My Little Honolulu Guidebook
Parks & Nature
Great Bay for snorkeling and swimming. Very close to our house. Best time to go is when tide of the day is at least medium high so you can swim over the coral reefs where fish find food. For 1st timers, unless you get to the park before 7am, you are required to watch a (free) 15 minutes introductory movie before you can go down to the Bay. While snorkel gears can be rented at the Bay's kiosk, you can easily purchase them at the drug stores, ABC stores, Walmart or Costco. The Bay closes on Tuesdays to give our precious Hawaiian fish a rest without stress from the curious snorkelers.
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Teluk Hanauma
7455 Kalanianaʻole HighwayGreat Bay for snorkeling and swimming. Very close to our house. Best time to go is when tide of the day is at least medium high so you can swim over the coral reefs where fish find food. For 1st timers, unless you get to the park before 7am, you are required to watch a (free) 15 minutes introductory movie before you can go down to the Bay. While snorkel gears can be rented at the Bay's kiosk, you can easily purchase them at the drug stores, ABC stores, Walmart or Costco. The Bay closes on Tuesdays to give our precious Hawaiian fish a rest without stress from the curious snorkelers.
Great easy and beautiful hike up to the lighthouse ! Because of it's lovely scenery and close proximity to our house, we visit the trail at least once a week. Go before sunrise to see the most glorious sunrise on the island. Best time to go is early in the morning or late in the afternoon as the trail does not have much shade and much of the trail is on the west side of the slope. Parking lot is big but fills up fast.
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Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse TrailGreat easy and beautiful hike up to the lighthouse ! Because of it's lovely scenery and close proximity to our house, we visit the trail at least once a week. Go before sunrise to see the most glorious sunrise on the island. Best time to go is early in the morning or late in the afternoon as the trail does not have much shade and much of the trail is on the west side of the slope. Parking lot is big but fills up fast.
A great snorkel place where local go. Be careful as there is no life guard on duty. Water may be rough in the winter. Beautiful corals, see turtle and all kinds of topical fishes.
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Sharks Cove
A great snorkel place where local go. Be careful as there is no life guard on duty. Water may be rough in the winter. Beautiful corals, see turtle and all kinds of topical fishes.
Waimea Bay is mentioned in the song "Surfing USA" by Beach Boys. Beautiful sand, beautiful waves. If you are lucky, you can even see spinning dolphins and whales passing by. Very often you also can see big school of fish in the water. Watch out for the fishing lines if there are fishermen fishing by the right side of the shoreline. For those who are adventurous, there is a "Da Big" rock off the shore that kids like to jump off from. Best to reach there before 8am, as parking stalls are extremely limited and parking lot is almost always full. Traffic polices are like hawks there. Don't park illegally as you will for certain get a parking ticket.
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Waimea Bay Beach
Waimea Bay is mentioned in the song "Surfing USA" by Beach Boys. Beautiful sand, beautiful waves. If you are lucky, you can even see spinning dolphins and whales passing by. Very often you also can see big school of fish in the water. Watch out for the fishing lines if there are fishermen fishing by the right side of the shoreline. For those who are adventurous, there is a "Da Big" rock off the shore that kids like to jump off from. Best to reach there before 8am, as parking stalls are extremely limited and parking lot is almost always full. Traffic polices are like hawks there. Don't park illegally as you will for certain get a parking ticket.
Easy and beautiful hike in the Waimea valley leading up to a waterfall ! Pretty safe to swim in the Waterfall pool as there is a lifeguard station that offers free life jackets. Very refreshing sitting by the rock with the waterfall is practically only 20 feet from you. Very close to Waimea Bay if you want to go for a swim afterward. You will need to pay an entrance fee. There is a gift shop and a snack bar inside where you can order local plate lunch.
