, it is not allowed. According to the law, it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in your car or in public places, like beaches, parks or street sides. This usually comes as a surprise to many people, who thought they’d spend the […]

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She Sells Sea Glass on Kauai

In this age of Trash Turned Treasure, it’s no wonder Glass Beach on Kauai has become a gold mine for beachcombers. Scattered throughout the small patch of sand are smoothed-out gems from the sea; gems that had once been a glass jar or beer bottle. Not many tourists know about Glass Beach. That’s because it […]

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Banyan By the Sea

If there’s one tree in Hawaii that’s gotten the most attention, it’s the beautiful banyan outside of the Moana Surfrider. Standing at more than 115 years old, it’s withstood hurricanes, hung out with thousands of Moana guests and most impressively, witnessed the transformation of Waikiki into the hotel city it is today. It’s easy to […]

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Historic Kaimuki

Did you know that there used to be an ostrich farm in Kaimuki? It belonged to Hawaiian King David Kalakaua, who became fascinated in these exotic birds during his worldly travels. For most of the 1800s, ostriches could be seen roaming the mountainside of this historic Oahu district. Later, and for many years, the land […]

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Trade Winds Cool Off the Islands

It’s true when people say that Hawaii’s trade winds are like nature’s air conditioning. As I write this, a cool breeze is gently blowing through my house. Outside, I see the leaves dancing and hear their subtle rustlings. I want to be dancing, too, but instead, I continue to write. Actually, trade winds have always […]

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Singing ‘Waimanalo Blues’

Growing up, I’d hear the song “Waimanalo Blues” come on the radio. The soothing slack key intro always put me at ease, no matter if I was splashing around in the inflatable pool with my older brothers or dozing off immediately after, in the lawn chair next to Dad. My dad grew up in Waimanalo, […]

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Smoothie Loving at Lanikai Juice

Lanikai Juice has always been our go-to spot after spending the day in the sun, sand and surf. Just minutes from Lanikai Beach, the shop is known for its high-quality smoothies and fresh acai bowls. They’ve gotten so popular that, at almost any time of day, the small shop will be packed with thirsty customers. […]

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The ‘Danger Zone’ in Kekaha

Every year for about a month-long period, red warning flags go up on one of Kauai’s west side beaches. That’s because the military conducts live target practice in the area, home to the Kekaha Rifle Range. For decades, a one-mile area of the Pacific fronting the range has been off-limits during training. Surfers, fishermen and […]

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West Oahu’s Keawaʻula Beach (Yokohama Beach)

You can’t drive a full loop around west Oahu. Kaena Point stands in the way, offering beautiful hiking but no road access between the western and northern shores. But you can drive to Yokohama Beach, a stunning and secluded spot that marks the end of the road in west Oahu.  Visiting Yokohama Beach Yokohama Beach, […]

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