O‘ahu

Visited in late June. Beautiful from the beaches to the mountains. Water was wonderful wherever we went (mostly windward coast). We rented a car and parking was a challenge at times but if you were patient it worked out. So many beautiful beaches and hikes. I would definitely recommend getting away from the tourist traps in the Waikiki area and exploring more of the island.

Overall a great island. This is the most balanced one out of all of the islands. It has the city for urban adventures and tons of hiking trails and beaches for nature lovers too. With the giant attractions like Pearl Harbor and the Dole Plantation, you can easily spend 5 days here and not be close to exploring the entire island. Fights here are the cheapest too because of the big airport. Lots of hotels and restaurants. If you come to Oahu, don’t forget to try surfing or snorkeling. Overall just a great place for vacation.

Tons of things to do on this relatively small island; there’s a wide diversity activity for many different interests. It’s expensive, but you will get some amazing scenery!

This is a good island for vacation

There's a good reason why Hawaii and specifically Oahu is the most vacationed to location in the world. The weather's always perfect beaches are perfect, foods amazing, and wait till you get out of Waikiki the island is truly beautiful from every angle. Just respect the locals and they'll respect you back. Time to get your vacation on, Mahalo for reading.

It's such a paradise! Safe&Sound! Of course, be aware, that Hawaii is a colony and treat the Hawaiians with respect! Accept their customs and be open for new insights about life. Learn what "Aloha" really means. I found this place to be friendly, open to visitors and very kind towards humans, animals and the ecosystem. I enjoyed my food mainly at local stores, bought local Designs (Hawaiians finest). There is street food and great hospitality! Ofc the beaches are beautiful and the warm sun shines almost every day. Some tourists threw their garbage at the beach and i think for hawaiians its Important that you treat your Environment respectfully and responsible. But selfish people are (sadly) everywhere. I loved honolulus nightlife, the Clubs the Bars. You can walk downtown in the middle of the night. Its totally safe there. I also enjoyed the pleasant Hotels at waikiki and enjoyed Service and food. Take a car to northshore and visit its beaches, its great streetfood and hawaiians friendly Services. Its worth a trip!

This is the island I live on. It has the capital Honolulu. Waikiki Beach downtown is the place to party and enjoy nightlife. The west side (not counting the Disney resort area) tends to be a bit slummy but the beaches are less crowded. The resorts over there are extremely nice but they are separated from the island and it feels fake like Disneyland. The north Shore is pretty chill but it can also be a bit of a tourist trap. That's where I would go if I was a surfer and wanted to mix touristy with watersports. The east side is my favorite part. It is way green compared to the other parts of the island and the beaches are great! After the beach you can pop into the smaller towns and eat good food in a more relaxed yet nice area. You can typically get anywhere on the island in 1 or 2 hours traffic depending. Around Honolulu and the rim loop traffic can get atrocious!!! Be mindful of City traffic in town and tourists that are looking at the GPS instead of the road in the north shore area for example. And be prepared to pay for everything AND TIP! This is one of the most expensive places in the US. I don't care what a gallon of milk costs in Nebraska Everything costs more here! Enjoy your stay but know that people live here too.

Beautiful Island of Hawaii, haven’t been to the other islands but the large city of Honolulu was amazing and the hikes that were a bus or Uber away had amazing views and were not hard. Waikiki beach was hot and an amazing place to be, the short walk to Waikiki made beach going almost everyday easy and enjoyable, loved all the heat, food and culture that was here.

Never get tired of the view from my lanai. We may not have four seasons, may not have trees that change colors in the Autumn but we have beautiful sunsets, sunrises, rainbows, warm waters, gorgeous beaches and Aloha all year round. Lucky we live Hawaii.

Lived here all my life. Born and raised here. Visited almost every year. No matter what this is a place I call home. It may be one of the busiest islands, but it does have its charming characteristics. If you are visiting and you want the best of both worlds of relaxation and nightlife, Oahu is the best place to visit. If you're being a tourist and you plan on staying in Honolulu, You should try to expand your horizons by leaving the Waikiki area. Venture out to all areas of the island. On the west side of the island, you can visit places like the Aloha stadium, Koolina Resorts, Pearlridge, Pearl Harbor, And many more to visit. On the east side of the island you can enjoy the lush green part of the island. You can go to see Chinaman's hat in Kaneohe. Kailua -Lanikai. Kualoa Ranch. Etc etc - visit the Northshore and get some ROMY'S shrimp truck and visit hikes like Ehukai. Don't forget the wide range of Luaus. If you can't decide which Luau, book one at the Polynesian cultural center. I have also other favorites but you'll never go wrong choosing one of them. There's more but I can't even write everything down. It's a great place to visit and for me it's was a great place to live.

This Island that I'm so blessed to call it my hood! Growing up I've constantly compared with what the mainland and how much we don't have instead of seeing what we really have and it's quite a stunner! Weather alone makes all my far away besties envious with each posts of our beautiful beaches and rainbow skies even on overcast days with a bit of patience it shall all pass for a great rest of your day. On this visit I've spent the afternoon in a certain part of Waikiki as part of my "daycation" is what I call whenever I need an escape and with just steps away I've enjoyed a Poke Bowl, a scoop of Ice Cream, picked up some cool stickers while chilling on some rocking chairs to take it all in. The views of Diamond Head and our beautiful blue ocean is a vibe I now has me feeling free and hope you enjoy these pics as it's just a fraction of what this fabulous place I call home has to offer. Aloha!

When you're stuck in a foreign country with no way to get home cuz of overbooked flights do what you gotta do.

It's horrible, don't come here! Lol, just kidding! It's frigging amazing all around. Just be sure to be as respectful of the island proper, its inhabitants (people, animals, and plants), and when you wear sunscreen, get the reef friendly version and put it on 15 minutes before sun, but for sure before water exposure. You don't want to burn, but also, you don't want to kill what's left of our reefs. Get out of Waikīkī! It's cool n all, but there's so much else to see! For example, Waimea botanical garden and waterfall, or Hoʻomaluhia gardens... Leave Mānoa Falls alone for a bit...it's overcrowded, as is Lanikai beach. There's so much to do, just go out n get in it!

The Wild Orange. Enjoy classic cocktails? Know your spirits? Cool enough to impress a bartender in the know? A coveted but guarded phone number. A reservation. A softdrink vending machine. A coin. A welcome. Manga encased in resin bartop. A wall of lit backglass of vintage pinball machines. Solid bass of Japanese hip-hop. Incredibly skilled bartenders. The Vesper The Moscow Mule The Martinez The Little Italy The Penicillin The Sidecar Amaro Vodka Gin Scotch Japanese Whiskey Bourbon Rye Mezcal Rum A custom cocktail of two kinds of bourbon, a rye, house made infused syrup and bitters, sage, rosemary, in a glass scented by cinnamon smoke. All $15. Vegan. Kalbi marinated mushrooms. Spicy mushroom poke. An industry chill spot. No reservation? No invite? Not from the 808? No entry. Disclose the location. Disclose the number. 86'ed. Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. Worth seeking out? ABSOLUTELY. One of the top speakeasy experience in Hawaii. Note: This is intended to be a teaser for my yeeps and will be removed shortly

Hawaii is made up 8 main islands. However, we you think of Hawaii, you think of Oahu. This is the main island that tourist go to. This is where you will find most of the resorts and beaches. Some of the island's top attractions include Wikiki Beach, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, Atlantis Submarines, the North Shore, Ala Moana Center (Mall), the Dole Plantation, the Byodo-In Temple and Sea Life Park. The island is home to and has a base for every branch of service. There are tons of military discounts available for our vets. There are also lots of luaus to experience and a few water falls to see. I recommend checking out Kaula Ranch while you are there. It is a bit of a drive from the tourist area, but well worth it. It is where most of the movies on the island are filmed and they offer various tours of the grounds. The island does not have any active volcanoes, but is home to Diamond Head park, which is also a must see. For the adventurers, there is swimming with sharks (with and without a cage), swimming with dolphins, helicopter rides and sky diving. I did a HALO dive while I was there. This island is home to the State's capital, Honolulu and has tons of history including the Iolani Palace, another must see, to truly learn the history of the island. The nightlife is off the charts. I sang live band karaoke while I was there and the Halloween celebrations are epic. If you come here and cant find something to do, then there is probably something wrong with you. Traffic here can get ridiculous and if you are riding a bike on the street, you are talking your life in your own hand. Be carful walking too. The island has good public transit coverage and is serviced by cabs and ride shares, so you can get around without a car pretty easy. They also have bike sharing kiosk, but I warned you about bikes on the island already. I love this island. It is gorgeous. A true paradise. I spent a lot of time here and enjoyed every minute. There is always something to do, they have delicious food and the nicest people. The island is much busier than the other islands and has a lot more to offer, with respect to activities, shows and events. Yes, it is a bit on the pricer side, but worth every penny.

