A Slice of Hawaiian History Celebrated Each March
Did you know today is a state holdiay in Hawaii? Throughout the islands we celebrate and honor Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole on the Friday closest to his birthday, March 26, 1871. It is one of only two state holidays honoring Hawaiian royalty. The other is King Kamehameha the Great. Prince Kuhio played a momentus role during the[...]
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Cultural Volunteering on Your Maui Vacation
It’s easy to fall in love with Maui—the beautiful scenery, sunny weather and aloha spirit. However, many visitors to Maui only scrape the surface when it comes to learning about the Hawaiian host culture. When you dig a little deeper, you can create a more enriching experience. So, venture beyond luaus and staged events into one of[...]
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What Does the Hawaiian Lei Symbolize?
Giving a lei in Hawaii is almost as special as receiving one. Leis are a symbol of love, respect, welcoming, or appreciation. They are traditionally given to mark special occasions such as the birth of a child or other birthday, to recognize an achievement or show honor to a public figure, along with just showing warm feelings on j[...]
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Where to Buy Truly Reef Safe Sunscreen, and Why it’s Important
Hawaiʻi made worldwide news in May of 2018 when it passed the nation’s first law banning the sale of sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two common sunscreen ingredients that have significant harmful impacts on Hawaii’s marine environment. Since the law went into effect January of 2021, you might be wondering w[...]
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Where to Buy Local Art and Souvenirs on Maui
One of the best signs of Maui getting back to “normal” is all of the local galleries, open air marketplaces and other artsy enclaves reopening. Picking up a little something from each place you visit will fill your home with warm travel memories. If you are looking to buy something artistic like a giclée print or a blown glass orna[...]
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Maui's Best Eco-Friendly Cultural Adventures
When you travel, it is always nice to get to know about the place you are visiting. There is so much depth to Maui’s historic past and the people and cultures that made it what it is today. Even long-time residents share that they are still learning from our Kapuna (elders). You can read a quick primer on Maui history and culture i[...]
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The Art of Surfing, Then and Now
Long before Polynesians voyaged to Hawaii, surfing was a central part of their culture. By the time of European contact in 1789, the art of surfing, known as heʻe ʻana, had long been a celebrated sport of Kings, and served as a training activity for warriors.
The ruling class, or Ali’i, and connected ohana, had use of the best bea[...]
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