Fair Winds
Trade winds are the prevailing gusts that blow across the tropics. But here in Hawai‘i, they’re mostly known for delivering perfect weather.
Koli‘i: The RuPaul of the Rain Forest
The native lobelia, koli'i spreads an umbrella of pink blossoms in late summer.
We Give You the Raspberry
‘Akala, the native Hawaiian raspberry, is one of the native plants bringing life back to Poli Poli forest after last January’s devastating fire.
Shark Pups
When you enter the ocean this fall, remember that it’s not just the sharks’ home; it’s their nursery.
Pua Kalo
The annual East Maui Taro Festival in Hana is the perfect opportunity to learn about—and taste—this delicacy.
The Hawaiian Sphinx’s Riddle
Hawaiian Sphinx Moth is endangered and rare with many bright colors and can found in the winter months in a nocturnal environment.
Ripe Treasure: Hawaiian Heirloom Bananas
By the time Westerners arrived, Hawaiians had developed at least forty-four distinct banana varieties.
Grow Your Own Fireworks
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a different kind of firecracker, the papala. This endemic Hawaiian plant is a Roman candle made by nature.
On The Wing
Entomologists fear this endemic butterfly, our official state insect, may be disappearing from forests.
Bats on the Wing
When the Polynesians first made landfall in Hawaii, their closest relative here was a bat.
Scented Souvenir
One of the sweetest Hawaiian traditions is the making and wearing of flower lei to celebrate people you love or places you’ve been.
‘Uala, the Globe-trotting Sweet Potato
The sweet potato, or ‘uala, is one of Polynesia’s most mysterious plants.
Beach Naupaka: Opera by the Sea
Native Hawaiian naupaka is a beach shrub with worthy gems to offer the budding botanist.
Wave Chasers: Sanderlings
Global populations of sanderlings numbers around 700,000—but only a few hundred hunakai call Hawai‘i home.
Mālolo: the flying fish
Which Hawaiian animal can swim, “fly,” and “walk” on water? The humble mālolo, or flying fish.
Return of the Wiliwili
This native tree breaks all the rules. It grows on barren lava fields, loses its leaves in summer, and, faced with a deadly invasive pest, backed away from the brink of extinction.
Summer Stargazing
Take advantage of Maui’s warm summer nights by gazing up into the star speckled sky.
Cliff-dwelling Cabbages
From September to November, star-shaped blossoms emerge, releasing a marvelous perfume reminiscent of violets or honeysuckle.
Welcome Home, Kolea!
Every autumn, Hawai‘i welcomes home a beloved snowbird, the Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva), known to Hawaiians as kolea.
Delicate Beauties
Strung together, the tissue-thin flowers of the ‘ilima bush make an exquisite lei.
Turtle Tracks
Since 1996, volunteers have helped Hawaiian hawksbills turtles reach the ocean, and you can too.
Hurricane Season
Official hurricane season in Hawaii runs from June to November and August is by far the biggest month for these events.
Maui Events & News
Imua Family Services’ Will Smith Discovery Garden
A World of Pure Imagination
Story by Savy Janssen
Photographs by Jason Moore
Sunlight filtered through the outstretched arms of the 120-year-old monkey pod trees, and...