The Covid Pandemic brought our worlds to a stop! Do not pass go as we lived in sheltered conditions, social distancing, mask wearing, temperature checking, and the list goes on.... so my update illustrates what life is like now post pandemic to our city and Island of Oahu If you are visiting our fine state and Island of Oahu, please first check with Hawaii's Safe Travel Program which outlines the do's and the dont's. This will make a difference and save you much heartache and anxiety. The information you get from Safe Travels will make your journey into the State seamless and you won't miss a beat. Hotel and rent a car rates are through the roof (but it's that way regardless of where in the United States you travel to) Our eateries adhere to the social distancing rules so service might be a bit slow but the quality of the food and service is not waivered. Be sure to make a reservation for dining as reservations, while once only recommended has become a commonality in dining out. Check the hiking locations and other visitor attractions as their rules have changed as well. Some have limited visiting hours and some have fees so check before heading out. A couple things that haven't changed is the friendly folk, hospitality, great weather, beautiful views and sunsets and don't forget the rainbows. Hawaii No Ka Oi!

O'ahu: "The Gathering Place" There is no doubt that some of the most beautiful sunset scenes are located here in O'ahu. The beaches are warm and inviting and because of this they are always crowded. For the most part Hawaiian folks are friendly, easy going and totally laid back. I was fortunate to live in this island for 3 years during my 'tween years. I attended schools in Moanalua Elementary and Intermediate (now changed to Middle) School. I am now a Cali girl but it's always nice to revisit the islands. Back then we were able to drive around da island in 4 hours... when I was young living here I remember that we would always be at the beach. Our church would always schedule a Saturday picnic at Hanauma Bay and for fund raising we would set up a section outside a grocery store parking lot and sell huli-huli chicken. LoL! Such was my life who wasn't old enough to drive then. I've been back a few times since then (3 other times) and I totally enjoyed each visit as a tourist! I think the only places I've been to back then was Sea Life Park and Paradise Park (closed down). Each time we came back I would add adventures to my memory bank: Polynesian Cultural Center, U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Dole Pineapple Plantation, plenty of sightseeing activities... we attended a couple of luaus, dipped in some of the most beautiful beaches (Lanikai was my favorite), went around the island and eat, eat, eat to our heart's content: Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Matsumoto's shave ice, Rai Rai Ramen, Ichiriki's, Side Street Inn, Leonard's malasadas, and recently, Liliha Bakery, Zippy's and Olay's Thai-Lao Cuisine. You will notice that many businesses will have a sign that says "E Komo Mai" (this means welcome). I just wanna let you know that "Mahalo" does not mean garbage bins... most of the public trash bins would say MAHALO on the outside. This just means THANK YOU for keeping Hawaii clean. LoL There's more than just the beaches here. Embrace the culture, the hospitality, and respect the legends. There are many fascinating stories of Hawaiian mythology. Everything is considered "alive" on the island. Whether you are traveling with your Ohana or your Ku'uipo... mālama and enjoy! ... and don't forget da Swap Meet! A hui hou! Review #2269

I fell in love with paradise! Loved it so much, didn't want to leave. And after leaving, Been having withdrawals and cravings for green hills, pineapple, beautiful vegetation, rainbows, and gorgeous blue n green ocean water scenes. I feel like Oahu, is an intro to paradise. For anyone who believes in an afterlife my goodness. This island is so heavenly. My review will offer ideas to tourist. Must visit while in Oahu - 1) Dole plantation -eat dole whip, do the train ride tour, and grab a fresh pineapple juice. 2) Leonard's bakery for malasadas. Yessss get the filled ones. I loved custard and banana (monthly flavor). 3) Cafe Morey's -fried rice with fry egg on top, and must try the honu pancakes-with fruit and banana brûlée. 4) walk the Waikiki area -avoid if you don't like crowds. (Shopping/ocean) 5) drive along the coast -pit stops at viewpoints, lots of pics. But, really take in the fresh air, the beautiful nature views. Enjoy it! Take it all in. I am missing all the green mountains, pineapples, beautiful ocean, super kind chill people. I can't wait to go back.

Woohoo! For my 1,000th review, I thought I'd review the island I call home, Oahu. I was born in Hong Kong and moved to Hawaii when I was three. I couldn't have asked for a better place to grow up. Hawaii is truly a melting pot. You can find all nationalities here. Along with that comes all the different foods, haha. You know I wasn't about to leave that out. Personally, I'm addicted to Asian foods. I love dim sum and sushi. Coming in second would be Hawaiian. I can never get enough of squid luau, poke, and laulau. The island is beautiful and so is the weather. You get nice weather all year round. It hovers around the mid 80's to mid 90's. When you hit the beach, the water is a clear, sparkling turquoise blue. The crime rate is low and the police are actually helpful. There's no place in the world I'd rather be, maybe except Hong Kong. Hong Kong has exceptional food and shopping, two things that I live for. That's for another review, though.

Who could have predicted this most unusual rollercoaster ride of a year. The economy and the state's main economic sector, tourism, have taken a big hit, impacting the livelihood of many. The silver lining to the pandemic has been the ability to appreciate the simple things in life, to call this beautiful (albeit expensive) place home, to spend time with family, to find creative ways of connecting with friends and family.

The stars literally aligned for us five years ago when we received orders to move to Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, on the beautiful Island of Oahu. The Navy calls it the "Twilight Tour" in which the servicemember requests the assignment of choice for his/her last active duty tour when 30+ years of service is expected to be completed. Since 2015, the opportunity to live and work in paradise has been such a blessing. By luck, I was immediately employed by a division of the University of Hawaii and in 2018, achieved UH Almuni status as a grad student. Go Bows!! Go Warriors!! My family and friends on the mainland always ask, what do you recommend when we visit?? Well, here's my list: -Rent a car, but not a convertible (totally a tourist move) if you want to just go with the flow and have the freedom to roam. Rail is not expected to be completed until 2025. Ride sharing can get pricey. TheBus just takes a while longer. -Have your reusable bags, cash, slippahs, water canisters, and cameras ready! Be prepared to throw your shakas! -Learn about the history at Pearl Harbor by visiting the USS Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri Battleship Memorial (both near the airport). -Learn about Polynesian history by visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center far north of the island in Laie. You can even experience a luau here! -Learn about Hawaiian history by visiting the Iolani Palace Museum, the only royal palace on US soil! Check out the statue of King Kamehameha across the street! -Try local kine cheap eats you can't get on the mainland at places like Zippy's, Foodland, Highway Inn, Chinatown, Leonard's, Aiea Bowl, Tanioka's, or 7-Eleven. Don't forget coffee, acai bowls, shave ice, and garlic shrimp at one of the many shops and food trucks at the North Shore. Oh! And Dole Whip with Li Hing Mui up there, too. Fresh fruit smoothies are so good here!! -Soak in the surf and sand at the beaches like Waimanalo, Kailua, Lanikai, Waimea Bay, KoOlina, Waikiki, and Ala Moana Beach Park. Spot some honu (sea turtles) at Laniakea. Be sure to respect the aina - the people, the land. Heed warning signs. Be cautious and don't take risky selfies! -Enjoy the sun and tropical humidity on a legal hike at one of the landmarks such as Diamond Head, Lanikai Pillboxes, or Koko Crater, and turn your discover mode On to view a waterfall at one of the many state trails. Be safe and prevent from putting yourself and the emergency crews in danger. Or, simply drive up and check out the amazing views at Mt Tantalus or Nuuanu Pali Lookout. -Shop and get your steps in at Ala Moana Center (outdoor mall), Kalākaua Ave in Waikiki, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (flea market), Ohana Hale Marketplace, Farmers markets, and SALT in Kaka'ako. Heck, if you're up to it, register to run/walk the Hapalua Half Marathon (April) or Honolulu Marathon (December)! End your Friday night with fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. -Say, Please and Thank You. Aloha and Mahalo are just fine, too. Be patient everywhere you go. Things are a bit slower here. Even the speed limit is a giveaway. -You get the best of both worlds on this island: city and country! Yes, there might be congestion during rush hour, but it's nice having to drive less than 9 miles to/from work. ;-) I will truly miss this island when it's time for us to head back to the mainland to reunite with family and to take care of our parents. Remember when Lilo said, ""Ohana" means "Family" and family never gets left behind?" It truly is the way of life here on the island and what my heart always yearns for in the end. I am forever grateful to my work ohana and my Yelp ohana for everything!!! Feeling blessed!!! My #500 Yelp Review is dedicated to my wonderful friends and coworkers, businesses, and landmarks on the Island of Oahu!! Be safe. Stay healthy! XOXO

