Hawaii Vacation Blog

Perhaps the weather isn’t cooperating, and it’s too rainy and windy for a day at the beach. Sand whipping you in the face isn’t what I call a “good time.” Instead, head indoors to one of Hawaii’s many bowling alleys! Pali Lanes Bowling Alley in Kailua welcomes everyone with the aloha spirit. It is located […]

Are you wondering why The Cheesecake Factory Waikiki always has such long lines? Is it worth it to visit this popular spot? We’re sharing our local know-how for visiting Honolulu’s Cheesecake Factory and our best tips for minimizing your wait time.  Waiting in Line The most notable thing about The Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki is […]

Siam Palace is probably the most eclectic restaurant I’ve ever been to. It’s not so much what’s on the menu but what’s on the walls that left me riddled with confusion. From Valentine’s hearts strung across the faded yellow walls to stuffed scarecrows ready to burst at the seams – it became clear that this […]

Does “Puff the Magic Dragon” still live in the hippy town of Hanalei? The popular 1960s folk song, “Puff the Magic Dragon” by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton has often been connected with this North Shore Kauai town of Hanalei, or in this case, “Honah Lee.” The song references to a mythical land called Honah […]

Hawaiian Queen Esther Kapiolani has a hospital named in her honor, a park and even a hotel, but who exactly was this woman and how did she fit into the rich history of Hawaii? Those who knew Kapiolani described her as kind-hearted and compassionate, and as one of the last reigning queens of Hawaii, she […]

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 […]

If you visit Sea Life Park on Oahu, don’t go with the expectation of it being another Sea World. It’s much smaller and has half as many animals as the mainland marine park. And while the live shows get mixed reviews, it’s the dolphin encounters that make the visit really worthwhile. The shallow-water encounters allow […]

Welcome to the “coolest little town” on Maui! Located on the northern coast of the island, Paia is filled with so much color and so much history that it’s ready to burst at the seams. It’s an old plantation town turned beach town, and at the end of Hana Highway, this is as chill as […]

Who knew a cattle rancher’s gift of 500 eucalyptus trees would become a famous landmark for Kauai? Today, their treetop canopies form a natural tunnel along the one-mile stretch of Maluhia Road. It serves as a gateway of sorts to Kauai’s south shore and historic Koloa town and is quite possibly the most well-known set […]

You might recognize this little pocket of paradise from the famous 1950s love story, From Here to Eternity. Actors Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr never made rolling in sand look so sexy. But since being sealed with a Hollywood kiss, the tiny cove has been humbled by more than just romance. Today, it’s a popular […]

The Kukui Nut lei meaning and its history in Hawaii are fascinating. Learn all about it here! It’s easy to spot a kukui nut tree in Hawaii; just look for the canopy of shimmering silvery-green leaves, and you’ll know what we’re talking about. They glisten under gentle morning rays, swaying this way and that, and […]

If you’re the least bit arachnophobic, you probably wouldn’t enjoy reading a post about spiders. But what if I told you just the sight of these Hawaiian spiders would brighten your day? The Happy Face Spider wears just that on its abdomen, a happy face! Down to the very fine details of arched eyebrows and […]