HAWAI‘I Magazine Spring/Summer 2026

SPRING/SUMMER

2026 ISSUE • VOLUME 43, NO.1

24

2026 Readersʼ Choice Awards

Thousands of you voted for your Island favorites, and now, we’re excited to share the winners of our 14th annual Readers’ Choice Awards!

64 Finding Meaning on Maui

Embracing change and appreciating the comforting constants on a brief journey home.

BY GRACE MAEDA

IN THIS ISSUE

ISLAND HOPPING

12 O‘ahu: Fresh Catch

A family farm in Wahiawā turns its manufactured water source into a joyful place to spend the day.

BY SARAH BURCHARD

15 Lāna‘i: Hit Reset

Guests can design a restorative journey at a secluded enclave.

BY GRACE MAEDA

18 Kaua‘i: 110 Years Later

At Tip Top Motel, Café, & Bakery you’ll find the heart of an island, a touch of history and a home away from home. BY

KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO

21 Hawai‘i Island: Somethingʼs Brewing

The folks at Islander Sake are determined to revive the once thriving art in Hawai‘i.

BY ASHLEY PROBST

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editorʼs Page

An Homage to Hawai‘i BY GRACE

MAEDA

7 Ho‘omaka

7 Hawai‘i’s Beautiful Blooms

10 Q&A with Alana Kysar

74 Kau Kau

“Grab ‘Em by the Muffins” Recipe BY

SARAH BURCHARD

76 One Last Look

BY

78 Like a Local

Praise for Palaka BY MIA

ANZALONE

From a secluded beach near Mākena, the Milky Way blankets the night sky during a new moon on Maui.

PHOTO BY TRAVIS MORRIN (@traviskeahi_photos)

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SATURDAY, JUNE 27 THE GRAND TASTING GALA Featuring Maui’s top restaurants, premier wineries & curated spirits

FRIDAY, JUNE 26 -SUNDAY, JUNE 28 WINE TASTING SEMINARS

JADE CARREL | Director of Finance KAPALUA RESORT | MAUI Iconic and time-honored epicurean event returns to the breathtaking Kapalua Resort. JUNE 25-28, 2026

The World of Boisset Wines Best Sellers & 100-Point Wines Organic & Sustainable Champagne & Petrossian Caviar & More! CELEBRITY CHEF LUNCHEONS Antonia Lofaso The Voltaggio Brothers Maneet Chauhan

IAn Homage to Hawai‘i

There’s plenty to celebrate about every island in this archipelago.

WELCOMED 2026 with a few of my close childhood friends, watching the sun gradually inch above the horizon from Maui’s southeastern coast in Kaupō. The morning was calm and the air was so clear we could even see Hawai‘i Island.

I don’t spend much time in this rural area, so spotting Hawai‘i Island 30 miles off the coast is a rare treat. To me, it’s a reminder to embrace novel perspectives.

There’s a local saying (at least on the Valley Isle): “Maui nō ka ‘oi.” It essentially means “Maui is the best.” And I agree. But I’m biased: I was born and raised on the island, among its gorgeous beaches, diverse ecosystems and rich heritage.

It wasn’t until I was out of college working at HAWAI‘I Magazine for the first time that my perspective of the Neighbor Islands changed. I realized there’s so much to love about every island in this archipelago. From their distinct topographies to popular dishes and even Pidgin phrases, each island has its own defining characteristics, endearing quirks and standout businesses.

On O‘ahu, kids (and adults, too) are welcome to fish at Ali‘i Agriculture Farms (see page 12). At the farm’s ponds, it’s easy to hook a fish, and the folks in the on-site food truck will cook up your fresh catch on the spot.

Over on Kaua‘i, a multigenerational restaurant known for its legendary oxtail soup is turning 110 this year (see page 18). Through all those years, it’s become a home away from home for locals.

And something sweet is brewing on Hawai‘i Island. A tōji (she’s only one of 35 women in the world to hold the title), is reviving the art of sake brewing in the Islands (see page 21).

But it was Maui that was voted Hawai‘i’s best island in our 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Beyond the titles, our annual awards celebrate the places and businesses—and ultimately the people behind them—that make all these Islands remarkable (see the complete list on page 24).

Lately, when I’m traveling across Hawai‘i, I look at the Islands differently—maybe even more clearly. I see local businesses committed to supporting their customers and employees. I see communities rallying together in trying times and local families working tirelessly to stay in Hawai‘i. And I’m thankful to all of them, because they’re keeping the culture of our Islands alive.

By adopting a fresh perspective, my hope is that you find a renewed sense of appreciation for Hawai‘i—and wherever you call home, too.

Take care, GRACE MAEDA

Send me a note at gracem@hawaiimagazine.com.

HO‘OMAKA

to begin c

Hawai‘iʼs Beautiful Blooms

Rare and resilient, these native flowers tell stories of lava and rain, forests and shorelines, and survival in the Islands.

BY CATHERINE TOTH FOX

PLUMERIA, PĪKAKE, PUA KENIKENI .

These flowers—and their scents—conjure up memories of Hawai‘i, but none of them are actually native to the Islands.

Plumeria are endemic to Mexico and Central America, pīkake to India and pua kenikeni to the South Pacific.

In fact, many of the tropical flowers commonly associated with Hawai‘i, like birds of paradise and anthuriums, are found in other warm-weather places, including California and Florida.

“There’s been a resurgence in interest” in native plants, says Naomi Hoffman, botanist for the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, which manages the city’s five gardens on O‘ahu. “You can go to Mexico or Florida and see plants that grow here.” But for the most part, she says, you can only see Hawai‘i’s native plants in Hawai‘i, “and that’s what makes them so special.”

The 14-acre Foster Botanical Garden just outside of Downtown Honolulu boasts a diverse collection of exceptional trees and tropical plants. But it also has a dedicated area just for native Hawaiian plants, including loulu palms, the only palm tree native to Hawai‘i.

About 1,400 plants are native to Hawai‘i, and nearly 90% of them are found nowhere else in the world. And many—including nine loulu palms—are endangered because of habitat loss, rats, weeds and feral animals.

While the plumeria tree’s sweet fragrance and the hibiscus’s striking colors capture all the attention, Hoffman urges people to learn more about what makes native flowers so special. Because they really are.

Here are five native flowers and the things that make them unique.

‘Ōhi‘a lehua

The hardy native ‘ōhi‘a lehua is one of the first plants to grow in Hawai‘i’s barren lava landscapes, sprouting through cracks in the rocks. “It’s the beginning of an ecosystem,” Hoffman says. The tree is endemic to the six largest Hawaiian Islands and is the most common native tree, comprising 80% of Hawai‘i’s native forests. Its flowers are a burst of stamens and range in color from fiery red (lehua ‘apane) to bright yellow (lehua mamo) and even white (lehua kea). Its wood was traditionally used to make papa ku‘i ‘ai (wooden boards utilized to pound taro root into poi) and weapons, and its leaves were used as a medicinal tea. ‘Ōhi‘a lehua trees are critical to native forests, providing nectar, shelter and nesting sites for endemic birds like the ‘apapane, ‘i‘iwi and ‘ākepa. Today, cultural practitioners still use the blossoms in lei-making and hula. Rapid ‘ōhia death, a fungal disease that has been infecting and killing these trees at an alarming rate, has made protecting them even more important. You can find ‘ōhi‘a lehua at the botanical gardens and on trails in places like Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Hawai‘i Island and in the higher elevations of the Ko‘olau Mountains on O‘ahu. According to Hawaiian legend, picking the flowers brings rain.

Naupaka

Endemic to Hawai‘i, this bright green shrub is mostly found along the coast, but there’s one species of naupaka that grows in the mountains. And there’s a story about that. The plant’s white or cream-colored flowers are irregularly shaped with all five petals on one side—a half-flower and the source of several Hawaiian legends. The most popular one is about star-crossed lovers forced by Pele to be separated, one living by the beach, the other in the mountains. The plant’s flowers and fruits are used in lei, and the fruits and roots have been mixed with salt and applied to cuts to help them heal. Many locals rub the leaves inside their snorkel masks to prevent fogging. (It works!) Coastal naupaka can be found on all major Hawaiian Islands and along many of its beaches. Botanical gardens will have the other, less common varieties, including one with purple flowers. Fun fact: The endangered Hawaiian yellow-faced bee, Hylaeus anthracinus, nests in the stems and forages on the flowers of this coastal plant.

Hau

Indigenous to Hawai‘i, hau is a surprisingly useful plant—and it also boasts beautiful, hibiscuslike flowers. (After all, it’s in the same genus.) Its fibers were once made into rope, the wood was fashioned into spars for outrigger canoes and floats for fishnets, and its sap and flower buds were mixed with other plants to create remedies for chest congestion, dry throat and labor pains. The flowers of these small trees are large and bright yellow with dark red centers. Portner says they subtly change color as they mature. You can find hau in the lowlands, especially along the shoreline, where it can form dense thickets.

‘Ilima

Found all throughout the dry and mesic forests of Hawai‘i, the native ‘ilima is a low-growing plant that’s great at preventing erosion and retaining moisture. But it’s also known for its delicate golden flowers, carefully plucked and strung in lei. You would need about a thousand flowers to make a single lei. “It’s a real act of love to pick and make an ‘ilima lei,” says Talia Portner, Honolulu Botanical Gardens’ curator and horticulturist. Known as the flower of O‘ahu, the ‘ilima is edible, too, and adds a bright punch of color to salads. You can find ‘ilima near the ocean—it’s common along the Kaiwi Coast on O‘ahu—where it can survive harsh salty sea spray, intense sun, whipping winds and drought.

Koki‘o ke‘oke‘o

Koki‘o ke‘oke‘o is one of only two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses known to have fragrant flowers. Their light, sweet fragrance is strongest in the morning, when the flowers open, and early in the evening before they close. This endemic plant is common in the moist to wet forests of the Wai‘anae and Ko‘olau mountains on O‘ahu, and most botanical gardens in Hawai‘i grow them. The bark of this species can be used for cordage, and its flower buds were used for blood purification. Some koki‘o ke‘oke‘o trees can grow 30 feet tall, Portner says, creating beautiful—and fragrant—forest canopies.

Q&A with Alana Kysar

Born and raised on Maui, the downto-earth recipe developer’s second cookbook is rooted in local heritage and all about the Islands’ natural bounty.

BY GRACE MAEDA

SITTING AT HER DINING ROOM

TABLE in her home in Upcountry Maui, Alana Kysar tells me about the vegetables she’s growing in her backyard and what she’s planting this spring.

Kysar flips through her second cookbook, “Aloha Veggies,” which is a collection of approachable recipes that celebrate Hawai‘i’s culinary heritage through a plant-forward lens.

“What was most gratifying about writing ‘Aloha Kitchen’ and hopefully for ‘Aloha Veggies’ is getting to see the joy it brings people cooking in their kitchens all around the world,” Kysar says. “I get messages from people in India who picked ‘Aloha Kitchen’ for their cookbook club and they’re trying recipes they might’ve never seen. It’s so cool.”

Where did your love for cooking come from?

My mom is an excellent cook and so is my dad, so my love came from those two.

I grew up in the kitchen. My parents made me help cook and my first thing was salads. My dad started to score me, so I would get a rating for creativity, presentation and overall flavor. Doing that, I learned a lot of skills.

What are your favorite dishes your parents made?

My mom’s mochiko chicken by far is my favorite childhood memory. That’s what childhood tastes like to me. My dad really loves French food, like Pommes Anna, a layered potato cake.

How do you feel when you get a thumbs up from your mom on the recipes you create?

Oh my gosh, I got a lot of, “It’s pretty good.” I got a “very good” and maybe an “excellent” and that made my heart soar!

What sparked your interest in creating a second cookbook?

During the pandemic, I thought it was a great idea to do a book on local-style veggies. But it was put on the shelf. I just felt this type of cookbook needed to exist.

Was the writing process for “Aloha Veggies” different from your first?

It was. When I wrote “Aloha Kitchen,” I was tapping into other people’s experiences because I wanted people to feel seen.

For the second cookbook, I was taking inspiration from local flavors, dishes and cooking

“The more you cook with that one veggie, you might start to realize that you can make it taste good in a bunch of different ways.”

methods, but really trying to create dishes that haven’t existed for the most part. It was a lot more of a creative flex.

