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Artworks of Hawaii Wood
The unusual trees of Hawaii are stunning in their size and variety (not to mention the ability to grow flowers). The wood of these trees also becomes a beautiful work of art at the hands of a master artisan. Many will soon be on display in Hawaii’s Woodshow. The annual Furniture and Woodworking Show is…
Read MoreTraditional Hawaiian Farming
Step back in time nearly 800 years, when Waikiki Beach was a rocky shoreline and the surrounding areas were a marshy wetland ideal for growing crops, especially the Hawaiian staple: taro. At the edge of the present day University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, a productive loi (taro field) known as Ka Papa Loi o…
Read MoreBurial relocation protests in Hawaii
Moving burial locations is always controversial. Plans anywhere to move a cemetery for new construction usually spark protests. But a protest today highlights why moving burial locations is especially contentious in Hawaii. The traditional Native Hawaiian custom had a slightly different view of what happens to the body and spirit after death. For Christians, at…
Read MoreHawaii Coconut Harvest
Coconuts line the beach in Hawaii, tossed by the winter waves. It is not unusual to see coconuts floating in the waters near the shore but I don’t usually see this many on the sand all at one time. Coconut trees are common on all the islands of Hawaii. Coconuts are called “self-harvesting”— they drop…
Read MoreSt Andrew’s Cathedral Honolulu has Royal Roots
Hawaii is full of eye-catching cathedrals and churches. The islands’ missionary history and architectural trends mean that there’s a lot to see and learn about the religious sites you’ll find here. St. Andrew’s Cathedral Honolulu has a fascinating (and royal!) history. The History of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Honolulu The Cathedral of St. Andrew (commonly called…
Read MoreFestival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade in Hawaii
The Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade is a unique chance to experience holiday magic, Hawaii style! Many homes decorate for the holidays in Hawaii, just as on the mainland. Offices and stores also have lights and Christmas figures. In Hawaii, even boats get into the act. The Hawaii Kai Festival of Lights Christmas Boat…
Read MoreHow Christmas came to Hawaii
The first Christian missionaries in Hawaii were Puritan and carried with them their distaste for Christmas celebrations. Captain Cook first sighted the islands of Oahu and Kauai just after Christmas in 1777 and missionaries arrived aboard the Thaddeus in 1820 but the first official Christmas celebration was not until 1862. That year, the Government of…
Read MoreFinding Tranquility at Kauai Hindu Monastery
Calm and grounded tranquility spiral up my body and mind once I step foot on the tropical soil of the Kauai Hindu Monastery. The monastery, on 376 lush acres near the Wailua River, contains botanical gardens, waterways, and ponds. Sitting at the foot of the extinct volcano, Mount Waialeale, the spiritual sanctuary invites visitors to…
Read MoreVisiting Laie Hawaii Temple
The Laie Hawaii Temple is a sight to behold on Oahu’s windward coast. The imposing white temple stands between the green mountains and blue ocean, so stately that it’s nicknamed the “Taj Mahal of the Pacific.” Today, we’re learning all about this glistening structure and how you can see it during your Hawaii vacation. “Brought…
Read MoreAloha Shirts Capture the Spirit of Hawaii
On their recent Hawaii vacation, my folks really enjoyed going to the Hilo Hattie store in Lihue, Kauai. Boasting Hawaii’s largest selection of Hawaiian fashion, gifts and aloha wear; it’s a treat for visitors! That got me thinking about Aloha shirts. I mean, where else in the world is there a shirt that so exemplifies…
Read MoreGilligan’s Island in Hawaii
The island immortalized in the series “Gilligan’s Island” is a swimming distance from the shore of Oahu in Hawaii. But the real island has a much more interesting story than one concocted by television scriptwriters. The island is one-fifth of a mile from the shore in Kaneohe Bay. Although most locals call it “Coconut Island,“…
Read MoreLei: The Ultimate Aloha Symbol
Of course you want to share Aloha with those you cherish. In Hawaii, aloha means love or warm affection. And one of the best ways to share it with someone is by giving an aloha symbol. How do you do that? One of the most popular ways to share aloha is to share a lei. …
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