The fern is symbolic of everlasting youth. Many indigenous people believe that the fern represents new life and new beginnings. In Japan, ferns exemplify family and hope for the future. From the Victorian era, the fern embodied trustworthiness and humility. Often called Living Lace, there are approximately 200 species of ferns in Hawai’i. 65% of… Read more »
Hawai’i has many unusual and rare birds, which recently made the American Birding Association’s official Life List. The Life List is a checklist of birds you really want to see in your lifetime. Since Hawai’i is the most remote landmass on the globe, the state has a large number of endemic or indigenous birds. Many… Read more »
Many people who visit Hawai’i, especially for the first time, comment on how laid-back the lifestyle is here. The pace most locals and residents move seems slower than what people expect or are used to. You may even see a bumper sticker warning visitors or even rambunctious residents to, “Slow DOWN! This ain’t the Mainland!” … Read more »
If you have been to Maui, you have been to Lāhainā. Lāhainā has been rich, colorful, and vibrant since it was called Lele in ancient times. The town was chosen as the royal capital in 1820 by King Kamehameha the Great. It remained the capital until 1845. It was a very sad day when an… Read more »
When I was growing up, the first three things I remember hearing about Hawai’i were: Maui Wai’ānapanapa Black Sand Beach Lāhainā* I didn’t know at the time that to see these three things meant I only had to go to one island, the island of Maui. That one island would be enough to fulfill my… Read more »
Did you know that Hawai’i has 2 breeds of indigenous butterflies? Over 1000 butterfly species that call Hawai’i home have been recorded through the years. Of all these butterflies, there are two native species and about fifteen alien species which dominate the island chain. An authentic native butterfly, The Kamehameha Butterfly, is the official Hawai’i… Read more »
For countless generations, the sound of the pū* would broadcast the arrival of Ali’i*, the beginning of protocols, the coming of canoes, and the setting or rising of the sun. It was even used to call Ke Akua*! In more modern times, it calls a gathering to attention at the beginning of an event, blesses… Read more »
The Road to Hana has a special allure for people visiting Maui. Most visitors to Maui are tempted to try quite a few world-class activities during their Hawai’i vacation. There are surf lessons, zip-lining, Haleakalā Sunrise, boat trips, and more. Yet, we still consider the Road to Hana a must. Maui’s iconic Road To Hana… Read more »
One day around lunchtime you suddenly have a craving for some Poke (poh-kay). In Hawai’i, you would say: “I am so ono for Poke!” Your friends would immediately understand and probably agree with you. Someone in the group would set off for the neighborhood market and pick up some fresh Poke, perhaps a few Poke… Read more »
In many of our blogs, we talk about the preservation of all things Hawaiian. If the preservation work had not begun decades ago, we would not know all the beautiful things about Hawai’i that we know now. So much would have been lost forever. Beginning in the late 1940s, a small group came together in… Read more »
