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Going To Honolulu? Things To Do In Waikiki

Joanie — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:49:54 +0000

For part 3 of my Hawaii trip, Mike and I took a day trip to the ever so popular Waikiki Beach! Although we stayed in Kailua during our Hawaiian vacation, there was no way we were missing out on all the fun things to do in Waikiki.

Diamond Head Hike

Driving from Kailua Beach to Waikiki, we decided to take a detour and hike up the Diamond Head. Not knowing what to expect, we sunscreened up and brought plenty of water to keep us hydrated. The hike only took us about 30 minutes, but then again we did have proper hiking shoes, as opposed to flip-flops or even high heels (don’t ask, I have no idea what some people are thinking when they decide to hike up a volcano – albeit one that is no longer active but still!) and we didn’t have any kids with us or strollers (even though the signs clearly said no strollers, some people were adamant that they could push the strollers up the trail). There are a lot of people going up and down the hiking trail and both lanes of “traffic” are busy, so unless there is enough room to pass the person in front of you, hiking etiquette says you can really only go as fast as the person in front of you. Regardless of how long it takes, the view from the top is breathtaking and worth the sweat!

View of the water from Diamond Head.

A different perspective at the top.

Selfie!!! Proof of my hike up Diamond Head.

Things To Do In Waikiki

Despite the arm and a leg that you pay for parking (more on that below), I can now appreciate why tourists gravitate towards Waikiki. This beachfront neighborhood offers everything from world class shopping to restaurants that are masters in gastronomy. Not to mention there is a lot of activity on the streets to keep you entertained and of course there is the beach! Whether you are in the water, soaking up some rays, or people watching on shore – there is something for everyone.

Kalakaua Avenue

It was interesting to see people busting out into song and dance as we were walking down the street.

Relaxing at Waikiki Beach.

Even before going to Honolulu, I knew that the shopping would be spectacular. My sister told me to save up and top up my shopping fund because I would need it (yes, I make it a point to create a shopping fund when I travel so I can spend guilt free). I was giddy with excitement even before getting to Ala Moana Center, but as soon as I stepped inside the mall I was salivating. There are actually more than enough stores along Kalakaua Ave to satisfy most shoppers, but who’s kidding who? There was no way the shopaholic in me would go to Honolulu without venturing to Ala Moana. There were so many stores I didn’t know where to start. I couldn’t diddle-daddle because we had dinner plans with my good friend Neal, so I was a women on a mission and bee-lined it to my favourite stores. Whenever I go shopping, Mike and I usually head off on our own because the poor guy hates to shop and prefers to wait at a pub or coffee shop, whereas I like to throw myself into retail therapy and I don’t want him knowing the kind of workout I put my credit card through so . . . it really is just better for our marriage this way :).

Trolley stop on Kalakaua Avenue that will take you to Ala Moana (take the pink trolley).

After some intense shopping (on my part) Mike and I met up with a Neal at the infamous Duke’s Restaurant and Bar in the Outrigger Reef Resort. I have to say, this was a five star experience for several reasons:

Food: the food was amazing and there was a great selection to satiate whatever type of food you are craving. We started with the crispy coconut crusted black tiger shrimp (I could have eaten that all day). For our meals, Neal and I both ordered the sautéed mac nut and herb crusted fish (the best seafood dish I had while in Hawaii) and Mike ordered the Huli Huli Chicken, which earned him a raised eyebrow from Neal because why wouldn’t you eat fish/seafood while in Hawaii? Most people would jump at the chance to load up on the fresh seafood, but Mike doesn’t like seafood so chicken it is!

A Mai Tai with dinner – definitely hit the spot!

We started with the Crispy Coconut Crusted Black Tiger Shrimp.

Hmmmm seafood – the sautéed mac nut and herb crusted fish.

Mike’s Huli Huli Chicken.

Dessert: we had the Hula Pie (well, okay it was mostly me who polished it off). If you’ve never tried it before, it is worth going to Duke’s just for this Pie.

The decadently delightful Hula Pie.

