That's right- our wedding venue is also home to some amazing movie/television sets such as LOST, Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates and the unforgettable Nicki Minaj Starships music video. Kualoa Ranch offers movie set tours, zip lining, farming tours and horseback riding.
It’s nearly impossible to take a trip along O‘ahu’s North Shore without making a pit stop at one of several shrimp trucks parked alongside Kamehameha Highway. There are several to choose from, and though you can't go wrong with any, Hawaii magazine did the work for you.
Proudly serving since 1951, the shop is set on Oahu's North Shore, and there is often a line out the door; their ice-topping choices range from the traditional syrups (such as lemon, pineapple, strawberry) to the more unusual, like azuki beans and sweetened condensed milk. Distinct from a snow cone which uses crushed ice, the ice for Hawaiian shave ice is thinly shaved to create a unique texture that is more powdery and snow-like. Once you try it for yourself, you’ll see why it’s known as some of the best shave ice in Hawaii.
Since 1979, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet has become Hawaii’s premier outdoor market, featuring over 400 vendors, crafters, artists from all over the world, a true melting pot of Aloha. Vendors include clothing, accessories, Hawaiian souvenirs, pre-packaged ethnic foods, fine jewelry and vintage antiques. Beautifully handcrafts products and exclusive art pieces are made and sold by the artist themselves. Note: admission charge of $2.00 for ages 12 and up. Check website for most up to date days and hours of operation.
Though Disney's Aulani Resort is a special experience all its own, check out their stunning Ama Ama restaurant for an open-air dining experience with breathtaking ocean views and authentic island eats. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
This 3.5 mile "hike" is easy- mostly flat and on a paved road with a rewarding waterfall at the end. Trail typically takes about 2-3 hours, and is an area of historic cultural significance on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The valley, being an important place in Hawaiian religion, includes several historical structures including stone terraces and walls constructed during the time of the Hawaiian monarchy.
There are a variety of local tour options available to visit Pearl Harbor. For more information on the site and types of tours available, please click the link below. For ease, including a link here for tours that pick up at Waikiki hotels: https://www.pearlharboroahu.com.
The Honolulu Zoo is a 42-acre zoo in Queen Kapiʻolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. It is the only zoo in the United States to be established by grants made by a sovereign monarch and is built on part of the 300-acre royal Queen Kapiʻolani Park. The Honolulu Zoo features over 1,230 animals in specially designed habitats. And it is in walking distance to our hotel. Win-win!
Serving delicious quality baked products since 1952. We recommend getting the world famous malasadas. The fried pastry, slightly crispier and chewier than a doughnut and with no hole, is known as a cuisine of Hawaii. And you can usually get them in different flavors - yum.
Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Pineapple Plantation now provides enjoyable activities including the Pineapple Express Train Tour, the Plantation Garden Tour, and the Pineapple Garden Maze. You can also get a world-famous Dole Soft Serve (aka a Dole Whip).
A moderate to hard hike with rewarding 360 views. This hiking trail can look deceiving, as it really only takes about 40 to 60 minutes to reach the 760-foot summit. The hike itself is 1.5 miles round trip, but does include narrow stairs and steep inclines. Note: as of 2022, Visitors parking vehicles will be required to book in two-hour time slots beginning at 6 a.m. (two consecutive slots can be booked). Walk-in and drop-off visitors will be subject to one-hour entry time slots. Arrival and exit times will be enforced to assure adequate turnover to allow for later arrivals. Park hours and visitor entrance fees are available at the link below.
KONA BREWING PUB in Hawaii Kai on the island of OAHU is our second restaurant, right on the docks of Koko Marina. Open since 2003, this location is inspired by a traditional Hawaiian canoe house. The pub is set on the docks of the Koko Marina and provides outstanding views of the marina and its lush, green backdrop. What’s more, the outdoor seating area and full length windows allow for a relaxed, airy atmosphere, and the 48-tap beer delivery system never disappoints.
Poke (which means “to cut” or “to slice” in Hawaiian) is most commonly a dish of raw, chopped fish and onions, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. In Hawai‘i, poke is most often eaten on its own as a snack, though serving it over rice, aka poke bowls, is also now popular. It’s a casual dish, so much a part of locals’ lives that it’s eaten everywhere — at bars, on the beach, on the couch — usually straight from plastic takeout containers. It's the best poke you'll ever eat, and Eater.com found the best of the best for you.
Step aboard the Haleiwa Queen, a 50-foot power catamaran. Through the on-deck ports of our glass-bottom boat, you will explore the vibrant, lively ocean floor below. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, dolphins, tropical fish, shipwrecks, and living coral reefs as we tour along Oahu’s South Shore. BYOB is allowed.
Immerse yourself in Hawaiʻi’s rich culture and heritage at the premier natural and cultural history museum in the state.
The museum has one of the largest single collections of Asian and Pan-Pacific art in the United States, and since its official opening on April 8, 1927, its collections have grown to more than 55,000 works of art. Check link for current ticket prices and exhibits.
There are a variety of kayak, paddle board, canoe and snorkeling options all throughout Oahu. This link will get you started for the adventure that is best fit for you.
Upscale dinner dining. Morimoto is Iron Chef Morimoto’s Pan-Asian dining experience, showcasing Asian dishes with emphasis on China, Korea, Japan and Thailand.
Want to explore local eats on your own? We got you. We recommend the following food instagrammers to get you started: @fiveftfoodie @hungrylilbean @foodzillahi @townie.tay @frolichawaii
A collection of Best-of-Oahu lists, best kept secrets and some Hawaiian-inspired recipes to get you excited for the trip.