Hawaii Vacation Blog

“Lau means leaf in Hawaiian,” explains Cindy Whitehawk, a lauhala teacher from Kona. “The hala tree has a pineapple-like fruit, and it breaks into keys’. These keys, when dried, are like a brush, and were used to paint kapa cloth in ancient Hawaii.” Cindy Whitehawk will make anything into lauhala, including her shoes! I am […]

Aloha is packaged in all kinds of ways here in Hawaii. It’s a word used so often that it’s easy to forget the true aloha meaning. Let’s learn about this powerful word and the many ways it’s used throughout the islands.  Where You’ll Hear Aloha Today Aloha is often promised to tourists, but it’s also […]

Lilo put it well, “Ohana means family.” And I bet you can finish the rest…”Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” From there, the saying stuck like the orange li hing mui stains on your fingers – rapidly spreading across the globe as a little piece of the Hawaiian culture. Family in Hawaii […]

Hawaii began its first day in the APEC national spotlight today as community leaders and officials turned out for media day at the Hawaii Convention Center. The focus is innovation and features booths from Hawaii’s leading high-tech companies as well as representations from each of the Hawaiian islands. Called See-it Hawaii, organizers hope it will […]

Chocolate covered mac nuts! Kona coffee! Did I get your attention? They’re popular products that complete any trip to Hawaii and remind visitors of our island gems in the middle of the Pacific. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts. ‘Nuff said! That’s why a local committee is putting together about 9,500 boxes of goodies for international dignitaries […]

You’ve got a lot of great food to try in Hawaii. There’s kalua pig roasted in an underground imu oven, and poi pounded from taro roots. You’ll likely get authentic Hawaii poke while you’re here, along with local fruits and juices. One must-try Hawaii snack is li hing mui (lee-HEE-moo-EE). It’s a culmination of the […]

Looking for pau hana meaning? You must be in Hawaii, where this is a common phrase echoed by locals celebrating the end of a hard day’s work.  In fact, Pau Hana means “done with work.” It’s a time of relaxation and socializing in Hawaii.  But even if you’re on vacation, thousands of miles away from […]

This house has to be the most festive residence in Manoa. Christmas, Thanksgiving and even Fourth of July – the old Victorian-style dwelling gets decked out from yard to rooftop. But Halloween in Manoa is an especially spooky affair – with its tricks and its treats and its…ghostly occupants? A Manoa home goes all out […]

No Luau in Hawaii is complete without a big, juicy, steaming laulau. The translation of the word laulau in a food context literally means “wrapped package,” and is truly a little gift of ono (oh-NO; delicious). Today, salted pork or beef is the usual meat source for laulau. In ancient times, Hawaiians used dog as […]

Waikiki Hi is one of the top places to visit in Oahu (and all of Hawaii). But that means it’s also incredibly popular. This neighborhood has lots of resorts, shopping, and dining, and a gorgeous stretch of beach.  Whether you are staying in a Waikiki Grand Hotel or driving over to visit, you’re likely wondering […]

A soda with flavors like mango, lilikoi and pineapple can only come from a tropical island. Waialua Soda was born in Hawaii and continues to thrive, with recent mentions in Hawaii Five-O and Oprah’s “ O” magazine. The soda manufacturing company is located on Oahu’s North Shore, alongside a sugar mill from Hawaii’s past. A […]

Dramatic drum beats and gong hits poured into Waikiki’s buzzing streets below, starting from the door of a Pacific Beach Hotel ballroom. A colorful Chinese lion bobbled its over-sized head to the concussive musical medley and danced around guests celebrating my nephew’s first birthday last Saturday. The party included more than 100 of our family […]