Things To Do

Waiahole Poi Factory

Great place to try traditional Hawaiian food! Make sure to get the sweet lady of waiahole (kulolo ice cream), laulau, and kalua pig

Adela’s Country Eatery

Greatest pasta ever! Noodles handcrafted using fresh, locally grown Ulu (breadfruit), Taro, Sweet Potato, Moringa & Avocado. Also, make sure to order their cheesecake!

Waimanalo Beach

Our favorite beach to visit. Not crowded, tons of parking, showers/bathroom, and beautiful blue ocean!

Kualoa Ranch

Jurassic Park! One of our favorite activities and places we love to take guests! This books up quick, so reserve 2-3 months in advance. We recommend ATV and the movie bus tour.

Kailua Beach Park

Ranked one of the best beaches in the US (right next to the famous but busy Lanikai Beach). Our go to beach.

Kailua Beach Adventures

Great place to rent kayaks, paddle boards, and ect. This is close to Kailua Beach Park!

Lanikai Pillbox

Moderate Hike with beautiful view of the ocean. Come for the sunrise!

Cinnamon's

Try the famous Guava pancakes, mango chiffon pancakes, & other seasonal pancakes

Easy ‘Que

Delicious healthy breakfast!

Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen

Banana Macadamian Nut Sauce on Banana Pancakes & the ribs. There are many tourists here, but it is delicious.

Maui Brewing Co. Kailua

Try their infamous beers & pizza!

Kuliouou Ridge Trail

Moderate Hike. 360 view at the top spanning from Waimanalo to Makapuu to Sandy's and Ala Moana.

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail

Easy and paved hike (toddler friendly). If you want a challenge, make sure to do the tidepools, but be sure to check when the high tide rolls in! Just make sure to pack some sunscreen.

Hanauma Bay Ridge Hike

beautiful hike! take the shortcut through the neighborhood!

Island Brew Coffeehouse

beautiful place to grab brunch after hiking in Hawaii kai (makapuu, hanauma bay ridge, kokohead)

Moena Cafe

Yummy brunch place!

Rainbow Drive-In

Equivalent of Hawaii Fast Food. Mitchell and Julie recommend loco moco & boneless chicken gravy all over (make sure to order extra gravy!)

Hana Koa Brewing Co.

Care for beer and local grindz? Stop by this place and you can get both.

Waiola Shave Ice

Our favorite place to get shave ice. 2nd choice would be Shimazu's (dont waste your time at Matsumoto's).

Shimazu Shave Ice

One of our favorite shave ice spots!

Senia

Want a 10 course fusion dinner? Make reservations here for the Chef's table.

Zippy's

Local food! Visit any location- try their chilli, korean fried chicken, zip min, saimin, and other goodies!

Dole Plantation

Get a dole whip & take a pineapple express train tour

Romy's Kahuku Prawns Shrimp Hut

You must try Kahuku shrimp if you're in the north shore. They farm their own shrimp and this is our favorite spot! Butter garlic shrimp and sunfish! Make sure to come early to avoid crowds (up to 1-2 hr wait time).

Fumi's Kahuku Shrimp

A second favorite of ours. This is less busier than Romy's!

Pearl Harbor

Historically significant. Must visit!

Aiea Bowl (the Alley Restaurant)

This was featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. One of our favorite spots to eat and bowl! Get the famous Ox Tail Soup & tasty chicken & kalbi.

Sikdorak III

Feeling hungry? Julie and Mitchell's favorite AYCE local korean BBQ spot

Rokaru Shabu Shabu

Julie's favorite restaurant- AYCE shabu shabu (hot pot!)

Ala Moana Center

Visit the largest outdoor mall in the USA! Lots of great food and shopping options nearby.

Morning Brew

Visit Kakaako area and walk around! Many beautiful murals. This is one of Julie's favorite coffee spots.

Moku Kitchen

Try to come here for happy hour! Delcious food and drinks.

Foodland

If you're looking for the best poke that locals actually eat, just go to the nearest Foodland grocery store and get the spicy ahi poke bowl. Make sure to get the furikake! Julie and Mitchell usually bring this to the beach. Also, local grocery store chain!

La Cucina Ristorante Italiano

Small but intimate place for italian food! Need reservations in advance!!

Don E Don

Julie and Mitchell's favorite korean spot!

Wagaya

Our favorite ramen spot!

Piggy Smalls

A little pricy, but delicious! We love this way better tha Pig & the Lady

Scratch Kitchen

Great fun place for breakfast!

Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room

Delicious craft brew!

Hy's Steak House

Great place to celebrate or have a date night. Get their tableside caesar salad and tableside banana foster! Julie and Mitchell celebrate many life events here!

MW Restaurant

We celebrate our engagement here! A great place to eat with family or for date night- try their mon chong or mahi mahi.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Learn all about the culture here! We recommend staying for the Breathe of Life show & luau experience.

