Best of Oahu Archives
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Retired Oahu Hikes
Mariners Ridge Hike
Drive 1000 feet up a hill and prepare to start an accelerating hike
from there! The Mariner’s Ridge
Hike offers stimulating views of
Koko Head and the Hawaii Kai Marina as you test your endurance, step by
step, striding up this continuous mountaintop!
Reach the peak and you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the Windward side of Oahu. The journey will take you about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the top.
NOTE: This trail has been deemed private and currently closed to the public. A new gate has been constructed to keep trespassers out. Consider good alternatives such as Makapu'u Lighthouse or Koko Head Steps.
#14 Kanealole Trail
The Kanealole trail (Ka ne’ al ole) is considered the heart that leads to many other hillside trails, which also happens to be part of the Makiki Valley Loop. This is a moderate 1.5 mile hike that climbs up 500 ft through switchback trails in a dense tropical rain forest.
The trail opens up occasionally with windowing Honolulu city views.
Consider starting off with this hike, and even if you
plan
on branching off to some of the other Makiki Valley Loop trails.
Closed Oahu Restaurants
Piggy Smalls
If you’ve been to the Pig & the Lady, then you’ll be a fan of their sister restaurant Piggy Smalls that opened up in the Kaka’ako Ward Centre area.
It’s a simplified menu full of comfort foods that are delicious and worth checking out!
They mainly feature banh mi type fusion sandwiches, creative noodle dishes, and their signature Chicken Pho Soup...and not to worry, they feature their too-die-for LFC Wings and garlic noodles. I’m a fan of their Burmese Salad, The Pho-Strami Dip made with smoked brisket, and their Fried Kauai Shrimp Po’ Boy sandwiches!
Hours – Mon – Fri 11 AM to 9:30 PM (take out 3 PM to 5PM), Sat 10 AM to 9:30 PM & Sun 10 AM to 3 PM
Location: 1200 Ala Moana Blvd / (808) 777-3588
Check out more: PiggySmalls.com
Goma Tei Waikiki - $
Rated as one of the best ramen noodle houses on the island…and happens to be one of my favorites, Goma Tei fits right into the utopia of elite International Market Place restaurants. Goma Tei is a growing small chain, and now has added their first operation in Waikiki.
So what makes this noodle house so popular? Their Tan Tan broth is rich and well balanced in flavor, they add a generous portion of nicely smoked char-su pork belly, and garnish it to perfection with vegetables and a perfectly soft-boiled egg! And to top it off, Goma Tei is probably your best “cheap eats” option located here on the 3rd level of restaurant row. Open Daily 11 AM to 9 PM
Location - 2330 Kalakaua Avenue, 3rd Level, Waikiki / (808) 732-9188
Check out more at Goma Tei
Alan Wong's - Honolulu - Closed
Chef Alan Wong opened his doors in 1995 and has been a number one success amongst Honolulu restaurants ever since!
Wanting to bring the natural Hawaiian elements to
the
table, Chef Alan Wong tries to keep everything as local as possible to
better enhance his creations.
His menu
challenges traditional local
Hawaiian favorite dishes to take on new unique flavors and
twists. Winning dishes include Steamed
Clams w/ Kalua Pork, Ahi
Poke Crispy Won Tons, Grilled Mahi Mahi w/ a Wasabi Sauce, and
Macadamia Nut and Coconut Crusted Lamb Chops!
$$ Lunch &
Dinner, Daily 5pm to 10pm
Location: 1857
South King St, Suite 208, Honolulu, HI Phone (808) 949-1939
Check out more at www.AlanWongs.com
Nobu - Closed
Nobu has moved into their new Kakaako location in the Waiea Residence Building. Chef Raso and his staff look to the challenge of reinventing Japanese cuisine into a culinary adventure!
The new 11,000 sq ft Honolulu Restaurants space has a fresh modern & enlighten look, as to its previous location located in the Waikiki Parc Hotel…which was nice as well!
Nobu sets the bar high with the creations they serve and the environment it serves it in! Don't it pass up for a celebratory dinner!
Great tough choices to be made from their menu...including Sashimi Tacos, Bigeye Ahi Poke, Lobster Ceviche, Black Cod Saikyo Miso, and King Crab Tempura. From the grill you have Wagyu beef at $32/oz! ...and a long sushi menu, that stands on its own!
Dinner 5:30 to 10pm +
1118 Ala Moana Blvd, Waikiki HI - Phone (808) 237-6999
check out more at www.noburestaurants.com
Kaka’ako Kitchen
More
island comfort meals served up at this corner
spot of the Ward
Warehouse Shopping Center.
