North America Archives - Borders & Bucket Lists

June 13, 2022June 25, 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 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, 2022March 21, 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, 2022March 16, 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.

February 10, 2022May 30, 2022

The Best Sunscreen for Hawaii You Should Buy

Are you looking for the best Hawaii sunscreen brands for your trip to the islands? This guide from a Hawaii local has the best sunscreen for Hawaii.

woman holding out circular tin of Little Hands Hawaii sunscreen — *Photo Courtesy of Little Hands Hawaii*

In 2021, Hawaii instituted a ban on chemical sunscreens in order to try to protect the islands’ marine life. But many people may wonder, what’s the alternative? Instead of using chemical sunscreen, visitors and locals alike can use reef safe sunscreen. This article has all of the best reef safe Hawaii sunscreen brands for you to use.

February 4, 2022February 4, 2022

The Best Breakfast in Waikiki and Honolulu, Hawaii

Are you looking for the best breakfast in Waikiki and Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii? This guide from a Hawaii local has all of the best breakfast and brunch spots in town!

Moena cafe breakfast spread with sandwiches, hashes, waffles, fried rice, coffee, eggs benedict, and juice. Best breakfast in Waikiki and Honolulu — *Photo Courtesy of Moena Cafe*

The best breakfast Waikiki and Honolulu has to offer depends on your preferences, of course. Are you a coffee and pastry person? A light avocado toast and acai bowl person? A hearty breakfast burrito or omelet person? Or maybe you’re someone looking for breakfast with a local Hawaii twist! Whichever category you’re feeling that day, I’ve listed out the best Waikiki breakfast spots for all of them!