I am heading to Hawaii
- Thread starter CUPID
- Start date
my suggestions in no particular order:
North shore
Polynesian Village, all day event. Get the package with the meal and guided tour.
Island tour around Oahu
hike up diamond head
beaches, beaches, beaches -snorkling, surfing, etc....
hula girls and food.
North shore
Polynesian Village, all day event. Get the package with the meal and guided tour.
Island tour around Oahu
hike up diamond head
beaches, beaches, beaches -snorkling, surfing, etc....
hula girls and food.
I've pretty much lived on Oahu and Big Island for about 6mts, go figure I've never made it over to Kauai but I will next year.
For Oahu, here's a quick list of things you can do:
Sightseeing/Beaches/Hikes:
North Shore drive. You can do the loop which will take you past Dole Plantation (tourist trap) but can be used as a quick pit stop. There's the famous Sunset Beach. Stop into the small town of Haliewa and have some shaved ice at Matsumotos after having lunch at Giovannis (Shrimp Scampi is amazing if you love garlic!) but don't do that loop on a weekend!
Shark's Cove is up in the North Shore area as well and makes for some good snorkeling.
Waimanalo Beach - Up on the east coast.
Kualoa Beach Park - You'll find Chinaman's Hat island (actually Mokolii Island)
Kailua Beach Park - East side of the island. Gets windy on most days. Great for kite or wind surfing.
Lanikai Beach - Just a bit south of Kailua Beach. There are no parking lots but you have to park along the side street and use the public access paths. One of the best and most beautiful beaches on Oahu, probably the most photographed.
Waikiki Beach - Usually crowded but it's Oahu. There are fireworks at the west end of Waikiki Beach by the Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon area every Friday at 8pm.
Hanauma Bay - Great snorkeling in an extinct crater. Not much options for food here. It's closed on Tuesdays if memory serves me right.
Makapu'u Lighthouse trail - A nice 1.5hr hike up Makapu'u point. Very scenic. Wear sunscreen and a hat on a sunny day! Take a camera! Along the main trail, there are a couple smaller trails that branch off. The first one near the parking area runs down to a small beach and you can follow the beach trail for quite a bit. The second smaller trail is much further up the hill and leads down to a couple natural jacuzzis but you have to keep an eye on the tide.
Diamond Head - You have to do this at least once. Use the washroom if you must because there are none alone the trail. Carry water with you too!
Koko Head trail - a bit of a vertical climb but if you're in shape, you won't have a problem. Wear good shoes.
Pearl Harbor - Got to pay hommage.
Kapiolani Blvd. - Lost of designer shopping and at night, lots of street performers. Troy Fernandez is one of my fav ukulele players and he's usually near the International Market Place in the evenings.
Tantalus Lookout - Another very scenic drive up Tantalus to the park where you can get an amazing view of Honolulu.
Byodo-In Temple - Out near Kahaluu area. It's a replica of the Byodo-In Temple in Japan. Small donation/admission to the temple. It's at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains... right out of Jurassic Park!
If you golf, play at the Ko'olau Golf & Country Club! It's THE toughest course in the US and you'll lose a lot of golf balls but the view is awesome. Olomana Golf club is not too far away and where Michelle Wie used to play as a kid. There's also Turtle Bay Arnold Palmer course up on the North Shore.
Pali Lookout - don't wear a hat here! It's windy! Don't leave valuables in your car either!
Shopping:
Ala Moana Shopping Center - The largest outdoor malls in North America. You'll get lost in there!
Waikele Premium Outlets - discount shopping inc. Banana Rep. Coach, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Adidas, CK, Saks, Tommy, Guess, True Religion blah blah. Get a coupon book at the Information booth!
Hilo Hattie - Cheap Hawaiian souvenirs. You can catch the free wiki wiki bus to and from the store almost anywhere along the strip.
Kapiolani Blvd - need not say more.