Tempura Mahi-Mahi Sandwiches,
Seared
Ahi Chop Salad, Hibachi-Grilled Chicken Wraps are just a
sampling of
what to expect at the Kaka’ako Grill.
They are proud to
advertise
that they use only fresh
local grown ingredients to enhance the taste
of their creations.
$ Breakfast &
Lunch & Dinner, Mon - Sun 10am to 9pm most days
Location: 1200
Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI - Phone (808) 596-7488
Check out more at KakaakoKitchen.com
Gordon Biersch
This
lively spot is part of the Gordon Biersch chain of breweries,
but
this one is particularly unique for its open air seating, live
entertainment, and a menu that promotes the adventurous and delicious
island flavors of Hawaii.
Miso Chilean Sea Bass, Pecan Crusted Chicken, Lobster and Shrimp Mac & Cheese, Gorgonzola Bone-in Rib-eye…you tell me that doesn’t make you salivate!
You will find the Gordon Biersch restaurant at the end of the Aloha Tower Marketplace on the harbor.
Don't miss $3 pints all day on Tuesdays!
$$ Lunch &
Dinner, Mon - Sun 11am to 1am
Location: One
Aloha Tower, Suite 1123, Honolulu, HI Phone (808) 599-4877
Check out more at GordonBiersch.com
Da Hawaiian Poke Co.
Is it possible to have two of the best Hawaiian Poke companies
across the street from each other? That’s right, if you
can’t
manage to park in one of two parking spots at Ono Seafood’s, you might
have better luck across the street in the Kapahulu Shopping
Center.
Da Hawaiian Poke Company happens to be my favorite! It comes down to freshness and technique when creating similar styles of these popular poke dishes we love.
Poke bowl are quite popular here in Hawaii with a build-your-own option, and some special creations which they have mastered!
Da
Hawaiian Poke Company has tasty topping such as a spicy or wasabi
aioli, Hawaiian sea salt, sesame oil, Korean chili, avocado, and
furikake (a dry Japanese sprinkling seasoning).
I love their simple yet special poke creations! I can’t
get enough of their Spicy Ahi Poke, Hawaiian Style poke, and their
Wasabi Furikake Salmon Poke.
They also have some amazing sushi-bar-like creations that are hard to pass up on, including their “Spicy Ahi Bomb, Maine Lobster California Bowl, and the Shaka Bowl…that will have you throwing a shaka after you see this master piece! Don’t forget to get a side of their special Blue Crab Potato Salad!
But wait, there’s more! The onolicious factor does not end with their poke bowls & creations, as they have a few plate lunch menu items that will make it hard to choose from! Have you ever had an Ahi Loko Moko or a Seared Ahi Bibimbap, or Ahi Katsu! Oh, and they have a Hawaiian Kalua Pork plate lunch if you’re sick of all the yummy poke dishes!
Open Daily from 10 AM to 8
PM, Except closes 7 PM on Sunday
870 Kapahulu Ave, Phone (808) 425-4954
Ono Hawaiian Foods Restaurant - $$
If you’re not planning to attend a luau (where the food is
often mediocre and created for the masses anyway), then head to Ono’s!
Get your fill quickly as Ono Hawaiian Foods
has announced that they will be closing
their doors at the end of August 2017.
They have been loved by the community since opening 57 years ago!
They've had a fantastic run and now it's time to say aloha to them!
One of the Waikiki restaurants that offer good authentic Hawaiian food
-- Kalua
Pig, Pork Lau Lau, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Haupia and of course…a bowl of
poi! Ono Hawaiian Foods consistently gets rave reviews from
both locals and tourists!
It’s a small location so you might
want to arrive a little early, or take it to go and dine back on the
beach.
Open for lunch & dinner - 11am to 8pm.
Check out more reviews for Ono Hawaiian Food’s
Pineapple Room
Time to say Aloha to the Pineapple Room after 18 years in
business. Alan Wong has decided it's time. Get your fill
before July 29th!
Another
top choice in Honolulu restaurants! Run and owned
by one of Oahu’s top chefs, Alan
Wong, the Pineapple room is a great way
to dine more casually but still enjoy some of the best island culinary
tastes that Oahu has to offer.
