I’m a frequent visitor to Hawaii – usually at least twice a year, and Kona on the Big Island has always been a favorite spot of mine. On a recent trip, and as I do …
August 23, 2011
Swimming with Dolphins in Kona, Hawaii
Diving with Manta Rays in Kona, Hawaii
As a frequent visitor to Hawaii, I’m always looking for a new experience to expand my appreciation for the islands. A friend recommended I try the manta ray night snorkel in Kona, and at first …
Don't Pet the Sharks in Oahu
If you're in Oahu and seen enough scary people in panda suits waiting for you to give them money so they can lunge at your face, why not try a shark cage tour? There is …
January 29, 2013
Stairway to Heaven – Koko Crater Trail, Oahu
Everyone hikes Diamond Head, but for those in the know, Koko Crater is the place to hike. The little-known Koko Crater Trail hike surpasses Diamond Head not only for the level of hiking but also …
April 2, 2013
O’ahu on a plate
A culinary expedition: journalist resolves to achieve edible incapacitation in the Aloha state. Let us resolve to gain weight this new year! Known as the melting pot of the Pacific, Hawaii is home to hundreds …
February 5, 2014
Ken Schmidt & Iron Fist’s ono pia
In a county flush with domestic fermentation talent, Ken Schmidt is kind of a big deal. A homebrewer since 1966, he’s concocted inventive beer recipes for decades. Many are laced with flavorful adjuncts evocative of …
September 25, 2014
A special-interest blowout reformers love to hate
It's mid-November, Halloween is over and the state legislature is on hiatus. It’s time once again for Steve Peace's traditional legislative bash in Hawaii. Every year, newspapers from across California run exposés of the extravagant …
November 13, 2014
Kauai: a hiker's paradise
Known for its unique geography and natural wonders, Kauai is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I've visited. A hiker’s dream. Truth be told, even if you're not an avid hiker, the island's outdoors …
April 30, 2015
San Diegan’s Maui blowout takes on the Bee
The word Maui has been a longtime stain on the reputation of the California legislature, according to critics of a San Diego–based nonprofit that gets little attention in the local paper but lots of ink …
November 19, 2015
Off to Honolulu for beer week
Hawaii celebrated its first beer week April 17–23, highlighting a growing taste for suds in the island state. Several San Diego breweries sent representatives and beer to participate in Honolulu Beer Week, which included events …
April 24, 2016