The Kahana Designs Journal

The Journal

The Kahana Designs Journal

Stories of Hawaiian culture — the akua, the islands, the flowers, the food, and the language. Written from our studio in Kailua-Kona.

Aerial view of a lush Hawaiian island coastline with mountains and turquoise water, Hawaiʻi
Which Hawaiian Island Should You Visit?
Trying to decide which Hawaiian island to visit? Compare Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and the Big Island to find the perfect fit for your trip. Read more...
A tiger shark (manō) swimming in clear ocean water, showing its characteristic striped flank
Niho Manō: The Real Meaning Behind Hawaiian Shark Teeth
Niho manō (Hawaiian shark teeth) are best known not as jewelry but as the edge of the leiomanō, a chief's weapon. Discover the real history behind Hawaiʻi's shark-tooth tradition. Read more...
Golden hour sunset over the ocean with silhouetted palm trees on a Hawaiian beach
Best Time of Day to See a Hawaiian Sunset
Find out the best time of day to catch a Hawaii sunset, how timing shifts by season, and the west-facing island spots with the clearest views. Read more...
A pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins swimming together just beneath the ocean surface off the Kona Coast, Hawaiʻi
Spinner Dolphins of the Kona Coast
Meet the Hawaiian spinner dolphins of the Kona Coast — where they rest by day, how they feed at night, and how to watch these acrobats respectfully. Read more...
Aerial view of a coastal highway with cars along the Hawaiian shoreline
How to Get Around Hawaiʻi: Inter-Island Flights, Rental Cars & More
How to get around Hawaiʻi — inter-island flights, renting a car, and when you can skip the car entirely. Read more...
The Hawaiian Plate Lunch
What makes a true Hawaiian plate lunch: two scoop rice, mac salad, and classic island proteins like kalua pork, loco moco, and chicken katsu. Read more...
Coconut palm fronds over a rocky tropical shoreline at dusk
Niu: What the Coconut Palm Means in Hawaiian Culture
Niu, the coconut palm, is one of Hawaiʻi's original canoe plants — a kino lau of the god Kū, and a tree whose every part once sustained island life. Read more...
Diamond Head volcanic crater rising above palm trees in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Diamond Head: Oʻahu's Most Iconic Landmark
Everything to know about Diamond Head on Oʻahu — the extinct volcanic crater's history, the hike to the summit, and tips for visiting Hawaiʻi's most photographed landmark. Read more...
Glowing lava flow on Hawaiʻi Island's Big Island volcano
The Big Island in 5 Days: Volcanoes to Beaches
Plan the perfect big island itinerary in 5 days — from Kīlauea's lava fields to Hawaiʻi Island's white sand beaches and summit stargazing. Read more...
Kiʻi carved images stand among palm trees at Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau, Hawaiʻi Island
Kiʻi: The Meaning Behind Hawaiʻi's Sacred Carved Images (Not "Tiki")
A kiʻi is not a "tiki." Here's what the carved images at Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau actually represent, and where the word "tiki" really came from. Read more...
Airplane wing above the clouds on a long flight toward Hawaiʻi
How Far Is Hawaiʻi from the Mainland?
How far is Hawaii from the mainland? Here's the real distance in miles, typical flight times from major U.S. cities, and what that stretch of open ocean means for your... Read more...
Aerial view of the Nā Pali Coast's green cliffs meeting the turquoise Pacific in Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Kauaʻi for First-Timers: The Garden Isle Guide
A first-timer's Kauaʻi travel guide to the Garden Isle — the Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and the island's best beaches. Read more...
US passport resting on an airline in-flight magazine during a flight to Hawaiʻi
Do You Need a Passport to Visit Hawaiʻi?
Wondering if you need a passport for Hawaii? Here's what ID you actually need to fly to the islands, plus the few cases where a passport does apply. Read more...
Aerial view of Waikīkī Beach and Honolulu skyline with the Koʻolau mountains, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Oʻahu Travel Guide: Beaches, Hikes & Local Eats
Your Oʻahu travel guide to Waikīkī, Hanauma Bay, Lanikai, and the North Shore — the best beaches, hikes, and local eats on Hawaiʻi's most visited island. Read more...
A tiger shark swimming in Hawaiian waters near Haleʻiwa, Oʻahu
Manō: What the Shark Means in Hawaiian Culture
Manō, the shark, is one of the most common forms taken by ʻaumākua—Hawaiian family guardian spirits. Here's what that belief means, where it comes from, and how it still shapes... Read more...
Vintage Kauaʻi license plate and 'Aloha ʻOe' Hawaiian language sign on a fence, Hawaiʻi
What Language Do They Speak in Hawaiʻi?
Curious what language they speak in Hawaiʻi? Here's the real answer: English, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Pidgin, and the words you'll hear everywhere. Read more...
Aerial view of a golden sand beach and turquoise water on Maui, Hawaiʻi
15 Best Things to Do on Maui
From Haleakalā sunrise to snorkeling Molokini, here are the 15 best things to do on Maui for first-time and returning visitors alike. Read more...
Coconut palms (niu) framing a tranquil cove at Ko Olina Beach, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Niu: The Meaning and Mana of the Coconut Palm in Hawaiian Culture
Niu, the coconut palm, is one of Hawaiʻi's canoe plants — brought by Polynesian voyagers and known as the tree of life for its countless practical and spiritual uses. Read more...
Sunrise over Honolulu's skyline with Diamond Head silhouette in the background, Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Time Zone & Daylight Saving, Explained
What time zone is Hawaiʻi in, and why doesn't it observe daylight saving? Here's how hawaii time zone works and how to plan calls, flights, and visits around it. Read more...
Humpback whale breaching off the Hawaiian coast near Maui
Humpback Whale Season in Hawaiʻi
A guide to Hawaii whale watching season — when humpback whales arrive, where to spot them from shore or boat, and how to watch responsibly. Read more...
Illuminated ALOHA marquee sign spelling out a Hawaiian word, Hawaiʻi
How to Pronounce Hawaiian Words
A beginner-friendly guide to how to pronounce Hawaiian words — the alphabet, vowel sounds, the ʻokina and kahakō, and common words to practice. Read more...
Pink syrup being poured over fine shaved ice in cups, Hawaiian shave ice style
Hawaiian Shave Ice, Explained
What makes Hawaiian shave ice different from a snow cone — the fine-shaved texture, classic syrup flavors like li hing mui, and where to find the best in the islands. Read more...
Two green breadfruit growing on a tree branch with hexagonal-patterned skin
Ulu: The Meaning and History of Hawaiian Breadfruit
Ulu, the Hawaiian breadfruit, traveled across the Pacific by canoe and became a symbol of provision, rooted in a legend where a man or god gives his own body to... Read more...
Misty, waterfall-streaked mountain ridge in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Bucket List: Experiences for Every Traveler
Build your ultimate Hawaiʻi bucket list — from sunrise at Haleakalā to snorkeling with sea turtles and savoring fresh poke across the islands. Read more...

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