We get this question ALL the time – why should we go all the way to Hana? What is so special about The Road to Hana? Perhaps you’re not sure you really want to go there? Maybe you want to go but don’t know how to convince a family member who questions the whole thing…. Read more »
One of the things the residents of Hawai’i love most about our Island Home is the rich, multicultural traditions and customs. We share these customs with our friends, neighbors, and communities. Whether it’s the 4th generation Japanese, making hand-made mochi for the New Year, or the Dragon Dance for the Chinese New Year, there are… Read more »
One of the first things people think about when they hear about Hawai’i is swaying coconut palms and beautiful beaches. It is hard to imagine that at one time, there were no coconut palm trees on the Hawaiian islands at all! When the Polynesian migrants first arrived, there was only one species of native palm… Read more »
The Hōkūleʻa Epic Voyage – Mālama Honua: To Care For Our Earth The idea for this epic voyage began with a very unusual phone call. Nainoa Thompson, aboard Hōkūleʻa, spoke via satellite phone to Lacy Veach who was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Nainoa, aboard Hōkūleʻa, was sailing from Rarotonga to Honolulu and Lacy was… Read more »
The magnitude of the great, double-hulled ocean-going vessel, Hōkūleʻa, launching on her maiden voyage on March 8, 1975, cannot be overstated. It was a monumental event for all people of Hawaiian ancestry worldwide. This single event gave a burst of energy back into the Hawaiian culture and a tremendous upsurge in pride. Hōkūleʻa was launched… Read more »
Long before Western explorers and Protestant Missionaries arrived, Hawai’i people had a time of year called Makahiki*. This time was a season of rest and rejuvenation. The days were shorter and a bit cooler – there was more rain to nourish the earth, and life slowed down. A natural end of the yearly cycle, the… Read more »
Late Autumn and early Winter in Maui are terrific! As temperatures on the mainland drop below freezing, the temperatures in Maui become slightly cooler. The sun is lower on the horizon and it is not so hot on the beach. It cools down about 10° from the heat of summer and the weather feels perfect! … Read more »
Ancient Hawaiians loved scary stories. They did not have the Christian idea of All Hallow’s Eve, sometimes known as Halloween. But, they did have equally intimidating characters which they told stories about. The scary stories would often be told at night, sitting around the open fire, in much the same way it is still… Read more »
The world-famous Road to Hana is known for its breathtaking landscapes, magnificent views, beautiful nature, unmatched waterfalls, and too many hidden gems to count. These are the primary reasons that the Road to Hana is regarded as one of the world’s best road trips. It is a pristine environment that we all want to… Read more »
Bon Odori, AKA Bon Dance, originally from Japan, has been a Hawaiian tradition for over 130 years. Bon Odori is a style of folk dance performed at festivals in Japan during the Obon season. Deeply important and influential in Japanese culture, Obon is as important as other cultures’ New Years celebrations. The Obon season in… Read more »
