Hawaii Vacation Blog

Travel times are tricky in Hawaii. You may imagine a route from Point A to Point B and say, “Hey, our destination is only 5 miles away. That’ll take about 5 minutes.” Not so! Between the unique terrain, older roads, and traffic in Hawaii, it’s hard to determine how long your drive time might be […]

Travel time in Oahu will be a big part of your vacation. When I have visitors come stay with me, one of the first questions I’m asked (after, “Should I rent a car?”), is “How long will it take me to get to…?” Honolulu, Oahu, is one of the worst traffic cities in the U.S., […]

As I look outside my window, all I can see is rain as far as the eye can see (and I live on a ridge, so the eye can see pretty far). Currently, Hawaii is getting drenched, and there are few places around the state likely to escape this late summer storm. Heck, even my […]

What’s safer, swimming or snorkeling? Who’s most likely to drown in Hawaii, residents or non-residents? How many people have water accidents in Hawaii every year? These are just some of the questions answered in the latest Hawaii Ocean Safety report, which helps officials keep locals and visitors safe in the water. If you’re visiting Hawaii […]

How would you feel if someone asked you to spend an entire year on top of in Hawaii? In a dome? With people you didn’t even know? Well, that’s exactly what six volunteers signed up for about one year ago — and, they’ve just emerged from their stay atop the cold, desolate mountain. Why did they […]

If you’re in Hawaii for any extended length of time, you may start to notice something in the news: Reports about drownings, near drownings, and rescues. Unfortunately, the sheer quantity of out-of-state visitors to Hawaii means many folks underestimate the power of Hawaii waves and waters. Locals, too, can get into trouble in Hawaii waters, […]

Heads up, parents! Visiting Hawaii with small children can be a magical and fun-filled experience, but (in my experience anyway), little ones can take only so much sun and outdoor frolicking before they tire-out. So, lots of smart parents sprinkle a bit of indoor fun throughout their Hawaii vacation. Which inspires me to write about a […]

I’ve always had what I like to call a “healthy” fear of heights — I don’t experience full-blown panic attacks when faced with a cliff, tall building, or extension ladder. On the other hand, I don’t willingly participate in extreme sports like bungee jumping, cliff diving, or skydiving (although I wholeheartedly admire those who do). However, […]

If you have asthma or any type of respiratory condition, you may have been postponing your trip to Hawaii because of the infamous “vog.” Vog in Hawaii is “volcano fog,” air pollution that results when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano react with oxygen and moisture in the presence […]

When you announced you’re coming to Hawaii, did you get the “evil-eye” from jealous loved-ones left behind? It’s not that uncommon! After all, you’re getting the vacation of a lifetime, and that can make others green with envy! But, we have a way to mend the fences when you return: Bring your left-behind loved-ones some […]

If you plan on being in the islands on August 19th, you may notice something: State government offices will be closed, as well as schools and the major universities (or maybe you WON’T notice, which is OK too!). What’s all the fuss about? It’s actually Statehood Day in Hawaii, (known as Admissions Day until 2001), […]

As some of you may know, I’m the proud Mom of three children who are still young enough to dine off the kids menu at most restaurants. But, what’s REALLY great is finding restaurants where my kids eat FREE! If you’re a budget-conscious traveler (or just like to save a buck), you probably appreciate a […]