Author: George Huneycutt

Hawaii has an incredibly rich history and culture. Throughout the year we celebrate holidays that are unique to Hawaii – in fact, there are three state holidays that are unique to Hawaii as well as others that our brought here from other areas.

Prince Kuhio Day

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day is honored all over Hawaii on March 26. Parades, canoe races & luaus commemorate this great prince who improved the lives of his Hawaiian people. Born in 1871, he was elected to the US Congress and gained reelection an astounding 10 times. He was very influential in helping pass the 1920 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which provides homesteads for Native Hawaiians.

King Kamehameha I Day

King Kamehameha Day was established on December 22,1871 by King Kamehameha V. The day honors his Great Grandfather, King Kamehameha I who united all the Hawaiian Islands in 1832. This day is celebrated by …

The summer after I graduated from college, I took my first trip to Hawaii. From the moment I walked off the plane, my entire body instantly relaxed, and it didn’t take much longer for me to fall in love with everything the islands have to offer — with beautiful beaches, award-winning restaurants, and a thriving international community, who wouldn’t?

A little over a year later, I packed my bags and moved to Hawaii. Since then, I’ve gotten married, bought my first house, and really made Hawaii my home. I know it probably sounds crazy, but I promise a visit to Hawaii will change your life, all you have to do is make the trip!

If you’ve been dreaming of an island vacation, consider this your ultimate guide to the Hawaii.

The Islands

Did you know that there are eight major islands that comprise Hawaii? Each one has a unique …

One of the hardest parts of planning a trip to Hawaii is deciding which of the six major Hawaiian Islands you should visit. Each of Hawaii’s six major islands has its own personality and offers unique adventures and activities. We recommend visiting at least two islands so you can get a feel for what Hawaii is about.

Oahu

Oahu has a bit of everything, packed in 597 square miles. You can hike into lush rainforests, surf world-class breaks, and when you need a break, relax on powdery white sand beaches and stay at luxury resorts. The urban core of Honolulu and Waikiki has historic sites, museums, and bustling food and nightlife scenes. The island lives up to its nickname of the Gathering Place.

Maui

Maui is a great island for honeymooners. The Valley Isle has top-notch resorts and golf courses, adjacent to some of the state’s best beaches, such as …

In the 1960s, Hawaii underwent a major growth spurt. After officially becoming a state on August 21, 1959, a romanticized idea of Hawaii spread like wildfire, complete with tiki torches, bright aloha shirts and beautiful, tanned hula dancers swaying to lazy slack-key melodies. After all, who wouldn’t want to visit “the nation’s newest and most exotic state.”

The tourist mecca was born and the following decade saw unprecedented growth and change. Prior to 1960, the pineapple and sugar industries were the top revenue producers in the islands, but between 1960 and 1970, the increase in visitors was massive. Tourist arrivals grew from 296,000 per year to 1.7 million.

Writing about the construction boom in 1960, a Chicago Tribune Travel Editor said, “Hotels are rising on every hand. Apartment buildings are springing up like mushrooms. Stores and offices fill land that not so long ago was garden.”

Though 93 percent of …

A trip to Hawaii is incomplete without enjoying at least one Hawaiian hula performance. The hula dance is one of Hawaii’s oldest traditions and is often accompanied by either Hawaiian music (mele) or a traditional Hawaiian chant. While the Hawaiian hula dance has become a popular source of entertainment for visitors to Hawaii, its role in Hawaiian culture is to visually portray the story of the chant or song.

While you may already think you know about the Hawaiian hula dance, we wanted to share 10 facts that we hope will enlighten and educate you about this beautiful dance.

You’ll most likely see a hula performed at a Hawaiian luau.

For the Hawaii visitor, you’ll most likely experience your first Hawaiian hula at one of the many great luaus found throughout Hawaii.

Most Hawaiian hula dances are performed by women.

Female hula dancers usually wear colorful tops and skirts …