Today, many people know Hawaii as the 50th state. However, if you know your history, you’d also recognize the fact that the Hawaiian Kingdom was formerly an independent monarchy. It was overthrown by a coup d’etat in 1893, annexed by the United States in 1898, and administered as a U.S. territory until it became a state in 1959. Looking even further back into Hawaii’s history, the islands were settled as early as 400 CE, when initial voyagers from the Marquesas Islands arrived to the island chain. By the time Europeans arrived in Hawaii in the late 18th century, the native Hawaiians they encountered had spent...

Hawaii has long been recognized as the capital of surfing. Accounts written by Europeans who visited the Hawaiian Islands in the late 18th century described this pastime, which, like many aspects of Hawaiian society, was significantly stratified. Hawaii’s royalty enjoyed long boards made of wiliwili trees—as well as priority on waves. Commoners’ boards were made of koa wood. If a commoner dropped in on one of the alii—or stole a wave—it was a serious violation, punishable by death. Given this long history—and the plethora of surf breaks in Hawaii—it’s no surprise that the state turns out a considerable number of talented surfers, some of whom...

There are plenty of reasons to move to Hawaii—the balmy weather, the breathtaking scenery, the laid-back island lifestyle, the spirit of aloha. But when it comes time to decide which Hawaiian Island to settle on, you might need a little more information to help you pick the right one. In this article, we’ll give you 13 reasons to move to Maui, the Valley Isle. Our Maui-based team will give you an inside look at what makes Maui a top choice for relocation, in contrast to your other main options: Oahu, Kauai, or the Big Island. And let’s be clear! There’s almost no wrong way to...

Is there a more quintessential Hawaii gesture than the shaka? If you’ve never thrown one yourself, give it a try: Curl your middle three fingers toward your palm, then extend your thumb and pinky. Now, making the gesture is easy. The real trick is to find your shaka style—and get comfortable with it. The first few times you throw a shaka, it will probably feel stiff. With practice, though, you’ll find just the right amount of looseness and familiarity you need to use this gesture the way it was intended—to spread aloha. If you’re already living in Hawaii, you’ve probably seen the shaka in all...

When people talk about surfing in Hawaii, the waves on Oahu are usually at the top of the list. However, it would be a mistake to overlook the surfing possibilities on the Big Island. There’s a storied history around Big Island surfing. Hawaiian royalty, including Kamehameha the Great and his wife, Queen Kaahumanu, reportedly surfed the waves that arrived at the Big Island’s leeward shores. Ancient petroglyphs on the Big Island document surfing, and heiau (sacred structures) at revered surf spots stand testament to the prominence of surfing on the Big Island. And let’s not forget: The Big Island is home to big-wave surfer Shane...

The waves on Kauai turned out some pretty impressive surfers: Legendary big wave rider Titus Kinimaka, Soul Surfer author and shark-attack survivor Bethany Hamilton, and Andy Irons, a three-time world title winner and one of the few pros to give Kelly Slater a run for his money in his prime. Is there something in the water on Kauai, a kind of magic that shapes stand-out surfers? The only way to know is to find out for yourself! Get started with our guide to the eight best surf spots on Kauai. Below, you’ll find options all over the island for all levels of surfers. But first,...