Tag Archives: Oahu

Maui Wailea

Hawaii Celebrates Earth Day

 

The islands are all about to need to preserve and renew and this April the Aloha State will be hosting several activities, events, and exchanges in honor of Mother Earth.

 

Island-wide Earth Month

More than just a day, Hawaii celebrates Earth Month. The entire month of April is now on the calendars as a volunteer month. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Ige in 2022, the campaign is now in its second year. The organization Kanu Hawaii is the largest state-level celebration in the United States. Sign up at: https://www.kanuhawaii.org/volunteer-month-hawaii/ You can search for needs on the island of your choice at: https://www.kanuhawaii.org/needs/ There are beach cleanups, forest plantings, wildlife rescue and care, gardening insights, and galas.

Maui

Kiai Collier of Hawaii Land Trust and volunteers walk out of the water in west Maui after a clean-up. Photo: Heather Goodman/Hawaii Tourism Authority

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts, Island of Hawaii

Stop by the resort to swap your harmful sunscreen for reef-safe products. To honor Earth Day, Honua Hawaiian Skincare is partnering with Mauna Lani’s Kainalu Ocean Sports team to host the SPF Swap on April 22. Residents and visitors are invited to stop by the resort that day to exchange sunscreens containing harmful chemicals such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate for Honua Hawaiian Skincare’s reef-safe MALU Day Cream, broad spectrum SPF 30. A percentage of proceeds from MALU sales benefits Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping our oceans clean and inspiring communities to practice coastal stewardship. For more information, call (855) 550-5008.

Mauna Lani Hawaii Island

Mauna Lani Beach along the Kohala Coast on the Big Island is the location of the Mauna Lani Resort. Photo: ekash/iStock

Haleakala National Park, Maui

National Park Week kicks off on Earth Day on April 22 with no entrance fees to Haleakala National Park for all visitors. Sunrise reservations are still required to enter the Summit District from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. Contact recreation.gov. There’s a volunteer clean-up from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Help clean up the House of the Sun and participate in a drop-in trash clean up at the Haleakala Visitor Center at 9,740 feet. Join a park ranger for a special Earth Day program at Hosmer Grove to learn about your role in protecting the planet. The program starts at 2 p.m. If you can’t make it to any outings then you can explore the park online with Earth Day everyday activities, and learn more about endangered forest birds in the short film The Heart of Maui.

Haleakala Crater Maui

The rare and sacred landscape from the Haleakala National Park in Maui. Photo: iStock

Waikiki Aquarium, Oahu

The Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo takes place on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presented by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Facility Maintenance, the Hawaii State Department of Health Clean Water Branch, and the Waikiki Aquarium will promote the importance of keeping Hawaii clean and free of pollution, from the mountaintops to the ocean. It’s a free, family-friendly event. For info: https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/interact/annual- events/mauka-to-makai-earth-day/

Butterfly Fish Waikiki Aquarium

A beautiful Copper Band Butterflyfish swimming in the Waikiki Aquarium in Oahu. Photo: Wirestock/iStock

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Oahu

Join the Bishop Museum of Science & Sustainability Festival which brings together museum scientists, educators, cultural practitioners, and community partners to highlight the ongoing work needed to protect biodiversity and build a sustainable future in Hawaii. For more info: https://bishopscience.org/

Oahu Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum on Oahu has exhibits on the cultures of the Pacific region of Hawaii and Polynesia. Photo: 7maru/iStock

 

Oahu Hawaii Rainbow

Which Hawai’ian Island is Best for You

 

Exotic yet close, alluring, and mystical; you’ll never be disappointed with any of the six islands open to visitors. Each is fascinating, full of history and culture while offering plenty of outdoor excursions on the water and land, there is exceptional flora and fauna, many species endemic to Hawai’i, and when it comes to dining there’s an array of culinary delights built on an ethnic collision of flavors from Portugal, China, Japan, and the Philippines.

Over-tourism has become a concern in many beautiful places around the world. Hawai’i is no exception. Locals have a profound connection to nature and their land. Today’s visitors should abide by the same values and attitudes; respect for Mother Nature and local customs is essential to being a good guest.

Island Of Hawai’i

The original Hawai’ian homeland where stories and legends were born and the gods and goddesses reside, the Big Island is as diverse as its climate zones. Where else can you swim with giant sea turtles and see a snow-capped mountain in the distance? Mauna Kea is where visitors come to ski, star gaze, and hike. Sister volcano Mauna Loa dominates offering hikes that vary from challenging day jaunts to serious backpack treks of several days requiring permits. On this island of extremes, you’ll find whatever you might be looking for.

Big Island Of Hawaii

There are over a dozen waterfalls on the east coast of Hawai’i near Hilo. Three-tiered falls at Umauma is now privately owned and reachable via Umauma Experience. Photo: Wasif Malik/Flickr

At Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park see the active volcano, take a journey via the Crater Rim Drive and continue to Thurston Lava Tube, an incredible underground passage created by lava flows. Upcountry pastures of North Kohala include farmland and horse ranches. The scenic drive to Waimea a thriving community leads to Pololu Valley Lookout revealing coastline vistas of the Hamakua Coast. The island is laced with lush greenery leading to waterfalls, ringed with black sand beaches and winding roads with amazing lookouts.

Kauai

So big and packed full of nature that you’ll be amiss if you don’t get out and explore and experience the Garden Island. The topography is lush and rugged, offering jagged cliffs, verdant valleys, countless canyons, and plummeting waterfalls. Days are filled with snorkeling Ke’e Reef, kayaking the Wailua River, and swimming at Po’ipu Beach. This enormous island has the most beaches of all the Hawaiian Islands, boasting 28 strands of black, tan, and white sands along its 11 miles of coastline.

