We should always be kind to the planet, but April 22 is Earth Day—officially the day we show special appreciation for our natural world. (It dates back to 1970, when Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson organized a national event aimed at raising awareness around important environmental issues.) And there’s a lot we can do, from volunteering at a beach clean-up to planting a native tree, even while we’re on vacation. Here are nine things you can do if you’re in the Islands today—or any day. 1. Take a Hike Hikers walking along Puʻu ʻŌhiʻa Trail on Oʻahu. Photo: Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Tourism A ..read more

A fraction of a second.  That’s what it’s all about. The late-night track preps. The early morning tow. The money. The time. All for a fraction of a second.   On the west coast of Kaua‘i, past the small country town of Kekaha—where, for many, farmers markets and shoreline fishing are the premier weekend activities—lies a strip of pavement that’s seen more action than a lot of roads in Hawai‘i. You’d miss it, if not for the sign that reads “Kaua‘i Raceway Park.” And it’s here, on the westernmost National Hot Rod Racing Association racetrack in the United States, that racers comp ..read more

Kauaʻi Coffee Co. is no ordinary Hawaiʻi coffee farm. At over 3,000 acres in size and home to 4 million coffee trees, the locally owned and operated coffee farm continues to wow visitors and locals with its delicious-tasting coffee and engaging visitor experiences.  It’s no wonder that Kauaʻi Coffee Company has taken home top honors in three HAWAIʻI Magazine Readers’ Choice Award categories: Best Coffee Grower (All Islands), Best Farm Tour (Kauaʻi) and Best Store for Souvenirs (Kauaʻi).  Why is Kauaʻi Coffee so special? Darla Domingo, retail operations manager, accounts for much of ..read more

From a beachfront Disney-themed property to uber-luxe resorts, there are so many places to choose to stay on Oʻahu. But if you’re traveling with kids, a comfortable and family-friendly hotel with spacious rooms, keiki activities and fun pools are a must. Read on to see which resorts placed in the Top 5 in this year’s Reader’s Choice Awards. 1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort, Waikīkī Outside the Imperial Hawaiʻi Resort. Photo: Courtesy of the Imperial Hawaiʻi Resort The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort takes first place this year as the best family-friendly resort on O‘ahu. Visitors of all ages can enjo ..read more

Nobody likes to choose favorites, especially when it comes to the beautiful beaches and bays of Maui. From the seemingly endless coastline of Kāʻanapali Bay to the crystal clear waters of Mākena Beach, deciding what beach on Maui is the best is no easy feat. Fortunately, our readers—who love Hawaiʻi’s beaches—have done the hard work for us and voted on their five favorite Maui shores.   1. Kāʻanapali Beach Kāʻanapali Beach, Maui. Photo: Getty Images/RASimon No doubt about it, people love Kāʻanapali Beach, as the idyllic coastline tops our list once again this year. If you’re a believe ..read more

Are you one of those travelers who loves browsing local bookstores? (You are our people!) Hawaiʻi has a bunch of cool independently owned book shops across the Islands, from the beloved Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapēpē on Kauaʻi to Big Island BookBuyers in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island. Honolulu has its own collection of indie bookstores, each distinctive in its décor and offerings. Here are five of our faves. Read More: 8 Local and Independent Book Shops You Need to Visit in Hawaiʻi Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, Kaimukī Da Shop: Books + Curiosities. Photo: Julie Stanley Located in the vibran ..read more

Aloha wear has long been a symbol of Hawai‘i’s cultural heritage and the upcoming exhibit “Fashioning Aloha” at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), opening on April 12, takes viewers on a deep dive through nearly 90 years of aloha wear, showcasing 53 garments including holoku, mu‘umu‘u, holomu‘u and aloha shirts. The exhibit takes the time to walk viewers through a vivid timeline, following aloha wear evolution like the popularity of the aloha shirt, the impacts of the Merrie Monarch Festival and the renaissance of aloha wear with songs like “Aloha Friday” by Kimo Kahoano and Paul Natto, and t ..read more

From idyllic surf towns to cosmopolitan districts, Hawai‘i boasts of a diverse selection of neighborhoods to visit. According to this year’s pull of Readers’ Choice Awards, these are the top towns that you’ll need to put on your itinerary on your next trip to Hawaiʻi Read More: The Best Islands in Hawaiʻi in 2024 1. Honolulu, O‘ahu Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu. Photo: Getty Images/chris-mueller This year, Honolulu takes top place in our Best Towns in Hawaiʻi list. As the state’s capital city since 1845, Honolulu can be found on the southeast coast of the island of O‘ahu. It’s the most populate ..read more

In case you hadn’t heard, our annual Photo Contest is underway, and we decided to dedicate this episode to tips on taking the best vacation photos. We invited our friends Maryrose and Reid Hicks, the couple behind the popular Wanderlustyle blog, to share their advice and tips on taking photos in the Islands. (Check out their Instagram @maryandreidhicks.) The couple in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī. Photo: Courtesy of Maryrose and Reid Hicks If their names sound familiar, you might have read their story in a past issue about their favorite places on Oʻahu for photographs. And ..read more

The results are in. We have the winners of the HAWAIʻI Magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and the list is now on newsstands. (Get your copy!) Find out what you, our readers, picked as your favorite beach, hotel spa, snorkeling spot, hiking trail, lūʻau and more. (The issue makes a great travel planner, just saying) Over the next few weeks, we’ll give you a sneak peek into the list, sharing some of the best of the best with you—including Best Island, one of the biggest categories of the year. From Molokaʻi to Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, here are the best islands in Hawaiʻi according to ou ..read more