What recipe are you most excited to share with readers?

I love dashi-cooked kabocha. This recipe in my book is a shoyu version. So, it’s just shoyu and kabocha, but it has a green onion-ginger-hot oil situation, which is over whipped tofu.

What advice do you have for people who are wary of cooking with veggies?

Start with one thing. Find one vegetable you like and start to find recipes using that one vegetable. The more you cook with that one veggie, you might start to realize that you can make it taste good in a bunch of different ways. Hopefully, that will open the door.

For more information about “Aloha Veggies,” visit penguinrandomhouse.com.

This article was edited for length and clarity.

Fresh Catch

A family farm in Wahiawā turns its manufactured water source into a joyful place to spend the day.

STORY BY SARAH BURCHARD

PHOTOS BY AARON K. YOSHINO

I’VE NEVER FISHED IN MY LIFE, so I’m a little nervous as I drive up to a fish farm on a Monday afternoon. It’s a holiday, so kids are out of school, and cars pull up one after another.

Families line a pond that’s 20 yards wide, 70 yards long and 7 feet deep, with plenty of tilapia and catfish inside. Some of the families have pop-up tents and even more have fold-up chairs; other folks just sit crosslegged at the edge of the pond, their lines in the water.

Ali‘i Agricultural Farms is a 68-acre estate in Central O‘ahu just outside Wahiawā. The farm’s primary crop is turf grass, but the owners also raise pigs, ducks, chickens and fish. Local families are lured to the farm daily for the chance to catch and release some of those fish, whether to take home or to eat on-site—the farm’s food truck will fry, steam or grill anything you catch.

When Malaysia-born See Thee, now 72, purchased the land in 2008, there was no running water. He dug a well and a 14-footdeep reservoir, which he eventually stocked with tilapia to maximize the space. Friends would come by and ask if they could fish; they’d bring their kids and have a blast, so See began digging up ponds and in 2012 he opened them to the public.

“Everyone has that first memory of catching fish,” says See’s son, Chris Thee. “Even though we’re surrounded by ocean, a lot of kids in Hawai‘i have never had the opportunity. So, we’ve created a family-friendly activity where, when you come to our ponds, it’s like 99.9% you’re going to catch something.”

Chris takes me for a ride in a golf cart to see his dad. We ride by duck and chicken coops, the piggery and slaughterhouse, and an orchard of lychee trees that are harvested-to-order every summer. We pass six more ponds, where baby tilapia and catfish grow before being hauled off to Chinatown where they’re sold wholesale.

ABOVE

We pull up to one of the ponds. See is sitting alongside it wearing a fishing hat and black rubber gloves. He is examining flapping fish in nets, either dropping them into another net or tossing them back into the pond if they’re not at least 1 pound. Two men place “the keepers” in a tub of water in

the back of a golf cart and transfer them to holding tanks. Without looking up from his task, See asks me if I want to catch a fish. “I don’t know how,” I say. “I’ve never fished.” It’s time for me to try. Chris takes me back to the fishing pond and has me pick out a bamboo pole. There’s no reel, no complicated rigs, just fishing wire, a bobber and a hook. “I just dip this into the water and the fish hop on?” I ask. “Yeah, pretty much,” Chris says. He hands me a bag of what looks like goo. “Here’s your bait,” he says. “What is it?” He explains that it’s their “secret recipe,” a mix of mostly water and flour with “some other stuff.” He instructs me to grab a peasized portion of it, roll it around with my fingers and put it on the hook. “I can do this,” I tell myself.

I drop my line into the water and the bobber floats to the top. Other than moving it around or occasionally checking my hook

to see if the bait is still there, I just stand and wait. And I watch: Families on either side of me are catching fish one after another, sometimes two at a time. Some fish are at least 3 pounds. I check my hook. Nothing’s hopped on yet.

So, Chris leads me behind the food truck, where there are three tanks. “Grab the net and scoop out whichever one you want,” he says. I choose a tilapia that looks to be about a pound. An auntie weighs my fish, and an uncle fries it up. While they work, I walk back to the pond and try again. About 20 minutes later, the uncle calls my name, and I’m handed a paper-lined tray holding a crisp, golden fish with a scoop of rice on one side and a paper boat of coleslaw on the other. There’s also a plastic ramekin of shoyu and two calamansi. I squeeze the calamansi over the fish and dig in with my fingers, pulling the soft, steamy flesh away from the bones and snapping off pieces of fried fins and tail to eat like chips. The fish is mild and tender, and the citrus gives it a nice tang. I devour it, sans shoyu.

Two tables down, a dad and three toddlers huddle over trays of fish, picking at it and licking their fingers just like me. I remember learning to enjoy fish with my dad when I was about the same age as these kids, and I feel bad about the lousy reputation tilapia and catfish have had on O‘ahu. Some people here call them “mud fish,” because they can survive in muddy water. In reality, the fish is clean.

“We have elementary kids come out for field trips,” Chris says. “It’s really interesting to see that bad reputation [start to] change when they come here.”

The farm’s food truck has gotten so popular, some visitors skip the fishing and come just for lunch. Most customers order the fish fried. “That’s their favorite preparation,” Chris says. “There’s a large Filipino community here, but also Polynesians, Samoan, Tongans, Fijians. They all love tilapia. It reminds them of home.”

Ali‘i Agricultural Farms

680 Whitmore Avenue, Wahiawā, (808) 690-0558, fishingfarmshawaii.com

Sarah Burchard is a Honolulu-based freelance writer and editor specializing in travel, food and culture. Her work champions local communities, farms and independent businesses.

The farm’s food truck will fry, steam or grill anything you catch. LEFT

The farm’s food truck has gotten so popular, some visitors come just for lunch.

ABOVE

Many kids catch their first fish at the farm.

Hit Reset

Guests can design a restorative journey at this secluded enclave.

STORY BY GRACE MAEDA

THE NIGHT SKY DOTTED WITH STARS looks exceptional from a private onsen. It certainly helps that there’s little light pollution on Lāna‘i, an island with no large cities and just over 3,000 residents.

Perched 1,800 feet above sea level, Sensei Lāna‘i, A Four Seasons Resort is a serene, adults-only sanctuary. It’s luxurious yet relaxed and intimate, and surrounded by Cook pines.

The resort blends Japanese design elements with the warm feel of an elegant lodge, a nod to the property’s past. During my short stay, I spend my time soaking in an ofuro (a deep-soaking bathtub), unwinding in an onsen and savoring Japanese-inspired dishes from Nobu, and I can’t help but feel Zen.

Originally opened as the Lodge at Kō‘ele in 1990, the property has gone through a few transformations over the years. I’ve heard stories from my parents about what it was like staying at the lodge decades ago. They’d hop on the ferry from Maui to Lāna‘i, eager to get to the lodge. They say it was unlike any resort in Hawai‘i, and years later it still feels that way.

Founded by billionaire Larry Ellison—who owns 98% of Lāna‘i—and Dr. David Agus, Sensei Lāna‘i, A Four Seasons Resort debuted in 2019 with an innovative approach to wellness. The resort’s philosophy focuses on movement, nourishment and rest. Here, guests connect with the environment through enriching excursions and thoughtful classes; food replenishes the body; and rest becomes the path to recovery. With a team of experts on deck, the resort invites guests to improve and enhance their health and ultimately leave with tools to continue their mindful paths long after their stay.

Arriving at Sensei Lāna‘i, I meet with mindset guide Jim Cahill to set my intentions for my stay. He also leads me through a comprehensive body scan with a medical composition analyzer. I’m enthralled by the machine, which tells me about my visceral adipose tissue (distribution of fat), segmental skeletal muscle mass and energy expenditure.

“We’re more than a resume,” Cahill reminds me. “These offerings aren’t prepackaged. We’re here to make sure we’re taking care of the living, breathing person inside of you.” The information from the scan, he says, goes into designing a personalized approach to my long-term health and well-being.

Over the course of my stay, I meet one-on-one with nutritionist Danielle Hildreth to discuss my diet.

ABOVE

Rest and recover with a restorative massage in a private hale.

OPPOSITE

Paths weave through the resort’s beautiful gardens.

I break down what I eat in a typical day, and she comes up with helpful tips for packing more protein into my meals. Edwardo Williams, a movement guide, leads me through a series of stretches; he says I should do them before and after my daily workouts.

Throughout the day, guests are welcome to join in a variety of classes, from morning yoga to aquatic recovery. Travis Kā‘eo Cundiff, a yoga practitioner, leads a group of guests through a transcending sound bath experience.

Then, in a private 1,000-square-foot private spa hale, I experience an invigorating massage, and afterward, I sit in the hale’s infrared sauna before rinsing off in the outdoor shower.

Across the 24-acre property there are a dozen spa hale, each its own private sanctuary where you can

recharge alone or as a couple. They fit into the natural landscape, each constructed of Balinese teak wood. For all spa treatments, guests get 30 minutes in a hale to enjoy the amenities, including the infrared sauna, indoor and outdoor showers, and soaking pools.

The resort is also home to Sensei by Nobu. The restaurant is in a stunning glass structure overlooking the gardens. In Nobu fashion, the dishes showcase ultrafresh ingredients and culinary creativity. In the morning, I have a nourishing breakfast of grilled fish, nimono (a seasonal braised dish), tsukemono (pickles) and rice. For lunch, I enjoy the chirashi don, a fresh spread of sashimi, sushi rice, vegetables from Sensei Farms and miso soup. Omakase with special wine pairings is offered for dinner, along with entrées like Nobu’s signature black cod.

Every morning during my stay, I wake up to an ethereal mist rolling over the property. In between restorative activities and meeting with wellness experts, I stroll through the beautiful gardens that surround a shimmering pond. Here I find ‘ōhia lehua, wild orchids and jade vines along with an eclectic collection of statues.

Although my parents stayed during a different era, they were right. This property really is unlike any other place in Hawai‘i.

Sensei Lāna‘i

1 Keomoku Highway, Lāna‘i City, (808) 565-4500, fourseasons.com/sensei

The spa hale includes indoor and outdoor showers, soaking pools and an infrared sauna.

Guests are welcome to join in a variety of classes, including restorative aerial yoga.

Move through a yoga sequence overlooking the gardens and fish pond.

110 Years Later

At Tip Top Motel, Café, & Bakery you’ll find the heart of an island, a touch of history and a home away from home.

STORY BY KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO

IN

A QUIET KAUA‘I NEIGHBORHOOD, where plantation-era homes sit beside a modest mix of local shops and businesses, Tip Top Motel, Café, & Bakery endures as a beloved institution.

The food is straightforward and comforting, the service warm and unpretentious, and each visit feels like home. As it approaches its 110th anniversary, Tip Top stands out in a world of speed, reinvention and social media polish, a survivor through changing times, generational shifts and destructive storms. Today it reflects Kaua‘i’s enduring spirit.

Tip Top’s story began with a simple question. In November 1916, a Līhu‘e shop manager asked Denjiro Ota to open a coffee shop. Ota, an immigrant from Hiroshima, Japan, had worked as a cook in the home of plantation manager Albert Spencer Wilcox. Relying on his culinary talent, he opened a bakery and café beside Līhu‘e Store, where Harbor Mall now stands. Ota’s menu featured Japanese and American dishes, along with a bakery case filled with pies, cakes, cookies, doughnuts and sweet bread. Named after the building it called home, Tip Top was dubbed the first restaurant on the island of Kaua‘i and, despite locals’ initial hesitance to eat out, Ota was able to establish a loyal following of folks who craved his simple, soulful cooking.

In 1925, Ota’s 20-year-old son, Mitchell, took the helm. He introduced the madefrom-scratch pancakes and savory oxtail soup that would become Tip Top signatures. He guided the restaurant through the Great Depression and World War II, and shaped the café’s unfussy, family-first atmosphere that still defines it today. Mitchell Ota also created Tip Top’s famed macadamia nut cookies, among the first cookies to feature Hawai‘i’s iconic crop. Medium-sized, satisfyingly crunchy, and able to stay fresh without refrigeration, the cookies quickly became a favorite takeaway for both locals and visitors.

