Editor’s note: This story was first published in 2021 and has since been updated with Melissa’s latest 2026 picks. EAs I write this, I get text messages from people coming to Honolulu wanting to know where to eat. They’ve done the introductory shave with ice, loco moco and lū’au. Where should they go next to get a taste of local culture through food? In addition to hot spots like Fête, Istanbul, and Yakitori Ando (if you can get a seat), I have a list of places I’ve been gifting to my seasoned visiting friends that offer dishes you won’t find…
Author: kissnearme
Your guide to which Honolulu city and county state and federal services will be available or suspended in observance of Memorial Day on May 25, 2026. SERVICES AVAILABLE There will be emergency ambulance service, fire brigade, first aid, medical examiner and police. TheBus will operate on a Sunday schedule. visit thebus.org for routes and other information. Skyline will operate during normal hours, from 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Visit honolulu.gov/skyline for rider information. parks, botanical gardens, municipal golf courses and the Honolulu Zoo will be open Garbage will be collected. Transfer stations, convenience centers, H-POWER and the Waimānalo Gulch sanitary…
Walk around Rhodes Town Rhodes Town is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you wander the cobbled streets admiring the architecture, you’ll notice a mix of ancient ruins, Turkish mosques, Italian-era buildings, and Greek taverns, reflecting all of the many civilizations that have shaped the island over thousands of years. Start with a stroll along Mandraki Harbor to admire the luxury yachts and colorful fishing boats, and perhaps stop at one of the cafes for a strong Greek coffee and baklava. Next, head inside the medieval walls through one…
Getty Images men conversations with friends and social media, television and more, wellness is a hot topic and more people than ever are striving to achieve it. In the survey of the global consultancy McKinsey & Co. 2025 on the Future of Wellness, 84% of US consumers cited wellness as a top or important priority. Of that group, 30% of Gen Zers and Millennials and 23% of older generations said wellness was much more important to them compared to a year ago. With our long-standing stories on top doctors, top dentists and women’s health, health has long been a mainstay…
Inspired by The Devil Wears Prada, HONOLULU Magazine’s flagship event transformed Inspiration Hawaii Museum into an elegant and immersive evening of rosé tastings, chef-driven bites and high-fashion moments. Rosé, runway-worthy fashion and a little drama took over downtown Honolulu at HONOLULU Magazine’s annual Rosé Soirée presented by First Hawaiian Bank and Mastercard. Held at the Inspiration Hawaii Museum, this year’s event embraced a theme inspired by The Devil Wears Prada, transforming the venue into an elegant and forward-thinking experience with flowing rosé, elevated bites and plenty of photo-worthy moments. The evening combined food, fashion and fun into one unforgettable evening,…
Editor’s note: Originally published three years, this post became one of our most popular of 2023—and it still shows up regularly among our Top 10. We’re revisiting it just ahead of summer travel season because it’s the perfect segue for former Frolic associate editor Thomas Obungen’s next step in life, which will take him to Las Vegas for the summer, and then onward. A hui hou, T! I was never a fan of Las Vegas. Joke’s on me—now that my parents have permanently relocated to the Ninth Island, I call it home two weeks out of the year.…
Photo: Alexander Gates “HEveryone, this is Chris here at Olohana Brewpub in Chinatown,” by Chris Cook Instagram feed it begins “I wanted to jump in here and give you a message that I take no pleasure in delivering. Unfortunately, we will have to cease business operations. Our last day will be May 16th.” Amid the closings that have piled up lately — including longtime stalwarts Nancy’s Kitchen, Manichi Ramen and Morio’s Sushi Bistro — this announcement stood out. Nine years after opening as Broken Boundary Brewery (later renamed Kalihi Beer) and less than a year after moving to North King…
Hawai’i lei makers once again graced the May Day lei contest with gorgeous displays. Lei kui by Melvin “Moki” Labra, winner of the 2026 Mayor’s Grand Prize. Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks & Rec puakenikeni, pua kalaunu, Pele’s hair, plumeria – the list goes on of the beautiful flowers being presented as part of a lei-making competition in celebration of Lei Day on May 1 this year. Hosted by the Honolulu Parks and Recreation Department at Kapi’olani Park, this year’s event was themed “The meeting adjournedtranslated as “from the zenith to the horizon”. About 145 entries were submitted in various…
FRolic’s 9th Annual Poke Fest is going to be a blast: Not only are veteran poke shops and newcomers competing for the fan-favorite King of Poke Fest vote, the competition fever has spread to exciting non-poke specialists who are also creating new poke dishes. It’s all happening at the island’s biggest poke celebration next Saturday, May 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ka Makana Ali’i. The day isn’t just about nibbling: Trishnalei and the Situationships perform live from 5 to 7 p.m., and admission to the entire event is free, as well as keiki activities and music and entertainment…
Last updated on May 6, 2026 Last February, my family and I went to Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2026 Winter Olympics. After experiencing the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, we knew we had to experience another Olympic event. And what better place to do that than the Italian Alps? The 2026 Winter Olympics had two co-host cities: Milan and Cortina. While Milan hosted perhaps the most popular events, such as figure skating, we decided to settle nearby Cortina to combine the Olympic Games with skiing. I really think Italians do it best when it comes to ski culture, including food…