Wow, this is a must-visit place on Oahu. For years Manoa Valley has been a favorite place to walk…read moreand explore; the Manoa Heritage Center is right in the middle but surprisingly hidden unless you know where to go. The center is on the property of the prominent Cooke Family, with their house, gardens, and heiau as the main draws to exploring. The Heritage Center itself is a modern open-air building with offices and a classroom for lectures and workshops, including Hawaii art & crafts. On our visit, we took the garden tour. Our docent was gentle and super knowledgeable about the grounds, plants, and family history of the property. It was slow and intentional, this is not a place to rush so plan on spending time here. Our tour took a ring around the property including the heiau, stories of the native Hawaiians that lived here, the respect of the family in the building of the home and maintaining the land, the plants themselves. It's a nominal fee to book and well worth the price, see online. At the conclusion of the tour we had tea made from plants grown on the property. They have a little nursery for plants as well. While you cannot go inside the house at this time due to ongoing repairs, it's well worth a visit to enjoy the natural beauty of this island.

If you're curious about lovely Mānoa Valley, a docent led tour of the Mānoa Heritage Center is an…read moreedutaining (educational and entertaining) way to experience its geology and cultural history. Reservations were easily made online and paid, a month ahead. An email reminder with instructions popped up on my email the day before our party of five joined the tour. We couldn't have picked a more perfect day with the sun baked skies gleaming above the mountains flushed green from recent rains. Our tour around the sustainable gardens included a peek into the former home of the grounds' owners. It will one day be open to view but for now outside is where trees, shrubs and flowering plants sprawl in wild abandon. Our knowledgeable docent was to quick to name them and share tidbits of their meaning. As our docent also weaved stories of the past with Hawaiian archaeological footnotes and cultural references, we basked in the cool Mānoa breezes enchanted with the views and just relaxing in the soothing ambience. It's a 70-minute tour so dress appropriately for meandering across lawns and some rocky terrain, including a peek into the on property heiau. Check it out!

I've been asking my college professor all semester when would we be visiting Hooulu Aina after…read morehearing how the class last year got to learn about planting awa. So when the chance came I was definitely excited and ended up learning a lot. To teachers especially if you have handicap students: Do it!! There was a hike (which my professor forgot to tell me about) to the site we worked at, but depending on the severity of the students disability it's doable (though they may complain a lot especially if you don't prepare them ahead of time). Plus there is a road where the guys were able to take me back down in a truck (which if my professor had let them know ahead of time they probably could have brought me up, though I won't tell him, but the minor discomfort I felt was well worth the satisfaction of what we accomplished that day).

This place is amaze. My family friend told me about it, since she's the psychologist at Kokua…read moreKalihi Valley clinics and has been here a few times herself. I came for the first time last month and was treated to an amazingly therapeutic day of clearing invasives in order to allow koa to naturally come up. Learned about a few plants and how to identify them and was treated to an amazing lunch after, cooked by volunteers, and took some edible hibiscus home for cooking. Although I spent three hours clearing, I definitely feel like I came away with so much more than I put in and regretted putting off coming for wanting to sleep in, or do other errands, in the few months prior. I have been missing out on a lot. I came for the second time this past weekend and we spent some time clearing weeds from several different sites on the farm, which we then fed to the pigs. Other activities include kapa pounding, hale building, garden maintenance, and cooking, so lots of opportunity to do what suits you and your abilities. The staff is great. I worked with Aulani this weekend, who is a total gem and a staffer there for the last six years. She introduced me to maile hohono, which puts a stop to mosquito bites and OMFG it's a miracle plant. Lots of people here fulfilling volunteer requirements, but I'm just doing it cuz I love it. Make sure to dress appropriately with things you can get dirty in. Bring your own water, even better bring your own plates/silverware for lunch, and be prepared for a day of well-being and rejuvenation. Make sure to also check out Roots Cafe to support local farms/food. I haven't been myself, but can't wait to go.

No two are alike…read more.. That's one thing that I do love about crafting is you can make it all your own and here at Hawaii Potters Guild I learned from an event they were participating in is that there are members who pay to use their facilities which is everything from throwing to the kiln which is amazing and you purchase the clay from them as well so really all you need is your imagination. The also have classes as well which is quite cool though not sure if I have steady hands to make something but knowing that there are places like this is nice and to meet some of the members who had their items on sale is breathtaking as each is very different from chimes, plates, vase and animal cups so cute and you know I couldn't resist getting a few. Thank you for a great place to allow creativity to express and share with everyone. Thank you!

