My Favorite Things in Hawaii

[dmbrand Member Find all posts View Profile Close dmbrand]

I really am enjoying these posts; noting the restaurants, as we will be in Waikiki in June.

When we have visited Gulf Shores or Cape Cod, we really enjoyed watching the smaller commercial fisherman bringing in their catches. Are there any places on Oahu like that?

DawnB

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Thanks for sharing us your favorite restaurants. Can this be made a sticky so we can find it easily again? We will be on Oahu and Maui in March/April so may try one or two of your favorite restaurants there.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Another book recommendation Amazon.com: Driving & Discovering Hawaii: Maui & Molokai: Richard Sullivan: Books

Excellent driving/sightseeing book.

I just read back that you are staying in Kihei. Excellent starting point for many places.

I like La Perouse Bay...go early morning. Maybe see dolphins....snorkel.

I like the "dark sand" beach Oneuli Beach. Turtles galore here.

I like Big Beach (Makena Beach) for the outrageous waves (um, I just watch here)

Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve....last lava flow on Maui. Very eery. THOUGH-you are going to the BI (I have never been) so maybe black sand and lava flow would be redundant.

Ho'okipa Beach for the windsurfers.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Lawren,

Here are my favorite activities to do on Maui:

1) Artist night in Lahaina. Every Friday night, the artists come out to show their pieces. I just love this old Whaling village. Art Galleries and local artists make it wonderful.

2) Haleakala Sunrise. Do it right when you get here since you will still be on East Coast time. Bring a jacket as it gets really cold. If you are in really great shape, hike or horseback ride down into the crater. It feels like you are on the moon. If you want a thrill, bike down Haleakala. Gotta go to the Kula Lodge for Breakfast. This is a must do for me every trip. It's cold and wet in upcountry Maui. This place feels like Woodside, Ca.

3) Road to Hana and 7 pools. Definitely take the drive to Hana. It will take forever since there are tons of one lane bridges. But, it's scenic and beautiful. Don't stop at Hana, go all the way to 7 pools and check out the bamboo forrest. That place is unbelievable.

4) Snorkle or Dive Molokini or Lanai. For diving, I prefer Lanai. For snorkling, Molokini is terrific. Advanced divers can dive the back side of Molokini. I've seen Manta Ray, sharks, turtles and more.

5) Iao needle. Check out this area. Nice natural features and a buddhist temple area. Bring the deet as you will be attacked by mosquitos.

6) Whale watching is one of the best activities, but the whales are gone in the summer. You can parasail in the summer, but I don't like doing that very much.

7) If you have an extra day, take a day trip to Molokai. I love that island. It's fun looking at Maui from Molokai.

8) If you want to go off road, get a Jeep and drive around Wailea to 7 pools the rough way.

9) Check out the Grand Wailea hotel. It's a great site to see. I usually get a burger and Maui onion rings there. mmm. mmm. more food.

10) Take a helicopter ride if you like such a thing. You get a completely different picture of the islands when you see it from up high. Lots of trips all the way to Hana.

11) There is a little winery near Wailea (at least their used to be), you can try some Pineapple wine.

12) Surfers on the windward side of Maui. You can usually find wind surfers and surfers and on the windward side of the island near the airport. Usually a good stop on the way to Hana.

Defintely get a convertible and reserve it now. If you don't reserve one, they will be gone by the time you get there.

Costco is right near the airport. So, make sure you stop there to load up on food before going to your condo.

From this list you see that you can easily stay a week on Maui and never be bored, Lawren. We saw the ultimate guide books in Costco on Maui but I would recommend buying them at home so you can have a better idea what to do once you are there. They show Amazon and Barnes & Noble on their web site and they ship it very fast. Half the fun is looking forward to these vacations!

[hope54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hope54]

[QUOTE=BocaBum99;298617]It will take me a long time to go through all of my favorite restaurants, so at this time, it's best to provide what I believe is the single best source of great restaurants on Oahu. It's the Honolulu Advertiser Ilima awards. This site is better than Zagat's and Yelp.

We are on the north shore right now. I hope to get into Honolulu to try some of your recommendations. Other than Turtle Bay Resort, there does not seem to be many sit down, indoor restaurants. The shrimp trucks serve fantastic food. Another truck had great ahi in a curry-like sauce last night.

