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,...

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...