Hawaii Vacation Blog

Da Spot found a new spot on Oahu, and it’s just a quick drive from Waikiki. The eatery is a spicy concoction of Mediterranean and Egyptian cuisine. It took over an old golf shop, transforming it into a full-fledged restaurant with a Middle Eastern feel. Its previous location was a tiny storefront with barely enough […]

Every year, eyes from all around the world focus on the humble town of Hilo for the Merrie Monarch Festival. The event of traditional hula and Hawaiian culture celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, a remarkable feat for something that started so low-key. Barbershop quartets, coronation pagaents, fireworks and street dancing defined the festival in […]

Mahina means moon or moonlight in Hawaiian. And apparently, it’s a very common baby name as well. In searching the web, dozens of baby name sites for girls pop up. It’s interesting to note that some people may also have “mahina” as their last name. There was a point in Hawaii’s history when Hawaiians were […]

The Counter at Kahala Mall is a build-your-own burger joint that used to have Hawaii Five-0’s Daniel Dae Kim as part-owner. Although he’s since sold his share in the company, The Counter continues to be the buzz in the burger biz. By “build-your-own,” customers customize their burger via a simple checklist. From choosing the type […]

It’s not the “Big Island.” It’s the “Hawaii Island,” reminds the island’s visitors bureau. The biggest island in Hawaii got its nickname for obvious reasons; it’s B I G – about twice the size of the other islands combined, with room to spare. Even the visitors bureau had been promoting the island as the Big […]

The riddle behind the Laie Lady has been solved, putting an end to the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Haunted Lagoon. The fictional character of this PCC attraction kept visitors coming back for the past five years to see how the story would unfold, and to get a good scare, of course. Every Halloween, a new version […]

Auntie Pasto’s has been a fixture on Beretania Street for as long as I can remember. The Italian restaurant’s faded red roof and green trimming show signs of its age. But beyond the dull colors, Auntie Pasto’s has been making an attempt to break out of its “hole-in-the-wall” shell and into an eatery of choice […]

Your sniffly nose will be happy to hear that the Marriott in Hawaii offers allergy-free guest rooms. They’re the first in the islands and among the first in the nation to make the dust-free move. But we’re talking more than just dust-free. Hotel rooms will be free of dander and dust-mites, too. Rooms on the […]

Did you know that Kauai has a trolley system of its own, like the ones we see cruising all over Oahu? The difference between the two, however, is that Kauai’s trolley is more of a guided tour, whereas Oahu trolleys can be both a tour and a form of transportation. The three-hour Kauai Trolley Tour […]

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 […]

Iolani Palace has taken on an appearance even more sophisticated than before; the recent refurbishment is reminiscent of the Kingdom of Hawaii and brings out a sense of regalness not found in the grand staircase nor in the Hawaiian throne but instead, in the carpets and the curtains. The floral-print carpets and Victorian-esque drapery represent […]

Are allergies in Hawaii something you need to worry about? We all know allergies can be annoying as a nose that never stops running or eyes that never stop itching. When going on vacation, they’re the one thing you don’t want to pack. Mango trees may or may not give you allergies in Hawaii. Luckily […]