Author: Kathryn Drury Wagner

Instant Art

Photo: Mark ArbeitLaughtrack Theater Co. has been whooping it up since September 2008. The improv training center and theater was founded by Shannon Winpenny, who spent years studying and performing with Mainland groups like Second City, and Kim Potter, who…

Haunted Hawaii

Take a ride on a ghost tour, visit Oahu's most haunted places, learn how to tell a ghost story, and more.

Wai‘alae on the Rise

This 2.5-mile stretch makes up one of the city’s last, best walking neighborhoods, packed with restaurants, shops and small businesses.

Ant Season

It’s a battle of wills on my kitchen counter.

Pie in the Sky?

Could a pick-your-own-berries farm be in our future?

Sugar Rush

Tiny portions take some of the guilt—but none of the fun—out of dessert.

Well, I Declare

Where do the agriculture forms go when you fill them out? We found out.

Gourmet Style

The Sweet Life: Throw a Dessert-Tasting Party!

The Mood for Love

Love, lust … and that’s just the high we get from shopping! Treat your lady friend to one of these fun Valentine’s Day gift ideas.

Rescue Your Stuff

We’ve scoured Honolulu for the quickest, easiest and most reliable repair ideas.

Add Men

What's a pacifist to do when she actually likes the recruiting message?

2008 Hale Aina Awards

What are the best restaurants in Hawaii? We asked a huge panel of experts—our readers.

Short Story

A new line of jeans caters to smaller frames.

Decoding Cancer

A genetics counselor talks about how she helps patients strategize to stay healthy.

Best Bars 2007

Almost everyone over the age of 21 has a spirited opinion on the best bar in Honolulu.

Jump-start Your Day!

Have trouble getting into gear in the morning? Crank up your routine with these men’s grooming products.

Name Over?

Many of the world’s great cities—Vancouver, London, San Francisco, New York—have places called Chinatown. I’m proud Honolulu is one of them.

Books for Every Mood

The Greater Good: Life Lessons from Hawaii's Leaders You’re Feeling Sorry for Yourself Local luminaries in business, the arts and government - people such as Edgy Lee, Constance Lau and David Carey - talk story about pivotal moments in their…

Weather: Tropical Aggression

Much to our relief, the Islands dodged a hurricane in August. But we weren’t as worried about the high winds as we were a potentially battered reputation. How embarrassing would it be to be pummeled by a Flossie? We think…

Cottage Industry

Crafting her seasonings by hand, Kaiulani Cowell spices up the local food scene.

The Reading Room

Curl up with one of the new fall page-turners by local authors.

Hawaii Hops

Wine has gotten most of the attention from foodies, but suddenly, everyone is throwing a beer-tasting dinner. Here’s a look at the numbers behind the suds:

Live Well for Less

Want to beat the high cost of living in the Islands? Move to Minneapolis. Barring that, you can read this story, which has ideas on how to stretch your dollar.

Cheap Eats

Hungry for good values, we combed through the Islands in pursuit of delicious meals for $20 or less. We lunched, we brunched, we wined, we dined. And we found you can eat well, accompanied only by a minted portrait of Andrew Jackson. The secret is not just knowing where to go, but what to order. So grab your wallet, and follow us.

Field of Creams

photo by David Croxford Tucked into an old anthurium farm in Hilo, a company called Ola creates sophisticated spa goodies—body butters, foot scrubs, lotions—that are hand-made using fresh fruit, flowers, volcanic pumice and other natural ingredients. “I wanted to do…

Midsummer Dream

There’s a restlessness and sensuality to the shortest night of the year, a mood that calls out for wild party dresses.

Shopping: Mother’s Day Gifts

Being a mom? Very difficult. Giving Mom presents on Sunday, May 13? Much easier, because all you have to give birth to are a few good ideas.

Sip: Coming Attraction

photo courtesy of Pinky We taste-tested Pinky vodka, exclusive to the Waikiki Parc Hotel and the Halekulani until the Nobu opening in late May. We loved it with tonic, which balances well with its violet, rose petal and other botanical…

Books: Lunch Quandary, Solved

David Choo’s new book, Lunch Break Honolulu, has 65 reasons to leave your desk and forage for sustenance. Inside are snappy reviews on everything from old standbys—burgers and dim sum—to adventurous, Zen macrobiotic extravaganzas. The book is $9.95, from Watermark…

Food: Soy Story

A health-minded Manoa takeout restaurant wins tofu converts.

Hawaii by Design – Designs for Living

Good design isn’t limited to buildings or houses. We shopped with this in mind, looking for clever local designers who create things worth sharing your life with.

Food: Buying in Bulk

Some of you may remember the classic shopping list from Sesame Street: “A quart of milk, a loaf of bread, a stick of butter.” Well, imagine getting groceries for a whole restaurant. What might that list look like? To find…

Best of Honolulu 2007

It’s that time of year again. We’ve scoured the island, grilled the experts and enlisted your help to bring you the best “Best of Honolulu“ ever.

Best of Honolulu – Entertainment

It’s that time of year again. We’ve scoured the island, grilled the experts and enlisted your help to bring you the best “Best of Honolulu“ ever.

Best of Honolulu – Shopping

It’s that time of year again. We’ve scoured the island, grilled the experts and enlisted your help to bring you the best “Best of Honolulu“ ever.

Best of Honolulu – Food

It’s that time of year again. We’ve scoured the island, grilled the experts and enlisted your help to bring you the best “Best of Honolulu“ ever.

Best of Honolulu – Services

It’s that time of year again. We’ve scoured the island, grilled the experts and enlisted your help to bring you the best “Best of Honolulu“ ever.