Kauai

Trails along the coast of Kaua’i’s North Shore at Napali reveal emerald cliffs with stunning sand beaches below. Photo: kdvandeventer/Pixaby

Hard-core adventurous types might explore the trail of Waimea Canyon on foot but a slow and easy drive up to the top unveils plenty of lookouts along the way. A portion of the towering cliffs of Napali Coast can be reached via an 11-mile rugged trail but these cliffs seen from the water and air captivate everyone and, there’s always a rainbow on the horizon at the double-tiered Wailua Falls.

Lana’i

Explorers, serenity seekers, and fans of remote luxury find this isle a perfect fit. Once home to pineapple plantations, Lana’i now hosts two ultra-luxurious Four Seasons resorts. In contrast to the pockets of pampering, most of the island is rough and rugged and open for exploration. Ribboned with 400 miles of roads and pathways, only 30 miles are paved, leaving the rest of the island ready for off-road adventures.

Lanai

Just a short hike from the Four Seasons Resort on Lana’i offers the best views of Pu’upehe a natural landmark steeped in folklore. Photo: Dana Edmunds/Hawaii Tourism Authority

The Munro Trail, a long dusty route leads to Lana’i’s highest peak at Mount Lana’ihale, the peak unveils views of the neighboring islands of Maui, Moloka’i, and O’ahu. Hikers will find 20-minute easy paths and day-long challenging trails crisscrossing the interior along with parks where Garden of the Gods, best seen at dawn, showcases surreal lunar topography. Observe some of the rarest plants and birds in the world at Kanepu’u Preserve. The iconic heart-shaped sea stack at Pu’upehe is now a seabird sanctuary and is an easy walk between Manele and Hulopo’e Bays, best seen at sunrise.

Maui

Honeymooners, fitness fanatics, and rock stars gravitate toward Maui. Family-friendly and ultra-luxe resorts front some of the best beaches on the south and west coasts. Water-centric enthusiasts find sports from snorkeling to windsurfing and wellness seekers engage in yoga workshops and healing rituals. From funky hippie towns like Paia to the hustling cosmopolitan Kahului there’s a spot for everyone.

Maui Road To Hana

Hana Highway’s scenic drive showcases the rugged coastline of eastern Maui with 620 curves and crosses 59 bridges over streams and waterfalls. Photo: Tor Johnson/Hawaii Tourism Authority

Wai’anapanapa State Park, just one of several parks on the island is the place for black sand beaches, tidal pools, and blow holes. The historic whaling village of Lahaina offers a quaint look into the past and a chance to hear authentic Hawai’ian music and take in a hula or local art fair. There’s a good chance to see whales here between November and May. A trip to Haleakala via bike or car is a sunrise event and an excursion from Kahului to Hana where the narrow winding road unveils bamboo forests and waterfalls that flow into black sand beaches creates lasting memories.

Moloka’i

Moloka’i is an untouched slice of Hawaiian delight where residents remain true to their roots and strive to preserve the land and bucolic lifestyle. Visit the central island town of Kaunakakai and mingle with the residents at the general store and small shops, walk to the harbor to glimpse the daily catch, and don’t pass up a loaf of freshly baked sweet or savory bread. Steeped in island legends, and packed with breathtaking landmarks and natural beauty you’ll want to hire a local guide to impart the lure and soul of this remote crescent.

Molokai

Moloka’i is etched in 88 miles of coastline, the most picturesque are the sea cliffs along the North Shore Pali. Photo: Tor Johnson/ Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hike the historic Halawa Valley where ancient Polynesians settled and home to towering waterfalls, sink your toes in the pure white sands of Papohaku Beach, one of the largest white sand beaches of Hawai’i, take a helicopter tour to the Kalaupapa Peninsula to see the world’s highest sea cliffs. Here you can snorkel the longest continuous reef in the United States; this 28-mile-long fringing reef on the southern shore is home to finger coral and reef fish; the natural beauty of Moloka’i captivates effortlessly. Taste local beans at coffee plantations, send home bags of macadamia nuts, and explore rare plants at Nature Conservancy’s 2,774-acre Kamakou Preserve. An island without commercial signage, a single traffic light, or big hotels, the isle is all about the way things used to be throughout the island chain.

O’ahu

Home to the capital, the most visited and typically the first stop on any trip to Hawaii this isle is aptly named the gathering place. This island has both city and country lifestyles, plenty of beaches, epic surfing, high-end shopping, and a bounty of Pacific Rim cuisine. Fascinating and multicultural, the virtual melting pot of heritages, ideas, customs and cuisine forge together here on O’ahu. After plenty of improvements and updates, Waikiki Beach is a posh, global town with swanky resorts and 5-star restaurants. There’s vibrant street activity as pedestrians drift in and out of upscale boutiques, bars, and restaurants. O’ahu has a thriving farmers market and swap meet and there is always a social gathering that brings in art, music, film, theater, and food. No doubt that O’ahu is the most social with energy that of any cosmopolitan city.

Oahu Diamond Head

View of Waikiki and Honolulu from atop Le’ahi, the summit of Diamond Head. Hawai’i’s most familiar landmark, the state park covers 475 acres. Photo: Tor Johnson/Hawaii Tourism Authority

But the ocean lures here too; snorkeling, body surfing, and paddleboarding are for everyone. And, while out you may spot spinner dolphins and sea turtles. A drive along the west coast to North Shore tempts stops at epic surf beaches like Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach. Inspired? Take a lesson on easy, gentle rollers at Waikiki. Diamond Head trail trekked early in the morning for views of Honolulu and the Pacific, is a must on every trip. And, kayakers will want to explore the Mokulua Islands from Kailua Beach.

