DK Travel : Honolulu & O’ahu

O’ahu is the most populous of the Hawaiian islands, and its conjoined hubs are the city of Honolulu and the world-famous Waikīkī Beach. The vast majority of visitors make Waikīkī their base, venturing out on day trips to take in Honolulu’s many cultural attractions, Pearl Harbor, and other parts of the island. The family-friendly beaches and parks of the South hore and Kāne’ohe District are in striking distance of Honolulu, while diehard surfers head for the North Coast. The Polynesian Cultural Center is also an easy day trip from the city.

Nick’s Fishmarket

Stop by for the daily happy hour before enjoying the contemporary surf and turf menu that has received critical recognition.
Noodles and Rice

Few meals in Hawai’i are served without rice, and those that are usually come with noodles. Indeed, noodles in hot broth with pork and green onions is a common dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and leftover dinner rice often reappears as fried rice for the next day’s breakfast.
North Shore Excursion

Morning

Begin with this premise: it’s too far to drive in one day. Granted, a 50-mile round trip from Waikīkī may not seem like much, but remember that most of the route is on two-lane highways, so you can’t rush, and there’s a lot to see. So, if possible, check in at the Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku (see Turtle Bay Condos), which offers hotel rooms and suites recently renovated in Plantation style, as well as condos and cottages with full kitchens and multiple bedrooms.

From there, you can easily run into Hale’iwa for a morning’s shopping – there’s LOTS of it and some items are actually cheaper than in the city, notably pareau wraps. Have lunch at Kua ’¡ina or Hale’iwa Joe’s Seafood Grill .

Afternoon

For the afternoon, you can keep going north and take a heart-thrilling glider ride at Dillingham Airfield or rent a water bicycle from Surf & Sea in Hale’iwa Town. Alternatively, head back toward the resort, stopping to sun or snorkel along the way.

Try to plan your excursion around an event (check www.gohawaii.com for an events calendar). Highly recommended are the rare Toro Nogashi lantern ceremony, hosted by Hale’iwa Shingon Mission in August, the Waialua Taro Festival in September, and, of course, the winter championship surf meets, which aren’t easy to predict as they’re wave-dependent.
North Shore Surf & Cultural Museum

Opened and operated as a labor of love, this small network of rooms displays surfing collectibles, including such esoterica as Boscoe Burns’ board-glassing shoes – practically unrecognizable under layers of multi-colored wax – as well as boards, aloha shirts, and trophies. Surf movies spool in a back room.
North Shore Swimwear

A specialist in original bathing suit designs, ranging from thongs to tanks and in sizes from tiny to zaftig. Bottoms and tops are sold separately so you can always get the right fit.
North Shore Vacation Homes

You’ll feel like a local when you rent a Hawaiian-style beach house in a quiet North Shore neighborhood. The rentals have large lanai (balconies), spectacular sunset views, and all the comforts of home.
Nu’uanu Cultural District

Also known as Gallery Row, this area is a blended community of shops, restaurants, theaters, churches, and bars between downtown and Chinatown proper. The best time to get a sense of its rich life is on the first Friday evening of each month, when galleries and boutiques celebrate Art Night and stay open until 9pm, offering wine and pūpū (snacks), music, and opportunities to meet the artists. Even if your timing is off, you can pick up a Gallery Walk self-guided tour map at any area gallery.
Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

Famous as much for its hair-flying winds as for its blood-soaked history, this vantage point is where Kamehameha the Conqueror did final battle with O’ahu warriors (see King Kamehameha I Unites the Islands). The latter either jumped to their deaths or fought until they were pushed over the cliff edge rather than give in. This atmospheric site is sometimes cold and misty, but always spectacular and spooky.
O-Bon

O-Bon is a traditional Japanese religious observance but has evolved, as have so many cultural practices in the islands, into a more secular event. O-Bon dances honor deceased ancestors and are joyous occasions marked by drums, music, dances, and, nowadays, festival foods and fun activities.
Ocean Club

Serves good food early in the evening, then becomes a full-on dance club.

Jump to top

Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $100
- $100–$200
- $200–$300
- $300–$400
- over $400
Restaurant price categories

Price categories include a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
- under $20
- $20–$30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- $over $60