An upcoming election has highlighted the deep disagreement between native Hawaiians over what the future of their homeland should look like.
Postcard of I’olani Palace, Honolulu The high chiefess Kina’u, daughter of Kamehameha I and his wife Kaheiheimālie, bore five children of divine rank, …
The William Cogswell painting, now on display at the National Portrait Gallery, was likely a means for the ruler to assert her right to the throne
Photo taken at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Is it really too much to ask for Swedish meatballs and animal style burgers?
A lively, rich natural history of Hawaiian birds that challenges existing ideas about what constitutes biocultural nativeness and belonging This natural history takes readers on a thousand-year journey as it explores the Hawaiian Islands’ beautiful birds and a variety of topics including extinction, evolution, survival, conservationists and their work, and, most significantly, the concept of belonging. Author Daniel Lewis, an award-winning historian and globe-traveling amateur birder, builds this lively text around the stories of four species—the Stumbling Moa-Nalo, the Kaua‘I ‘O‘o, the Palila, and the Japanese White-Eye. Lewis offers innovative ways to think about what it means to be native and proposes new definitions that apply to people as well as to birds. Being native, he argues, is a relative state influenced by factors including the passage of time, charisma, scarcity, utility to others, short-term evolutionary processes, and changing relationships with other organisms. This book also describes how bird conservation started in Hawai‘i, and the naturalists and environmentalists who did extraordinary work.
With our guide to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, plan your trip to the land of active lava flows and some of the planet's most striking hiking terrain.
Did you know that there is a complicated relationship between the United States, the State of Hawai'i, and Native Hawaiians? Learn more about the origins of this tense relationship along with other historical facts rarely known outside of Hawai'i.
Maximize safety, learning, and FUN with these 15 tips for exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with kids by helicopter and land!
The queen, who was deposed by a coup led by American sugar planters, died more than 100 years ago, but is by no means forgotten
'NCIS' and 'Hawai'i' are kicking off their new seasons with a big crossover.
Amazing 🙌 Tips to Experience Paris 🇫🇷 like a Local 😉 ... Published by Asma Nadifi 5d ago
Photographed at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Hawai‘i nō ka ʻoi when it comes to the beaches|!!| the food and even our memes.
This week, Jay and I visited the Big Island of Hawai'i and hiked out to see the lava for ourselves. This was, without question, the highlight of the trip. We spent a couple of hours photographing the lava on the first night, and we were so impressed that we returned for another go around the next day. Shooting the lava was a challenge as night got darker. Here's what I recommend for getting great shots in a place like this... 1. Give yourself time to figure out which lenses will work best - based upon the distances you are working with. I used a 70-200mm lens with a 1.4x converter. This gave me the length I need to capture lava far away - but also let me work with the flow right in front of me without having to change lenses. My photos from the second night are much better than those from the first night because I knew exactly what I wanted and how to get it. 2. I found that focusing on distant lava was difficult because of heat distortion. The solution was to focus on a cooler rock nearby or to focus manually. 3. Experiment with different shutter speeds. I liked the long shutter speed effect for this shot because it showed the smooth flow of the lava as it fell. For other photos, I preferred a fast shutter speed so that I could capture the incredible details in the cooling lava. The patterns were amazing. I'll post some more photos soon! If you are planning a trip to the Big Island, give Cheryl a call for her awesome Poke-A-Stick Guided Lava Tours. Please keep in mind that this is private land, and you can not go out there without a guide. As it says on her business card, this trip is "Not fo' Wimps!" lavarefuge.com/poke-a-stick-guided-lava-tours
See photos of the United States (including national parks, the Grand Canyon, Times Square, and more) in this travel photo gallery from National Geographic.
