Things To Do
Kailua Beach Day
Matt’s hometown, Kailua, is a great spot to spend a sunny afternoon: Kailua Beach A beautiful, swimmable beach with soft sand and calm water. You can also rent kayaks and paddle out to the nearby islands. Buzz’s Original Steakhouse The Wilson family’s longtime favorite. Great spot for a cold drink and pupus after the beach. Order the Freshy up with a red rim (Li Hing) for the full experience. Island Snow For a refreshing treat, grab shave ice here. The Hibachi Great spot for poke—quick, fresh, and flavorful. Teddy’s Bigger Burgers Fun fact: Matt worked here during college! Stop by if you’re craving a burger and fries.
North Shore Day
We love spending time on the North Shore—here are a few spots we always enjoy: Watch the waves at Pipeline and Waimea The waves are especially big in the winter and draw some of the best surfers in the world. Just a note: the ocean will be dangerous that time of year, so it’s safest to stay on the beach. Kahuku Food Trucks There are tons of great options here. Two of our favorites are Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck and Da Bald Guy. This has a fun, casual picnic-table atmosphere. Kula Shave Ice This is just down the road from the food trucks. We recommend trying the Coconutty with haupia cream on top. Kahuku Farms The Guava Butter Mochi is worth trying!
Makapuʻu Sunrise Hike
Another favorite spot of ours is the Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail: Hike to Makapuʻu Lighthouse Great for sunrise if you’re up early. It’s an easy, paved hike—about 2.5 miles round trip. If you’re lucky, you might even spot whales offshore during the winter months. Keneke’s Plate Lunch If you’re hungry after the hike, stop by Keneke’s nearby for a classic local plate lunch.