Shangrila & Billy
Things To Do
Shirokiya Japan Village Walk (Eatery)
This is one of our favorite eateries which is located inside Ala Moana Center. You'll find lots of affordable variety which includes udon soup, spam musubi, Japanese curry, chili cheese fries, sushi, bubble tea, beer and more. Sometimes you can catch a live stage performance or free activities for kids. Money Saving Tip: Vendors that sell prepackaged food items (such as sushi or bento boxes) start offering a 20%-50% discount around 8pm-8:30pm as they prepare for closing. (You will see these items left out and a sign with the discounted offer.)
Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon (Beach)
This place is iconic to Waikiki and probably better known as the Hilton Lagoon, which is right next to Waikiki Beach. (No really, it's about 20 footsteps away.) The still and shallow water makes it perfect for younger kids or for anyone that wants to paddleboard for the 1st time. If you are still in town, we suggest you make it to the free fireworks show which happens in this area every Friday. The show lasts about 10mins and start time varies from about 745pm to 8pm, depending on season and sunset. Tip: If you wander over to the Waikiki Beach waters, you might want to bring swim shoes as the bottom of the water is rocky upon entry.
Leonard's Bakery (Eatery)
Stop by this local and tourist favorite for a sweet treat. They're famous for their malasadas, which are deep fried Portuguese donuts. There are differnt filling options such as the classic custard, chocolate or seasonal guava flavor. (There is a story behind Shang not getting her guava malasadas. It brings back bad memories. LOL!)
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace (Open Air Shopping & Eatery)
SWAP MEET HOURS: Sun 6:30am-3pm, Wed & Sat 8am-3pm MARKETPLACE HOURS: Wed, Sat & Sun 8am-3pm At the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, you can find discounts on a wide selection of high quality products from clothing, accessories, Hawaiian souvenirs, pre-packaged ethnic foods, fine jewelry and vintage antiques. After shopping through the seemingly endless rows of bargains, sit to refresh and relax at one of the many concessions stands throughout the market. You'll find a variety of good eats to satisfy your appetite including Hawaiian shaved ice, fresh fruit, garlic shrimp and more!
Diamond Head (Hike)
I vaguely remember wanting to die as I stood at the bottom and looked up at the last set of stairs. That's probably because I'm a novice hiker and I love pizza. Billy jogged up the stairs ahead of me as I glared at his back, giving him a mental middle finger. I'm exaggerating. It's actually not that bad. I'd just rather be swimming. However if hiking is your thing, you should check this place off your list. My brother tells people there's ice cream at the top. You'd have to tell me there's a pot of gold to get me up there again. Jk...maybe. *Be prepared for lots of stairs, some narrow walkways and beautiful 360 views from the top. *There is an entry fee of $1 per pedestrian or $5 per car. (Cash only!)
Ko Olina Lagoons (Beach)
We stayed at Ko Ollina on our very 1st visit to Oahu and loved it. The lagoons are calm and secluded which create a perfect getaway from the busier area of Waikiki. It's not unusual to see fish and sea turtles swimming here as the water is much more clear than Waikiki Beach.
Cinnamon's at the Illikai (Eatery)
This outdoor eatery is fully covered so you can still enjoy a nice meal outside and not have to worry about sunburn! We recommend the guava chiffon pancakes and pot roast. They also have tater tots for you tot enthusiasts. (I'm team french fries.)
Paradise Cove Luau (Hawaiian Feast & Entertainment)
A luau in Hawaii is a must at least once in your life. Get there early so you can get ahead of the entry line and enjoy the pre-show activities which include a lei-making, canoe rides, spear throwing, Polynesian tattooing and more. A Hawaiian buffet is served and includes kalua pig, which is cooked in an underground oven called an "imu." (I mean, it's definitely not my dad or brother's lechon, but when in Hawaii...right?) To me, the food is okay, but the overall experience with the hula and fire dancing is enjoyable. #IssaVibe We suggest booking your luau towards the beginning or middle of your vacation, just in case something happens and you need to reschedule. The first time we tried go, the event shut down due to inclement weather and we couldn't reschedule because we were leaving the next day. They did give us a full refund and we eventually experienced Paradise Cove's luau on another vacation.