- Hawaii
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United States
I picked DCX at random from a huge number of surf schools and was hugely impressed. Erik Lillmars (plus dog) is a patient, thorough teacher, a grizzled surfing (and music industry) veteran who spends a lot of time ashore before taking you out. I was standing up within an hour though, and had a blast. If you're not a confident swimmer that's fine, just let him know. I can't recommend Erik highly enough.
2450 Koa Avenue (parallel to Waikiki beach, behind the faceless hotels)
+1 808 589 7560.
surfingoahu.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/32kh9mf
Amuse is an upscale wine bar located in the Honolulu Design Center. They offer a wide variety of wines from all over the world. Perhaps more interesting than what they offer is how they offer it. When you arrive at Amuse you can purchase a charge card, which you then use to sample the wines from thier high tech bottle racks. each botttle is tapped and dispense wine in 1oz increments.
HONOLULU DESIGN CENTER
On Kapiolani between Pensacola &
Piikoi St. 1250 Kapiolani Blvd.
www.honoluludesigncenter.com/
www.amusewinebar.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/ydg685y
Absolutely amazing fish. So many different species and so many colours!
I went with Sea Quest who are based, along with a few other companies, at Keauhou Bay. You can get there from Kona using the free hotel trolley bus (it picks you up from the quay and drops you at the Sheraton just up the road).
The equipment provided was top notch (much better than the stuff at Hanauma Bay on Oahu) and there were light refreshments in between the two stops. We chose the "Deluxe Morning Adventure" which also takes you to Honauau Bay - near the place of refuge.
For that you need to get the shuttle leaving Kona at 7:30.
On the boat trip out we also saw a number of pilot whales a few miles offshore.
You also get to see a few interesting volcanic rock features, such as blow holes and lava tubes.
Sublime, supreme, superb... are just a few things I can think of to describe this latest addition to the worldwide neo-Japanese restaurant chain.
Located in the lobby of the Waikiki Parc Hotel, Nobu provided us with one of our best all time dining experiences anywhere in the world.
I recommend the Yellowtail sashimi to start with Black Pepper Cod with Balsamic Teriyaki to follow... sumptious. Not cheap but an unreal dining experience. The service is also unbelievably good.
ground floor
Waikiki Parc Hotel
2233 Helumoa Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
phone: (808) 237 6999
www.waikikiparc.com/dining
/nobu/
www.noburestaurants.com/waikiki/index.html
GP is a new place on the Waikiki Beackwalk which reminds me of the sports bar/deli setups shown in some of the USA TV series. Plenty to eat, drink and lots of large plasma TV screens to watch baseball, basketball, soccer or whatever ESPN is showing. A good place for a quick snack (the pizza is very good). GP serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from early 'til late. Service is good and the waiters chatty.
227 Lewers ST
Waikiki Honolulu
ph 808 923 2100
www.giovannipastrami.com/index2.html
One of the islands which make up the Hawaiian chain is Oahu, home of Honolulu and Waikiki. One of the thing all tourists should do is get a trip around the island, whether clockwise or anti-clockwise. The best way to do this is to hire a car (you can do it by public transport) but with local car hire rates very cheap ($39/day for us) a car is the way to go. Do not try this via scooter though, they are not allowed on the freeways or highways. The advantage of a car is you can stop when and where you like, to take a break, take a picture or grab something to eat. Driving also gives you access to the famous surf beaches on the top side of Oahu.
Oahu, Hawaii
Superb food and service at this grand old dame of Waikiki are what you get when you enter here. The location of the beachouse just adds to the occasion. This is dining out in Hawaii at its finest. Cheap it is not but it is worth it!
Beachside of the lobby of the Moana Surfrider Hotel -
2365 KALAKAUA AVE • (808)923-2861
www.beachhousewaikiki.com/
Big Burgers? yes
Big Cheeseburgers? yes
Big bowls of chips? yes
Onion rings? yes
Salads? yes
Never ending glasses of Coke? yes
If you are hungry when you go upstairs to the latest Cheeseburger restaurant in the Hawaiian Islands, you won't be when you leave!