Food:
Hula Grill - If you like sushi, order the ahi sashimi appetizer! The firewater and warm bread is delish!
Dukes - barefoot bar. Live entertainment after 6pm I believe just below Hula Grill.
Cheesecake Factory - portions are LARGE and can feed two people. The Ahi Poke is amazing but they don't always have it but one of the reasons I always go there for. No reservations so if you plan on eating here, go before 6pm or it's a zoo!
Helena's- Local Hawaiian food and best on the island and known for their take on pipi kailua ribs.
Ono - Local Hawaiian food. Some say it's the best but that's because they've never been to Helena's which is off the beaten path and frequented mostly by locals.
Liliha Bakery - Best coco puffs on da island! You have to go early 'cause they sell out quick! They're also known for their award winning Loco Moco plate lunch.
Leonards Bakery - Bestest malasadas on da island. Agnes' Portuguese Bakery is a very close second (they're out near Kailua Beach Park).
Marukame Udon - amazing udon all hand made. LONG lineups though BUT the line moves and sometimes if you time it right, you get lucky with much shorter lines but there's always a lineup!
Giovannis - See above.
Uncle Clay's Shaved Ice - Out near Hawaii Kai area close to Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail. Best shaved ice on the island, even better than Matsumotos IMHO.
Morimottos - Next door to the Ilikai Hotel. I recommend Surf n' Turf and the Haupia Semifreddo for desert.
Yanagi Sushi - Best sushi on the island IMHO. Fresh and not tourist priced and usually visited by lots of celebrities. Make reservations.
Nico's on Pier 38 - Used to be a greasy hole in the wall but burnt down in a fire a year or so ago and now is a very modern full scale restaurant with live bands and great food.
There's a little Thai restaurant up in Haliewa. I forget the name of it. It's in the strip plaza across from the gas station with the Long Drugs. The restaurant is right next to the L&L Hawaiian Restaurant.
Rainbow Drive In and also L&L Restaurants - Local Hawaiian food. Mostly visited by locals but tasty and not so healthy for you too. Guess why Hawaiians are BIG! lol
Lots of other chain restaurants like Roy's, PF Changs, Senior Frogs etc.
Anywho, that should keep you busy for a bit.
For Oahu, here's a quick list of things you can do:
Sightseeing/Beaches/Hikes:
North Shore drive. You can do the loop which will take you past Dole Plantation (tourist trap) but can be used as a quick pit stop. There's the famous Sunset Beach. Stop into the small town of Haliewa and have some shaved ice at Matsumotos after having lunch at Giovannis (Shrimp Scampi is amazing if you love garlic!) but don't do that loop on a weekend!
Shark's Cove is up in the North Shore area as well and makes for some good snorkeling.
Waimanalo Beach - Up on the east coast.
Kualoa Beach Park - You'll find Chinaman's Hat island (actually Mokolii Island)
Kailua Beach Park - East side of the island. Gets windy on most days. Great for kite or wind surfing.
Lanikai Beach - Just a bit south of Kailua Beach. There are no parking lots but you have to park along the side street and use the public access paths. One of the best and most beautiful beaches on Oahu, probably the most photographed.
Waikiki Beach - Usually crowded but it's Oahu. There are fireworks at the west end of Waikiki Beach by the Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon area every Friday at 8pm.
Hanauma Bay - Great snorkeling in an extinct crater. Not much options for food here. It's closed on Tuesdays if memory serves me right.
Makapu'u Lighthouse trail - A nice 1.5hr hike up Makapu'u point. Very scenic. Wear sunscreen and a hat on a sunny day! Take a camera! Along the main trail, there are a couple smaller trails that branch off. The first one near the parking area runs down to a small beach and you can follow the beach trail for quite a bit. The second smaller trail is much further up the hill and leads down to a couple natural jacuzzis but you have to keep an eye on the tide.
Diamond Head - You have to do this at least once. Use the washroom if you must because there are none alone the trail. Carry water with you too!
