Travel in Hawaiian

Back in 1990, I had the privilege of attending the opening of the beautiful Grand Wailea Resort on Maui. I had dreamed, as a kid, of perhaps someday visiting Hawaii – and there I was, on my first trip, greeted by gorgeous grandeur, the likes of which I had never seen before. I was a Contributing Editor to The Robb Report magazine at the time, and the press trip was a “wow” every step of the way. The resort’s owner at the time had spent about a million dollars to bring in journalists just for a weekend. All invited travel journalists were given convertibles to drive, taken on snorkel sails to Molokini, trips to Haleakala, received spa treatments galore, and dined on ever-present – and perfect – food and beverage. My experience was, in a word, as spectacular as the resort itself.

The world watched – and mourned – as wildfires destroyed the town of Lahaina, Maui back on that fateful day of August 8. And many surrounding areas, including Kula. But thankfully, there are many areas of Maui that were completely untouched. If you’re considering going on vacation or planning a Christmas holiday in the next few months, make sure to consider Maui, with its inimitable beaches – and famous rainbows.

The former Trump International Hotel, Waikiki, in Hawaii will reincarnate next year as the Wākea Waikiki Beach, part of LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton's luxury soft brand.

Looking for an interesting gift idea for your favorite frequent traveler? Or sometimes, you just need that extra stocking stuffer for a friend or family member. Whether they work for an airline, travel for work or just like to explore the world, these are some of the most creative goodies you can gift this holiday season to those globetrotters in your life.

There’s a saying in Hawaii: there’s a cost to paradise. Among the US states, Hawaii had the highest cost of living in 2022, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. The median price of a single-family home on Oʻahu is more than $1 million. And gas costs around $5 a gallon.

Many travelers don berets to tour Paris or buy floral Aloha shirts the day they land in Hawai‘i. Dressing like a local when you go to a new place can be a way to fit in and immerse yourself in a new destination. “Adopting sartorial codes and social mores is a form of recognition and gratitude,” says Denise N. Green, a Cornell University professor of apparel design. 

Holland America Line is discounting paradise with 25 percent off cruises to Hawaii for this year and 2024.

Many people on the mainland remain unaware of the truth behind the Maui wildfires. They wrongfully believe that the entire island of Maui is closed – and nothing could be further from the truth. As of this writing, Maui’s upscale resort area of Kapalua is open – and welcoming tourists with its famous warm aloha.

We recently visited Maui in the aftermath of the devastating August wildfires in nearby Lahaina town, which was destroyed. The Ritz-Carlton, in the posh resort area of Kapalua, was untouched, thankfully, and had just re-opened on our visit in mid-October. You very well may want to put the resort on your radar screen, especially with the holiday season fast approaching. For sure, it will welcome you with the famous aloha spirit that the AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is famous for. And wouldn’t you love to see Santa on his surfboard?

After being born and raised on Maui, I moved to the mainland US to attend college in California and experienced a bit of culture shock.

All of West Maui will officially welcome visitors again starting Nov. 1 following the devastating wildfires that swept the island destination in August. It marks the first time since the fires began that all of the western side of the island — save the burned-out section of Lāhainā — will be open for tourism. 

The question of the best time to visit Hawaii is a tricky one. Sure, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world—and for good reasons: the magnificent and lush landscape, the ocean waves ripe for surfing, the culinary fusion of various Pacific foodways, and the local cultures worth understanding, remembering, and honoring. One easy, simplistic answer to “when is the best time to visit Hawaii?” is that, well, it’s always a good time to visit Hawaii. But because the destination is so popular, considering the effects of overtourism is key to timing your visit.

Announced October 23, 2023, all West Maui properties now have the green light to reopen as of November 1, rather than the previously announced phased approach that followed Maui’s August 8 disastrous wildfire. As you decide about the best time to visit Maui yourself, there’s still a way to get a taste of Maui at home. It can be shipped right to your door if you live in the U.S. and now even to Canada too.

A variety of factors could mean a reduction in cost next year to vacation in the Hawaiian Islands.

The loss of Lahaina remains a wound felt across all of Maui.

From grizzly bears to mountain lions to the American bison, there’s no shortage of majestic megafauna that call the United States home—yet this sprawling nation is no slouch when it comes to avifauna either. The country’s diverse ecosystems have given rise to an incredible array of birds, and as an added bonus, there’s a wealth of fascinating festivals carefully curated to showcase the splendor of the nation’s avian life. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just beginning to enter the craft, these events are perfect for an unforgettable foray into the wide world of birdwatching.

Amsterdam will increase its city tourist tax next year, cementing its status as having the highest in Europe.

The mayor of the Hawaiian island of Maui detailed the phased reopening of West Maui set to begin this weekend following the devastating fires this summer.

As "premium leisure" shines as a bright spot for legacy airlines, Hawaiian Airlines is showing signs that it wants to compete with the "Big Three" carriers in luxury travel.

United Airlines is hoping to expand its footprint in Tokyo.

The Hawaiian Islands in general, and Maui in particular, have been remarkably resilient over the last four years. First, Covid shut the islands down, and this quick action slowed the spread of illness to locals. When visitors were welcomed back, the proverbial floodgates opened, and talk of over-tourism began almost immediately. That delicate balance played out across all the islands over the next couple of years. Then, the town of Lahaina, Maui’s historical heart and soul, was destroyed by fire just last month, effectively shutting down tourism for several weeks. While the governor will officially welcome visitors back to all parts of the island (except Lahaina) on October 8th, the return will be understandably slow. Many travelers are reluctant to travel to Maui for fear of getting in the way of cleanup efforts and, more psychologically, visiting for pleasure while so many locals are suffering.