Guidebook for Honolulu
Food Scene
The character breakfast is worth the drive. Eat with Mickey, Minnie and other Disney characters. Be sure to get reservations.
42 locals recommend
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
92-1185 Ali'inui DrThe character breakfast is worth the drive. Eat with Mickey, Minnie and other Disney characters. Be sure to get reservations.
People always ask me where the best Shaved Ice is. Well, it is Shimazu store. Maybe it looks like a hole in the wall, but the shaved ice is the best on the island.
21 locals recommend
Shimazu Store
330 N School StPeople always ask me where the best Shaved Ice is. Well, it is Shimazu store. Maybe it looks like a hole in the wall, but the shaved ice is the best on the island.
If you are going to the North Shore, be sure to stop at Giovanni's (or any of the other shrimp trucks near Kahuku). You'll see the shrimp ponds nearby and devour the fresh shrimp.
71 locals recommend
Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp
56-505 Kamehameha HwyIf you are going to the North Shore, be sure to stop at Giovanni's (or any of the other shrimp trucks near Kahuku). You'll see the shrimp ponds nearby and devour the fresh shrimp.
Another weekend treat. Head to Ward in the morning and enjoy some great local vendors.
27 locals recommend
Kaka'ako Farmer's Market
919 Ward AveAnother weekend treat. Head to Ward in the morning and enjoy some great local vendors.
Hike Diamond Head on Saturday morning and then head down to the KCC Farmer's Market for some great local food. It's not just produce, but prepared food. A favorite activity for my guests.
138 locals recommend
KCC Farmers’ Market
4303 Diamond Head RdHike Diamond Head on Saturday morning and then head down to the KCC Farmer's Market for some great local food. It's not just produce, but prepared food. A favorite activity for my guests.
So much to do in Waikiki. It is an easy drive, bus ride or Uber ride away from the house. Very convenient access.
231 locals recommend
Waikīkī
So much to do in Waikiki. It is an easy drive, bus ride or Uber ride away from the house. Very convenient access.
Eating Malasadas is a must item for any visitor. Leonard's has the best and is 2 miles from my house.
230 locals recommend
Leonard's Bakery
933 Kapahulu AveEating Malasadas is a must item for any visitor. Leonard's has the best and is 2 miles from my house.
Chinatown
So many great restaurants here. Ask me for recommendations.
Sightseeing
Want to snorkel on the North Shore? Come to Shark's Cove and you won't be disappointed. The winter waters can be too rough, but in the summer it is a great place to snorkel.
191 locals recommend
Sharks Cove
Want to snorkel on the North Shore? Come to Shark's Cove and you won't be disappointed. The winter waters can be too rough, but in the summer it is a great place to snorkel.
Not only a great place to catch the sunset, but also a great place to see some huge waves in the winter
167 locals recommend
Sunset Beach
Not only a great place to catch the sunset, but also a great place to see some huge waves in the winter
A beautiful walk to a nice waterfall that you can swim in. This nature preserve has all of the flora of Hawaii so you can get a sense of the plant life.
145 locals recommend
Waimea Valley
59-864 Kamehameha HwyA beautiful walk to a nice waterfall that you can swim in. This nature preserve has all of the flora of Hawaii so you can get a sense of the plant life.
A great beach on the North Shore that features a rock you can jump from into the ocean. Best to visit in the summer, as the winter ocean can be quite rough.
389 locals recommend
Waimea Bay Beach
A great beach on the North Shore that features a rock you can jump from into the ocean. Best to visit in the summer, as the winter ocean can be quite rough.
Heading to the North Shore? Be sure to stop at the Byodo-In Temple. This beautiful Japanese Buddhist temple sits nestled at the base of gorgeous mountains. Well worth the stop.
105 locals recommend
Byodo-In Temple
47-200 Kahekili HwyHeading to the North Shore? Be sure to stop at the Byodo-In Temple. This beautiful Japanese Buddhist temple sits nestled at the base of gorgeous mountains. Well worth the stop.
If you are looking for a good beach that I recommend, it is Waimanalo Beach (or nearby Bellow's Beach. Beautiful blue waters and not very rough surf. A great place to relax and enjoy the sun.
101 locals recommend
Waimanalo Beach
If you are looking for a good beach that I recommend, it is Waimanalo Beach (or nearby Bellow's Beach. Beautiful blue waters and not very rough surf. A great place to relax and enjoy the sun.
No trip to Hawaii is complete without visiting the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and taking a tour of the USS Arizona and USS Missouri.
171 locals recommend
Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center
1 Arizona Memorial PlNo trip to Hawaii is complete without visiting the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and taking a tour of the USS Arizona and USS Missouri.
Beautiful place to watch the sunset before going to Chinatown to eat dinner.
