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 »
Everyone loves a parade! We have heard that saying for ages. When it comes to parades, people on Maui are no different. Especially the residents of Makawao town, where local people have gathered for the last 64 years to participate in a four-day event, the colorful July 4th Paniolo* Parade and Rodeo! The town spends… Read more »
Here is one more reason to love Hawai’i – our Home-Grown Chocolate! Yes, just when you thought Hawai’i could not get ANY better, we tell you that the best major food group, chocolate, is grown and produced right here on all the major Hawaiian Islands! So today we are going to talk about Hawai’i and… Read more »
Endemic Hawaiian plants and flowers will typically thrive in their native environments. You do not have to go deep into the Hawaiian rainforests or to the edge of remote cliff faces finding exotic native flora in Hawai’i. Many beautiful flowering plants live along the beach where you go every day. They flourish in the sand,… Read more »
Hawaiian Values are, in essence, values for humanity. Their uniqueness comes from being expressed in a pure, pristine way. Even though they were inherited from ancient Polynesian Culture and an environment that is temperate to tropical, they still speak to the values we have today worldwide. People living together on this small planet must have… Read more »
Centuries before the European sea-faring explorers discovered Hawai’i, the people living on these islands had already developed a great New Year’s tradition. This tradition is called Makahiki. The Makahiki preparations, ceremonies, and celebrations were extensive. This particular time of the year lasted from October through January. Four months were needed for all the activities that… 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 »
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 »
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 »
