Hawaii Vacation Blog

If you happen to go for a hike while visiting Hawaii, chances are you will come across a strawberry guava (psidium cattleianum) tree. Its bright red berries are a juicy treat and can be eaten straight from the tree or made into jam. When trees are producing heavily, you can smell the aroma of the […]

One of the most unique aspects of Hawaii has got to be its microclimates. One side of the island may be raining buckets while at the same time, the other side will be soaking up the sun. These characteristics describe areas of the island we often refer to as the “windward” and “leeward” sides. It’s […]

Ho, brah! Why you when make ladat for? You stey making anykine. Make mo’ humbug fo’ me! Ah, lose money ladat. I tell you, das why hod! Huh? … That’s exactly the question many people who aren’t from around here find themselves asking when they come to Hawaii. Wait, what did he just say? I […]

Some of Oahu’s most pristine shorelines and vast mountain ranges exist on the west side of the island. In fact, the Waianae Mountains hosts Oahu’s highest peak at Mt. Kaala. But because of issues involving crime, drugs and homelessness, the Nanakuli, Waianae and Maili areas have developed a negative reputation that often discourages visitors and […]

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH) is one of those hidden gems we often overlook; not because it’s a small hole-in-the-wall but because it’s a huge concrete building that can easily be mistaken for a parking structure. Those in the local Japanese community know better. Take this older Japanese woman I recently met there, […]

Kung Hei Fat Choy! This week many people around the world will be celebrating the Chinese New Year, and Hawaii is definitely included in the party. Our own Chinatown celebrates for almost the entire month with block parties, music, food, crafts, lion dances, parades and a Narcissus Queen Pageant. The entire community comes together for […]

Even before warming their toes in Hawaii’s sandy shores, visitors have most likely already warmed their hearts with the island’s beautiful voices that ring so brilliantly throughout the world. From our archipelago in the Pacific, singers like Don Ho and Braddah IZ are just a few of the performing gems that have made a global […]

The time in Hawaii is anywhere from three to six hours behind the mainland. But the time within Hawaii households? Well, that’s a whole different time zone, better known as Hawaiian Time. It’s the time of the islands that keeps everything at a mellower pace. It’s one of the funniest stereotypes people from Hawaii get […]

If the Japanese had invented pizza, then I’m guessing it’d probably be something similar to okonomiyaki (oh-KOH-no-me-YUH-key) – a pan-fried dish with a pancake-like “crust,” topped with various ingredients. Instead of tomato sauce, it’s drizzled with a savory okonomiyaki sauce. A personal pan “pizza” of okonomiyaki – stuffed with noodles, cabbage, pork and more. Okonomi […]

An actor, a comedian and a baseball player are slated to appear in Hawaii Five-0 soon. Guess which one viewers in Hawaii are most excited about? OK, maybe you need to know a little more about them. The actor is Ed Asner, a SEVEN-time Emmy winner. Asner played a TV newsroom boss in The Mary […]

Upon meeting a lady who just moved here from Florida, I asked her how she liked Hawaii so far. The pleasant version of her response might have included words like “wonderful warm weather” and “breathtaking sunsets.” But instead, I got a more depressing version: “We got ROBBED our first day here!” She went on to […]

Every year, a local social studies teacher asks his students, “What do you think the largest city in the world is?” And every year, he gets answers like, “Mexico City” or “London.” The correct answer, he tells them, can actually be found closer to home, within their home to be more precise. The largest city? […]