SEARCH 
MAP 
MAP
A Brief History of Surfing in Hawaiʻi
Standing on the shoreline at Ehukai Beach Park, John John Florence, a towheaded world champion from the North Shore, casts his ice-blue eyes toward surfing’s most famous wave: Pipeline. Under his tanned arm is a bright-white surfboard emblazoned with the logos of a half-dozen sponsors that pay him handsomely. John John, as he’s more simply known, is the heir apparent…
Choy’s Monster
In Hawaiʻi, the words “marlin” and “fishing tournament” in the same sentence may not necessarily evoke images of Honolulu’s South Side. But that’s about to change with the first-ever Kewalo Harbor Big Fish Chase. On June 6, some of Hawaiʻi’s top fishermen and anglers will gather and compete to catch the largest marlin, ahi, ono, and mahimahi in this inaugural…
Designed to Thrive
How many times have you picked up a cute little potted houseplant at the hardware or grocery store, only to have it die within weeks in your kitchen window? You gave it sunlight, watered it properly, and you even left the window cracked for fresh air—all to no avail. Simply put, some plants are naturally better suited to thrive in…
History of the Shaka
Despite our reputation for being the most geographically isolated landmass on the planet, Hawaiʻi is consistently influencing international pop culture. Look no further than local celebs like Bruno Mars and President Barack Obama or cultural exports like surfing and shave ice as shining examples of just how far our cultural reach extends. But in the realm of Hawaiʻi’s greatest exports,…
In Praise of Pets
April 11 marks National Pet Day and if there was ever a time to shower a little extra love and appreciation upon our four-legged fur babies, it’s now. With so many of us working from home during these monumental weeks, we’re reminded of just how important a role they play in our daily lives. With every wag, wiggle, and nuzzle,…
Kewalo Harbor: A Revitalized Gathering Space
The expansive waterfront that forms the Kewalo Harbor is set to take on new life in the coming years. Earlier this month, the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) granted Ward Village the rights to refurbish and reinvigorate two parcels of land that skirt the harbor, creating an environment that maintains the integrity and rich history of the area, while simultaneously…
Polynesian Spaceships
To say that Hawaiʻi holds a deep-seated connection to the outrigger canoe is an understatement. To be sure, our entire existence on these islands depended on the craft. The outrigger canoe was an exploratory vessel. A Polynesian spaceship that would propel a people into the expansive unknown, guided only by their ingenuity, fortitude, and knowledge of the heavens. Indeed, the men and women…
The Abbreviated History of Kewalo Harbor
For hundreds of years, the scenic mix of land, coral, and sea that forms modern-day Kewalo Harbor has played a pivotal role in the history of Honolulu. As far back as King Kamehameha I, who famously united each of the Hawaiian Islands in the late 18th and early 19th century, the area served the community as a fishery and anchorage…
The Life and Legacy of Victoria Ward
‘O Ke’alekūpuna ke kilo, nāna nō e kuhikuhi nei i ke ala e naue aku ai. The pathways once traversed by our ancestors are the same paths that we should follow toward success. Just as Victoria Ward cared for her beloved land, so to do we; following in her footsteps to preserve her unique heritage. It can not be denied…
Then and Now: The IBM Building
With its sturdy-yet-graceful lines and dripping façade, Honolulu’s IBM building is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Designed by famed mid-century architect Vladimir Ossipoff for the IBM corporation in 1962, this iconic structure now houses the Howard Hughes Hawai’i offices, a Ward Village Master Plan Information Center as well as showrooms for future Ward Village projects. The fate of…
These Treasured Trees
Long before Polynesians first set foot on Hawaiian shorelines, koa trees dominated the tropical rainforests of the Islands. Birds and insects made their homes on these giants, and delicate ferns, along with other native plants, nestled at their feet. The arriving Polynesians discovered that these towering trees held many uses: Their leaves were said to induce sleep and reduce cramps,…
Victoria Ward: The Naturalist
In the late 19th and early 20th century Honolulu, you would have likely seen Victoria Ward and her daughters meandering through their lush estate. In 1870, Victoria and her husband, C.P. Ward, bought a 100-acre parcel of land on the outskirts of Honolulu. It stretched from Thomas Square, on the mountain side of present-day King Street, all the way to…
Ward Wednesdays: The Land We Love
‘O Ke’alekūpuna ke kilo, nāna nō e kuhikuhi nei i ke ala e naue aku ai. The pathways once traversed by our ancestors are the same paths that we should follow toward success. Just as Victoria Ward cared for her beloved land, so to do we; following in her footsteps to preserve her unique heritage. Flash back to the early…