Latest news with #Polynesia
Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Hawaiʻi Travel Update: New Tours, Hiking Trails, And Hotel Renovations On Kauaʻi
View of Hanalei Bay on Kauai. There are many new things happening on the island this summer, including hotel renovations, new tours, and new hikes. getty The island of Kauaʻi is beloved for its laid-back atmosphere, relaxing hotel properties, and inviting nature. This summer, there are several things to check out, including a fresh makeover for a historic property, a fresh farm tour, and a variety of new outdoor adventures. A new era has begun at one of Kauaʻi's most historic resorts as the Royal Sonesta Kauaʻi Resort at Kalapaki Bay completed its years-long, multi-million-dollar renovation. Everything from the guest rooms to the restaurants and lobby have been reimagined, including the introduction of a new family-friendly lū'au, Drums & Dances of Polynesia . The Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort recently completely a years-long renovations featuring refreshed rooms, new restaurants, and polished common areas. Sonesta Resorts Prior to its transformation into the Royal Sonesta Kauaʻi Resort, the property had a storied legacy under different names and owners. It was originally built in 1960 as the Kauaʻi Surf Hotel, and in 1987, the property was rebranded and rebuilt as the Westin Kaua'i. The resort was again redeveloped and reopened in 1995 as the Kaua'i Marriott Resort until Sonesta took over operations in the spring of 2021. You can see more photos of the new Sonesta property here. Lydgate Farms recently introduced a hands-on Honey Farm & Tasting Tour that provides a look into the world of beekeeping—so deep that guests don full bee suits in order to get an up-close look at the process of honey production from hive to jar. Honey tastings are included along the journey, including fresh honeycomb straight from the source. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge covers part of Kauai's North Shore. getty New Hikes and Natural Experiences There are several new outdoor opportunities to track down on Kauaʻi this summer: On the North Shore, the long-anticipated Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge Lookout is now open to the public. This 5.4-acre site offers panoramic views of Hanalei Valley, Hanalei Bay, and the lush wetlands of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge. No reservations or entry fees is required, making it an ideal stop for a scenic view or family photo. Wildlife photographers and birdwatchers may want to spend a little more time. Meanwhile, hikers will be happy to hear that the Wai Koa Loop Trail has reopened at Anaina Hou Community Park. This scenic four-mile path winds through a large mahogany forest and leads to the historic 19th-century Kīlauea Stone Dam. It's a serene walk, nice for families, with a variety of nature to see, including forests, historic ruins, and small waterfalls. Looking for other hikes on Kauaʻi? Check out this one. It was recently named to the 'Hall of Fame' by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
One Year In, The Secret To Papatui's Success Is Scent (And The Rock)
Dwayne Johnson co-founded men's grooming brand Papatui a year ago, with the goal of created accessible products with elevated scents. Papatui If you ask a man why he chose his body wash or deodorant, chances are he'll say, 'because it smells good.' Data shows that scent is extremely important to men when it comes to the products they use, and that's why Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and his co-founder Jenna Fegnan (with whom Johnson has also launched Teremana Tequila) made scent their guiding light when they launched men's grooming brand Papatui last year. The name combines the Samoan word "papa," meaning "dad," and "Tui," a nickname his grandfather gave him. His grandfather 'epitomized true masculinity and 'self care' before self care became a popular term,' Johnson wrote in a recent Instagram post. '[He] was a big influence on me, respected everywhere he went and knew how to take care of himself, and he was also the inspiration behind my character Maui from Moana ,' he wrote. He and his team wanted to take fragrance seriously, and also make it accessible. But when they researched high-end scents, in particular ones that Johnson loved—'he is a big scent guy,' Fegnan says—they found the accessibility part was easier said than done. They connected with superstar perfumer Frank Voekl, the nose behind Le Labo's Santal 33, Calvin Klein's Eternity for men, Marc Jacobs' Daisy Delight, and more than 100 other lauded scents, 'His wife is Polynesian, and DJ (A.K.A. Johnson—he has multiple nicknames, it turns out) is half Polynesian so there's a really nice personal connection,' Fegnan said. 'After spending some time with him we realized creating layered notes is expensive.' But they were committed to making the brand accessible, so their approach was to narrow the profit margin. 'The brand takes a lower margin, and we develop products that truly have those luxury scents, but at an affordable price point,' she said. 