Aloha. I'm super proud of you, Oahu, for passing policy to prevent single use plastics from polluting our oceans! We all need to follow your lead! There were a few times on my trip where I had wished that whatever boat that I was on would have stopped to pick up the large piece of trash floating in the ocean instead of cruising right past it. Super sad that they didn't. But reducing plastic waste at its source? Way better! I'm so into it. I was sorta appalled by the unadulterated use of styrofoam in Oahu in this day and age. I'm totally relieved to know that there is now policy in place to address the environmental ignorance. Mahalo, Oahu! Thank you for your part in taking care of our beautiful planet and our BLUE waters! xoxo

I love how people use the Island of Oahu check in differently. Some talk about their experiences on Oahu, others its history, one Yeep uses it for their fishing "secret spots". Me I use it for my dive spots that do not have a nearby Yelp page that I can check in and add photos/reviews. To say that this past year of Covid crisis has been a stress on everyone's mental health would be stating the obvious. I thank God I have a venue to escape for an hour or two at a time. I'm talking about scuba diving, of course! Boat diving drastically decreased when commercial boating was curtailed or stopped during the pandemic heights, but we were lucky we could still get refills of our air tanks and access to the shore dive sites even throughout the heights of the pandemic. Shore diving is a lot more economical, so I tripled my annual dive count from roughly 55 dives a year to 150+! Through shore diving, I have been introduced to a lot of rare sea creatures such as harlequin shrimps, mantis shrimps, Hawaiian Monk seals, and dragon moray eels. Some of them are highly coveted, so that's another time I use the Island of Oahu check in order to obscure their exact location. But my new favorite group of sea critters to see and photograph are definitely nudibranchs! Latin for "naked gills", they are a group of sea slugs who have rhinophores (stalks that detect chemicals or smell). One sub-group have a distinct branchial plume or gills. Most are very small, some are the size of your finger, and a few are bigger than your hand! A lot of them have very distinctive colors and shapes. They're some work to find, but it's such a pleasure, a joy, and a "Eureka!" moment when you find them! On a dive, if I find some of my favorites, rare ones, or a totally new one to me I'm a happy guy! Another favorite diving activity is to participate with several organizations and perform reef clean ups. The amount of debris left behind from fishing, commercial boating, and just plain pollution staggers the mind. Talking to the old timers, the condition of the reefs and the amount of sea life due to pollution, over fishing, and global warming has been drastically reduced. So I'm pitching in to do my part. Hopefully, there will be something for future generations to experience. So in summary if I'm not working, traveling, or Yelping, you'll find me blowing bubbles underwater, looking for cool sites & critters! Let's go diving!

I grew up on the island of Oahu and there is no place in the whole world like it. I guess I am a little bias LOL. The beauty of our island is everywhere you go. From the mountains to the ocean the beauty is mesmerizing. Sure we have your sketchy areas, but even those areas have it's own beauty. Our weather is always nearly perfect and even on an off day of cold windy weather our island is still beautiful and cares for us. Now let's talk about the "Aloha" shared, imbedded and learned here. This you definitely can't find anywhere else. Some states might try to mimic Aloha, but Aloha is Hawaii plain and simple and it's people take it with them where every they go. Weather you are Hawaiian or not if you are born and raised here you are taught Aloha from a very small age. The infused flavors of all of the different ethnic groups that makeup Hawaii's unique culture is found in almost ever dish served. Islanders are not afraid to mix it up and that gives you a flavor that again can only be found in Hawaii. Sometimes it's hard to recreate these delicious dishes outside of Hawaii because the ingredients are hard to find elsewhere. Who ever thought that an easy over egg with a homemade hamburger patty with gravy all over or popcorn with kakimochi and furikake would taste sooooo delicious and be so addicting. Only in Hawaii!!

Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth but this island is my happy place. Coming back a second time was even better than the first and I'm already planning my next trip back. Oahu has so many places and things to see, eat, and explore. The people here are truly the heart of the island. The sceneries are breathtaking and the endless adventures have left a special place in my heart. I was in need of a vacation and this was the perfect getaway. Oahu left a big impression on me the first time I was here in the summer of 2016. After my trip, I connected with a few Hawaiian Yelpers and kept in touch over the years. Who knew I would have the chance to meet them in person. Thank you to Daniel C., Nadine C., Jessica P., Dan O., Sheryl M., Aimee H., Angel H., and Casey G. for a warm welcome and their friendly hospitality. Also a shoutout to Brian M., Lori L., Lyla D., and Oliver. My highlights from both of my trips have been: - hiking to the Top of Koko Head Trail - watching the sunrise on Diamond Head - watching the sunset on the Manakai Catamaran - Yoga and morning walks on the beach before the sunrise - night strolls in the Waikiki district - swimming in Kailua, Lanikai, Hanauma Bay, and Waikiki beach - experiencing luau's at the Polynesian Culture Center and Chief's Luau - visiting the Byodo-In Temple and Hawaii Temple Visitor's Center - views on Nu'uanu Pali State and Top of Waikiki - shopping at Ala Moana, Shirokiya, ABC stores, International Market, Chinatown, Foodland Farms, and Royal Hawaiian Center - Infinity pools at the Sheraton and Prince Waikiki - Eating at Ono Seafood, Tonkatsu Ginza, Marukame Udon, Musubi Cafe Iyasume, Duke's Waikiki, Agu Ramen, Rai Rai ramen, and Nico's Pier 38, - Getting desserts at Bubbies, Somisomi, Magnolia, Leonard's, Kulu Kulu, and Modo In addition, I met many interesting and fun Lyft drivers and taxi drivers. Everyone had their own stories of Oahu and why they love this place. I can't wait to check out all seven islands of Hawaii on my future visits. Mahalo!

An ode to Oahu: O: Ono is how you can best describe the food! Lilikoi, chili water, ube tarts, poke, pipikaula, lau lau, haupia, squid luau, coco puffs, the list goes on about all the delicious foods I ate while I was in Oahu. A: Adventure is here for those who seek it! Whether it's shark diving, snorkeling, scuba, surfing, dolphin watching, or hiking, there's fun to be had. It also means Aloha! Everybody I met was so friendly and nice, they really embodied the aloha spirit. H: Honu! Oahu is a great place to find sea turtles. I saw one while on a snorkeling trip. Love seeing those honu! It also means Humid! Hey it's an island, it's going to have higher humidity. It wasn't too bad when we were here in October though. U: Unbelievable experiences await. What are you waiting for? Book that plane ticket!

Oahu is an island that has about everything. There is the natural beauty, the rainy part, the dry part, and then Honolulu has the bustle and night life that many people want. Oahu has about 1 million residents and is by far the most visited island by millions of tourists each year. The next closest island in terms of population is the Big Island with about 190 thousand and then Maui with 160 thousand. So Oahu is where the people are. On our trip we tried the relatively calm part of the North Shore and then Honolulu. Honolulu, as the largest city, has lots of cars, traffic, and parking problems. Plus, real estate is EXTREMELY expensive. I would not want to live here, but being a tourist is fun.

What's not to like about living in paradise? Although Oahu has grown to a large city with all of the irks and pains such as crime, traffic and cost of living, it really is a great place to live. The island is just big enough to be able to move around and get to other remote areas when you feel the need to but yet small enough to reach most popular destinations be it for recreation or business. The weather is consistent year round and does not get too cold or too hot. There is no daylight savings time so we do not worry about that swing each year but only to keep up with the rest of the mainland. The general population still practice aloha and show the spirit in our daily lives. It always warms my heart to see aloha in action but more so for visitors who find it special and one of the great things about visiting Oahu.

