About Hawaii

The malasada, a small, deep fried dough confection, has become integrated into the broad spectrum of “local food.” The Portuguese sweet treat was first brought to Hawaii by Portuguese laborers from the Azores and Madeira Islands who came to work in the sugar plantations. It can be most easily described as a donut without a…

Photo Credit: Nancy C. Anderson Hawai’i’s official state fish is a remarkable little creature, and not only for the extraordinary length of its Hawaiian name, humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Residents, for the sake of brevity, most often use “humu” or “humuhumu.” The colorful species, Rhinecanthus rectangulus, has become an enduring and beloved symbol of Hawai’i, found in classrooms…

Stately and dignified among the modern lines of skyscrapers in Downtown Honolulu, ‘Iolani Palace remains the crown jewel of the Hawaiian monarchy, a distinction it has held since its construction, which was commissioned by King David Kalakaua. The palace’s cornerstone was laid in 1789 and construction was completed in 1882. The architecture is unique, known…

We’ve got the gossip on Hawaii’s favorite goose – the Nene (pronounced nay-nay) Goose. Native to the Hawaiian Islands and the official state bird of Hawaii, the name “Nene” refers to the gentle chirp it makes. Though the Nene spends a majority of its time on land, they do fly – typically between nesting and…

Pound for pound poi is considered by many one of the most colorful and unique foods found on Hawaii’s menus. A staple for the Polynesian voyagers who made Hawaii home, poi is prepared from the taro (or kalo in Native Hawaiian) plant and created by mashing the cooked taro, either baked or steamed, until it…

While the custom of sharing lei is a practice that has spread around the world, its origins took root in the islands of Hawaii decades ago. Today, there are hundreds of types of lei – from less traditional candy and money lei, to the more commonly recognized plumeria or ti leaf lei. But no matter…