Our 20 Favorite Hawaiʻi Stories in 2024
From a story about Night Marchers to the frenzy around the ‘comet of the century,‘ these stories were some of the most-read this year.
So much happened in 2024 in Hawaiʻi, from Kīlauea (briefly) erupting in a remote area of Hawaiʻi Island to sightings of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which came within 44 million miles of Earth.
Here were our—and your—favorite Hawaiʻi stories of 2024, in chronological order.
1. One of the Most Popular Tourist Attractions on Lānaʻi is a Cat Sanctuary, pub. Jan. 15, 2024
The Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary is a home to more than 600 cats.
Photo: Steve Czerniak
Started in 2004 by Kathy Carroll, the Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary has become one of the biggest visitor attractions on the island, and its purpose and mission—to help control Lāna‘i’s wild cat population—has remained the same. Former editor Kevin Allen visited the sanctuary, which is home to more than 600 cats, and enjoyed every second.
2. Why Hilo Should Be On Your Hawaiʻi Travel Bucket List, pub. Jan. 22, 2024
Ānuenue, or Rainbow, Falls in Hilo.
Photo: Getty Images
I make the case to visit Hilo—and not just because you’re visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This sleepy town on the east side of Hawai‘i Island is often overlooked—and really shouldn’t be. It boasts lush botanical gardens, family-run farms, historic sites, a great farmers market and one of the best mochi shops in the state.
3. Avoid the Crowds by Visiting These 11 Hawaiʻi Spots, pub. Jan. 29, 2024
Hiker looking into Waimea Canyon on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Getty Images/pawel.gaul
This was one of the most popular stories of 2024—with more than 35,000 views—but not for the reasons you may think. We wanted to highlight lesser-known trails, beaches and parks across the state, but some folks didn’t like their favorite spots exposed. In our defense, we didn’t share “secret” places or anywhere located on private property. In fact, the places we mentioned (like the Kahuku Unit at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kōkeʻe State Park) are definitely visited by travelers—just not as many.
4. The Popular Nākālele Heart Rock on Maui is Gone, pub. Feb. 20, 2024
The writer at the rock formation in 2015 (left) and in 2024 (right).
Photos: Ashley Probst
We had heard the popular Nākālele Heart Rock on Maui was gone back in 2020, so our freelancer Ashley Probst went to check it out. Turns out, the heart-shaped rock had been destroyed by ocean waves. It was heartbreaking for us, too.
5. Your Ultimate Guide to Okazuya in Hawaiʻi, pub. March 12, 2024
Lunch from Fukuya Deli and Catering on Oʻahu.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
I love these old-school Japanese delicatessens—and so does freelance writer Maria Kanai, who wrote this story for us. She shares the history of okazuya in Hawaiʻi, how to order food here, and where the most popular ones are. This is a great primer to these mom-and-pop shops—a must next time you’re in the Islands.
6. 13 Maui Desserts You Can’t Miss, pub. March 18, 2024
Giant Maui Monkey cookies from Maui Cookie Lady.
Photo: Rolland & Jessica
Another popular story in 2024 was this one about the must-try desserts on Maui, from the freshly baked cookies from Maui Cookie Lady to the cream horns from Stillwell’s Bakery & Café. Definitely bookmark this.
7. Traveling to Molokaʻi is a Lesson in Slowing Down, pub. May 6, 2024
This sign outside Molokaʻi Airport sums it up.
Photo: David Croxford
Our content editor Grace Maeda spend almost a week on Molokaʻi, one of the least-visited of all the main Hawaiian Islands. There are no stop lights, malls or buildings taller than a palm tree here, but there’s still a lot to see and down, especially if you want to unwind and experience an authentic Hawaiʻi.
8. We Went Tubing Down an Old Irrigation Ditch on Kauaʻi, pub. May 20, 2024
Photo: Courtesy of Kauaʻi Backcountry Adventures
I had always wanted to flume down the irrigation ditches on Kauaʻi with Kauaʻi Backcountry Adventures. So when the opportunity came up, I decided to pull my son out of school for a day and fly to the Garden Isle. Best decision. He loved every minute of the tubing experience; his favorite part was floating in the dark tunnels and bumping into other tubes. It’s been months since went and he still asks about it.
9. The Shaka Officially Belongs to Hawaiʻi, pub. June 27, 2024
The shaka is Hawaiʻi’s official state gesture.
Photo: Getty Images/Ken Woods
This year Hawaiʻi passed a law that made the shaka Hawaiʻi’s official state gesture. It’s official!
10. 8 Things You Didn’t Know About 7-Eleven in Hawai‘i, pub. July 11, 2o24
Crack Seed can only be found at the chain’s Hawaiʻi locations.
