Lauren & Amado
Things To Do
Sharks Cove
Don't let the name scare you! We love snorkeling here as it is less crowded than Hanauma Bay and its free! The beach is surrounded by reef making the water extra calm and easy to swim in, or you can snorkel to the right side, outside of the tidepool area.
Waimea Bay
...or really any beach on the North Shore!
Polynesian Cultural Center
Looking for a full day of Polynesian culture? Here you can learn and experience different cultures of Polynesia and end the evening with a luau and a show!
Dole Plantation
Dole whip pineapple soft serve. Need I say more? Be prepared, a lot of overpriced stuff here.
Romy's Kahuku Prawns Shrimp Hut
Giovanni's might be the most famous, but Romy's tastes DA BEST! Butter garlic scampi is the way to go! Be prepared to wait at least 45 minutes, no matter the length of the line.
Ted's Bakery
Pies! Pies! Pies! Chocolate Haupia (coconut jello) Cream Pie is a crowd favorite!
Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Cinnamon's - Hawaiian omelette, guava chiffon pancakes and crab cake benedict Char Hung Sut - Manapua (Hawaii version of Char Siu Bao/ Siopao) and pork hash Helena's or Young's Fish Market - Hawaiian food Zippy's -sort of like your chain diner, but LOCAL FOOD! Get the famous Chili, chili/chicken mix plate, Chili cheese fries... Monarch seafood – for poke and plate lunch Tanioka’s – for poke and other quick bites to eat if you’re headed out to the west side. Try deep fried manapua from Honolulu Kitchen (same parking lot, opposite ends) Foodland (grocery store) - decent poke Shiro's - Saimin (hawaii noodle soup) Elena's - filipino food Roast Duck Kitchen Young's Kalbee - Meat Jun and Kalbi Shirokiya Japan walk at Ala Moana Piggy Smalls - the Pho-strami sandwich Uncle Bo’s Marukame Udon Waikiki Yokocho - Bario (ramen/tsukemen) or Hannosuke (tempura) Goofy Cafe Sweet E’s Musubi Cafe Iyasume Tonkatsu Ginza Barin OR Tamafuji Teppanyaki Farmer (Ala Moana)- steak roll w/ garlic chips & ponzu
Desserts & Snacks
Leonards Malasadas Zippy's Napolean Bakery- Apple Napples and Dobash cake Liliha bakery – coco puffs!! And poi mochi donut, if dining in - Loco Moco Island Vintage (Acai bowls) Lee's Bakery - Custard pie Big Island Candies (cookies) Cookie Corner Wholesale Unlimited Bubbies mochi ice cream Shave ice all over the island! Uncle Clays HOPA (Ala Moana) - any shave ice with home made vanilla ice cream and mochi balls; all syrup is made fresh Ice Garden - must get custard or something not typical to shave ice Also try the tropical fruits! mangoes, papaya, pineapple, apple bananas
Beaches
Lanikai Beach - white sand beach Kailua Beach Hanauma bay - great snorkeling, good for kids. Entrance fee. Yokohama Bay - away from tourist Koolina lagoons - good for children there are beautiful beaches all around the island! **Hawaiian Sea Turtles are a highlight to see! But please keep in mind they are endangered species and are illegal to touch.
Hikes
Lanikai Pillbox Manoa Falls Koko Head - Railway stairs Obama did a few years ago Diamond Head Lulumahu Falls Crouching Lion - be extra careful Makapu'u Light House - easy, paved 1 mile hike up to a light house with an ocean view *Stairway to Heaven is illegal to hike. You can get arrested, there are guards at the beginning of the trail. If you want THAT picture, you can hike from the other side of the mountain to the top of the stairs- note you will NOT be climbing the stairs. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. There are some really cool hikes on Oahu that are really dangerous and people have died.
Sightseeing
USS Arizona Memorial Byodo-in Temple Kualoa Ranch Chinatown Pali Lookout Farmer's markets Drive around the island!
Shopping
Ala Moana Shopping Center Ward Village Waikele Outlets Waikiki Strip Kira Hawaii - Cute local boutique!