Hawaii Vacation Blog

Kayaking Kealakekua Bay is an epic adventure that will leave you breathless. Located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, Kealakekua Bay is a protected marine sanctuary known for its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, and historical significance. Paddling through paradise: Calm and easy kayaking: The bay is sheltered […]

Did you know that Waikiki used to have a grove of more than 10,000 coconut trees? Called Helumoa, the fertile piece of land was rich with agriculture, as well as history in the islands. Legend points to an Oahu ruler named Kakuhihewa, who planted the niu (coconut) after a scuffle with the mythical rooster, Kaauhelemoa. […]

The gentle gallop of horse hooves signal the start of another polo season for Oahu’s North Shore. Since 1963, it’s become quite the scene for the tiny nook of Mokuleia. Families and fans of the classy sport make their way to this countryside field every Sunday in the spring and summer months. The equestrians themselves […]

Wholesale Unlimited is where the locals go for Hawaii snacks. It’s the modern-day version of a crack seed store that sells prepackaged goodies instead of those fresh-out-of-the-jar ones that the old-school crack seeds are known for. From chocolate-covered things to snacks covered in ling hing mui, Wholesale Unlimited is packed with all kinds of Hawaii […]

Contrary to what we see in Hollywood or hear as tradition, tossing lei in the ocean is a big NO NO. The flower creations not only pollute the surrounding waters but harm marine life as well. The lei drifts off to sea, and as the flowers peel off one by one, the string remains in […]

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 […]