There have been many things that have come to be part of Hawaii that did not originate here. We learned in earlier posts that most Hawaiian items were actually introduced by other countries. The ukulele and malasadas both came from Portugal. And shave ice came from Japan. But what about the famous Kona Coffee? How… [read more]
Featured Islands – Niihau
Niihau is the smallest inhabited island of Hawaii. It’s located just under 18 miles from Kauai. This little arid island receives little rainfall and has a farm-like lifestyle. The Island Name Niihau is nicknamed “The Forbidden Isle” because no one is allowed to come onto the island unless invited by the Hawaiians themselves. The island… [read more]
Featured Islands – Maui
Maui is probably considered the second most popular island among tourists, just behind Oahu. It’s also the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, created by two separate volcanoes with overlapping lava flows. The Island Name The name of Maui actually comes from the legends of Hawai’iloa who is considered to be the original discoverer of… [read more]
Museum Hopping in Honolulu
Most people don’t think about visiting museums when coming to Hawaii. But if you’re a history buff wanting to learn more about the culture and military influence on the islands, then this post is for you. U.S. Army Museum at Ft. DeRussy We’ll start in Waikiki with the U.S. Army Museum located at Fort DeRussy.… [read more]
Chinese New Year Hawaii
It’s February. And that means Chinese New Year. Hawaii celebrates a number of holidays and events throughout the year, and Chinese New Year is no different. You can expect to see entertainment, food, a parade, and plenty of action going on in Chinatown. History & Traditions The Chinese hold a pretty dominant place in Hawaii,… [read more]