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Lembah Waimea
59-864 Kamehameha HwyEasy and beautiful hike in the Waimea valley leading up to a waterfall ! Pretty safe to swim in the Waterfall pool as there is a lifeguard station that offers free life jackets. Very refreshing sitting by the rock with the waterfall is practically only 20 feet from you. Very close to Waimea Bay if you want to go for a swim afterward. You will need to pay an entrance fee. There is a gift shop and a snack bar inside where you can order local plate lunch.
Beautiful topical forest hiking trail up to the waterfalls. Good shoes needed as some part of the trail is always muddy. If you go, please wash off mud from your shoes when you return to our house.
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Manoa Falls
37 Manoa RdBeautiful topical forest hiking trail up to the waterfalls. Good shoes needed as some part of the trail is always muddy. If you go, please wash off mud from your shoes when you return to our house.
well maintained. Easy hikes to see all kinds of beautiful topical flowers and trees. There is a small waterfall at the top of the trail. Please note no life guard, be careful if you decide to swim in the water. No entrance fee but donation from visitor is appreciated. Bring your own food as the Arboretum has no restaurant or caferteria.
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Lyon Arboretum
3860 Manoa Rdwell maintained. Easy hikes to see all kinds of beautiful topical flowers and trees. There is a small waterfall at the top of the trail. Please note no life guard, be careful if you decide to swim in the water. No entrance fee but donation from visitor is appreciated. Bring your own food as the Arboretum has no restaurant or caferteria.
Great place for swimming, boogie boarding and surfing on the south east side of the island. Very easy to get to from our house too.
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Pantai Sandy
Great place for swimming, boogie boarding and surfing on the south east side of the island. Very easy to get to from our house too.
Everybody goes there to swim, shop and eat. For free parking, park at the Waikiki Shell lot on Monsarrat Ave, which is on the other side of the Honolulu Zoo. A 5 minutes walk from the Shell will bring you back to Waikiki beach.
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Waikiki Beach
Everybody goes there to swim, shop and eat. For free parking, park at the Waikiki Shell lot on Monsarrat Ave, which is on the other side of the Honolulu Zoo. A 5 minutes walk from the Shell will bring you back to Waikiki beach.
For a relaxing swim and local scene. Used to be a beach for the local, but is popular with visitors nowadays.
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Kailua Beach
For a relaxing swim and local scene. Used to be a beach for the local, but is popular with visitors nowadays.
See our endangered Hawaii monk seal and the lovely little yellow long nose butterfly fish that has the longest Hawaiian name - lau-wiliwili-nukunuku'oi'oi. Don't miss the colorful giant clams too. The Aquarium is pretty small and you can easily complete your tour in an hour.
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Akuarium Waikiki
2777 Kalakaua AveSee our endangered Hawaii monk seal and the lovely little yellow long nose butterfly fish that has the longest Hawaiian name - lau-wiliwili-nukunuku'oi'oi. Don't miss the colorful giant clams too. The Aquarium is pretty small and you can easily complete your tour in an hour.
awesome view and a good workout for your feet. can be muddy on rainy days, best to go when the weather is dry. Please wash off mud from your shoes when you return to our house.
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Kuliouou Ridge Trail
Kuli'ou'ou Valley Trailawesome view and a good workout for your feet. can be muddy on rainy days, best to go when the weather is dry. Please wash off mud from your shoes when you return to our house.
Nice little zoo where you can find Hawaiian nene (goose). Beautiful trees and native plants. Paid parking at the zoo parking lot but free parking is available if you park on the other side of the zoo, along Monsarrat Ave by the Waikiki Shell. Short walking distance from there to the Zoo and Waikiki beach.
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Kebun Binatang Honolulu
151 Kapahulu AveNice little zoo where you can find Hawaiian nene (goose). Beautiful trees and native plants. Paid parking at the zoo parking lot but free parking is available if you park on the other side of the zoo, along Monsarrat Ave by the Waikiki Shell. Short walking distance from there to the Zoo and Waikiki beach.
