Travel to Oahu: Experience Hawaii Like a Local
Every year, millions of visitors from Japan, the continental United States and beyond land at
Honolulu International Airport ready to begin your vacation in paradise. Shortly after
landing, most visitors take a taxi or bus sent from the hotel and begin the journey
past downtown Honolulu and into your reservation at a Waikiki hotel.
Waikiki’s charm is immediate. The crowded streets, the sounds of the beach and
exotic stories call the traveler who soon hits the streets. venture into
Waikiki can be quite exciting. The streets are filled with foreign languages, threads
of tourists wear their best beach, and the beginning of the history of surfing may be
seen at the end of the street. Waikiki can be so exciting that many visitors never
escape its imaginary borders. Approximately 6 million of these visitors miss the same
sites that locals find so endearing, they remain within two square miles of Waikiki.
For those travelers interested in seeing Oahu through the eyes of its residents, please
keep reading
Magic Island Beach Park – This popular park is located just west of
Waikiki, across from the Ala Moana Mall. The park includes
two beaches, a three-mile jogging trail, tennis courts, and more. A walk through
The park will showcase the center of Hawaiian culture: the family. large extended families
gathering around hibachis, spending the day together over good food and lots of
sun. The beaches are significantly less crowded, so for a great day out, have a barbecue.
and head to the beach on Magic Island!
The Honolulu Contemporary Museum – This small museum is located
on top of a hill on Makiki Heights Drive. The drive up the ridge offers incredible views.
that would otherwise be missed by most visitors to Oahu. The relatively small museum
offers changing exhibits in its five galleries. After touring the galleries, visitors
you can stroll through the sculpture gardens. This is where the true glory of the
the museum is revealed. The 3.5 acres of sculpture and meditation gardens are open to
to the public and offer some of the most amazing views in Honolulu.
Leong’s Coffee – Many visitors look to a lu’au for more than just entertainment;
looking for good Hawaiian food. However, if you are interested in the real local
Hawaiian-style food, you can’t beat Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street.
As a favorite lunch dish, kalua pork, lu’au stew, lomi lomi and more, locals
I have been visiting this cafe for over 50 years.
Malasada Champion – Local delicacies called Malasadas are very popular.
that Fat Tuesday has been renamed Malasada Day throughout the Hawaiian world
Islands. One of the best and most famous bakeries is Champion Malasadas located
at 1926 Beretania Sur Street. These light Portuguese donuts without holes come with
and no filler and well worth the effort to get them!
Honolulu Chinatown – A walk through the streets of Chinatown as a
walk to another time and place. Whether you’re looking for dim sum, fresh
Fresh produce, handmade flower leis or the new hip lounge, you’re sure to find it in Chinatown.
The streets and stores are exotic and offer items not found in a typical American.
groceries. Guided walking tours are available for this historic district, but often the
The best way is to simply wander the streets, stopping whenever it interests you.
has been stung
If you’re interested in seeing Oahu through the eyes of a local, be sure to spend some time
time out of Waikiki. Stop by some or all of the places mentioned above and see some
of what really makes Hawaii special.