Edits

25/25

Honolulu

On a thin strip of seashore at the edge of the mountains, Honolulu (on the southern rim of Oahu Island) is a surreal mix of urban sprawl and tropical Disneyland. The beach is packed with Japanese honeymooners and tourists drinking umbrella cocktails. Despite this, Hawaiian culture is thriving and downtown Honolulu is getting hipper with an L.A. meets South Beach vibe.

 

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Essentials

01 Slow down. You’re on Hawaiian time now.
02 Take a surfing lesson or go for a canoe ride. Waikiki’s surf is legendary and the right size for beginners.
03 Don’t leave anything of value in your rental car. Most Hawaiians are friendly and peace-loving people, but rental vehicles are often vandalised.
04 Give local favourites Spam musubi or loco moco a try. You may find them appalling or surprisingly good.
05 Head to the North Shore in winter to watch the big wave surfers.

 


Hotels

Independent and easy
The Waikiki Edition Hotel
1775 Ala Moana Boulevard
+ 1 808 943 6800

Dependable chain
Hilton Hawaiian Village
2500 Kalia Road
+ 1 808 949 4321

Premium
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
5000 Kahala Avenue
+ 1 808 739 8888


Dining

Fast breakfast
Liliha Bakery
515 N. Kuakini Street
+ 1 808 531 1651
lilihabakery.com

Leisurely breakfast
Side Street Inn
1225 Hopaka Street
+ 1 808 591 0253
Mid-morning coffee
Coffee Talk
3601 Waialae Avenue
+ 1 808 737 7444

Lunch with friends
Young’s Fish Market
1286 Kalani Street
+ 1 808 841 4885

Best picnic
Gourmet lunch wagons are the lunch trend in Honolulu now. You can find Korean tacos, Indian food, Hawaiian hot dogs, Soul food (fried chicken) and West Indian Curry.
streetgrindz.com

Power Lunch
Outrigger canoe club
2909 Kalakaa Avenue
+ 1 808 923 1585
outriggercanoeclub.com

Early evening drink
Mai Tai’s at La Mariana Sailing Club Tiki Bar
50 Sand Island Access Road
+ 1 808 841 2173


Sunset cocktail
House Without a Key
2199 Kalia Road
+ 1 808 923 2311
halekulani.com

Dinner for two
Mitch’s Sushi Bar (they may only have room for two)
524 Ohohia Street
+ 1 808 837 7774
mitchsushi.com

Big dinner with friends
Town Restaurant
3435 Waialae Avenue #103
+ 1 808 735 5900

Drink after dinner
Bar 35
35 North Hotel Street
+ 1 808 537 3535
bar35hawaii.com

Late bite
MAC 24-7
2500 Kuhio Avenue
+ 1 808 921 5564
mac247waikiki.com

On the tiles
Rumfire
2255 Kalakaua Avenue
+ 1 808 922 4422
rumfirewaikiki.com

Reading

Bookshop
Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii
1050 Ala Moana Boulevard
+ 1 808 597 8967
nativebookshawaii.com

Basics
ABC Stores
Found throughout Waikiki


Shopping

Something you can’t get anywhere else
Vintage Hawaiiana at Bailey’s Antiques and Aloha Shirts
517 Kapahulu Avenue
+ 1 808 734 7628
 alohashirts.com

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard
+ 1 808 955 9517
alamoanacenter.com

Something for the kids
Toys N’ Joys
3632 Waialae Avenue
+ 1 808 735 4546
toysnjoys.com

Something for yourself
Lomi lomi massage
Spa Halekulani
52199 Kalia Road
+1 808 923 2311

Two-hour tour

01 A walk on the wild side
A two-mile paved trail leads to Makapuu Lighthouse and the best views of Oahu’s Windward Coast.

02 Kailua Town
This sleepy beach community is a 30-minute drive through the Koolau Mountain Range, which leaves you plenty of time to lie on the beach.

03 Liljestrand House Tour
Don’t miss a tour of this perfectly preserved example of Vladimir Ossipoff mid-century Hawaiian modern architecture. The family house of Dr and Betty Liljestrand has just been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
theliljestrandhouse.com .


Limousine/car
Elite Limousine
+ 1 808 735 2431
elitelimohawaii.com


Transport

Car rental
Rent a car at the airport. For bus information,
visit thebus.org.

Rent a Segway
Segway of Hawaii
+ 1 808 941 3151
segwayofhawaii.com


Fitness
Surf and Bikini Bootcamp
Four-day pro surf camp with yoga and hiking.
+ 1 808 943 5800
editionhotels.com/en-us

Alternative diversion
A surf lesson or outrigger canoe ride with the original /authentic Hawaiian Beach Boys. Aloha Beach Services –in front of the Royal Hawaiian.
+ 1 808 922 3111

Credits

Writer: Nathaniel Rich

25/25

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