PBY-4 "Catalina" over Kaneohe Marine Corps Base .... part of the aerial parade 75th Anniversary of End of WWII

I love to travel, I love seeing and experiencing new things, but there's no place like home. Born and raised on Oahu, I represent! Tro da shakas up fo' da 808! Traffic is horrendous on this small island, not even gonna lie about that. And yes, Honolulu is one of the most expensive cities in the nation to live in. But where else are you gonna find beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets, and a plethora of cultural culinary delights that represent all parts of the world? Where you ask? Right here in the 808, baby! Say what? You like to shop? Well we gotcha covered. Ala Moana Center is the ninth largest shopping center in the US and the largest open-air mall in the world! The world! Okay, so many of us locals tend to shy away from Waikiki because of parking and traffic. But I gotta admit, once I'm there, it's hella fun and festive. So many things to see and so many places to eat and shop at. And it's all within walking distance of the beach too! Nice, right?! The weather here is gorgeous practically all year round making it the perfect climate for outdoor activites or just hanging out and chillin' somewhere. Preferably with a cocktail in hand. *wink wink* This will be my last review for 2019. Thanks for a great year everyone! Let's hana hou (do it again) next year!

Always love my pit stops on the island before heading to the real Hawaii of Maui. However I needed my Giovanni's shrimp fix up on the North Shore prior to moving along so I stopped. Now what I didn't plan on was getting NUKED by North Korea oh wait that was an accidental slip up and I survived the BALLISTIC MISSLE ATTACK over the weekend that never happened. This was the highlight of my stay on Waikiki otherwise I'm hesitant to stay in the high tourist areas. My favorite area of the island is The North Shore, it's peaceful, less crowded and it's got the most bitchen waves you'll find for competition surfing. Spicoli would appreciate these radicle waves. Anyways if you need to shop then Oahu is your place. For me it's a pit stop to another island.

No place like home? Absolutely! Born and Raised on the south west side of the island and have been to most corners and cracks of the land. Have even been in the waters off of each side of the island. Have to say that country areas are where the best beaches are... so if you plan on going to any beach, beach responsibly and clean up after yourself! This island is home to many things that anyone can enjoy and even for free. 1) The Air! When the south winds aren't around, this is one of the best places to breathe. Trade winds sweep out all the combustion and pollutants to leave you only with clean air! Best places to take a deep breathe? At any beach, hillside or mountain top! 2) Views! Every place on the planet has unique sights to be seen and Oahu is no different. From urban wonders to nature made... Oahu has much to be seen either through a lens or by eye... from Iolani Palace to Diamond Head or even from a different perspective at a higher elevation from either the Waianae Mountain Range or the Koolau Mountain Range... the journey up is an adventure itself, but the reward on a clear sky day is breath taking... SERIOUS hikers ONLY! Don't kid yourself if you've never walked up to 2000 or 4000 feet in elevation! 3) Beaches! The water is fine and the beaches are plenty... well, not plenty, but you can find one close by from almost any point on the island! If you CAN'T swim, DON'T go into the water! But, enjoy the air and view ;). 4) Recreation Parks! Every state has these and these are mostly free but they do have a time limit on when they're open and when they're not. Check the signs as you enter one ;). 5) Aloha! The free, rare, magical gift you'll find in this state and on this island is Aloha! Yes, a few aren't that friendly, but majority of the folks here are smiley and have no problem throwing up a Shaka sign! You can smile back, wave or just Shaka back. No one really knows what a random stranger is up to, but a smile, wave or a Shaka goes a long way! So, as in any other state or town, eating out cost money, but if you are willing to pay for your meal(s) then you're in the right state and island! Oahu has many many many places to put your taste buds to work and into a joyful bliss of indulgent wonder of the flavors that these chefs put together. From famous and professional chef entries to mom and pop hole in the wall favorites, your taste buds will worship these apothecary type dishes and wonder how did they do that? In the end, Yelp is mainly about the culture of a destination and gives insight to more specific places of your interest... hope this was interesting enough to your curiosity! Grind On! Pau!

I fell in love with the island of Hawaii when we moved there about a year ago. Everyone hears about magical Waikiki but Oahu is more than that one beach-no matter how beautiful Waikiki Beach is. The entire island is fascinating...the beaches and mountains. I've never seen ocean water that was this amazingly azure. Next to Waikiki, Honolulu is a modern city with high rise buildings. It is a major hub for international business, and military defense. But it is also a location for east-west and Pacific culture, cuisine, and traditions. The food scene has both cutting edge modern and ancient traditions. Honolulu's Chinatown is one of America's oldest and has very authentic food. And I just realized, when writing this why the food and the service and everything is so good. The people still have pride in what they do. This is often the very thing missing from some other places-they want the money but don't take pride in the job. You can tell the difference. There is a soul to Oahu that is more beautiful than what you can see. The people are kind, warm and so accepting. When someone says Aloha and Mahalo, it comes from their heart.

If you're reading my review amongst the mix of all 5 star reviews I appreciate you taking the time to read a review from a different point of view and perspective. I traveled to Hawaii with the mindset that it was paradise. I was told all of my life that it was spectacular and to save up for an adventure of a lifetime. I was told about the islands that catered to tourists and sheer paradise. My mindset was positive and the outlook was that I was going to experience a surreal adventure. My children, being half Hawaiian, have looked forward to this trip for several years in planning and saving. I did see some beautiful aspects of Hawaii, I did meet wonderful Lyft/Uber drivers, I did see beautiful sights, I did encounter wonderful people, and I did have some walks through beautiful malls/shops. I have several 5 star reviews of these encounters and more to come. If you're reading this review and wondering if you should spend thousands in airfare, hotels Or AirBnb, rental cars, adventures and meals... my answer is vehemently NO. Don't go to Honolulu, Waikiki, or Oahu or the Honolulu Airport. Yes North Shore is beautiful but it requires you to go through the places above. What I encountered in Oahu/Honolulu is an island of people that have lost touch with tourism and catering to tourists. A city and government that has forgotten that their primary survival rests on tourism. I heard this several times: Hawaii is the closest place you can visit that resembles a third world country that's still in America. I found this statement to be so true. High cost of living, high taxes, everything is expensive but nothing is truly worth this cost/expense. Hawaiian Airlines has become the Frontier of Hawaii, providing a terrible experience for a $600+ per ticket. Poor quality airplanes, food, and even worse service at every point of contact. The first thing you encounter upon landing is a poorly maintained airport and miles of walking to/from baggage claim/drop off. The nicest section of the airport is the renovations in the Asian airlines section- otherwise it is dated and third world. The roads/freeways are poorly maintained throughout the cities and to/from the airport. The roads, sidewalks, and paths outside of the main malls (privately maintained) are littered with trash, debris, old furniture and homeless. Not a few homeless but hundreds. I chose to not capture photos of the rampant homelessness as I do not personally feel it's worth capturing and edifying. The buildings and homes are mostly rundown and poorly maintained. Ben the 5star hotels miss the basics of USB ports, fast internet, and refrigerators. The restaurants (even 4-5 stars on Yelp) are barely a 2 - regardless of the views or vibe. I cannot tell you the countless times I heard "That's the way we do it in Hawaii!" I don't care... you're catering to tourists at a high price - provide quality, time/love infused meals with flavor - even local flavors. Not considering ALLERGENS is the most ignorant thing I encountered second to poor/racist service. Mushrooms, peanuts, melon, dairy, gluten and many more are all very common and to have to beg a restaurant to make a meal without this is disturbing. No pork options? I don't care if I'm in Hawaii or anywhere else, if I'm paying, especially at the prices in Hawaii- I want it my way and not in an unreasonable way. The beaches: I spent hours walking up and down the beautiful beaches. I noticed homeless at every point - litter and smoking even though both are very illegal. I noticed that the homeless were permitted to camp, set up homes, on all public areas - taking over benches, tables, public sidewalks. At one point I encountered a violent homeless duo trying to proposition my 11yr old son. This and several other encounters in highly populated areas was shocking. Trust that irresponsible me almost decided to become a vigilante. The people and the government of Hawaii have forgotten the marketing aspects of their society and the concept of tourism and generating revenue to support their local economy. It's time to avoid Hawaii and find beautiful places that appreciate visitors and are intent on providing an experience worth saving and investing in. Don't think that because I'm from Las Vegas that I think our tourism is great, Las Vegas has lost their intent to serve and I'm the first to tell anyone that asks, to never come to Las Vegas as a tourist. Avoid the strip, avoid paid parking, never take a taxi, don't eat at any restaurant on the strip or stay in any hotel near it. Las Vegas has long lost their intent when money crunchers and big business took over the hotels and monopolize the government decisions. That being said, if your a tourist, travel where they appreciate you and show it in every way.

