Michikusa Gurus
A recommended way to spend your trip to Malama in the new Hawaii.

After the Corona Disaster, people's attitudes have changed dramatically and the Hawaiian word "malama" is often heard. What is malama? It is the Japanese word for compassion. It is now firmly recognized that caring for and cherishing the land, nature, and people of Hawaii is a major force in keeping this state more beautiful. So I hope that the tourists who tell us they love Hawaii will also feel the malama and create memories that connect them to the malama.

Hawaii's pristine landscape teaches us how to live sustainably

A paddy field of kalo (taro), a truly sustainable food, where the stalks after harvest become seedlings for the next crop.
A truly sustainable food where the stalks after harvest become the next seedling. Kalo (taro) paddy field.

Kualoa Ranch, with its vast area of mountains and valleys, is known as a major Activity spot for horseback riding, movie tours, and other ways to experience and enjoy nature. The Ranch is also known for its ongoing efforts to preserve the traditional Hawaiian landscape, lifestyle, and culture.
The mountains have been cultivated to protect and nurture plants and animals native to Hawaii, so that clean water can flow and kalo (taro) fields can be cultivated, the earth can be fertilized, and fruit trees can bear fruit.
This is probably due to the fact that the land was once associated with royalty, and the gratitude for the many blessings it has provided has been passed down from generation to generation.

The beautiful mountains of Kualoa Ranch that continue to protect Hawaii's endemic species.
The beautiful mountains of Kualoa Ranch that continue to protect Hawaii's endemic species.
Alaeula, an endangered species endemic to Hawaii. The number of these species has increased dramatically in Kualoa Ranch over the past few years.
Alaeula, an endangered species endemic to Hawaii. The number of these species has increased dramatically in Kualoa Ranch over the past few years.

A tour was started to allow tourists to experience the Kualoa Ranch's malama efforts. The "Malama Experience Tour" allows visitors to work together in the kalo (taro) paddies, and the "Aloha Aina Tour" takes them on a tour of the park while learning about Hawaiian agricultural and marine products.

A tour of the Malama Experience, listening to explanations and learning from Staff/staff members who actually work on the farm.
A tour of the Malama Experience, listening to explanations and learning from Staff/staff members who actually work on the farm.
The aloha aina tour includes a tasting. Smoked bonito, poi (kneaded taro), and pineapple.
The aloha aina tour includes a tasting. Smoked bonito, poi (kneaded taro), and pineapple.
Kualoa Grown holds a market daily from 10:00am-5:00pm.
Kualoa Grown holds a market daily from 10:00am-5:00pm.

The food you see on the tour is actually harvested and is now very popular in Hawaii as "Kualoa Grown. You can buy it at the market near the Visitor Center. Fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and seafood, as well as processed foods such as jams and chocolates. The local products are so precious and delicious that locals line up to buy them.

Kualoa Ranch
  • Address 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, HI 96744 MAP
  • Direction 50 min. drive from Waikiki
  • Business hours Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Closed Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day
  • TEL 808-237-7321

Focus on eco-friendly handmade products from Hawaii.

The Kakaako Farmer's Market, held in a corner of Kakaako, the mural district, is especially popular.
The Kakaako Farmer's Market, held in a corner of Kakaako, the mural district, is especially popular.

The existence of farmers' markets that support local farmers has changed the mindset of Hawaiians who rely on imports for everything. In the past few years, the farmers' markets have also attracted eco-friendly processors and growers, and have become a popular place to see, touch, and touch many Hawaiian products.

Currently, many of the customers are locals, but she says she hopes many Japanese people will come to the market as well.
Currently, many of the customers are locals, but she says she hopes many Japanese people will come to the market as well.

Laney's General Store" https://lanisgeneralstore.com
is an apparel manufacturer from Hawaii. They have brought back the classic aloha shirt and the work shirt "palaka" worn by sugar cane plantation farmers.

The green check in the center is a palaka. Everything else is from aloha shirt fabric. Hats are $45 each.
The green check in the center is a palaka. Everything else is from aloha shirt fabric. Hats are $45 each.

The company is involved in the entire process of fabric selection, design, and sewing, and does not want to waste the scraps that inevitably end up in the process. The small foldable aloha hats are a byproduct of carrying on the Hawaiian culture.

The store is full of Hawaiian beach life.
The store is full of Hawaiian beach life.

Mika Hawaii, https://www.mikahawaii.com, which collects seashells and coral found in Hawaii's oceans, removes dirt from them, and creates and sells jewelry and sundries that make the most of the materials.
has been operating a stall at the Kaka'ako Farmers' Market for a year now. It has become a place where people from all walks of life come each week to pick up a piece of jewelry and talk about the ocean, mountains, and other natural elements of Hawaii.

Earrings are a big seller. Hibiscus earrings made from shells are $110 and up.
Earrings are a big seller. Hibiscus earrings made from shells are $110 and up.