A short hike to the top of Diamond Head crater. On a sunny day, you have a great view of the south and east side of the island. On a misty day, you can often see giant rainbows right in front of you. Park has a $5 entrance fee and closes at 4:30pm. Close to the KCC Farmers' Market which opens every Saturday morning. More shade on the trails if you go in the morning.
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Diamond Head Crater Hike
KapahuluA short hike to the top of Diamond Head crater. On a sunny day, you have a great view of the south and east side of the island. On a misty day, you can often see giant rainbows right in front of you. Park has a $5 entrance fee and closes at 4:30pm. Close to the KCC Farmers' Market which opens every Saturday morning. More shade on the trails if you go in the morning.
For those with active lifestyle and are experience hikers, this is a good hike for you. Make sure you where good shoes, some part of the trail may be a bit muddy.
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Olomana Ridge Trailhead
Loop RoadFor those with active lifestyle and are experience hikers, this is a good hike for you. Make sure you where good shoes, some part of the trail may be a bit muddy.
Essentials
Supermarket for bottled drink, fresh fruits, vegetable and meat. It is the only supermarket in Hawaii Kai and very close to our house.
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Safeway
377 Keahole StSupermarket for bottled drink, fresh fruits, vegetable and meat. It is the only supermarket in Hawaii Kai and very close to our house.
Superstore for everything ! (need membership to enter). Best prices for mac nuts and mac nuts chocolate to bring back as souvenir. Very close to our house.
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Costco Wholesale
4589 Kapolei PkwySuperstore for everything ! (need membership to enter). Best prices for mac nuts and mac nuts chocolate to bring back as souvenir. Very close to our house.
Across from the Safeway Supermarket. Opens 24 hours. Drug store has a minute clinic inside.
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Longs Drugs
377 Keahole StAcross from the Safeway Supermarket. Opens 24 hours. Drug store has a minute clinic inside.
There are multiple locations for this organic supermarket but this one is the closed to our house.
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Whole Foods Market
629 Kailua RdThere are multiple locations for this organic supermarket but this one is the closed to our house.
Food Scene
Our No. 1 favorite Japanese restaurant. Good quality, very fresh sushi and great choices of Japanese food. Lots of local eat here. Great service, Empty plates were removed so quickly from our table that many times we didn't even notice they were gone. Rated the best Japanese restaurant on the island a few years in a rolls. Also featured in a New York Time food article. Valid parking in front of the restaurant. Reservation is highly recommended.
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Yanagi Sushi
762 Kapiolani BlvdOur No. 1 favorite Japanese restaurant. Good quality, very fresh sushi and great choices of Japanese food. Lots of local eat here. Great service, Empty plates were removed so quickly from our table that many times we didn't even notice they were gone. Rated the best Japanese restaurant on the island a few years in a rolls. Also featured in a New York Time food article. Valid parking in front of the restaurant. Reservation is highly recommended.
Great local fresh seafood restaurant. Restaurant buys its fish daily directly from the fish auction market located just down the street in the same pier. Lots of free parking in the pier. We like their poke bowl and ahi belly. They also have live entertainment presented by local songers. View of the pier and the dock. A good and relaxing place to enjoy your lunch on a Saturday.
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Nico's Pier 38
1129 N Nimitz HwyGreat local fresh seafood restaurant. Restaurant buys its fish daily directly from the fish auction market located just down the street in the same pier. Lots of free parking in the pier. We like their poke bowl and ahi belly. They also have live entertainment presented by local songers. View of the pier and the dock. A good and relaxing place to enjoy your lunch on a Saturday.
By far THE best seafood and prime rib dinner buffet restaurant in town (buffet dinner offered only on Fridays and Saturdays). High quality food and desserts to die for. The restaurant is in the Kahala Hotel with valet or 4 hours free self parking for restaurant guests. We like to sit on the lanai of the restaurant in front of the plumeria trees and the ocean. Relax and romantic. The hotel itself is small, very stylish and classy where the rich and famous people stay. Before our dinner, we like to stroll outside to the dolphin pool to say hi to the super cute and very playful bottleneck dolphins. We like to go there to celebrate our birthdays & wedding anniversary.
