Coffee is serious business to us. We’re home roasters with access to hundreds of wild coffee trees, and enjoy visiting plantations while island hopping. Recently, the manager of Molokai’s Coffees of Hawaii, Maria Holmes, invited us for a tour and coffee tasting. How could we refuse? Before we go any further let me just say that their Muleskinner brand was […]
I visited Australia for the holidays, and had a chance to spend a day exploring some of Sydney’s most famous beaches. My recommendation is to skip Manly Beach (which I didn’t find attractive although easy to reach on a 30 minute ferry) and head directly to Bondi (you’ll need a bus or combination bus/subway to get there). I opted […]
Those TripAdvisor engineers are at it again with their self proclaimed, “proprietary algorithm.” It’s forecast findings for 2010 named Waimea as #5 in top US travel destinations. I love Waimea as well as anyone, but am not sure I would rank the town as your “must see” destination on Kauai. It’s a cute and folksy community just down the […]
Can Oyster Reviews keep its pearl intact in spite of the reduction in staff? After only four months of operation, media reports have announced that between one-third to three-quarters of their employees were given the pink slip this week. The news that this professional hotel review site is in dire straits is bad news for travelers looking for reviews […]
It’s not the accommodations that draw you to Molokai. You come here to get away, slow down and feel the pulse of a quieter life style and perhaps walk in Father Damien’s path. Teri Waros, owner of Kalele Bookstore in Kaunakakai, says it best, “Molokai is like a pilgrimage.” Regardless of what brings you to Molokai, you need a […]
One of the most beautiful places in Hawaii is also the site of much hardship and enforced imprisonment. Those with Hansen’s Disease were called “lepers” and sent to live here, on Molokai’s Kalaupapa Peninsula, against their will. They represented all ages, ethnicity and economic status. For $50 I was taken on a tour of the settlement in an old […]
This is a different kind of post. On Saturday we lost a Beat of Hawaii fan, Kay Jarvela, to brain cancer which was diagnosed just over a month ago. It’s a personal loss to me because Kay and I were high school friends who reconnected this year on Facebook. When Kay shared this picture with me in September I […]
The iPhone 3gs is incredibly useful wherever I go. Lately I’ve been leaving my laptop at home and relying on the iPhone for email, web browsing, and so much more. Here are Beat of Hawaii’s suggestions for ten best iPhone Hawaii travel apps: 1. Music. My favorite music app is Hawaiian Rainbow Music Radio. It’s non-commercial and free. Based […]
The newest attraction in Honolulu is over 100 years old and can be found at the Bishop Museum. It’s the re-opened Hawaiian Hall which was closed for a three year 20 million dollar renovation. The magnificent building with its Koa wood interior has three floors of discovery. Keiki will enjoy the interactive exhibits. Adults will develop a new understanding […]
$6 steak street vendors are taking Oahu by storm. They’re located in many neighborhoods, sometimes in tents while others are in trailers or buildings. Frequently crowded, you’ll even find police officers eating at them which is usually a good sign. Trend may have started with Blazin Steaks owned by Richard Craft, Jr. I first remember seeing his cart parked […]
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the sea from a tall ship and help hoist a 5,000 square foot sail, I’ve got the excursion for you in Honolulu. To take advantage of this opportunity you’ll need to be in town between now and August 9. Sail on the 122-foot square topsail schooner Lynx. After completing the famous Transpacific Yacht […]
If you’re a fan of Hawaii’s Island Princess brand (I like their macadamia popcorn crunch), you can do some last minute shopping at their factory outlet store near Honolulu airport. Just how good are the deals and is this worth a stop? 1. Values are there but you have to be a smart shopper. At first it looked like […]