Stuart Cove Snorkeling Bahamas

Where to Snorkel with Sharks

 

Forget those old cliches about “shark-infested waters.” The reality is that these often-misunderstood creatures pose very little danger to humans, and are far more likely to avoid the splashing chaos of swimmers and divers. But there are certain places around the world where sharks can be found with predictable regularity, allowing snorkelers with a sense of adventure a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

New Providence, Bahamas

From Thunderball to Into the Blue, a vast majority of the underwater shark encounters that show up on the big screen were filmed in the waters near Stuart Cove’s dive center in the Bahamas. Decades of feeding have conditioned the area’s resident population of gray reef sharks to the presence of humans, and they hang around even when they aren’t getting a handout of fish bits. Snorkelers can get in on the action with trips to several of the area’s shallow reefs, where the sharks will cruise by, but otherwise ignore the fin-wearing interlopers. There’s usually a dive guide with a camera on hand to grab a shark-and- snorkeler shot for anyone looking for a great social media post. Visit: https://stuartcove.com/

Stuart Cove Sharks

Underwater sites with clear and calm waters in the Bahamas await divers and snorkelers on a Stuart Cove’s adventure. Guided adventures include shark sightings. Photo: Salisbury University Geography Students/Flickr

Bora Bora, Islands of Tahiti

The huge sand-bottom lagoon that surrounds the island of Bora Bora is filled with all manner of fish life, including a group of resident lemon sharks and rays. Encounters sometimes begin right from resort beaches or near over- water bungalows, but more guaranteed are the boat trips provided by several tour companies, which ferry snorkelers to areas within the lagoon where the sharks and rays are known to gather. Snorkelers who prefer a more controlled environment should visit the island’s Lagoonarium. This natural enclosure is located near the island’s eastern shore, and it is home to a variety of sharks, rays, tropical fish, and sea turtles. More adventurous swimmers can also book trips to outer reefs where dolphins and manta rays may join the mix. Visit: http://lagoonarium.e-monsite.com/

Bora Bora Snorkeling with Sharks

Shark and ray feeding trips are available from resorts for visiting snorkelers in Bora Bora. The sandy flat outside the lagoon is populated with hungry sharks and stingrays. Photo: Michael Rubenstein/Flickr

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo is the gateway to the Sea of Cortez. All manner of sharks and large marine mammals pass by this point on their way to and from seasonal hunting and breeding grounds. The Pelagic Safari takes small groups of snorkelers on a half-day or all-day speedboat cruise into the open waters of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. When a likely site is located, participants go overboard with snorkel gear and drift with the waves as the boat follows to provide support. Depending on the season, snorkelers may come face-to-face with anything from humpbacks and gray whales to blue and mako sharks, billfish, and massive schools of Mobula rays. Visit: https://pelagicsafari.com/

cabo sharks

Modula rays invade the waters off Southern Baja and the Sea of Cortez on a seasonal basis. Plan a visit May through July or November to January. Photo: Pelagic Safari

Oahu, Hawaii

There are some sharks that are best seen from behind bars, and that’s exactly what snorkelers can do at Hawaii Shark Encounters. These adventures take place three miles off the north shore of Oahu. After reaching deep water, the tour operator stops the boat and deploys shark cages that float on the surface. Snorkelers enter these cages, and chum with fish deployed to lure oceanic predators. The species that show up most often are Galapagos, sandbar, and tiger sharks, but there’s also a chance of a visit from blue sharks and hammerheads. To make the encounters more thrilling, the cages are fitted not only with bars, but also Plexiglas windows that provide unimpeded viewing. Visit: https://hawaiisharkencounters.com/

Oahu Hawaii Shark Diving

Both thrilling and educational, shark cage adventure tours on the north shore of Oahu will dispel many shark myths and create awareness for their protection. Photo: ptpablo/Flickr

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

The Phi Phi Islands are the stuff of postcards and screen savers. Rising like giant limestone haystacks from emerald waters, these unique formations are surrounded by coral reefs and riddled with secret coves fronting white sand beaches. In recent years, one of the fastest-trending adventures that visitors to the islands can experience is the chance to swim with black-tip reef sharks. Several tour companies ferry snorkelers to shallow reefs, where these non-threatening sharks forage among the formations in search of hidden morsels. Morning is said to be the best time to sign up for these tours, as this is not only when the sharks are most active, but also the times when there are fewer swimmers in the water. After the swim, there’s usually a chance to visit mysterious sea caves and have lunch on a deserted beach. Visit: https://www.getyourguide.com/discovery/phi-phi-islands-l9477/snorkeling-tc57/?utm_force=0

Phi Phi Islands Snorkeling

From Phuket, visitors can take boat tours to the amazing Phi Phi Islands. Some may stop at Monkey Beach, while others head out to reefs. Photo: Corey Hamilton/Flickr

Bimini, Bahamas

The waters of the Gulf Stream flow close to the Bahamian island of Bimini, bringing game fish and sharks in from the deep blue. This gives snorkelers a rare chance to meet oceanic marine life in shallow water, including reef sharks and hammerheads. The starting point for these thrilling encounters is Bimini Undersea,  which is located within the fisherman’s village at Resorts World Bimini. Participants board speedboats for a three-mile trip to a formation known as Triangle Rocks. There, in depths of 25 feet or less, the reefs attract passing sharks, which are clearly visible in the clear water. This half-day trip is considered safe and appropriate for all ages, as the sharks gather in anticipation of a free meal, but are not fed while snorkelers are in the water. Visit: https://biminiundersea.net/

Bimini Bahamas Dive With Sharks

Up-close views of reef sharks can be experienced in special programs like The Sharks Adventure at a beautiful reef, south of Bimini. Photo: sassamafracken/Flickr

Oahu Hawaii Outrigger Waikiki Beach

Christmas, Island Style

 

If your idea of a white Christmas involves ivory colored sands, accented by palm tree green and ocean blues, then you need to head for the tropics, where islanders celebrate the holiday season in unique ways that combine familiar traditions with elements of the local culture and setting. To help you start planning, here are six idyllic destinations where you can experience Christmas island style.