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Plumeria Beach House
5000 Kahala AveBy far THE best seafood and prime rib dinner buffet restaurant in town (buffet dinner offered only on Fridays and Saturdays). High quality food and desserts to die for. The restaurant is in the Kahala Hotel with valet or 4 hours free self parking for restaurant guests. We like to sit on the lanai of the restaurant in front of the plumeria trees and the ocean. Relax and romantic. The hotel itself is small, very stylish and classy where the rich and famous people stay. Before our dinner, we like to stroll outside to the dolphin pool to say hi to the super cute and very playful bottleneck dolphins. We like to go there to celebrate our birthdays & wedding anniversary.
Lots of local restaurants, small shops , theater and Walgreen drug store.
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Koko Marina Center
7192 Kalanianaʻole HwyLots of local restaurants, small shops , theater and Walgreen drug store.
Over 50 food stalls specializing in fresh Japanese cooked food in the lower level of the Ala Moana Shopping Center across from Foodland supermarket. Cafeteria style. Take your time to walk around and choose your Japanese meals. But if you really want a good Japanese meal, Yanagi Sushi is just a short drive away.
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Shirokiya Japan Village Walk
1450 Ala Moana BlvdOver 50 food stalls specializing in fresh Japanese cooked food in the lower level of the Ala Moana Shopping Center across from Foodland supermarket. Cafeteria style. Take your time to walk around and choose your Japanese meals. But if you really want a good Japanese meal, Yanagi Sushi is just a short drive away.
Very nice Italian food restaurant. There is also an Assaggio at the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
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Assaggio Hawaii Kai
7192 Kalanianaʻole HwyVery nice Italian food restaurant. There is also an Assaggio at the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
Best malasada ( Portugese doughnut without a hole) on the island. Has a lighter texture than the regular doughnut. Highly recommend to eat them while they are hot. The one stuffed with dobash (chocolate) is our favorite ! Very often you can find the Leonard's malasada mobile truck in the parking lot of Koko Marina's Mall so you don't have to go to their Kapahulu store which always have a line.
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Leonard's Bakery
933 Kapahulu AveBest malasada ( Portugese doughnut without a hole) on the island. Has a lighter texture than the regular doughnut. Highly recommend to eat them while they are hot. The one stuffed with dobash (chocolate) is our favorite ! Very often you can find the Leonard's malasada mobile truck in the parking lot of Koko Marina's Mall so you don't have to go to their Kapahulu store which always have a line.
Good Hong Kong style Chinese food in the heart of China town.
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Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith StGood Hong Kong style Chinese food in the heart of China town.
Famous for their 5 stacks of giant pancakes and local style breakfast. Very local style. Always busy in the morning.
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Koa Pancake House
46-126 Kahuhipa StFamous for their 5 stacks of giant pancakes and local style breakfast. Very local style. Always busy in the morning.
Original restaurant location where Roy's started. with upscale romantic settings and fusion food.
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The Original Roy's in Hawaii Kai
6600 Kalanianaʻole HighwayOriginal restaurant location where Roy's started. with upscale romantic settings and fusion food.
We like to go to McDonald's on weekends not for their burgers but for their local breakfast with rice, scramble egg, spam and Portuguese sausage. Add soy sauce and ketchup (yes, that's how we eat local breakfast !) and that makes a pretty good local style brunch for us on a weekend ! We also like MacDonald's taro pie but it is a seasonal item and only offered a few weeks year.
McDonald's
377 Keahole StWe like to go to McDonald's on weekends not for their burgers but for their local breakfast with rice, scramble egg, spam and Portuguese sausage. Add soy sauce and ketchup (yes, that's how we eat local breakfast !) and that makes a pretty good local style brunch for us on a weekend ! We also like MacDonald's taro pie but it is a seasonal item and only offered a few weeks year.
