Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku

• Laurie recently profiled Rhoda Magbitang both before and after she won Top Chef season 23.
• Moving to Hawai'i and starting a family has been one of the most significant moments in both her life and her travel writing career.
• She's had the opportunity to see Hawai'i's natural beauty from above in helicopters and small planes, swim with fish and manta rays just below the waves on snorkeling expeditions, and dip 150 feet below the ocean surface to explore the island's shores in a submarine.

Experience

Laurie began her travel writing journey producing content for Austin.com, eventually serving as its editor. After moving to Hawai'i in 2016, her written words began to shift to focusing on her new island home. She invested her time and energy learning more about the culture, language, and people of Hawai'i, establishing a firm foundation from which to share her experiences. Her writing focuses on practical tips for a variety of travelers, promoting regenerative -- rather than extractive -- tourism, and introducing travelers to a variety of small, local businesses. She still loves to visit and write about Texas and the U.S. South, which holds a very large place in her heart. She's been published in regional websites including Hawaii.com, HAWAI'I Magazine, and SFGate and national publications including Fodor's Travel, Matador Network, Travel + Leisure, AAAVia, Trip Advisor, and Viator. After updating guidebooks for Fodor's over the years, Laurie's first fully original guidebook, "Moon Travel Guide's Best of the Big Island of Hawai'i", was published in fall 2026.

Education

Laurie earned a Bachelor of Arts in American studies at University of Texas at Austin. She also earned her Master of Arts in new media journalism from Full Sail Academy.