Category: Hawaii Hiking & Outdoors

Lets just say, if you see a reef full of black sea urchins (like the ones pictured above), you probably want to avoid getting near them. Wana (vah-nuh) is every beach-goers’ worst nightmare because of their sharp toxin spines that may puncture your skin. Ouch! It hurts just thinking about them. I once endured the […]

If you’ve ever hiked the trail to Pauoa Flats, it is likely you’ve seen the Nuuanu Reservoir right below the lookout. A 20-foot-dilapidated tower and rusted bridge sway ever-so slightly in lush Nuuanu valley; with the exception of a faint echo of cars zipping along the Pali, everything at the reservoir remains still, and there […]

It doesn’t take a national travel listing to tell me how simply breathtaking Kauai’s Na Pali Coast really is. TripAdvisor added this magical place to its list of 20 most awe-inspiring destinations in the world, alongside the Taj Mahal and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.  The Nāpali Coast, also spelled as Na Pali, is a breathtaking […]

Despite what the 90s hip-hop group TLC might have told us about not chasing waterfalls, I’m here to remind you of the exact opposite. Go ahead and chase after waterfalls while in Hawaii! They’re one of nature’s most fascinating features, so why not find some for your pure island enjoyment? You can bet that tucked […]

There are few places in this world where I felt like I escaped it all, despite being only 12 miles from the nearest town. Just outside the edges of Kauai’s already rural setting and at the end of a bumpy dirt road lies Polihale State Park. This remote location of white powdery sand dunes is […]

It’s true when people say that Hawaii’s trade winds are like nature’s air conditioning. As I write this, a cool breeze is gently blowing through my house. Outside, I see the leaves dancing and hear their subtle rustlings. I want to be dancing, too, but instead, I continue to write. Actually, trade winds have always […]

Stop by and smell the lavender! This gorgeous lavender farm Maui offers is the ultimate spot to unwind and enjoy nature.  Alii Kula Lavender Farm  Alii Kula Lavender Farm is definitely one of my favorite places on Maui. It’s a great stop along unique backroads and an adventure in agritourism.  Located on the slopes of […]

The only reason I’d imagine visitors wanting to stay on the west side of Oahu would be to get away from the city. It’s more than 45 miles from Waikiki (about an hour of driving one-way), so it’s likely you’ll want to do things on that side of the island. Makaha is probably the farthest […]

It only makes sense for Hawaii to have a center dedicated to nature. Surrounded by thriving rain forests and verdant valleys, the islands have a natural beauty that can be explored at a fingertips reach. The Hawaii Nature Center captures the islands’ affinity for nature and – since the 1980s, has become a hub of […]

Every year, painters set up their easels throughout Maui’s scenic landscapes, and capture the beauty of the island with just a paintbrush. It’s part of the annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational that features 25 professional plein air (outdoor) painters from throughout the nation, including Hawaii. The weeklong event allows visitors to see the Valley […]

Everyone knows to plan for rainfall when they visit Kauai. But did you know that it’s home to one of the wettest places on Earth? Mount Waialeale is a lush region in Kauai and one of our favorite Hawaii mountains. Today we’re talking all about this emerald wonder and how you can see it for […]

What do you think the shape of Molokai resembles? Some say it looks like a wooden shoe, while others think the island resembles a fish. I think the fish one seems more plausible; wooden shoes were sooo yesterday’s fashion. If you get a chance to see Molokai from outer space (or on Google Earth), then […]