By 1965, 40 years into Ota’s stewardship, the Tip Top building was slated for demolition. Seizing the moment, he moved the restaurant just a half-mile away to its

Today, Tip Top is still proudly owned and operated by the Ota family. In 1989, Jonathan Ota, great-grandson of founder Denjiro Ota, returned to Kaua‘i from O‘ahu to carry on the family legacy. Now in its fourth generation, Tip Top has cemented its place as one of the island’s most beloved dining spots; it was inducted into the Hawai‘i Small Business Hall of Fame in 2023. ABOVE

current location on ‘Akahi Street. And recognizing the island’s growing appeal to visitors, he expanded the enterprise beyond the café, adding a 34-room motel and a bar. Under his guidance, Tip Top evolved from a local favorite into a hub where travelers and residents alike could gather, savor homestyle meals, and soak in Kaua‘i’s hospitality.

Nearing its 110th anniversary, Tip Top gives guests more than a meal—it gives them a taste of the past, too. Here, guests can still savor the Scratch Pancakes, made fresh daily from Mitchell Ota’s original recipe, and the legendary Tip Top Oxtail Soup, slowly cooked to perfection and served for breakfast and lunch.

Tip Top’s milestone anniversary highlights what the place represents: a quiet dignity, a sense of belonging, and a home away from home. Though much has changed around it, the restaurant’s well-worn booths, diverse plates, and time-tested griddle remain, reflecting the enduring values that define Tip Top and capture the heart of an island better than any postcard image.

Tip Top Motel, Café, & Bakery

3173 ‘Akahi St., Līhu‘e, (808) 245-2333, tiptop-motel.com.

Krystal Kakimoto was born and raised on the island of Kaua‘i. She now works as a writer, librarian and sommelier on the island of O‘ahu.

Something’s Brewing on the Big Island

The folks at Islander Sake, the only brewery of its kind in the state, are determined to revive the once thriving art in Hawai‘i.

STORY BY ASHLEY PROBST

PHOTOS BY AARON K. YOSHINO

AT THE BASE OF MAUNA KEA on the sunny leeward side of Hawai‘i Island, a smallbatch brewery is handcrafting high-quality sake using Japanese rice, centuries-old techniques, and Hawai‘i’s natural elements.

Islander Sake Brewery’s location is deliberate. Here, cool, dry winds mean more moderate temperatures, which is key during the early stages of sake fermentation. Hawai‘i also offers an abundance of soft, low-mineral water that’s ideal for sake making.

To get to the brewery and tasting room, visitors drive along a paved road through manicured fairways and greens of Hāpuna Golf Course.

I pull up to an unassuming tan building and ascend a double staircase, following signs to a modern Japanese-inspired entryway. Here, warm earth tones are accented by subtle cultural nods like noren curtains and bamboo.

Stepping through the curtains, I find museum-quality displays that include a collection of ornate sake sets and utilitarian brewing tools. Nearby, a retail section showcases chilled sake bottles, mini gift sets, and specialty sake glasses—the same vessels used in the tasting I’m here to experience.

The tasting room, which also serves as the dining room for the restaurant Engawa, is empty at first, but quickly fills with chatter and laughter from my group of six.

We’re greeted by co-founder Tama Hirose, who focuses on front-of-house operations and expertly guides us through a tasting of five housemade sakes. Rather than cleansing the palate with water between pours, as one might during a wine tasting, he encourages us to let each new flavor build on the one before it.

I’m impressed by the wide range of sake styles, including flavored sakes like liliko‘i (passion fruit), Kona coffee, and yuzu; refined, elegant junmai daiginjo; creamy, unfiltered nigori; as well as a 4-year-aged sake. The brewery also releases limited-edition bottles, including one that celebrates 2026, the Year of the Horse; it’s naturally sweet, with a crisp apple aroma.

ABOVE

Chiaki Takahashi and Tama Hirose, founders of Islander Sake Brewery.

OPPOSITE

Islander Sake Brewery is the only licensed sake brewery in Hawai‘i.

Out of the full collection, a tropical fruit-infused junmai daiginjo, bursting with flavor from juicy local pineapple, quickly becomes my favorite. As we taste, Hirose explains everything from ingredient sourcing to the reasoning behind different sake glass shapes and how sake’s storied history in Hawai‘i continues to guide the brewery’s approach today.

After all, Hawai‘i was home to one of the first—and certainly most influential—sake breweries outside of Japan: Honolulu Sake Brewery, which opened on O‘ahu in 1908. It went on to change the global industry through innovations in fermentation efficiency and refrigeration technology, making year-round production possible in warmer climates. At its peak, Hawai‘i had up to 10 sake breweries. But after World War II, Honolulu Sake was the only one standing; it closed in 1989.

Nearly 30 years later, in 2018, Islander Sake Brewery opened; its owners were determined to revive the art of Japanese sake brewing in Hawai‘i. As the only licensed sake brewery in the state, and one of roughly 30 in the U.S., its opening once again positioned the Islands at the forefront of an evolving industry.

Historically, sake brewing in Japan was a profession exclusively for men; women weren’t even allowed to step inside a brewery, let alone become a tōji (brewmaster). Today, Dr. Chiaki Takahashi serves as Islander Sake Brewery’s president, sake brewmaster—one of just 35 women in the world to hold the distinguished title—and restaurant chef.

For 20 years, Takahashi worked as a medical researcher in a demanding role. One evening, while sipping sake as part of her nightly ritual, she had an epiphany. If drinking sake was her way to relieve stress, she recalls thinking, then perhaps she should change her career from medical researcher to sake maker. A decade later, she followed another long-held dream by moving to Hawai‘i, where Islander Sake Brewery was born.

Takahashi takes a strong hands-on approach to her business. “I make food and also make sake—I think the only one in the world [doing] the sake making and then food making and then serving the customer,” she says.

In addition to guided tastings and brewery tours, guests can experience Islander Sake Brewery at dinner at Engawa, named after the Japanese equivalent of a lānai (patio), a transitional space traditionally used for casual conversation and light snacks.

I returned for that dinner a couple of months after my lively sake tasting, only this time with a smaller group, which feels more aligned with the restaurant’s intimate, upscale atmosphere.

The dining room is intentionally small, with just six tables accommodating up to 20 guests across two nightly seatings—a choice that reflects Takahashi and Hirose’s shared enjoyment of engaging directly with diners.

Dinner showcases kaiseki, a style of Japanese dining that began as a light meal served during tea ceremonies before evolving into a formal multicourse culinary celebration. For Takahashi, it’s personal: She learned to cook from her mother, who prepared meals at the Buddhist temple where Takahashi spent her childhood.

“The food is all my mother’s recipes,” Takahashi says of Engawa’s menu. “If I cook the food, I remember my mother.”

Each dish on the monthly multicourse tasting menu presents nostalgic, homestyle flavors with artful elegance. Avoiding repetition, the curated experience emphasizes seasonality, balance, and the connection between food and sake.

My prix fixe offerings include a trio of light appetizers, chilled tofu with seasonal vegetables, assorted sashimi, grilled fish and vegetable tempura, plus oshizushi (pressed sushi). The meal includes a glass of junmai daiginjo, with optional add-ons like a premium sashimi course and guided sake pairings.

For dessert, an artisanal ice cream made using the brewery’s own sake kasu (paste leftover from fermentation commonly used in cooking) provides a fitting close, highlighting the brewing process until the very last bite.

Islander Sake Brewery

Hāpuna Golf Course, 62-100 Kauna‘oa Drive, Waimea, (808) 517-8188, islandersake.com.

Ashley Probst is a fifth-generation Lahaina resident and Maui-based freelance writer covering travel, culture and food across Hawai‘i.

ALL ISLANDS

From the best new restaurant to the best national park, these winners represent the best of the best across Hawai‘i.

Island

1. Maui

2. Kaua‘i

3. O‘ahu

4. Hawai‘i Island

5. Moloka‘i

City/Town

1. Lahaina, Maui

2. Honolulu, O‘ahu

3. Hanalei, Kaua‘i

4. Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island

5. Hilo, Hawai‘i Island

Beach

1. Kā‘anapali Beach, Maui

2. Waikīkī Beach, O‘ahu

3. Lanikai Beach, O‘ahu

4. Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i

5. Po‘ipū Beach, Kaua‘i

Hotel

1. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort

2. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay

3. Waimea Plantation Cottages

4. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i

5. Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa

6. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

7. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

8. Halekūlani

9. Fairmont Kea Lani

10. Fairmont Orchid

Airline

1. Hawaiian Airlines

2. Alaska Airlines

3. Delta Air Lines

4. American Airlines

5. Southwest Airlines

Activities and Attractions

1. Maui Ocean Center

2. Sea Life Park Hawai‘i

3. Roberts Hawai‘i Tours

4. Manta Ray Advocates

5. Wai Kai

Historic Landmark

1. Pacific Historic Parks, O‘ahu

2. Kealakekua Bay Historical Park, Hawai‘i Island

3. ‘Iolani Palace, O‘ahu

4. Hulihe‘e Palace, Hawai‘i Island

5. Bishop Museum, O‘ahu

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

KOAST

Chef Chris Cosentino opened Koast in Wailea, Maui, at the start of 2025. His attention to detail extends from sourcing and supporting local Maui vendors, including pork from Lopes Farm and greens from Lapa‘au Farm, to designing an inventive and thoughtful menu. Here, diners can find exciting dishes, from charred octopus toast and whole roasted fish to Japanese milk bread. koastmaui.com

National Park

1. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai‘i Island

2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial, O‘ahu

3. Haleakalā National Park, Maui

4. Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Moloka‘i

5. Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Hawai‘i Island

State Park

New Restaurant

1. Koast, Maui

2. Mura Izakaya, Kaua‘i

3. The Walua Social Club, Hawai‘i Island

4. Tonkatsu Kuro, O‘ahu

5. Faria, O‘ahu

Bar or Lounge

1. Duke’s, O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i

2. Monkeypod Kitchen, O‘ahu, Maui

1. Diamond Head State Monument, O‘ahu

2. Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kaua‘i

3. Waimea Canyon State Park, Kaua‘i

4. ‘Akaka Falls State Park, Hawai‘i Island

5. Hā‘ena State Park, Kaua‘i

3. Lava Lava Beach Club, Kaua‘i

4. Tikehau Lounge, Maui

5. House Without a Key, O‘ahu

Mai Tai

1. Monkeypod Kitchen, O‘ahu, Maui

2. Duke’s, O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i

3. Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian, O‘ahu

4. Mama’s Fish House, Maui

5. Tahiti Nui, Kaua‘i

Local Beer

1. Kona Brewing Co.

2. Maui Brewing Co.

3. Kaua‘i Island Brewing

4. Waikīkī Brewing Co.

5. Big Island Brewhaus

Local Spirit or Wine

1. Kōloa Rum

2. Ocean Vodka

3. MauiWine

4. Kō Hana Rum

5. Waikulu Distillery

Local Non-Alcoholic Beverage

1. Hawaiian Sun

2. Kaua‘i Juice Co.

3. Hawaiian Soda Co.

4. Lanikai Juice

5. Hobbs Tea

Malasada

1. Leonard’s Bakery, O‘ahu

2. Kaua‘i Bakery, Kaua‘i

3. Punalu‘u Bake Shop, Hawai‘i Island

4. T. Komoda Store & Bakery, Maui

5. Pipeline Bake Shop & Creamery, O‘ahu Loco Moco

1. Zippy’s, O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island

2. Rainbow Drive-In, O‘ahu

3. Koko Head Café, O‘ahu

4. Hawaiian Style Café, Hawai‘i Island

5. Café 100, Hawai‘i Island

Coffee Grower

1. Kauai Coffee, Kaua‘i

2. Big Island Coffee Roasters, Hawai‘i Island

3. Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, Hawai‘i Island

4. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, Hawai‘i Island

5. Greenwell Farms, Hawai‘i Island

Aloha Wear

1. Hilo Hattie

2. Laha‘ole Designs

3. Kāhala

4. Reyn Spooner

5. Manaola

6. Lexbreezy

7. Manuheali‘i

8. Kealopiko

9. Sig Zane Designs

10. Fighting Eel

Jewelry

1. Maui Divers Jewelry

2. Na Hoku

3. Honolulu Jewelry Co.

4. Paradise Collection

5. Denny Wong Designs

Swimwear

1. Maui Girl

2. Lokahi Swimwear

3. Pualani Hawai‘i

4. Pakaloha Hawai‘i

5. Onepa‘a Hawai‘i

O‘AHU

As the most populated and visited island, O‘ahu is referred to as the Gathering Place. There are countless activities here, from hiking to the summit of Lē‘ahi and surfing world-famous breaks to exploring Hawaiian history at a former royal palace.