You can see them making fresh udon noodle from the front window. Our favorite choice is Niku Udon (noodle with teriyaki beef) in soup. Self service restaurant with very good price. Very popular with local and tourists from Asia. May have to wait in line to enter but the line usually moves quite fast. The air condition is not very good in the restaurant so if you go, pick a table close by the air vent.
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Marukame Udon Waikiki
2310 Kūhiō Ave.You can see them making fresh udon noodle from the front window. Our favorite choice is Niku Udon (noodle with teriyaki beef) in soup. Self service restaurant with very good price. Very popular with local and tourists from Asia. May have to wait in line to enter but the line usually moves quite fast. The air condition is not very good in the restaurant so if you go, pick a table close by the air vent.
We like their flame broiled burgers made from fresh ground chuck steak. Good value for the food quality. We also always order their french fries, extra crispy, made from fresh potatoes. Teddy's has multiple locations on the island. There is one at the Koko Marina Shopping center in Hawaii Kai and another one in Waikiki.
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Teddy's Bigger Burgers
134 Kapahulu AveWe like their flame broiled burgers made from fresh ground chuck steak. Good value for the food quality. We also always order their french fries, extra crispy, made from fresh potatoes. Teddy's has multiple locations on the island. There is one at the Koko Marina Shopping center in Hawaii Kai and another one in Waikiki.
Nijiya is a Japanese supermarket next to the Ala Moana Shopping center. Other than grocery, they have a good selection of Japanese bentos, made fresh daily. They also have a dining area so you can eat your bentos right after purchase. Good quality and prices. Parking available in front of the market, right next to the Ala Moana Shopping center.
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Nijiya Market
1009 University AveNijiya is a Japanese supermarket next to the Ala Moana Shopping center. Other than grocery, they have a good selection of Japanese bentos, made fresh daily. They also have a dining area so you can eat your bentos right after purchase. Good quality and prices. Parking available in front of the market, right next to the Ala Moana Shopping center.
Restaurant is operated by the culinary school of the Kapiolani Community College. Very good food and good service at reasonable price prepared by the College chefs and culinary school students. 5 courses diner, you can bring your own wine with no corking fee. Bad news is, their tables are usually booked months in advance.
Ka'ikena Restaurant-Kapiolani
4303 Diamond Head RdRestaurant is operated by the culinary school of the Kapiolani Community College. Very good food and good service at reasonable price prepared by the College chefs and culinary school students. 5 courses diner, you can bring your own wine with no corking fee. Bad news is, their tables are usually booked months in advance.
Popular self serve restaurant with very good local style menu. Free parking is available at the Wards shopping center. Good place to eat and shop.
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Kaka'ako Kitchen & Catering
1200 Ala Moana BlvdPopular self serve restaurant with very good local style menu. Free parking is available at the Wards shopping center. Good place to eat and shop.
fast food restaurant for build your own pizza. We like their guava infused pizze bread and choices of fresh vegetable. very hard to resist fresh pizza from the oven. family friendly, good if you want a quick bit. Owner lives on the same ridge as ours.
Sophie's Gourmet Hawaiian Pizzeria
7192 Kalanianaʻole Highwayfast food restaurant for build your own pizza. We like their guava infused pizze bread and choices of fresh vegetable. very hard to resist fresh pizza from the oven. family friendly, good if you want a quick bit. Owner lives on the same ridge as ours.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner plates reasonably priced for locals in the Koko Marina Mall in Hawaii Kai, relax local style. Great place for a quick bite. We like their bbq mixed plate and their Haleiwa bowl which comes with rice topped with ahi poke, garlic chicken & kalua pig.
Fatboy's Hawaii Kai
7192 Kalanianaʻole HwyBreakfast, lunch & dinner plates reasonably priced for locals in the Koko Marina Mall in Hawaii Kai, relax local style. Great place for a quick bite. We like their bbq mixed plate and their Haleiwa bowl which comes with rice topped with ahi poke, garlic chicken & kalua pig.
