
Every year, Honolulu International Airport welcomes millions of visitors all the way from Japan and the US who are there to have their dream vacation. Soon after landing, most visitors hop in a cab or bus sent from the hotel and begin the journey past downtown Honolulu and on to their reservation at a Waikiki hotel. The allure of Waikiki is immediate - the packed streets, sounds of the beach, and exotic histories call to the traveler who soon hits the streets. Venturing out in Waikiki can be quite exciting - Waikiki can be so exciting that many visitors never escape its imaginary borders. This area is only approximately two square miles but it is amazing how it captures visitors attention so that most miss parts of the island that the locals find so wonderful.
For those travelers interested in seeing Oahu through its residents’ eyes, please read on.
Magic Island Beach Park - This popular park is located just west of Waikiki, across the street from the Ala Moana Shopping Center. The park includes two beaches, a three mile jogging path, tennis courts, and more. A walk around the park will expose the center of Hawaiian culture - people with large extended families gather around hibachis, spending the day together with a good food and plenty of sun. Since the beaches are comparatively empty, to get the maximum of your holiday, simply organize a barbecue and move on to the beaches of Magic Island.
The Contemporary Museum Honolulu – This is situated on a ridge at Makiki Heights Drive and when you drive up to the destination along the ridge the magnificent view of Oahu could be breathtaking, which unfortunately most visitors never get to see. The changing exhibits in this small museum spread across its 5 galleries could be an enthralling experience, and after this you could walk into gardens full of sculptures. 5 acres and offer visitors unparalleled views of Honolulu.
Leong’s Café – When tourists are particularly keen to relish some authentic Hawaiian cuisine, they take lu’au as something, which is much more than just fun. However, if you’re interested in real local style Hawaiian food, you can’t beat Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. Many local dishes are served here and it is always good to know that it is a favorite venue for many locals - it has been open for over fifty years.
Champion Malasadas - there is a local treat that originated in portugal called Malasadas which has become so popular that they even renamed Fat Tuesday to Malasadas day. The address of this revered and the best bakery is Champion Malasadas, 1926 South Beretania Street. These light Portuguese hole-less donuts come with and without filling and are absolutely worth the effort in getting them!
Honolulu Chinatown - A walk through the streets of Chinatown in like a walk into another time and place. Chinatown has them all – dim sum, fresh produce, handmade leis or the ultra modern lounges. The things, which you get in these shops and streets, are impossible to get in any American grocer back home. While you could always take a guided walking tour of the place the wisest thing to do is to go for a walk by yourself, walking leisurely and only stopping to see something, which tickles your areas of interest.
You will only truly enjoy Oahu as the locals do if you leave the Waikiki area and explore this beautiful island for yourself. The places mentioned here are only a few but they are a good place to start but just embrace the island and you will not want to leave.