Oahu is a gem with many facets. Part of our stay was right off Crozier Beach and we woke to the sound of the waves and birds each morning. One of the many lovely beaches we visited. In addition to the natural beauty of Oahu we saw many cool examples of architecture. I loved the stark utilitarian beauty of the Karsten Thot Bridge and how weathered it was. Lovely grey metal contrasting with the brownish red rust... We found many delicious places to eat on Oahu and Mike's Huli Huli was one of my favorites. Fresh Hawaiian pineapple was the sweetest and most flavorful pineapple I have ever had. Beef short ribs grilled over Kiawe wood had a delicious smoky and sweet flavor. After eating at Mike's Huli Huli I noticed a road side vendor in Kaneohe, Hawaii. They were selling fresh lychee. I bought a bag and found them to be juicy and full of sweet lychee flavor. They were the best lychee I've ever had. Next time I'm gonna get 2 or 3 bags. Oahu was one of my favorite places I've ever visited. One day I will visit again to see the lovely sights and eat at Mike's and other awesome places we tried.

Here on Oahu, and the rest of the state, we love our food We talk about it every day. Sure it's a great place to visit with so much wonderful beauty to take in as you tour and hike. Everyone is so active enjoying the beaches, waters and everything under the sun. Even when it rains we are still out there enjoying life. It is so laid back. No wonder they call it paradise here and tourist keep coming back. When I talk to many guest, underlying all that is something else that stands above paradise. The people. We offer the warmth of our sincere friendship. We invite them into our Ohana becoming part of our family. And, they come back for that. I love this place and its' people. I am happy to be back.

I have heard many say, 'Don't bother with Oahu. The other islands are better." I think they are wrong on many levels. Oahu has a personality and specialness all its own. But part of this discovery was based on avoiding tour buses, shunning the obvious tourist traps, and venturing on our own. Rent a car and get out of the city. Here is what you must do. Divide and conquer. With the help of some well keened reviews from my Yelper friends, a couple of whom graciously became tour guides for a day, it was easy and fun. If only I had more time. But first of all, a few observations. You need to prepare yourself mentally for some significant "differences", and that goes beyond shaved ice, poke, and spam breakfasts: So, what is it with the drivers in this state? Unlike Californians with their maniacal, death defying driving styles, Hawaii has some of the most courteous drivers I have ever seen. At one point where two lanes of a freeway on-ramp merged into one, I witnessed a big guy in an even bigger pick-up truck and a little woman in a Toyota Corolla, fully on a path to collision, slow down to a complete stop and wave the other on...you go first...no, you go first...no you...no you. I found it comical. Mr B found it annoying, but then he was driving. Further more, they actually drive the speed limit. Unheard of. Is this part of that easy going, Aloha spirit I have been forewarned to embrace? And when you see someone giving you a hand sign, called "shaka" (your pointer, middle, and ring fingers pointing down to the palm and thumb and pinky up), don't panic and go for the pepper spray, dear city dwellers. This is a sign of greeting and welcome. If you can't handle all this niceness, maybe you should travel instead to Beirut. Furthermore, I am still baffled as to why they prefer backing into perpendicular parking spots. It's just weird. Everybody does it. I looked it up. Backing up is the greatest cause of collisions in parking lots. Never did see a fender bender, but it sure made me feel uncomfortable. Honolulu and the surrounding area has to plenty to offer, with the history of Pearl Harbor, to fine dining, museums, high rents and high rises, illogical streets, traffic jams, and unending road construction projected to be completed in Hawaiian time. However, the further you get away from Honolulu/Waikiki, the better your chances of not being slapped in the face by modern life and corporate chain restaurants and businesses that suck all the uniqueness out of any vacation experience. Even as they invade, however, the mom and pop places are everpresent and steadfast, just look. Don't bother the concierge, ask the locals and be willing to venture into some of the hidden, older areas. Heading up the leeward (western) side on Hwy 93 past Ko'Olina, you may realize they talk funny. 'Pidgin' English is the norm. Taking a class in Pidgin 101 might help, http://www.shakadivers.com/pidgeon.htm , but you need not exchange American $$ for puka shells and kukui nuts for bartering. I also observed a Seagull School. I wonder if Jonathan Livingston Seagull trained here? Pretty beaches (the famous Makaha comes to mind), golden dry hills, well weathered older homes proving that a middle class life on these islands is difficult to achieve, and unremarkable businesses are a common sight. Very laid back. That's local style. If, instead, you follow your nose towards the center of the island, within an hour Hwy H2 brings you to the North Shore where still productive, old plantations flourish. Keep your eyes open and you will see gentle hills and acreage filled with pineapples, coconut palms, banana trees, macadamia bushes, and coffee orchards. This is where papayas, guavas, and mangoes thrive in everyone's front yard. The North Shore is also the land of food trucks and tiny, makeshift businesses. This is where the ocean is layered with breakers and surfing is king (and very easy on the eyes, I said gushingly). Starting around the historic town of Haleiwa, you can hook up with Hwy 83 which takes you eastward through quaint beach towns and alongside breathtaking, more isolated beaches. Keep following the highway and you have arrived on the windward side. The windward (eastern) side is the wild side of the island. This is where you find rocky shores, small towns, obviously the rainy side. As you travel south on Hwy 83, the tall, rippled cliffs laden with lush vegetation come dramatically into view. This eventually leads to the legendary Pali, a magnificent cliff which overlooks the peaceful Kailua Bay. By the time you reach Kailua, you are back in civilization and will find yourself rubbing noses with the elite. You really can't get lost. And even if you did, if you keep driving, you will end up at the same place in a few hours. Island = round = the many faces of Oahu I happily visited.

Shaka, hang lose, is somewhat the way of life on Oahu. Oahu is my favorite island since I get the city life with the perks of outdoor fun in the sun. Here are the reasons why Oahu gets five stars if not more: -We have great beaches for surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and much more. -We have great places for hikes with breath taking views eg. Waterfalls and views from summits tops overlooking Honolulu city lights. -We have friendly people with Aloha spirit. -We have melting pot of mixed clutures resulting in great diversity of ethnic foods. -We have many golf courses and are known as a golfer's paradise. -We have great weather and when it rains the rainbows come out. -We have fresh seafood in particular fish for sashmi. The island of Oahu will always be home sweet home for me.

NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO DRIVING ON OAHU I'm not going to write about hiking trails, malasadas or beaches because everyone already did that. I'm not going to write about tourist traps, hotels, tranvestites or Waikiki because it's all been documented here on Yelp. What I will give you is information on TRAFFIC and DRIVING on Oahu because it's HELPFUL and USEFUL information (do you love my use of CAPS?) TRAFFIC: This is an island with a very antiquated freeway system, so keep that in mind. Traffic jams are usually from 5:30 AM until 8:00 AM heading to East Oahu Monday-Friday in the morning. Heading West traffic starts as early as 2:30 PM until 6:00 PM. Weekends the traffic can be heavy too, but it's usually not bumper-to-bumper unless there is an accident. If you are leaving Ko'olina (West Oahu heading East) in the morning for your flight out, leave early! RAIN: Cars will start crawling at the merest hint of a sprinkle, so if you are shaking your head and wondering why the traffic and slowness when there is NO ACCIDENT, just look for the rain. HONKING: No one honks here, unless they are 1) really really mad 2) warning beep to avoid an accident 3) tapping horn to let someone know they can cut in. It's super annoying when someone is texting at the green light and NO ONE honks, so the texter is oblivious and everyone is stuck behind him/her. CUTTING: You don't really "cut" in Hawaii because most times, if you put your blinker on and stick your hand out and wave at people they will let you in. Most times it's given: I go, you go, they go, etc. It's like alternating cutting. If you don't let someone in when they have their blinker on, you are a real piece of work. People here expect to be let in but they are not aggressive if you don't let them in. They will just sulk and brood and call you names in their car. Another annoying fact about cutting; if you let someone cut, they may let someone else cut in and so forth until you are stuck some five cars behind the original car you let cut in front of you. That's just the way it is. Share the Aloha. WAVING THANK YOU: When someone lets you "cut", you wave a thanks. More and more people are forgetting this simple gesture. What is so hard about waving "thanks?" Oh, I know, the same difficulty with using blinkers. BLINKERS: What are those? DRIVING SLOW IN THE FAST LANE: I once saw a bumper sticker "I hate slow drivers in the fast lane!". I thought that was funny because I was tailing them, in the fast lane. Expect a lot of it here. It's not like Washington state where the law says you need to drive on the right and pass on the left. We seriously need to institute that; but wait, it's called COMMON SENSE. POTHOLES: All the locals know where the bad patches are, the potholes, the rough uneven patches lurk. Waze can only help you out so much. Why so many potholes? It's called job security. Use the crappiest, worst-paving material known to man that disintegrates with a medium-sized rain and you got Hawaii's roadways that guarantee union worker wages forever. If you want to know where those potholes are, avoid tailing the car in front of you. If you are lucky to have found a local that knows the roads, they will swerve, and you will swerve too, and possibly avoid having a flat tire. TAILING: Pretty common here in Hawaii, I don't know what is the rush...it is an island, ha ha. THE SHORTEST MERGES KNOWN TO MANKIND: I'm taking like ten-foot merges that will give you bad nightmares, specifically University and Pali areas. If you are shaking your head and going WTF! that's because these merges were meant for horse and buggy, not cars. I told you it was antiquated. PARKING: Some of the absolute worst in the nation. Small stalls, crazy insane maneuvering, cuss-inducing hairpins and blind spots, lack of parking in general in popular areas. Parking garages and lots that defy the laws of nature (Hyatt Hotel parking is the worst in the world, if you don't believe me, just go there and park, I dare you). The newer, more modern places have nice large stalls, like International Marketplace. If you are not driving in traffic rush hour, have some time to enjoy the rain, wave your "thanks", curtail the honking, and pay for valet service at the Hyatt Hotel, you will have a very nice time driving here, I promise.

