Diningย
Oahuโs dining scene is unparalleled and as the metro-centric epicenter of Hawaii, Oahu has a myriad of fantastic restaurants to choose from. You can eat like a local in the neighborhoods of Kapahulu or Haleiwa or enjoy fine dining in some of Hawaiiโs premium restaurants throughout Waikiki and beyond. Some of the worldโs best chefโs call Oahu home. Alan Wong of (Alan Wongโs Restaurant), George Mavrothalassitis of (Chef Mavro Restaurant), Phillippe Padovani of (Elua) and Roy Yamaguchi of (Royโs Waikiki), helped launch Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Together they morph the finest, local ingredients and freshest produce to create tasty artful cuisine for all. Donโt forget to make your reservations at these Honolulu dining icons, or other up and coming gastronomic experiencesโฆexperience Hawaiiโs version of various ethnic cuisines and enjoy all of our combinations of culinary delights. Check out Waikiki dining or click on Honolulu Dining to explore restaurants in the heart of Oahuโs cuisine scene ranging from bistro to urban chic.
Nightlife
Oahuโs Honolulu is the focal point of Hawaiian nightlife. Throughout the week and weekends, youโll find delicious local food, dancing, and live music in a multitude of restaurants, lounges and bars from Waikiki to Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown. Hotels and resorts throughout Waikiki have live music and social atmospheres. Venues like Waikiki Beach Walkโs The Yard House and the Sheraton Waikikiโs RumFire are destinations for tourists, visitors and locals alike. With so many locations to choose from, your concierge, local event guides or travel agencies can put you on the right path so you donโt miss any special events and so you may fully enjoy your stay. Honoluluโs urban streets offer a variety of nightlife venues both Downtown and in Chinatownโฆ for those in the know. Distinctive bars and nightclubs are a new spectacle among the weathered lofts of character laden late-night Chinatown. From wine bars to jazz clubs, Chinatownโs covert venues reward the daring pub-crawler. Between Smith and Nuuanu, adjacent to Hotel Street, live DJs spinning their tunes late into the evening and thereโs always live music at Next Door and Bar 35. Near the historic Hawaii Theatre there are even more nightspots. This splash of New York style is Honoluluโs own little cluster of cool. During the First Friday art celebration youโll experience the best of Chinatown nightlife. These downtown streets actually pulse with activity on the first Friday of every month. A meager 15 minutes away from Waikiki you’ll find bars and restaurants surrounding the Ward Center area. After a full days shopping you can also relax at the Ala Moana Centerโs Mai Tai Bar itโs known as the “pau hana” (after work) place to unwind, donโt forget their happy hour specials and local Hawaiian music. If you are looking for a little upscale entertainment following your day at the museum, you can enjoy the Honolulu Museum of Art’s monthly art party for live music, food and drinkโฆ ARTafterDARK is held on the last Friday of every month from January through October. Another monthly event is held in the eclectic neighborhood of Kakaako, come enjoy urban art, pop-up kiosks and trending music at their Honolulu Night Market. Waikiki boasts too many 24-hour restaurants and cafes to count! They are fantastic to drop in for some late night grindz or an on-the-run breakfast. The Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio will satisfy your hunger at MAC 24-7, See if you can conquer their gigantic, 14-inch pancakes. Oahuโs Morning, Noon and Night spots have more than you need to keep going full speed. You just may need a vacation from your vacation if you try to do it all!
Adventures on Oahu
Waimea Bayโs surf is famously referenced in the Beach Boys classic song โSurfinโ USAโ. The thundering waves at Waimea Bay provide a beautiful backdrop to majestic Waimea Valley. The surf here is legendary; donโt forget your camera when visiting Waimea Bay Beach and Valley. You may just catch a tow-in surfer riding the face of a 50 foot wave during the โThe Eddieโ a Quiksilver sponsored big-wave invitational in memory of Eddie Aikau, Waimea Bayโs first lifeguard. Preconditions for โThe Eddieโ are waves at least 20 feet (wave faces of 30 feet or more). Just be sure to watch these professionals from the safety of shore, unless you are one of them! Oahu is surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Ocean, and as suchโฆwe are a surf and water focused society. Come join us during your visit with surf or paddle board lessons. Watch the impressive North Shore winter waves or join in the fun with your own surf lessons in Waikikiโs more protected waters. Oahu boasts over 112 miles of shoreline with infinite world-class water activities. Enjoy every type of water-borne adventure. From boating, to diving, from snorkeling, to fishing, we have kayaking, parasailing, and even whale watching during the fall and winter. Come get wet on Oahu! Our Oahu adventures are not limited to the ocean. We have over 35 listed trails (and many more unlisted) enjoy hiking, biking or off-roading throughout Oahu. For the adrenaline junkie, try a once-in-a-lifetime glider ride out of Dillingham Airfield or drop onto Oahu from above with a 17,000 foot skydive, you will be amazed at the view from above that only a select few have enjoyed. Oahu is home to all manner of air, land and sea escapades.
