3 main tourist attractions that require online reservations:

  1. Pearl Harbor
  2. Diamond Head Hike ($5)
  3. Hanauma Bay

Hikes/Lookout places/Botanical Garden


Tantalus Lookout

DiamondHead Hike (easy)

Makapuu Lighthouse (easy)

Pali Lookout

Kokohead Hike (not easy)

Botanical Garden: Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden


Beaches


  • Waikiki Beach: usually crowded nice place to watch the sunset
  • Ala Moana Beach/Magic Island: nice place to walk/run along paved path, nice area to watch Friday fireworks towards Hilton Lagoon area.
  • DiamondHead Beach: hike down to the beach beware of nude beach in area
  • Sandy Beach: rough waves, amazing location, mostly locals, for good swimmers only
  • Lanikai: beautiful beach powder sands, residential parking
  • Waimanalo: parking area
  • Bellows: my number 1 beach just beautiful beware of jellyfish in the ocean
  • Halewai Beach: North Shore must be a great swimmer not for beginners
  • Kualoa Beach Park: chill location mostly for picnics and family time
  • Ko'olina lagoons: chill spot 4 lagoons with free parking at the last lagoon if spot available


Food


  • Waikiki: Liliha Bakery @ International Marketplace 3rd floor
  • known for Loco Moco, butter rolls, and cocopuffs (cream puffs)
  • Waikiki: Cinnamons @Ilikai hotel (breakfast)
  • Waikiki: Leonards Bakery: Malasadas
  • North Shore: Giovannis Shrimp truck: bring cash
  • North Shore: Matsumotos shaved ice
  • Local spots: Zippys
  • Local spots: Rainbow Drive-in
  • Local spots: 7/11 quick eats musubi
  • Local spots: Itchy Butt
  • Poke: Off the Hook at Manoa
  • Poke: Foodland
  • Kaneohe: Boots and Kimo
  • known for macnutpancakes
  • Chinatown: Pig n a lady
  • Chinatown: Fette
  • Harbor: Nico's pier 38


Coffee (Waikiki)

  • Kona Coffee @ International Marketplace
  • Island Vintage


*HAPPY HOUR/BAR*

  • Waikiki: Duke's Waikiki tiki bar
  • Waikiki: The Gallery (live band)
  • Waikiki: Suzie Wong's hideaway (dive bar)
  • Waikiki: Hideout at the Laylow
  • Waikiki: Monkeypod Kitchen
  • Waikiki: House Without a Key (passenger rec)
  • Waikiki Heyday
  • Waikiki: Kelley O'Neils closes at 4am
  • Pint & Jigger @ Ala Moana Hotel
  • Mai Tai's @ Ala Moana Mall 3rd floor

Get your Souvenirs

  1. Aloha Stadium Parking lot (local vendors) open weekends & Wednesday (cheap entrance fee)
  2. Don Quijote
  3. Wallmart/Target
  4. Costco