Hawaii Vacation Blog

Mandoo is a popular food in Hawaii that you’re sure to encounter on your vacation here. But what should you expect if you see these at markets or restaurants? Here’s our quick intro to Mondoo (and where to find the best in Hawaii).  What is Mandoo Mandoo are Korean dumplings that can be boiled, steamed, […]

The Kukuiula Village shopping center in Poipu is one of my favorite places in Hawaii to enjoy a leisurely afternoon of shopping and eating; two of my favorite things! If you’re here on you’re Hawaii Vacation the authentic plantation-style architecture, live music and lush tropical vegetation will encourage to take it all in. Fresh tropical […]

Hawaii claims nine spots on a new ranking of America’s Best Beach hotels. While they are all expensive resorts for Hawaii vacations , it is possible to enjoy the same views and many of the amenities for far less. The ranking is from readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine. The June edition lists the top […]

Where better to recover after wresting fish from the harrowing waters of Alaska than Hawaii? Fishing boat captains from the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch seem to agree. They are on Oahu this week filming for the show that follows each season, After the Catch. The opening features the stunning beauty of Koko Crater and focuses […]

The Message Remains Timeless but Most of the Stories are Different The fact that each year over 40,000 people crowd Ala Moana Beach park, on a narrow strip of sand, that would normally hold a few thousand comfortably, is one example of how determined the crowds are to attend. This surprised me the first time […]

Got An Extra Hour, An Urge to Expend Some Energy While Overlooking Lanikai Beach? Judging by the number of used Hawaii hiking books I see at yard sales and such, people must be buying, using, and then passing them on to other enthusiasts. Almost every guest I’ve had wants to include this activity, even though […]

Have you ever heard of a Lahaina Noon? This is a unique phenomenon found only in the tropics, and we’re talking all about it today! A Rare Occurrence You may think that at noon, the sun is always directly overhead. But having the sun directly overhead at a 90-degree angle is actually a rare occurrence. […]

View of the Hamakua marsh from the lanai at Big City Diner, Kailua. When I’m not sure what I want to eat for breakfast, I head to Big City Diner. The menu includes mainland favorites like pancakes and eggs as well as local Hawaii touches like Loco Moco and Kimchee Fried Rice. On weekends, the […]

Although “ti” is pronounced like “tea,“ you won’t find it inside a cup in Hawaii. The broad, flat leaves have many uses, from decoration to clothing to food preparation. At a recent social function, they were used both as table centerpieces and to sprinkle water in the blessing of boats. The combination of practical and […]

Do you know about the Hilton Hawaiian Village shops? This Waikiki hotel is home to over 80 shops and boutiques, enough to satisfy everyone in your family.  I finally got the chance to explore most of the shops when my daughter and girlfriend visited me in Hawaii.  As a treat, they stayed two days at […]

Cinco de Mayo is an unofficial holiday in Hawaii, as it is in many states, but here it shares the day with another tradition. Called “Children’s Day” in Japan, most here call it “Boy’s Day,“ the 5/5 companion of “Girl’s Day” on 3/3. A co-worker brought these tiny origami treats with small chocolates inside for […]

To be in the islands of Hawaii is a treat, no matter the reason; just look at this Hawaii Sunset. . But you may choose completely different things to do on a Hawaii vacation than you would if you actually moved here. Two things have brought this to mind: online advice for first-time visitors, and […]