Hawaii Vacation Blog

Do you know where the phrase, “Once in a blue moon,” comes from? It comes from the unusual occurrence of having two full moons in one month; hence, the phrase is used to mean rare or seldom. Look to the skies this Friday (Aug. 31, 2012) for an actual blue moon – the last one […]

Tucked away in Kailua on the island of Oahu you’ll find the Manoa chocolate factory. The brainchild of Dylan Butterbaugh this modest factory is cranking out delicious chocolates made from the Cacao Beans grown in Hawaii and other parts of the world. Butterbaugh fell in love with making chocolate while attending the University of Hawaii […]

After an epic surf sesh or hiking adventure in the mountains, there’s no doubt you’ve worked up an appetite. A burger? A plate lunch? One popular Hawaii restaurant seems to always come to mind with its catch phrase: “Next Stop, Zippy’s!” The Honolulu-based eatery has become a 46-year-old mainstay in the islands as the go-to […]

Here’s a big OH-OH! for you: Look closely at the newly unveiled U.S. quarter, depicting the Big Island’s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There’s an image of a lava-spewing volcano, but look closely at the bordering text. Notice anything wrong with that? No, this isn’t one of those classic “What’s Wrong With These” photos you challenge […]

Only in the laid-back nature of Kauai would lawn chairs be used for passengers waiting for the bus. It’s what I love about the island; no fancy bells or whistles to get things running the right way. Except for maybe the colorful flowers hand-painted on every bus stop bench, everything about the bus is simple, […]

It would take a lot more than a seemingly ominous name to keep people from exploring the deep sea caves and clear blue waters of what’s called “Sharks Cove.” (Maybe actually seeing a shark would do the trick…but let’s not go there!) In the calm summer months, this North Shore spot is ideal for snorkeling […]

Forget about that kayak tour to Kailua’s Mokulua Islands or the guided bus ride from town to these sandy windward beaches; a ban on commercial activity at Kailua and Kalama beach parks has taken immediate effect yesterday after Honolulu’s city council overrode the mayor’s veto of Bill 11. Kayak tours, like this one shown paddling […]

The ocean’s full of treasures, and if you look carefully, you’ll find some of these nautical gems washed up on the beaches – seashell, sea glass and driftwood galore. But those who look really closely just may come across the Mother of all finds, which has become one of the most sought-after pieces in the […]

Ted’s Bakery on the North Shore of Oahu gives an extended meaning to the term, “bakery.” The assortment of glazed pies and frosted pastries never fails to make mouths water, and to add to those cravings, the Sunset Beach eatery also offers plate lunches, sandwiches, salads, smoothies and acai bowls. It’s become a popular hangout […]

This is serious news for the Hawaiian green sea turtle, or honu, as federal fisheries just approved a petition that may allow the species to be hunted and eaten. Submitted by the Hawaii Civic Association – which openly advocates such actions to honu – the petition favors the removal of Hawaiian green sea turtles from […]

Don’t be alarmed if your clothes get stained by Kauai’s infamous red dirt. Consider it an island souvenir from your Hawaii vacation on the Garden Isle, where the deep red dirt covers roadways, sidewalks, buildings and cars; it even makes its way into the ocean and rivers during heavy rainfall. Kauai has become known for […]

It’s a common question from visitors and even locals: exactly how big is the Big Island of Hawaii? After all, it must be pretty sizable to earn a name like that, right? Let’s take a look at what makes this “big island” so big.  Big Island Size With more than 4,000 square miles of land […]