Laid out along a thin corridor of land between mountains and seashore, Honolulu (on the southern rim of Oahu Island) is a surreal mix of urban sprawl meets tropical Disneyland. The beach is packed with Japanese honeymooners and tourists drinking umbrella cocktails. Despite all that commercialisation, Hawaiian culture has survived and downtown Honolulu is pretty cool.
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Essentials
| 01 |
Slow down. You’re on Hawaiian time now. |
| 02 |
Take a surfing lesson or go for a canoe ride. Waikiki’s surf is legendary and the right size for beginners. |
| 03 |
Don’t leave anything of value in your rental car. Most Hawaiians are friendly and peace-loving people, but rental vehicles are often vandalised. |
| 04 |
Give local favourites Spam musubi or loco moco a try. You may find them appalling or surprisingly good. |
| 05 |
Head to the North Shore in winter to watch the big wave surfers. |
Hotels
Independent and easy
Diamond Head
Beach Hotel
2947 Kalakaua Avenue
+ 1 808 922 1928
Dependable chain
Hilton Hawaiian Village
2500 Kalia Road
+ 1 808 949 4321
Premium
Halekulani
2199 Kalia Road
+ 1 808 923 2311
Dining
Fast breakfast
Liliha Bakery
515 N. Kuakini Street
+ 1 808 531 1651
lilihabakery.com
Leisurely breakfast
Hau Tree Lanai
New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel,
2863 Kalakawa Avenue
+ 1 808 923 1555
kaimana.com
Mid-morning coffee
Coffee Talk
3601 Waialae Avenue
+ 1 808 737 7444
Lunch with friends
Young’s Fish Market
1286 Kalani Street
+ 1 808 841 4885
Best picnic
Pick up some burgers and fries from Kua Aina Sandwich Shop (1116 Auahi Street) and make the short drive over to Magic Island. It’s what Barack Obama did on his visit here.
Power Lunch
Downtown @ HISAM
250 South Hotel Street
+ 1 808 536 5900
Early evening drink
Pearl Honolulu
Ala Moana Center
+ 1 866 944 8000
pearlhawaii.com
Sunset cocktail
House Without a Key
2199 Kalia Road
+ 1 808 923 2311
halekulani.com
Dinner for two
Mitch’s Sushi Bar (they may only have room for two)
524 Ohohia Street
+ 1 808 837 7774
mitchsushi.com
Big dinner with friends
Sushi Sasabune
1419 S King Street
+ 1 808 947 3800
Drink after dinner
Bar 35
35 North Hotel Street
+ 1 808 537 3535
bar35hawaii.com
Late bite
MAC 24-7
2500 Kuhio Avenue
+ 1 808 921 5564
mac247waikiki.com
On the tiles
Rumfire
2255 Kalakaua Avenue
+ 1 808 922 4422
rumfirewaikiki.com
Reading
Bookshop
Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii
1050 Ala Moana Boulevard
+ 1 808 597 8967
nativebookshawaii.com
Basics
ABC Stores
Found throughout Waikiki
Shopping
Something you can’t get anywhere else
Vintage Hawaiiana at Bailey’s Antiques and Aloha Shirts
517 Kapahulu Avenue
+ 1 808 734 7628
alohashirts.com
Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard
+ 1 808 955 9517
alamoanacenter.com
Something for the kids
Toys N’ Joys
3632 Waialae Avenue
+ 1 808 735 4546
toysnjoys.com
Something for yourself
Lomi lomi massage
Kahala Hotel & Resort Spa
5000 Kahala Avenue
+ 1 808 739 8888
Two-hour tour
01 A walk on the wild side
A two-mile paved trail leads to Makapuu Lighthouse and the best views of Oahu’s Windward Coast.
02 Kailua Town
This sleepy beach community is a 30-minute drive through the Koolau Mountain Range, which leaves you plenty of time to lie on the beach.
03 Explore President Barack Obama’s old neighbourhood
The University of Hawaii at Manoa (2500 Campus Road), where his parents met; his old school (Punahou School, 1601 Punahou Street); and the apartment where he lived with his grandparents (Punahou Circle Apartments, 1617 South Beretania Street).
Limousine/car
Elite Limousine
+ 1 808 735 2431
elitelimohawaii.com
Transport
Car rental
Rent a car at the airport. For bus information,
visit thebus.org.
Rent a Segway
Segway of Hawaii
+ 1 808 941 3151
segwayofhawaii.com
Fitness
Stand-up surfing
Core Fitness Hawaii
680 Kapiolani Boulevard
+ 1 808 723 5357
paddlecorefitness.com
Alternative diversion
Hawaiian Fire Surf School
3318 Campbell Avenue
+ 1 808 737 3473
hawaiianfire.com