Hawaii Vacation Blog

Legendary creatures called Menehune (pronounced meh-neh-HOO-neh) weave a charming spell throughout the Hawaiian Islands. These dwarf-like expert builders may have built some of Hawaii’s largest temples and strongest fishponds. Many say they still work through the night, maintaining their elusiveness as they march through forests and roads.  The History of Menehune The origin stories of […]

Hawaii is renowned for excellent sea fishing, with Hawaii charter fishing available, but did you know there’s freshwater fishing to be had as well? Catch and release fishing at Oahu’s Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is great fun for families. On Saturdays and Sundays, fishing is permitted from 10am to 2pm in the garden. Located in Kaneohe […]

Hawaiian Jewelry: A Lesson in Beauty and History I’ve always loved bracelets. They are my favorite pieces of jewelry because they are so noticeable when you move your arms. I love them so much that I requested a wedding bracelet instead of a wedding ring when I got married. I don’t wear it anymore because […]

The unusual trees of Hawaii are stunning in their size and variety (not to mention the ability to grow flowers). The wood of these trees also becomes a beautiful work of art at the hands of a master artisan. Many will soon be on display in Hawaii’s Woodshow. The annual Furniture and Woodworking Show is […]

Step back in time nearly 800 years, when Waikiki Beach was a rocky shoreline and the surrounding areas were a marshy wetland ideal for growing crops, especially the Hawaiian staple: taro. At the edge of the present day University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, a productive loi (taro field) known as Ka Papa Loi o […]

Save money on food by eating like a local on your Hawaii vacation.* You might expect generous portions at a place called “Fatboys” and you’d be right. You’ll also find food that’s popular with locals and yet accessible for first-time visitors to Hawaii. If you want to stay with familiar food choices, there is a […]

Want to see the best botanical gardens Kauai offers? This lush island is home to some of the most beautiful plant life in the world. If you want to see it in all its glory, a botanical garden tour will give you a front-row seat to the many flowers, trees, and fruits that make Hawaii […]

There Is So Much More Than Meets the Eye, As I Learned Honolulu hosts an annual Koi show, usually in conjunction with the Japan Nishikigoi Expo, which I imagine must make it a best of the best’ type of show for Koi owners, breeders, enthusiast, or people like me who just like to look at […]

Moving burial locations is always controversial. Plans anywhere to move a cemetery for new construction usually spark protests. But a protest today highlights why moving burial locations is especially contentious in Hawaii. The traditional Native Hawaiian custom had a slightly different view of what happens to the body and spirit after death. For Christians, at […]

Photo By Menzies Dickson – Hawaii State Archives. Call Number: PP-98-15-018, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12522403 A Hawaiian royal prince stood for election rather than enforce his right of inheritance. His tomb near a busy Honolulu intersection stands as a testament to his faith in his people. William Charles Lunalilo became “The People’s King” and also enjoyed […]

Chinese New Year Comes in with a Bang! Today is the start of the lunar new year but the big celebration was last weekend in Hawaii. The Chinese community and Honolulu celebrated The New Year in a jointly sponsored event that spanned two busy days of activity. I really look forward to this particular holiday […]

Bao buns are having a moment – it seems like they’re appearing all over the mainland at all different kinds of restaurants. But Hawaii has long treasured these treats, so much so that we have our own version, called Manapua.  A Manapua is a soft roll with a savory filling. Char siu pork is the […]