Luxury Resort

1. The Royal Hawaiian

2. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay

3. Halekūlani

4. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

5. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort

6. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

7. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, Waikīkī Beach

8. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach

9. Prince Waikīkī

10. The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikīkī

Value Hotel or Resort

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort

2. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort

3. Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort

4. Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra

5. Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

6. Outrigger Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel

7. Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel Waikīkī Beach

8. Holiday Inn Express Waikīkī

9. Waikīkī Malia

10. The Ambassador Hotel of Waikīkī

Boutique Hotel

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort

2. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

3. Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel Waikīkī Beach

4. Regency Beachwalk Waikīkī by Outrigger

5. Kaimana Beach Hotel

6. Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

7. The Laylow, Autograph Collection

8. Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head

9. Espacio, The Jewel of Waikīkī

10. Castle Bamboo Waikīkī Hotel

Hotel or Resort for Families

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort

2. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

3. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort

4. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

5. Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort

6. Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa

7. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay

8. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach

9. Hilton Waikīkī Beach

10. Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikīkī Beach Walk

Hotel or Resort for Romance

1. The Royal Hawaiian

2. Halekūlani

3. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay

4. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

5. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort

6. Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko ‘Olina

7. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach

8. Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort

9. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach

10. Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa

Hotel or Resort Spa

1. The Kahala Spa at The Kahala Hotel & Resort

2. Moana Lani Spa at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach

3. Spa Halekūlani at Halekūlani

4. Mandara Spa at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort

5. Infinity Massage & Spa at Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort

Hotel or Resort Pool

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort

2. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

3. Sheraton Waikīkī Hotel

4. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay

5. Halekūlani

Hotel or Resort for a Wedding

1. The Royal Hawaiian

2. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay

3. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

4. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach

5. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach

Bed & Breakfast or Inn

1. Diamond Head B&B

2. Mānoa Valley Inn

3. Hawai‘i’s Hidden Hideaway B&B

4. Sheffield House Bed & Breakfast

5. Manu Mele Bed & Breakfast

Vacation Timeshare

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort

2. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

3. Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village

4. Marriott’s Ko ‘Olina Beach Club

5. Wyndham at Waikīkī Beach Walk

Restaurant

1. Duke’s Waikīkī

2. Roy’s Waikīkī

3. The Pig and The Lady

4. Merriman’s Honolulu

5. Hy’s Steak House

Hotel or Resort

Restaurant

1. Duke’s Waikīkī at Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort

2. House Without a Key at the Halekūlani

3. Plumeria Beach House at The Kahala Hotel & Resort

4. The Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach

5. Morimoto at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach

Farm-to-Table Restaurant

1. Monkeypod Kitchen

2. Merriman’s Honolulu

3. Moku Kitchen

4. Mud Hen Water

5. Fête

Seafood Restaurant

1. Duke’s Waikīkī

2. Nico’s Pier 38

3. Roy’s Waikīkī

4. Hale‘iwa Joe’s

5. 53 By The Sea

Mahalo for voting us

Best Luxury, Best Resort for Families, and Best Resort for Romance

Traditional Hawaiian Restaurant

1. Helena’s Hawaiian Food

2. Waiāhole Poi Factory

3. Highway Inn

4. Yama’s Fish Market

5. Young’s Fish Market

Plate Lunch

1. Rainbow Drive-In

2. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

3. Nico’s Pier 38

4. Kono’s

5. Alicia’s Market

Poke

1. Foodland

2. ‘Ono Seafood

3. Tamura’s Market

4. Tanioka’s Seafood and Catering

5. Fresh Catch

Shave Ice

1. Matsumoto Shave Ice

2. Island Vintage Shave Ice

3. Waiola Shave Ice

4. Island Snow

5. Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha (closed)

Noodle

1. Marukame Udon

2. Ramen Bario

3. Shiro’s Saimin Haven

4. Shige’s Saimin Stand

5. Palace Saimin

Pizza

1. Giovanni Pastrami

2. Big Kahuna’s Pizza

3. Round Table Pizza

4. Boston Pizza

5. J. Dolan’s

Burger

1. Cheeseburger in Paradise

2. Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

3. Rainbow Drive-In

4. Kua ‘Āina Burger

5. Boarded Up by Chubbies Burgers

Steak House

1. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

2. Hy’s Steak House

3. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Waikīkī

4. Morton’s Ala Moana

5. The Signature Prime Steak & Seafood

Food Truck

1. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

2. Da Bald Guy

3. Big Wave Shrimp

4. Flyin’ ‘Ahi

5. Sabrozon Mexican Food Truck

Breakfast or Brunch

1. Eggs ‘n Things

2. Liliha Bakery

3. Koko Head Café

4. Cinnamon’s Restaurant

5. Wai‘oli Kitchen & Bake Shop

Bakery

1. Leonard’s Bakery

2. Liliha Bakery

3. Halekūlani Bakery

4. Kamehameha Bakery

5. Ted’s Bakery

Coffee Shop

1. Island Vintage Coffee

2. Kona Coffee Purveyors

3. Island Brew Coffeehouse

4. Kai Coffee Hawai‘i

5. Sunrise Shack

Bar or Lounge

1. Duke’s Waikīkī

2. Maui Brewing Co.

3. House Without a Key

4. RumFire Waikīkī

5. Aloha Beer Co.

Happy Hour

1. Duke’s Waikīkī

2. Yard House

3. Monkeypod Kitchen

4. Tiki’s Grill & Bar

5. Maui Brewing Co.

Cheap Eats

1. Zippy's

2. Rainbow Drive-In

3. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

4. Marukame Udon

5. Liliha Bakery

Beach

1. Waikīkī Beach

2. Lanikai Beach

3. Hanauma Bay

Nature Preserve

4. Waimea Bay

5. Kailua Beach

Snorkeling Spot

1. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

2. Shark’s Cove

3. The Lagoons at Ko ‘Olina

4. Kahe Point Beach Park (Electric Beach)

5. Three Tables

Surf Spot

1. Waikīkī Beach

2. Hale‘iwa Beach Park

3. Diamond Head

4. Pua‘ena Point Beach Park

5. White Plains Beach

Hiking Trail

1. Diamond Head Summit Trail

2. Mānoa Falls Trail

3. Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail

4. Ka‘iwa Ridge Trail (Lanikai Pillbox)

5. Koko Head Crater Trail

Botanical Garden

1. Waimea Valley

2. Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden

3. Wahiawā Botanical Garden

4. Koko Crater Botanical Garden

5. Foster Botanical Garden

Dinner or Sunset Cruise

1. Star of Honolulu

2. Na Hōkū II Catamaran

3. Maita‘i Catamaran

4. Holokai Catamaran

5. Atlantis Adventure Cruises

Extreme Tour

1. Kualoa Ranch

2. Diamond Head Parasail

3. Skydive Hawai‘i

4. Climb Works Keana Farms

5. Xtreme Parasail

Zipline

1. Kualoa Ranch

2. Coral Crater Adventure Park

3. Climb Works Keana Farms

4. Bay View Mini-Putt and Zipline

Helicopter Tour

1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

2. Magnum Helicopters

3. Honolulu Helicopters

4. Paradise Helicopters

5. Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours

Farm Tour

1. Dole Plantation

2. Kualoa Ranch

3. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts

4. Kahuku Farms

5. Kō Hana Distillers

Guided Tour

1. Pearl Harbor National Memorial

2. Polynesian Cultural Center

3. Kualoa Ranch

4. ‘Iolani Palace

5. Roberts Hawai‘i

Golf Course

1. Turtle Bay Golf

2. Ko ‘Olina Golf Club

3. Hawai‘i Kai Golf Course

4. Mākaha Valley Golf Course

5. Ala Wai Golf Course

Live Show

1. Fireworks Show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort

2. Hā: Breath of Life

3. Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana

4. Blue Note Hawai‘i

5. Rock-A-Hula

Lū‘au

1. Ali‘i Lū‘au at the Polynesian Cultural Center

2. Germaine’s Lū‘au

3. Chief’s Lū‘au

4. Aloha Kai at Sea Life Park

5. Experience Nutridge

Museum

1. Pearl Harbor National Memorial

2. Bishop Museum

3. ‘Iolani Palace

4. Honolulu Museum of Art

5. Capitol Modern (State Art Museum)

Shopping Center or Mall

1. Ala Moana Center

2. International Market Place

3. Royal Hawaiian Center

4. Kāhala Mall

5. Pearlridge Center

Clothing/Boutique or Store

1. Hawai‘i’s Finest Clothing

2. Blue Ginger

3. Kāhala

4. Reyn Spooner

5. Tori Richards

Store for Souvenirs

1. ABC Stores

2. Aloha Stadium Swap Meet

3. Dole Plantation

4. Hilo Hattie

5. SoHa Living

Surf Shop

1. North Shore Surf Shop

2. T&C Surf Hawai‘i

3. Local Motion Hawai‘i

4. Surf N Sea

5. HIC

Surf Instruction

1. Waikīkī Beach Services

2. North Shore Surf Girls

3. Big Wave Dave Surf Co.

4. Hans Hedemann Surf School

5. Faith Surf School

Beach Gear or Water Gear Rentals

1. Waikīkī Beach Services

2. Snorkel Bob's

3. Hawaiian Watersports

4. Surf N Sea

5. Aloha Beach Services

MAHALO

for honoring Pacific Historic Parks in multiple Best of Hawai‘i categories!

Your support helps us preserve and share the history of the USS Arizona Memorial and other Pacific historic locations.

Come visit and experience these incredible places for yourself!

Snorkeling/Scuba Rental or Instruction

1. Island Divers Hawai‘i

2. Waikīkī Dive Center

3. Hawai‘i Dive Center

4. Aaron's Dive Shop

5. Trident Adventures Transportation Services

1. Waikīkī Trolley

2. Uber

3. Roberts Hawai‘i Tours

4. Skyline/The Bus

5. Holoholo Mobility Wedding Venue (Not a Resort)

1. Kualoa Ranch

2. Ha‘ikū Gardens Weddings

3. Ko‘olau Ballrooms and Conference Center

4. Loulu Palm Retreats & Events 5. Dillingham Ranch

MAUI

Maui is known for its gorgeous beaches, innovative farm-to-table restaurants and top-notch banana bread.

HOTEL OR RESORT FOR FAMILES

Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort

Value Hotel or Resort

1. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali

2. Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort

3. Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

4. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

5. Maui Beach Hotel

6. Napili Kai Beach Resort

7. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

8. Aston Maui Kā’anapali Villas

9. Mana Kai Maui Resort 10. Castle Kamaole Sands

Boutique Hotel

1. Napili Kai Beach Resort

2. Fairmont Kea Lani

3. Hāna-Maui Resort

4. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

5. Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux

6. AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea

7. Kula Lodge

8. Mana Kai Maui Resort

9. Pā‘ia Inn

10. Lumeria Maui

Hotel or Resort for Families

1. Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort

2. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali

3. Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

4. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

5. Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

6. Wailea Beach ResortMarriott, Maui

7. Napili Kai Beach Resort

8. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

9. Fairmont Kea Lani

10. Aston Kā’anapali Shores

Hotel or Resort for Romance

1. Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

2. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

3. Wailea Beach ResortMarriott, Maui

4. Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux

5. Hāna-Maui Resort

6. Fairmont Kea Lani

7. Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

8. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort 9. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa 10. Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort

Hotel or Resort Spa

1. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

2. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali

3. Montage Kapalua Bay

4. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua

5. Wailea Beach ResortMarriott, Maui

Hotel or Resort Pool

1. Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

2. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali

3. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

4. Wailea Beach ResortMarriott, Maui

5. Fairmont Kea Lani

Hotel or Resort for a Wedding

1. Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

2. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

3. Wailea Beach ResortMarriott, Maui

4. Fairmont Kea Lani

5. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Bed & Breakfast or Inn

1. Kula Lodge

2. Pā‘ia Inn

3. Lumeria Maui

4. ‘Īao Valley Inn

5. Mangolani Inn

Restaurant

1. Mama’s Fish House

2. Monkeypod Kitchen

3. Hula Grill

4. Merriman’s Kapalua

5. Gather on Maui

Hotel or Resort Restaurant

1. Duke’s Beach House at Honua Kai Resort & Spa

2. Humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a at Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

3. Nick’s Fishmarket at the Fairmont Kea Lani

4. The Banyan Tree at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

5. The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux

Farm-to-Table Restaurant

1. Mama’s Fish House

2. Hali‘imaile General Store

3. Merriman’s Kapalua

4. The Banyan Tree at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

5. Lineage

Seafood Restaurant

1. Mama’s Fish House

2. Pā‘ia Fish Market

3. Hula Grill

4. Nick’s Fishmarket

5. Seascape Mā‘alaea Restaurant

Plate Lunch

1. Aloha Mixed Plate

2. Tin Roof Maui

3. Da Kitchen

4. Kalei's Lunchbox

5. Sam Sato’s

BEST SURF SPOT

Ho‘okipa Beach Park

Poke

1. Tikehau Lounge

2. Foodland

3. South Maui Fish Co.

4. Fish Market Maui

5. Tamura’s Market

Banana Bread

1. Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread

2. Halfway to Hāna

3. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop

4. Maui Bread Co.

5. Julia’s Best Banana Bread

Shave Ice

1. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

2. Halfway to Hāna

3. Surfing Monkey Hawaiian Shave Ice

4. Tobi’s Shave Ice

5. Peace Love Shave Ice

Noodle

1. Star Noodle

2. Tin Roof Maui

3. Sam Sato’s

4. Ramen Ya

5. Da Best Pho & Vietnamese

Pizza

1. Monkeypod Kitchen

2. Pizza Madness Maui

3. Flatbread Co.

4. Marlow

5. Dollie’s Pub & Café

Burger

1. Hula Grill

2. Cool Cat Café

3. Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

4. Stewz Maui Burgers

5. Havens

Steak House

1. Roy’s Kā‘anapali

2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

3. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Maui (closed)

4. DUO Steak and Seafood

5. Son’z Steakhouse

Food Truck

1. Thai Mee Up

2. Maui Fresh Streatery

3. Kina‘ole Grill Food Truck

4. Geste Shrimp Truck

5. Dino’s Gourmet On-The-Go

Breakfast or Brunch

1. Kīhei Caffe

2. Duke’s Beach House

3. Grandma's Coffee House

4. Momona Bakery & Coffee Shop

5. Pā‘ia Bay Coffee & Bar

Bakery

1. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop

2. Maui Bread Co.

3. T. Komoda Store & Bakery

4. Sugar Beach Bake Shop

5. Baked on Maui

Coffee Shop

1. Maui Coffee Roasters

2. Wailuku Coffee Co.

3. Pā‘ia Bay Coffee & Bar

4. Baked on Maui

5. The Coffee Store

Bar or Lounge

1. Tikehau Lounge

2. Monkeypod Kitchen

3. Maui Brewing Co.

4. Hula Grill Barefoot Bar

5. South Shore Tiki Lounge

Happy Hour

1. Tikehau Lounge

2. Monkeypod Kitchen

3. Maui Brewing Co.

4. Roy’s Kā‘anapali

5. Sea House Restaurant

Cheap Eats

1. Cool Cat Café

2. Tin Roof

3. Kalei’s Lunchbox

4. 808 Deli

5. Sam Sato’s

Beach

1. Kā‘anapali Beach

2. Mākena Beach (aka Big Beach)

3. Wailea Beach

4. Nāpili Bay

5. Kapalua Bay

Snorkeling Spot

1. Molokini Crater

2. Kā‘anapali Beach

3. Kapalua Bay

4. Honolua Bay

5. Maluaka Bay

Surf Spot

1. Ho‘okipa Beach Park

2. Kā‘anapali Beach

3. Lahaina Breakwall

4. Kīhei Cove Park

5. Launiupoko Beach Park

Hiking Trail

1. Haleakalā National Park

2. ‘Īao Valley State Park

3. Kapalua Coastal Trail

4. Pīpīwai Trail

5. Waihe‘e Ridge Trail

Botanical Garden

1. Maui Tropical Plantation

2. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

3. Ali‘i Kula Lavender

4. Kula Botanical Garden

5. Garden of Eden Arboretum

Taste famously sweet Maui Gold pineapples as we share our history, stories and culture on this fun, illuminating tour.

Follow the sweet journey of cacao from farm-grown pod to palate-delighting Maui-made chocolate.

BEST BEACH

KĀ‘ANAPALI BEACH

Situated on Maui’s West Side, the golden sands of Kā‘anapali Beach stretch three miles. But it’s what you can experience under the sea that makes the beach one of the best in Hawai‘i. Surrounded by clear waters, you can swim over vibrant reefs and among colorful sea life, including honu (green sea turtles) and humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a. In the winter months, koholā (humpback whales) also visit the waters and put on sensational spectacles. As the sun sets, be sure to stay for another show. The lele kawa (cliff jumping) ceremony happens at sunset daily at Pu‘u Keka‘a.

Dinner or Sunset Cruise

1. Trilogy Excursions

2. Pride of Maui

3. PacWhale Eco-Adventures

4. Ali‘i Nui Sailing Charters

Hawai‘i Nautical

Extreme Tour

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Maui Off-Road Adventures

Kapalua Ziplines

Skyline Eco-Adventures

Rappel Maui

Maui Zipline Company

Kapalua Ziplines

North Shore Zipline

Skyline Hawai‘i

Jungle Zipline

Helicopter Tour

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Air Maui Helicopter Tours

Maverick Helicopters

4. Sunshine Helicopters

5. Pacific Helicopter Tours

Farm Tour

1. Maui Pineapple Tour

2. Maui Tropical Plantation

3. Maui Chocolate Tour

4. Surfing Goat Dairy

5. Waikulu Distillery

Guided Tour

1. PacWhale Eco-Adventures

2. Hāna Tours of Maui

3. Valley Isle Excursions Road to Hāna

4. Roberts Hawai‘i Heavenly Hāna Tour

5. Kai Kanani Sailing

Golf Course

1. Kapalua Golf

2. Wailea Golf Club

3. Kā‘anapali Golf Courses

4. The Dunes at Maui Lani

5. Maui Nui Golf Club

Lū‘au

1. Old Lahaina Lū‘au

2. Te Au Moana Lū‘au at Wailea Beach ResortMarriott, Maui

3. Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency Maui

4. Myths of Maui Lū‘au at The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

5. Feast at Mōkapu Lū‘au at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Art Gallery

1. Maui Hands Art Gallery

2. Lahaina Galleries

3. Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center

4. Viewpoints Gallery Maui

5. Curtis Wilson Cost Gallery

Museum

1. Maui Ocean Center

2. Whalers Village Museum

3. Hāna Cultural Center & Museum

4. Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House

5. Hale Pa‘i (aka Lahainaluna Printing Press)

Shopping Center or Mall

1. Whalers Village

2. The Shops at Wailea

3. Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center

4. Kalama Village Kīhei

5. Pi‘ilani Village Shopping Center

Clothing/Boutique or Store

1. Mahina

2. Keani Hawai‘i

3. Driftwood Maui

4. Holoholo Surf

5. Kai Aloha

Store for Souvenirs

1. ABC Stores

2. Maui Swap Meet

3. Hilo Hattie

4. Maui Hands Art Gallery

5. Beachbumz Tiki and Gift Shop

Surf Shop

1. Maui Surfboards

2. Hi-Tech Surf Sports

3. Second Wind Maui

4. HIC

5. Foam Co.

Surf Instruction

1. Maui Surfer Girls

2. Maui Waveriders

3. Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy

4. Maui Beach Boys

5. Waves Hawaii Surf School

Beach Gear or Water Gear Rentals

1. Maui Dive Shop

2. Snorkel Bob’s

3. Boss Frog’s

4. The Snorkel Store

5. Auntie Snorkel Beach Rentals and Activities

Snorkeling/Scuba Rental or Instruction

1. Snorkel Bob’s

2. Maui Dive Shop

3. Boss Frog’s

4. Maui Diving & Snorkeling

5. Maui Surfer Girls

Wedding Venue (Not a Resort)

1. The Plantation House

2. White Orchid Beach House

3. Merriman’s Kapalua

4. Olowalu Plantation House

5. Gather on Maui

besT of

MOLOKA‘I LĀNA‘I

Slow down and you can discover what makes Moloka‘i incredible, from Pāpōhaku Beach to Kanemitsu’s Bakery & Coffee Shop.

Place to Stay

1. Hotel Moloka‘i

2. Dunbar Beachfront Cottages

3. Castle Moloka‘i Shores

Restaurant

1. Kualapu‘u Cookhouse

2. Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill

3. Paddlers Restaurant and Bar

Cheap Eats

1. Kanemitsu’s Bakery & Coffee Shop

2. ‘Ono Fish & Shrimp Truck

3. Moloka‘i Burger

4. Mana‘e Goods & Grindz

5. Moloka‘i Pizza Café

Beach

1. Pāpōhaku Beach

2. Kapukahehu Beach (Dixie Maru Cove)

3. Murphy’s Beach

Activity

1. Hālawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike

2. Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nut Farm

Take a step back in time on Lāna‘i, where you can stroll through its historic town filled with a vibrant array of local restaurants and art galleries.

Place to Stay

1. Hotel Lāna‘i

2. Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i

3. Sensei Lāna‘i, A Four Seasons Resort

Restaurant

1. Blue Ginger Café

2. Nō Ka ‘Oi Grindz Lāna‘i

3. Malibu Farm

4. Lāna‘i City Bar & Grill

5. Nobu Lāna‘i

Cheap Eats

1. Lāna‘i City Bar & Grill

2. Manele General Store

3. Blue Ginger Café

4. Nō Ka ‘Oi Grindz Lāna‘i

5. Coffee Works

Beach

1. Shipwreck Beach

2. Polihua Beach

3. Hulopo‘e Beach

Hiking Trail

1. Koloiki Ridge Trail

2. Pu‘upehe (Sweetheart Rock)

3. Kapiha‘ā Trail

Activity

1. Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary

2. Trilogy Excursions (based on Maui)

3. Lāna‘i Adventure Park

KAUA‘I

Known as the Garden Isle, Kaua‘i is the oldest and most verdant of these Islands. From lush valleys with cascading waterfalls to the magnificent Nāpali Coast, Kaua‘i’s beauty is unforgettable.

HOTEL

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

Luxury Resort

1. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

2. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

3. The Cliffs at Princeville

4. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū

5. Ko‘a Kea Resort at Po‘ipū Beach

6. Timbers Kaua‘i

7. Hanalei Colony Resort

8. Hanalei Bay Resort

Value Hotel or Resort

1. Hanalei Bay Resort

2. The Cliffs at Princeville

3. Waimea Plantation Cottages

4. Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa

5. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

6. Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort

7. Aston Islander on the Beach

8. Hanalei Colony Resort

9. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel

10. Plantation Hale Suites

Boutique Hotel

1. Waimea Plantation Cottages

2. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel

3. Hanalei Bay Resort

4. Ko‘a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach

5. The ISO by Castle Resorts

Hotel or Resort for Families

1. The Cliffs at Princeville

2. Hanalei Bay Resort

3. Waimea Plantation Cottages

4. Kaua‘i Shores

5. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

6. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū

7. Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa

8. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort

9. Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kaua‘i by Outrigger

10. Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows by Castle

Hotel or Resort for Romance

1. Hanalei Bay Resort

2. The Cliffs at Princeville

3. Waimea Plantation Cottages

4. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

5. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū

Hotel or Resort Spa

1. Anara Spa at Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

2. Bamford Wellness Spa Kaua‘i, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

3. The Spa at Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū

4. The Spa at Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach

5. Akamu Wellnes at The Cliffs Princeville

Hotel or Resort Pool

1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

2. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

3. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū

4. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort

5. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

Hotel or Resort for a Wedding

1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

2. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

3. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū

4. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

5. The Cliffs at Princeville

Bed & Breakfast or Inn

1. Kaua‘i Banyan Inn

2. Hanalei Surfboard House

3. Fern Grotto Inn

4. Hale Kua Kaua‘i Bed & Breakfast

5. Marjorie’s Kaua‘i Inn

Vacation Timeshare

1. Hanalei Bay Resort

2. The Cliffs at Princeville

3. Marriott’s Kaua‘i Beach Club

4. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort VIllas

5. The Point at Po‘ipū (Diamond Resort)

Restaurant

1. Duke’s Kaua‘i

2. The Beach House

3. Tidepools

4. Hukilau Lānai

5. Merriman’s Kaua‘i

Hotel or Resort Restaurant

1. Duke’s Kaua‘i at Marriott Kaua‘i Beach Club

2. Lava Lava Beach Club at the Kaua‘i Shores Hotel

3. Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

4. Red Salt at Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach

5. RumFire Po‘ipū Beach at Sheraton Resort Kaua‘i Villas

Farm-to-Table Restaurant

1. Merriman’s Kaua‘i

2. Hukilau Lānai

3. 1 Kitchen

4. Bar Acuda

5. Fish Bar Deli

Seafood Restaurant

1. The Beach House

2. Duke’s Kaua‘i

3. Merriman’s Kaua‘i

4. Tidepools

5. Red Salt

Plate Lunch

1. Kōloa Fish Market

2. Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.

