Hawaii Vacation Blog

Several endangered and at-risk native Hawaiian bird populations are rebounding thanks to the efforts of government agencies, nonprofits, rigorous scientific research, and volunteer efforts. Hawaii bird watching is on the rise. U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt recently made the announcement that Hawaii’s state bird, the beloved Nene Goose, is no longer on the […]

Merriman’s Restaurant at Ward Villages in Kakaako is the latest iteration of visionary chef and restauranteur Peter Merriman’s commitment to locally sourced meats, seafood and produce. A recent Monday evening at the new restaurant during the holidays was quite busy, with a line at the door and every table and seat at the bar full. […]

Honolulu has joined leaders in the United States and around the world in the fight against pollution and climate change. A single-use plastics ban was passed by the Honolulu City Council recently. This may lead incoming Oahu visitors to ask, “What does this mean for me?” The short answer to that question is “Not a […]

Hawaii is famous around the world for its perennial sunshine and warm weather. Even in winter, the weather is generally mild. But for those of us that live here, winter in Hawaii brings a perceptible change in the weather. It gets a little wetter, a little chillier. It also brings two major attractions to Hawaii’s […]

We’ve written about Hawaiian monk seal encounters on this blog before. We’ve always encouraged visitors and residents alike to respect monk seals’ space, in the (fairly) rare instance of a monk seal sighting on any one of Hawaii’s countless beautiful beaches. , after all, are an endangered species. A recently released study by the examines […]

Foil surfing continues to grow in popularity around the world, spawning an offshoot of the surfing industry that is attracting more and more water sports enthusiasts every year. In Hawaii, visitors can try out the new-fangled way to ride waves with a number of outfits that offer lessons and equipment rentals. Hawaii is the ancestral […]

At the top of Nuuanu Avenue, about a mile and a half from the bustle of Downtown Honolulu, Oahu visitors can visit the Royal Mausoleum. Known as “Mauna Ala” in the Hawaiian language, it is the final resting place of many members of Hawaii’s royal family and retainers. It is an excellent way to experience […]

The Kahala Hotel and Resort, just minutes outside of Waikiki on Oahu, is one of Hawaii’s premiere luxury properties. But at The Kahala, the hustle and bustle of the Aloha State’s epicenter of tourism seem a million miles away from the gently lapping shores and swaying palm trees of Kahala Beach. Opened in 1964 and […]

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) have created a new video “Kuleana Campaign” to educate visitors about cultural norms and practices unique to the Aloha State. These unwritten rules are important to knowing what it means “Live Aloha” while enjoying a Hawaii vacation. All of the videos are available […]

Hawaii is home to a relatively new adventure sport gaining popularity around the world: waterfall rappelling (known also as “canyoneering”). It seems crazy to surrender to gravity under a torrent of falling water, tethered to life by only a thin rope and safety harness and belaying down a sheer, slick rock cliff. Maybe it is, […]

On Hawaii Island, Kona’s Ronnie V & the Family Band offer visitors and residents a live music experience that transcends the Hawaii trope of strumming ukulele and falsetto warbling. A mix of bluegrass and blues, gypsy jazz and folk, and an eye for the love of the land, the outfit is unique among the many […]

After disastrous flooding well over one year ago destroyed Kuhio Highway on Kauai, it is set to reopen on Monday, June 17. With it, the hugely popular Kalalau Trail will also reopen, but with some changes that visitors should be aware of. The is one of the most popular destinations in all of Hawaii. It […]