Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku

Freelance Journalist/Travel Writer

United States

Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku relocated to Hawai'i Island from Austin in 2016, looking for a temporary change of pace. After falling in love with the Island (and one of its inhabitants), she ended up permanently relocating. Since then she's spent time developing an appreciation for Hawaii's places, culture, and people, focusing her travel writing on the island chain, always working to strike a balance between sharing the islands with the world and trying to do her part to ensure that tourism is sustainable and ethical. She now shares her home with her husband, kids, and 20 rescue animals and continues to write about culture, sustainability, food and beverage, and more.

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HAWAI'I

SFGATE
03/25/2023
This Hawaii bar is 'different than any other place in the world'

About 30 miles outside Hilo, where the road ends at Highway 137 and Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road, the Keliihoomalu ohana (family) use their special corner of the Big Island of Hawaii as a community and private gathering place, music venue and education facility. They also host two weekly markets.

Fodors Travel Guide
07/30/2019
A Mainlander's Guide of How to Make Sense of the Protests in Hawaii

What's being protested and why, and will it affect my travels? Every morning at the base of Mauna Kea a large, and growing, group of protectors of the mauna (mountain) gather for ceremony. This includes storytelling, daily protocol, hula performances, greeting the sun, greeting the surrounding maunas, chanting, and praying.

Big Island Pulse
02/26/2020
Nāhuku -Thurston Lava Tube is Open to Visitors! Here's What You Need to Know

One of the Big Island's most fascinating natural wonders is back open for business. Guests of the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) can once again visit Nāhuku, the Thurston Lava Tube. After its closure during the Kīlauea eruption in 2018, the tube remained closed for nearly two years to ensure that visitors would be safe.

HAWAI'I TRAVEL

Fodors Travel Guide
08/29/2023
Read This If You're Trying to Decide If You Should Visit Maui Soon

Maui's dependence on tourism has once again dealt a blow to the Island's delicate economic systems. Whether we like it or not, the tourism engine needs to keep running to keep more businesses from closing and prevent more Maui residents from ending up without homes - they're already so hard to find and hold on to as it is.

Fodors Travel Guide
05/24/2022
The Aloha Spirit Is Not a Free Pass to Act Like an A**

Here's how to visit Hawaii responsibly and support locals. Much has changed in Hawaii over the past few years. As one of the strictest states for pandemic regulations, it took a while for Hawaii to fully "open up" to travelers.

Fodors Travel Guide
05/25/2022
12 Hawaiian Hotels That Give Back to the Local Community

The Hawaiian word "Mālama" means to give back. These 12 hotels offer some serious Mālama for its guests. Visiting Hawaii is a dream come true for a lot of people. What's better than roadside waterfalls, swimming among turtles, mantas, and dolphins, and sipping a tropical cocktail while watching the sunset?

Fodors Travel Guide
12/01/2022
What Hawai'i Visitors Need to Know About the Mauna Loa Eruption

"This is a very sacred event that we are watching." Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, is currently erupting! Even better, at the same time, Kīlauea is erupting, and there is snow at the summit of Mauna Kea. It's a pretty magical moment on Hawai'i Island.

Matador Network
8 Food and Drink Experiences on Molokai

in paid partnership with We all have different feelings about traveling right now. When you're ready, we hope you feel safe, inspired, and excited to join us on the Island of Molokai. Read more about current safety protocols. Before embarking on any culinary adventure across Molokai, you'll want to brush up on your Hawaiian vocabulary.

Fodors Travel Guide
04/29/2020
Coronavirus Has Revealed How Bad Hawaii's Tourism Problem Really Is

Hawaii's tourism industry has, of course, been hit hard by COVID-19. However, it's also unveiled some very big problems with it. Aside from the economic impact of so many of Hawaii's people losing work because tourism gets shut down, Hawaii's dependence on tourism has had a much more significant impact-it has emboldened the entitled to use it as their playground and quarantine getaway, with very little regard for its people.

BigIsland.life
07/01/2020
Hawai'i Travel News: State Begins Reopening for Travelers

With so many changes to travel in and to Hawai'i currently happening, it can be difficult to keep up with everything as it happens. As July, a typically busy travel month, begins, here is some of the most important Hawai'i travel news, particularly news that is important to Hawai'i Island residents.

Fodors Travel Guide
01/11/2019
50 Ultimate Things to Do in Hawaii

From gorgeous beaches to traditional luaus to top-notch surfing, Hawaii offers terrific experiences that should be on every traveler's list. Here's what you need to do and see for a memorable trip. Hawaii is one of those amazing places that sits at the top of most people's travel bucket list, with daydreamers picturing stunning sunsets and sand in their toes.

TRAVEL

Fodors Travel Guide
02/25/2020
The Small Changes Hotels Can Make to Fight Global Warming

Though the hotel industry is far from becoming completely sustainable, there are small steps that can be taken, and that some hotels have already implemented, in order to reduce their carbon footprint. From the installation of water bottle refill stations to the elimination of single-use toiletries associated with a hotel bathroom, this industry has the ability to make huge strides in the green movement through simple actions.