Taqueria El Ranchero

Our favorite mexican restaurant. Try to come at 2PM for the best La Birria Tacos

DECK. at Queen Kapiolani Hotel | Waikiki / Honolulu | Restaurant / Wedding

Great place to watch a sunset and pau hana (happy hour!).

Hau Tree

Great place for pau hana and to watch the sunset!

Mitch's Fish Market & Sushi Bar

Yanagi Sushi

et al.

New and upcoming restaurant!

Fresh Catch Kaimuki

great poke spot!

Nico's Pier 38

Poke, seafood, and beautiful views!

Puu Maelieli Trail

A fun pillbox hike

ʻAiea Loop Trail

A more shaded different scenery trail

Maili Pillbox

Our favorite hike to catch a west side sunset

Ehukai Pillbox Hike

Haleʻiwa Bowls

favorite acai bowl

Sunset Smokehouse

Texas BBQ

The Cosmic Kitchen

vegan food

Dave's Ice Cream at Aiea

Our favorite ice cream- multiple locations.

Paalaa Kai Bakery

Kahuku Farms

eat some great food in their gardens!

CLIMB Works Keana Farms - Zipline Tour

Ziplining!!!

Island Vintage Coffee

Multiple locations- great brunch!

Purvé Donuts

Get the unicorn butt squeeze! Fresh donuts made to order

Holey Grail Donuts

taro made-to-order donuts

Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Great tonkatsu spot

Katsumidori sushi Tokyo

I-naba

Pho Saigon Restaurant

Favorite pho restaurant

Jejubing Dessert Cafe

Great dessert spot for korean shave ice (Patbingsoo), great on a hot day! Inside Ala Moana

Infinitea Cafe

Favorite boba spot (multiple locations)

Sunset Beach Park

Favorite North Shore beach

Kaena Point

Best place to watch the sunset. Known as "yokes beach"

Shiro's Saimin Haven

Saimin is a hawaii noodle dish! This is a staple at all our family gatherings!

Teddy's Bigger Burgers - Aiea

Multiple locations for a simple burger spot

Liliha Bakery at Macy's Ala Moana

favorite bakery items & great breakfast spot

Yung Yee Kee Dim Sum

if you're craving dim sum (heads up, does not taste as good as Chicago or LA!)

Diamond Head Market & Grill

Highly recommend- Mixed Plate & Surf/Turf Plate and go to a nearby park to eat!

Mitsu-Ken

amazing bentos for breakfast! you will be full!

Helena's Hawaiian Food

try some traditional hawaiian food!

Poke On Da Run Shop

one of our favorite places to get poke

Ma'Ona Musubi

easily our favorite musubi place! different flavors if you dont like spam. We discovered this from local farmers markets in the community and at farmers markets at our workplaces :)

Kona Brewing Co.

great place for pizza, drinks, and view after hiking or staying in the Hawaii Kai area

Liko's Tap & Table

great table for poke nachos or sandwiches after a day at the beach or hiking!

Menya le Nood

delicious japanese tsukemen (dipping noodles)

Islander Sake Brewery Hawaii

come for a quick sake tasting. This is absolutely delicious!

North Shore

Spend a day and just drive to North Shore. It's very different vibes and more country. Get shrimp, go the beach, and hike!

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

snorkle!

Pūpūkea Beach Park

Snorkel on the North shore!

Ko'olau Distillery

Take a whiskey tour of of this great local distillery!

The Byodo-In Temple

beautiful japanese temple overlooking the mountains

Bishop Museum

learn about the hawaiian culture! great on a rainy day!

Iolani Palace

check out the palace and rich history of hawai'i before it became a state!

Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park

Have a picnic here and get a beautiful daytime/night view of the island from the top!

Ka Makana Aliʻi

great place to go shopping on the West Side of the island. all new!

Waikele Premium Outlets

If you want to stop by a premium outlets store!

Halona Blowhole Lookout

beautiful spot! must do!

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

check out this beautiful park and bring some food to eat here! you see this picture in alot of ads (the beautiful green scenery)

White Plains Beach

we visit this beach to get away from tourists and it's super local. Quiet and this is where many BBQs are held.

Cromwell's Beach

nice secluded beach!

Makapuʻu Lookout

where we shot our engagement pictures :)

Kahana Bay Beach Park

Lush beach with lots of trees tucked away from tourists! we also shot engagement pictures here too!

Spitting Cave

where we shot our engagement pictures (red dress!)

Māʻili Beach Park

beautiful beach on the west side!

Nānākuli Beach Park

where the mermaid cove is!

DB Grill

great food spot in Kapolei

Mad Bene

amazing italian food in kapolei!

RumFire

strong drinks and gorgeous view of waikiki

Beer Lab HI

for all the beer lovers!

Manoa Falls

Green World Coffee Farm

Love this cute coffee farm!

Ali'i Coffee Co.

Arvo Cafe

coffee!

Restaurant 604

nice place to go after pearl habor! view of the beautiful pearl harbor with great food and drinks. also a nice sunset view of the water!