Robert Louis Stevenson at age 7. I’ve been thinking how different poets speak to us at different times in our lives. Take Robert Louis Stevenson, for example. “My Shadow,” f…
Hawai‘i nō ka ʻoi when it comes to the beaches|!!| the food and even our memes.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, established on August 1, 1916, is an American National Park located in the U.S. state of Hawaii on the island of Hawaii. It encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive shield volcano. The park delivers scientists insight into the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and ongoing studies into the processes of volcanism. For visitors, the park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes as well as glimpses of rare flora and fauna. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987. In 2012 the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was honored on the 14th quarter of the America the Beautiful Quarters series.
In the fall of 1931, Thalia Massie, the bored, aristocratic wife of a young naval officer stationed in Honolulu, accused six nonwhite islanders of gang rape. The ensuing trial let loose a storm of racial...
We usually head out to a warm and tropical location during the middle of a New England winter, so we did a little research into the fungi of one of our destinations, Maui. A good deal of the fungi on Hawaii are alien, introduced with vegetation and soil from other places, therefore, many of the mushrooms are familiar to us. Only an estimated 17% of fungi are considered native Hawaiian species. Fungi can be found almost all year in the subtropical environments, but the more abundant season is from July through January. Fallen palm leaves and casuarina needles, along with dead wood, coconut husks, lawns, and compost piles of mulch are all good places to look for fruiting mushrooms. We purchased Mushrooms of Hawaii by Don Hemmes and Dennis Desjardin to help us identify the mushrooms we found. On Maui, we visited the very wet area of Hana, and took the walk to Honolua Bay through a very wet forest gully. Some of the most stunning finds were boring old polypores! These Microporus affinis are found on fallen branches in wet, often tropical areas. This fan-shaped bracket has a velvety, ridged cap with concentric zones of brown, red, yellow, blue, orange, and black and often have a zone of green algae. On the underside of the cap are very small white pores, best viewed with a hand lens. Distinctive characterisics for this species are the saucer-shaped depression in the cap near the stem, and the very short, lateral, black "foot". We successfully collected and dried several specimens, and they retained most of their color. A few of these were as large as my hand. This is another, albeit less exciting, polypore showing the upper cap surface and the pores. We don't really know where to begin with its identity. These two black blobs on dead wood are Ascomycota, and look very similar to species we have growing here in temperate Connecticut. The round one is a species of Daldinia; we didn't bring along any KOH to test for staining to try to narrow it down further (darn TSA and all those liquid/chemical regulations!). The finger shaped one is one of the many Xylaria. This LBM is a sweet example of Gymnopus menehune. In Hawaiian mythology, the Menehune are said to be a people, sometimes described as dwarfs in size, who live in the deep forests and hidden valleys of the Hawaiian Islands, far from the eyes of normal humans. Their favorite food is the maiʻa (banana), and they also like fish. These gilled mushrooms are fairly common, and we came across many groupings of them in December. It is easier to spot these bright polypore brackets in a forest than the duller brown ones. These were the very abundant Pycnoporus (Trametes) sanguineus, a tropical version of the Pycnoporus cinnabarinus we have in Connecticut. The pore surface is also bright cinnabar-red and the top surface of the caps is zoned in mixed shades of oranges and reds. Some folks collect these to dye textiles. From Wikipedia: Medicinal uses of P. sanguineus help relieve symptoms of the following diseases: arthritis, gout, styptic, sore throats, ulcers, tooth aches, fevers, and hemorrhages. P. sanguineus also displays numerous anti-bacterial properties against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeroginosa, S. typhi, and S. aureus by inhibiting specific metabolic pathways. Currently, P. sanguineus if being used in medicine for the absorption of certain heavy metals contained within the blood stream. Here are a trio of jelly fungi. Even in Connecticut they pop out after it rains, and it certainly has been a rainy year here on Maui. We didn't identify he top, amber jelly. The second, white jelly is Tremella fuciformis. It is widespread, especially in the tropics, where it can be found on the dead branches of broadleaf trees. This fungus is commercially cultivated and is one of the most popular fungi in the cuisine and medicine of China. Tremella fuciformis is commonly known as snow fungus. The third, orange jelly is likely Dacryopinax spathularia, another edible, yet small fungi specimen. We found it twice, once growing from a wooden rail, and again growing from the side of a wooden house! This is a colony of small, crumbly fungi is Coprinellus disseminatus. They don't deliquesce like other members of the inky mushroom group, they just get darker and crumble up. One log section can hold thousands, in different stages of growth from pins, to babies, beautiful white caps, and older, darkening caps. Gillian calls them "ghost mushrooms" because they look like white versions of the ghosts from Pac-man.