Koko Head trail - a bit of a vertical climb but if you're in shape, you won't have a problem. Wear good shoes.
Pearl Harbor - Got to pay hommage.
Kapiolani Blvd. - Lost of designer shopping and at night, lots of street performers. Troy Fernandez is one of my fav ukulele players and he's usually near the International Market Place in the evenings.
Tantalus Lookout - Another very scenic drive up Tantalus to the park where you can get an amazing view of Honolulu.
Byodo-In Temple - Out near Kahaluu area. It's a replica of the Byodo-In Temple in Japan. Small donation/admission to the temple. It's at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains... right out of Jurassic Park!
If you golf, play at the Ko'olau Golf & Country Club! It's THE toughest course in the US and you'll lose a lot of golf balls but the view is awesome. Olomana Golf club is not too far away and where Michelle Wie used to play as a kid. There's also Turtle Bay Arnold Palmer course up on the North Shore.
Pali Lookout - don't wear a hat here! It's windy! Don't leave valuables in your car either!
Shopping:
Ala Moana Shopping Center - The largest outdoor malls in North America. You'll get lost in there!
Waikele Premium Outlets - discount shopping inc. Banana Rep. Coach, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Adidas, CK, Saks, Tommy, Guess, True Religion blah blah. Get a coupon book at the Information booth!
Hilo Hattie - Cheap Hawaiian souvenirs. You can catch the free wiki wiki bus to and from the store almost anywhere along the strip.
Kapiolani Blvd - need not say more.
Food:
Hula Grill - If you like sushi, order the ahi sashimi appetizer! The firewater and warm bread is delish!
Dukes - barefoot bar. Live entertainment after 6pm I believe just below Hula Grill.
Cheesecake Factory - portions are LARGE and can feed two people. The Ahi Poke is amazing but they don't always have it but one of the reasons I always go there for. No reservations so if you plan on eating here, go before 6pm or it's a zoo!
Helena's- Local Hawaiian food and best on the island and known for their take on pipi kailua ribs.
Ono - Local Hawaiian food. Some say it's the best but that's because they've never been to Helena's which is off the beaten path and frequented mostly by locals.
Liliha Bakery - Best coco puffs on da island! You have to go early 'cause they sell out quick! They're also known for their award winning Loco Moco plate lunch.
Leonards Bakery - Bestest malasadas on da island. Agnes' Portuguese Bakery is a very close second (they're out near Kailua Beach Park).
Marukame Udon - amazing udon all hand made. LONG lineups though BUT the line moves and sometimes if you time it right, you get lucky with much shorter lines but there's always a lineup!
Giovannis - See above.
Uncle Clay's Shaved Ice - Out near Hawaii Kai area close to Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail. Best shaved ice on the island, even better than Matsumotos IMHO.
Morimottos - Next door to the Ilikai Hotel. I recommend Surf n' Turf and the Haupia Semifreddo for desert.
Yanagi Sushi - Best sushi on the island IMHO. Fresh and not tourist priced and usually visited by lots of celebrities. Make reservations.
Nico's on Pier 38 - Used to be a greasy hole in the wall but burnt down in a fire a year or so ago and now is a very modern full scale restaurant with live bands and great food.
There's a little Thai restaurant up in Haliewa. I forget the name of it. It's in the strip plaza across from the gas station with the Long Drugs. The restaurant is right next to the L&L Hawaiian Restaurant.
Rainbow Drive In and also L&L Restaurants - Local Hawaiian food. Mostly visited by locals but tasty and not so healthy for you too. Guess why Hawaiians are BIG! lol
Lots of other chain restaurants like Roy's, PF Changs, Senior Frogs etc.
Anywho, that should keep you busy for a bit.
+1. If I had US citizenship, I'd move to there in a heartbeat.The best thing about Hawaii is everything. It's my number 1 place to go and live.