Fodors Travel Guide
04/03/2020
There's Another Way to Take Your Kids on a Trip

As parents and caregivers, we are going to be emotionally and physically exhausted as we go through canceled schools, self-isolating, toilet paper shortages, and canceled vacations, so sometimes we need to be reminded that it's ok to veg on the couch some days.

TEXAS TRAVEL

Fodors Travel Guide
01/14/2022
The Best Indoor Texas Waterparks to Chase Away the Winter Blues

Swim at seasonal and year-round indoor water parks--resorts with water slides, entertainment, and spa treatments--like Kalahari Resorts, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, Woodlands Resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacation Villages Resort, Great Wolf Lodge, The Cove at the Lakefront, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, and more in Texas.

Fodors Travel Guide
06/24/2020
The Perfect Weekend Getaway: San Antonio From Houston

Covid-19 Disclaimer: Make sure to check the status of the states , regions, and establishments in which you're planning to visit prior to travel. Many regions continue to see high infection rates and deaths, while many states and counties remain under varying stay-at-home orders.

Fodors Travel Guide
05/22/2020
The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Port Aransas From Houston

Covid-19 Disclaimer: Make sure to check the status of the states , regions, and establishments in which you're planning to visit prior to travel. Many regions continue to see high infection rates and deaths, while many states and counties remain under varying stay-at-home orders.

Fodors Travel Guide
06/24/2020
The Perfect Weekend Getaway: South Padre Island From Houston

Covid-19 Disclaimer: Make sure to check the status of the states , regions, and establishments in which you're planning to visit prior to travel. Many regions continue to see high infection rates and deaths, while many states and counties remain under varying stay-at-home orders.

Fodors Travel Guide
06/24/2020
The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Texas Hill Country From Houston

Covid-19 Disclaimer: Make sure to check the status of the states , regions, and establishments in which you're planning to visit prior to travel. Many regions continue to see high infection rates and deaths, while many states and counties remain under varying stay-at-home orders.

AUSTIN SCENE

The Best of Austin, Texas
12/09/2016
The Very Necessary Holiday Shopping Guide for Homesick Austinites

Let's face it - Austin is just one of those places that finds a special place in your heart and never moves out. For those unlucky few who have to move away from Austin, no matter how brief their stay, the lack of Austin struggle is real.

FOOD & DRINK

Bourbon.com
06/14/2019
15 Laid Back Ways to Celebrate National Bourbon Day

For most bourbon drinkers, every day is National Bourbon Day, a day to celebrate the beautiful brown liquor that gifts its disciples with passion and intoxication. For those who do not imbibe regularly, June 14 serves as a day to bring America's spirit into focus.

The Best of Austin, Texas
03/08/2017
Get a Dose of Austin History with Your Lunch at Cannon & Belle

Cannon & Belle sits inside the downtown Austin Hilton in a way that already sets it apart from most hotel restaurants. Part open air, partly enclosed, it's hard for hotel guests to not realize this beautiful restaurant and bar is there as they're walking by with their rolling luggage.

ANIMALS

Tenderly
07/28/2019
How Hawai'i Found Sanctuary for Hundreds of Cows

A look at what happened next when an enormous dairy farm on the Big Island was closed for waste violations The tropical state of Hawai'i typically conjures a certain set of images for most people - white sand beaches, vibrant blue water, and fruity umbrella cocktails.

The Best of Austin, Texas
08/25/2017
10 Instagram Accounts that Every Austin Dog Lover Should Follow

Happy National Dog Day! This nationally recognized day (August 26) may not see banks closing or special sales on beds and deep freezers, but we think many Austinites can agree that we should all have this day off of work to spend some quality time with our furry friends.

CELEBRITIES

Austin.com
11/07/2016
This Supernatural Austin Couple Just Made a BIG Announcement!

One of Austin's cutest celebrity couples just announced some great news - Jared Padalecki and Genevieve Cortese are adding to their adorable brood with a new baby on his or her way in March (just in time to start hitting the SXSW parties?).

Austin.com
04/26/2016
Austin Sci-Fi Geeks Will Love This Joss Whedon Photo So Much

No, I love you so much, Joss Whedon... I've got a theory that Joss Whedon may have enjoyed his recent trip to Austin, and local folk musicianShawnee Kilgore has the proof on her Instagram . Naturally, Whedon had to stop by one of Austin's best places to take a selfie .

Rumorfix
03/13/2013
SNL's Fred Armisen Reveals Dos & Don'ts At SXSW | RumorFix

SNL's Fred Armisen stopped by the Samsung Blogger Lounge at SXSW Interactive on Tuesday afternoon to chat with Shira Lazar about, well, stuff. And RumorFix was there. The Anchorman star arrived late for the interview, but as we later discovered, it's not because he's a diva, it's because he just can't tell his fans "No."