Aloha...today I would like to share with you the best tips of the O'ahu Island ...the South Shore...I hope that they will come useful for you :) Enjoy this beautiful Island that I have a privilege to call my home!
WAIKIKI
Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikiki (Known in Hawaiian as "spouting waters) was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Waikiki is most famous for its beaches Leahi (Diamond Head) and the calm waters of Waikiki are perfect for a surfing lesson. In fact, legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku grew up surfing the waves of Waikiki. This Olympic gold medalist in swimming actually taught visitors how to surf at the turn of the century and was later known as “The father of modern surfing.” Today, the Waikiki Beach Boys perpetuate Duke’s legacy by teaching visitors how to surf and canoe and the Duke Kahanamoku Statue has become an iconic symbol of Waikiki.
ACTIVITIES:
Surf classes/Beach accessories rental:
Beach Boys Waikiki Beach 6a.m.-5p.m.
Paddle boards rental/Beach accessories rental:
Koa Beach Services at Fort DeRussy Beach 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Surfboards rental at Seaside Hawaiian Hostel: $ 15.00* 8a.m.-6 p.m.
Hawaiian Parasail
1651 Ala Moana Blvd., open Mon.-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., for booking call: (808) 591-1280
Snorkelling
Queen Surf Beach (20 minutes’ walk from the Hostel),
Beach Volleyball
Fort DeRussy Beach Park 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (20 minutes’ walk from the hostel)
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN WAIKIKI:
Diamond Head Hike open every day from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m. (4.30 p.m. the last entrance of the day) $ 1.00* entrance fee, bus # 2 or # 23 on Kuhio Ave. in front of American Savings Bank
Honolulu Zoo ( est.1877) open every day 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m. $ 14* entrance fee
Waikiki Aquarium (est.1907). open every day 9a.m.-5 p.m. $12.00* entrance fee
Waikiki Historical Trail can be found all along Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues and at gathering places like the Royal Hawaiian Center and the Waikiki Beach Walk. Please, download free trail map from www.waikikihistorictrail.org
FREE ENTERTAINMENT:
Waikiki Beach Hula Show and Torchlighting (by the Duke Kahanamoku statue): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 6 p.m.-7 p.m. (winter time), 6.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m. (summer time)
Hula Show at Ala Moana Center performed daily next to the Food Court 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Hawaiian Culture Performances held daily at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center 6p.m.-7p.m
Hula Dance, Lei making and Lomi Lomi massage classes at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center held daily. For the current schedule please visit: www.royalhawaiiancenter.com, or check out the TV screens located at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
Ukulele Lessons at The Ukulele Store Waikiki Beach Walk – Second floor next to Kaiwa Restaurant 226 Lewers Street, Suite #218 held every day 10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.
Fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village every Friday at 7.45 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE:
Monday through Sunday:
Arnolds (Dive Bar) 339 Saratoga Road,10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Kelly O’Neil (Irish Bar) with live music 311 Lewers St., 11a.m - 4 a.m.
Amnesia 2256 Kuhio Ave. 2nd floor (Bar games, happy hours drinks, bar food, nightclub),12 p.m.- 2 a.m.
Monday:
LULU’S (across Honolulu Zoo),10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Industrial Night, Drinks Half Off! Cover charge: $ 10.00*, NO BEACHWEAR
Tuesday:
Moose McGillycuddy’s ,310 Lewers St.
DOLLAR DRINKS, Cover charge: $ 10.00*, NO BEACHWEAR
Wednesday:
Playbar (18+ club) 2310 Kuhio Ave.,9 p.m.- 2 a.m.
DOLLAR DRINKS, Cover charge: $ 10.00*, NO BEACHWEAR
Friday and Saturday:
Rum Fire at the Sheraton Hotel ,10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Cover charge: $ 10.00* cover charge, NO BEACHWEAR
Addition Nightclub (18+ club )1775 Ala Moana Blvd.,10 p.m.-3 a.m.
Cover charge: $ 10.00*, NO BEACHWEAR
Sunday:
Duke’s Live Hawaiian Music, 2335 Kalakaua Ave., free admission 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
****Please note that every 1st Friday of the month CHINATOWN is the place to be with many bars, nightclubs opened till late***
WHERE TO EAT:
Marukame Japanese Udon (under $ 10.00, Japanese restaurant specializing in noodle soup) 2310 Kuhio Ave., open every day 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Duke’s Bar and Restaurant (beachfront location, surf ’n’turf, tiki vibe & umbrella drinks)2335 Kalakaua Ave., open every day 7 a.m.-12 a.m.
Cheesecake Factory (American style chain restaurant) 2301 Kalakaua Ave., open every day 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Yard House 226 Lewers St., open everyday11 a.m.-1.30 a.m. (High-end sports-bar chain with a huge menu of New American fare & extensive list of draft beer, Happy hour drinks available Mon.-Friday 2 p.m.-5.30 p.m.).
Tiki’s Grill and Bar 2570 Kalakaua Ave., open every day 7 a.m.-12 a.m. (Oceanside spot, Hawaiian fare, cocktails and live music, Happy Hour 3 p.m.-6 p.m.).
Heavenly 342 Seaside Ave., open every day 6.30 a.m.-11 p.m. (Hawaiian fare made with local, organic ingredients in health-centric cafe with airy island decor).
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers 134 Kapahulu Ave. (across the Honolulu Zoo), open every day 9 a.m.-12 a.m. (Colorful Hawaiian-based burger place plus fries & shakes).
