Hawaii Vacation Blog

I’ve had an unofficial policy of avoiding Waikiki unless I’m being paid to be there since before the pandemic. I’ve had an official policy of avoiding Las Vegas without generous remuneration for decades, for pretty much the same reason. There’s really nothing there for me. But we’ve a dear friend in town we haven’t seen […]

“Do you like Hawaiian pizza?” I was at a famous Waikiki Beach restaurant on assignment recently, Duke’s Waikiki, and the question would later send me into an existential tailspin. It was a simple and innocent yes-or-no question asked by a child on vacation with their parents. Sitting at the bar of my neighborhood pub days […]

A confluence of factors, algorithms, and introspection among them, compel me to write a blog about Hawaiian music. It’s a fool’s errand. Books have been written and graduate studies courses have been taught about Hawaiian music and the major players who constellate the firmament of beloved performers who have forged its modern and mainstream identity. […]

The Hawaiian Monk seal holds a unique significance in Hawaii. To begin with, it is one of only two native species found exclusively in Hawaii, the other being the Hoary bat. The Seal’s official name is “Monachus schauinslandi” which is known in Hawaiian as ‘ilio holo i ka uaua – the dog that goes in […]

You’re in good company if you’re wondering whether you require a passport to visit Hawaii. This question frequently arises because Hawaii has a unique cultural identity that makes it feel somewhat different from the mainland United States. Many travelers need clarification about the requirements. While Hawaii has the feel of a foreign country, it’s still […]

If you coming to the islands chances are you’re going to want a cocktail so here are some ideas for Hawaii’s tropical drinks. There are lots of them, and innumerable variations of each, depending on the hand that mixes them. Adult beverage culture and practice have evolved over many decades, with new ingredients, methods, and […]

If you’re coming to the Island of Oahu, you will likely be heading to the island’s Windward side. This part of the island includes, among other sites, Kaneohe, Kualoa Ranch, and a small island off the coast called Mokoli’i Island or also named Chinaman’s Hat. Name Origins This small island is also known as ‘Chinaman’s […]

There are countless iconic attractions for visitors to Hawaii. From Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head to Waimea Canyon Kauai to Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii Island to Haleakala Crater on Maui, many of these attractions are known and marveled at by people all over the world. All have been covered over the years in pages here […]

While Maui Ocean Center showcases marine life and fish, a tour offered by the family embraces Hawaiian culture and plants. Visitors to the Maui Ocean Center now have the opportunity to join a new tour dedicated to native plants and their significance in Hawaiian culture. Guided by a marine naturalist, the 90-minute tour was developed […]

No matter where you’re coming from, a trip to Hawaii requires you to fly a rather long distance to get here. And, long flights often mean dreaded jet lag. Yep, you can spend months looking forward to your dream Hawaii vacation only to spend the first few days sluggish and lagging behind. First off, what […]

Should there be any question about how a US government and Hawaii shutdown would affect Hawaii’s National Parks and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the National Parks Service has made clear what the impact will be at the top of the homepage of each of its Hawaii destinations. “Had the funding lapsed National Parks in […]

The parking lot at the summit of Haleakala Crater in Haleakala National Park on Maui sits at the bottom of Pu’u ‘Ula’ula. It is known as “Haleakala’s Red Hill”, the translation of the name it was given by Hawaii’s ancients many hundreds of years ago. Haleakala’s Red Hill is the actual pinnacle of the mountain, […]