The island of Maui is dominated by two imposing peaks—Haleakala and Mauna Kahalawai, the now-dormant volcanoes that formed the Valley Isle. In the waters surrounding Maui, you’ll find plenty of peaks of a different kind—gorgeous, surfable waves. If the latter kind of peak is the kind you’re chasing, welcome to your guide to the best waves on Maui. We’ll show you the island’s most notable surfing spots, with options for surfers of all levels. Like the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui gets waves all year round. We’ll show you where to find them. But, first, we get a lot of questions about surfing around...

If Hawaii is the surfing capital of the world, the island of Oahu is its crown jewel. Like the rest of the island chain, Oahu gets plenty of excellent, surfable waves year-round. Plus, when the North Shore goes off in the winter, athletes from all over the world convene to test their skills and hone their mettle on the island’s most famous surf breaks. But Oahu isn’t just for experienced big-wave surfers. You’ll find plenty of breaks perfect for aspiring surfers who have yet to experience the rush of standing up on their first wave, plus a bunch of intermediate spots for surfers building their...

Whether you’ve never stood up on a surfboard or caught your fair share of waves, there’s something extra-thrilling about surfing in Hawaii. Is it the fact that you’re paddling out in the place where surfing was invented? Is it the knowledge that you’re following in the footsteps of world-renowned Hawaii-born surfers like Duke Kahanamoku, Eddie Aikau, Gerry Lopez, and Andy Irons? Or is it just the overwhelming beauty of the setting? Whatever it is, there’s no question that Hawaii is a surfing paradise. You’ll find waves nearly year-round in the Aloha State, and you’ll find plenty of different waves to suit your particular ability level....

The Big Island has certainly earned its nickname. With an area of 4,028 mi2, it dwarfs all the other islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. In fact, it’s more than six times as large as Oahu! Now, when it comes to snorkeling, the size of the Big Island becomes your advantage. You’ll find 265 miles of coastline on the Big Island—2.3 times as much as Oahu. In other words, there’s plenty of shoreline to explore. To kickstart your Big Island snorkeling adventures, we’ve put together a list of the eight best spots to snorkel on the Orchid Isle. Whether you’re new to the Big Island, considering...

So, you’re ready to move to Hawaii, but you’re not quite ready to buy a home yet? We completely understand! Moving to Hawaii is a big change, and jumping right into homeownership in the Aloha State might be a bigger commitment than you’re ready for. Finding your first rental in Hawaii can be tricky—especially if you’re new to the state and don’t know anybody out here. However, the tips we’ll share with you below will make it a lot easier. Keep reading to discover how to locate the right spot, how to get landlords interested in renting to you, what makes renting in Hawaii different...

Have you ever found yourself at the airport in Hawaiʻi, heart-sick about getting on the plane? If so, you’ve probably daydreamed about staying and making Hawaiʻi your home. Ready to take that dream further—and buy a home in Hawaiʻi? Becoming a homeowner in Hawaiʻi can be a little different than other places, including the mainland. In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what you need to know. We’ll also show you how to make your dollar go a little further in Hawaiʻi, offer you some help choosing the right island for you, and help you set yourself up for home-buying success. Let’s start with the...