Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku

Freelance Writer · Hawaiʻi Island

Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku covers Hawaiʻi travel and lifestyle. Her rural home on Hawaiʻi Island serves as her base of operations for exploring the islands — sometimes with her ʻohana and sometimes on her own. Her favorite part of being a travel writer is helping visitors make educated, conscientious decisions when they travel to Hawai‘i, as well as enjoying the islands’ bounty through food and drink.

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Articles by Laurie(9)

Whale Watching on Hawaiʻi Island

Whale watching on the Big Island runs December through April from Kona. There are also year-round deep water pelagic whale tours for pilot whales, sperm whales and more.

Where to Stay in Kailua-Kona: Royal Kona Resort

A weekend (or a whole week) at the Royal Kona Resort is a perfect getaway, no matter where you’re coming from and no matter what your group looks like. It sits oceanfront in the middle of Kailua-Kona’s busiest area for tourists, making it convenient and lively, yet relaxing and beautiful.

Discover Hawaiʻi Island Through These 10 Museums

Learn Hawaiian history, culture and discover what makes Hawaiʻi Island so special from a variety of small community-run museums across the island.

Best Family Activities: Hawaiʻi Island

This list includes some of our favorite activities, blending Hawaiian culture, the unique features of Hawaiʻi Island, also known as Big Island, and adventure.

Best Tours of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Touring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island is a chance to catch an actively erupting volcano. Here are our top 3 volcano tours.

Bringing Pets to Hawaiʻi

Visitors traveling to Hawaiʻi with pets must plan ahead, factoring in vaccines, quarantine timing, costs, airlines and required paperwork. This guide explains what you need to do to ensure compliance with state law.

A Guide to Hawaiʻi Island Airports

When visiting Hawaiʻi Island, also known as Big Island, visitors have two primary airports to choose from — the international airport in Kona (KOA), on the west side, or Hilo’s smaller airport (ITO). Which should you choose?

Where to stay in Waikoloa: Fairmont Orchid

At the Fairmont Orchid, part of the Mauna Lani Resort on Hawai'i Island’s Kohala Coast, a local travel writer finds classic luxury and Hawaiian culture.

Best Hotels for Families: Hawaiʻi Island

As a family of four (and sometimes a family of five when our niece joins us), we’ve had the opportunity to stay in all of these family-friendly hotels and resorts. They have made our family vacations not only memorable, but also welcoming and comfortable.