It’s all Jack Johnson’s fault.
The famous singer named Jack Johnson who is a Hawaii native that is, as I presume there are about a million other people out there with that name. Yes, as summer has well and truly arrived in Manchester, we spent a recent evening out in the back garden listening to hours of his soothing surf-rock sounds, and now we have been thinking about going to Hawaii nearly non-stop.
While we aren’t ready to wade into the waters of looking for Hawaii beachfront rentals just yet, we may or may not have spent several hours online the next day reading posts about the best food to eat in Hawaii, the coolest beach beach bars to go to, and the best overall tourist things to do in Oahu.
That is how we spend our exciting Sundays over here.
As a result, I have put together a quick post on what to do and see on Oahu, and who knows, maybe by some karmic magic, we will end up visiting Hawaii for the first time soon…
Walk Along Waikiki Beach
Is there any image more associated with Oahu than the wide sands of Waikiki Beach? Not that I can find. Just saying the word ‘Waikiki’ is fun, and strolling on this stretch of beach with Diamond Head mountain high above has to be the quintessential Hawaii ‘pinch me’ moment. Held in the same high regard that Ipanema Beach is in Rio, walking along Waikiki is bucket list material, period.
Learn About Hawaiian Culture
Photo credit: Arjunkrsen/ Wikimedia Commons
While Hawaii has only been a state since 1959, it has been home to a rich culture for centuries, and I’m thinking any first-time visitor to Oahu should make an effort to pick up a little knowledge about this on their trip. The Bishop Museum is a great place to start as it introduces visitors to the island’s history over three floors that take guests on an interactive journey through Hawaiian heritage.
The most popular attraction in this category though is the iconic Iolani Palace, a grand residence that was the home to Hawaii’s last ruling monarchs. This palatial home is still the only official royal residence in the United States and has been painstakingly restored to its former glory.
Take Down a Tipple at a True Tiki Bar
You’ve got to have a true Tiki drink while you are in Hawaii, right? Of course you do. While Waikiki Beach is full of places to wet your whistle, including establishments that may even turn up on a list of best beach bars in Hawaii, my research (and my gut) tells me that it will probably be a pretty pricey affair and maybe even a little bit inauthentic.
Luckily, just a few steps from the beach you will find Arnold’s Beach Bar, consistently rated one of the best dive bars in Honolulu. This place claims to be the last real tiki bar in Hawaii and is home to a rowdy-and-fun crowd every night. Further afield, I really like the look of La Mariana Sailing Club, which was used as a filming location for Hawaii Five-0 and features a kitschy interior complete with Christmas lights and rows of rattan furniture.
Slurp Down Some Shaved Ice
Hawaiians know how to stay cool, and their finest invention in this regard may be the wonder that is Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Essentially large soft balls of powdery ice chips, these soft-as-can-be snow cones are then drizzled with a sweet syrup of your choice. So where to go? Well, Matsumoto Shaved Ice has been in business since the 1950s and is famous for unique flavors like the Rainbow (strawberry, lemon, and pineapple), the Tropical (lilikoi, guava, and papaya), and the Hawaiian (pineapple, coconut, and banana) – so I don’t think you can go wrong there.
Go See the Gold Coast
South of Waikiki (at the foot of Diamond Head), you’ll find a small strip of shore called the Gold Coast. Bordered by Kapiolani Park, the Gold Coast has a reputation for being a little quieter than Waikiki while still retaining much of the same charm. The sunsets from here are supposed to be just as remarkable as the ones at Waikiki, highlighted by the view from Diamond Head Crater itself, which features panoramic views of Waikiki Beach and the southern shoreline of the island itself. The Gold Coast is also apparently really good for surfing and enjoys a little slower pace of life than over at Waikiki.
Get Some Poke on Your Plate
Poke (POH-kay) is definitely having a culinary moment around the world right now, and sampling some of this quintessential Hawaiian dish made of cubed raw fish and an assortment of seasonings is a must-do for any visitor to Oahu. While you could just grab some in the supermarket like the locals do, I like the look of Ono Seafood, as it always comes up near the top of places to eat poke in Honolulu. I’m definitely going for the spicy ahi tuna.
Pay Respects at Pearl Harbor
The site of arguably one of the most historic events of the entire 20th Century, it wouldn’t seem right to go to Hawaii and not visit Pearl Harbor. From all indications, it is a truly moving site (especially the overwater memorial), and you really can’t understand modern Hawaiian history without knowing what happened here on December 7, 1941 – the day that lives in infamy in the lives of Americans forever.
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