Hawaii Vacation Blog

Have you ever imagined what life in Hawaii was like during the early to mid part of the last century? The 1920’s to 1940’s saw an enormous influx of Japanese immigrants who changed the landscape and culture of the Big Island. During the same time, Kona Coffee was beginning to become a staple of the […]

On a personal level, I’ve always been intrigued by the island of , Hawaii. Considered the “forbidden island,”  is a 72 square-mile privately owned island just southwest of the island of Kauai. Purchased from King in 1864, this island has preserved many of the traditional ways of life, including the Hawaiian language, and is inhabited […]

Just imagine you’ve spent a heavenly Hawaii day surfing, sightseeing, and sunbathing. Now what? Find a beach where you can watch a spectacular sunset, of course! We did a little digging and found what we believe to be the best places to watch sunset on Oahu. Here’s a look at our top 5: 1. North […]

Hawaii is such a romantic destination, and Hawaiian folklore is teeming with love stories. Unfortunately, many of these stories don’t have the happiest endings.  Still, they’re great to know and inspiring to hear. Plus they hold a lot of importance in Hawaiian culture.  So before you head to Hawaii for a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or […]

I’ve lived in a lot of big cities in my life, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such satisfied bus ridership as I’ve seen in Honolulu. In many major cities, young children wouldn’t dare take the bus by themselves. But, here, you’ll see all walks of life shuffle in and out of the buses — […]

Before you read this post, you should probably know I’m predisposed to loving rodeos — they were regular outings for folks in Georgia, from which I hail! But, my first rodeo was actually in Boise, Idaho when I was in my 20’s, and the experience got me hooked. Now, it’s my turn to pay it forward […]

When my family and I lived in on the Big Island for a year, one of my favorite off-site trips was to (also called ) in the upcountry. When you drive into the town, you immediately feel as if you’re in a different state. Heck, you even feel like you’re in a different era! on […]

When I have visitors in town, they often ask me what to expect when visiting Hanauma Bay — besides the beautiful scenery. What they’re really asking is — what kind of cool marine life can I see if I go snorkeling there and where exactly might I find them? Lucky for them, I was able to dig […]

At the turn of the 20th century, Hawaii was dotted with several sugar mills and plantations. The sugar industry drove the territory’s economic engine and social hierarchy. And it all started in one place: Old Koloa Town on Kauai.  It’s the site of Hawaii’s first successful sugar mill, something locals talk about with pride, and […]

Every time I stop for shave ice in Hawaii (or, more accurately, stop so my kids can get a shave ice), I wonder “where did this stuff come from?” After all, it could be called the most popular snack in the islands. Elsewhere on the mainland, you’ll find shave ice for sure (or snow cones […]

Should you be concerned about flesh eating bacteria in Hawaii? Vibrio vulnificus is a rare bacteria found in Ala Wai Canal, a Honolulu waterway you don’t want to swim in. But there are other forms of bacteria lurking in Hawaii’s water. Here’s where you don’t want to swim, and how to protect yourself from illness.  […]

How would you like to turn your visit to Hawaii into a way to help the environment?! How about the opportunity to leave Hawaii a little better than you found it? Well, if you’re environmentally-minded, you have the chance to leave your mark on Maui, thanks to a program called Volunteering on Vacation by the […]