Other islands might be less crowded, but if you love food, Oahu is hands down the best place to eat all the things! Let's get the ugliness out of the way: Yes, Waikiki is so touristy. Yes, we have tons of traffic. Yes, the homeless population has grown by leaps and bounds. But in comparison to the other islands: We have food & drink open past 9pm. You'll never run out of things to eat, drink and see. If you're a shopper you'll find tons of luxury and brand name options, as well as boutiques. As you can see when I travel the most important things to me are food and drink. So if that's your jam, Oahu is the place for you!

The island of Oahu is quite possibly the most beautiful island that I've been too! It has all sorts of activities to go and such plush greenery. I love the beaches from Waikiki to Lanikai. The food here is so delicious! I love this place so much I've made it a goal of mine to return every year. Mahalo!

A beautiful island where we have magical beaches, excellent food, beautiful hikes, and great weather for the most part. But living here comes with a cost literally. Food and living expenses are increasing every year. Rent can be almost $1500 per month or more for a small studio or 1 bedroom apartment. Gallon of milk can go for $9 or 10 depending on the market. Luckily gas is reasonable this past year and right now. $2.19 per gallon at Sam's club in Pearl City. But don't let this stop you from moving to the islands. There are plenty of activities you can do during the weekends such as the State Farm Fair happening today, the 50th state fair in May, Punahou Carnival in Feb, SpamJam in May, etc. The bus system is great when you don't want to drive to work, but better leave early so you make it on time. $2.50 per way with a free transfer. Driving from the west to east side is a real headache even the afternoon traffic can be a nightmare. Take the gridlock that happened this past spring, some people took 6 hrs or more to get home. Imagine all those people who wanted to use the restroom while stuck in the middle of it. As far as the the rail system which been surrounded with so much controversy and plenty of uproar from us taxpayers, hard to say how much the fee will cost with the growing debt our state has been placed. This project should of been complete way earlier :P just saying! Check out the magnificent hikes such as Manoa Falls, Diamond Head Crater, Makapuu Lighthouse trail, Koko Head, and Waimano Falls. Sandy's, Waimanalo, Lanikai, Makua, Haleiwa, Waimea Bay, and Yokohama beaches are just a handful of beautiful beaches you and the kids will enjoy. Come visit or make that move to a tropical, warm all year aloha state :)

Our favorite place to visit. We love photography tours and can't think of a better way to spend our money, a small group guided by someone that knows where to go to take the best pics, and how to take them if your novices like my wife and I, and the history of the places we snap images of. Take a regular tour with a ton/plethora of people or a small gathering of 5 to 7.....we've done both and prefer the latter by a wide margin.

For my 90th review, I wanted to write about something relatively significant, so I chose my birthplace! I have travelled all over the world (Europe, Asia, the Holy Land, the Continental US, the neighbor islands, etc.) - each trip makes me appreciate America and Hawaii even more. I lived on "the mainland" for a couple of years as a college student, but I missed Hawaii and my friends & family so much that I withdrew from the University where I worked part-time, on-campus in the cafeteria. I saved up enough money for a plane trip home; and surprised my family by calling from the airport and telling them I was transferring to the University of Hawaii! It was the BEST Thanksgiving ever! Oahu is the BEST Hawaiian Island because it has everything - from the mountains to the oceans; deserts, forests, rainbows, waterfalls, awesome sunsets & sunrises; bamboo, orchids, coconut trees, anthuriums; famous places such as Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, the Arizona Memorial, the Bishop Museum, Diamond Head, the Aloha Stadium; Downtown Financial District; the Honolulu International Airport... Its diversity is amazing! The weather is great - no snow to shovel!! No Winter clothing to buy and store! No ice to scrape! Go hiking, do some snorkeling, golf, go fishing or sight-seeing; shop, eat and relax! When friends come to visit, we go to places like Punchbowl, Pali Lookout, Iolani Palace, the Kam Swap Meet, Ala Moana Beach, Valley of the Temples, the North Shore, Chinatown, and the Waikele Outlets. We eat all kinds of Ethnic Foods - Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese & Thai to name a few! We have shaved ice, malasadas, crepes, look funn, ramen, pansit, tacos, sushi, dim sum, and much, much more! I will never get tired of Oahu - my HSH (Home Sweet Home)! No ka oi!

Helpful Oahu Tourist Tips! Please read ALL my Oahu/Waikiki Yelp Reviews to get the word! The safest beach in Waikiki is Sans Souci Beach next door to W Hotel, south of the Waikiki Aquarium. PLEASE do NOT take or leave valuables anywhere on Waikiki Beach in your beach wear, towels, bag, etc. because there is a Waikiki Gang that scopes out tourists and robs them blind. There is one spot on Waikiki Beach near by Hilton Hotel where you may rent a beach locker to store your valuables while visiting the beach, but this is the only place where you may rent a locker! If you want a quiet beach, go drive to Turtle Bay heading towards North Shore. Turtle Bay has hot showers, a bar to order food and well-drinks, and a nice bay inlet to snorkle. But please, do not leave valuables in your bag here either! At North Shore, go snorkel at Shark's Cove. There are plenty of fish to see, plenty of divers here, but there is not much of a sandy beach here. But please, do not leave valuables in your bag or in your car while visiting this beach either! If you want to visit a very sandy, but VERY secluded beach without worrying about your stuff being stolen, head way past North Shore to Kaena Point. This is the beach where Lost film production takes place weekly. It gets very windy here, so please bring food, drinks, plenty of water, a windbreaker Aerodome beach tent (purchase beach tent at Marshall's), jacket, thick socks, and long pants since you are in such a secluded location there will be NO grocery stores or anybody around! Camping? http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/accom/occsp.htm Here are a list of other places to shop for dire necessities where you will not pay tourist prices: Costco is a few blocks away from Hilo Hattie in North Waikiki. http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/LocationTemplate.aspx?Warehouse=687 Wal-Mart is walking distance from Ala Moana Shopping Center Bus Stop. http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/ca_storefinder_results.do?sfsearch_city=Honolulu&sfsearch_state=HI&sfsearch_zip=&continue=&x=27&y=11 The Asian Local Market is off Ward Street past Nordstrom Rack where you can get fresh fish and veggies. The Ross Stores off Ward Street is THE place to buy a 3 liter Camelback water purifying backpack BEFORE climbing to Diamond Head for $18.00. Make sure you buy a 3 liter Camelback before hiking anywhere in Oahu to prevent dehydration sickness or death! The other Costco is located in Hawaii Kai heading on the way to Diamond Head on left side. http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/LocationTemplate.aspx?Warehouse=120 Foodland Grocery Store is on the way to Diamond Head on left side located in Hawaii Kai by Costco in the Long's Drugs Shopping Mall around the corner. If you like to go to church, please visit King's Cathedral Church info@kingscathedral.com heading towards Hawaii Kai on left side next door to 7-11 Store. At this shopping mall, go visit the Island Divers Scuba Dive Store and book your scuba dives with Judi Gulfoyle or Mike. Local Hawaii Kai, Oahu Phone Number= (808) 423-8222 Hawaii Kai Shopping Center 377 Keahole St. Honolulu HI 96825 If you go to Diamond Head, please bring these SEVEN very crucial survival items with you when hiking up 750 feet: Completely fill your 3 liter Camelback to the very top of the water reservoir (ONE Camelback per person!), bring four sandwiches (two to eat on ascent, two to eat on decending from climbing), four different types of fruit, two energy bars for snacks, two small towels to wipe the sweat from your body, wear hiking boots, and bring a very large spray bottle filled with water to cool yourselves as you climb Diamond Head. Please do not laugh when I tell you to bring these items I specifically listed above with you when you climb Diamond Head because there were FOUR deaths occurred during my ascent and descending from Diamond Head in September 2008! If you visit Hanauma Bay, please arrive at parking lot BEFORE 7 AM, so you do not have to pay an entrance fee or see a safety video in order to go snorkeling for the day. Also, please bring PLENTY of food, water, warm blanket, towels, sunscreen, your own snorkle, mask and fins. My camping spot at Hanauma Bay is underneath this very large shady tree past the all the picnic benches. The shoreline is 25-30 feet away from shoreline, the camping spot protects you from wind, and you are a short distance away from bathrooms, showers, and a sunny spot on the green lawn. If you should need medical treatment, Kaiser Hospital is past Diamond Head. Here are the list of Kaiser Hospitals in Oahu: http://www.enterprisehonolulu.com/html/display.cfm?sid=168. If you are military-you may go to Tripler Hospital in North Honolulu by Airport and see a VA doctor for free. There is also a County Hospital that will accept patients with no medical insurance and charges considerably less than Kaiser Hospital for outpatient care.