Hawaii

Christmas is a big event in Hawaii, but they do things island style. Santa sheds his polar garb in favor of board shorts and an Aloha shirt, and trades his sleigh in for an outrigger canoe pulled by dolphins. Locals decorate palm trees with lights and sing carols in the Hawaiian language accompanied by ukulele, but they also cue up for the arrival of the Christmas ships that bring more traditional pines from the mainland. You may see locals adding a Santa hat to their swimsuits, and call out “Mele Kalikimaka” as they head to the beach. Christmas dinner is served luau-style, with a roast pig as the centerpiece. The best place to catch all the tropical traditions of the season is at Waikiki Beach, with a stay at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, where the trees are decorated with tiny flip flops and surfboards, and hula performers replace Christmas carolers. This is also where Santa paddles his outrigger canoe ashore each year to have breakfast with hotel guests.

Oahu Outrigger Aloha Christmas

At Oahu’s Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, the lobby Christmas tree provides a traditional reminder of the season, while ukulele tunes and bare feet proclaim: “you are in the islands.” Photo: Outrigger Waikiki

St. Kitts

Forget the twelve days of Christmas. On the island of St. Kitts, the holiday season lasts from late November through the first of January. This is the time of the Sugar Mas, an island-wide celebration that combines elements of Carnival with English Yuletide traditions. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, streets are filled with a series of colorful parades and processions. Clowns, stilt-walking moko jumbies and troupes of street performers dance to the rhythms of soca and calypso music, while pageant contestants showcase elaborate costumes. Christmas provides a brief respite as families and friends gather for special holiday meals, then the party returns with J’ouvert, when costumed dancers fill the streets of Basseterre on Boxing Day. The six-week celebration culminates with the Grand Parade on January first. All are welcome at these street parties, but guests who want to mix revelry with relaxation might want to choose a quieter setting for their home base. A favorite is Belle Monte Farm, where cottages sit within a 400-acre farm on the foothills of Mount Liamuiga. This setting provides an authentic sense of local culture, while also reward palates with exceptional dining opportunities.

St. Kitts Holiday Dish

In St. Kitts, Christmas is a time to enjoy the island’s national dish, which showcases flavors of the island with stewed salt fish and spicy plantains, seasoned breadfruit and coconut dumplings. Photo: St. Kitts Tourism Authority

Fiji

In the Islands of Fiji, the Christmas season is about family, fellowship and food. Beginning several weeks before Christmas Day, homes are decorated with candles, lamps and ribbons, and entire communities come together to sing and perform traditional dances. Christmas Eve is the time for traditional lovo feasts, and a special holiday dish is palusami, which is spiced mutton wrapped in leaves and cooked in coconut cream. On Christmas Day, most islanders head to church in the morning, then head to the beach for more food and fellowship. The best ways for visitors to tap into the community spirit is with a stay at a small property such as Navini Island Resort, which is located on a small coral cay near Malolo Island, and accommodates just 20 guests in ten traditional villas. On Christmas morning, the staff begins Christmas Day by singing carols outside of guest villas, and all are invited to partake in a Christmas service. In the evening, the kitchen also serves a traditional western Christmas dinner complete with plum pudding.

Fiji Yasawa Islands

Singing is a core element of Fijian culture. At Christmas time, traditional choirs may perform a mixture of Polynesian folk tunes and European carols. Photo: Chris McLennan/Tourism Fiji

Bora Bora

In the two weeks leading up to Christmas, the island of Bora Bora is humming with preparations. The town of Vaitape becomes the site of Le Village de Noel—the Christmas Fair. Here on the town’s central square, vendors set up stalls that offer a wide variety of local products that includes shell and mother of pearl jewelry to hand-made clothing, colorful pottery and traditional musical instruments. The market overflows with local fruits and flowers, and crowds browse to the sounds of ukuleles and guitar music. An island-wide party takes place on the Saturday before Christmas, beginning with a parade of colorful floats, followed by a night of dancing and dining from ‘roulottes‘, the island’s iconic mobile restaurants. On Sunday, crowds gather once again for Christmas caroling, with performances from island choirs. Visitors can complement these public events with a private holiday celebration at the Four Seasons Resort, where the first class festive package begins with an arrival by private chartered jet and a stay at a premier over-water bungalow. Participants are treated to a special five- course dinner on Christmas Eve, and an even more sumptuous nine-course New Year’s Eve feast, followed by fireworks on the beach.