3. Pono Market

4. Mark’s Place

5. Sueoka Store

Poke

1. Foodland

2. Hanalei Poke

3. Kōloa Fish Market

4. Kīlauea Fish Market

5. Pono Market

Shave Ice

1. JoJo’s Shave Ice

2. Wailua Shave Ice

3. Wishing Well Shave Ice

4. Uncle’s Shave Ice

5. The Fresh Shave

GRAND HYATT KAUAI RESORT & SPA

Noodle

1. Hamura Saimin Stand

2. Kaua‘i Ramen

3. Pho Kaua‘i

4. Wailua Drive-In

5. Aloha Ramen

Pizza

1. Brick Oven Pizza

2. Kīlauea Bakery & Pizzeria

3. Kōloa Pizza Kitchen + Bar

4. Hideaways Pizza Pub

5. JP’s Pizza

Burger

1. Bubba Burgers

2. Kenji Burger

3. Kalypso Island Bar & Grill

4. Shaka Burgers Hawai‘i

5. Smash Café Kaua‘i Steak House

1. Wrangler’s Steakhouse & Saddle Room Bar

2. Bull Shed Restaurant (Temporarily closed)

3. Duke’s Kaua‘i

4. The Plantation House by Gaylords

5. The Beach House

Food Truck

1. The Musubi Truck

2. Fresh Bite Kaua‘i

3. Al Pastor Tacos

4. Tony’s Catch

5. Chalupa’s

Breakfast or Brunch

1. Lava Lava Beach Club

2. Kountry Kitchen

3. Kalāheo Café & Coffee Co.

4. Tip Top Motel, Café and Bakery

5. Ānuenue Café

Bakery

1. Kaua‘i Bakery

2. Hanalei Bread Co.

3. Kīlauea Bakery & Pizza

4. Haole Girl Island Sweets

5. Midnight Bear Breads

Coffee Shop

1. Java Kai

2. Little Fish Coffee Kaua‘i

3. Midnight Bear Breads

4. Trilogy Coffee

5. Collab Café (Temporarily closed)

Bar or Lounge

1. Lava Lava Beach Club

2. Duke’s Kaua‘i

3. Happy Talk Lounge

4. Kalapaki Joe’s

5. Stevenson’s Library

Happy Hour

1. Lava Lava Beach Club

2. Duke’s Kaua‘i

3. Tahiti Nui

4. RumFire Po‘ipū Beach

5. Kalapaki Joe’s

Cheap Eats

1. Chicken in a Barrel

2. Bubba Burgers

3. The Musubi Truck

4. Da Crack Mexican Grinds

5. Little Fish Coffee Kaua‘i

Beach

1. Hanalei Bay

2. Po‘ipū Beach

3. ‘Anini Beach

4. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)

5. Kē‘ē Beach

Snorkeling Spot

1. Po‘ipū Beach

2. ‘Anini Beach

3. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)

4. Kē‘ē Beach

5. Lāwa‘i Beach

Surf Spot

1. Hanalei Bay

2. Kalapakī Beach

3. Kāhili Beach (aka Rock Quarry Beach)

4. Anahola Bay

5. Kiahuna Beach

Hiking Trail

1. Waimea Canyon Trail to Waipo‘o Falls

2. Kuilau Ridge Trail

3. Nounou Trail (Sleeping Giant)

4. Māhā‘ulepū Heritage Trail

5. Wai Koa Loop Trail

Botanical Garden

1. Princeville Botanical Gardens

2. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park

3. Allerton Garden

4. Limahuli Garden & Preserve

5. Smith’s Tropical Paradise

Dinner or Sunset Cruise

1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures

2. Nāpali Coast Hanalei Tours

3. Holo Holo Charters

4. Blue Dolphin Charters

5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Extreme Tour

1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures

2. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures

3. Island Helicopters

4. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Zipline

1. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures

2. Kōloa Zipline

3. Outfitters Kaua‘i

4. Shaka Zipline

Helicopter Tour

1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

2. Island Helicopters

3. Jack Harter Helicopters

4. Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours

5. Safari Helicopters

Nāpali Tour Co.

1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures

2. Blue Dolphin Charters

3. Holo Holo Charters

4. Island Helicopters

5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Farm Tour

1. Kauai Coffee

2. Lydgate Farms

3. Kaua‘i Sugarloaf Pineapple Farm

4. Princeville Botanical Gardens

5. Garden Island Chocolate

Guided Tour

1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures

2. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures

3. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

4. Allerton Garden

5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Golf Course

1. Princeville Makai Golf Club

2. Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course

3. Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course

4. The Ocean Course at Hokuala

5. Puakea Golf Club

Live Show

1. Smith’s Kaua‘i

2. Tahiti Nui Live Music

3. Ahi Lele Fire Show

4. Allerton by Fire

Lū‘au

1. Smith’s Family Garden Lū‘au

2. Lū‘au Kalamakū

3. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Lū‘au

4. Tahiti Nui Lū‘au

5. Ali‘i Lū‘au at Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

Museum

1. Kaua‘i Museum

2. Kilohana Plantation

3. Kōke‘e Natural History Museum

4. Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum

5. Kokē‘ē Natural History Museum

Shopping Center or Mall

1. Coconut Marketplace

2. The Shops at Kukui‘ula

3. Po‘ipū Shopping Village

4. Kukui Grove Center

5. Ching Young Village Shopping Center

Clothing/Boutique or Store

1. Crazy Shirts

2. Mahina

3. Blue Ginger

4. Tropical Tantrum

5. Slow Yourself Down

Store for Souvenirs

1. Kauai Coffee

2. Hilo Hattie

3. Kaua‘i Handmade

4. The Koa Store

5. ABC Stores

Surf Shop

1. Hanalei Surf Co.

2. Po‘ipū Surf

3. Tamba Surf Co.

4. Billabong Hanalei

5. Nukumoi Surf Co.

Surf Instruction

1. Hanalei Surf School

2. Kaua‘i Surf School

3. Hawaiian Style Surfing

4. Titus Kinimaka’s Hawaiian School of Surfing

5. Kelley’s Surf School

Beach Gear or Water Gear Rentals

1. Snorkel Bob’s

2. Boss Frog’s

3. Kapa‘a Beach Shop

4. Kaua‘i Bound

5. Nukumoi Surf Co.

Snorkeling/Scuba Rental or Instruction

1. Snorkel Bob’s

2. Boss Frog’s

3. Dive Kaua‘i

4. Nukumoi Surf Co.

5. Fathom Five Divers

Wedding Venue (Not a Resort)

1. Waimea Plantation Cottages

2. The Beach House

3. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens

4. McBryde & Allerton Gardens

5. Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church

Tucked away in Waimea Town are 59 one- to five-bedroom heritage plantation homes set on 43 oceanside acres of tropical splendor. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen and private lanai. Oceanfront pool, on-property restaurant, near the road to Waimea Canyon. Perfect for families or a romantic escape.

HAWAI‘I ISLAND

Nearly twice as big as all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, Hawai‘i Island earns its nickname. Along with being home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, the Big Island is dotted with charming towns, coffee farms and stunning coastlines.

Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

Royal Kona Resort

Hilton Waikōloa Village

Fairmont Orchid

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection

Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort 10. Castle Hali‘i Kai at Waikōloa Value Hotel or Resort

1. Royal Kona Resort 2. Hilton Waikōloa Village

3. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

4. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

5. Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

6. Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

7. SCP Hilo Hotel

8. Fairmont Orchid

9. Aston Kona by the Sea 10. Pacific 19

Hotel or Resort for Families

1. Royal Kona Resort

2. Hilton Waikōloa Village 3. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

Fairmont Orchid 5. Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

6. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel 7. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection 8. Royal Sea Cliff Kona by Outrigger 9. Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection

10. Castle Hali‘i Kai at Waikōloa

Hotel or Resort for Romance

1. Royal Kona Resort

2. Fairmont Orchid

3. Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

4. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

5. Hilton Waikōloa Village

6. Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

7. Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

8. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

9. Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection

10. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

Hotel or Resort Spa

1. Hualālai Spa at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

2. Mauna Kea Spa by Mandara at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

3. Kohala Spa by Hilton Waikōloa Village

4. Spa Without Walls at Fairmont Orchid

5. Auberge Spa at Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection

Hotel or Resort Pool

1. Royal Kona Resort

2. Hilton Waikōloa Village

3. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

4. Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

5. The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort

Hotel or Resort for a Wedding

1. Fairmont Orchid

2. Hilton Waikōloa Village

3. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

4. Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

5. Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection

Bed & Breakfast or Inn

1. Volcano Village Lodge

2. Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast

3. Hōlualoa Inn

4. Ka‘awa Loa Plantation Bed & Breakfast

5. Honu Kai

Restaurant

1. Merriman’s Waimea

2. Don’s Mai Tai Bar & Restaurant

3. Roy’s Waikōloa Bar & Grill

4. Island Lava Java

5. Chubby’s Diner

Hotel or Resort Restaurant

1. Don’s Mai Tai Bar & Restaurant at the Royal Kona Resort

2. CanoeHouse at Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection

3. Brown’s Beach House at Fairmont Orchid

4. ‘Ulu at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

5. Beach House at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

Farm-to-Table Restaurant

1. Merriman’s Waimea

2. Hilo Bay Café

3. Moon and Turtle

4. Foster’s Kitchen

5. The Theatery

Seafood Restaurant

1. ‘Umeke’s Fish Market Bar & Grill

2. The Fish Hopper

3. Jackie Rey’s ‘Ohana Grill

4. The Seaside Restaurant

5. ‘Ulu Ocean Grill

Loco Moco

1. Big Island Grill

2. Hawaiian Style Café

3. Chubby’s Diner

4. Ken’s House of Pancakes

5. Café 100

Plate Lunch

1. Big Island Grill

2. Broke Da Mouth Grindz

3. Hawaiian Style Café Hilo

4. Chubby’s Diner

5. Ka‘aloa’s Super J’s

Poke

1. Da Poke Shack

2. ‘Umeke’s Fish Market Bar & Grill

3. Suisan Fish Market

4. Poke Market

5. Kona Grill

Shave Ice

1. Original Big Island Shave Ice Co.

2. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

3. Gecko Girlz Shave Ice

4. Scandinavian Shave Ice

5. One Aloha Shave Ice Co.

Noodle

1. TK Noodle House

2. Tetsumen

3. Nori’s Saimin and Snacks

4. Ken’s House of Pancakes

5. Noodle Club

Pizza

1. Kona Brewing Co.

2. Big Island Pizza Napoletana

3. Café Pesto

4. James Angelo’s Underground Pizza

5. Bianelli’s Gourmet Pizza & Pasta

Burger

1. Hilo Burger Joint

2. Village Burger Waimea

3. Ultimate Burger

4. Chubby’s Diner

5. Cronies Bar & Grill

Steak House

1. Merriman’s Waimea

2. Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill

3. Waimea Butcher Shop

4. Jackie Rey’s Kona

5. Miller & Lux

Food Truck

1. Da Braddahz Grindz

2. Rendezvous Hawai‘i Food Truck

3. Califas Mexican Food

4. Cool Runnings Food Truck

5. Jaw Jacker Grindz

Breakfast or Brunch

1. Hawaiian Style Café

2. Island Lava Java

3. Ken’s House of Pancakes

4. The Coffee Shack

5. Chubby’s Diner

Bakery

1. Punalu‘u Bake Shop

2. Island Lava Java

3. Two Ladies Kitchen

4. Tex Drive In

5. Patisserie Nanako

Coffee Shop

1. Big Island Coffee Roasters

2. The Coffee Shack Kona

3. Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

4. Surf Camp Waimea

5. HiCo Hawaiian Coffee

Bar or Lounge

1. Don’s Mai Tai Bar & Restaurant

2. Kona Brewing Co.

3. Lava Lava Beach Club

4. Huggo’s On the Rocks

5. The Hidden Nēnē Happy Hour

1. Don’s Mai Tai Bar & Restaurant

2. Huggo’s On the Rocks

3. Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse

4. The Temple Bar

5. Jackie Rey’s Kona

Cheap Eats

1. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

2. ‘Umeke’s Fish Market Bar & Grill

3. Da Poke Shack

4. Chubby’s Diner

5. 808 Grindz Café

Beach

1. Hāpuna Beach

2. Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach

3. Mauna Kea Beach

4. Kahalu‘u Beach

5. Makalawena Beach

Snorkeling Spot

1. Two Step, Hōnaunau Bay

2. Kealakekua Bay

3. Mauna Lani Beach

4. Kahalu‘u Beach Park

5. La‘aloa Beach (Magic Sands)

Surf Spot

1. Kahalu‘u Beach Park

2. Honoli‘i Beach Park

3. Old Kona Airport State Park

4. Lyman’s Beach

5. Banyans

Hiking Trail

1. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Kīlauea Iki Trail

2. ‘Akaka Falls Loop Trail

3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Devastation Trail

4. Pololū Valley

5. Papakōlea Green Sand Beach

Botanical Garden

1. Hawai‘i Tropical Bioreserve and Garden

2. Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens

3. University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Botanical Gardens

4. Botanical World Adventures

5. The Umauma Experience

Dinner or Sunset Cruise

1. Body Glove Cruises

2. Paradise Sailing Hawai‘i

3. Fair Wind Cruises

4. Hawai‘i Nautical

5. Tom Barefoot Tours

Extreme Tour

1. Epic Lava Tours

2. Hawai‘i Forest & Trail

3. The Umauma Experience

4. Botanical World Adventures

5. Aloha Adventure Farms

Zipline

1. Umauma Falls Zipline & Rappel Experience

2. Hawai‘i Zipline Tours

3. Kohala Zipline

4. Botanical World Adventures

5. Kapohokine Adventures

Helicopter Tour

1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

2. Paradise Helicopters

3. Mauna Loa Helicopters

4. Rainbow Helicopters

5. Safari Helicopters

Farm Tour

1. Greenwell Farms

2. Lavaloha Chocolate Farm

3. Heavenly Hawaiian Farms

4. Hawaiian Vanilla Co.

Guided Tour

1. Mauna Kea Summit Adventures

2. Hawai‘i Forest & Trail

3. Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary

4. Epic Lava Tours

5. Greenwell Farms

Golf Course

1. Mauna Kea Golf Course

2. Kona Country Club

3. Hualālai Golf Course at the Four Seasons Hualālai

4. Mauna Lani Golf Course (South Course)

5. Hāpuna Golf Course at The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort

Lū‘au

1. Royal Kona Lū‘au, Voyagers of the Pacific

2. Island Breeze Lū‘au, Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

3. Legends of Hawai‘i Lū‘au, Hilton Waikōloa Village

4. The Mauna Kea Lū‘au, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

5. Sunset Lū‘au, Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

Museum

1. Pacific Tsunami Museum

2. Hulihe‘e Palace

3. Kona Coffee Living History Farm

4. Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

5. Lyman Museum

Shopping Center or Mall

1. Queens’ Marketplace

2. Keauhou Shopping Center

3. Parker Ranch Center

4. Prince Kūhiō Plaza

5. Kea‘au Shopping Center

Clothing/Boutique or Store

1. Hilo Hattie

2. Tommy Bahama

3. Sig Zane Designs

4. Pueo Boutique

5. Rainbow Jo

Store for Souvenirs

1. ABC Stores

2. Waimea General Store

3. Kimura Lauhala Shop

4. Basically Books

5. Aloha Pawz

Surf Shop

1. Kona Boys

2. Kahalu‘u Bay Surf and Sea

3. Oshima Surf & Skate

4. Orchid Land Surf Shop

5. HIC

Surf Instruction

1. Kona Boys

2. Kahalu‘u Bay Surf & Sea

3. Kona Mike’s Surf Adventures

4. Hawai‘i Lifeguard Surf Instructors

5. ‘Ohana Surf Lessons

Beach Gear or Water Gear Rentals

1. Snorkel Bob’s

2. Kona Boys

3. Boss Frog’s

4. Kona Snorkel Trips

5. Orchid Land Surf Shop

Snorkeling/Scuba Rental or Instruction

1. Snorkel Bob’s

2. Boss Frog's

3. Kona Snorkel Trips

4. Jack’s Diving Locker

5. Big Island Divers

Wedding Venue (Not a Resort)

1. Volcano House

2. Lili‘uokalani Gardens

3. Nani Mau Gardens

4. Hulihe‘e Palace

5. Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar

finding meaning on maui

on a brief journey home, i learn To embrace change and appreciaTe The comforTing consTanTs.

by

mY DAD KNEW TRADE WINDS AND KONA WINDS by the direction the smoke was blowing from the sugarcane mill.

But to me, the continuous gray clouds blowing from the smokestacks of the Pu‘unēnē Mill had nothing to do with wind and weather. They were just part of Maui’s natural landscape. And it never crossed my mind that the smoke would someday cease.

As 2016 came to an end, so did the sugar era on Maui and across Hawai‘i. After 115 years in operation, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. closed its Pu‘unēnē factory, the last operating mill in the Islands. In 2018 its parent company, Alexander & Baldwin, sold 41,000 acres of former sugarcane fields to Mahi Pono, a farming company.

When I was a kid sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car as we drove along Haleakalā Highway, I’d look out and see an ocean of green sugarcane. Today, it looks different, replaced by groves of citrus and coffee and other crops.

And the island’s West Side is dramatically different too. Lahaina was forever altered by the 2023 wildfires, and its healing continues.

In 2024, O‘ahu construction company Nan Inc. bought the historic Pu‘unēnē Mill and 300 adjacent acres. Although plans for the site haven’t been announced, Nan says the mill will undergo significant changes. In an interview with Hawai‘i Business Magazine, Nan Inc. VP Wyeth Matsubara said, “We’re going to probably have to do some substantial demolition of at least the interior machinery that was done for all the production.”

Like many people, I’ve watched my home change. I come from a generation that grew up with Costco and Walmart right down the road. I’ve witnessed new buildings rising, altering the island’s topography. I still remember the excitement when Target first opened in Kahului.

While the changes are clear, I find solace in the unfaltering constants.

From the sun peeking above Haleakalā every morning to the stream flowing through ‘Īao, there’s stability amid all the change. I’m at ease knowing that Haleakalā is sheltering me in the east and Mauna Kahālāwai in the west, and that all around are close-knit communities.

I hold on tight to memories of growing up on Maui. I’d wake up to Pukalani’s cool air, I’d play in streams trickling through my friends’ backyards in Ha‘ikū and I’d watch the sun sink below the Pacific from Mākena. Growing up on Maui was special.

But home can also be complicated, full of heartbreaks and devastating losses. At times, the island forced me to grow up, challenging me and exposing me to difficulties nevevr reflected in postcards of the Islands.

But when I’ve really needed it, Maui has brought me comfort.

It’s nearly impossible to capture everything that makes this island extraordinary. So, I asked a few community members what Maui means to them.

President of the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Kainoa Horcajo, says, “Maui didn’t just shape me. It raised me. The land disciplined me. The community corrected me. Its history humbles me.”

He adds: “To say my entire being, physically, mentally, spiritually, has been shaped by this place would still be understating it. I feel inseparable from Maui, and Maui inseparable from me. I owe my life to this place, its people, its history, and its future in ways that are difficult to put into words.”

Megan Nakashima, president of Pukalani Superette, offers something simpler but equally profound: “Isn’t Maui everything to us?”

On my brief jaunts home, moments flow together and often feel serendipitous. Delays result in pleasant, unplanned encounters. Detours become destinations. Time feels slower.

On a clear morning, as I leave the

Kahului Airport and look east toward Haleakalā and west to Mauna Kahalawai, I’m enveloped by sweet and familiar air. And I reflect on the feelings that Maui stirs in me.

At ‘Īao Valley, I feel grounded as pristine water flows past ancient rocks, smoothing and eroding them.

Framed by the lush steep mountains and 2,250-foot Kūkaemoku, the valley was a sacred site believed to be a burial ground for ali‘i long before Western contact.

It’s also here in 1790 that one of the most brutal battles in Hawaiian history took place. Kamehameha the Great and his forces fought Maui’s warriors led by Kalanikūpule. The river at ‘Īao ran with blood during the Battle of Kepaniwai,

which means “dammed stream” for the bodies of dead warriors that blocked the river’s flow.

Today ‘Īao Valley is a peaceful pocket that deserves reverence and inspires introspection.

At the base of the valley, Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens is filled with structures, including an early-Hawaiian hale, a Portuguese-style villa and a Chinese pagoda. The gardens are a beautiful tribute to the waves of immigrants who worked tirelessly to plant roots and grow lives here.

Making my way to one of the island’s many beaches, I find a seat under the pavilions at Ho‘okipa Beach Park to watch surfers ride the waves.

Today people from around the world continue to come to Maui’s shores, for many reasons. Ho‘okipa lures surfers, especially during the winter months. As for me, I look forward to summer days when the conditions are flat and I can swim out with ease.

Just sitting on this bench, watching and listening, I feel a kinetic energy as surfers paddle out and uncles talk story while strumming guitars and ‘ukulele

Driving Upcountry, I feel a sense of serenity. I’m immediately at peace in the place where I grew up, and I’m relieved that not too much has changed. I’m greeted with the familiar crisp air that I find myself missing more and more.

Passing Rice Memorial Park, kids use scraps of cardboard boxes to slide down

the steep hills, something I did with my siblings years ago. Not far from the park, I pass Kula Country Farms. The fourthgeneration business welcomes families to pluck strawberries in the spring and pick pumpkins from the patch in the fall.

Venturing farther up the slopes of Haleakalā toward Kēōkea, green pastures stretch for miles. Strolling down a quiet street, I take in breathtaking views of the Valley Isle and neighboring islands of Kaho‘olawe and Lāna‘i.

Near the intersection of Old Haleakalā Highway and Makawao Avenue, where the towns of Pukalani, Kula and Makawao all meet, stands a bright green building. Stepping into Pukalani Superette, I feel the community’s spirit.

Generations grew up shopping here, and I still stop by, even if it’s just to pick up li hing candy. The family-run business is approaching a century of service and has been a cornerstone of the Upcountry community since the 1950s.

“As we quickly approach our 100th year in business, we’re spending a lot of time reflecting on how we got here, who we’ve had the pleasure of meeting and the challenges we’ve had to overcome,” says Nakashima. “It boils down to this: Maui means everything to us, and we wouldn’t trade being on our little corner of Pukalani for all the gold in the world.”

Editor’s Note

No place is fully constant—and Maui is no different. Storefronts change, people move away, new faces arrive, disasters strike.

This March, a powerful Kona storm released torrential rain on the Islands, causing flooding and major damage to roads, bridges and electrical infrastructure, particularly on Maui. Upcountry Maui totaled more than 40 inches of rain and Pu‘u Kukui, the highest peak of Mauna Kahālāwai, saw 28 inches. On neighboring Hawai‘i Island, the summit of Mauna Loa received more than 25 inches while Kaua‘i and O‘ahu each received more than 19 inches.

As the Islands recover, communities and neighbors come together as they always do, with resilience and an unwavering spirit.

Whether you’re planning a quick staycation or weeklong getaway with your ‘ohana, these home-away-from-home accommodations are loved by families for their spacious rooms and suites, epic pools, convenient amenities and kid-friendly activities.

Start planning your next family trip to Hawai‘i, with these places and essential experiences in mind.

Known for its lush landscapes, there are plenty of familyfriendly activities that show off the natural splendor of the Garden Isle. Beyond beautiful beaches and scenic hikes, you can also explore charming towns with mom and pop shops and top-notch restaurants.