Waikiki Trolley Worth every penny. Our guide was a delightful native. Kioki was amazing. Best guide ever.

"Go! Go! Go! Ultraman!" Fan boy alert! Since March 2014 and till about Sept of 2014 there has been a special tourism campaign to broaden Hawaii's appeal to Japanese visitors. Because of Ultraman's popularity in Japan the theme of the campaign is the Ultraman family coming to Hawaii for a vacation with advertising pics showing them around the islands. Ultraman is one of the first live action super hero shows in Japan and was created by the guy who created Godzilla in the 50s. Here on Oahu they have placed four different 2.5 meter statues at popular visitor areas. It makes a fun Ultraman "rally" to go to around Oahu to visit areas many of us locals might not have seen in a while. They are located in areas that are accessible for free- see the map pic (note: at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, let them know you only intend to see the statue and they will let you into the shopping area for free.) Da wife and I went on the weekend for the Honolulu locations and the other two on Memorial Day. All four can easily be accessed on a day trip. The Japan visitors get to stamp a special card to win prizes but unfortunately others do not qualify (rats) but seeing those figures are still great fun for the rest of us. A great way to see the iconic Super Hero of Japan and enjoy some local grinds along the way.

Moved here 2 years ago and I am inlove. This is definitely paradise. I love the people, the food, the beaches, the scenery, and the weather. My son was born here too so I will always have a piece of Hawaii with me wherever I go, or for when we move back to the mainland. There are still a lot of places to explore and we definitely have to hit them all up, at least before we leave. I have learned so much about the hawaiian culture and really understand and embody the Aloha spirit. We are so lucky to have lived in a place like this.

Amazing food and atmospher! Really fast and diligent service. Delicious! Definitely coming back

I may not be born on this island but I consider myself a local. I'm a Cali (LA) born who moved to Oahu at 5... From what I know, my memory started when I moved here... Regardless I'm thankful my parents decided to let me grow up here. Grateful with all the beautiful beaches and views from hikes. Let me tell you a secret, I can't swim... I don't like beaches, I have a major fear of heights.. you know the kind where if I need to look down directly, my legs will shake and I'll fall to the ground. But I get to experience all these POSTCARD photos in real life on an easible access and take my own pictures to make my friends in the states jealous. Best thing here is all the asian food, no complaining about driving easily 30mins to get one place. Traffic is horrible here sometimes, we have the worst drivers. Sometimes you'll get true aloha other times well tough luck. Glad to call this place home. Home sweet Home.

It's a beautiful place. But it is over-run by tourism and you will definitely get the yankee-go-home look, especially on the east coast. Most towns are small and so you get the same kind of xenophobia that you would get in any midwestern small town, except that nobody spends tons of hard-earned money to pay double for everything in midwestern small towns.

Don't visit, it's a trick I kid, I kid. This place is so amazing I came for vacation and decided to stay for.... two and a half years so far. Mountains and beach. Sunshine and misty rain. Hiking and snorkeling. Traffic on traffic. Rent is ridiculous. Groceries are ridiculous. The number of Asian-food restaurants is ridiculous. But for me, it's all worth it for the one and only Island of Oahu.

We love staying at the Residence Inn in Kapolei! We enjoy a wonderful hot breakfast every morning by the best breakfast crew ever!!! Especially Grace & Karie and "J" & "K"Marea and Jasmine are so sweet & helpful at the front desk. The housekeeping staff are so friendly. Uilani keeps our room so very nice. They offer lots of fun activities throughout the week. Food trucks set up out front most evenings with a variety of local goodies. We highly recommend staying here for long or short term. You will be happy you did. Dana & Bill

There's no place like home, there's no place like home... It's true what they say about not really appreciating something till it's gone. For me, I was born and raised here and never thought twice about living in Honolulu. When I left for San Francisco, I started missing Oahu more and more. Often times I would think about the people, short commutes, beautiful scenery and of course the food. Oahu is a very special place because it's a melting pot of many different cultures. It also has some of the most amazing foods from Asia. Some of the best in the country in my opinion. Not only does Asian food shine here but so does local and Hawaiian food. There isn't any place else you can really get the taste and quality you would get here. Now that I'm back on this rock and as I drive around Oahu, I look at the beauty that this island has to offer. It's definitely appreciated now and I can see why people dream about coming here. From all the beautiful beaches, mountain ranges to the clear sunny skies. One major factor why I missed Oahu so much is that people here aren't just friends but family or Ohana. For all these many reasons, I'm very proud to call this place home.

Island of O'ahu (September 2017) Hawaii is paradise. I've been to O'ahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. I even live on the 9th Island. Each island is unique. But when it comes to my favorite, O'ahu is it. I always recommend O'ahu to friends and family whenever they plan a Hawaii trip for the first time. Our stay was a very short 3 Days/4 Nights and listed below is our adventure in paradise. I added links to reviews that received 5 stars from me. Enjoy!! Day 1 (Hikes, Food, Sightseeing, Coffee, and Repeat) *Kahala Lookout *Diamond Head State Monument: https://www.yelp.com/biz/diamond-head-state-monument-honolulu?hrid=sWhF30ZuqDl-rs94zIU2qA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Diamond Head Market & Grill *Manoa Falls Trail: https://www.yelp.com/biz/manoa-falls-trail-honolulu-2?hrid=vqq2j4BddvL0FMBLPIOlpw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) Rainbow Drive-In: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rainbow-drive-in-honolulu?hrid=tFzeYYSnGKxXsIyQlaf43g&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Leonard's Bakery: https://www.yelp.com/biz/leonards-bakery-honolulu?hrid=WjGsxbqgcGJeDcGb0HrgnQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Kaimana Farm Café *ABC Stores *International Market Place: https://www.yelp.com/biz/international-market-place-honolulu-3?hrid=mYWBw5jxCmkAsJv5aD5C-A&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Herringbone Waikiki *Kula & Ko Confectionery *Island Vintage Coffee: https://www.yelp.com/biz/island-vintage-coffee-honolulu-4?hrid=HrrmrHQDvT5cPkMBcs_-AQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Shirokiya Japan Village Walk *Tamura's (inside Shirokia Japan Village Walk) *Kulu Kulu (inside Shirokia Japan Village Walk) Day 2 (Hikes, Food, Sightseeing, Coffee, and Repeat) *Starbucks *KCC Farmer's Market: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kcc-farmers-market-honolulu?hrid=ppyw9ASXrd391dlfW0Gn0g&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Green World Farms: https://www.yelp.com/biz/green-world-farms-wahiawa?hrid=vvPPVTC5E0M5cEBvkc7t2w&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Dole Plantation: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dole-plantation-wahiawa?hrid=pcVNquQPNEbKOyvTyR3qkA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Laniakea Beach: https://www.yelp.com/biz/laniakea-beach-haleiwa?hrid=RiC0yddbEm3plTyYuPGxKA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp *Ted's Bakery *Ka'ena Point Trail Hike *Tiki's Grill & Bar Day 3 (Hikes, Food, Sightseeing, Coffee, and Repeat) *Koko Head District Park *Moena Café: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moena-caf%C3%A9-honolulu-2?hrid=SGt8q5qFbOw5u73AbSp-AA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts *Halona Blowhole *Morning Brew *Kailua Beach Park *Lanikai Pillboxes Hike: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lanikai-pillboxes-hike-kailua?hrid=aFmzQDPCUripfuU2SVS_2w&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Waikiki Beach *Banan *Honolulu Cookie Cookie Company: https://www.yelp.com/biz/honolulu-cookie-company-honolulu-11?hrid=FKDDeNO9RmuL4epmqMiQgQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) *Barefoot Beach Café. *Kuhio Beach Park *Side Street Inn