Don’t miss the Kalua
Pig BLT
served on an onion roll –my favorite! Kiawe Wood Grilled
Short
Ribs, Coconut Clam Chowder, and
Macadamia Nut Crusted Apple Curry
Glazed Pork Chop are a sampling of many tasty choices
that Alan Wong
has created for his menu.
$$ Breakfast Sat only 8am
to 11am, $$ Lunch & $$$ Dinner 11am to 8:30pm
Location: Ala
Moana Shopping Center - Macy’s 2nd Fl, Honolulu, HI
Phone (808) 945-6573
Check out more at alanwongs.com/pineapple.com
Morimoto
Iron Chef
Masaharu Morimoto
has been wowing crowds, judges and other top chefs (including Chef
Nobu)
since the early 90's.
Morimoto has closed its Modern hotel location, but reopening in the
fall 2017 in the new Alohilani Resort...formally the Pacific Beach
Hotel.
Dinning here is a memoriable experience as you try fused creations such as Hamachi Tacos, Live Octapus Carpaccio, and Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura. Don't miss entrees such as their Roasted Keahole Lobster, Crispy Whole Fish, and Wagyu Ribeye Steak that runs $100 itself! And of course the extensive sushi selection is amazing!
Closed until fall 2017
New Alohilani Resort, Waikiki, HI - Phone (808) 943-5900
Check out more at www.morimotowaikiki.com
Brasserie Du Vin
After 9 years, this awesome eatery has decided to close it's door. Step
back into time in this French colonial brasserie that also slowly
changes into a rustic Provencal setting once you step into their
outdoor alley way seating area. You wouldn't think you were
in Honolulu.
Take a break for a traditional dinner meal, and order the delicious small plates to share while sampling their fantastic wine choices. Fun table choices include artisan cheeses and cured meats neatly arranged on a wooden cutting board, oysters on a half shell, Pommes Frites (crispy French fries), escargot baked in pesto, garlic, and Parmesan sauce, and different styles of bruschetta.
Arrive for happy hour and the menu
is half off –which, by
Honolulu restaurants standards, is
definitely a steal!
Closed as
of Jan 31st, 2015
Location: 1115
Bethel St., Honolulu, HI Phone (808) 545-1115
Check out more at BrasserieDuvin.com
Closed Clubs & Bars
Aloha Tower Marketplace
While the Aloha Tower Marketplace is currently under
renovation, there
are still some fun and
alive Oahu
nightlife to be found. There are a a handful of
Honolulu
bars,
restaurants, and
different venues for entertainment.
- Gordon
Biersch Brewery
- another great spot that anchors
the Aloha Tower Marketplace at the end of the pier with harbor
views. I love their inviting open-air environment, and
variety of entertainment from Hawaiian to Reggae to Jazz – all which
are
fitting for the setting!
- Hooters - Known for their spicy chicken wings and eye candy service...'nuff said! Hooters usually has a few "challenges" and events scheduled through out the week.
Retired Hotels
Kai Aloha Hotel
Another great choice amongst the cheap Waikiki Hotels in Oahu! The Kai Aloha Hotel is a small 3-story Oahu Hotel with only 10 rooms. The rooms are clean, but have an outdated 1950’s feel about them.
What makes the Kai Aloha Hotel so special beyond the low nightly cost, is its location next to the spacious Fort DuRussy Park and beautiful Hale Koa gardens.
Find the best deals for the Kai Aloha Hotel
Retired Oahu Shopping places
The Kim Taylor Reece
Gallery
Located on the quiet side of the North Shore in an area called Scared Falls, is a two-story beach house gallery. The Kim Taylor Reece Gallery is a special find for those who notice their sign and choose to stop as they drive around the coastal windy road.
There couldn’t be a better location to display Kim’s captivating black and white photography, framing the beauty and essence of the Hula performance.
His 25 plus years studying the art of Hula and perfecting his ability to capture it on film, has made his artwork specially recognized amongst the Hawaiian community and though out the world.
Many of his signature pieces are framed in Hawaiian Koa wood frames and displayed in large prints through out the gallery. It’s easy to find the magic and beauty of the Hawaiian culture here in the Kim Taylor Reece Gallery.
Open Mon-Wed Noon to 5pm
Kim Taylor Reece Gallery
53-866 Kamehameha Hwy, Hauula - (808) 293-2000
Learn more about Kim
Taylor Reece and his Gallery
Ward Warehouse
You will find a nice variety of shops at the Ward Warehouse,
including
galleries featuring unique
Hawaiian artwork and creations. Don’t miss the Nohea
Gallery, which is well worth visiting on its
own. They have one of the best displays of locally featured
artists and their beautiful Hawaiian art.
Also try to peek into the popular Nea Mea Hawaii Native Books. They’re not only famous for their extensive collection of books relating to topics about Hawaii, but they are known to host fun events, including some local Hawaiian group concerts. Hula Supply Center also joined this local Hawaiian shop.
