If you love the beach, being in your bikini, and sipping on cocktails all day, you belong in Hawaii–At least I know I am meant to be in Hawaii. My trip to Honolulu was full of non-stop excursions. I truly cannot tell you what my favorite part about my Hawaii trip was, but it is safe to say that I never wanted to leave. From the mountains, beaches, people, to the delicious Hawaiian cuisine, I fell in love with every aspect of the island.
To sum up my trip in this blog, I’ve created a list of things to do or places to visit in Honolulu, Hawaii. Last but not least, I’ve also included places to eat on the island because you cannot miss out on the cultural fusions between Asia and Hawaii that have inspired many delicious Hawaiian cuisines here!
Before I introduce the lists, I also wanted to share that my friends and I purchased the 4-Day Go Oahu All Inclusive ePass ($189 USD), which saved us a lot of money and time in planning and visiting places in Honolulu. You can purchase them online and the pass can be redeemed in person at the attraction site.
THINGS TO DO IN HONOLULU
1. Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay is a beautiful natural pool that was formed in a volcanic crater on the island tens of thousands of years ago. These volcanic eruptions formed the crater on the seafloor, and waves from the ocean eventually filled the circular bay. Today, it is a very popular tourist destination and a designated spot for snorkeling!
I had my first snorkeling experience here at Hanauma Bay and it was an amazing experience because the water is so clear. I swam alongside many beautiful marine creatures and it felt pretty unreal. Back on land, there were also a lot of wild cats nearby hovering over you for food, so be careful to not feed them!
2. Diamond Head Hike
Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oahu and is known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi. It is an easy to moderate hike that takes around 30 mins to an hour depending on your fitness level. There are also multiple routes people can take, which can be either easy or difficult depending on your preference. I took the difficult route which was a constant climb up the stairs until you reach the very top of the peak. From the top, you can witness a stunning view of the island and the city of Honolulu. Let me tell you, it was absolutely photogenic!
3. The Beaches
You cannot visit Hawaii without chilling at the beaches! Oahu alone is home to 125 beaches! The option is vast! On the east coast of the island, you can visit popular beaches like Lanikai Beach and Kailua Beach Park, which are ideal beaches for ocean activities. These two locations are perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, boogie boarding, and windsurfing. There is also Kuhio Beach Park, which is a good spot for peace and quiet if you want to be away from the city.
4. Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley has a historical and cultural significance to the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The Waimea Valley is an important place in Hawaiian religion, which includes several historical structures such as the stone terraces and walls constructed during the time of the Hawaiian monarchy. Visiting the Waimea Valley was a very peaceful experience because the whole park is quiet and filled with luscious and exotic trees, plants, and flowers. Guests can enjoy a long walk to the waterfall at the end of the park and dip into the cool water as a reward from the walk and heat. At the waterfall, there were also lifeguards nearby who gave us mandatory life vests to wear prior to jumping into the pool. There is also no service or wifi available at this park, so you can enjoy an offline sanctuary to yourself.
5. Sailing
If you’re in Hawaii, you are literally surrounded by water, and what is a better way to enjoy the water than to go sailing!? My friends and I went on a sailing tour with Makani Catamaran Honolulu Catamaran Tours and Charters, which was also included in our ePass! All guests were given one free drink ticket and were able to enjoy a smooth sailing experience on the catamaran for 2 hours! The tour gave us spectacular views of Honolulu, Waikiki, & Diamond Head. Guests can also see turtle and dolphins on some occasions. I got to see turtles! Hopefully, dolphins next time, too. I truly loved the sailing experience because guests can lay down and relax on a knitted floor which allows people to look at the water below.
6. Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a Polynesian-themed theme park and living museum located in Laie, on the northern shore of Oahu. This place is rich in Polynesian culture and history. If you truly want to learn about Hawaii, its culture, tradition, and indigenous people, you must visit The Polynesian Cultural Center. I loved the Luau & Dining Experience they offer at the center. I was blown away by their performance and the buffet they served for the guests! I could tell that a lot of effort and dedication were put towards the show and it made me fell in love with the culture even more. The staff and performers who work at this center were so friendly and they really made me feel welcomed and at home. There is also a market around the center where people can shop for souvenirs or buy fresh coconut juice. I also got to witness the phenomenal Hā Breath of Life Show, which is a live Luau performance of a story of Mana and his beloved Lani, punctuated by Polynesian dance, music, and blazing fire knives; it also featured over 100 Polynesian natives, special effects, animation and surround sound! Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to takes photos of the live performance, but I can assure you it was unbelievably spectacular.
7. Kualoa Ranch Jungle Expedition
The Kualoa Ranch Jungle Expedition is an adventurous and rugged Jungle Jeep tour that takes you deep into the beautiful Hakipu`u Jurassic rainforest. This jungle is where many of the Jurassic World, Kong Skull Island, and Jumanji scenes were filmed! The tour took 90 minutes in total and it rumbled through the Hawaiian rainforest along jungle trails, across isolated stream beds, and up steep, bumpy hills. During the tour, guests can witness the Oahu’s eastern coastline and see Moli’i Pond, which is an 800-year-old ancient Hawaiian fishpond that is also listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. Each vehicle has a dedicated driver/tour guide who takes you along the expedition and tells you the history of the ranch and Hawaii.
8. USS Arizona Memorial (Pearl Harbor)
If you’re a history geek like me, you may enjoy visiting Pearl Harbor. Not for a pleasurable experience, but for a moment of unreal visualization of the tragic event that took place on December 7, 1941. Standing at Pearl Harbor was a moment for me to remember the lives of over 2,000 people who died on this day. At Pearl Harbor, people can still see the USS Arizona battleship that sunk along with 1,177 soldiers, in one ship alone. This is why I say being here is unreal because I cannot fathom the event that took place, yet the battleship is resting peacefully today. There is also a museum here where guests can look at actual artifacts from the war, such as bombs that were used to attack the city, as well as clothes that were worn by nurses and soldiers during the event.
9. The City
Finally, not only is Honolulu famous for its nature and wildlife, but it is also known for its city life! In the city center, people can find all kinds of food, historical monuments, and shopping centers. After shopping, you can take a 3-minute walk down to the beach and chill.
PLACES TO EAT IN HONOLULU
Hawaii has also been home to many Asian ethnic groups for many decades; as a result, they have quite a big influence over Hawaiian cuisine today. If you’re eating a Hawaiian dish, you are also likely eating a part of Filipino cuisine or even Japanese cuisine. The food culture of Hawaii incorporates and reflects the diverse food history of settlement and immigration. This all started when pineapple and sugarcane plantations grew popular between the 1850s and 1930s and it boosted demand for labor; thus it brought new immigrants into the island who have stayed over the periods of time. Here is a list of places I got to try in Honolulu, in no particular order…
1. Marukame Udon
Address: 2310 Kuhio Ave #124, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price: $
Rating: 5/5
Pros: Fast, delicious, and affordable
Cons: Long lines and limited seating
2. Poke Bar
Address: 226 Lewers St l106, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price: $$
Rating: 5/5
Pros: Fast, fresh, and healthy
Cons: Slightly pricey
3. Leonard’s Bakery
Address: 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Price: $
Rating: 3.5/5
Pros: Popular bakery. Fast and fresh
Cons: The donuts have a different sweet taste than regular donuts (a little more on the salty side). Some love it, some hate it
4. Side Street Inn On Da Strip
Address: 614 Kapahulu Ave #100, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price: $$
Rating: 4/5
Pros: Popular, friendly service, and delicious food
Cons: Very long line and waiting time
5. Uncle Bobo’s
Address: 51-480 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaaawa, HI 96730
Price: $
Rating: 5/5
Pros: Friendly owners gave us extra fries. Fast, affordable, and super delicious
Cons: Small little cafe. It can get crowded during busy hours
6. Sura Hawaii
Address: 1726 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
Price: $$
Rating: 3.5/5
Pros: Friendly and fast service
Cons: Limited BBQ meat options. It can get pricey