******************************600th Review*********************************** Oahu, The Gathering Place...The Island where I was born and raised, and the island that will ALWAYS be home to me. Growing up, I never realized how lucky I was growing up in Hawaii Nei. I was just your typical kolohe(rascal) kid, curious, full of energy, and always somehow, some way getting myself injured. From running into a corner of a wall resulting in a bloody mess and stitches on my forehead from playing chase master with cousins, to burning my cheek from an attachable flash bulb playing with my auntie's camera, having my teeth and gums busted from a face plant on a concrete gutter from attempting a daring bike stunt, or nearly gouging my eye out in a rose bush, and hitching a ride on the back of the Manapua Truck resulting in "road rash"...Boy was I a handful! I would only wonder if my parents thought they created a monster! Family and relatives were always there to the rescue during my accident prone chilldhood which I have A LOT to be thankful for!!! Food is another hot topic on Oahu and Hawaii in general. Some of my earliest food memories besides watching Julia Child and Jacques Pepin after Sesame Street were Mom's home cooking and Pop's concoctions on his big 3 meats-SPAM, Corned Beef, and Vienna Sauages, Chasing down the Manapua Man to get candy, manapua, and fried noodles in the wax paper bags where the shoyu would leak all over your hands from the sharp plastic fork, hanging out at the Holiday Mart snack bar(Way before the food court) My first job at Yama's Fishmarket way back when they had a location in the Westgate Shopping Center where I was exposed to serious local grindage-Poke, Pasteles, Lau Lau, Kalua Pig, Haupia, and Kulolo, food items which I still love to this day. Mrs. Teddi Chong's Food Service class in high school was tons of fun-community fundraisers, bake sales, bentos for the PCHS(GO CHARGERS!!!!) May Fair... this was another influential step in persuing a career in the food biz. After high school, I continued my food pursuit in Hawaii's top Culinary program at Kapiolani Community College at Diamond Head. Here, I was exposed to cuisines of the world from Kenko Kina, Robert Chinen, Frank Leake, and Kusuma Cooray and the art of Baking and Pastry from Ernst Hiltbrand. I kinda sorta got sidetracked from one thing though....THE BEACH. Whether you've been here, seen it on TV, or read about it, you know we got some kick ass beaches here. We would go as much as 7 days a week, wherever the waves were-Ala Moana, Waikiki, Diamond head, Sandy's, Makapu'u, etc. usually the spots close to school. My popolo(African American in pidgin slang) friend even tripped out because I was darker than him! As if daytime wasn't enough, we even went at night, using the buddy system, the moon and hotels served as our "light" and waves appeared as black lines on the horizon which grew bigger as they got closer. Water conditions were calmer and warmer, and we were having such a blast, that the thought of sharks never crossed our minds!?!?!...soon I had more surf sessions than kitchen sessions, and one of my classmates gave me a piece of her mind with a "shape up or ship out" kind of talk only because she saw potential in me and didn't want me to blow it. That was all it took, and before you know it, I was back on track. A little over a year and a half later, my days at KCC were done, and at the suggestion of my peers, I was faced with another career building opportunity which would be my last time as a full time resident on Oahu. Instead of celebrating and getting plastered for my 21st birthday, I left Hawaii for the first time, clear across the U.S. Mainland, to Hyde Park, New York to attend The Culinary Institute of America. From that time on, I had a brief stints at Grand Wailea on Maui, a failed restaurant attempt in Kailua, and 3660 on the Rise. My homes away from home became The Napa Valley and presently here on the "9th Island". When I visit Oahu every year, I always expect to come back to the 702 a couple of shades darker from chillin' at Oahu's beautiful beaches and at least 10 pounds heavier from stuffing myself silly from the onolicious grindz. Oahu always draws me back every year for Family, Friends, Food, and Fun. Can't wait to come back already!!!....ALOHA!!!

We must like this island to have come back, just about, year after year. With the exception of our honeymoon spent on the island of Maui, we've been "regulars." So, this is a synopsis of what we've learned over the years. I'm giving five stars, because even with the traffic, public transportation is highly accessible (in Maui you will need to rent a car the whole time you are there), and it's activities galore. Don't forget to pack the sunblock, hats, tank tops, shorts, swimsuits, coverups, dresses, walking shoes, water shoes, and a light jacket. And an extra bag in your suitcase in case you indulge in the shopping. We've flown every time with Hawaiian Airlines. If you're using the same airline, get the card, or you will lose your frequent flyer miles (over 5000 plus round trip). Besides being on time, you will get a full meal, if you wait up on the red-eye flight (we made the mistake of not booking the red eye on our 1st trip and lost a day). If you want a reasonable hotel across from Waikiki Beach (short walk), and don't mind the small rooms (memory foam mattress, flat screen tv, two beds, desk/chair/mini fridge/safe), choose the Aston Waikiki Circle. Everyone employed there is so nice and helpful. A discounted rate for the 24 hour fitness club for guests- you pay at the front desk. And you get a coupon book. Use the coupons available including all the ones you see in the This Week in Oahu, Oahu Gold, the Best of, and 101 Things to Do in Oahu (and Hilo Hattie flagship store, if available). If you stay at an Ohana property, you get to use the Pink Line (Ala Moana/Waikiki) for free, each time. Just show your room key. No limit. Take the free trolley to the Hilo Hattie flagship store. It used to be that this was a "mini tour" and the drivers would give scripted tour lines (yeah the same jokes). Once there, you get a shell lei greeting, free juice, and when you shop, you will get the coupons, if they are available. If you want to, you can walk a short distance to K-mart, Salvation Army, Zippy's/Napoleon's Bakery, or the Sam Choy's restaurant, Breakfast, Lunch & Crab. Then you walk back and take the free trolley back. Also, there are a few courtesy drop- off stops along the way, to Aloha Tower & Ala Moana. Duke's has great food, but if you're going for dinner, make reservations. One our first trip, we went on a whim, but the wait was for 1.5 hours on a wednesday night. Nightly live entertainment. There are two meals that are switched over year after year, due to their popularity: the pesto seafood pasta and the seafood luau- both are absolutely delicious. The breakfast buffet, although small, is the best in terms of quality and price, and my husband always looks forward to this meal, upon arrival (a tradition). Some local grinds not to miss: Leonard's, Zippy's, Kaka'ako Kitchen, Ba-Le sandwich, Big City Diner, Dave's Ice Cream, Bubbie's Ice Cream, Dole Whip pineapple ice cream. If you're in the North Shore area, don't miss Matsumoto's Shave Ice- get it with beans and ice cream. I'd recommend Shorebird for lunch, because if you go there for dinner, you are cooking it yourself. If it's your first time on the island, I would highly recommend the Deluxe Circle island Tour- we purchased it through Affordable Tours on Seaside. Be prepared, it is an all-day trip on an air conditioned bus, and you will see so many spots on the island that you would not otherwise, unless you rented a car. Waikiki Beach is split into several other beaches. If you can manage it, try to see other beaches, not in Waikiki, like Ala Moana Beach Park/Magic Island, and North Shore in particular (if you rent a car). Lanikai, located in a residential area, is a little tricky to find, and you will have to find parking near one of the public entrances, but it is gorgeous. If you are interested in hiking, I would recommend the Diamondhead hike. If you don't want to use the tour, you can take the bus, and walk there. Be prepared, wear sunblock, a hat, shorts, t-shirts and sneakers (my in-laws wore jeans and it was hot). The snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is amazing. You can take the tour there- equipment rental included. Everyone in the group agrees to the time to return to the dropoff point. The entry fee of $7.50 per person, is not included. Other places to see in Honolulu, not in Waikiki, are the following: Ala Moana Shopping Center, Chinatown, Ward Centers, Aloha Stadium Swapmeet (sat/sun/wed only), Paradise Cove Luau, Ali'i Kai Catamaran, Waterfall Hike, & Parasailing. If you want bargain shopping, try the Aloha Stadium Swapmeet (haggle), Waikele Premium Outlets, and International Marketplace (haggle). ABC stores are convenient but prices vary. Tourists are treated well- with the aloha spirit. Lots of people in the tourism field speak some Japanese. Signs are also in Japanese. There are lots of Japanese tourists here. The DFS Galleria caters to passport holders.