Where did that pineapple I ate on the beach in Waikiki beach come from? What about bananas I picked up at the grocery store in Hilo? The answer might surprise you. Today, a full 85% of Hawaii’s food is imported. This is a shocking statistic, considering the islands used to independently feed a population estimated to…

Read Part I of my Big Island diving experience here. So far, our night was brimming with good fortune. Our boat’s wake became a playground for passing dolphins, and our first dive was filled with colorful coral and mysterious critters. We had even spotted a manta ray in the distance as we began to ascend —…

Heather and I went to The Big Island for one reason. Sure, the chance to see lava erupting from an active volcano was pretty nice. And the fact that we had a free place to stay, courtesy of a long time family friend didn’t hurt either. Black sand beaches, laid back towns and 11 of the…

When I pictured Hawaii in the past, it was all palm-fringed beaches, smoldering volcanoes and scenic mountains. In my mind could see the big city of Honolulu, and I could imagine resort towns like Lahaina and Waikiki. What I didn’t know to expect were little hidden gems like Puna, funky tucked away regions where eccentric people…

You know when someone asks you if you want the good news first or the bad? I always want the bad first. I guess that’s why I’m starting with my biggest disappointment from my trip to The Big Island — watching, or shall I say attempting to watch, the sunset from Mauna Kea. By Heather Holt…

It was with a heavy heart that I said aloha (goodbye!) to Oahu. I absolutely loved my time there, and I didn’t know when I would see my lovely hosts Wim and Dave again. But my blues were tempered by the fact that Heather and I were en route to say aloha (hello!) to a new…