I'm going to Honolulu for a week but have been traveling so much that I haven't really had time to research it. I'm the sort of guy who normally takes advantage of being in interesting areas by chasing new & interesting things until I drop. Any hints on must-do things to do/see/eat/take back/not bother with?
I'll have time in the late afternoon and occasional access to a car.
So far I am going to eat a shit ton of poke and take macadamia nuts back as gifts. There's got to be a way to make this list a lot better...
Recs?
Well your limiting yourself to just late afternoon and on puts you at a disadvantage to do anything worthwhile being in Hawaii. You cant really hike or go to any of the best beaches because traffic is shit and by the time you get there its going to be dark. Which leaves you with doing things strictly at night or going to waikiki beach. What I would tell you to do is rent a bicycle that does overnighters and cruise from ala moana to diamond head. Check out the beaches and lock your bike everywhere. Fridays they have a firework show at the hilton which you can ride your bike and check that out.
Depending on your budget. My go toos are Hys steakhouse and 53 by the sea for the pricier side. Chucks Cellar is good for steak not super pricey either 31 to 61 range. Sura korean bbq used to be 678. Sikdorak korean bbq all you can eat is definitely an after the club drunk as fuck and need to eat place instead of mcdonalds or tacobell. Also if you can afford it yanagi sushi is good but make reservations and expect to spend a lot of money.
Anna Millers in Pearlridge. Get the strawberry pie.
And if you can get out to the North Shore, get a burger at the Kua Aina Sandwich Shop.
Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head should be on your list too.
And don't bother with stopping at the UFC gyms, you will be underwhelmed.
I am going to be zero help. I ended up in Waikiki for a week with nothing to do by myself in March. The water was colder than I expected so I didn't get in the ocean nearly as much as I would have liked. I did hang out at the beach a lot. I walked, yes walked, to the top of Diamond Head one day. Some of it through a down pour which was interesting. I couldn't do anything about it so I just enjoyed it. Took a bus to Pearl Harbor. I rented a car one day and just lazily cruised completely around the island. If I saw a beach I just stopped and relaxed. I ate a killer mahi mahi sandwich. Snorkeled in some bay that is famous for it. Fishing would have been great minus the 12 foot swells. God, that sucked. That was a beautiful and horrible 4 hours. Everywhere I ate, the food was very good. I really enjoyed eating breakfast outside with fabulous coffee and a newspaper. A bike and a lock is good advice. Sorry, I can't tell you a single name of a restaurant but i wouldn't worry about it. Good food is everywhere. I went with no plans and didn't know anyone and really enjoyed my time there.
Habbiyah - I know re: afternoon, but the work schedule dictates when I have free time. Since I'm there for work and not on my own dime, maybe that's why I haven't put in my normal amount of research.
Nope, I'm not limited by budget. Now you actually made me hungry for steak lol (though I can get that on the mainland).
urethra- Will do some research on that.
urethra_faber - Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head should be on your list too.This. Pearl Harbor is worth the trip. Wasn't a fan of the Polynesian Cultural Crnter, but that's just me.
EasyTapper -urethra_faber - Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head should be on your list too.This. Pearl Harbor is worth the trip. Wasn't a fan of the Polynesian Cultural Crnter, but that's just me.
Yes, Pearl Harbor should be at the top of the list. It's quite sombering. Pay your respects to those who died.
The small air museum on Ford Island is nice, too. I don't know if that's open to the public or just active and retired military...
Seeing the turtles on the North Shore is cool, too, but you can just watch Finding Nemo as well.
The Willows was a really good buffet.
Asahi Grill for dat Oxtail Soup
All tourists gotta go to a luau. Might wanna ask your question in the hawaiiground
urethra_faber - And if you can get out to the North Shore, get a burger at the Kua Aina Sandwich Shop.this. watch the pipeline waves on north shore all day
soliakbangedmydad -Try Longhis in Ala Moana mall.
if on northshore try banzai sushi
Longhis is closed
JohnnyBrabo -The Willows was a really good buffet.
Asahi Grill for dat Oxtail Soup
The willows was a good buffet 10 years ago. You can yelp basically 20 better buffets
Dude has late afternoon/night free. How the fuck is he going to Pearl Harbor or hiking? Basically, all he can do is eat, watch the fireworks, hit up a bar or club.
And if you're white and not local, I don't think going to sikdorak or yanagi solo is something you'll want to do unless you're very personable in a humble way. If you're asian or Pacific Islander who isn't a slob, you'll get by just fine.
microbiologynerd -My exp. was that the big pipeline waves are seasonal. If I remember correctly, it's around December?? May and June, not so much.urethra_faber - And if you can get out to the North Shore, get a burger at the Kua Aina Sandwich Shop.this. watch the pipeline waves on north shore all day
EasyTapper -microbiologynerd -My exp. was that the big pipeline waves are seasonal. If I remember correctly, it's around December?? May and June, not so much.urethra_faber - And if you can get out to the North Shore, get a burger at the Kua Aina Sandwich Shop.this. watch the pipeline waves on north shore all day
Correct, big waves on the north shore are mostly a winter thing. During late spring/summer, it can be flat.
Burgers and things in Pauoa