Hawaii Things to Do

With so many towns and so many ethnic cuisines on offer, trying to figure out where to eat on Maui can be an overwhelming experience. Most visitors in resort areas tend to gravitate to oceanfront restaurants that offer the typical island experience, and while these are good for a couple of meals, the reality is that most of these restaurants are overpriced and you’re paying more for the atmosphere than you are the food.

There are many reasons to visit Hawaii: The beaches, the weather, the rain forests, the laidback lifestyle, all are aspects of the islands which continue to draw visitors in droves. For many, however, there is one reason above all which draws visitors back time and again, and one which locals will cite as their favorite reason for calling the islands home.

There came a point in time in the last two decades when a handful of Hawaii beer enthusiasts decided that sipping Mai-tai’s and imported beer just simply wasn’t good enough. Hawaii—with its iconic blend of active pursuits and laidback island lifestyle—needed some smooth beverages which would mimic the flavors of island life and provide local people with drinks they could be proud of.

Started in 2011 by two of Hawaii’s most iconic chefs—Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong—the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival has made a name for itself as one of the Pacific’s tastiest and trendiest culinary events. Held at various locations across the island of Oahu and featuring over 50 master chefs from around the globe, the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival fuses mouthwatering Hawaiian cuisine with professionally handpicked wines, educational elements of Hawaii’s farming practices, and an in-depth understanding of exactly where Hawaii’s food comes from.

Arriving in Kona is always somewhat surreal to me, the blue ocean giving way to striking black lava fields, with volcanic peaks looming in the distance. It’s simply a vista unlike any other, and it’s one of the reasons people return to the Big Island of Hawaii over and over. The sunny Kona coast is the Big Island’s playground, spanning along the west side of the island, covering almost 60 miles down the slope of Mt. Hualalai.

Maui locals have a proud saying – Maui no ka oi, or “Maui is the best.” And we’re not just bragging, we truly mean it. Maui has a great balance – less populated than Oahu, but enough to do to keep you busy. Great hiking trails, whale watching, zip lining, entertainment, arts and food. Plus, enough small town charm to make you see why those who live here fight so hard to keep it just the way it is.

In New Orleans, they have the Snow Ball. Most other places, well, they have the Snow Cone. But in Hawaii, there is a phenomenon known as Hawaiian Shave Ice. This delectable and tasty indulgence is not to be missed, and if you’re unfamiliar with what it is, you’re in for a treat – literally.

And while nowadays many of us get together with our families and give thanks over a sumptuous feast and a roasted turkey, Hawaii, with their diverse ethnic backgrounds, have their own unique spin on Thanksgiving.