Author: Malia Yoshioka

Malia Yoshioka is a freelance food and travel writer from Hawaii, slowly eating her way around the world and currently based in Istanbul. Born and raised in beautiful Upcountry Maui, she created Shoyu Sugar to share her hometown favorites with visitors and kama’aina alike. Consider this your insider guide to the best things to do, see and - most importantly - what to EAT in Hawaii and beyond!
An image of a emergency vehicle driving through a flooded road with palm trees on either side and a dark storm cloud in the background. Text reads: How to stay safe while traveling during a natural disaster www.ShoyuSugar.com
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Travel Safety Planning: How to Stay Safe During a Natural Disaster

ByMalia Yoshioka

Lately it seems that there’s a new headline every week with a natural disaster occurring somewhere in the world. Fires, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis have become an unfortunate part of our everyday lives. As travelers, we may often have a familiar connection to the place, having lived or traveled there or thinking of someone…

A useful food phrases for travel: a Duolingo quote in Japanese for "My favorite food is sushi" with Japanese characters above and English translation below, spoken by Fallstaff, the Duolingo bear.

5 Food Phrases for Your Next Trip Abroad + Bonus ChatGPT Prompt for Foodie Travelers

ByMalia Yoshioka

I believe that food is a universal language. It’s a common ground that unites us, no matter our background or history. To me, it’s also the quickest way to connect with a local culture when I travel. So even for a short trip, I really try to prioritize learning at least a few key phrases….

Close up of a red anthyrium flower with beads of water from the rain, in the background the green of leaves and ferns and black lava rock. Mele Kalikimaka, which means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian , is written in yellow script at the bottom.

Winter in Hawaii: Best Things to Do in December and January

ByMalia Yoshioka

Winter in Hawaii is a magical time to visit and quite popular with “snowbirds” fleeing colder climates. It’s peak season so be sure to book your hotels and activities way in advance, if possible. Big events like the Honolulu Marathon, professional surfing competitions and the return of the humpback whales to Hawaiian waters are other…

The walkway in front of the Galaport shopping complex in Istanbul is a 1.2km stretch along the Bosphorus strait on the left side of the photo. To the right are 2 levels of shops and restaurants, a few concrete planters with trees in front of them. It's a bright blue sky day and there are no cruise ships to block the sea view.

Galataport Istanbul Guide: Where to Eat, Shop and How to Explore the City

ByMalia Yoshioka

The Galataport cruise ship terminal in the Karakoy area of Istanbul is billed as the World’s First Underground Cruise Ship Terminal. Historically this neighborhood was a melting pot of culture and commerce and an important commercial center in the city. After years of redevelopment, the massive seaside project has finally been opened to the public….