What to See and Do in Honolulu
Go Snorkeling — or Scuba Diving — in Hanauma Bay: Get up close and personal with dozens of species of reef and tropical fish in the warm, clear and calm waters of this popular spot. …Not looking for quite so intimate an experience? View tropical fish, monk seals, sharks, coral and other marine life at the Waikiki Aquarium, which is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline.
Tee off at the Ko’olau Golf Club, one of the U.S’ top — and toughest — courses in nearby Kaneohe, a short drive over the Pali Highway. (It’s been dubbed The World’s Most Challenging Course.”) Carved out of a tropical rainforest, it covers three different climate zones and includes cascading waterfalls, elevation changes, winding ravines and gigantic sand bunkers. Reservations are accepted up to 30 days in advance and you can book tee times online.
Forget about those crowded tourist boat tours. Ply the waters on a more private and leisurely catamaran sailing, which can include whale watching, snorkeling and swimming with the dolphins or turtles. The experienced and creative crew of Wild Side Specialty Tours offers scheduled and custom adventures. You can sail for several hours, or longer, at different times of the day and there are sunset and moonlight sailings.
Hike or bike around the east side of Oahu, with its lush, green mountains. Bike Hawaii offers guided mountain bike tours, including one to the Kualoa Ranch, which has been a location for many movies and TV shows, including Lost.
Savor the Volcano View: Want to see a spectacular view of Oahu without flying in a helicopter? Hike 560 feet from the crater floor to the top of Diamond Head. The 360-degree view includes the entire west side of the island, from Waikiki to Koki Head and from the Koko Crater to Barbers Point and the Waianae Mountains. Travelers’ Tips: The paths can be uneven and steep and you’ll walk through dark tunnels. Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots and carry a flashlight. Since you’ll be exposed to the sun for a large part of the hike, start as early in the day as possible and wear a hat and sunglasses to minimize exposure. (Be sure to bring along water and apply sunscreen.)
Take a lunch break from sightseeing and enjoy a free music concert on the grounds of the Iolani Palace (Friday afternoons, weather permitting, from 12 to 1pm). The Royal Hawaiian Band will perform on September 7, 14 and 21.
Perhaps nothing can get you into the spirit of Hawaii more than a relaxing island-inspired spa treatment. A Lomi Lomi massage is a traditional and popular Hawaiian favorite. If you want true nirvana, make time for the Asian Lulur treatment. It’s a heavenly combo that includes an exfoliation and body polishing treatment; hot shower and a body smoothing (with yogurt) that’s capped with a soak in a scented, flower-strewn Japanese tub.
You won’t be disappointed—by the treatments or the ambiance—at any of the city’s top-rated hotel spas. Try the Lulur at the Mandara Spa (Hilton Hawaiian Village) and the Lomi Lomi and other body treatments such as the Polynesian Nonu, a Samoan-inspired massage using stones and the nonu plant, or the Ton Ton Amma, a Japanese massage, at the SpaHalekulani. If you’ve gotten a bit too much sun, reserve time for the Serenity Spa’s (Outrigger Reef on the Beach) Ti Leaf & Ko’olau Mist body therapy treatment.
Which of Oahu’s many beaches is “the best” and how, exactly, do you define “best”? Is it Waimanalo Beach Park (Windward Oahu)? The uncrowded Bellows Field on the eastern shore? Lanikai? Hanauma Bay? Instead of relying on the experts, why not undertake some personal research and pick the “winner” yourself? Don’t forget the sunscreen. Most important, don’t rush into the seductive waters without checking any warnings about the current water conditions.
Forget those garish, synthetic fabric versions. Shop for an authentic Hawaiian shirt at Bailey’s Antiques & Aloha Shirts (517 Kapahulu Ave., Kapahulu; 808-734-7628). Prices for the hundreds of new, secondhand and vintage shirts range from inexpensive to Yikes! (for serious collectors).
Wear a Lei: You don’t need a special occasion to wear a fragrant and fresh garland (Don’t even think about donning one of those cheap fakes you see everywhere.) of tuberose, pikake, ginger, plumeria or orchids. Pick up a few of the more fragile types to wear during your stay and have a hardy version delivered to your home—and timed for your return, so you can “extend” your island experience. Cindy’s Lei Shop on Maunakea Street in Chinatown is one of the top local shops and it also ships to the mainland.
Celebrate Hawaii’s Heritage: Iolani Palace is hosting a Royal Garden Party “in the tradition of Queen Kapi`olani” on September 9. The benefit, which is designed to evoke a feeling for Hawaii’s past and the Hawaiian monarchy, includes an elegant outdoor dinner, dancing under the stars, carriage rides, Hawaiian music, “genteel” lawn sports and an auction.
The annual Aloha Festivals celebrations on Oahu continue through September. There’s a Floral Parade on Kalakaua Avenue and a Thunderbirds Flyover and Performance, both on September 15; a block party on September 21 and the world’s longest hula line on Waikiki Beach (September 22).
For a true appreciation of Hawaii’s history and its multicultural heritage, tear yourself away from the beach and visit the gothic, lava-rock mansion that houses the Bishop Museum. The Hawaiian Hall is currently being renovated but the Polynesian Hall with its artifacts of the Pacific cultures (Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia) is open. Adults as well as the kids will enjoy the Science Adventure Center, which includes interactive exhibits such as the model live volcano that erupts as you pass through it. And don’t overlook the Kāhili Room, which displays some of the most cherished items of Hawaii’s “upper class,” including Kāhili (feather standards), portraits of the Hawaiian monarchy and personal effects.
Admission for two (regularly $12.95 to $15.95/per person) is free on September 29 as part of the Smithsonian magazine nationwide Museum Day promotion.
Take a lunch break from sightseeing and enjoy a free music concert on the grounds of the Iolani Palace (Friday afternoons, weather permitting, from 12 to 1pm). The Royal Hawaiian Band will perform on September 7, 14 and 21.
Roar Around the Island: The Waikiki Parc hotel’s Lotus Experience package includes two nights’ accommodations in the recently renovated hotel; complimentary valet parking and a free, 24-hour rental of a Lotus Elise. You can vroom-vroom in a chili red or chrome orange model, which has a top speed of 150mph and goes from 0-to-60mph in 4.8 seconds; packages from $565.
© Cheapflights Ltd Marlene R. Fedin