Every year, millions of visitors from Japan, the continental US and beyond land on
Honolulu International Airport ready to begin your vacation in paradise. Shortly after
Upon landing, most visitors jump into a taxi or bus that is sent from the hotel and begin the journey
past downtown Honolulu and then to your reservation at a Waikiki hotel.
The charm of Waikiki is immediate. The crowded streets, the sounds of the beach and
The exotic stories call to the traveler who soon goes out to the street. Venturing into
Waikiki can be quite exciting. The streets are full of foreign languages, crowds
of tourists dress better on the beach, and the beginning of surfing history may be
seen at the end of the street. Waikiki can be so exciting that many visitors never
escape your imaginary borders. Approximately 6 million of these visitors miss the very
sites that locals find so attractive, they remain within two square miles of Waikiki.
For those travelers interested in seeing Oahu through the eyes of its residents, please
keep reading.
Magic Island Beach Park – This popular park is located west of
Waikiki, across the street from the Ala Moana Mall. The park includes
two beaches, a three-mile jogging trail, tennis courts, and more. A walk through the
The park will showcase the center of Hawaiian culture: the family. Large extended families
gather around the hibachis, spend the day together with a good meal and lots of
Sun. The beaches are much less crowded, so if you want to have a good day, have a barbecue.
And head to the beach at Magic Island!
The Honolulu Contemporary Museum – This small museum is located
high on a ridge on Makiki Heights Drive. The trip up the ridge offers incredible views.
otherwise most visitors to Oahu would be lost. The relatively small museum
offers changing exhibits in its five galleries. After passing through the galleries, visitors
you can stroll through the sculpture gardens. This is where the true glory of
The museum is revealed. The 3.5 acres of sculpture and meditation gardens are open to
to the public and offer some of the most incredible views in Honolulu.
Leong’s Coffee – Many visitors look to lu’au for something more than entertainment;
they are looking for great Hawaiian food. However, if you are interested in real premises
Hawaiian style food, it doesn’t get any better than Leong’s Cafe, located at 2343 North King Street.
As a favorite for plate lunches, kalua pig, lu’au stew, lomi lomi and more, the locals
I have been visiting this cafe for more than 50 years!
Malasadas Champion – Local sweets called Malasadas are very popular.
that Fat Tuesday has been renamed Malasada Day throughout the Hawaiian territory
Islands. One of the best and most famous bakeries is Champion Malasadas located
in calle Beretania Sur 1926. These light Portuguese donuts without holes come with
and unfilled and worth the effort to get them!
Honolulu Chinatown – A walk through the streets of Chinatown like a
walk to another time and place. Whether you are looking for dim sum, fresh
Products, handmade leis or the new trendy salon, you are sure to find it in Chinatown.
The streets and shops are exotic, offering items not found in a typical American.
grocery store. Guided walking tours are available for this historic district, but often the
The best way is to simply wander the streets, stopping whenever your interest
has been stung.
If you are interested in seeing Oahu through the eyes of a local, be sure to stop by some
time out of Waikiki. Stop by some or all of the places listed above and see some
of what really makes Hawaii special.