Live like a local
In Hawaii
Willie B. Howard
Just a 15-minute drive from Waikiki on the south side of O`ahu, this attraction is at its best on a windy day at high tide.
2 Kam (Kamehameha) Highway
One of O`ahu’s main highways travels from Honolulu across the island’s central valley to the North Shore, then travels southeast to the windward coast. Stop around Pipeline, Sunset or another beach to watch the surfers, and perhaps a surfing competition; pull over at Ted’s Bakery (59-024 Kamehameha Highway) for plate lunch and a pastry; continue down the road for the shops and the scenery.
3 Nu`uanu Pali Lookout at Nu`uanu Pali State Park
Overlooking the nearly 1,000-foot cliffs of the Ko`olau Mountain Range on the windward side of the island, the lookout is a marker of a significant historic battle in 1795. It is also a notorious wind tunnel, with winds strong enough to lean into and be held up by the gust.
4 Marine Life Program at J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina
See a stingray or baby hammerhead sharks up close! Guests and visitors both can experience the interactive programs on the resort grounds, which include Reef Shark Feeding, Hawaiian Fish Feed, and Seafari Hunt. The Hawaiian Ray Experience is for adults only. Ihilani.com.
5 Hale`iwa
The historic North Shore town can get crowded—and it’s close to Schofield Barracks, so you might be competing for space with soldiers on their day off—but it’s worth the drive to spend a day in its shops with their abundance of local art and unique souvenirs. Be sure to plan a meal at Hale`iwa Joe’s (haleiwajoes.com); with menu items ranging from fresh fish to prime rib, including must-have coconut shrimp, it’s good for either lunch or dinner.
6 Makapu’u Point Lighthouse
A moderate two-mile hike takes you to a peak just above the lighthouse that offers impressive views of the entire coastline, and on a clear day you can see the neighbor island of Moloka`i in the distance.
7 Waikiki Aquarium
Founded more than 100 years ago, the aquarium is an established Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center located on a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline. waquarium.org.
8 Malasadas
These soft, fluffy, sugared rounds of fried dough are a delicious tradition of early Portuguese settlers, mandatory with your morning cup of Kona joe, a snack at the beach, a sweet treat after a plate lunch—well, you get the picture! Malasadas are good at any time of day, and the best place to get them is at Leonard’s Bakery or at the Leonard’s Bakery truck, which can be found at various locations on the island throughout the week. Leonardshawaii.com.
9 Zippy’s
Open 24 hours serving American and island favorites and baked goods, Zippy’s is a must-stop shop for hungry locals and visitors of all ages at any time of day. If you’re not on the island, you can order a wide array of their dishes at zippys.com.
10 Bubble (Boba) drink
Bubble drink is a blended drink with large tapioca pearls on the bottom. Flavors include standards like strawberry, pineapple and banana; island flavors like lychee, coconut and mango; and more unusual drink flavors like avocado and taro. For the best bubble drinks and li hing mui preserves on the whole island, stop at Wahiawa Bubble Drink & Snack just off of Kam Highway in Wahiawa—a convenient stop on the way to North Shore from Waikiki.
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Peacocks strut all around Waimea Falls Park |
The historical nature park on O`ahu’s North Shore is noted for its walking tours (guided and self-guided, and some at night during a full moon), the tropical botanical gardens, and especially its 45-foot-high waterfall, a stage for cliff-diving and other performances.
12 Hawaiian shave ice
Authentic Hawaiian shave ice is a fine, powdery snow with house-made syrups in island flavors such as lychee, coconut, lilikoi (passion fruit) and li hing mui. There should also be the option for vanilla ice cream and azuki beans.
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