Oahu

For those staying in Waikiki and looking for an easy 2-hour tour that delves into the history and wildlife of Waikiki, the East Waikiki Walking Tour by Hawaii Walks is a tour you should really consider. Hawaii Walks is owned by Jay, a self-proclaimed “bird nerd” and a walking textbook…

Down To Earth is a neat store in Hawaii with a Whole Foods vibe and plenty of local goods. It’s fun to explore if you’re looking for made in Hawaii snacks that you can bring home as souvenirs. It’s also a good place to grab a meal with some local…

The definition of an “easy” hike differs from person to person. Some people are hardcore hikers who have all that extra gear and solid muscle (definitely not me). Others rarely get out and consider rocky trails to be more than they can handle. I usually get a chance to hike…

Before doing the Pink Pillbox Hike, my friend and I decided to satisfy our hunger at Spinners Cafe located in the parking lot of Waianae Harbor. It’s a strange place to have a restaurant – right in the middle of a parking lot, but it works and there’s a busy…

Feel like some pie at the beach? Why not? Ted’s Bakery has that hole-in-the-wall feel to it, but only because it’s a small standalone building that most people don’t notice when they drive by. It’s easy to miss, but if you do find it and take some time to check…

I had a chance recently to board the Kai Oli Oli for a charity fundraiser being held for a local children’s shelter, women’s home and a US Vet center. The west side of Oahu has significantly less tourists, so the view from the ship was fantastic. The Waianae mountain range…

The Maili Pink Pillbox hike is normally just called the pink pillbox hike. Out on the Waianae coast, the hike only takes about 40 minutes going up, but you’re rewarded with an amazing panoramic view of the west shoreline of Oahu. Despite its awful rush-hour traffic, Waianae is gorgeous because…

Unless you plan on holing yourself up in your resort room and not exploring outside of Waikiki, you may just find it hard to not see a sea turtle or two while you’re out and about in Oahu. Sea turtles are quite common in recent days and with so many…

Despite Kaku’s being smack dab in the middle of Waikiki, you’ll only see locals lining up at the entrance right before the restaurant opens for lunch. Why? Because it has a decent lunch buffet that’s fancy enough for special occasions, but cheap enough that it won’t break the bank. At…

Let me just say that my Uncle is in ridiculous shape. (He left me and Mom in the dust.) At some point he decided we were taking too much time enjoying the sights and finished the entire hike without a backwards glance! The Aiea Loop Trail ranks high as one…

I’ve been slowly working my way through the Honolulu Mauka Trail System and wanted to bring my dog Daisy with me since she’s had some extra energy the past few weeks. Mom decided to come with and early Sunday morning we made our way to Tantalus Drive. This is a…

Pearl Harbor is an eye opener. It’s also one of Hawaii’s top attractions. There are graphic photographs, remnants of the attack and stories to be heard from survivors. Don’t be surprised if you shed a tear or two and find yourself suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. I always end up teary eyed…

I was flying to Boston for a convention and decided this was the perfect time to document my experience on Hawaiian Airlines’ longest domestic flight. My flight from Boston To Honolulu was on June 25 on the Hawaiian 89 flight and I used about 26,000 Hawaiian miles for this leg…

Halona Blowhole is a gorgeous place to stop and smell the salty ocean air as you drive along Kamehameha Highway near Sandy Beach. The ocean view expands without end to your left, right and front. On clear days, you’ll Molokai and maybe even Lanai if you’re really lucky. But the…

It’s rare that my mom and all her sisters (let’s call them the “aunties”) are able to gather in one spot at the same time. So when everyone planned a trip to visit us in Hawaii, we took them all over the island including Waikiki’s International Market Place. At first…

If you’re looking for something to do in Waikiki and it’s the weekend, head to the Art on the Zoo Fence. Local artists gather on Saturdays and Sundays, literally hang their art on the fence and you’re free to peruse, purchase and talk to the artists. It’s common to find myself…

I was invited to a birthday party at White Plains beach, which is known for being a great surf spot for beginner surfers. White Plains gets its name because the water looks like a wide field of rolling white waves when you scan from side to side. There’s plenty of…

A few of my friends and I decided to explore the Honolulu Mauka Trail System and chose the Makiki Valley Loop Trail. The loop is actually 3 separate trails that form a triangle and begins right behind the Hawaii Nature Center. Overall, it was a really nice hike to do especially with a…

As the largest and busiest tourist hub in Hawaii, Waikiki wins when it comes to convenience when you’re on a vacation in Oahu. Everything is within your reach from extravagant shopping trips to unbelievable outdoor hikes. It’s so easy to arrange tours and activities; plus, transportation is a breeze even…

Puu O Mahuka Heiau is a neat stop in Pupukea that won’t take up more than 30 minutes of your time. I love that this hidden gem is just a minute drive from the main road and the amazing view you get in return is magnificent. If you’re also visiting…

A visit to Waimea Valley is a great outdoor activity for any age. You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to get in, but this is a neat gem that is part botanical garden and part outdoor Hawaiian museum. The roads are nicely paved and it’s an easy walk to…

My friends invited me to join them in an art class they signed up for at Ben Franklin Crafts and you know me – I said yes! It was an alcohol ink art class and I thought the lesson was fabulous. I’d never heard of alcohol inks and when you check…

For those that know me, tasty cheap eats is what drives most of my travels. I want those yummy meals that you find only after you’ve lived in an area for a while. Palama Supermarket is one such place. It’s a small grocery store marketed toward Koreans and they’re not…

Aloha Tower Marketplace is marketed as a gathering area for the community, but I’ll tell you up front that it’s better to treat Aloha Marketplace as a place to eat a nice lunch or dinner at the pier. The restaurants bring this place alive and it makes for some pretty…

Locally known as Tantalus, Puu Ualakaa State Park is a gorgeous lookout in Honolulu that provides a fantastic break from the city buzz. There are a few tour companies that make their way up here, but the crowd doesn’t get too heavy as the parking lot is small. If you…

Kailuana Beach has no bathrooms or lifeguards, but if you’re looking to spend the day at crowded Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach, Kailuana is an awesome substitute. Just a 5-minute drive away the crowd, you’ll find plenty of street parking, a lot less people, a wide sandy shore, and the…

My friend from Thailand came over to visit me during the summer, which was perfect timing since my Molokai family reunion was coming up! I booked us a couple of tickets on Mokulele Airlines, which is a small airline company running interisland commuter planes. I’ve been riding Mokulele Airlines to…

If you’re trying to budget your money and Hawaiian Airlines is looking a little pricey for island hopping, check out Mokulele Airlines and see how their prices compare. They often have better prices and the main difference is that you’ll be riding a small commuter plane with no flight attendants or snacks.…

There are some pretty good eats in Pearl City and a favorite of mine can be found in Pearl City Shopping Center. Ezogiku Noodle Cafe is actually a Japanese chain restaurant, but this particular branch all the way in Hawaii does very well with the local neighborhood in Pearl City.…

Aweoweo Beach Park is my favorite spot for a lazy day at the beach. It has everything you need: bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, and a long stretch of beautiful sand. Plus, turtles are pretty much guaranteed when you snorkel! When my friends visit me and they want to spend a…