Bora Bora Christmas Four Seasons

At the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, the deck at the Sunset Bar becomes the setting for memorable celebrations at Christmas time and New Years. Photo: Timothy Joyce/Flickr

Barbados

On an island where Caribbean and British cultures blend with seamless ease, holiday traditions dating from the old country still hold sway. Radio stations play traditional carols, homes and businesses are decorated in festive arrays, downtown Bridgetown glows under red and green holiday lights, and even the traffic roundabouts are transformed to depict Christmas themes. Locals don their seasonal best to attend the annual Christmas morning service at Queen’s Park, with music performed by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band. Christmas dinner is another cherished tradition, and centerpieces of this meal are great cake, jug-jug and clove-studded ham. Jug-jug is a traditional dish inspired by the Scottish dish known as haggis. The Barbados version is made with pigeon peas, guinea corn flour, herbs and salted meat. Great cake is a seasonal favorite made with dried fruits and generous quantities of liquor. Visitors can sample this traditional fare on the Christmas day luncheon at The Crane. This landmark hotel embraces the spirit of the season with lights, nightly caroling and special holiday menus.

Barbados Christmas

The Barbados Royal Police Band ushers in the Christmas season with traditional Christmas tunes during the annual Caroling on the Green concert in St. James, Barbados. Photo: Andrew Browne/Barbados Tourism

Key West

The town of Key West lights up for the Christmas season—literally. There is the lighted boat parade, the lighted bicycle parade, the City Lights tour aboard the Old Town Trolley, and the Harbor Walk of Lights, featuring whimsical Christmas trees created from lobster traps, fishing floats and other nautical paraphernalia. Organized walking tours of the historic district visit festively lit inns and take in private homes decked out for the season. And not all the events are visual, as there are also performances of Christmas music, The Nutcracker Ballet, Handel’s Messiah, and more. And as expected from a town that loves its parties, Christmas celebrations meld into the island’s legendary New Year’s pageants and parades. Most festivities take place in the downtown district centered around Duval Street. The best place to stay for a Key West Christmas is the Pier House. Here, guests can enjoy a private swath of beach and spectacular sunsets yet are just a few blocks away from the action.

Key West Holidays Dewey House

Like many of Key West’s downtown inns and guesthouses, the Dewey House Bed & Breakfast celebrates the holiday spirit with Christmas decorations and lights. Photo: Florida Keys News Bureau

Waikiki Shoreline Hotel Lobby

Waikiki’s Retro-Hip Hotels

 

On Oahu, the place to be is Waikiki Beach. Or close to it. In reality, only a trio of hotels sits right on the sand. The rest are on the other side of Kalakaua Avenue. Some have water views, some are a short walk to the water, and others are a couple of blocks farther inland. If you are okay with being a couple of blocks from the sand, you can save a good bit on the room rates. And you won’t be slumming, especially if you stay in one of these three recently renovated hotels. All have been around for a while in one form or another, but have benefitted from a major facelift or a rebranding in the past couple of years.

Shoreline Hotel Waikiki

The Shoreline was the epitome of tropical modernism when it opened in the 1970s on the corner of Seaside Avenue and Waikolu Way. When it came time for an update, the owners tapped award-winning designer Anthony Laurino. Rather than wipe the slate clean, he used his personal flair to transform the property with sleek, minimalist details that create a 21st century take on island chic, while also paying homage to the property’s 70s origins. Colors, fabrics and furnishings evoke a sense of crisp, clean minimalism, but not at the expense of comfort. Modern amenities such as electronics docking stations, flat-screen televisions and hotel wide Wi-Fi blend with timeless elements such as the natural wood accents, plush rugs and island inspired artwork.

Shoreline Waikiki Rooftop Pool

The rooftop pool at the Shoreline Hotel is a compact but convenient space where guests can take a refreshing dip, relax and enjoy skyline views of the city. Photo: Shoreline Hotel

The beach is just two blocks away, and guests also have the option of an intimate rooftop pool. A wealth of shopping and dining opportunities are also within easy walking distance. Closer to home is the in-house dining room of Heavenly Life Style, which channels another trend from the 70s, the health food moment. This all day cafe and diner creates menus around organic vegetables and meats, and fresh local seafood. There is also a coffee station and a small business center near the lobby, but for most guests, the main attraction of the Shoreline is convenience and price. And the fact that this 125-room property is now one of the hippest in Waikiki is certainly a bonus.

Waikiki Shoreline Hotel

A king bed room with partial ocean views at the Shoreline Hotel incorporates 70s-inspired colors and patterns into a sleek, modern- minimalist design. Photo: Shoreline Hotel

Aqua Oasis Hotel

This boutique hotel lives up to the promise in its name. Step into the open- air lobby and you are transported to a quiet tropical oasis where you are surrounded and soothed by lush native plants accented by a koi fish and turtle pond. When this vintage property was acquired by the Aqua group in 2012, they began a multi-year, $2.5 million update that replaced a dated and admittedly drab décor with brighter color schemes, upgraded bedding and modern electronics such as flat-screen televisions, Bose stereo systems and in-room PlayStation consoles. Bathrooms also received full updates, which included jetted tubs. Each room offers a private balcony, and in addition to double and king-bed rooms, there are junior and one-bedroom suites with private kitchens and sitting areas.

Acqua Hotel Waikiki Lobby

The open-air upper lobby of the Aqua Oasis Hotel features lush fern beds and native plants that help evoke a sense of detached calm in an urban setting. Photo: Aqua Oasis

All guests enjoy a complimentary Continental breakfast, morning newspapers and property-wide Wi-Fi. There is a compact pool and sundeck for those who don’t feel like hitting the beach, and the hotel operates a shuttle service to the shopping, dining and entertainment action in Ala Moana. But guests don’t need to travel far to enjoy one of Waikiki’s most trending restaurants. Adjacent to the lobby is Agalico Waikiki. In a setting of modern-rustic ambient, Agalico’s culinary team serves diners an eclectic menu that blends Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine with an added island twist. As a perk, guests staying at Aqua Oasis receive a 10 percent discount at the restaurant.

