Things To Do
Ono kine grinds (great restaurants!)
Here's our personal list of places to eat!
Nu'uanu Pali Lookout Point
A great way of seeing the Windward side of Hawaii, this is a historical site where King Kamehameha pushed rival warriors off the cliff, unifying all of Oahu under his reign. It gets REALLY windy up here, so take a picture leaning into the wind!
Waimea Bay Beach Park
A calmer place to swim, this is a nice option for you to hang out and chill without a crazy undertow. You can also climb up the rock (pictured below) and jump off! Across the street, you can visit Waimea Falls Park and swim near the waterfall, but you’ll need to drive in.
Turtle Bay Resort
Where ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ was filmed, this is a great place to stop off, have a drink and watch the sunset.
Sunset Beach Park
Watch surfers, like Kelly Slater (yes, I saw him there once), and worship the sun here where part of the Triple Crown is hosted. But be careful if you venture into the water. Rip tides are very dangerous and you must be a strong swimmer.
Lanikai Beach
Known as one of the best beaches in the world, the soft sand and relatively mild surf makes this an idyllic spot to relax, swim and enjoy the sun. You can easily rent kayaks here...
Moana Surfrider on Waikiki Beach
One of the first hotels (first is the Pink Palace, Royal Hawaiian) built in Waikiki, this historic hotel is where Daniel and I got married. Sit on the patio and have a drink.
Bishop Museum
A wonderful museum that walks you through various aspects of Hawaiian culture, artifacts and history.
Polynesian Cultural Center
Mostly cultural displays of Polynesian culture, including a luau, this is a tourists way of learning about Hawaii and Polynesians through performance art. I used to go here as a kid, which was fun, but it’s really expensive and I’m not sure how ‘touristy’ this is now.
Arizona Memorial
You’ll need to go early (e.g., 6-7am) and spend at least a half-day here. It’s very moving and a must-see if you’re a history buff.
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
An easy, paved hike to the lighthouse offers views of other islands and humpback whales. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen since there aren’t a lot of trees for shade. If you’re adventurous, you can hike down to the tidepools that are virtually untouched. Not many people head down and the hike looks (and kinda is) scary.
Diamond Head Hike
A moderate hike with a LOT of stairs, you’ll get a view of the east coast and Waikiki. Go early or a little later in the afternoon, so it’s cooler. You’ll still need sunscreen and a hat, but watch out for the wind. It’s strong up there!
Hanauma Bay
Bring your snorkeling gear to see and feed the fish caught between the reef and beach. I’m not sure if feeding the fish is legal anymore; however, we always hide a bag of frozen peas to feed them. It’s their favorite… But go early in the morning since they limit visitors.
Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park
One of our first date spots, it's also a great way of seeing Diamond Head and town (Honolulu city) from another angle. You’ll also be able to see into Manoa Valley, where the University of Hawaii is located.
Kualoa Ranch
Where Jurassic Park was filmed, you’ll be able to zip line, ATV and book horse rides here. And Leandra and Garvey first took us here!