Rapa Nui redux: Finding Easter Island in Hawai’i
In honor of today’s Chronicle Travel section cover story on Easter Island, the easternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle, I wanted to repost my April 13, 2010, item about a little piece of Rapa Nui...
View ArticleTahiti Fete in San Jose, lauhala in S.F., Aloha Saturdays in San Carlos, hula...
This time of year, Polynesian fans turn their eyes to the Tahiti Fete of San Jose, which starts at 10 a.m. Friday with solo dance eliminations at the Doubletree and moves to the San Jose State...
View ArticleFrom Auckland to Alcatraz: Pacific Voyagers’ epic journey encourages all to...
Gentlemen (and women), welcome to the Rock: The 15th annual Round the Rock Alcatraz Challenge outrigger canoe races will feature a cameo appearance the vaka (sailing canoes) of the epic Pacific...
View ArticleTalofa! The Samoan connection to Pacific Voyagers
Update: Here’s the latest from the Pacific Voyagers on their last S.F. appearance, tomorrow at Pier 39, and a Saturday appearance in Monterey with free rides aboard the vaka (advance registration...
View ArticleSunday photo quiz: Where outrigger canoes parade with pageantry
They may not be completely traditional, but the large, steady outrigger canoes here serve their function: transporting dancers representing all the major Polynesian cultures across an artificial lagoon...
View ArticlePaddling your own canoe at Polynesian Cultural Center
The floating pageant of color-coordinated Polynesian dancers and actors portraying Hawaiian royals and their retinue has long been a popular photo op at the Polynesian Cultural Center on O‘ahu....
View ArticleFiji, island reggae and a new voice in Hawaii Insider
“Do you know how amazing it was to have such a large group of Polynesians –Tongans, Hawaiians, Samoans — all together, united in culture and love?” asked my young friend and former hula sister, Emily...
View ArticleHawaiian Airlines to head Down Under with new Auckland, Brisbane service
Hawaiian Airlines will connect two of the farthest-flung dots of the Polynesian Triangle with the March launch of its new route between Honolulu and Auckland, the company announced today. The airline...
View ArticleGetting crabby on Christmas Island (this time with pictures)
You think you’re feeling crabby? If you want to spend Christmas on Christmas Island, as the song goes, you’d better be prepared for the annual migration of bright red crustaceans. I wrote about the...
View ArticleRare jewels in the Waikiki Aquarium crown
Soon Sasha and Malia Obama will be back in school, but perhaps the next scheduled family vacation on O‘ahu should include a First Family drop-in at the Waikiki Aquarium. Although small — think an...
View ArticleWatch out, United: Hawaiian Airlines adds American as partner, expands...
Given all the bad press over United Airlines’ service recently, and its dominance at SFO with flights to Hawai‘i, the carrier had better keep an eye on the continuing expansion of Hawaiian Airlines in...
View ArticlePositive vibes: Island Reggae Festival back at Great America
The South Bay is shaking this weekend, with the dancers and drummers of Tahiti Fete keeping the beat in San Jose today and tomorrow and the second annual Island Reggae Festival giving Great America...
View ArticleLaughing Samoans to roll into San Francisco
Is it wrong to say the Laughing Samoans have a broad sense of humor? Or that they’re among the heavyweights of Polynesian comedy? Somehow I don’t think the New Zealand comic-sketch duo of Samoan-born...
View Article‘Daughters of Fire’ author captures conflicts, aloha at islands’ core
Many people have stars in their eyes when describing their initial impressions of Hawaiʻi, but for “Daughters of Fire” author Tom Peek, a native Minnesotan who landed in Hilo in the ’80s, the...
View ArticleNew Tahitian eco-resort helps realize Marlon Brando’s ‘scientific vision’
Honolulu is among the locations IMDB.com lists for the filming of 1962′s “Mutiny on the Bounty,” but it’s French Polynesia — and the atoll of Tetiaroa in particular — that dazzled leading man Marlon...
View ArticleA month of Hawaiian-style May Day in Bay Area
All around the Bay Area, the island tradition of “May Day is Lei Day” has blossomed into a month of celebrations of Hawaiian culture: Sat., May 2: The Polynesian Festival of Foster City shares aloha...
View ArticleHula in Sonoma: From live dancers to real dolls
“Hula Mai” means “come and dance,” but this time of year it also means “come and see hula” — specifically Hula Mai‘s free concert in Sonoma Plaza on Saturday, June 20. Directed by founder and teacher...
View ArticleTake a Polynesian cultural voyage via Oakland
Itching to take a spin around Polynesia without paying for airfare or cruise tickets? Hālau KaUaTuahine makes it easy with an evening of traditional Polynesian music and dance next Saturday, May 28,...
View ArticleWelcome home, Hokulea – and more flights to Hawaii
Need a team to cheer for now that the Golden State Warriors have wrapped up their season? How about a team from the Rainbow State, wrapping up a three-year, worldwide voyage on two traditional Hawaiian...
View ArticleCyber Monday airfare deals to New Zealand, Fiji
This time of year my inbox, like everyone’s, is overwhelmed with Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel “deals,” which presuppose untapped buckets of money beyond what’s already budgeted for celebrating...
View Article
More Pages to Explore .....