About Hawaii

In Hawaii pidgin isn’t a type of bird, but a way of speaking. Called “olelo pai ai” or “pounding-taro language” in Hawaiian, Hawaii Creole English makes a frequent appearance in the dialect of kamaaina (locals). In Hawaii’s plantation days, pidgin grew out of a need to communicate between English-speaking and non-English speaking immigrants. Much like…

There’s a lot of hoopla on hula, the art form is known around the world – from little fishing villages in Japan to dance troupes in New York City. You probably grew up seeing hula performed on TV, with tanned girls in grass skirts against a backdrop of swaying palms. Or it was the routine…

In the honu’s long lifespan it has slowly, but steadily endeared itself into the hearts of Hawaii residents and visitors from around the world. In fact, our flippered friends are one of the most popular critters in Hawaii (short of the state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, which reaps the benefits of having a name that is…

One of the blessings of Hawaii is the cornucopia of foods from around the Pacific available. Traditional foods from all over the world make up our everyday choices. A common ingredient uniting many of these is rice. More than a staple, it is a key component of Japanese mochi, made during the mochitsuki ceremony. This time-honored tradition dates…

You’ve probably created a model of one in elementary school. Volcanoes are the stuff of science and spectacular sojourns. For those who travel to Hawaii — a visit to one of the few active volcanoes in the world today is a once in a lifetime experience, and stunning sight to behold. The baby of Hawaii’s…

While it’s by no means on the cutting edge of Hawaii cuisine, Spam is one of the foods most often associated with the Hawaiian Islands. Right up there with poi, lau lau, loco moco and other local treats, you may have heard about Hawaii’s “other” favorite meat – Spam. And while islanders will eat it…

When you live in Hawaii, life is a beach. And on the North Shore of Oahu, one of the must-see beaches is causing quite a splash. Shoring up between Papailoa and Chun’s Reef off of Kamehameha Highway, Lani’s (or Laniakea Beach Park as it is formally known) is a popular break for experienced surfers and…

It shouldn’t be a shaka that Hawaii’s most well-known hand gesture is also known or referred to as the “hang loose” sign. Though there is no literal translation or meaning for the shaka, it is most commonly used to convey the aloha spirit as a motion of greeting or thanks. In Hawaii you’ll frequently see…

*Photo Credit: Chris Stankis Charting a course through Hawaii’s waters, the Hokulea — an authentic replica of an ancient Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe — is bringing about a renaissance of Polynesian voyaging techniques. Without any modern technology and using only Polynesian navigation techniques passed down generation through generation, the Hokulea has set her sights on revitalizing…

Lighting up ancient Hawaiian legends, Pele (pronounced peh-leh) the goddess of fire, lightning, wind, dance and volcanoes is a well-known character. Otherwise known as ka wahine ai honua, the woman who devours the land, Pele’s home is believed to be Halemaumau crater at the summit of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. However,…