Amasia: Alan Wong’s New Resto in the Gran Wailea

Looks like President Obama is going to have to fly to Maui for dinner on his next Hawaii vacation. ‘Cause his fave chef, Alan Wong, is opening a new small-plate, Pan-Pacific restaurant in the uber-posh Gran Wailea Resort on the Maui Gold Coast. Wong’s eponymous eatery on…

Ka Hula Piko: Hula Dancing on Molokai

This is hula festival is far less crowded than many of the larger fests. That’s in part due to its location on Moloka’i but the caliber of this event is stellar and worth a dedicated visit for the hula fanatics. Moloka’i Ka Hula Piko began in 1991 and it takes place each year on the third [...]

Off the Radar Hotels in Hawaii: Luxe Holualoa Inn

This gem resides in a small town of artists and coffee growers clinging the verdant hillsides of the Kona Coast south of the big resorts. Devastating views from the rooms lead to lethargy in the face of a bit of a drive down the hill to hit the Big Island’s notable beaches on the Kohala [...]

Kayaking Sea Arches on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai

The Na Pali Coast of Kauai is a designated World Heritage Site and rightly so. We’re written about the views from above Na Pali which provides hints at the wonders below – pristine white sand beaches rimming uninhabited hanging valleys where waterfalls abound and nary a building can be found. Some folks choose to hike [...]

Top 3 Hotels on Oahu for Kids

What are the Top 3 Hotels on Oahu for Kids? There are a ton of kid-friendly hotels on this busiest of Hawaiian Islands. Most do not have the same campus-like feel as the giant properties on the Outer Islands. And the super pools are less common. But for some families, having all the activities of an urban tropical island is a better option. And here are my three favorites for families – the Kahala Hotel & Resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the new Disney Aulani Resort.

The Cliffs of Eternity: Waipio Rim B&B Atop the Valley of the Kings

It’s nice to enough to sit on a comfortable bench. But how about a bench with a view like this? This is the front yard (or backyard) of the Waipio Rim B&B, a small B&B that sits atop the cliffs on the Hamakua Coast directly above Waipio Valley, the Valley of the Kings. At night [...]

Must Buy Hawaii: Coal Pepe‘e‘uhola Buttondown Aloha Shirt from Sig Zane

The aloha shirt cognoscenti of Hawaii nod sagely when you tell them you went to Sig Zane in Hilo. Zane is the reigning king of exclusive aloha shirt runs focused entirely on Hawaiian floral and cultural themes. His designs are not only graphically fabuloso but also rare. Because Zane only prints a limited number of [...]

Off the Radar Hotels in Hawaii: Hotel Lanai

So the majority of folks who come to Hawaii look for the really big hotels that are huge brands in paradise – Hilton, Marriott, Outrigger, Westin, St. Regis. Many of those are fabulous. Travelers looking to get off the beaten path and go cheaper look for condos or B&Bs. Rare are the off-the-radar, smaller but [...]

Makapu’u Sunrise: For Prom Nights and Vacations, Too

Sunrises all over Hawaii are pretty danged spectacular. On Oahu, thought, its hard to beat the view of sunrise from the cliffs or the beach at Makapu’u. This is a fave prom night conclusion and rightfully so. The rugged coastline is stark and free of the clutter of lights, buildings and hotels. The colors are [...]