Family crashed as the Kahala for a 4-night stay two weeks ago and got lucky enough to snag one of the newly renovated rooms at the classic resort which had been struggling of late, according to many online posters. A…

In 1989, Roy Yamaguchi opened his flagship eatery in Hawaii Kai, then a solidly middle-class newish neighborhood in East Honolulu. Roy was from California and so was his restaurant. It had a big display kitchen with flashy flames and pots…

Where to watch the pyrotechnics and croon "Auld Lang Syne" in paradise? The fireworks displays in Hawaii aren't as impressive as those found in bigger metropolises. But the setting tends to make up for that, thank you very much. Here…

Pros: This property is 10-minutes away from Waikiki and set on its own beach which is rarely crowded and very calm. This is the closest you'll come to a true resort on Oahu's South Shore. The service is, in general,…

Caveat reader. What you are about to read was the result of a comped dinner experience, Translation? I couldn't afford it but when the Halekulani offered to feed me its " Louis XIII de Remy Martin Ultimate Dinner," I simply…

I almost hate telling people about this spot. It's so perfect, and its right on Oahu. Kawela Bay is one of the last semi-secret beaches on this most populous of Hawaiian Islands. "Magnum P.I." and "Lost" have both filed scenes…

Pros: The Hilton sits on a stretch of rather nice beach, one of the widest in Waikiki. While its rarely empty, this beach tends to feel less crowded than the other primary Waikiki beaches. There is a great swimming channel…

Planning a wedding can be a logistical nightmare on many levels, from choosing a venue to picking floral arrangements. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a place that could help you with every aspect of preparing for your special…

Note from editor: I am going to be publishing a series of spa reviews here on Hawaiirama. These are based on first-hand experiences and are not complimentary or reduced rate treatments. I personally know nothing about spas. So I'm sending…

With all the breathtaking outdoor beauty that Hawaii has to offer, why would anyone planning on tying the knot here want the usual stiff, formal wedding portraits? If you'd rather have wedding pictures that truly capture the experience of getting…

Movie buffs -- no, it's not too late. The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival (you can call it the HIFF if you want as the LVHIFF doesn't roll off the tongue) has a total deal with Starwood's four Waikiki…

Pros: Like most Hyatt properties, this hotel is extremely clean and well maintained. Service is strong. Rooms comfortable. The pool deck is a great place to hang out and watch the waves but avoid the hoi polloi on Kuhio Beach.…

The cake makes the wedding. Not really, but having a stunning cake is certainliy something every bride hopes for on her perfect day. Cake Couture, based in Aina Haina on Oahu, is a standout. Owner Carrie Emerson-Bass was raised…

Credit to Hapa Hale for spotting a killer deal at Turtle Bay, $199 per night. Not sure what this exactly buys you in terms of views, but most of the rooms at the resort have an ocean view of…

I went to the North Shore on Saturday, ostensibly to spend a quiet night in the country with the family unit. It was anything but. The trip started out well enough, with a leisurely lunch at Haleiwa Joes, where the…

We're getting a few queries in for this feature and hopefully we'll get a lot more. Again, we want to save your honeymoon. Don't trust a travel agent who doesn't live here. Don't trust a magazine that drops a writer…

Here's the second in this series.. John Clark, the noted Hawaii beach expert and all around beach nut, will be feeding us his extremely informed take on best beaches around the Aloha State. We're breaking them down into all different…

We spent a long afternoon on Bellows Beach in Waimanalo this weekend. It reminded me that this stunning beach is perhaps the most beautiful in the islands. The backdrop is the purple-green Koolau Mountains and the stark cliffs of…

Both are on the quiet side of Waikiki in the shadow of Diamond Head and far from the crowds of Kalakaua Ave. I love the area, particularly for families into water sports and playing in neighboring Kapiolani Park. Both…