Ono Hawaiian FOODS 726 Kapahulu Ave., open Mon.-Saturday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. (family-owned eatery draws locals with a menu of traditional Hawaiian plates). Bus # 13 towards UH Manoa
Rainbow Drive Inn 3308 Kanaina Ave., open every day 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (Hawaiian plate lunches) Bus # 13 towards UH Manoa
Leonard’s Bakery 933 Kaapahulu Ave. open every day 5.30 a.m.- 11 p.m., bus # 13 towards UH Manoa ( Local fixture since 1952 for Masaladas ).Bus # 13 towards UH Manoa
SHOPPING:
ABC stores around Waikiki open every day 7: 30 a.m-12 a.m.
Food Pantry on Kuhio Ave. open every day 7 a.m.-12 a.m.
Walmart opened 24/7 bus # 13 towards Liliha
Safeway opened 24/7 bus # 13 towards UH Manoa
Kalakaua Ave. shops open every day 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Ala Moana Shopping Center open every day 9 a.m.-9p.m. any bus apart from bus # 2
International Market Place open every day 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Duty Free Galleria on Royal Hawaiian Ave. (Money exchange on the first floor) open every day 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Waikele Premium Outlets (bus # E from the Kuhio Ave./Seaside Ave. bus stop, aprox. 1-hour ride, open Mon.- Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
* all prices are the subject to change
HONOLULU DOWNTOWN
Bus # 2,13,19,20,42 from the Kuhio Ave./Seaside Ave. bus stop
Must See Landmarks
Experience these 10 must see Honolulu landmarks yourself on our suggested 2.3-mile Honolulu walking route.
1) Aloha Tower (155 Ala Moana Blvd, open every day 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
A tour of downtown might begin at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a harbor side complex of shops and restaurants surrounding historic Aloha Tower. When it was erected in 1926 to welcome passenger ships arriving at Honolulu Harbor, this 10-story tower was the tallest building in the state.
2) Hawaii Maritime Center (707 Alakea St.)
Next door is the Hawaii Maritime Center, which traces Hawaii’s colorful ocean history from the ancient Polynesian voyagers and rowdy whalers to the luxury liners of the 1920s and ’30s.
3) Chinatown
Walk mauka (towards the mountain) and west, and you’ll come to Chinatown bustling area filled with ethnic eateries, lei stands, fresh produce vendors, herbal shops and more. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii offers weekly guided walking tours of Chinatown.
Tip: Make a quick stop at the Aloha Market for fresh local produce.
4) Iolani Palace: (on the corner Of King St. & Richard St. Open hours: Monday – Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm). Entrance fee: Self tour – $14.75*, Guided tour – $21.75*
Heading east on King Street, walk through the main business district until you reach Iolani Palace, the only royal palace standing on American soil. The palace served as the royal residence for Hawaii’s last two monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. Guided tours are available here five days a week.
5) State Capitol Building (415 S. Beretania St.)
Behind the palace is the State Capitol Building, where the governor and state legislature fight their political battles. The building opened in 1969 and remains a unique work of architecture. The cone-shaped chambers symbolize Hawaii’s volcanoes, and the building columns are reminiscent of palm trees. The large pool of water surrounding the building symbolizes the fact that Hawaii is the only island state in the U.S.
6) King Kamehameha Statue (447 S King St.)
Across the street from Iolani Palace is the Kamehameha statue, which fronts Honolulu’s old judicial building. The bronze statue stands eight feet and six inches high (not including the 10-foot-high base). Every June 11 on King Kamehameha Day, the statue is adorned with beautiful floral leis, some as long as 18 feet in length.
7) Mission Houses Museum (553 S King St., open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Cross Punchbowl Street to find the Mission Houses Museum, where the first American Protestant missionaries established their headquarters in 1820. The structures you see here include the oldest surviving Western-style buildings in the state. They house a treasure trove of original artifacts, including furniture, books, quilts and other household items that once belonged to missionary families.
8) Hawaii State Art Museum (250 South Hotel St, Second Floor, open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Free admission
The No. 1 Capitol District Building, on the site of the former Armed Services YMCA Building, now houses the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum and the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
9) Bishops Museum (1525 Bernice St., open every day 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) Entrance fee: $ 22.95*
The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, designated the Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, is a museum of history and science located in the historic Kalihi district of Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu.
10) Liliuokalani Botanical Garden (123 N Kuakini St., open every day 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.)
The Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden is a city park and young botanical garden located on North Kuakini Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. It is one of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, and open daily without charge.
***It is recommended to try the best Hawaiian restaurant on the way to Downtown***
Highway Inn
680 Ala Moana Blvd. bus # 19 or # 20 towards Honolulu Airport , open Mon.-Saturday 8.30 a.m.-8.30 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-2.30 p.m.( All-day menu of traditional Hawaiian fare).
*All prices are the subject to change
PEARL HARBOR
Direct bus # 20 or # 42 from the Kuhio Ave./Seaside Ave., approx. 1 hour 15 minutes bus ride. Open every day apart from National Holidays from 7 a.m. till 5 p.m.
TICKETS:
- There are over 2,000 walk-in tickests daily and they are given on a first come, first served basis (* it is recommended to arrive by 7: 30 a.m. at Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center to get walk-ins tickets).
- Book tickets 24 hours in advance at www.recreation.gov and search for „Pearl Harbor Historic Sites USS Arizona ( *you must arrive at the Visitor Center one hour prior to your ticketed time).
* Please note that if it is too windy ferries to the memorial are cancelled.
OTHER SITES AT PEARL HARBOR ( each of these sites has a separate admission price, but there is a bundle deal. Please visit www.peralharborhistoricsites.org for more information.
*USS Missouri: site of the Japanese surrender in 1945
*USS Bowfin: Submarine museum with 4,000 submarine-related artifacts
*Pacific Aviation Museum : Museum dedicated to the history of aviation
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