Hawaii Vacation Blog

Hawaii is more than just beaches, ocean sports and high life luxury. There’s plenty of rough and tumbled country to explore for those that like a raw adventure in the wild. Hawaiian cowboys, known as paniolos, run the country and maintain a relatively untouched landscape of cattle fields, agricultural lands, hunting trails and horseback riding […]

It’s time again for the annual Waikiki Spam Jam, the world famous (and uniquely Hawaii) Kalakaua Avenue street festival that celebrates the curious cured meat and raises funds and collects donations in support of the Hawaii Foodbank in the very heart of Waikiki on Saturday, May 2. Hawaii consumes more cans of Spam per capita […]

Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle,” and for good reason. It is the oldest of the major Hawaiian Islands, the northernmost and westernmost in the island chain, and its rich, red volcanic soil is ideal for growing a staggering number of food items. Sugar and pineapple were the main crops on Kauai for many […]

The vibrant colors of the peacock seem like the perfect fit for our islands’ tropical scenery. But are there peacocks in Hawaii?  Birds Throughout Hawaii The Hawaiian Islands are home to an amazing variety of native and exotic bird species, from the majestic nene goose to the curious rose-ringed parakeet. Ancient Hawaiians revered native birds […]

One of Hawaii’s most beloved festivals is underway in Hilo on the Big Island. The Merrie Monarch Festival is a hula competition that began in 1964 as an attempt to attract visitors to the Big Island, which was reeling due to the collapse of the sugar industry there. The festival honors King David Kalakaua, who […]

In Hawaii, there are four county governments: the City & County of Honolulu (Oahu), Kauai County, Hawaii County (Big Island), and Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai). Maui County has distinguished itself as somewhat peculiar in one rather particular regard, and that is its Liquor Commission’s policy on dancing in establishments that serve alcohol. Simply put, […]

Waikiki surfing is more than a sport or a tourist activity. For many, it’s a way of life. But moonlit surfing in Waikiki is a unique experience, drawing athletes from around the world who want to catch a wave after dark.  The Search For Uncrowded Surf Surfers are known, notorious even, for going to extremes […]

There are Hawaiian-ized names for the months of the year, similar to their English counterparts but adapted to accommodate a language that has only five vowels and twelve consonants. April is “” in Hawaiian. But the Hawaiian lunar calendar is much more complex, with each of the 28 phases of the moon noted in close […]

The single most important landmark for Hawaii’s economy isn’t a tourist attraction. Not really, anyway. Aside from the cruise ships that disgorge wobbly passengers at Aloha Tower, Honolulu Harbor is Hawaii’s shipping center, a sort of belly button, or piko, that connects our state to the rest of the world. Because well over 80% of […]

Along the Oahu’s Waianae Coast, the famous Makaha Beach and Yokohama Bay further up the coast are the most popular destinations for more intrepid visitors not dissuaded by the 90-minute drive from Waikiki or the grittiness of life out there. There is a string of public parks at beaches in Nanakuli, Waianae, and Maili, but […]

Let’s face it. There is a whole lot that can go wrong when you’re traveling abroad. Weather delays and cancelled flights. Mechanical problems. Teething babies. High airfares. With so much beyond our control, savvy travelers know that taking care of the things we do have control over is our only defense against those forces that, […]

If you’re lucky enough to be in in Hawaii over the next few days you have to check out the annual Honolulu Festival.  All of the action begins tomorrow with a Friendship Gala featuring Hawaii’s own Raiatea Helm and ends with an amazing  Grand parade down Kalakaua Avenue. Now in it’s 21st year, The Honolulu […]