About Hawaii

Photo Credit: Rexie Adlawan It’s no secret that aloha is one of the most well-known Hawaiian words — both in the islands and around the world. As the song says, not only can aloha be used as a greeting, but also a farewell or good-bye. But there really is much more to this word… The…

Photo Credit: Crystal Yamasaki When it comes to ambassadors of aloha, surfing icons and Olympic medalists there are a lot of names swimming out there. But few capture the spirit of Hawaii and the raw talents as a waterman quite like Hawaii legend, Duke Kahanamoku. A dominating figure in the world of surfing, he has…

If you need a break from the sun and surf or just a chance to escape the heat, a trip to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, can add the right touch of educational and cultural opportunities to the traditional Hawaii vacation. Located just outside of downtown Honolulu in Kalihi, the Bishop Museum is known for its extensive collection of Polynesian artifacts that will transport you back to the old Hawaii. The largest museum in the state of Hawaii, it is known around the world for its cultural collections, research, and educational programs. The Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by philanthropist Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The Princess was the last living heir of the Kamehameha Dynasty which ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1810 through 1872 and the museum was intended as…

It’s hard to share the story of Hawaii’s monarchy without the name “Liliuokalani.” Those who visit the island of Oahu can still find traces of her legacy to this day, but none more visible than in downtown Honolulu where a statue bearing her likeness near the Iolani Palace stands. Rise of the Queen As the…

In Hawaii, ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Since we’ve done a blog on Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning, wind, dance and volcanoes, we could not very well leave out her elder sister Namakaokahai, the Hawaiian goddess of the sea. Like most sisters, the two are…

With a sea of food to choose from in the islands it shouldn’t be a surprise that some of Hawaii’s most popular dishes are food from the sea. Hawaii residents love their seafood – but poking out amongst the dishes is an especially beloved snack: poke. Hawaii has long loved this simple seafood salad. It…

The final resting place for 1,102 sailors killed in the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona today serves as a memorial for Japan’s surprise attack on the United States. Intended to prevent the U.S. from getting involved with assaults it was planning against Southeast Asia territories, the assault killed 2,402 Americans,…

While the ukulele may be the most widely recognized musical instrument associated with Hawaii, many kama`aina (locals) also consider the slack key guitar as one of the state’s instruments. While there are different theories on how the slack key guitar style was invented, the most popular story is that the first guitars were brought to…

Arctic residents vacationing in Hawaii during the winter may recognize a familiar face – errr fowl. The kolea, known to the rest of the world as the Pacific golden plover, migrates to Hawaii and other warmer places in the Pacific during the winter to escape the harsh arctic cold. These expert long distance fliers have…

In Hawaii, kama`aina (local residents) are silly for saimin and for many, it’s considered the quintessential “Hawaii comfort food”. On a cool night, a hot bowl of noodles beats out the dinnertime competition. Not to be confused with Japan’s ramen, which it closely resembles, saimin is a local dish found only in the islands. The…