Acqua Waikiki Hotel Room

A king room at the Aqua Oasis Hotel showcases the bright new décor and furnishings that the designers describe as “urban loft meets Hawaii.” Photo: Aqua Oasis

Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

The Swim Club doesn’t just pay homage to 1960s beach culture; it takes a deep dive into this classic era. When the property formerly known as the Hokele Suites reopened in the spring of 2017, it was not just remodeled, it was fully reimagined. Rooms evoke a retro vibe with fabric headboards from Hawaiian clothes designer Tori Richard and wallpaper handcrafted by Honolulu native Andrew Mau. Other surf shack worthy details include reed ceilings, batten walls, island artwork and retro-look woodwork. A stay at the Swim Club can be a group or family affair, as the hotel offers a mix of one room bungalows and one, two, and three-bedroom suites.

Waikiki Surfjack Hotel Bar

The poolside bar at the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club is the hotel’s social hub, where guests are often joined by local artists, musicians and writers. Photo: Mariko Reed/Surfjack

As might be expected from a property with Swim Club in its name, the hotel pool at Surfjack isn’t just for dipping after a trip to the beach. The words “Wish you Were Here” are embedded into the bottom of the pool, and for many guests it is the place to be, whether gathering for libations during the happy hour adult swim session, taking in an open-air movie premier on the big screen above the pool deck, or attending one of the regular talks hosted by local or visiting artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, architects, professors, chefs, and more. The Swim Club’s onsite restaurant, Mahina & Sun’s, is the work of renowned island chef Ed Kenney, who is known for reimagining and elevating traditional Hawaiian home cooking, and for utilizing local, organic ingredients. Also on site is the Olive & Oliver Boutique, where guests can stock up on unique beach apparel and accessories to get into the island mood.

Waikiki Surfjack Room

Every element of the rooms at the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club was chosen to evoke a connection to the classic surf culture of the 1960s. Photo: Surfjack

 

Oahu Prince Waikiki Sunrise

Waikiki’s Hottest Retro-Chic Hotels

 

Oahu’s Waikiki Beach was America’s original island vacation destination, and for more than 70 years, it remained a go-to destination for everyone from honeymooners to baby boomers. Now, there’s a new wave of urban energy sweeping through the entire Waikiki district, from the iconic beach to the Ala Wai waterway. Trendy new shops, galleries and eateries are springing up, and some of the area’s established hotels have responded with updates and re-imaginings. Here are three of the latest properties sporting new looks and even new names.

Prince Waikiki

The biggest news on the Waikiki waterfront is the re-emergence of the Hawaii Prince Hotel as the Prince Waikiki. The eight-month, $55 million update of this waterfront landmark began with a fresh look to the hotel lobby, which now showcases original artworks such as the signature copper centerpiece sculpture created by Kaili Chun. Also on display through the hotel are a series of abstract paintings by native Hawaiian artist Solomon Enos, and more than 800 original copper sculptures and ornamental fixtures created through the collaborative creation of artists, employees, and guests. The property-wide update includes the Prince Waikiki Club lounge and a new infinity pool with direct ocean views. The hotel’s 563 guest rooms and suites also enjoy expansive water views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Refreshed room decors feature natural materials, including marble, rich woods and fine fabrics, with a color palette chosen to reinforce the sand, sea and sunset environment.

Oahu Prince Waikiki Room Oceanfront

Floor-to-ceiling windows are a hallmark of guest rooms at the Prince Waikiki. The recent hotel-wide renovation included a complete re-imagining of guest room décor. Photo: Prince Waikiki

Diners enjoy sweeping sunset views at the hotel’s signature 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar, which focuses on fresh island cuisines created by Chef de Cuisine Joseph Almoguera. A new bar adjacent to the dining room offers craft cocktails and small bites. The Prince Waikiki’s location is convenient to Honolulu’s most iconic districts, including Chinatown, Kaka Ako, Ala Moana and Waikiki. Recreational amenities include the Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay- designed 27-hole Hawaii Prince Golf Club. The Ala Wai Yacht Harbor is adjacent to the hotel, and all the water sports of Waikiki Beach are nearby.

Prince Waikiki Pool

The teak decked pool area at the Prince Waikiki provides sweeping views of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. The beach is a short walk away. Photo: Jim Doyle/Prince Waikiki

The Laylow, Autograph Collection

Honolulu’s Kuhio Avenue is enjoying a renaissance, with hip and trendy shops and restaurants popping up around the recently redeveloped International Market Place. In the middle of it all is the vintage hotel once known as the Aqua Waikiki Wave, which reemerged in early 2017 as the Laylow. The sweeping $60 million renovation represents both an update and a return to the property’s roots. The hotel’s revamped personality blends Hawaiian style with a mid-century aesthetic. The design team’s stated goal was “to create an urban oasis that evokes an experience you might have had in the ’50s or ’60s, yet at the same time is updated, hip and cool.” The lobby sets the stage with terracotta breezeblock walls sculpted in graphic patterns reminiscent of Hawaiian tapa designs and open to the trade winds. The theme continues throughout the hotel, with furnishings and accents created from refurbished antiques, reclaimed woods, and design accent pieces by midcentury modern classics.

