It’s great when a fine restaurant wins an award. That means you’re not the only one who likes the place. When a restaurant wins award after award, and does so year after year, it must be a great restaurant, right? What happens when the restaurant stops winning awards? read more »

Hawaiian summers are known to be hot and humid. Temperatures sometimes hit the upper 80s and have occasionally breached the 90-degree mark. Where would any self respecting Queen go to cool off in the summer and leave the heat in the Palace? The Summer Palace, of course. read more »

Did I mention “rugged?” It is. With a Jekyl and Hyde attitude. Beautiful to behold during the day. Three notches above “rugged” at night with a “tough guy” reputation. Tread carefully. Waianae ain't Waikiki. Even Middle East Terrorists don't go to Waianae at night... read more »

McDonald’s is the place that makes folks smile. Their advertising even says they “love to see you smile.” Everywhere you go you’ll get fresh French fries, hot cheeseburgers, and ice cold Cokes. Hawaii McDonald’s, though, serve up Portuguese sausage, rice, and Chinese noodles. read more »

If anything, cattlemen are a breed apart. Ornery. Contrarian. Hard workers. Astute business folks. Such was the case of John Palmer Parker of Newton, MA. He married a king’s daughter and grew the largest cattle ranch ever. In Hawaii. So, where's this large cattle ranch? read more »

Most of the known resorts on Oahu are in Waikiki. Hyatt Regency. Hilton Hawaiian Village. Halekulani. The best resort on the island isn’t in Waikiki at all. It’s the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina. If it were not for that nearby oil refinery, the Ihilani would be the perfect resort. read more »

Well, when you get down to it, the name "Pearl" Harbor is pearl for a reason. Abundant with oyster shells, the Hawaiians once called this area on Oahu “Wai Momi”. That means ‘Pearl Waters’. Which pretty much gives away the secret embedded in the headline, huh? read more »

While we're tossing local phrases around like we know what they mean, how about. And "I koolua nou I kahi mehemeha." In other words, "Wear my love as a lei, and as your companion in lonely places." In short, how to get a lei in Hawaii. read more »

Normally, you don’t want to argue with someone who buys ink by the barrel. I suppose that’s how they buy ink over at the Honolulu Advertiser (Hawaii’s largest daily newspaper). Each year they rank Hawaii’s Best 150 Restaurants according to readers and Advertiser critics. Is there a better way? read more »