Right across from the Ala Moana Shopping center. All kinds of Asia style buns, cake and bread. Fresh and yummy !
JJ2 Bakery
1440 Kapiolani BlvdRight across from the Ala Moana Shopping center. All kinds of Asia style buns, cake and bread. Fresh and yummy !
Shopping
Great place for aloha shirts/dress, souvenirs, mac nuts and mac nuts chocolates.
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Walmart
700 Ke’eaumoku StGreat place for aloha shirts/dress, souvenirs, mac nuts and mac nuts chocolates.
Biggest shopping mall in Hawaii. Lots of food and shops. You can shop till your feet tell you to stop.
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Pusat Ala Moana
1450 Ala Moana BlvdBiggest shopping mall in Hawaii. Lots of food and shops. You can shop till your feet tell you to stop.
High end shops and restaurants in the heart of Waikki. Owned by Bishop Estates (trust set up by decedents of the Hawaiian Royal family) which is one of the richest land owners in the US. Profits from the center are used to run the Kamehameha School dedicated to native Hawaiian children.
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Royal Hawaiian Center
2201 Kalakaua AveHigh end shops and restaurants in the heart of Waikki. Owned by Bishop Estates (trust set up by decedents of the Hawaiian Royal family) which is one of the richest land owners in the US. Profits from the center are used to run the Kamehameha School dedicated to native Hawaiian children.
Sightseeing
Be prepared for the emotional encounter. See the teardrops from the sunken USS Arizona battleship and memorial of the brave ones who lost their life on 12/7/1941. Same day tickets are almost always sold out in the same morning. You have to go there early or order your tickets online (the small fee is totally worth it). Tour includes a short film and a boat ride to the memorial.
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Arizona Memorial station
Be prepared for the emotional encounter. See the teardrops from the sunken USS Arizona battleship and memorial of the brave ones who lost their life on 12/7/1941. Same day tickets are almost always sold out in the same morning. You have to go there early or order your tickets online (the small fee is totally worth it). Tour includes a short film and a boat ride to the memorial.
see lots of pineapples, eat Dole Whip and of course, get yourselves lost in the MAZE !
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Dole Plantation
64-1550 Kamehameha Hwysee lots of pineapples, eat Dole Whip and of course, get yourselves lost in the MAZE !
most spectacular overlooks of the ocean and the molten Lava Tube that sprays water up to 30 Feet in the Air
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Halona Blowhole Lookout
8483 HI-72most spectacular overlooks of the ocean and the molten Lava Tube that sprays water up to 30 Feet in the Air
Everything Else
Lots of Local farm products and food vendors. Lots of parking. Great place to buy souvenirs. As local, we like to go their to buy vegetables and flowers. very popular with tourists. Only opens on Saturday from 7am to 11am.
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Kapiolani Community College station
4303 Diamond Head RdLots of Local farm products and food vendors. Lots of parking. Great place to buy souvenirs. As local, we like to go their to buy vegetables and flowers. very popular with tourists. Only opens on Saturday from 7am to 11am.
Old Pali Road
Old Pali RoadPanoramic view and easy hike on the old Pali highway.
Entertainment & Activities
Spectacular fireworks every Friday evenings. Fireworks last 5 minutes. Free for everyone. Beautiful beach and garden. The hotel also offer Luau shows every week. Parking is expensive. There is free public parking lot nearby with limited parking stalls (just search for 'Ala Moana Bowls Parking Lot').
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Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
2005 Kālia RdSpectacular fireworks every Friday evenings. Fireworks last 5 minutes. Free for everyone. Beautiful beach and garden. The hotel also offer Luau shows every week. Parking is expensive. There is free public parking lot nearby with limited parking stalls (just search for 'Ala Moana Bowls Parking Lot').
Oahu Zipline
Horseback riding, for those who dares, try the zipline.