13 locals recommend
Kaka'ako Waterfront Park
102 Ohe StBeautiful place to watch the sunset before going to Chinatown to eat dinner.
This beach consistently is one of the top beaches in the US. It is 16 miles from my house via the Pali Highway. Go there for the sunrise and stay for the day.
276 locals recommend
Lanikai Beach
This beach consistently is one of the top beaches in the US. It is 16 miles from my house via the Pali Highway. Go there for the sunrise and stay for the day.
Hiking Koko Head in the morning is great exercise and a fantastic way to see the sunrise. 11 miles from my house.
116 locals recommend
Koko Head Park
Koko Head Park RoadHiking Koko Head in the morning is great exercise and a fantastic way to see the sunrise. 11 miles from my house.
This protected bay is a great place to go snorkeling with fish and possibly some sea turtles.
531 locals recommend
Hanauma Bay
7455 Kalanianaʻole HighwayThis protected bay is a great place to go snorkeling with fish and possibly some sea turtles.
Go to Makapu'u to see the sunrise, then head down to the tidepools for a nice swim with the fish. Like swimming in an aquarium.
23 locals recommend
Makapu'u Tide Pools
Go to Makapu'u to see the sunrise, then head down to the tidepools for a nice swim with the fish. Like swimming in an aquarium.
An excellent place to go watch the sunset and take in some shopping or eating. Only 3 miles from the house.
22 locals recommend
Queen's Beach
An excellent place to go watch the sunset and take in some shopping or eating. Only 3 miles from the house.
A great local beach with calm waters and facilities for cleaning. A beautiful place to enjoy Hawaii.
52 locals recommend
Magic Island
A great local beach with calm waters and facilities for cleaning. A beautiful place to enjoy Hawaii.
Less than 5 miles from the house, this hike has a little bit of a challenge to it (though over 1 million people do it successfully every year). You'll be rewarded with great views of Waikiki.
347 locals recommend
Diamond Head State Monument
Less than 5 miles from the house, this hike has a little bit of a challenge to it (though over 1 million people do it successfully every year). You'll be rewarded with great views of Waikiki.
Na Ala Hele: Manoa Falls Trail
Na Ala Hele: Manoa Falls TrailA must see and only 1.7 miles from the house.
Arts & Culture
So many activities to do at Kualoa Ranch. From the movie tours (see where they shot Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and Pearl Harbor movies ... among others) to the horseback or ATV riding tours. Or zipline!
289 locals recommend
Kualoa Ranch
49-560 Kamehameha HwySo many activities to do at Kualoa Ranch. From the movie tours (see where they shot Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and Pearl Harbor movies ... among others) to the horseback or ATV riding tours. Or zipline!
Everything Else
Ward Centers offer a lot of shopping, dining and activities. There is a good movie theater there (discount movie tickets on Tuesdays) and a Dave and Busters.
84 locals recommend
Ward Village
1240 Ala Moana BlvdWard Centers offer a lot of shopping, dining and activities. There is a good movie theater there (discount movie tickets on Tuesdays) and a Dave and Busters.
T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii
330 Royal Hawaiian AveUpscale stores at DFS in the heart of Waikiki
Just a mile from the house - this is a great location for parents and prospective students to visit UH.
39 locals recommend
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2500 Campus RdJust a mile from the house - this is a great location for parents and prospective students to visit UH.
Shopping
A little bit of a drive from the house, but lots of lower prices at the outlet shopping center
167 locals recommend
Waikele Premium Outlets
94-790 Lumiaina StA little bit of a drive from the house, but lots of lower prices at the outlet shopping center
Less than 1 mile from the house you can find a pharmacy at Long's Drugs.
25 locals recommend
Longs Drugs
2750 Woodlawn DrLess than 1 mile from the house you can find a pharmacy at Long's Drugs.
Only 3 miles from the house, and a direct route on the #5 bus, you can shop or eat head to the beach easily from Ala Moana.
829 locals recommend
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana BlvdOnly 3 miles from the house, and a direct route on the #5 bus, you can shop or eat head to the beach easily from Ala Moana.
Essentials
Safeway
888 Kapahulu AveLess than 1 mile from the house you can shop for groceries at Safeway.
Entertainment & Activities
A very quaint aquarium right on the Pacific Ocean. A great afternoon visit to see the sea lions. Good for kids and couples.
197 locals recommend
Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua AveA very quaint aquarium right on the Pacific Ocean. A great afternoon visit to see the sea lions. Good for kids and couples.
A cozy zoo on the east side of Waikiki. Very convenient access. Great for kids and couples.
334 locals recommend
Honolulu Zoo
151 Kapahulu AveA cozy zoo on the east side of Waikiki. Very convenient access. Great for kids and couples.