While cities throughout Hawaii celebrate Christmas well, these nine towns are just a little merrier this season.
What do you think of when you think of paradise? I'm willing to bet that it's some combination of white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, sunny rays and lazy beach days. Well, throw in snorkeling, surfing, volcanoes & leis and say alooooha to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Growing up in California, we have always gone to Hawaii at least once a year on a family vacation, and thinking about it, I think I've been to Hawaii more than I've been to any other destination in the world! This is because it is simply the perfect spot for families, for beach-lovers, and for everyone. Some of my best memories as a kid are sliding down the hotel water slides, dancing with hula girls during a luau on Ka'anapali beach, and seeing my first sea turtle while snorkeling. I treasure all of our family trips to Hawaii, which is why I continue to get the can't-fight-it urge to keep coming back year after year, and why I know that all of you will love it. Hawaii is made up of eight main islands, all that cater to a different traveler... so, let's break this up by island: Maui. My personal favorite. Stretches of beautiful beaches, luxe hotels, and great snorkeling make this island the top Hawaiian destination. There's a reason Conde Nast readers have voted Maui the best island in the world again this year -- for 17 years and counting!!!! where to stay Sheraton Maui. This has been one of my favorite resorts my whole life. Located at the end of Ka'anapali beach at Black Rock, the hotel boasts some of the best snorkeling on the island right outside of your hotel room. The pool is to die for, winding around most of the property, and the hotel staff does everything they can to make your stay memorable, from their luaus and activities to their nightly sunset jumps off of Black Rock (daring hawaiian men jump off of the famous rock and into the ocean for the sunset show!). It's also a Starwood Preferred Guest ( spg.com ) resort (look into becoming a member if you travel a lot, great discounts and earn points for luxury hotel stays). sheraton-maui.com Westin Maui. Located a couple miles down Kaanapali beach from the Sheraton is the Westin. Another one of my personal favorites. It has five pools, complete with slides and waterfalls, a golf course, and great oceanfront restaurants. It is a top notch family resort with tons of activities that will definitely make your trip. Another Starwood Preferred Guest resort! westinmaui.com Grand Wailea- A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It's expensive, but you won't find a more perfect hotel for the family. With countless waterslides, beautiful coastal views, and more activities than you can imagine, this hotel is gorgeous and, as its name implies, grand. Although there is a little more going on in the area of Kaanapali, (where the Westin & Sheraton are located) the Grand Wailea has enough activities at the hotel to keep you and your family more than occupied during your stay. They also have a gorgeous seaside chapel that is always booked with beautiful coastal destination weddings. www.grandwailea.com for the foodie Mama's Fish House Located pretty far away from where I usually stay in Maui (Ka'anapali), I always find this restaurant worth the drive. The fish is incredible. Without a doubt the best, freshest fish I have ever tasted. The menu is contemporary Polynesian, putting a modern twist on Hawaii's culinary history, and it is delicious. Do not miss out on this restaurant. Take one look at the menu and you'll see why. Fresh caught swordfish sauteed in coconut milk over coconut rice? Crispy kahlua duck? Taha'a Island vanilla seared ahi? Take a sip of Mama's famous Mai Tai, watch the sunset over the Pacific, feel your fresh caught mahi-mahi melt in your mouth and boom. You're in paradise. www.mamasfishhouse.com Duke's. For something closer to your hotel, you can't go wrong with Duke's. And, as hard as it is for a UNC grad to be recommending you to go to a restaurant called "Duke's", this place is pretty awesome. Duke's has expanded across Hawaii, so you can find one on pretty much any island you go to. The Maui Duke's is right on Ka'anapali beach, a perfect beach walk from your hotel away. Great fish and hawaii faves! A great drink list as well, so if you're not feelin' a full meal, go for drinks and pupus (pupus is hawaiian for appetizers!) www.dukesmaui.com Merrimans. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or just need an excuse to eat some amazing food and pop some champagne over the Hawaiian coast, Merriman's is your place. Amazing sunset dining! The food is fantastic. A little pricey, but so fun for a special occasion. My favorite pupu? The warm crusted goat cheese with strawberries salad. Ah-mazing. You also can't go wrong with a little tasting of the kalua pig and maui sweet onion quesadilla- yum. For your entree, you'll have your choice of fresh seafood or impeccable meats, and don't forget to save room for their delicious desserts. Merriman's. One Bay Club Place, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. Gazebo Enjoy my breakfast overlooking the white sandy beaches of Hawaii in a beautiful gazebo? Why thank you, I shall. This breakfast place is soooo cute, has the best view, and is delicious! A little out of the way, overlooking Napili bay, but it's worth it for the stunning setting. Gazebo 5315 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina, HI Longhi's Longhi's in Lahaina is a great place to go! I love their breakfasts (especially the french toast) but they serve lunch and dinner as well. In old town Lahaina, so go for a sunny breakfast and of course a pretty oceanside view :) 888 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii www.longhis.com for the tourist Go to a Luau. Hawaiian luaus, a big dinner/dancing/drinking cultural celebration complete with a pig roasting, are definitely a must-do on your trip to Hawaii. Throw on your hawaiian party shirt and go out and have a great time. Your hotel will most likely host their own, and they don't differ too much luau-to-luau, so my recommendation is to sign up for your hotel's and enjoy your celebratory evening on the beach! Sometimes, hotels will also offer hula lessons for the kids. I did this at the Sheraton when I was little and they brought me and a few other girls, dressed up in hula skirts they gave us, up on stage during the nighttime luau to dance with the beautiful hawaiian girls- definitely memorable for my all-too-excited seven-year-old self. Lahaina. Old town Lahaina is definitely a fun activity to do while in Maui. It's a separate, less resortey area of Maui with great shops and restaurants. Sit back with a tropical drink and watch the sunset. Maui is all about relaxation. So don't worry about planning your trip out too much and realize your most memorable moments in Maui will be doing a whole lot of nothing. All while seeing some of the most spectacular sights & sunsets you'll ever get to see. Take it all in and enjoy the island life. Kauai The island farthest away, Kauai, is one of the most scenic islands. It is more of a rainforest climate, with gorgeous, lush topography and absolutely stunning hikes and beaches. where to stay St. Regis Princeville Although this is the only place I have ever stayed in Kauai, I have to say it is THE only place I ever want to say. This property is stunning and ranks among Starwood Preferred Guests elite "level seven" resorts, with a picture-perfect pool and an even more idyllic beach, not to mention world-class service that will have you feeling more relaxed than ever before. And, with the volcanic mountains as your backdrop, it's hard to imagine a better view in the world. for the views The Napili Coast Hike - This hike is TOUGH, but it is the most popular hike in Napili, and trust me, the views are worth the workout. If you go all the way to the waterfall, you're looking at an all day hike, but we chose to do the "half hike" just to the beach, which was absoultely breathtaking. Oahu Oahu is not only the island with the biggest population, it is home to the capital city of Honolulu. I love Honolulu. It's one of the few true beach cities in the world (how many can you think of? Miami....Sydney....Rio) and it is bustling and beautiful. A completely different experience from Maui, but you don't miss out on the stunning Hawaiian beaches (see my pictures from my last trip!) If you want the perfect combination of a relaxing beach vacation with the excitement of an urban city- Oahu is your island. where to stay Moana Surfrider. Oh, the Moana