FOOD
- Waffle and Berry açaí bowl on a porch in Waikiki: unlimited serve-yourself toppings
- MANDATORY: Leonard’s malasadas, both cinnamon and sugar options
- Masa and Joyce: recommended for authentic Hawaiian food (RIP Onos)
- Helena’s: Will’s favorite Hawaiian food but it's hard to get in
- Matsumoto’s Shave Ice in Haleiwa: get with adzuki beans at least once
- Orchids Restaurant in Waikiki: for a swanky splurge dinner
- L&L BBQ: classic almost-Hawaiian fast-food like chicken katsu musubi and kailua pork with cabbage
- Try haupia, purple sweet potatoes and poi at some point
- Ululani’s shave ice: pickled mango syrup and free Li Hing Mui powder (dried, salted plums: sour and tangy)
- The Pig and The Lady: great cocktails and pho; the bathroom is a shrine to the movie Big Trouble in Little China
- There’s a little Chinese place near N Beretania and Nuuanu that’s really good
- Famous pie spot in Aiea: http://annamillersrestaurant.
com - If you can get in, the NOAA facility cafeteria on Ford Island
- Hank's Haute Dogs
- Nico’s at Pier 3
Laverne’s food truck for Hawaiian food
HIKES AND ADVENTURES
- Makapuu Point hike—easy hike with whale watching
- Kulio’o Ridge hike: Jess’ mom’s top rec, 5 miles with amazing views of both sides of the island and some shade (but tough/deceptively slippery), neighborhood street parking
- Pillbox hikes: go for sunrise if at all possible
- Hike the bird sanctuary on the northwest corner of the island. It's great and can be accessed from the North Shore and the leeward side (Will prefers the leeward side).
- Kayak out to the Mokes (Mokulua islands)
- Lanikai Beach: the best sand, Jess’ mom’s favorite
- Take a towel up to the Nu'uana Pali lookout for the views and enjoyment
Also recommended to us: Lulumaki Falls hike and Manoa Falls hike
