Angela & Mario
Things To Do
Babysitter- Amber
She’s a photographer too but also babysits! She’s a friend of my oldest sister. Just message her on Instagram. @amberrexfordphotography
Young's Kal bee
My favorite meat jun place. Only to go, but there’s a mall nearby. Best if you’re visiting Pearl Harbor since it’s in the vicinity. If you’re not in this area just look up a restaurant that has “meat jun.” It’ll hopefully still be decent. Aiea bowl is up the street if you want to bowl and have some good plate lunches. Then ice garden is a hole in the wall shave ice place in the same center that you can add stuff like mochi, azuki beans, flan, etc. Oh and I might as well mention that Hawaii McDonalds has fried—not baked—apple pies with seasonal flavors like mango, taro or haupia. They even have Hawaii breakfast platters with Portuguese sausage, scrambled eggs and rice, but you could get this at any other Hawaii breakfast spot.
Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp
This used to be our favorite shrimp truck but they changed locations so I’m not sure anymore. Warning—it can take up to an hour to get your food and the phone line can get busy if you try to call ahead. There are a lot of other shrimp trucks in the area worth a try though if you’re not willing to wait.
Kualoa Ranch
Do the ATV tour! Waiahole poi factory is nearby for Hawaiian food and get the “sweet lady of Waiahole” if they’re not sold out for dessert. Chinaman’s hat is nearby too. You can rent a paddle board and hike it… I’ve done it, but I’ve also seen someone pull a shark from there once. Supposedly they’re harmless.
Hanauma Bay
Don’t forget to check when reservations open! You could park at Kokohead and walk if the lot is full. It’s not close, but walkable.
Ko Olina Lagoon 4
Best beach if you want chill, minimal waves. Lagoon 4 has the most parking because there’s a paid lot on the other side if the free lot is full. Disney Aulani is in this area, you can stop by to check for exclusive Disney merch but may have to pay for parking.
Koko Crater Railway Trailhead
1,048 steps but a great workout and spectacular view. No shade! Wear a hat/sunglasses! There’s also a Leonard’s Malasadas truck down the road. Worth a try if you haven’t had one before, but there are multiple locations throughout the island.
Lanikai Pillbox Trail
Easy hike, except a little steep in the beginning. Go early to get parking then head to the beach after.
Lulumahu Falls
Favorite waterfall hike that’s legal!
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
Paved, easy trail. If you see people not going to the trail there’s a beach on the other path that’s a bit of a walk. If you follow the path to the lighthouse, you can climb over a wall to the tidepools. Only go during low tide, and watch for big waves!
Manoa Falls
Easy hike. Pay to park. If it hasn’t rained lately the waterfall will just be a trickle. If it rained that day, it might get a little muddy.
Waimea Valley Trail
Paid waterfall hike. They let you swim in there with a life jacket. However, since you paid you could then go across the street to Waimea Bay beach park, and jump off the rock if you dare. You could also walk to Sharks Cove to snorkel, if there’s no parking up there. It’s close, but still a walk. (Oh and sometimes the church up there lets people park there too.)
Maunawili Falls
They’ve been renovating this trail so I haven’t gone on it lately, but it’s a waterfall that you can swim in. Dip your feet in and get a fish pedicure. You’ll probably see people jumping off of it too. Just don’t go in if you have any cuts, there’s risk of leptospirosis.
Dole Plantation
If you haven’t seen how a pineapple grows, this is worth a stop on the way to north shore. They also have a kiddie train ride and a maze if you want to spend more time there. Oh, and dole whip! Green world coffee farm is a close drive after too, if you need a coffee fix.
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout
Good view to stop at, and it’s paved. It can also get verrrryyyyy windy! There’s a hike here too called the Pali Puka, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re adventurous and don’t mind the risk of wind and narrow ridge lines.
Haleʻiwa Town
Small little town on the beach with cute shops and restaurants. People stop to take pictures at the Hale’iwa sign. Matsumoto’s shave ice with ice cream is where I’d go after the beach. Not the best, more for nostalgia. Aoki’s shave ice is across the street, I heard the shave ice shake is good. Little plumeria farms is here, they do tours.
Puʻu O Hulu (Pink Pillbox) Trailhead
Not a lot of shade, but that view! There’s not much else I’d recommend on this side though.
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
If you want to look for cheap trinkets. They’re open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays til 3pm. Go earlier than later, due to heat and some vendors leave early. Bring some cash, most vendors take card now but some give better deals with cash.
Polynesian Cultural Center
This takes all day as they have fun activities leading up to the luau, and it’s on the opposite side of the island. Other recommendations would be Paradise Cove (in Kapolei) or Mauka Warriors Luau (newer). Or Rock-A-Hula if you want to stay in Waikiki (not a traditional luau.)
Tamura's Market Wahiawa
I’m from Wahiawa so this place (#1) or Foodland (#2) is where we always get our Poke, they sell it by the pound. Not worth a special trip though, and Wahiawa is a very OLD town. There are lots of places on island that offer good poke, especially if you’re wanting a restaurant experience. Can’t go wrong.
Cinnamon's Restaurant Kailua
Good breakfast spot. I like the guava chiffon pancakes. Other honorable mentions for breakfast: Boots N Kimo’s (pancakes with Mac Nut Sauce), Guieb Cafe (multiple locations). Just be wary of wait times.
Costco Wholesale
Best bulk snacks: chocolate covered macadamia nuts, macadamia nut popcorn crunch, hurricane popcorn, furikake party mix, Honolulu cookie company, choco mochi, etc etc. Want smaller portions? Other places to get snacks to take home: Don Quixote/Donki, or Aloha stadium swap meet. Try something with li hing mui at least once, it can be an acquired taste. Oh and hawaiian beef chips.
Cirque du Soleil 'Auana
Hawaii Cirque de Soleil, Wednesday to Sunday.