Laylow Room Oahu

Rooms at the Laylow feature a mid-century Hawaiian modernist theme that makes use of natural fabrics and woods, while also offering cutting-edge amenities. Photo: Ramon Purcell/Laylow

The 186 guestrooms and 65 suites evoke a sense of laid-back luxury, with clean minimalist design and color palettes based on warm earth tones offset by cobalt and pink to reflect the tropical environment. Monstera leaf wallpaper, surf nostalgia and vintage memorabilia complete the scene. But while the design is mid- century, the amenities are cutting edge; as rooms feature high- speed Internet, smart TVs and full connectivity for personal electronic devices. Each room has one or two king beds and private lanais. The hotel includes a private pool sequestered in a garden setting, and a 24-hour fitness center. The Laylow’s signature restaurant, Hideout, showcases reimagined Pacific Rim classics based on locally sourced ingredients. The dining space extends to an open-air lanai overlooking Kuhio Avenue, where twin fire pits, pune`e beds and private cabanas provide an intimate setting for live musical performances.

Laylow Pool Oahu

The pool area at the Laylow creates an urban oasis in the heart of Waikiki’s trendiest district. The adjacent bar dispenses artisanal cocktails and craft beers. Photo: Ramon Purcell/Laylow

Coconut Waikiki

This boutique, off-beach property has long been a favorite with families and travelers who appreciate both value and the personal service and attention of a smaller resort. In 2016, the hotel underwent a series of design refreshments imagined by San Francisco based designer Anthony Laurino, who created an island- chic motif described as “warm, comfortable and fun”. The revamped lobby now features furniture and accents made from native Hawaiian monkey pod wood, and arriving guests are greeted with snacks and a personal welcome. Just off the lobby, a new game room stocked with board games and other social entertainment provides a gathering place where guests can meet and mingle.

Oahu Coconut Waikiki Room

All rooms at the Coconut Waikiki include private balconies and kitchen areas. The property delivers the convenience of central location combined with the casual intimacy of a smaller hotel. Photo: Coconut Waikiki

As part of the design refresh, guest rooms received fresh color schemes, along with new drapes, linens, patio furniture and furniture coverings. All rooms include private balconies and kitchenettes with a microwave, sink, refrigerator, cutlery and dishes. Daily complimentary breakfast is served around a pair of communal tables that encourage socialization. Just off the lobby, the heated pool enjoys new landscaping and updated deck furniture. Next to the pool deck, guests can make use of a new barbecue facility, which hotel staff will prep for use for those who want to stay in and cook out.

Oahu Coconut Waikiki Lobby

The lobby area at the Coconut Waikiki creates a bright and welcoming space for arrivals. Here the adjacent pool, barbecue deck and game room create spaces for gatherings and socialization. Photo: Coconut Waikiki

Hawaii Maui Kayaking

Hawaii’s Best Kayak and Snorkel Tours

 

The clear waters that wash the shores of Hawaii can seem very enticing when you are gliding across the surface in a kayak. So go ahead, jump in. But first, grab a mask and snorkel so you can fully appreciate the colors of the corals and follow the meanderings of the brilliantly hued tropical fish. If this sounds like your idea of a great day on the water, check out these seven combo trips that showcase the full beauty and diversity of the islands.

Visiting the Mokes

One of the most popular kayaking destinations in Oahu is a pair of small, deserted rock islands known as Na Mokulua, which locals refer to as “The Mokes.” The most popular starting point for the three-quarter-mile paddle to the site is Lanikai Beach, where there is no shore break to contend with. The smaller island, Moku Iki, remains off limits, and all landings happen on a beach on the larger island, Moku Nui. Snorkelers will find coral formations that begin in clear water right off the beach. Several tour companies run guided trips to the Mokes, and more paddlers make their own way in rented or personal kayaks, which means the place can get pretty busy on weekends and holidays.

Moku Iki Oahu

Moku Iki is one of a pair of small islands that lie off the east coast of Oahu. It remains off limits, but kayakers can paddle to a beach on nearby Moku Nui. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Where’s Gilligan?

Fans of vintage television may be thrilled to hear that a trip to Coconut Island lands them on the location once used in the show Gilligan’s Island. But the castaways wouldn’t recognize the island these days, as it is now home to a research center operated by the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Trips begin at Heeia State Park, and make a half-mile crossing of Kaneohe Bay, which is fully sheltered from offshore waves. After touring the research facilities, the next stop is Horseshoe Reef, where snorkelers can explore the coral formations of Oahu’s only true barrier reef. This area is often home to sea turtles and eagle rays.

Heeia Oahu Fish Pond

Kayak tours that begin at Heeia State Park pass by a historic fishpond before crossing the bay to Coconut Island and the snorkeling sites of Horseshoe Reef. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Maui’s Fishiest Place

The fish sanctuary at Maui’s Honolua Bay is one of the island’s best snorkeling venues. Due to limited and unsecured roadside parking and a lack of shore facilities, the site is best reached by water. As an alternative to big tour boats, several companies launch paddle trips from the nearby beaches at Kapalua, and head west along a shoreline of low cliffs and hidden bays. Tours usually include a stop on a small beach, and then head to the shallow western side of the bay where the best snorkel reefs are located. Summer is the best time for this excursion, as winter waves turn the outer reaches of the bay into a popular surf break.

Honolua Bay Maui

A paddle around the headlands of Maui’s north coast leads to the marine preserve at Honolua Bay, which is home to some of the island’s best coral reefs. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Touring Turtle Town

The section of Maui’s south coast between Makena and Wailea has earned the nickname “turtle town” for the large number of sea turtles that are seen year-round on coral formations close to shore. There are more than a dozen reefs in the area that are visited by tour boats, which can put dozens of snorkelers in the water at one time. To avoid the crowds, savvy paddlers go early and join a small group tour led by guides who know the area, and are able to seek out sites away from the crowds. As a bonus, the trip to and from turtle snorkels takes in big views of Mount Haleakala and the offshore profiles of Molokini and Lanai.