Price: I thought the drinks, appetizers, and entrees were all reasonably priced and most importantly the portions were more than enough to satisfy your appetite. I’ve been to some restaurants where the food and presentation were great, but I had to have a second dinner because I was still hungry.
Service: the staff were all friendly, attentive, and responsive. It wasn’t the type of restaurant where the waiters and waitresses avoided eye contact as they zipped from one table to the next. They came over frequently enough to see how we were doing, but not often enough that it got annoying.
Atmosphere: Duke’s is an extremely lively place and during dinner a trio came around to serenade us with traditional Hawaiian music. We also had the perfect view of the Hawaiian sunset and that was definitely a Kodak moment.

View of the sunset from our table at Duke’s.

Location: Duke’s is located in the Outrigger Reef Resort, which is on Kalakaua Avenue so it is easy to get to after a day of shopping or laying on the beach.

Duke’s Restaurant and Bar in the Outrigger Reef Resort.

Parking in Waikiki

One of the most common complaints about Waikiki is the cost of parking. Here are some things I discovered that could help you save on parking:

There is free street parking on Ala Wai Boulevard, but read the street signs carefully as there are days when they clean the streets so you won’t be able to park there.
Check with the shops and restaurants to see if they will validate parking (most do).
Try the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Centre Park as most of the shops will validate parking.

What is your list of things to do in Waikiki?

Want to read more about Hawaii? Check out these posts:

Kailua Hawaii – A Hidden Treasure

Surfing North Shore Oahu – Waimea Bay

The post Going To Honolulu? Things To Do In Waikiki appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Surfing North Shore Oahu – Waimea Bay

Joanie — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 21:08:45 +0000

You would think that with weather warnings and alerts of hazardous surges occurring along North Shore Oahu that I would heed the advice and stay away from the surfing mecca of the world, but this actually had the opposite effect. I wanted nothing more than to go and see the 50 feet waves that were threatening Oahu’s North Shore. I wasn’t the only one with this idea as hundreds of people including local residents, tourists, and the media were itching to get a glimpse of the surfers fearless enough to venture out and catch some of the biggest waves (keep in mind that if you are heading to the North Shore when the waves are really big pack some food and water with you because you could be stuck in traffic for a while).

The traffic was bad all along the Kamehameha Highway.

The waves were high enough that danger signs were necessary.

The waves, although breathtakingly beautiful from a safe distance on the shores of Waimea Bay, were extremely powerful and dangerous. At one point, the Honolulu Emergency Services Department and Lifeguards were concerned that the waves would reach heights high enough to wash out the parking lot at Waimea Bay Beach, which was about 50 feet from where Mike and I were sitting, so people had to move their cars and clear the area.

Watching the waves from a safe distance on the shores of Waimea Bay Beach.

50 feet waves everyone was eager to get a glimpse of.

Listening to the lifeguards, most people started to get out of dodge but I caught up with two free surfers – Daniel Kfouri and Bruno Silva – who had absolutely no intention of vacating the area and wanted nothing more than to run towards the perilous surf brought on by the winter swell.

Bruno Silva and Daniel Kfouri, two free surfers enjoying the waves at Waimea Bay.

Daniel Kfouri, a free surfer and native of Brazil, has been surfing for 25 years and spends at least three months every year in Oahu to catch some of the world’s biggest waves. Daniel told me that the waves were between 50 to 80 feet high and were getting higher by the minute. There were several other surfers out on the water that day, making it difficult to catch a wave, but that did not deter him from continuing to try.

Daniel Kfouri and his surfboard.

Bruno Silva, originally from Brazil, was also at Waimea Bay determined to ride the waves. Bruno has been living in Hawaii for over 10 years and surfing for over 20 years. Below are some pictures of Bruno surfing at Waimea Bay and Pe’ahi Jaws. He makes surfing look so easy, but we know it is anything but! I guess the fact that Bruno is a surf coach and personal trainer at Turtle Bay Resort definitely helps.

Bruno Silva surfing at Waimea Bay

Bruno Silva surfing at Pe’ahi Jaws.

