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With a sea of food to choose from in the islands it shouldn’t be a surprise that some of Hawaii’s most popular dishes are food from the sea. Hawaii residents love their seafood – but poking out amongst the dishes is an especially beloved snack: poke. Hawaii has long loved this simple seafood salad. It…

For Native Hawaiians, it wasn’t the lighting of a torch but the appearance of a star that signified the opening of the games. The appearance of the Makalii, also known as the Pleiades, in the eastern sky would mark the Hawaiian New Year and the start of the Makahiki (pronounced mah-kah-hee-kee) season. Makahiki was a…

Hawaii’s beaches are the state’s most popular attraction. Every year, millions of people from all over the world flock to Hawaii’s shores to bask in the tropical sun. That number was well over eight million in 2013. Many of those visitors venture farther than the edge of the sand, strapping on a mask and snorkel…

There are quite a few reasons why people love a Hawaiian getaway – the mesmerizing scenery, year-round warm weather, the exotic mixture of cultures and the delicious local delicacies. On your next Hawaii vacation take a bite into the best the islands have to offer at one of many farmers’ markets across Oahu. One of…

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…

Each year Memorial Day is a time for people from around the country to honor those who have given their lives to protect our freedom. In the islands many use the day to visit the graves of loved ones. To help cultivate cultural harmony and understanding, Her Holiness Shinso Ito, the Head of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order, launched the first Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony on Memorial Day in 1999. For the first three years the ceremony was held at Keehi Lagoon until 2002, when the service was moved to Ala Moana Beach Park where it has been ever since. While elements of the ceremony are taken from religious traditions, Shinnyo-en, in partnership with other groups, has adapted the ceremony to be a interfaith celebration of the people who have come before us. This year Lantern Floating Hawaii will celebrate its…

Whether you’re visiting Oahu for the first time or a kamaaina who has lived here your entire life, one of the best benefits of calling Hawaii home is our diverse selection of dining. From delectable dim sum and traditional Hawaiian delicacies to one-of-a-kind local creations – the state’s melting pot of ethnicities and backgrounds has created a distinct hot pot of flavors. The best way to get an idea of Hawaii’s culinary scene is to eat where the locals eat. And some of the shining stars of Honolulu’s dining options are not the traditional, five-star restaurants with linen tablecloths and crystal glasses. They’re the rough and tumble, unforgettable diners behind back roads or in cramped quarters that the locals refer to (because they are, quite literally) as “holes in the wall.” So the next time your belly is running on…

Trail leading to Kaena Point at Sunset. Photo provided by David Chatsuthiphan of www.UnrealHawaii.com Take a hike. No, we don’t mean get lost – or in the traditional sense anyway. For avid outdoorsmen (and women) a visit to Oahu’s shores means being able to take a climb on the island’s wild side. Here in Hawaii, the islands offer a range of trails for a variety of ability levels – and most (if not all) with views that show visitors (and remind kamaaina of) the islands’ breathtaking land and seascapes. When planning your next trek to Oahu, take a tour of some of these lofty local trails: Diamond Head View of Honolulu from the top of Diamond Head One of the island’s – if not the state’s – most famous and well-recognized landmarks, Diamond Head (or Leahi in Hawaiian), is also…

Today, Apple announced the launch of the iPad 3 which includes capability to operate on high speed 4G. The 4G technology helps those on the go receive information faster than before! This is GREAT news for those traveling to Honolulu, Roberts Hawaii has a mobile app for customers that make reservations quick and easy! STEP 1. Choose the type of service: Round Trip Service:  $24.00 per person Arrival Service:         $13.00 per person Departure Service:   $13.00 per person STEP 2. Fill in guest/ flight information STEP 3. Complete Payment Voila you are finished! Our friendly airport representative will meet and greet you at your arrival gate and we will escort you to baggage claim.* We look forward to seeing you soon! For more information on this service, please visit: www.robertshawaiiexpress.com *International flights meeting location…

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…

Photo by: Paradise Cove Luau (Oahu) When visiting Hawaii one of the best ways to get a taste for the islands is to tuck into a traditional Hawaiian spread or luau (pronounced lu-wow). Unlike conventional dining, luaus offer more than just a delicious buffet, but a feast for your eyes – such as song and hula – and the spectacle of seeing how your food is prepared, fresh from the imu (underground oven). When planning your next visit to the islands, leave some time in your schedule to get familiar with Hawaii’s home cooking. Because Hawaiians really know how to put the wow in luau. Photo by: Alii Luau (Oahu) The legacy of luau Today the tradition of luau is common place across the islands and is used as a way to celebrate a number of occasions – from a…