Aloha! UT and Hawaii

At long last, you’re leaving for Hawaii. Your excitement won’t let up, all the way to the airport. If you’re ready to put on your Hawaiian shirt before you’re even on the plane, we recommend Hawaiian Airlines. Once onboard, you’ll hear ukuleles and steel guitars coming through the speakers. In the pre-flight safety video, women doing hula dances give the instructions, continuing the Hawaiian welcome. To celebrate its 90 years in business as of 2019, the airline collaborated this season with UT.

In the mornings on Hawaii, the wind is always pleasant. Jogging in the city is all well and good, but why not check out Diamond Head, one of the icons of Oahu? From this peak on the southeast of the island, you can see all the way from Koko Head to Waianae, but the trail is a big part of the fun. The hike up takes about 40 minutes, and the parking lot at the trailhead makes access a breeze. Come see the view from the summit for yourself. Entry fee is $1.

After working up a good sweat on the trail, nothing beats a glistening bowl of kakigori, Hawaiian style. When ordering at Waiola Shave Ice, a classic spot that opened back in 1940, we recommend the famous Waiola Rainbow, the inspiration for their collaboration with UT. Generous servings of strawberry, vanilla, and banana syrup create a nice gradation of colors. The soft ice will melt before you know it. Shave ice starts at $3 with the small cup seen here.

If you’re hungry, try the malasadas at Leonard’s Bakery. Fluffy and chewy, the texture is addictive. Pictured is the plain sugar Original ($1.30 each). Other options include Cinnamon Sugar and the faintly sour Li Hing. It’s hard not to love the store’s pink takeout boxes and its classic sign, featured in its collaboration with UT.

The KCC Farmer’s Market, held on Saturday mornings, may be overflowing with activity, but the Kaka’ako evening market is equally appealing for its relaxed vibe. Along with the usual produce, there is also light fare like pizza. Pictured above are hot sauces from Hawaii Pantry ($10~), perfect for laulau, a local specialty.

Local beer is the perfect way to top off an idyllic sunset. Especially the delicately hoppy and pleasantly drinkable Aloha Blonde from Aloha Beer Co., who recently collaborated with UT. For something with a punch, try the Red Zeppelin, an IPA. Guests can enjoy over 10 other brews on tap, with pints starting at $6.50. Have a good night!

When buying souvenirs, you can’t forget the standards. In this case, that means coming home with chocolates from Hawaiian Host. The boxed chocolates are great, but the two-packs ($1.29) pictured below are adorable. Hawaiian Host worked closely with UT this season as well. Stopping by the UNIQLO in the Ala Moana Center to pick up shirts from all the collaborating shops you visited is another fun option for souvenirs.