I have so much awe and respect for people who make something extremely difficult and scary look easy and fun. You definitely need to reach a level of strength, balance, and grace that I most certainly do not have. Daniel told me that one of his scariest surfing moments was getting caught inside a big wave. I think there are a couple of steps that I would have to master first, like being able to get into the water without tripping over my surfboard. Not like I would want to do the Pamela Anderson run on Baywatch, but look at these boards – they are absolutely huge and I’m sure quite difficult to handle. They definitely don’t look like the ones that the Teen Choice Awards hand out.

Bruno Silva and his surfboards.

I asked Bruno to identify some important skills that a surfer should have to enjoy the waves (besides the obvious – learn to swim, which I know I still need to do). He told me that since the waves can reach over 40 feet, safety is always first and so it is important to learn how to hold your breath for 3 minutes and develop CPR and rescue skills. The latter skills are ones that you hope you never have to use, but there’s nothing wrong with having them in your arsenal just in case.

For those who are thinking of surfing for the first time, here are some points to consider:

If at all possible, take some lessons from an instructor. Like with any sport, taking lessons gives you a foundation to build upon and ensures that you don’t develop any bad habits that will be difficult to unlearn.
Pick a location that will be conducive to your skill level. 40 feet waves are probably not the best time to start your introduction to surfing.
Balance is a major factor, so you can prepare yourself beforehand by practicing balance techniques (such as yoga exercises) on dry land before hitting the water.
90% of surfing is swimming on your surfboard away from the beach and into the ocean in order to catch a wave, aka paddling, and depending on the ocean conditions and size of waves, paddling can be exhausting. Bear that in mind so that you have enough energy when you attempt to turn around and catch a wave. You may have to paddle a good distance to get to a location that will be suitable.
Surfing is not easy. If you are good at snowboarding or skate boarding, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be a natural at surfing. Be prepared for a steep learning curve.
Accidents happen. Mother Ocean can literally fling you into the air and you have a large board strapped to your leg. It can be very disorienting when this happens (and it will), so be prepared to swallow some sea water and reorient yourself once you get your bearings.
Be aware of those around you, especially if you are surfing in an area with a lot of other surfers. The waves are unpredictable and you never know when you will get knocked off your board and hit someone (or worse – someone can hit you)
Of course it is always great to be out in the ocean on bright sunny days, but keep in mind that some of the best waves are during periods of rain and wind.
Once you manage to stand up on your surfboard, even for a few seconds, it is exhilarating! Celebrate the moment and try to recapture it.
Enjoy the surfing culture. When you are back on the beach you will find that most people are extremely friendly and inviting.

be safe and enjoy the water!

Kailua Hawaii – A Hidden Treasure

Joanie — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 20:15:57 +0000

I often forget that Hawaii is part of the United States. Not only is it in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and 2,300 miles from California (its “neighbor” state), but the island culture is quite unique compared to mainland U.S. Truly a melting pot of cultures and ethnic backgrounds, Hawaii comprises many different beliefs and practices which results in the “aloha” spirit of helping and sharing.

A welcoming sign right after you step off the plane.

Maui and Honolulu seem to be the top two destinations that come to mind when most people think about traveling to Hawaii. Each has something different to offer. For my first trip to Hawaii I wanted the best of both worlds – the ability to stretch out and lay on more than just a square meter of white sand while at the same time enjoy the first class shopping that Honolulu has to offer – so I decided on Kailua.

Kailua Beach – everyone just does their own thing.

Most people have never heard of Kailua or if they have, they know it as the place President Obama visits during his vacations. Yes, President Obama has spent the last four Christmases in this windward town of Oahu, but Kailua is more than that. Located on the Southeast side of Oahu, Kailua is a world-class destination with one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to. The beach stretches for miles on end and is not as occupied as Waikiki, making it easy to claim your own piece of paradise. With fine white sand and the soothing sound of gentle waves lapping at the shoreline, it’s ideal for soaking in the sun, meditating and taking a minute for yourself, or even paddle boarding. When the sun is not out and the wind picks up, residents and visitors are quick to jump on their boards to experience the highs of kiteboarding.