Oahu is the Destination of Choice for Family Fun
Oahuโs numerous activities will quickly fill your photo albums with fond memories. From beach-combing and building sand castles you could quickly find yourselves reliving history aboard a real submarine at Pearl Harbor. Or imagine the ear-to-ear smile as your children or spouse pets or rides a live dolphin at Sea Life Park. Youโll be amazed at the family bonding time you capture while exploring Oahu. Go see the fish at the Waikiki Aquarium or get face-to-face with the wild animals at the Honolulu Zoo. Thereโs family themed adventure around every corner of Oahu. Explore Hawaiian relics at the Bishop Museum or vanish into the 1.7-mile Dole Plantation garden maze. Eat, play and enjoy or become part of the show at an authentic Hawaiian luau. Try your skill at traditional Hawaiian games and explore the venues of the Polynesian Cultural Center. Most resorts offer amusing programs tailored specifically for children (keiki). Thereโs something for all agesโฆfrom horseback or ATV rides at Kualoa Ranch to surfing lessons in Waikiki. There is plenty to keep you entertained. Donโt forget your sunscreen and your camera!
Romance on Oahu
Gaze in wonder into each otherโs eyes as you explore everything our lush tropical island has to offer. Remember, you are on Hawaiian time, there is no rushโฆjust sit back and enjoy! Star gaze from the deck of a party barge or local dinner cruise ship. Watch the stars twinkle above the sparkling city lights of Waikiki framed by the backdrop of Diamond Head. Experience a romantic dinner for two at one of our fabulous world-class restaurants. You may even choose to swim with the dolphins at exciting Sea Life Park. These are the memories that tie our experiences together in endless bonds of happiness. You may even decide to renew your vows on the sparkling sands of our famous beaches with a local Hawaiian Kahuna (Minister, Shaman or Priest). Let the pace of mainland lifestyle melt away as you rekindle your love. Oahu can magically make it happen! If you are planning a wedding proposal on the beach of Waikiki or want to repeat your vows at the top of Leahi (Diamond Head), passion is omnipresent here. You may choose a traditional recommitment ceremony inside the historic Kawaiahao Church. Or for a memory youโll never forget, you could repeat your vows presided over by a Kahuna (local minister) beneath a North Shore sunset. You may also rekindle your love atop the scenic Nuuanu Pali Lookout or inside one of Oahuโs resort spas. In any Oahu location you may spontaneously utter the important words โAloha Ia Oe,โ and say โI love youโ in the Hawaiian way. Your memorable romantic getaway to Oahu will linger forever as the highlight of your relationship!
Golfing on Oahu
The old saying goes โA Bad Day Golfing is better than a Good Day at Workโ, we say it a little different here…โWhy Work, Just Golfโ! Oahu offers some of the most scenic golf courses in the world. Imagine the stress melting away as your ball sails through the air, floating above a perfectly manicured green, backed by the crystal blue waters of the Pacific crashing on the beach below. What could be more perfect? Golfers from around the world flock to the plentiful golf courses on Oahu. In factโฆ there are more golf courses on Oahu than any other Hawaiian island. Duffers of all skill levels have an ample opportunity to play one of over 40 public and private golf courses. Oahuโs courses range from local 9-hole public links to uber-luxurious private resort courses. Regardless of your choice, youโll always be surrounded by Oahuโs tropical paradise. For spectators, you can enjoy watching the professionals swing away at the PGA TOURโs Sony Open every January at the Waialae Country Club. But, if you decide to play donโt get discouragedโฆ the Hawaiian trade winds (our local air-conditioning) can produce some very unpredictable results. To counter the trades, most courses in Hawaii feature extra-wide fairways. But, just when you thought the odds were in your favor; donโt forget that the Bermuda grass used on most Hawaiian greens is more difficult to read than customary greens. Just make sure you bring extra supplies and ample sunscreen to help you enjoy your stimulating rounds in Hawaiiโs golferโs paradise.