Heart-shaped corals are used to make wall decorations, and pieces of shells called "corn shells" and "miter shells" are used to make hibiscus-shaped earrings. All are full of ideas and tropical. She thinks that natural things that are not perfect are beautiful and lovely, and her works revive pieces of shells and driftwood that have drifted ashore, and have a warmth that allows nature to fit into our lives.

Both stores do not have a physical store, but rather are stalls at farmers' markets, where they meet many people and are a force to be reckoned with in Hawaii.

Kakaako Farmers Market
  • Address 919 Ala Moana Blvd. & 210 Ward Ave. Honolulu, HI 96814 MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from Waikiki
  • Business hours Every Saturday 8:00-12:00
  • TEL 808-388-9696

A low-waste lifestyle store that fits the times.

The stylish store with carefully selected products tastefully arranged.
The stylish store with carefully selected products tastefully arranged.

Kokua" is a Hawaiian word meaning "cooperation" or "mutual help," and is as important as "malama. Jack Johnson, a musician from the North Shore, founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation to support environmental preservation and the improvement of children's education in his native Hawaii, while learning through nature. As part of this effort, he purchased land in "Haleiwa" and has started cultivating farmland. On the first Saturday of every month, anyone can participate in the farm work and experience volunteer activities such as weeding and tree planting with the locals.

Aiming for stable agricultural production, they plan to open a farmer's market in the future.
Aiming for stable agricultural production, they plan to open a farmer's market in the future.

The Kokua General Store is located on the same site. The spacious store offers everything from refillable skin care, shampoo, and detergent products to laundry goods, beeswax wraps and containers that can be used over and over again, and original plastic-free products. All of the products are sustainable, functional, fashionable, and unique, and most are made in Hawaii.

Cute dryer balls with earth and hearts are excellent products that can be used many times in the dryer. 6 each.
Cute dryer balls with earth and hearts are excellent products that can be used many times in the dryer. 6 each.
Upcycle Hawaii
Upcycle Hawaii" products are made from recycled microplastics.
The colorful vintage muumuus are all one-of-a-kind.
The colorful vintage muumuus are all one-of-a-kind.

In addition, the shop has teamed up with local collectors to sell vintage aloha shirts and muumuus, as well as old records and books. It is a great pleasure to think that the gifts you bring back to Japan are benefiting the earth, and the recipients will surely love Hawaii even more with a gift unlike any they have ever received before.

Kokua General Store
  • Address 66-249 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa, HI 96712 MAP
  • Direction 45 min. drive from Waikiki
  • Business hours Every week 11:00-15:00,10:00-15:00(Friday-Saturday)
  • Closed Closed Sunday-Monday
  • TEL 808-744-5222

The best time to visit is during the two hours in the evening near sunset!

The golden glow of Waikiki is breathtaking.
The golden glow of Waikiki is breathtaking.

Diamond Head State Monument, which offers a panoramic view of Oahu's South Shore from Waikiki, will introduce an online reservation system in the spring of 2022, and currently (2025) reservations can be made 30 days prior to the date of visit. This may seem a bit cumbersome, but this is done to reduce visitor congestion and protect the environment, and when you actually visit, you will find that the restricted number of visitors makes it easier to walk around and see the view.

Visitors also voluntarily walk at moderately maintained intervals.
Visitors also voluntarily walk at moderately maintained intervals.

Diamond Head is a 232-meter-high mountain formed by volcanic eruptions about 300,000 years ago, and the trail is 1.1 km long with a paved trail to prevent erosion and a new sign with an arrow pointing in the right direction before the summit to avoid crowding.

Map showing a detour to the top; 99 steps recommend the downhill route.
Map showing a detour to the top; 99 steps recommend the downhill route.
On some lucky days, when clouds form over the mountain and the evening sun hits the moist air, a rainbow appears.
On some lucky days, when clouds form over the mountain and the evening sun hits the moist air, a rainbow appears.

Reservations are made in two-hour increments. The best time to book is between 4:00pm and 6:00pm, when the wind is blowing and it is cooler. The last time to make a reservation is between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The last time to make a reservation is between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. At this time, the wind is blowing and it is cooler, making the walk easier. Also, you can climb Diamond Head and see a rainbow over the mountains and valleys to the north. Of course, once you reach the summit, you will be enchanted by the view of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu in the pre-sunset atmosphere. The trail takes about 30 minutes one way, but it is still a very satisfying way to climb Diamond Head. The trail is well equipped with handrails, so it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Please try to visit in the evening.

Diamond Head State Monument
  • Address 4182-4190 Diamond Head Rd. Honolulu, HI 96816 MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from Waikiki
  • Business hours Daily 6:00-18:00
  • Closed Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day
  • Admission Fee Admission $5 per person for walk-in admission
  • TEL 808-587-0300
  • Memo Online reservations at https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead/about
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.