Hawaii Sea Turtle

Sea turtles can be found on coral reefs all around the islands of Hawaii, but tend to gather in greater numbers on the reefs along Maui’s south coast known as Turtle Town. Photo: iStock

History and Coral Reefs

The Big Island’s signature kayak and snorkel combo takes place in a marine preserve on the island’s west coast. History buffs will note that Kealakekua Bay is the site where the first westerner, lead by Captain James Cook, landed on Hawaii Island. The shores are also the site of the sacred temple, Hikiau Heiau, dedicated to the Hawaiian god Lono. The bay is a favorite with both divers and snorkelers, as it is filled with vibrant coral reefs that are a home to a diverse range tropical fish, and often visited by schools of spinner dolphins. Permits are required for snorkeling or landing on the shores of the Captain Cook Monument, so it is best to book a trip with one of the several tour companies licensed to operate in the preserve.

Big Island Hawaii Kealakekua Snorkeling

A snorkeler begins a free diving plunge into the clear waters of Kealakekua Bay, which is known for its abundant fish life and colorful coral formations. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Cliffs and Caves

Just outside the village of Kailua, paddlers can launch into Keauhou Bay, which is rimmed in sea cliffs riddled with blowholes, arches and lava tubes. On guided tours, kayakers can play follow the leader as they make their way through narrow rock-lined channels and into sea caves. A highlight of many tours is a float into a large cavern where mineral stained pink walls are reflected in the clear water. After touring the cliffs and caves, paddlers beach their boats in a calm cove and spend time snorkeling on nearby coral formations, exploring tidal pools or—for the adventurous—leaping into the water from surrounding cliffs.

Keauhou Bay Big Island Hawaii

The shores of Keauhou Bay are lined with rugged lava formations riddled with caves and tidal pools. These waters are ideal for exploration by kayak. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

From River to Reef

A favorite paddling trip on the island of Kauai begins on the banks of the Hanalei River. A short downstream paddle leads to the expansive semi- circular sweep of Hanalei Bay, which is surrounded by green mountain slopes and ringed by more than two miles of the island’s best beaches. If snorkeling is part of the plan, kayakers head toward Waikoko Reef, which lies on the northwestern edge of the bay. The entire reef can be explored during the calm conditions common in summer, but when winter swells roll in, the outer portion of the reef becomes a popular surf break, limiting snorkeling to areas closer to shore.

Kauai Hanalei River

Kayak trips that begin in the Hanalei River lead into the expansive bay of the same name. The eastern end of the bay holds excellent snorkeling reefs. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

 

Bermuda Southhampton

Iconic Pink Beach Resorts

 

The historic pink hotels that grace beaches in Florida and the Caribbean harken back to the palazzos built by wealthy Italian families in the 19th century. When pink crossed over to the New World it was embraced by builders of the 1920s and beyond.

Bermuda is a destination that is all about pink; there are pink sand beaches, pink mopeds, pink Bermuda shorts and pink buildings. Here, the pink Fairmont Southampton stands out among the green landscape of Southampton Parish.

 

Waikiki View

Hawaii’s Premier Poolside Cabanas at Waikiki Beach

 

Imagine yourself relaxing at a private poolside cabana at a luxurious tropical resort. Then, take it up another level by placing that personal oasis within sight of one of the world’s most iconic beaches. That’s exactly what you get when you settle into a cabana at one of these three premier resorts near the shores of Oahu’s Waikiki Beach.

Sheraton Waikiki

A poolside cabana at the Sheraton Waikiki can become your haven for relaxation or a base camp for beach fun. Each private space is set around the resort’s infinity-edge adult’s pool, with the sands of Waikiki just steps away, and views of the beach and Diamond Head crater in the distance. These shaded enclaves are fitted with privacy curtains, stocked with chilled drinks, and have wait staff on call. Should ambition strike, you can summon Waikiki Beach Services to schedule an outrigger canoe ride or surfing lessons.

Sheraton Waikiki

With curtains that can be draw for privacy, or left open for ocean views, the cabanas at the Sheraton Waikiki are just steps away from the sand and a range of beach sports. Photo: Sheraton Waikiki

The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort

Privacy doesn’t have to mean being alone. The poolside cabanas at the Royal Hawaiian Resort can accommodate up to five, as they are furnished with a sectional lounge, table and a pair of chaise lounges. Each perches on a stone pool deck that provides views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Pool attendants are on hand to keep you hydrated and satiated, and provide an additional perk of oishibori—the warm moist towels sometimes offered in Chinese and Japanese restaurants.

Royal Hawaiian Pool

Canvas-shrouded cabanas at the Royal Hawaiian Resort have direct views of Waikiki Beach, and include lounge seating for up to five, making them ideal for families. Photo: Royal Hawaiian

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach

Ocean views are elevated at the Ritz-Carlton, as the pool deck is located on the hotel’s eighth floor. With a theme of “above and beyond”, this space offers expansive views of Waikiki Beach via the treetops of Fort Derussy Park, a 20-acre green space between the resort and the sand. Here at the highest pool in Waikiki, guests can cozy up in their private cabanas, order meals and take in the Ritz hospitality. Waikiki Beach is just a 5-minute walk away, and there is a lineup of luxury boutiques nearby.

Ritz Waikiki

The pool deck at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers private cabanas with ocean views from an eighth-story vantage point. Photo: Don Riddle/Ritz-Carlton