Hawaii Vacation Blog

I came across an online forum asking if there are sharks in Waikiki. To my surprise, a few people answered: “No,” when in actuality, sharks roam all ocean waters (as long as it’s deep enough). Shark sightings are a pretty regular occurrence but shark bites are not. This story isn’t meant to scare tourists but […]

Unlike the poisonous berries Katniss Everdeen uses to outsmart the Capitol in The Hunger Games, ohelo berries are far from deadly. In fact, they’re quite tasty, ranging from somewhat tart in the raw to mildly sweet when cooked. The Hawaiian nēnē goose would agree on its decadence, as ohelo have become a favorite snack for […]

One of my favorite areas to visit in Hilo is Four Mile Beach. This stretch of shoreline includes Carlsmith and James Kealoha Beach Parks – two places that are great for all kinds of watersports. Let’s explore more about this beautiful Big Island Locale.  Little Sand, Plenty of Fun Four Mile Beach on the Big […]

Some of the best ways to experience local Hawaii foods and culture happen at school campuses. After all, schools are hubs of the community. There’s the Punahou Carnival in February, the Kamehameha Hoolaulea in March and in April, the Iolani Fair. These three major Honolulu private schools invite locals and visitors from the community to […]

From mauka to makai, Maui has many spectacular places to visit. Haleakala National Park (HNP) is one of those rare gems that encompass it all. From the alpine martian-like landscape of its summit to the welcoming waterfalls and rainforest at its coast, HNP showcases the best of Maui in its truest and most natural form. […]

You probably dream of seeing a rainbow in Hawaii, but Rainbow Falls in Hilo is unlike any other rainbow you’ll see. Here, the morning sun reflects the waterfall’s mist and casts a pastel rainbow across the rushing Wailuku River.  Best of all? This is one of the easiest waterfalls to see in Hawaii. No hike, […]

One of the most impactful Hawaiian words is also one of the shortest: Ha. This means breath, but it also means so much more. In Hawaii, ha is a greeting, a shared experience, a sign of respect and love. Ha is the breath of life.  Ha as a Hawaiian Greeting Hawaiians often greeted each other […]

It’s a typical Friday evening – the sun has just set, and you’re sitting outside on the lanai with a bunch of friends enjoying the typical pau hana spread. Some beers, ahi and tako poke. Everyone is talking about their day and relaxing from the workweek. Then, someone’s about to pull out a guitar when […]

Have you ever heard of Shipwreck Beach on Kauai? While not much of a wreckage remains, there’s still a lot to love about this Hawaii beach.  Shipwreck Beach Kauai Decades ago, an old, wooden ship crashed in waters offshore of Poipu on the South side of Kauai. It may not have been as exciting as […]

Growing up in Hawaii, I was fortunate to have a plethora of island fruits to nibble on. Guavas, mountain apples and liliko’i sustained my sisters and I as we played in the mountains by our house, and almost every yard had apple banana, lychee, orange and tangerine trees. Mango art at its finest. This is […]

Hanalei Bay Pier has become a popular and iconic Kauai hangout over the years. Teens cannonball into the waters below, fishermen cast out lures, and tourists chill under its pavilion. It’s a favorite spot of mine whenever I’m on the island – I come to slow down and cool off with a mid-day plunge into […]

Who knew a jealous battle for love in Hawaiian mythology would result in one of the world’s top snorkeling destinations? When fire goddess Pele and Molokini – who took the shape of a moo (gecko) – fell for the same prince, Pele cut her in two, turned her to stone and threw her into the […]