Oahu is Calling

When I moved to Tucson from the East Coast, they said I’d miss the trees, I’d hate the heat (come on guys, it’s a dry heat!) and that I’d crave the water. They said a lot of things, but I tried not to pay too much attention. Joy is where you find it and the grass is green where you water it (when you have grass, anyway. And when you don’t, you use rocks because, hey, they’re pretty cool, too). But this is the desert. And it can get reaaaaaally hot here in the summer. But as I sit here at my computer and type this, it’s definitely not hot. In fact, they’re calling for snow tomorrow. In Tucson. In the desert. In February. So I thought I’d take the chill off and escape down memory lane, to seek adventure beyond the dust and the saguaros on the beautiful island of Oahu. Hawaii baby. And I’m taking you with me. Along the way I’ll offer travel tips – some touristy (because they’re touristy for a reason), and also some off-beat adventurous thoughts for the path less traveled, including fine food options I’ve tested, postcard perfect photo ops, and places to stay that make you wish you lived there.

This week join me in Oahu, Hawaii – seek the sea and soak up the Aloha spirit, breathe in the sound and scents of high tide, revel in the balmy breezes and the swaying palms, delight in flip flops, sandy days and drinks by a full moon with the taste of salt in the air.

If you have never been to Hawaii, and like me you live on the West Coast, take advantage – you’re as close as you might ever be! Hawaii may seem overdone, oversold, or too touristy, but there’s a way to make even a Hawaii vacation your own while still hitting the postcard-perfect spots.

Tip #1 – instead of booking round trip from Tucson, check Southwest flights from Tucson to LAX, SEA or SFO and then check flights to Oahu from those more major hubs on Hawaiian Airlines. And don’t skimp on the timeframe. I suggest spending about five to seven days if it’s your first time, this will allow you to canvas the island (North Shore is my fav) and also relax. Or if you’ve been before, go again and just spend those days doing your favorite stuff all over again.

Tip #2 – Spend 2 days in Waikiki. It has this great vibe – a laid back surf city with some serious throwback hotels that reminded me of motel row in Wildwood NJ (ollllddd school, see my Wildwood blog post here). I experienced a Luau at the postcard perfect pink Royal Hawaiian hotel and tried all the noteworthy foods (Poi, Kahlua pork, Pineapple, fruity drinks with umbrellas oh my), made the worthy pilgrimage to Leonard’s Bakery for Malasadas (warm, sugary, crispy pastries straight from the fryer), and drank Mai Tais at the Original Dukes overlooking the water (side note: when it comes to popular restaurants, I visit for a cocktail and the view, but skip the food in favor of someplace more local).

Tip #3 – Food Trucks are where it’s at. I’m a foodie, so I am always looking for local cuisine that, in one bite, transports me. If I had to sum up Oahu in one, it would be Poke. The freshest raw fish I have ever tasted came from a bright blue food truck called Pupukea Grill (Shark’s Cove, North Shore). I took it to-go and dined under the shade of a native tree overlooking the ocean. Perfection! Another noteworthy food truck was Giovannis (parked in Haleiwa) – yes the Garlic Shrimp are THAT good. Not into food from a truck? May I recommend Opal Thai Restaurant? I won’t ruin the surprise, but this outstanding establishment was an experience and a delight. Don’t bother looking at the menu ahead, you won’t need it. And that’s all I am going to say about that. Food tip – I discovered a local salt from a company called ForJ’s – Hawaiian Chile Pepper flavored…soooo good. I’ve since ordered more by mail.

Tip #4 – Rent a car. Having wheels will allow you to go go go. I drove from Haleiwa to Waikane and back and it was a gorgeous jaunt, with lots of opportunities to watch surfers hang ten and pull off the side of the road for a picnic with an ocean view.

Tip #5 – Touristy stops do sometimes satisfy: The Dole Plantation was gorgeous, if you like lush gardens and free Pineapple. It was raining the day I went, but it didn’t deter me from riding the train through the Pineapple fields and hearing all about the cultivation of the land and the fruit it bears.
Pearl Harbor and the Battleship Missouri were must-sees for me, at least once, and are definitely iconic, especially if you’re a military history buff. It’s a whole day affair, if you want it to be. My one disappointment was that I somehow expected to really be able to see the USS Arizona below the water, but the way the memorial is situated, it’s really hard to see much. But it was still a very moving and somber experience. Another must – do – swim in a waterfall at Waimea Botanical Gardens (but bring something to keep your phone and money dry) and make time to hike Diamond Head crater, though definitely go early.

Tip #6 – Where to stay: First, let’s address whether you should Aulani or Not. Disney fans rally behind a cry of “Aulani” when it comes to best places to stay on Oahu. Here’s my take. I love Disney. I really do. However, I do not have children. Aulani blends the spirit of Hawaii with the magic of Disney, keeping both authentic, along with the theme park priced food and loads of kiddos. With children? Great choice. As a part of a duo on vacation? Maybe skip it. That being said, it was still worth going once and I spent two nights there. The setting was marvelous, really blending the culture of Hawaii into the magic of Disney. Highlights for me included spending way too much time poolside sucking down frozen drinks (ask for the Pina colada mixed with the strawberry daiquiri – frozen of course), the adults-only ocean-view infinity hot tub that you could spend your entire day in, and the stand-up paddle board yoga class I conquered. For the balance of my stay, I rented a home on the North Shore with an ocean view, and spent about as much in 5 days as I did at two at Aulani).

Tip #7 – Take to the water. In January, the whales, turtles and dolphins are abundant. I booked a “swim with the dolphins” excursion with the company Wild Side Hawaii in Honolulu. I loved that the group was small, the food was fun (picnic style) and the wildlife was plentiful and really wild. And I actually got to swim with the dolphins. Like, in their pod. And then, no lie, I saw a whale. And took a photo of it. My very first whale sighting!

Tip #8 – Bring water shoes. One of the things I didn’t expect (again, East coast girl) was super rocky/pebbly/rough sand on short beach stretches, particularly on the North Shore of Oahu. Yes, yes I know NOW that the volcanic island thing doesn’t make for the softest walks. But I somehow still expected Caribbean-like expanses that I could stroll for hours along. Not so much. Feet, meet jagged rocks. Ouch.

Tip #9 – Try the Kona, but if you’re a coffee aficionado you might be disappointed. I have tried Kona often. Including several times on this trip. But I have concluded, I just don’t love it. The best Kona coffee I ever had? Ironically at the Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort Kona Café.

Tip #10 – There’s tons of culture and history in Oahu. You can tour Iolani Palace in downtown Waikiki, or the Polynesian Cultural center. But if you’d rather just plan for a day of nothing, I applaud you. Be on island time. Commune with locals. Sleep in. Watch a sunrise and a sunset. And then you’ll truly feel like you’ve been to Hawaii.