This week’s blog post is a selection of favorites from the Local Planning Committee. In addition, there is a link to an extensive list (“Vic’s Picks”) shared by Vicky Lebbin, the Associate University Librarian at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa - Hamilton Library.
We hope you that you get to enjoy many of the great options Oahu has to offer!
DINING
Waioli Kitchen, Mānoa Valley - Beautiful Surrounding in lush nature of Manoa, outside sitting and great french press to share with a colleague or friend. This is a breakfast/brunch place that is open only on certain days, so check before heading there. My personal favorite is papaya curry chicken.
Haleiwa Joeʻs, Open air restaurant in Haiku overlooks its own tropical garden and koi pond with a breathtaking view of the Koʻolau mountain range. About a 30-minute drive from Honolulu. Former estate continues its legacy of holding weddings in this beautiful setting. Does not take reservations and the wait can be long… but it’s worth it!
Barefoot Beach Café, One of few places on right on the beach in town. The food is decent food but the views are amazing. Occasionally, they will have live Hawaiian music in the evening.
Moku Kitchen Located in SALT/Our Kakaako “brings Hawaii’s rich upcountry farming and ranching heritage to downtown Honolulu’s urban lifestyle.” Menu sources local grown ingredients, and offers live dinner hour musician.
ACTIVITIES
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Park - 400 acres of lush plantings from major tropical regions around the world grouped geographically. Geographical regions represented by our botanical collections: Philippines, Malaysia, Tropical America, India & Sri Lanka, Melanesia, Hawaii, Polynesia, and Africa.
Lyon Arboretum – World class curated nature and gardens close to the UH Manoa campus. Make sure you register for parking first and check the times of opening.
Foster Botanical Gardens - Honolulu Botanical Gardens, Foster Garden displays a mature and impressive collection of tropical plants. Some of the magnificent trees in this 14-acre garden were planted in the 1850s by Dr. William Hillebrand, the first physician at Queen's Hospital.
Mānoa Fall Trail - Conveniently located in town, muddy and often crowded- just next to Lyon Arboretum (my preferred location). Still, the falls are at the end of it!
Ka‘Ena Point Natural Area Reserve - Special ecosystem at the 'end of the world', you can see albatross flying around you. Go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat!
If you are interested in more hiking trails you can check out the Hawaiʻi Trails website.
BEACHES
Kaimana Beach, Waikiki - Located away from the bustle of touristy Waikiki, a nice small beach with often clear waters frequently visited by monk seals. This is my favorite spot in town, especially during weekdays and in mornings when it is not too crowded. If you are there on Thursday evening, you will see a fire jam- local fire flow artist gathering.
Ala Moana Beach Park - Wide beach with beautiful scenery. The water can be a bit murky if the waters are rough - but a nice and peaceful place. My favorite spot is under palm trees at the L&L bbq (Ewa side)
Magic Island Park Great recreation spot just next to Ala Moana Beach, with a nice beach lagoon at the end of it. Beautiful sunsets and city skyline in the evening.
Kahala Beach Beach park in an upscale community of Oahu. My favorite place of this beach is at the Kahala hotel side. There is a parking validation if you visit the restaurant. Good for kids who can enjoy pool.
Kailua Beach Park Very nice long beach with white sands and turqoise waters. Sometimes the parking is crowded on weekends and get windy (it is a popular place for kite surfing). Still, one of my favorite beach spots.
Waimanalo beach, Sharewoods beach Wide beach with cool local spots for food around. (like Ono Steaks and Shrimp Shack) If you like to boogieboard, this is your place- a lot of fun waves.
CULTURAL SITES
Queen Emma Summer Palace Queen Emma Summer Palace or Hānaiakamalama, was the secluded mountain-home and summer retreat of Queen Emma of Hawai‘i from 1857 to 1885, her husband King Kamehameha IV and their son, Prince Albert Edward. Located in lush Nuʻuanu Valley this 1848 "palace" was saved and managed by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi provides an intimate view of our royal family.
Iolani Palace The only palace in the United States, built by King Kalākaua in 1882 and served as a prison in 1895 by his sister Queen Liliʻūokalani after the overthrow of the kingdom. Docent-led tours are complemented by self-guided tours with audio headsets. Be sure to view virtual experiences before you visit.
Waimea Falls Park On the North Shore of Oʻahu this cultural park combines rich pre-contact history with a diverse botanical collection in a natural setting (no greenhouses here!). Formerly a commercial venture complete with popcorn stands, the valley is now managed by a Native Hawaiian non-profit whose mission is to maintain it as living pu'uhonua (place of refuge). Be sure to view its history at https://www.waimeavalley.net/about-waimea.
VICK’S PICKS
A few of my (Vicky Lebbin) recommendations for your visit. I’m the Associate University Librarian at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa - Hamilton Library.
Here is the list of categories: (1) Bars, (2) Bookstores, (3) Coffee & Chocolate, (4) Beaches & Parks, (5) Lunches & Dinners, (6) Snacks, (7) University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, (8) Culture - Museums, Music & Dance, (9) Breakfasts, (10) Shopping, and (11) Waikiki Landmarks.
See the list here.