Waimea Plantation Cottages, Kaua‘i

Waimea Plantation Cottages was voted No. 1 Boutique Hotel on Kaua‘i for 2026 by readers of HAWAI‘I Magazine. Set on 43 tropical oceanfront acres, the property features 59 historic plantation-style cottages ranging from one to five bedrooms and accommodating up to 10 guests. Ideal for family vacations or romantic getaways, each cottage includes a fully equipped kitchen and private lānai.

Guests can enjoy an oceanfront pool, an on-property restaurant, and a peaceful 2-mile black-sand beach. Here, there’s so much space you’ll never have to worry about connecting rooms or finding a place to gather. And there’s plenty of dining options too. Conveniently located near the gateway to Waimea Canyon and close to Nāpali Coast boat tours, Waimea Plantation Cottages welcomes you and your ‘ohana. coasthotels.com/waimea-plantation-cottages.

5 Things to Do with Your ‘Ohana on Kaua‘i

1. Float down an irrigation ditch with Backcountry Adventures.

2. Cool off with mustache-themed shave ice from the Fresh Shave.

3. See Waimea Canyon and hike in Kokē‘ē State Park.

4. Relax at Hanalei Bay.

5. Pick up ‘ono snacks from the Musubi Truck.

The Royal Coconut Coast, Kaua‘i

Imagine a place on Kaua‘i where swaying coconut palms line six stunning beach parks, inviting you to slow down and soak it all in.

This is the Royal Coconut Coast. Home to more than a dozen great places to stay, a lively mix of local restaurants, charming boutiques, and endless activities, this vibrant stretch of Kaua‘i’s East Side has it all. There’s plenty to do with the entire ‘ohana, from beach days and bike rides to cultural sites and ocean adventures.

Just 15 minutes from Līhu‘e Airport, it’s an ideal home base for island exploring—perfectly positioned between the lush north shore and the sunny south. Close to everything, yet a world away, the Royal Coconut Coast is your place on Kaua‘i. royalcoconutcoast.com.

O‘ahu is referred to as the Gathering Place, home to award-winning restaurants, thrilling activities and world-class museums. It’s also dotted with stunning beaches and diverse hiking trails. Here, you’ll find something to do with everyone in your family.

5 Things to do With Your ‘Ohana on O‘ahu

1. Learn to surf in Waikīkī.

2. Hike to the summit of Lē‘ahi (aka Diamond Head).

3. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay, a marine conservation park teeming with ocean life.

4. Indulge in a hula pie from Duke’s Waikīkī.

5. Watch the Friday night fireworks in Waikīkī.

The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort, O‘ahu

Located in the heart of Waikīkī, just steps from the beach, The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort was voted the No. 1 Family Resort on O‘ahu in HAWAI‘I Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Guests are within easy walking distance of popular restaurants, activities and premier shopping. Rooted in aloha and ‘ohana, the resort offers a distinctly local experience paired with warm, personalized service. Guests can choose from traditional hotel accommodations or explore vacation club options.

The resort features five suite types, ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom accommodations. All suites include kitchenettes or full kitchens, modern amenities, and select private lānai, along with access to a rooftop pool, fitness center, cultural activities, dining, shopping and convenient on-site services. imperialofwaikiki.com.

From picking your own produce on the slopes of Haleakalā to snorkeling at Molokini, Maui’s diverse geography and plethora of local businesses make for some memorable adventures. After a day of excursions, you can always wind down by watching the sunset from one of the island’s famous beaches or enjoy an exciting evening at an award-winning lū‘au.

5 Things to Do with Your ‘Ohana on Maui

1. From February to June, you can pick your own strawberries at Kula Country Farms.

2. Snorkel at Molokini, a partially submerged volcanic crater off the island’s coast.

3. Visit the Maui Ocean Center to learn about Hawai‘i’s marine life.

4. Devour ginormous cookies from the Maui Cookie Lady.

5. Enjoy an evening filled with a local-style feast, cultural activities, hula, and tradition at the Old Lahaina Lū‘au.

Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

Located on Wailea’s coveted south shore, Fairmont Kea Lani is Hawai‘i’s only all suite and villa resort. Perched on 22 lush acres, the luxury resort offers authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences and attentive personal service rooted in aloha. Known for having the island’s most spacious suites and villas, the resort is ideal for families and multigenerational travel, with room to gather and unwind. From its sprawling pools and curated cultural experiences to its distinctive dining and spa, create meaningful moments with everyone in your ‘ohana. fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui.

Mana Kai, Maui

Welcome to Mana Kai Maui, “Where Heaven Meets Earth.” We offer one- and two-bedroom oceanfront condominiums and hotel style units, with the milelong Keawakapu Beach just at your doorstep. Here, guests can enjoy our complimentary amenities including maid service, pool-towel exchange, free parking, free Wi-Fi, along with access to our fitness center, barbecue grills and much more. Mana Kai Maui has everything to help create your perfect vacation with your ‘ohana. manakaimaui.com.

Hawai‘i Island, the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, earns its Big Island nickname. Whether it’s walking through a lava tube, swimming with manta rays or sipping on Kona coffee, there are loads of activities across this big island.

5 Things to Do with Your ‘Ohana on Hawai‘i Island

1. Walk through the Nāhuku Lava Tube at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

2. Visit a local farm to learn how Kona’s famous coffee is grown.

3. Explore astronomy and its connection to Hawaiian culture and practices at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center.

4. Play with baby goats at Honomū Dairy.

5. Swim with magnificent manta rays on a night dive.

Castle Resorts & Hotels, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i Island

For more than three decades, Castle Resorts & Hotels has built a legacy rooted in Hawai‘i, shaped by genuine hospitality and inspired by aloha. As the only Hawai‘i-owned and operated provider of hotels, condo resorts, and vacation rentals, we offer spacious, family-friendly accommodations with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and plenty of room to unwind. Here, everyone feels at home while creating lasting island memories. Reimagine what’s possible, follow what excites your family, and savor every moment along the way. castleresorts.com.

“Grab ’Em by the Muffins” Mini Upside-Down Pineapple Cakes

Inspired by the cocktail “Grab ‘Em by the Pineapple” at Fête, this recipe is an ode to both modern iterations and classic versions of the beloved dessert.

RECIPE BY SARAH

BUCHARD

WHEN I WAS A KID, my mom’s go-to dessert recipe was pineapple upside-down cake. She used canned pineapple—just like every other mom who grew up in the ’50s and ’60s—placed maraschino cherries in the center of each slice and served her gooey masterpiece on a glass cake platter. After dinner, using an antique silver cake server, my mom transferred slices of the warm dessert onto our plates topped with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream. As the ice cream melted, it mimicked crème anglaise. It would have been Instagram worthy back then, but of course that was long before social media.

As the story goes, the original recipe for pineapple upside cake is from a pineapple recipe contest Dole Plantation held in 1925. The winning recipe was so popular Dole launched an entire advertising campaign featuring the dessert.

Last summer, bartender Chris Masey at the restaurant Fête in Chinatown, O‘ahu, created a cocktail based on the retro dessert and it took me straight back to my childhood in San Diego, California. My recipe for mini pineapple upside-down cakes is a riff on Masey’s cocktail, which is a riff on pineapple upside down cake, bringing it full circle.

Note: For this recipe, you will need two non-stick jumbo muffin pans and two ring molds—one that is the same size as the muffin your pan will produce and the other the size of a pineapple core.

Recipe

(Makes 12 individual cakes)

Ingredients

X 2 cups spiced rum, reduced to 1 cup

X ½ cup pineapple juice

X ½ cup blackstrap molasses

X ½ teaspoon baking soda

X 1 cup dried cherries

X 2 tablespoons of butter

X 1 cup packed brown sugar, plus more for coating your muffin pans

X ¼ cup sliced almonds, untoasted

X 2 fresh pineapple, sliced just over ¼-inch thick (you can leave the skin on)

X 2 cups all purpose flour

X 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

X ¼ teaspoon salt

X 3 eggs

X 1 cup granulated sugar

X ¾ cup canola oil

X Zest of 1 lemon

Other equipment

X Muffin pan liners

Optional

X Vanilla ice cream

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a medium high stock pot, boil the rum until it is reduced by half, add the pineapple juice and molasses and return to a boil. Remove from the heat and whisk in baking soda. (You may want to do this over the sink as the mixture will bubble up to the surface.) Add the dried cherries and cool to room temperature.

3. Line two muffin pans with paper liners. Brush the liners all over with butter and pack 1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar in an even layer at the bottom of each one. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of sliced almonds in each section of the muffin tins. Stamp out 12 pineapple rounds using your larger ring mold. Then remove the core of each pineapple slice with your smaller ring mold.

4. Place one pineapple slice in each section of the prepared muffin tins and set aside.

5. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with electric beaters, whisk the eggs, 1 cup brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the oil and lemon zest and mix until smooth.

6. Strain the cherries from the rum mixture and reserve. Add the rum mixture to the egg mixture and mix until smooth. Add the flour mixture and mix until combined. Do not over mix.

7. Divide the soaked cherries equally into the muffin pans on top of the pineapple. Pour the cake batter over the top.

8. Bake 20 minutes then rotate the pans and bake another 15 minutes until you can insert a toothpick into the cake and it comes out clean.

9. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, but no more (the cakes need to still be warm to slide out of the pan easily).

10. Take a butter knife and run it around the sides of each cake to loosen them from the pan. Invert each pan onto a cutting board, giving them a good whack. The cakes should pop right out, showcasing the sliced almonds and pineapple on top.

11. Serve cakes still warm with vanilla ice cream.

AA Tale of the Tail

PHOTO BY AARON K. YOSHINO

CCORDING TO HAWAIIAN MO‘OLELO , this islet off the Windward Coast of O‘ahu is all that’s left of a giant lizard that Hi‘iaka, the goddess of hula, fought and defeated. After the battle, Hi‘iaka threw the monster’s tail into Kāne‘ohe Bay. Today, the island is called Mokoli‘i, meaning “little lizard” in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i

BY MIA ANZALONE

T Praise for Palaka

O THE NAKED EYE, it looks like plaid, but locals can spot palaka from miles away. Palaka, known for its signature white woven pattern atop a solid color—typically red, blue or green—has been a design staple of the Islands for generations. Today, local brands are elevating the pattern to connect with Hawai‘i’s historical heritage, infusing palaka everywhere from tote bags to beach shorts.

The history of palaka is more than just a tale of a fabric, says University of Hawai‘i professor of fashion design Andrew Reilly. The English translation of palaka means “frock,” and throughout the 1880s and 1890s, it described the rough-textured garments that British and American sailors wore at sea. The earliest mentions of palaka date back to the 1870s, when Hawaiian high chief Peter Young Kaeo, who was isolated in Kalaupapa with leprosy, wrote to his cousin Queen Emma that he had purchased cotton twill “to make me some frocks palaka.”

As Hawai‘i’s demography evolved, so did the meaning of palaka. When thousands of immigrants arrived to work on Hawai‘i’s sugar plantations in the late 19th century, and later in the pineapple industry, palaka became a work jacket for laborers and paniolo in rural fields.

From the plantation era to the Hawaiian renaissance of the 1970s, palaka has sustained its Hawai‘i-grown heritage. “This is one of those things that has stood the test of time,” says Ro Oro, director of art and design at the travel bag brand Aloha Collection. Growing up, she remembers running around her neighborhood on the Windward Side of O‘ahu in palaka-patterned clothes handsewn by her mother. Over her seven years designing and developing patterns for the brand’s “splash-proof” bags, Oro always returns to palaka, which Aloha Collection has printed in teals, purples, beiges and hot pinks.

Matt Bruening, owner and designer of the namesake clothing and lifestyle brand, has built a reputation producing palaka-patterned bucket hats, totes and shorts in every colorway imaginable. That nostalgia for Hawai‘i memories doesn’t go away, he says, and with palaka being so ingrained in the culture of Hawai‘i, infusing the pattern with contemporary fashion and design is the natural thing to do. And “it’s what people crave,” says Bruening.

The ‘Ohana of Na Hoaloha Ekolu would like to thank all of our patrons for your continued support over the years, and especially those who selected our various businesses as being “No Ka ‘Oi” (the Best) for this year. We continue to share Aloha through unique experiences with residents and visitors based on Hawaiian values.