Photo: Courtesy of 7-Eleven
Folks in Hawaiʻi love 7-Eleven—and the ones in Hawaiʻi offer way more than just bags of ice and Slurpees. You can get bowls of tonkotsu ramen and saimin, varieties of Spam musubi and manapua, freshly made mochi, Japanese snacks, even Pokémon cards.
11. We Played with Baby Goats at This Hawaiʻi Island Dairy, pub. July 22, 2024
Playing and feeding the baby goats at Honomū Goat Dairy.
Photos: Catherine Toth Fox
On our way to ʻAkaka Falls, former digital media specialist Emily Smith and I saw a sign that read, “Free Goat Therapy.” Of course we had to stop! Visiting this little goat farm on Hawaiʻi Island was one of the best things we did. Cuddling with baby goats was one of the highlights of our trip, but the soaps and caramels made from goat milk were amazing, too.
12. This Beloved Kauaʻi Bookstore Has an Unlikely Story, pub. July 24, 2024
Talk Story Bookstore storefront.
Photo: Noah Lang/noahlangphotography.com
HONOLULU’s creative director James Nakamura hails from Kauaʻi, and he wrote this fascinating story about the beloved Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapēpē. It celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
13. A Year in the Ashes: A Reflection on the Maui Wildfires, pub. Aug. 8, 2024
The author in Olowalu on Maui before the wildfires.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Probst
Our Maui-based freelance writer Ashley Probst lost her childhood home on Maui when wildfires destroyed all of Lahaina and killed at least 101 people last summer. She shares her heartbreaking story—one of the most popular stories of 2024.
14. Everything You Need To Know About Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaiʻi, pub. Oct. 8, 2o24
The expansive pool complex.
Photo: Courtesy of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
Since becoming a mom, I’ve been to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa a few times—and every time I learn something new and helpful. I thought it would be useful to share all this information with anyone who’s planning to visit the Disney-themed property on Oʻahu. (And you should!)
15. Here’s How To See the ‘Comet of the Century’ in Hawaiʻi, pub. Oct. 17, 2024
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS near the Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Photo: Janice Wei
The arrival of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was one of the biggest stories of the year—and Hawaiʻi turned out to be a great place to see it. Photos were all over social media—so we decided to share our tips to seeing what was called the “Comet of the Century.”
16. The Legend of Night Marchers in Hawaiʻi, Oct. 31, 2024
Growing up in Hawaiʻi, you hear so many spooky stories, from the ghost that haunts the bathroom at a certain Oʻahu mall to sightings of Pele, the Goddess of Fire, on the dark drive along the Kaiwi Coast. But Night Marchers are the stuff of nightmares, and we decided to tell you the story about these warrior ghosts on Halloween.
17. Wellness Awaits at These Hawaiʻi Resorts, Nov. 11, 2024
The adults-only pool at 1 Hotel Hanalei offers a quiet space for guests 21 and over.
Photo: Courtesy of 1 Hotel Hanalei
One of the most interesting travel experiences I’ve had this year was spending an hour in a hyperbaric chamber at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I had never been in one and, honestly, it didn’t feel like it was doing anything for me. Until I stepped out of the chamber and discovered the nagging neck pain I had been dealing with for months was suddenly gone. It really opened my eyes up to the recent trend of wellness offerings at hotels and resorts, not just in Hawaiʻi but around the world. And I’m sold.
18. The Best Places to Catch the Sunrise—and Get Breakfast—on Maui, pub. Nov. 11, 2024
Sunrise at Haleakalā on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/Will Seaborn
Content editor Grace Maeda and I share a few things in common, one of which is getting up early. Sunrises are our thing, and we both wrote about places to catch the sunrise—me on Oʻahu, her on Maui—with breakfast suggestions for after.
19. This Hike on Kauaʻi is a Walk Through an Enchanted Forest, pub. Nov. 21, 2024
The Kīlauea Stone Dam was built in 1881.
Photo: Mami Wyckoff
One of my favorite hikes on Kauaʻi is this walk through a mahogany forest that ends at the historic Kīlauea Stone Dam. It’s great for all ages and skill levels, too, and takes just a couple of hours. I’ve even done it in the rain and it was still magical.
20. Get a Glimpse Into this Under-the-Radar Lūʻau on Oʻahu, pub. Dec. 10, 2024
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Over a year ago I stumbled on this place, located near a hiking trail I frequent with my dog. Turns out the guy who manages the property also has a dog, and our pooches got to play on the grassy lawn where this lūʻau is held. When he told me about the lūʻau—how intimate, how authentic—I thought, “This is a story.” So content manager Grace Maeda and our staff photographer Aaron Yoshino went—and had a great time. Plus, they loved the food!
