Hotel: As you may know, Kauai’s Princeville Resort is getting a facelift and rebranding in 2009. We were up there recently to check on the start of construction. The rooms are being gutted and the furnishings sold by liquidators. Everything looked gaudy and tacky with ridiculous sale prices. We resisted the urge to take home a used towel, bathrobe […]
Saving money, helping the environment and being healthy can sometimes all easily come together. Apparently, I’m not alone in my thinking. The Environmental Working Group reports that, “Kleen Kanteen,” a California company which produces stainless steel water bottles, did $2.5 million in sales last year and projects $15 million in 2008. I researched then purchased a pair of these […]
I was very pleased to see recent news that Hawaii’s own Love’s Bakery has returned to Hawaii ownership. Managers of the 157 year old company are buying the bakery from its Japanese owners, who have owned it since they themselves purchased it from ITT Continental Baking nearly 30 years ago. The new owners plans are to invest in and […]
Whole Foods Markets will soon be joining Hawaii’s established health food stores. If you’re looking for healthy grinds during your stay in Hawaii, here are some of our favorites to consider: On Oahu and Maui, try Down to Earth, which has nice moderate sized stores and a good selection. Big Island scores with Kona Natural Foods in Kailua-Kona (two […]
Staying with friends in the islands not only saves money but gives you an opportunity to experience local life. We like hosting people in our home and have come up with some ideas on how to make this a good experience for both host and guest. Arrival Tips: 1. Shoes off at door. Here in Hawaii, it is customary […]
Big Island’s beloved Mauna Kea Hotel is scheduled to reopen next Spring. I received this preview today of what it’s going to look like. The hotel was closed due to damage from a 2006 earthquake, which was strong enough to be felt throughout all the main Hawaiian Islands. When the hotel opened in 1965, it was the first hotel […]
We’ve seen some very unusual English language signs throughout Asia. This one, however, we found just down the street, at Dani’s Restaurant in Lihue: If you find yourself on Rice Street, we like Dani’s for their perennially delicious banana pancakes, but frankly, not much else. They only serve them until 11am.
I usually view museum art behind glass, on one side of a rope and under the watchful eye of a guard. Not so at the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM). Dubbed the “People’s Art Museum,” HiSAM deserves a place on everyone’s Honolulu activity list. First you take a historic building with Italian scrollwork and architectural details modeled after the […]
Hawaii is the only state where the sun passes directly overhead in summer. Have fun under our tropical sun but be sure to exercise caution. Here are some tips and ideas to help you protect your skin. A. Check out the Skin Deep database from EWG. Find the sunscreen that’s best for you. You’ll be surprised by their best […]
Name a plant that has been a staple in Hawaii since the Polynesians brought it here by canoe. Hawaii produces 6 million pounds each year. If you guessed Taro you’re right. On July 1, Taro becomes the official state plant of Hawaii. TARO is believed to have the greatest life force of all foods. It’s also called Kalo in […]
Experience the culture of Bhutan in Honolulu between now and May 23. Make a prayer flag, observe sacred dance, meet a guide from Bhutan, try on a Bhutanese robe, see art never on exhibit before and participate in daily rituals with monks. We did all of this in one afternoon last week at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Their […]
Looking for a unique stop when visiting the Kona Coffee Farms? I was and found the H.N. Greenwell Store. With the help of costumed interpreters, I was soon shopping in the 1890’s. This is a living history museum so everyone gets in on the act. After a short orientation, I took on the role of a Hawaiian rancher. To […]
