Category: Hawaii Culture & Happenings

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 […]

Coconuts line the beach in Hawaii, tossed by the winter waves. It is not unusual to see coconuts floating in the waters near the shore but I don’t usually see this many on the sand all at one time. Coconut trees are common on all the islands of Hawaii. Coconuts are called “self-harvesting”— they drop […]

Hawaii is full of eye-catching cathedrals and churches. The islands’ missionary history and architectural trends mean that there’s a lot to see and learn about the religious sites you’ll find here. St. Andrew’s Cathedral Honolulu has a fascinating (and royal!) history. The History of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Honolulu The Cathedral of St. Andrew (commonly called […]

The Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade is a unique chance to experience holiday magic, Hawaii style! Many homes decorate for the holidays in Hawaii, just as on the mainland. Offices and stores also have lights and Christmas figures. In Hawaii, even boats get into the act. The Hawaii Kai Festival of Lights Christmas Boat […]

The first Christian missionaries in Hawaii were Puritan and carried with them their distaste for Christmas celebrations. Captain Cook first sighted the islands of Oahu and Kauai just after Christmas in 1777 and missionaries arrived aboard the Thaddeus in 1820 but the first official Christmas celebration was not until 1862. That year, the Government of […]

Calm and grounded tranquility spiral up my body and mind once I step foot on the tropical soil of the Kauai Hindu Monastery. The monastery, on 376 lush acres near the Wailua River, contains botanical gardens, waterways, and ponds. Sitting at the foot of the extinct volcano, Mount Waialeale, the spiritual sanctuary invites visitors to […]

The Laie Hawaii Temple is a sight to behold on Oahu’s windward coast. The imposing white temple stands between the green mountains and blue ocean, so stately that it’s nicknamed the “Taj Mahal of the Pacific.” Today, we’re learning all about this glistening structure and how you can see it during your Hawaii vacation.  “Brought […]

On their recent Hawaii vacation, my folks really enjoyed going to the Hilo Hattie store in Lihue, Kauai. Boasting Hawaii’s largest selection of Hawaiian fashion, gifts and aloha wear; it’s a treat for visitors! That got me thinking about Aloha shirts. I mean, where else in the world is there a shirt that so exemplifies […]

The island immortalized in the series “Gilligan’s Island” is a swimming distance from the shore of Oahu in Hawaii. But the real island has a much more interesting story than one concocted by television scriptwriters. The island is one-fifth of a mile from the shore in Kaneohe Bay. Although most locals call it “Coconut Island,“ […]

Of course you want to share Aloha with those you cherish. In Hawaii, aloha means love or warm affection. And one of the best ways to share it with someone is by giving an aloha symbol.  How do you do that? One of the most popular ways to share aloha is to share a lei.  […]

Sun Protection Tips for Hawaii: Hats, Sunscreen, and More Visitors to Hawaii are often advised to wear a hat and sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun, but choosing the right options can make all the difference. Hawaii’s sunny weather, combined with its breezy conditions, creates unique challenges that require thoughtful preparation. Choosing the Right […]

You’ve come this far, let me take you a little farther west to Japan a la department stores with a direct link to the Far East: today Don Quijote. When I came to Hawaii, I found myself embracing the multiculturalism – especially the food. It was this desire to get some real local produce that […]