Hawaii Vacation Blog

What is it where you live? Pigeons that deface statuary, buildings and the occasional human head? Squirrels? Locusts? Mice or rats? Here in Hawaii, the pest of choice has been the mongoose. And we brought the pestilence on ourselves. The 1800s were big for sugar cane. Sugar plantations shot up on a lot of tropical […]

Plan on it. It’s Hawaii’s most visited attraction for a reason. The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor on Oahu lures 1,500,000 people a year, and nobody leaves the experience unmoved or uninspired. Plan on a half-day, and make it in the morning as early as you can (from 7:30). The later you arrive, the […]

Want to see one of America’s Best Beaches? Poipu Beach on Kauai is often ranked as a top destination, and for good reason. But will you love visiting it? Read on to learn about this scenic locale and how to have a great beach day at Poipu.  The Best Things About Poipu Beach Poipu Beach […]

Mount Everest, The Matterhorn, The Meteor Crater, Victoria Falls, Ayers Rock, The Great Barrier Reef, and The Grand Canyon; they’re the seven Natural Wonders of the World.  Each is pretty impressive in itself, but you have to go a long way out of your way to see any of them. Here in Hawaii, we have […]

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard tales of Hawaii’s heavenly climate, often attributed to the enchanting “gentle trade winds,” a phrase as ubiquitous as “white sand beaches,” “swaying palms,” and “lush tropical gardens” when describing the islands’ allure. Yet, have you ever pondered the origins of these mystical trade winds, their elusive nature, and why they bypass other […]

Most people considering a visit to Hawaii know we have a lot of beaches here. Our six major islands all are completely rimmed with beaches, and all the beaches are accessible to you. You are, of course, aware of “Waikiki Beach,” the most famous of them all. It’s convenient to every Waikiki hotel. It backs […]

You may know them as “flip-flops” or as my Australian mates call them “thongs,” but here in Hawaii we wear “rubber slippers.” Living on an island, slippers are an essential part of an un-official Hawaii uniform. Flip-flops were inspired by traditional woven Japanese sandals. Post war, versions were briefly popularized by servicemen returning from Japan. […]

Back in the 1960’s the local brew to drink in Hawaii was Primo Beer. About ten years ago, the beer was discontinued when parent company Stroh Brewing decided to stop production. So Primo lovers were more than ecstatic to learn that their beloved beer was back and available this week on Oahu. Once the island’s […]

Merrie Monarch Hawaii is basically the Olympics of hula. This week-long prestigious hula competition occurs each year in Hilo, putting the Big Island town on the map and bringing in a crowd of competitors and spectators. If you ever get a chance, you should definitely attend the Merrie Monarch Festival! A Merrie Event for 60 […]

Driving in the bustle of downtown Honolulu, it is hard to imagine over 100 years ago one of the best watermen on the planet lived on the busy corner of King and Bishop streets. Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was born in 1890 at his family home. Duke was named after his father, who […]

On the mainland they are called “snow cones,” in Puerto Rico “piragua” but here in Hawaii we know it as “shave ice.” This is one fun treat that is worth trying. The tasty shave ice was brought to Hawaii in the 1880s by the Japanese immigrants who came to work on the sugar plantations. At […]

Exploring Manoa Valley is a must-do when visiting Oahu. Manoa is a residential valley neighborhood. It is approximately 3 miles inland from downtown, close to Waikiki and Ala Moana. While it may not be on the list for tourists, it is a worthwhile spot to check out, offering a look into one of Oahu’s older […]