Local Celebrities Share Their Love

Calling all fans of the 50th State. In the special Hawaii coverage in the July issue of Condé Nast Traveler, we asked some of our favorite tastemakers and personalities associated with Hawaii to tell us what they love most about the islands. Read on, than use the comments link to share some of your favorite memories of Hawaii.

Josh Holloway, the much-loved Sawyer on Lost, shares his Hawaiian secret: "One of the best things you can experience on Oahu is to swim with dolphins in the wild. Dolphin Excursions will take you out into the calm waters of the island's west side, where you'll be able to swim with pods as they play in shallow bays."

Emilie De Ravin, Josh's co-star on Lost, says she considers "the Kahala Hotel on Oahu paradise in paradise, an elegant sanctuary that combines the best of nature with the joys of modern life." [808-739-8888; doubles, $475-$716].

Carrie Ann Inaba, the always-sunny judge of Dancing With the Stars, was born and raised in Honolulu. "I have two favorite beaches," she says of Hapuna Beach State Park on the Big Island and Sandy's in Honolulu. "But the most magical place in Hawaii is Molokai's Kalaupapa National Historical Park, where Father Damien cared for quarantined Hawaiians suffering from leprosy. There is a certain something about this whole island, probably due to the incredible amount of love that was shared among those who lived here during such difficult times."

Carlos Santana recommends visiting the town of Paia on Maui. "It's a small gem of a place that embodies the essence of aloha spirit up on the north shore of the island. It feels like it hasn't changed since the sugar plantation days."





For more insight, read our July issue feature where some our favorite celebrities--either born or living on the islands--tell us what they love most what they love most about their home in Hawaii.