If you’re looking for that completely unique gift to bring home with you from your Hawaii vacation, look no further. Hamakua mushrooms are a gourmet treat from Hawaii and some of the best mushrooms I’ve tasted. They have both a wonderful flavor and texture. You can legally import them to the mainland, inasmuch as they are not a plant […]
Hawaii’s banana industry may be well-positioned for a serious comeback. They are certainly growing well in our backyard. This photo shows our latest crop growing amidst Blue Ginger. Prices of Hawaii bananas have never been competitive with Central America in the past due to the high cost of land and labor. The scale is starting to tip in favor […]
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 […]
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 […]
Our favorite swimming beach, Hanalei Bay, had flat water for the first time this season. It’s a 75 minute drive each way from our home. We jumped in the car eager to swim a mile at one of the best beaches in the USA. Apparently, we were not the only ones excited to swim. As we approached the beach […]
My paternal ancestors are among the first foreign settlers in Hawaii (but that’s another story). It’s an interesting coincidence that my maternal great grandmother, who never stepped foot in the Hawaiian Islands, would be the one to gift me with her Hawaiian Quilt. Hawaii was close in heart to my great grandmother. The year is 1925 and the setting […]
This is one Aloha shirt that is easy to care for, on everyone’s budget, and fun to give to family and friends. If you can fold paper you can make one too. I made the Aloha Shirt card that’s pictured here. Next time I’ll add buttons for a more authentic look. I learned this new skill at Ben Franklin […]
Say the word Shangri-La and images of a paradise on earth come to mind. The late heiress Doris Duke found her Shangri-La in Hawaii. With advanced planning you too can step inside Ms. Duke’s five acre Shangri La estate on your next Honolulu vacation. This is a must see attraction and reservations must be made early. Built in 1937, […]
In Japan you’ll need to take 60 days out of your schedule and walk 900 miles to visit 88 Shingon shrines. If you’re like me and need a faster spiritual renewal, take my advice and visit the Lawai International Center on Kauai. In one hour you can complete a miniature 88 shrine trek and still have time to catch […]