Upstairs in the new Beachwalk area in Lewers St, Waikiki a few steps beachside of the Kalakaua/Lewers Intersection (entry via the escalators)
Phone: 808-924-5034
cheeseburgerland.com/Users/Cheeseburgerland/Home.html
Waikiki has to be one of the ultimate tourist destinations on the planet.
Famous for its beach, Waikiki today has an eclectic mixture of stuff for tourists to do - walking, viewing, eating, drinking, shopping, watching the world go by. The traffic is slow, the retail experience is very good, the nights are warm and there are lots of places to get something to eat or drink. Sit on the beach, ride a scooter (no helmet required), go to Kuhio Park or climb Diamond Head, view the statues or stroll Kalakaua Ave. Basically go to Waikiki
Honolulu
Oahu
USA
Noisy, crowded, great food, good service, excellent MaiTais and a view to kill for.
located on the beach in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach hotel
Kakakaua Ave
Waikiki Beach
Honolulu Hawaii
Haena Beach on the Big Island was one of my favourite beaches along with the north shore of Kauai. The north shores of all the islands are spectacular, especially during the winter with all the big waves (but this means it can be very windy for camping.)
There is one beach (also a campsite) on the north shore of Kauai, also called Haena (if I remember correctly) which is at one end of the Napali coast. It means that you can make it your base before hiking along the coast, as there are small and big treks along this coast to beautiful waterfalls and beaches that you can only get to by foot. There is a lot of reef off the north shore, which makes for good waves, and also some good snorkeling. We were able to see a whole family of turtles while we were there.
Getting around The Big Island on public transport is infrequent. If you don't drive and are on a low budget (which makes tours uneconomical)
then you aren't going to see the best of the Big Island.
Having said that the buses are free!
Volcano National Park - Halema'uma'u is currently erupting and is quite
spectacular. Nearby is the Thurston Lava Tube and the Chain of Craters
road, really reminds you of the power of the volcano. Stay in Volcano
Village.
There are a few hostels on the islands and the very best on Maui is a hostel called Banana Bungalow Wailuku, which everyone seems to have heard about (so book in advance). They offer more stuff than any hostel I've ever stayed in anywhere in the world: free trips to great destinations all over the island every day (I did a 12-mile hike around the big volcano, a trip to some beautiful beaches to snorkel with giant turtles, a whale-watching boat trip and a couple of days worth of other stuff) and all they ask is that you tip your tour guides who work at the hostel.
If you go to the Big Island and you find yourself in Hilo - Ken's House of Pancakes is a must. Open 24-hours since 1971 - no lie. It's amazing.
1730 Kamehameha Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-8711
Kahana Village is a group of two-story condominiums on the west coast of Maui. It is on the beach and is great for family reunions, and has an outside patio area for large group dinners. The three-bedroom condos are amazing at 1700sq ft - so easy with kids.
Kahana, Maui
www.kahanavillage.com
(800) 824-3065
Fabulous buffets with all kinds of food: Asian, American, vegetarian, fish, meat, fruit, pastries. You can take brunch in the very best hotels and restaurants even if you are staying elsewhere. Service is friendly and easy-going and you can enjoy a little touch of luxury.
Halewa Joe's, Haiku Gardens; Turtle Bay Resort; Plumeria Beach House, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kakala.
Waikiki Beachside is the largest hostel in Hawaii. It is a one minute walk to Waikiki beach, and because it has room for nearly 200 people, it is easy to meet other travellers to have adventures with.
2556 Lemon Road, Honolulu HI 96815;
tel: 808 923 9566;
www.waikikibeachsidehostel.com
Near the middle of Waikiki area, and set back from the beach by a couple of blocks. It has less of a party atmosphere than the other Waikiki hostels, but is a great place to be and stay.
The only hostel that remains open on the North Shore of Hawaii is called Backpackers. It’s in a great location (you can walk to famous surfer beaches like Sunset, Pipeline, etc.), and they offer four different types of accommodation, all a stone’s throw away from the beach.
59-788 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
tel: 808 638 7838;
www.backpackers-hawaii.com;
For other hostels in Hawaii for less than $25 look at www.twizi.com/hawaiihostels.html
Is this your business?Search Been there
