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.

Pink syrup being poured over shaved ice desserts, Hawaiian shave ice style
Hawaiian Shave Ice, Explained
What makes hawaiian shave ice different from a mainland snow cone, the classic flavors to try, and where to find the best cups in the islands. Read more...
Close-up of a wooden ukulele, an instrument closely tied to Hawaiian language and music
How to Pronounce Hawaiian Words
Learn how to pronounce Hawaiian words with this simple guide to the ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi alphabet, vowels, and the ʻokina and kahakō marks. Read more...
Sunbathers and palm trees on a sunny Hawaiian beach, Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Bucket List: Experiences for Every Traveler
A Hawaii bucket list of must-do experiences for every traveler — volcano sunrises, reef snorkeling, island-hopping, local plate lunches, whale watching, and island sunsets. Read more...
A whale surfaces in Hawaiian waters
Niho Palaoa: The Meaning of Hawaiʻi's Sacred Whale Tooth Pendant
What the niho palaoa, Hawaiʻi's hook-shaped whale tooth pendant, meant to the aliʻi who wore it, how its thousand-foot braided hair cord was made, and why it ranked among the... Read more...
A beginner surfer getting a lesson on a longboard at the beach in Hawaiʻi
Best Surf Spots for Beginners in Hawaiʻi
New to surfing? Here are the best, most beginner-friendly surf spots in Hawaiʻi — from Waikiki's gentle longboard waves to mellow breaks on Maui and Kauaʻi. Read more...
Aerial view of a dramatic green mountain ridge meeting a turquoise bay in Hawaiʻi
Fun Facts About Hawaiʻi
Fun facts about Hawaiʻi: from its volcanic birth and shrinking time zone quirks to the islands' wild biodiversity, here's what makes the Aloha State one of a kind. Read more...
Silhouette of a surfer riding a longboard at sunset off Hawaiʻi
Duke Kahanamoku: Father of Modern Surfing
Discover how Duke Kahanamoku, the Native Hawaiian Olympic champion and waterman, took surfing from Waikiki's ancient shores to the world stage. Read more...
Aerial view of turquoise waves and palm tree shadows on a Hawaiʻi beach
Best Hawaiian Island for First-Timers
Trying to find the best Hawaiian island for first time visitors? Here's how Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and the Big Island compare for a first trip. Read more...
Close-up of a nēnē, the Hawaiian goose, Hawaiʻi's state bird
The Nēnē: Hawaiʻi's State Bird
Meet the nēnē, Hawaiʻi's rare and beloved state bird — a conservation success story found nowhere else on Earth. Read more...
Man wearing a tropical Hawaiian print shirt standing by the ocean in Hawaiʻi
What to Wear in Hawaiʻi
Wondering what to wear in Hawaiʻi? Here's a simple guide to beach-ready, breathable island style for day, night, and everything in between. Read more...
Hands holding freshly picked red coffee cherries and beans, Hawaiʻi
Kona Coffee: From Cherry to Cup
Discover how Kona coffee goes from hand-picked red cherries on Hawaiʻi Island's volcanic slopes to the cup — and why this small-batch coffee commands a premium. Read more...
Aerial view of a Hawaii beach lined with palm trees and visitors walking the shoreline, Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Travel Etiquette: How to Visit Respectfully
A guide to hawaii travel etiquette — practical, respectful ways to experience Hawaiʻi's culture, beaches, and communities as a thoughtful visitor. Read more...
Classic ahi tuna poke bowl with avocado, roe, and sesame seeds, Hawaiʻi
What Is Poke? A Guide to Hawaiʻi's Favorite Dish
What is poke? Learn the origins, classic shoyu ʻahi preparation, and modern variations of Hawaiʻi's favorite raw fish dish, plus where to try it on your next trip. Read more...
Dramatic rain clouds and sunbeams over the ocean near Maui, Hawaiʻi during the winter rainy season
What to Expect from Hawaiʻi's Rainy Season
A first-timer's guide to Hawaiʻi's rainy season — when it happens, which islands stay driest, and how to pack for a wet-season trip. Read more...
Woman applying reef safe sunscreen on a Hawaiʻi beach
Reef-Safe Sunscreen in Hawaiʻi: What to Know
Hawaiʻi requires reef safe sunscreen by law — here's what ingredients to avoid, what to buy instead, and how to protect the reef on your trip. Read more...
Snorkelers swimming in the turquoise reef waters of Hanauma Bay, Hawaiʻi
Snorkeling Hanauma Bay: A Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about Hanauma Bay snorkeling on Oʻahu — reservations, reef rules, and what you'll see beneath the surface. Read more...
Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head crater in Hawaiʻi, a popular budget travel destination
Is Hawaiʻi Expensive? A First-Timer's Budget Guide
Wondering if Hawaii is expensive? Here's a realistic first-timer's budget guide to flights, lodging, food, and activities so you can plan an affordable Hawaiian vacation. Read more...
Aerial view of Oʻahu's North Shore coastline and surf breaks, Hawaiʻi
The History of Oʻahu's North Shore
How Oʻahu's North Shore grew from a quiet coastline into the center of the surfing world — the swells, the breaks, and the community that built its history. Read more...
Aerial view of a Hawaiian beach with turquoise water and palm trees, Hawaiʻi
First Time in Hawaiʻi: Things to Know Before You Go
Heading to Hawaiʻi for the first time? Here are the hawaii travel tips every first-time visitor should know, from island hopping to local etiquette. Read more...
Fresh poke bowl with salmon, avocado, and seaweed, a classic Hawaiian food
Hawaiian Foods You Have to Try
Discover the must-try Hawaiian foods — from poke and plate lunch to malasadas and Kona coffee — the dishes that define island cuisine. Read more...
A volunteer clears litter and invasive brush from a tropical shoreline
What Does Kuleana Mean? Hawaiʻi's Idea of Privilege and Responsibility
Kuleana is a Hawaiian word for responsibility and privilege at once — rooted in the Kuleana Act of 1850 and still practiced today, by residents and visitors alike. Read more...
Aerial view of a lush green Hawaiian coastline with turquoise water and sandy beach, Hawaiʻi
How Many Hawaiian Islands Are There?
How many Hawaiian islands are there? The real number is 137, but only 8 are the main islands and just 6 are open to visitors — here's the breakdown. Read more...
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...

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