February 5, 2012

Sweet Island Goodness at Maui Onion Festival

Huge Maui Onions

I spend a lot of time in Hawaii, and specifically on Maui, so it’s a downright shame that I’ll be missing this year’s annual Maui Onion Festival.  The golden-pale Maui Onions, grown in Kula, have a mild, crunchy flesh and are thought by many to be the sweetest onions in the world.  These onions take [...]

Polynesian Cultural Center Invites Visitors to Participate in Island Life

polynesian cultural center

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a popular attraction for visitors to the island of Oahu, and with its new Go Native! programs, visitors will have even more opportunities to learn about the Polynesian culture.  Guests will be enticed into participating in traditional aspects of daily life from Pacific island cultures like those of Samoa, Tahiti [...]

Delicious Dining From Oahu’s Food Trucks

shrimp plate

Lunch wagons have long been a part of the Hawaiian culture, feeding workers as well as hungry surfers.  Lately, though, it seems these 4-wheeled eateries have started providing more upscale, dare I say gourmet friendly cuisine, responding, in large part, to the mobile restaurant trend that’s hot all across the country. Choose from among these [...]

Honolulu’s Punchbowl Honors Veterans

Honolulu Punchbowl Hawaii

Overlooking the city of Honolulu is the extinct volcano Punchbowl Crater, home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, frequently referred to as Punchbowl Cemetery, or simply the Punchbowl. In addition to its tremendous views of the city, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl is the final resting place for veterans of [...]

Honolulu Pride: Military History in the Islands

arizonamemorialatpearlharbor.jpg

It’s easy to be c aught up in the sun, sand, and surf of Hawaii, but the islands are also rich in military history and sites.  Although it can be sobering and painful to think about, these military sites deserve a spot on any must-see list. Next time you’re on Oahu, take a beach break [...]

USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor Hawaii

Honolulu may be known for its sun and sandy beaches, but it is also home to one of  the most sobering military history sites that I’ve ever visited — the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.  The Memorial, dedicated in 1962, honors the site where World War II began for the United States, with the [...]

Shopping at Hilo Hattie’s

Giant Aloha shirt at Hilo Hattie's

A trip to the islands isn’t complete without a visit to Hilo Hattie’s.  Some people might call it touristy, but I think of it as one of the rituals of an island visit. During the 1950-60′s, Hilo Hattie was the stage name for a popular Hawaiian entertainer whose real name was Clarissa Haili.  She was [...]

Photo Friday: Hawaiian Sunset

Hawaiian sunset as seen in Kona

I’m sitting in the rain here in Seattle, feeling wet and cold clear through to my bones.  I’m not jetting away to any warm any time soon, so I’ve had to content myself with organizing some photos from warm places.  It’s a stretch, I know, but it’s all I have to work with today. This [...]

Choosing the Right Hawaiian Island

Waikiki Beach shortly after sunrise ©2010, Mary Jo Manzanares

A trip to Hawaii is a dream vacation for many, but choosing the islands for a vacation is only the beginning.  Although the Hawaiian Islands are made up of many islands and atolls, along with smaller islets, when it comes to vacation, you’re probably talking about visiting one of the six main islands. Depending on [...]

Photo Friday: Hawaiian Hibiscus

In the middle of the Seattle rainy season, which come February will seem like it’s been going on FOREVER, planning a little sun break can be a life saver.  Escaping the grey, dreary days can be just the lift you need to face the remainder of the days until summer. One of my favorite parts [...]