It doesn’t matter who or what you are – everyone seems to be able to find a spot to relax.

Meditating on the beach.

Some kayakers enjoying the calm water.

Paddleboarders enjoying the calm water.

The perfect day for kiteboarding!

Kailua is beautifully understated with a laid-back vibe and small town charm. It offers everything you need for a great Hawaiian getaway, from kayak and boogie board rentals to Segways.

You can easily rent a kayak to take out on the water.

A different way to scope out the town!

One of the places that Mike and I frequented everyday during our stay in Kailua was the Kalapawai Market, a convenient neighborhood market that offers both locals and tourists their daily caffeine fix and a deli to grab something quick and yummy to eat (Mike tried everything on the breakfast menu, well maybe not the Yogurt Bowl, and I was a huge fan of the Oat Cake).

Kalapawai Market – your one stop shop!

My daily caffeine fix – a “tall” (this is really equivalent to Starbuck’s Venti) caffe latte with almond milk.

Mike’s daily breakfast.

The already prepared food was really good and convenient for us!

Before arriving in Kailua we heard a lot about Island Snow (aka the place President Obama goes to for shaved ice). Island Snow was our first stop in Kailua, this was not intentional as we took a wrong turn and the next thing we knew we were looking at the Island Snow sign and thought why not? The sun was blazing down on us and still wearing our travel clothes, we really needed to cool off. The first step in experiencing shaved ice bliss is to decide on the size and ice cream flavour (vanilla or macadamia nut). Your first scoop of ice cream is free and if you want another scoop, there is an additional charge (the first scoop of ice cream was tiny and not enough to satiate an ice cream lover such as myself). After this, you need to decide if you want a snow cap (condensed milk) and then pick the flavor or flavors you want (up to three). I know, a lot of steps in the ordering process and I was concerned I was going to screw something up and hold up the line, but have no fear the staff are friendly and helpfully. Definitely a great way to start out our Hawaiian adventures!

The place that served President Obama shaved ice!!!

There are a couple of things that I want to point out about Kailua that may be helpful to you:

Traffic Lights as a point of reference: the distance between traffic lights is quite significant, so don’t be fooled when someone tells you that the place you want to go to is only 2 or 3 traffic lights away because you could be walking for a while.

Buzz’s: there’s a lot of buzz about Buzz’s, but to me it was quite the buzz kill. Located right across from Kailua Beach, this eclectic restaurant may be a bit of a tourist trap. Known for its steak and seafood, I was expecting a lot when I ordered the grilled fish special of the day, which happened to be Ono (which literally means “good to eat” in Hawaiian). Our waiter boasted of the mesquite wood flavors, but in all honesty all I could taste was the seasoning salt my fish was marinated in. He was excited for me to try the “tempura fries”, which sounds exotic but neither Mike nor I noticed a difference between his regular fries and my tempura fries. We were told, once again by our waiter, that the calamari steak was the best thing on the menu, but given our experience I couldn’t convince Mike to come back for another buzz-meal.

Buzz’s Steak House

I had the Grilled Fresh Fish, which was Ono, and of course tempura fries.

Mike had the Teriyaki Chicken Burger.

For me the atmosphere and location were the bigger sale. Conveniently located across from Kailua Beach, the outside patio is a great place to sit and people watch. The ambiance was quite relaxed as most people were just coming from the beach and in shorts and flip flops. If you want to have lunch make sure to go between 11 and 3 pm, otherwise it’s either appies and drinks (on the patio) or dinner inside.

Weather: if it is cloudy or rainy in Kailua, go to the other side of the island and chances are you will get sunshine. This happened twice during our stay in Kailua, so even though the day started out with stormy clouds we had nothing but sunshine during our hike up Diamond Head and tour aboard the Mighty Mo.

There is still a lot to do even when it is cloudy!

My plan for Hawaii was to spend most of my time on the beach soaking in the sun and getting lost in The Pearl That Broke Its Shell for my Book Club, but with so much to do and see that plan quickly went out the window.