✨ A few things I think you'll enjoy

👋 Aloha from DC!

It's been a fun few weeks around here. I took the train to Richmond for the TBEX conference, where I caught up with friends I only get to see once a year and came back with a notebook full of story ideas.

In other news, you might remember that earlier this year I was a guest on the Travel the World Confidently podcast. They invited me back, this time to talk all things train travel. You can listen here:

Why Train Travel Might Be th...

Jul 22 · Travel the World Confide...

38:17

That conversation (and an IG Live with my friend Kahja) also inspired me to finally answer some of the train questions I hear most often, so you'll find that in my Amtrak FAQs post and also what to pack for a long-distance trip in coach.

As always, I've also rounded up a few things that caught my attention lately, from travel inspiration to interesting reads. I hope you discover something new today.

✨ Until next time,

🌴 Are you a Hawaii Resident?

You can opt in or out of receiving Kama'aina news and events by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on "Update Preferences".

What's new on Shoyu Sugar

Amtrak FAQs

First train trip? Curious about the USA Rail Pass? I've rounded up the questions people ask me most often (about luggage, seat assignments, dining, what to pack, sleeping in coach) in one practical guide.

Read the Guide 🚂

This email may contain affiliate links, which means purchases made through those links earn me a commission, at no extra cost to you. For details, please see my privacy policy. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time from the bottom of the email.

Destination Inspiration ✈

It’s firefly season! Outside Magazine details where you can catch common or synchronized fireflies and for how much longer.
CN Traveler is doing a fun series of 50 States 50 People, profiling the people behind iconic experiences in every state
Food & Wine has a delicious list of 8 Food Trails Around the World that includes some of my favorites!
The history of Route 66 is complicated at 100 years old but this collection from AllRecipes tells stories of hospitality, home cooking, and common ground from across the miles

🌴 Kama'aina News

[Maui] Oao Sushi is launching Kama’aina discount of 30% on Mondays and Tuesdays with Hawaii ID. Details here.
[Oahu] Kamaaina receive a 20% dining discount at Kahala Resort, according to Aloha State Daily
I just learned about the Small Kine Paper snail mail club, where you can receive adorable stationery set each month from a Big Island artist. (I also love when Depo Market on Maui started one last year!)
Aloha Tofu is holding a TofuVenture competition for Keiki in grades K-6. In This collaboration with Foodland’s Executive Chef Keone Chang, your Keiki can win one of 5 spots. Enter by 7/31.

What's your favorite Greek souvenir?

🫒 Olive oil or olives

🧀 Local cheese

🍷 Wine

🧿 Local art or crafts

Feeling Lucky🍀

National Park Foundation is giving away 500,000 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles and $10,000 cash. Enter by 7/31. Details here.
Win an ultimate gourmet getaway package including flights, hotel and tickets to the 2026 Hawaii Food & Wine Festival this October/November. Enter daily through 7/31. Details here.
Win a trip for two to Reykjavik, Iceland including hotel and airfare in the Circle K Icelandic Glacial Sweepstakes. Enter by 8/31. Details here.

✈ Free travel resources

Visit my new foodie travel resource library! It's a work in progress and I'll be adding resources & discounts from companies and creators I trust. The password is “eatlikealocal” since that’s the best way to get to know a place.

Check it out

✨ My favorite food tours

I've started bookmarking my favorite food tours while I've been taking some in the US. Do you have any standouts that you'd add? Want an international version? Reply and let me know what you think! 🙏

See the tours

📲 Stay connected overseas

Buy an eSIM before you travel to avoid roaming fees. You'll be connected immediately when you land! My go-to for most destinations is Airalo.

Get $3 to try it out using the code MALIA2345.

Get an eSIM

Malia Yoshioka holds a multicolored shave ice cone on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii

👋 Hi, I'm Malia Yoshioka!

I'm a freelance food and travel writer and guidebook author from Hawaii, slowly eating my way around the world and sharing the flavors with you in these weekly updates and on ShoyuSugar.com

You're on my list because you watched my presentation at a summit, downloaded a freebie or purchased one of my products.

I hope you'll enjoy the weekly content here, but feel free to use the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of any email from me if you need to. No hard feelings!

👉 Catch up on past editions of the newsletter here

📬 My inbox is always open and I'd love to hear from you if you have questions, feedback or suggestions. If you enjoyed this newsletter and would like to support my work, please use my virtual tip jar.

440 N. Barranca Ave #4598, Covina, CA 91723

Update Preferences | Unsubscribe

Shoyu Sugar