Upstairs you will find a few
restaurants and bars that host live music
some nights.
If you’re lucky, you might catch a popular local
Hawaiian band playing. I’ve been fortunate myself to catch
some big-ticket groups, and all for the price of a beer.
Drop by Waiola Shave Ice if you're looking for a special afternoon treat!
Honolulu Nut and Ukulele Company
If you’re passing through the Eastern
Windward side while shopping on Oahu, make sure to stop at this little
shopping strip
located in Waimanalo. It’s hard to miss as it resides next
door to a local ice-cream shop that is also known for selling Hawaiian
shave ice.
Honolulu Nut and Ukulele Company is an
unsuspecting gift shop that
takes a strange turn once you enter. The isles are loaded
with a huge collection of bagged up nuts and dried Asian cracked seed
for sale. Follow the trail of nuts to the back of the store,
and the venue takes a twist into a nice display of ukuleles for
sale. Who knew that nuts and ukulele’s made such a good
fusion mix!
Located at: 41-1537 Kalanianaole Hwy Waimanalo - Phone (808) 259-7880
Check out more reviews here
Peggy's Picks
It's hard
not to drive down Kapahulu Ave without turning your head for a glance
at Peggy's Picks. It stands out from all other shops with a colorful
eclectic mix of treasures that are displayed in Peggy's windows,
and
just outside her front door.
Step inside and you're in for a special treat, as you'll be surrounded by an amazing collection of unique finds that Peggy has discovered during her ongoing travels around the world, and locally here on Oahu. From carved Tikis to tribal Masks to intricate jewelry, there are some great gift items, and special souvenirs worthy of consideration.
Open Daily 11am to 7pm
Located at: 732 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu - (808) 737-3297
Discover more at Peggy's Picks
Aloha Tower Marketplace
Note: Currently being
remodeled...
Remember walking down
to the old abandoned
Honolulu Aloha Tower with my brother when we were kids.
Buildings
with broken windows and rusted metal framing were all that
remained of the original 1926 docking center for arriving cruise ship
visitors.
Today, the Aloha Tower
Marketplace has received an amazing makeover, but once again being remodeled.
Let's wait and see what they come up with!
This entertainment
oasis is once again a welcoming center for incoming visitors, and now
goes far beyond just a welcome port for incoming cruise
ships. It
sports some of the best entertainment and shopping on Oahu.
The selection of unique, fun and local shops, hip restaurants, and nightly entertainment has made the Aloha Tower Marketplace a main Oahu shopping attraction, not only for visiting tourists but for locals as well.
Closed Attractions
Ko'olau Golf Course - Permanently Closed on Sept 30th
The Ko’olau Golf Course could be argued as the lushest green course with the most dramatic views!
The views are simply amazing as this course backs up to the sky scraping Ko’olau mountain range, with shinning aqua blue ocean waters below at the coast side. The temperature generally stays cooler with clouds moving in and out of the mountains.
The natural hilly terrain and surrounding ravines gives this windward side course a reputation for being one of the hardest to play on the island, with a 152 slope rating. The Ko’olau Golf Course was designed by Dick Nugent back in 1992. The par 72 18-hole course is divvied up over 7,310 yards throughout the rain forest. You have 4 sets of tees to play off of…I’ll stick to my white tee box!
This course is located about a half hour or less outside of Waikiki. The club house is nice with full restaurant looking over the course. There is a driving range, along with practice putting greens available if you need to warm up before teeing off.
Note - there is a waterfall called Likeke Falls, which is worth checking out and is not far from the parking lot.
Location: 45-550 Kionaole Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744 - Phone (808) 236-4653
Fourever Fab Show – A Beatles Tribute
Enjoy an evening filled with Beatles rock n roll classics.
The Fourever Fab has perfected the sounds of this iconic band over the
past 20 years, performing timeless classics including 'Hard Days
Night', ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Yesterday’, ‘Twist and Shout’, and ‘Hey
Jude’.
The show starts off in the back of time, the Beatles ‘Black & White’ period, and progresses to their final performances with 'Here Comes the Sun' & 'Yellow Submarine'.
Sing and dance the night away with so many great songs to choose from - no 2 shows are alike.
- Location - Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, 2nd Floor
- Time – 6:30 pm
- Cost - $49.99 General Seating to $109.99 VIP
- Learn more and purchase tickets
Closed Oahu Services
Aloha Trikke was a cool standing electric scooter service that offered tours through Waikiki and Ala Moana Park. They unfortunately closed up their shop when COVID started.
Aloha & Enjoy!
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