Hawai‘i's reefs cover hundreds of square miles and are still growing. (Some colonies have been growing for thousands of years). But facts don't prepare you for your first face-down encounter with a healthy Hawaiian reef. What prepares you is knowing what you're...
There's a moment every visitor experiences on Maui, the Big Island, or Oʻahu — a rustle in the undergrowth, a flash of brown fur, and a quick, low-slung animal darting across the road before vanishing into the grass. Your first instinct might be to feel charmed. A...
If you're driving the road to Haleakala summit at dawn — which you should be, at least once — and a medium-sized goose steps calmly into your headlights and refuses to move, congratulations. You've just met the nēnē, Hawaii's state bird. Don't honk. It won't help....
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Hawaiian cuisine? (Sorry, but Hawaiian pizza doesn't count.) It's not just pineapple and teriyaki sauce. Thanks to the rise in foodie culture and shows such as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, more people than...
When you think of iconic Hawaiian wildlife, what comes to mind? Green sea turtles (honu in Hawaiian), humpback whales (kohola), and maybe the Hawaiian goose (nene) are top choices for most casual visitors. (Heck, even the non-native day gecko often gets a shout out...
The Hawaiian language and culture carries many words and concepts that were shaped by the islands themselves. Living on remote volcanoes in the middle of the world's largest ocean required careful attention and discipline in order to survive. Before modern...
We’re here to find out which National Park reflects your inner traveler. Are you extreme, chill, dramatic, or classic? Let’s find out. Which National Park Are You? 1. Your perfect Saturday morning: A: Sunrise hike, coffee in hand, mist rolling off the...
Forget finding out which Harry Potter character you are, or what flavored lip gloss you'd be (Hagrid and lemon-lime, thank you for asking), let's get into the real stuff: which Hawaiian Island you should visit. All the islands are great in their own way, but you...
The Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach is an event that will touch you. If you happen to be on O'ahu on Memorial Day, rearrange your entire schedule. This one is worth it. History of Lantern Floating in Hawaii The ceremony has its roots in...
America set aside its national parks to preserve the best of what it has. That does not mean they’re interchangeable. Lumping them together because they all have a sign, a fee booth and a gift shop is like saying Maine, Hawai‘i and Minnesota feel the same. They...