'That took us from the beginning to launch in over three years—it wasn't a fast thing.' Papatui is expanding its offerings to include a tattoo spray and more. Golden Hours It was a worthy time investment, it seems. Scent expert and perfume developer Yosh Han said, 'great job for that price point, because it's well thought out and looks high-end even though it's pretty accessible.'' Papatui launched in 2024 exclusively at Target with a line of body washes, deodorants, skincare, and tattoo care products—the latter a category that the actor who plays Maui couldn't be more perfect to represent. Earlier this year, they added Walmart, and the products are also available direct to consumers via the Papatui website. All products are less than $13, and have been in such high demand that several have had sold-out moments and the brand's retail footprint expanded by 300% in its first year. Several studies have shown that smelling good is powerful. It can help men feel more confident and physically attractive, and one study even showed that scent improved overall body image in both men and women. Other studies have shown that scent significantly impacts other senses. For example, researchers found that fabric was perceived as softer when accompanied by a lemon scent. Another found that pleasant-smelling shampoo positively impacted how people perceived their hair texture. The Papatui team started with 36 scents, and through dozens of rounds of testing with 'real guys,' they eventually narrowed it down to three: Lush Coconut, Sandalwood Suede, and Cedar Sport. At the brand's year anniversary, it launched a fourth scent: Vanilla Shea. The brand's scent profiles may skew traditionally masculine, but Fegnan says women tend to be just as attracted to them. 'We get notes from women all the time saying they're using our antiperspant,' Fegnan says, 'and people are hugging them and asking why they smell so good and they're like 'it's my pits.'' In its first year, Papatui has grown its portfolio by 80%. They recently launched a scented tattoo spray—a product Fegnan says did not previously exist—and will soon launch a full-body deodorizing spray in the brand's signature scents. Performance and clean ingredients are also central to the brand's ethos. It offers both aluminum-free and aluminum-based deodorants (aluminum blocks sweat), and all are formulated without sulfates or parabens. 'In the last couple of decades, men have really cared about what they're putting in their body,' Fegnan said, 'and now they're asking, "Okay, what am I putting on my body, in terms of clean ingredients?' Dwayne Johnson reportedly uses grooming products exclusively from his own brand, Papatui. Papatui Some have expressed skepticism about a bald man creating a shampoo and conditioner, but they receiving largely positive reviews. As for the rest of Papatui's products, does Johnson actually use them? 'He uses nothing else,' Fegnan says. 'And that was his litmus test. He was like, 'We're not launching until it's all I use and I don't want to use anything else.''
New York Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
A Special ‘Climate' Visa? People in Tuvalu Are Applying Fast.
As sea levels rise, Australia said it would offer a special, first-of-its-kind 'climate visa' to citizens of Tuvalu, a Polynesian island nation of atolls and sandbars where waters are eating away at the land. The visa lottery opened last week, and already nearly half of Tuvalu's population has applied. By any measure, Tuvalu is one of the smallest countries in the world. It's home to just 10,000 or so people scattered across nine small coral islands that add up to less than 10 square miles. It has been losing land to rising seas and further losses could make it one of the first countries to become uninhabitable because of climate change. Seawater is increasingly seeping into the country's few drinking-water wells. Within a century, some scientists predict, the twice-daily high tide alone will inundate more than 90 percent of the country's capital, the island of Funafuti, as well as Tuvalu's only airport. Most Tuvaluans live on Funafuti, which is just a few feet above sea level. Concerns like these underpinned an agreement two years ago between Tuvalu and Australia, with the latter pledging not just to help build sea walls but to grant a special visa to 280 Tuvaluans per year that would 'provide a pathway for mobility with dignity as climate impacts worsen.' The agreement, known as the Falepili Union treaty, allows grantees to obtain permanent residency and move freely between the countries. But both countries have taken pains to avoid using language that implies that Tuvalu may one day cease to exist. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Onesemo-Tuilaepa twins
At just 20 years old, the Onesemo-Tuilaepa sisters are part of a new wave of Pacific athletes who proudly blend their cultural roots with high-performance sports. For them, their journey is drawn on their skin - literally. They wear the malu, a special Samoan tattoo given to women as a symbol of protection, service, and pride in their heritage. "Wearing our malu on the world stage reminds us of the responsibility and honour we hold," Demielle shares. "Whenever we step onto that field, we carry our family, community, and culture with us. It's a powerful feeling that keeps us motivated." Posted 16m ago 16 minutes ago Fri 27 Jun 2025 at 4:10am
NHK
7 days ago
- Health
- NHK
Addressing France's nuclear legacy
Over three decades, France conducted 193 nuclear tests in French Polynesia, leaving the islanders to live with the legacy. We meet one man who is still suffering from the lingering effects of radiation exposure.
