Vanilla is an Old World flavoring and aromatic that is highly favored in cooking, coffee, candles, and cosmetics. But few people know exactly what vanilla is, how it is cultivated, and why it has become the second most expensive spice in the world. That is what visitors to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company were about to discover during a luncheon and tour on Monday, September 9, 2024. The company is in Paauilo on the Hilo-Hamuka Heritage Coast of the Big Island,…
Hawaii is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, from pristine beaches to lush rainforests and active volcanoes. While the islands can be expensive, there are numerous ways to experience Hawaii’s natural wonders without breaking the bank. This guide provides concrete, up-to-date tips to help you save money while exploring the best of Hawaii’s nature. 1. Choose the Right Island Each Hawaiian island offers unique natural experiences, but some are more budget-friendly than others. Oahu: Called “The Gathering Place,” Oahu blends…
2021 UPDATE: This trail is closed. The Crouching Lion is a formidable hike, only for experienced hikers. It is formidable because of the steep climb through the thick forest, stepping over large tree roots webbing throughout the trail, slippery grounds, overgrown bushes, and the risky walk on knife-edge hilltops with sharp 1000 feet drop offs. Want to feel like Tarzan for a day? This is your jungle! The Crouching Lion is also known as the Pu’u Manamana. Pu’u in Hawaiian…
Hawaii is a favorite tourist destination not only for its tropical landscapes and magical luaus. It is also one of the largest coffee-producing lands in the world! There are many different types of coffee in Hawaii, all having unique taste profiles with fruity and floral notes. Which one to choose for your next cup of demitasse and which one to buy as a gift? Let’s explore the Hawaiian coffee tradition. When your appetite for coffee is whetted, you’ll be ready…
There have been many versions of 1933’s King Kong, the classic story about a giant ape who falls for a human woman. The best known are 2005’s epic re-imagining of the same name and 2017’s action-packed Kong: Skull Island. And while each movie is a different take on the story, there’s just as big a contrast between their backdrops. Like the original, they both take place on “Skull Island” – a fictional prehistoric land in the Pacific. To bring to…
As the ship approached Maui, I was happy to finally make it to Hawai’i. I’d always wanted to go, but I honestly had the same superficial idea of what the islands were like as anyone else who’d never been, that is to say, I didn’t know much. We anchored out in the Au’au Channel off Lahaina, and I was on the first wave of liberty boats to the beach. Whenever we made port in a new place, I’d always spend…
In the popular TV series Lost, the survivors of a plane crash are forced to unite to overcome the mystifying threats of the island on which they’re stranded. From the beginning, the sci-fi hit relied heavily on intrigue to draw in viewers. But the fact that it was filmed in various locations throughout Oahu in Hawaii for its entire six-year-run is no mystery. The pilot episode opens with the characters finding themselves on a seemingly-deserted island beach in the wake…
Finding the Pipiwai Trail Where is everybody? Early in the morning I stood in the middle of the Hana Highway, 12 miles south of the town of Hana, without a car in sight and the only noise a remembrance of waves from the Pacific Ocean crashing beside my overnight campsite. The deserted highway had lost its center line – a few hours’ drive from the buzz of resorts and surf shops – and had tapered into a sleepy country lane…
When we visit Hawaii, our family never seems to have time for a restaurant during the happy hour. But we finally made it, and I must say that it’s for a very good reason that Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea is often praised as having the best happy hour in South Maui. It was the last day of our vacation. We had a late breakfast and decided to spend more time at the beach and skip lunch before heading to Monkeypod…
I call it my sweet zone, my Hawaii place when everything comes together perfectly, when I am totally at rest. When you’re looking out of your dreary eyes, not seeing what is in front of you, feeling only bliss, that’s the sweet zone. It is easiest to feel when the environment is peaceful and leaves you alone. Hawaii does this, but Hawaii is not paradise, Hawaii is a place so peaceful that paradise can happen inside you. My sweet zone…