North America Archives - Borders & Bucket Lists

November 12, 2022November 12, 2022

The Best Maui Poke Spots: 5 Authentic Eateries

Are you looking for the best Maui poke spots? This guide from a Hawaii local has all of the tastiest recommendations.

ahi poke from South Maui Fish Company best Maui poke spots — *Photo Courtesy of South Maui Fish Company*

Poke bowls have become very popular in recent years, with poke businesses popping up all over the world. But, if I’m being honest, the vast majority of poke places outside of Hawaii are far from authentic. I’ve seen poke bowls outside of the island with chicken instead of fish, greens instead of rice, and even a smattering of Cheeto crumbs on top!

So if you find yourself in Hawaii, I highly recommend that you make some time to try authentic poke. The combination of fresh fish and bold seasoning is just absolutely incredible. Here are 5 incredible Maui poke spots to get the best poke around.

October 15, 2022December 2, 2022

6 Best Kona Coffee Brands (And Scams to Avoid)

Are you looking for the best Kona coffee brands? This article from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know.

Big Island Coffee Roasters mug and Kona moon coffee best Kona coffee — *Photo Courtesy of Big Island Coffee Roasters*

Kona coffee is widely regarded as the best type of coffee in the world. Between the mineral-rich soil and the year-round warm weather, Kona is the perfect place to grow rich, flavorful coffee beans.

That said, it can be hard to decide which Kona coffee brand is the best. After all, there are nearly 700 Kona coffee farms! But don’t worry – I’m here to share the best Kona coffee brands for you to try.

June 13, 2022December 2, 2022

The Best Poke in Honolulu & Waikiki: 5 Authentic Eateries

Are you looking for the best poke in Honolulu and Waikiki? This guide from a Hawaii local has all of the tastiest recommendations.

hand holding Hawaiian poke bowl with ahi, limu, pickled onion, green onion, and inamona best poke in Honolulu and Waikiki — *Photo Courtesy of Off the Hook Poke Market*

The poke bowl craze has boomed in recent years with poke shops popping up all over the U.S. But, if I’m being honest, the vast majority of mainland poke places are far from authentic. I’ve seen mainland poke bowls with chicken instead of fish, greens instead of rice, and even a dusting of Cheeto crumbs on top!

So if you have the chance to try more authentic poke during your trip to Hawaii, you should absolutely do so! Here are 5 places to get the most delicious poke in Honolulu and Waikiki.

June 5, 2022June 5, 2022

27 Best Things to Do in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Are you looking for the best things to do in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii? This guide from a Hawaii local has all of the best recommendations!

collection of mini pies from Leoda's things to do on Lahaina — *Photo Courtesy of Leoda’s*

Thousands of visitors explore the lovely town of Lahaina, Maui every year. And with luaus, ferries, petroglyphs, and farms, there’s so much to do! You can easily spend your entire island getaway just in Lahaina (although I would still recommend taking the time to explore the rest of Maui too).

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022

Are There Hawaii Casinos? Everything to Know About Gambling in Hawaii

Are you searching for Hawaii casinos? This guide from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know.

casino filled with slot machines Hawaii casinos

So you’re wondering if Hawaii has casinos. Maybe it’s out of curiosity or maybe it’s because you want to spend some of your island getaway at a slot machine. Regardless of the reason, keep reading to find out the answers to your Hawaii casino questions.

April 1, 2022April 1, 2022

8 Best Kauai Helicopter Tours for You to Experience

Are you looking for the best Kauai helicopter tours? This guide from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know!

person in helicopter flying over the Na Pali Coast Kauai helicopter tours

Kauai is one of the most beautiful islands in Hawaii. There are so many wonderful things to do on Kauai – from visiting beaches to tackling hikes to trying new foods. But many of Kauai’s most stunning landscapes – including the famous Na Pali Coast – aren’t accessible by car. That’s when a helicopter tour comes in!

By taking one of the best Kauai helicopter tours, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the island’s coolest sites. The Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and Hanalei Bay are just the start.

So what are you waiting for? Which of these fantastic Kauai helicopter tours will you book for your island getaway?

March 21, 2022August 13, 2022

9 Best Hawaii Outfits for Your Island Getaway

Are you looking for the best Hawaii outfits for your island vacation? This guide from a Hawaii local has all of the best recommendations!

two piece set with red bird of paradise from Pohaku Hawaii outfits — *Photo Courtesy of Pohaku*

So you’ve booked your Hawaii vacation and now you’re wondering what to wear when you get there. You’re not just looking for a Hawaii packing list. You’re looking for specific Hawaii outfit ideas. Well, you’re in luck! This guide from a local covers all of the Hawaii outfits you’ll need during your trip – from beach outfits to hiking outfits to luau outfits.

To make things even better, I’ve recommended quite a few Hawaii clothing brands for you to check out. In other words, you can make sure that your wonderful Hawaii vacation outfits have an added touch of island culture.

March 17, 2022March 17, 2022

26 WORST Road to Hana Mistakes: The Ultimate Road to Hana Guide

Are you looking for the ultimate Road to Hana guide? This article from Hawaii local has everything you need to know – including which mistakes to avoid.

Three bears falls road to hana guide mistakes

The Road to Hana is one of the most popular things to do in Hawaii. With its colored sand beaches and cascading waterfalls, it’s undoubtedly one of the most scenic drives in Hawaii.

While most people research stops to see along the way, very few look up Road to Hana mistakes. And these mistakes can make or break your adventure. But don’t worry! This Road to Hana guide from a Hawaii local is here to help!

March 10, 2022August 29, 2022

24 Best Hawaii Snacks You Have to Try

Are you looking for the best Hawaii snacks? This guide from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know!

three espresso bar flavors and two bags of coffee beans from Big Island Coffee Roasters Hawaii snacks — *Photo Courtesy of Big Island Coffee Roasters*

One of the coolest parts of Hawaii is the food. There are so many fun flavor combinations, thanks to the influence of the many different immigrant cultures in Hawaii. Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Portuguese, and American cuisines all play a role in Hawaii’s local flavors. In other words, you won’t be able to try these foods anywhere else in the world!

While you can certainly taste these local flavors in full-on meals, you can also experience bite-sized versions of them through Hawaii snacks! With everything from espresso bites to li hing mui gummy candy to dried fish jerky, there’s no shortage of mouthwatering snacks from Hawaii.

February 26, 2022February 28, 2022

The Best West Coast USA Road Trip: 12 Epic Stops!

Are you looking for the best West Coast USA road trip? Look no further! This guide has everything you need to know.

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco West Coast USA road trip

There are a few different ways to take a West Coast road trip. You can stick to the coast, you can focus on the national parks, or you can hop from city to city. Then, there’s of course the option to combine all of the above to create the best West Coast USA road trip of all.