aloha vibes
Hawai’i is best known for its stunning nature and vibrant culture. We stayed in Honolulu during our trip and this entry is all about my favorite things around O’ahu!
favorite hike
My favorite trail during this trip was the Lanikai Pill box. This is a quick hike and the panoramic view of the Lanikai beach is absolutely breathtaking! In military terms “pill box” usually means a defensive site, but the famous structures on this trail were only used as observation sites.
This picture is from the entrance to Manoa Falls. The walk to the waterfall is absolutely beautiful and tropical. The trail is well kept and easy for any age. Fun fact- Manoa Falls was used as a filming location for Jurassic Park, Catching Fire and Lost!
We missed out on our big hike due to weather, but I will talk about it in case there’s others who had Stairway To Heaven on their bucket list! You can get the same stunning view by going up Moanalua Valley trail to Haiku stairs, and can even access the stairs from top (just don’t go down them). According to our Uber driver this trail will give you the same experience as the world famous hike without the $1000 fine!
favorite restaurant
Swinging and cocktails? Yes please! The vibes were immaculate at Heyday and the food was top notch while being down to earth! It being located at a retro White Sands hotel creates a perfect laidback atmosphere that adds to the relaxed energy. We ended up going back here multiple times during our stay!
Another restaurant that needs to be mentioned is Istanbul. It is an authentic Turkish restaurant and I’ve never had lamb as tender as theirs!
favorite beach
Hanauma bay is one of my all time favorite snorkeling spots! The view when you start walking down the hill is stunning and looks like it belongs in a movie. The beach on the bottom of the hill does not disappoint either! The coral reefs are filled with beautiful marine life that you can spend hours watching!
hawai’i and tattoos
Tattoos in the Polynesian culture are believed to date back over 2000 years. The traditional tattoo style is called kakau and the art is meant to showcase the person’s individuality and life experiences, as well as provide protection for spiritual wellbeing and health.
While we didn’t get traditional style work done, getting a piece at the end of the vacation felt fitting. We went to Hale Nui in Waikiki and the tattoo artist was incredibly talented and made us feel comfortable during the experience!
in a nutshell
There is so much to do on this beautiful island and in our one week stay we barely scratched the surface! One thing I will say to my fellow foodies is that you have to check out the local fruit stands, macadamia nut farms, and have shaved ice at least once during your stay!
Mahalo!