Surfrider. Let me just start by emphasizing I love this hotel. First of all, the architecture is to-die-for. Secondly, the beach is to-die-for. Thirdly, it is just perfect. It's definitely a luxury hotel, located right in the heart of the downtown strip of beach in Honolulu-- the famous & beautiful Waikiki Beach. Built as the first hotel in Waikiki, it is within walking distance of everything. If you feel like splurging a little, or if you get lucky and get a good deal on a rate, the Surfrider is your place. www.moana-surfrider.com Royal Hawaiian A luxury resort also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, the Royal Hawaiian has long been known as one of Hawaii's flagship hotels. Its iconic pink architecture has brought in celebrities and royal guests for decades, originally known as a getaway for classic Hollywood stars. Today, with multi-million dollar renovations and its prime Waikiki beach real estate (right near the Moana), the Pink Palace continues to be a traveler favorite on Oahu. www.royal-hawaiian.com Want to get out of the city? You can also choose to stay on Oahu outside of Waikiki, as you can find more secluded beach resorts lining the beaches up the coast, as well as hotels on the North Shore, a stretch of Oahu famous for it's huge surfing waves. Poolside paradise at the Moana Surfrider for the foodie Eggs n' Things. If you love a great breakfast like me, you know the value of finding the perfect breakfast or brunch place while on vacation. Look no further. Yes, there will be a line. Yes, you will have the best breakfast you've ever had in your life. Too much to promise? Maybe, but I'm confident you won't be disappointed. Located a short walk away from where the hotels are in Waikiki. The pancakes are incredible, and the world knows about it! Their breakfasts became so popular that customers convinced them to start selling their pancake mix online! Just in case you're still craving those perfectly fluffy pancakes on your plane ride home-- which you will be. eggsnthings.com 343 Saratoga Road Honolulu, HI Waikiki Beach view from Moana Surfrider Hotel Cheeseburger in Paradise. Yes, I know what you're thinking... so touristy. But this is one of my favorite places in Honolulu. Open air patios right across the street from Waikiki Beach, delicious pina coladas and most importantly- GREAT burgers and fries. Trust me and get a grilled pineapple burger... so island-ey and SO delicious. 2500 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI for the tourist Pearl Harbor. A must if you like American history and are staying in Honolulu. The Pearl Harbor site is incredible. When I went, they even had one of the survivors there talking to visitors, answering questions and taking pictures. I still remember him and how every picture he took he threw up the typical hawaiian hand gesture for "hang loose". He was awesome, and told me and a group of friends stories about that day that will forever live in infamy. Sunset sail. Catamaran sail boats depart right out of Waikiki. Talk about a beautiful and romantic setting. Definitely look into taking one if you're staying on Waikiki Beach! The Big Island The Big Island gets its name because it is Hawaii's biggest island (duh). The best beaches and weather are on the Kona side of the island, rather than the Hilo side. So, if you're a beach and snorkel lover, you're going to want to fly in and book a hotel on the Kona side or the Kohala Coast. Kona (also famous for its coffee) has some of the biggest and best hotels ever. Here are my top picks: Hilton Waikoloa Village. A resort so huge you take a boat to get around. The Waikoloa Village prides itself on being "a destination in itself". It boasts it's own snorkeling lagoon, huge pools with slides and waterfalls, it's own Swim With Dolphins facility, a gigantic top-notch spa, and more all on 62 gorgeous oceanfront acres. This is the Atlantis of Hawaii. I love big hotels, especially for family trips (so much to do!), and I've always found this hotel to be awesome. Between snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, the spa, the award-winning dining, first class shopping, golf and tennis, how could you not love this place? http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/ Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Founded by the Rockefeller family, this