Hawaii Guide

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel's New Spa Just Opened. Here Is What $180 Million Built.

John C. Derrick — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel's 22,000 sq ft spa completes the most expensive resort renovation in Big Island history. What summer visitors should know.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Has Big Changes Coming This Summer. Plan Around Them.

John C. Derrick — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The park's main visitor center is closed for renovation, trails are rerouted, and an eruption could restart any day. What summer 2026 visitors need to know.

Hawaiʻi Road Trip Essentials: Driving Tips, Etiquette & Gas Stations

John C. Derrick — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Everything you need to know about driving in Hawaii — gas station locations, speed limits, one-lane bridge etiquette, and the unwritten rules that keep traffic flowing.

Best Cocktail Bars & Tiki Lounges in Hawaiʻi

John C. Derrick — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Island-by-island guide to the best cocktail bars, tiki lounges, and sunset drink spots across Hawaii — from vintage dives to craft cocktail dens.

Kīlauea Erupts Again: Episode 44 Lava Fountaining Begins April 9

John C. Derrick — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Episode 44 of Kīlauea lava fountaining began at 11:10 a.m. HST on April 9, 2026. What Big Island visitors should know about the active eruption.

Summer 2026 Hawaii Deals Are Hiding in Plain Sight. Here Is Where to Find Them.

John C. Derrick — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

March storms and booking jitters have softened summer Hawaii bookings, creating a rare deals window on flights, hotels, and rental cars.

Statewide Flood Watch Through Friday: What Hawaiʻi Visitors Need to Know Right Now

John C. Derrick — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A statewide Flood Watch is in effect across all Hawaiian Islands through Friday, April 10. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash flooding are expected. Here is what visitors should do.

Best Helicopter Tour Routes in Hawaiʻi: An Island-by-Island Breakdown

John C. Derrick — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Comparing the best helicopter tour routes across all four major Hawaiian Islands — what you see, what it costs, and which flight is worth your money.

Best Acai Bowls in Hawaiʻi: Where to Find Them on Every Island

John C. Derrick — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Island-by-island guide to the best acai bowls in Hawaii — from Oahu's North Shore classics to hidden Big Island gems worth the detour.

Hawaiʻi Summer Festival Calendar: May Through July 2026

John C. Derrick — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Every major Hawaii festival and cultural event from May through July 2026 — Lei Day, King Kamehameha Day, Pan-Pacific Festival, Koloa Plantation Days, July 4th fireworks, and more.

Hawaiʻi for Seniors: Accessibility Tips and Low-Impact Activities

John C. Derrick — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Practical guide for older travelers visiting Hawaii — accessible attractions, low-impact activities, mobility tips, and the best islands for seniors.

3 Airlines Are Fighting Over Your California-to-Hawaiʻi Flight This Summer

John C. Derrick — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Southwest, Alaska, and Delta are all launching overlapping California-to-Hawaii routes for summer 2026. Here is who flies where, when the cheapest fares drop, and how to play the competition.

Best Sunset Dinner Cruises in Hawaiʻi

John C. Derrick — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Island-by-island guide to the best sunset dinner cruises, catamaran sails, and cocktail cruises in Hawaii — what to book, what to expect, and how to pick the right one.

Hawaiian Culture Do's and Don'ts Every Visitor Should Know

John C. Derrick — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Practical guide to Hawaiian cultural etiquette — from lei customs and sacred sites to reef-safe sunscreen law and wildlife distance rules.

Haena State Park and Kalalau Trail Reopen This Summer: What Kauai Visitors Need to Know

John C. Derrick — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Haena State Park and Kalalau Trail reopen June 2026 with shuttle-only access, $40 fares, and 900-visitor daily cap. Reservation and access guide.

Best Adventure Activities in Hawaiʻi, Ranked

John C. Derrick — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

From tandem skydiving over the North Shore to ziplines through Big Island rainforest, a ranked guide to the best adrenaline experiences across all four islands.

Alan Wong's Is Back. Hawaii's Most Celebrated Chef Returns at The Kahala.

John C. Derrick — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

James Beard winner Alan Wong reopens his legendary restaurant at The Kahala Hotel on Oahu. Dinner service, classic menu, reservations open now.

Maui Beach Parking Fees Are Expanding. What Summer Visitors Should Know.

John C. Derrick — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Maui's Park Maui program now charges visitors $10/day at Kamaole Beach Parks, with weekly passes available and more beaches likely next. Here's the full breakdown.

7 Yoga Retreats and Wellness Experiences Across Hawaiʻi

John C. Derrick — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

From a Big Island rainforest campus to a Maui upcountry retreat house, these are the best yoga and wellness experiences in Hawaii for 2026.

The Best Ice Cream and Gelato Spots in Hawaiʻi

John C. Derrick — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

From coconut-milk soft serve on the Road to Hana to handmade gelato in Kaimuki, these are the best ice cream and gelato shops across all four Hawaiian islands.

Kilauea Lava Fountains: What Travelers Should Know

John C. Derrick — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Kilauea's Episode 44 precursory lava overflows began April 3. Fountaining expected April 6-10. NWS warns of tephra fall. Here's what visitors need to know.

Volunteer in Hawaiʻi, Get a Free Hotel Night

John C. Derrick — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hawaii's Malama program gives visitors a free hotel night for volunteering. Here's how to book it, which hotels participate, and 6 programs worth your time.

Interisland Flights in Hawaiʻi: How to Island-Hop Like a Pro

John C. Derrick — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Three airlines, five airports, fares from $39. Here's how to book cheap interisland flights in Hawaii and avoid the mistakes most visitors make.

El Nino Is Heading for Hawaiʻi This Summer. What That Means for Your Trip.

John C. Derrick — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

NOAA projects a 62% chance of El Nino by summer 2026. For Hawaii visitors, that means drier beaches, hotter temps, fewer trade winds, and higher wildfire and hurricane risk.

Best Botanical Gardens in Hawaiʻi: 13 Gardens Worth Your Time (and What They Cost)

John C. Derrick — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

From free 400-acre parks to $50 guided tours through Jurassic Park filming locations. Every major Hawaiian botanical garden ranked with prices and tips.

Swimming with Manta Rays in Hawaii: What It Actually Costs, Where to Book, and What Nobody Tells You

John C. Derrick — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Night manta ray tours on the Kona coast run $99-169 with 90%+ sighting rates. How to pick the right operator and what nobody tells you.

Hawaiʻi Spent $450 Million on Wildfire Prevention. Here's What Summer Visitors Should Expect.

John C. Derrick — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

After the 2023 Lahaina disaster, Hawaii has deployed AI fire cameras, weather stations, and a power shutoff program. Summer visitors may experience planned outages in high-risk areas.

800 People Have Drowned Off Hawaiʻi's Coast in 10 Years. The State Is Finally Doing Something About It.

John C. Derrick — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hawaii averages nearly 80 ocean drownings per year, and 69% of victims are visitors. A revived safety task force, 13 new lifeguards, and the state's first Water Safety Plan aim to change that before summer.

Hawaii Digital Nomad Guide: Coworking Spaces, WiFi, and the Real Cost of Working from Paradise

John C. Derrick — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Coworking day passes on Oahu start at $32. Kauai has 100% fiber coverage. Here's the island-by-island breakdown for remote workers heading to Hawaii.

Best Haupia Pie in Hawaii: Where to Find It on Every Island

John C. Derrick — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Haupia pie is Hawaii's signature coconut dessert. Where to find the best haupia pie on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.