Hawaii Vacation Blog

Want to see the best botanical gardens Kauai offers? This lush island is home to some of the most beautiful plant life in the world. If you want to see it in all its glory, a botanical garden tour will give you a front-row seat to the many flowers, trees, and fruits that make Hawaii […]

There Is So Much More Than Meets the Eye, As I Learned Honolulu hosts an annual Koi show, usually in conjunction with the Japan Nishikigoi Expo, which I imagine must make it a best of the best’ type of show for Koi owners, breeders, enthusiast, or people like me who just like to look at […]

Moving burial locations is always controversial. Plans anywhere to move a cemetery for new construction usually spark protests. But a protest today highlights why moving burial locations is especially contentious in Hawaii. The traditional Native Hawaiian custom had a slightly different view of what happens to the body and spirit after death. For Christians, at […]

Photo By Menzies Dickson – Hawaii State Archives. Call Number: PP-98-15-018, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12522403 A Hawaiian royal prince stood for election rather than enforce his right of inheritance. His tomb near a busy Honolulu intersection stands as a testament to his faith in his people. William Charles Lunalilo became “The People’s King” and also enjoyed […]

Chinese New Year Comes in with a Bang! Today is the start of the lunar new year but the big celebration was last weekend in Hawaii. The Chinese community and Honolulu celebrated The New Year in a jointly sponsored event that spanned two busy days of activity. I really look forward to this particular holiday […]

Bao buns are having a moment – it seems like they’re appearing all over the mainland at all different kinds of restaurants. But Hawaii has long treasured these treats, so much so that we have our own version, called Manapua.  A Manapua is a soft roll with a savory filling. Char siu pork is the […]

Guided hikes let you experience the Hawaii islands after dark. We met the Sierra Club Kauai group at Haena Beach Park on Kauai’s north shore for a moonlit stroll. There were 10 of us, including our guide, as we eagerly set off down the beach, adventure coursing through our veins. Mount Makana, or Bali Hai […]

“Do you celebrate the same holidays in Hawaii as we do in the states?” asked a potential visitor. The answer is both “yes” and “no.” “Yes” because Hawaii IS one of “the states” so the same federal holidays are observed. But “no” because Hawaii adds some state holidays you won’t find anywhere else. While today […]

Coconuts line the beach in Hawaii, tossed by the winter waves. It is not unusual to see coconuts floating in the waters near the shore but I don’t usually see this many on the sand all at one time. Coconut trees are common on all the islands of Hawaii. Coconuts are called “self-harvesting”— they drop […]

Etched into the cliffside of Kauai, the narrow Kalalau trail clings to an oceanic ridge, bestowing ethereal views to all who travel along her ancient volcanic soil. The grandeur and mystery of the Kalalau trail captivated my adventurous spirit right away, because I grew up playing in the Colorado mountains. Voted one of America’s most […]

Hawaii is full of eye-catching cathedrals and churches. The islands’ missionary history and architectural trends mean that there’s a lot to see and learn about the religious sites you’ll find here. St. Andrew’s Cathedral Honolulu has a fascinating (and royal!) history. The History of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Honolulu The Cathedral of St. Andrew (commonly called […]

The Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade is a unique chance to experience holiday magic, Hawaii style! Many homes decorate for the holidays in Hawaii, just as on the mainland. Offices and stores also have lights and Christmas figures. In Hawaii, even boats get into the act. The Hawaii Kai Festival of Lights Christmas Boat […]