Hawaii Vacation Blog

The Byodo-In Temple is located at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park in Kaneohe. It was first established on June 7, 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese Immigrants to Hawaii, Byodo-In translates to “Temple of Equality – not to discriminate” and is home to Amida, a golden Buddha unique to the entire world. The […]

Looking for a Hawaii hike that feels “off the beaten path” but still is easy to complete? You should check out Likeke Falls on Oahu! Likeke Falls Trail Quick Facts Difficulty Level: Easy Distance: 0.8 miles round trip, out-and-back Location: East Oahu near Koʻolau Golf Club Cost: Free, but you may need to pay about […]

The day after Christmas is celebrated as Boxing Day in the United Kingdom.  Here in Hawaii, December 26 is also celebrated but it’s because boxes of fireworks go on sale. Lines at stores form before sunrise with locals ready to buy their quota of explosive fun.   Fireworks permits must be purchased for firecrackers; many […]

Christmas in Hawaii is always a great idea! Just ask Shaka Santa (or the many residents who celebrate the Holiday season in the islands)! “Mele Kalikimaka,” I say with a smile to my neighbors, friends, and family. It means “Merry Christmas” and is a common phrase used in Hawaii during the holiday season. I look forward […]

I’m not, by nature, a morbid person. I am, however, an avid history buff. I’m also a rabid baseball fan, and I live across the street from Oahu Cemetery, the home for all eternity of Alexander Cartwright, the father of modern baseball. With the approach of the Fall Classic, the World Series (and my beloved […]

With the recent release of the fictional biography Barbarian Princess, controversy surrounding the legacy of Princess Victoria Kaiulani has swirled in Hawaii. Many groups have taken issue with aspects of the film ranging historical inaccuracies about the time surrounding the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, its depiction of Hawaiian leadership as ineffectual, and even the […]

One of my favorite places in Hawaii reopened to tours this week. Shangri La is closed during the month of September each year for conservation work. Called one of Hawaii’s “most architecturally significant houses,” it is both a tribute to and collection of Islamic art. The five-acre compound is secreted in a residential area behind […]

On a recent trip to the Pittsburgh area, I resolved to accomplish two things relating to Hawaii-Aloha.com. The first was to find a signature dish somewhere in the city and compare it to Hawaii’s own signature food, the good old plate lunch. My other objective was to approach my return to Honolulu as a first […]

I expected beaches and water when I came to Hawaii, but I was surprised by the beauty of its mountains. They are so sharp and stark — the only reference I had was that they looked like the misty mountains in Japanese prints. I enjoy my daily commute through the mountains from Kailua to Manoa, […]

When I packed for my first trip to Hawaii, I had no idea what shoes to bring. This is not just a girl thing, so guys don’t stop reading. I was going to a business conference, so I brought a pair of dress shoes and I figured sandals would be good for a warm climate. […]

When Aloha Bruce asked me to join a group of bloggers, journalists and tech gurus on a journey to Oahu’s North Shore for tour of its famous shrimp trucks on a recent Friday, it was pointless to try to conceal my enthusiasm. I love being on the North Shore, I love shrimp, and I’ll jump […]

Have you considered going off the beaten path in Hawaii, especially Oahu? Read this first! Off The Beaten Path Hawaii Oahu: Is It Worth it?  There are many not-in-the-brochures attractions available to an intrepid Oahu visitor, remote locations that range from verdant, misted mountains to sun baked sea cliffs plunging into crystalline blue depths.  Such […]