For visitors who have the time to venture beyond the fleshpots of Waikīkī and the allure of the North Shore, Central and Leeward O’ahu offer the chance to better understand the everyday life of the island – the neighborhoods and shops, the down home restaurants, the lesser known beaches, and historic sites. ’Ewa, once the quintessential company town, recalls its roots with a reconstruction plantation village. The second city of Kapolei has the state’s only water park, while Ko Olina’s gentle lagoons and the beaches of Wai’anae offer great sun and sand time. Several sacred sites – some restored, some mere remnants – remind us of the historical importance of these areas.
More on Pearl Harbor-
Morning
Schools of spinner and bottlenose dolphins, and, from November to March, pods of humpback whales are readily seen just off the Wai’anae Coast. Several cruise companies offer dolphin-watching excursions Several cruise companies offer dolphin-watching excursions in various craft usually with small numbers of passengers. The excursions depart from Wai’anae Boat Harbor or Ko Olina Marina. Most offer transport from Waikīkī hotels, though you can choose to pick up the tour at the harbor. You will have to get up early, because the boats usually depart promptly at 7am.
Wild Side Specialty Tours (www.sailhawaii.com, 306 7273) offers a whale-and dolphin-watching cruise aboard a 42-foot catamaran. It is operated by marine researchers who believe that sail-powered vessels are less disruptive to the animals. The boat accommodates an intimate 4 to 15 passengers and the four-hour morning excursions include refreshments.
Ko Olina’s lagoons
Afternoon
For a Mediterranean-style lunch after your cruise, try Azul in Ko Olina (see Roy’s Ko Olina).
If you’re traveling with kids who want to emulate the dolphins, you can spend the rest of the day at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park . Less energetic members of the party can relax in the café or lie in shallow water away from the screaming action.
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Ringed around the coliseum-like stadium, the largest swap meet in the islands is a great place for kitsch souvenirs, alohawear, and beach equipment.
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This fine dining restaurant at the JW Marriott ’Ihilani Resort & Spa is a lovely, shady and cool space, opening onto a tropical lagoon. The Mediterranean menu manages to be both refined and rustic.
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On the shore of Pearl Harbor, Blaisdell is a family favorite due to its pavilion facilities, shade trees, and children’s play equipment.
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The pies are Boston-style – thick edge, thin center, cheesy, saucy – and the attitude is East Coast too. That means “eat it and beat it.”
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A longtime local favorite, Buzz’s is known for its generous salad bar, grilled steaks, and fresh seafood. The original “Original” is in Kailua.
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Award-winning Thai spot, with a dozen types of curry and an expansive vegetarian menu.
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The gardens and production facilities of this popular attraction introduce 900,000 visitors a year to O’ahu’s modern-day diversified agriculture industry. The pineapple is familiar, but also growing here are coffee, tropical fruit, corn, lei flowers, and exotic bromeliads. The Pineapple Garden maze, officially recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest maze, offers an unusual diversion.
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A specialist in Asian seafood dishes, including deep-fried oysters and clams in egg custard. Great dim sum selection too.
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The Hawaiian Railway Line is six restored miles of what were once 70-plus miles of track delivering people and supplies from ’Ewa to Honolulu. It operates Sundays, offering 90-minute round trips to the coast at Ko Olina and back. Take the train, then later drive back to Ko Olina to swim in the man-made lagoons in the shade of coco-palms. You can also have lunch or dinner at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa (see Azul).
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Restaurant price categories
Price categories include a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
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