Hawaii hurricane season 2023 – what to know
June has arrived, and with it, so has Hawaii hurricane season. Hurricanes in Hawaii are rare indeed, although tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific are…
Sunny’s Local Grind – local in Waikiki
Sunny’s is a coffee shop and breakfast/lunch joint located on the western “edge of Waikiki”. It’s about a mile and a half from the Honolulu…
Iam Tongi – American Idol, Ambassador of Aloha
Iam Tongi is the new American Idol. With his angelic voice, inspiring backstory, and gift for songwriting, Tongi has captured the hearts of the show’s…
Pauoa Flats Trail – a hike to remember and ponder
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 Visitor’s Guide to Royal Kunia Country Club
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…
Why Hawaii Loves Iam Tongi, American Idol Winner
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…
‘Iao Valley State Monument and the legend of the ‘Iao Needle
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…
Liliha Bakery – an original classic
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…
Honolulu Museum of Art – home at HOMA
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…
Live music in Hawaii – a vacation essential
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…
Makiki Valley Trail: A Walk Through History
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…
Monarch Poke – a new local favorite
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…