Hawaii Vacation Blog

Prompted by a conversation with a bar-tending friend who also happens to be a marathoner and avid trail runner, the HAT Blog recently embarked on a hike along the Pauoa Flats Trail. It’s near our home office, fairly easy, and under one mile (.75 mi). It’s only accessible from a handful of other Na Ala […]

Whenever I find myself bogged down from work or overwhelmed with a to-do list, I do what any logical person would: I golf. And my go-to golfing spot is the Royal Kunia Country Club.  Royal Kunia has never let me down (my game, however, usually does). It is also a favorite among visitors seeking an […]

Though Iam Tongi’s American Idol season is fading into the past, he remains a beloved musician throughout Hawaii and beyond. Let’s take a look at the Hawaiian musician’s rise to fame and what he’s up to today. Iam Tong’s American Idol Season I’ve never been much of an American Idol fan. Not even a little. […]

We can now add Iao Valley State Monument on Maui to the short list of popular Hawaii natural attractions that require reservations for nonresidents. We’ll get to that. First, we’re here to talk about the famous Iao Needle and the ancient Hawaiian legend of how it came to be. ‘Iao Valley was designated as a […]

We wrote about the famous Liliha Bakery here at the HAT Blog a decade ago. We’ve been back many times since, and, frankly, nothing has changed (it opened in 1950). That is a wonderful thing. Much has been written over the years about the venerable old diner, many fawning and cutesy local news segments produced […]

We’re happy to report that the HAT Blog visited the Honolulu Museum of Art (HOMA in brief) over the weekend. We’re also ashamed to confess that we haven’t been there in years. We’re glad we returned to learn about what’s new at HoMA, what’s ongoing, and what is in store for the future of the […]

Every Hawaii vacation has its own soundtrack. You won’t hear it anywhere else. You can’t take the immediate intimacy of the sounds of the surf or the birdsong of the forest home with you, except in your heart and mind (or a low-fi social media clip, perhaps). That internal soundtrack should include live music in […]

Makiki Valley Trail on Oahu is one of the island’s most popular hiking trails. It’s well-maintained and clearly marked, making it a great choice for smart visitors who don’t want to risk trespassing, getting lost, or encountering off-trail dangers.  Here’s everything you need to know about this great hiking trail! Makiki Valley Trail: Know Before […]

A friend of the HAT Blog, Chef Adam Gilbert, opened Monarch Poke in Pearl City in November 2022. Located in a nondescript strip mall near Pearlridge Shopping Center, the dishes on offer belie the workaday tedium of shoe stores, auto body shops, and plate lunch joints that typify the area. A recent Friday lunchtime visit […]

The wind and rain continue to howl and lash here in Honolulu, and throughout most of Hawaii, with no sign of letting up any time soon. It’s fine, though, except perhaps for my wife’s new clutch of doomed houseplants and the Aloha State residents who’ve been inundated by turbid floodwaters or had their property whipped […]

I’m scrolling through the photo gallery on my phone, unable to muster the energy to do much of anything. Pictures from a recent hike on the Kealia Trail are calming my nerves, reminding me of the beautiful day on Oahu’s North Shore. We started early, enjoying the peaceful morning. The hike into the lush, whispering […]

One of the most common concerns we hear from visitors regards tipping in Hawaii. Who should be tipped? When? How much? Food and beverage industry workers should be tipped, certainly. Parking valets, too. Leaving a few bucks for the cleaning staff at your hotel/resort/vacation rental is also a fine way to express your aloha for […]