luxury hotel boasts one of the top beaches in all of Hawaii. With golf, tennis, and picture-perfect beachfront property, you're all set for a perfect vacation in paradise in a low key luxe resort. Mauna Kea is consistently ranked among the World's Best Hotels, and, from what I've heard, it deserves to be. I haven't stayed here yet, but one of my best friends' family goes year after year over Christmas and they absolutely love it. princeresortshawaii.com/mauna-kea-beach-hotel for the tourist Volcanoes. When it comes to Hawaii, I'm admittedly more of a "drop me on a beach with a bikini and some magazines and pick me up in 7 days" kind of vacationer. I mean, cut me some slack, with beaches as gorgeous as these, sunny days as beautiful, and snorkeling for when I need to cool off in the water, I think I've got all I need. Luckily, I have a dad who managed to convince me, my mom and brother on a recent trip to get out of our 'tan, rinse, repeat' routine and go see the majestic Hawaiian volcanoes. Quite a drive away, but how many times in your life can you say you've seen HOT LAVA?! It is so, so cool. The Hawaiian islands were actually created from volcanic activity millions of years ago, meaning that they were originally just supposed to be the peaks of an underwater mountain range... Luckily for us and thanks to volcanic activity and plate tectonics, we now have the islands of Hawaii. Ask your hotel about tours or how to drive to the Volcanoes National Park. Definitely an amazing experience. www.gohawaii.com/big-island/volcanoes-national-park Scuba/snorkel Trips. Daily scuba and snorkel trips depart out of Kona, and it's some of the best! They'll take you many places only accessible by boat, so it's great to do these boat trips if you love to snorkel or scuba. Whale watching. From late December to early May, whales make their way migrating from Alaska all the way to the warm waters of Hawaii, keep an eye out for their beautiful breeches! Take a whale watching tour or just keep an eye out from the shore. It sure is a gorgeous sight to see them in the wild. Swim with dolphins. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you're staying at the Hilton Waikoloa, they have it right there. If you're willing to splurge for the experience, do it. Dolphins are my favorite animals, and I had the best time getting to swim with them :) I've yet to find a more perfect beach vacation than Hawaii, and like I said it's that place that you just keep wanting to come back to year after year. I love it for the sunsets, the ocean, the relaxation, the unique island culture, the one-of-a-kind beaches, and, yes, for the beautiful luxe resorts... I can't help it- I'm a sucker for a great hotel. But, mostly I love Hawaii because of all the memories I have there. (Check out little me & my brother alex with our leis cerca '97!). Here's to all of you guys creating your own island memories in Hawaii... until next time, ALOHA! follow me on instagram follow my travel tweets on twitter @jetsetchristina like my page on facebook
Know what would taste really ono right about now? A big bowl of warm, steamy, soul satisfying saimin! At this very moment, I’m dreaming of dipping my chopsticks in hot dashi and slurpi…
Haleakala's weather at the summit has an average high of sixty degrees and an average low of forty. This may sound temperate to some but it is, on average, a whopping twenty-eight degrees colder than the beachy town of Kihei that buzzes below.
Elegant, brutal, and profound—this magnificent debut captures the grit and glory of modern Hawai'i with breathtaking force and accuracy. In a stunning collection that announces the arrival...
In 1888|!!| King Kalakaua issued a royal charter|!!| commissioning a magazine. Then titled Paradise of the Pacific|!!| this publication became HONOLULU Magazine|!!| making it the oldest magazine west of the Mississippi.
On March 18, 1866, a 30-year-old writer named Samuel Clemens arrived by steamer in Honolulu to report on the Islands for the Sacramento Union. Now, 150 years later, we explore how the famous author’s one-time visit turned into a lifelong love affair with the Islands.
Sweet potato haupia bars are a favorite dessert here in Hawai’i. Crumbly shortbread crust with a sweet potato filling topped with a soft set haupia. You won’t want to pass this up.
Haiku Stairs, Hawaii
