Mayu & Douglas
Things To Do
Paradise Healing Farms
Our farm! It's a bit of a hike to get to and make sure you're in a vehicle with insurance (dusty gravel/dirt road from the entrance to our lot)... but we'd love to show our budding farm to anyone who is wanting to come out! We go there pretty much every day to check on our plants and animal fam, so we can coordinate with whoever wants to join us.
Manoa Falls Trail
This is where we got engaged! A beautiful, lush, relatively easy 2-mile hike that ends at a 150-ft waterfall. The hike is free but there is a $5 fee for the parking lot. If you add 10 minutes to your walk, you can park for free on the street in the neighborhood (google map address above links to the last area you can park). The wide, straight road (Manoa Rd) will turn into a winding road; you just have to keep walking toward the mountain on it and you will eventually get to the trail.
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
A paved road all the way up, but the view from the top is breathtaking. Might be able to see some whales! Sunrise is amazing if you are up for an early hike. Near Hanauma Bay, you will need a car to get there.
Diamond Head Crater Hike
A popular hike close to Waikiki up the Diamond Head crater. Only go early in the day, the sun gets harsh mid-day and beyond and there is no shade. Make sure you have plenty of water. There is a tunnel that can be mildly claustrophobic, but it's not that long (helpful to know beforehand). The view from the top is awesome. Weekends are really crowded - the earlier the better.
Yokohama Bay
The most gorgeous beach on the island, especially for sunsets (rush hour traffic can be bad though, so beware on weekdays). A bit far to get to if you're not close to the west side, but well worth the drive.
Fumi's Kahuku Shrimp
If you wanna eat at a shrimp truck on the North Shore in Kahuku, go to Fumi's because the quality is the same but the lines aren't long like the other more famous ones. Cash only.
Waiahole Poi Factory
Close to our wedding venue, so it could be a good place for lunch if you're in the area early. Awesome place to get freshly pound poi and local Hawaiian plate lunches. They're famous for their "Sweet Lady," which is a haupia (coconut) ice cream and kulolo (sweet steamed kalo) sundae. They accept credit cards.
Bogart's Café
Near Waikiki in the Monsarrat/Diamond Head area. Nice breakfast/brunch place with awesome garlic shrimp fried rice and acai bowls. Can be crowded. Cash only.
International Market Place
In the heart of Waikiki. Ground floor has a food court with good food (reasonably priced) and a nice cafe. At 5 pm everyday they do a torch lighting at the front entrance followed by a free hula show. The 3rd floor has nice (pricey) restaurants.
Fresh Catch Kaimuki
Our go-to place for fresh poke bowls. In Kaimuki, a couple of neighborhoods over from Waikiki. They also have local plate lunches. They accept credit cards.
Highway Inn Kaka'ako
Local Hawaiian food restaurant. They have a big breakfast, lunch and dinner menu (they close pretty early, as do most Hawaiian places, so check their hours).
Down To Earth Organic & Natural Honolulu
A local vegetarian health food store chain. We eat their avocado spring rolls with peanut sauce... A LOT. They also have other locations in Kakaako, Kailua, Pearlridge and Kapolei (check their website or just type in Down To Earth in your GPS for closest location).