So much love, appreciation, and gratitude for this space, people, and the creative energy. My very…read morefirst class is coming to an end and I am currently reflecting on my experience here. I was motivated to take a pottery class this summer after feeling a bit uninspired from a grueling school year on the mainland. Creating art is an awesome form of stress relief and such a great way to challenge yourself. As a first time student, it can be very challenging to get into a class at HPG. You submit an application and must be picked from a lottery. Look on their website for detailed instructions on how and when to submit your application. Submit your papers at the studio and on-time! There are no exceptions for late applications. I was lucky enough to get into a Monday evening class on the wheel. Classes are 3 hours long and our instructor was great. Every week we went over a new style, technique, or concept. Also, the classes are for all levels of potters. There were people who had never thrown clay before to people who have been doing this for years. Students have access to the guild during the week to come in and work on their projects as well! Clay is purchased from the guild and tools are also available for purchase. Everyone in the studio is extremely helpful and very willing to teach. Over this summer I've learned so much from not only my teacher, but also my peers. The community of artists at the Hawaii Potter's Guild is truly a unique group that cultivates a love and passion for creating. This is definitely not a goodbye HPG, but a see you soon.

Diamond Head Dog Park is a wonderful spot overall, especially for its location and sense of…read morecommunity. The park is spacious, has great views, and is a popular place for dogs to socialize and burn off energy. Most of the dog owners are friendly and attentive, which creates a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. It's clear why this park is such a favorite for locals. That said, cleanliness is an area that could really use improvement. On several visits, there has been noticeable dog waste left behind, along with overflowing or poorly maintained trash areas. This takes away from an otherwise great experience and can be unpleasant for both dogs and owners. With more consistent cleaning and better enforcement of waste pickup, this park could easily be one of the best dog parks around. It has so much potential, and a little extra care would go a long way.

Park is dirty. No designated areas for small and big dogs. Very unkept. Limited parking across the…read morestreet.

I went to Kākoo Ōiwi on a company /team bonding/volunteer-n-tour event. Just before the bridge…read moreover Heeia fish pond and state park. The tour was engaging and scenic as our two hosts, Nalani and Koa were both entertaining, knowledgeable, and earnest. Tour included viewing the kitchen, oitdoor ovens and Lo'i...or wetlands. Got to see sheep- role is in maintaining the grass and such in the patches. Volunteer work included a couple of hours in the kalo patches....weeding. A fun but muddy and labor-intensive two hours.

Finally got to try their kulolo and kulolo crunch! They sell it on Fridays and Saturdays but you…read morecan also get it at k bay bros most days of the week. The kulolo is super soft and delish! The kulolo crunch is topped with whipped cream and has a macadamia nut crust. Really enjoyed both!

Beautiful gardens. I experienced a friendly community. Each garden is unique displaying ernest work.read more

The people in the garden are so welcoming and helpful. The board of directors are so well versed in…read morethe tasks they have undertaken. The annual fee is very reasonable. Even the crazy yelling homeless and drunks treat the area with respect. The police patrol often keeping overnight vagrants at bay. Theft is minimal and roosters and chickens are few this year.

I have such gratitude and appreciation for the MCC. As a child, I attended Japanese classes…read moreafterschool at the MCC. A bus would pick me up from school and my grandpa would wait for me out front and we'd walk home together. As I got older and my grandparents did too, my grandma began coming here for a sense of community. She was able to connect with other elders and have activities to participate in. The Mo'ili'ili Community Center has always been a staple in the community and my only hope is that it can get some much needed updates to be able to continue supporting this special community for the keiki and kupuna that live in it.

Nice community center for seniors with free parking in structure next door. Went to check out their…read moreTaichi class. Also checked out the Calligraphy, Okinawan dance and advanced line dancing classes. Need to be an annual member to take classes. Courteous and friendly staff and teachers.

The craft fair is back! Here it is, the Sunday after Veterans' Day 2022 and more examples of…read morenormalcy is coming back. Many of the parades are coming back, and so it is with this favorite fair for both locals and visitors alike. Although this one in 2022 is small- maybe 30 vendors? It's located where it was always located closer to Makapuu Ave. As of 9am parking shouldn't be a problem. There was a lot of competition today with the "Made in Hawaii" Festival at the Ala Moana Center- but that one you had to pay to shop. This fair is free and probably on the smaller sided because this is their first time back. Hopefully they can nurture a larger vendor showing next year. Why four stars? When in full swing this is one of the craft fairs that locals love in November. Extra star for being an iconic holiday fair. Although small this year you may find that hidden gem, so check it out if you gave Support local- give them a chance to survive.

Another annual holiday craft fair on the first or second Sunday of November, with over 200 vendors…read morewith local crafts, plants and food! KCC Culinary School students sell pies, bananas foster bread pudding, artisan pizzas, etc. Everything is delicious! There are also other food booths selling fried rice, famous chicken, lemonade, andagi, etc. Go early for the best buys and selection. Woo hoo!