Marilyn

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

We are on the north shore right now. I hope to get into Honolulu to try some of your recommendations. Other than Turtle Bay Resort, there does not seem to be many sit down, indoor restaurants. The shrimp trucks serve fantastic food. Another truck had great ahi in a curry-like sauce last night.

Marilyn

If you want to meet for lunch somewhere, let me know. I have all my favorite places to go. Here are some more that I will review later:

1) Breakfast: Jack's in Aina Haina. Great homemade biscuits and pancakes.

2) Dim Sum: Royal Garden in the Ala Moana hotel. Reminds me a lot of Hong Kong. I like Hawaii better than San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York for Dim Sum.

3) Local Eats: Big City Diner. Kaimuki. This area is chock full of restaurants. This is where locals go.

4) Hawaiian Food: Ono Hawaiian Foods on Kapahulu.

5) Thai Food: Phuket Thai. Great curry. They have red, yellow and green. I get the green. It is also in the McCully Shopping Center. This tiny strip mall has 4 or 5 great restaurants.

6) Fancy: Alan Wong's. French, Asian, everything fusion. Fantastic Presentation. One of the top high end restaurants on Oahu.

7) Chinese Fast food: Fatty's. This is in Waikiki. It's cheap and it's authentic chinese. If you are staying in waikiki. Gotta go here to protect your wallet.

8) California Pizza Kitchen in Kahala or Waikiki. There isn't much good Italian food in the islands, so I enjoy going to the California Pizza Kitchen every now and then to get an italian fix.

9) Greek Marina in Hawaii Kai. Great chicken souvlaki and hummus dip. Greek salad and rice.

10) Foodland Thursday steak plate lunch. This is really good, but it's only on Thursday. They BBQ it and you get 2 scoops rice, salad and a soda.

When you get tired of going out to eat every day, these are the places that I go at least once per week. It's like going to lunch at work:

1) Salad Creations. Create your own salads or get a specialty salad. 4 types of lettuce about 30 items to throw in. Great wraps. One of the only places in the islands where you can get a fresh salad for a decent price.

2) Teddy's Bigger Burger. Cheap grilled burgers. I usually get the grilled chicken. Fries are great. Also offers chili cheese fries if you need a little extra fat.

3) Panda Express. I think it's better in Hawaii. It's fast, but a bit tailored to the Haole palate.

4) Bale. French sandwiches and Vietnamese food. I usually get the beef stew or the short ribs. I think they have about the best short ribs around.

5) Taco Del Mar. It's a Seattle based chain for fast food Mexican. Pretty good enchiladas. Cheap and better than most island Mexican.

6) L&L. I don't eat here, but my kids love it. The curry beef is pretty good and worth getting for a quick fix.

7) Whole Foods in Kahala Mall. They have great prepared food. Last night, I had chicken vindaloo and vegetable samosas. Pricey as always, but nice having this high end grocery store nearby.

8) Taco Bell and Jack in the Box. I hate to admit it, but I go to these fast food joints more than I should. I do it because it's fast and cheap.

9) Yummies in Hawaii Kai or Pearl's in Kahala. Fast food Korean BBQ. Gotta get my bulgogi fix every now and then. Plus you always get the choice of 4 vegetables and rice.

There are 3 fast food places I wish someone would bring to Hawaii. If they did, I would be very happy. They are In 'n Out Burger, Del Taco and Yoshinoya Beef Bowl.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

My favorite place on Oahu is Ono's Hawaiian Restuarant.

Best Hawaiian Food. I love their lau lau.

[tabbyc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tabbyc]

Food and Entertainment on the islands.

I love the pizza at the Kona Brewing Co. on the Big Island and Oahu as well as the beer.
Kona Brewing Company

Azul's at the J W Marriott in KoOlina in Oahu is pricey but the lobster bisque was memorable as well as the service.
Azul Restaurant & Dining JW Marriott Resort, Oahu Hawaii

The magic/comedy/dinner show on Maui was one of the most enjoyable evenings of entertainment I've ever had. WARREN and ANNABELLE'S | Official Website

Chez Paul is great French Food on Maui.
Chez Paul Restaurant Maui - FIne French Food & Unique Cuisine.

Dondero's in the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort is a must for Italian food.
Kauai Family Restaurants, Hawaii Hotel Dining & Poipu HI Resorts - Grand Hyatt

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I love the pizza at the Kona Brewing Co. on the Big Island and Oahu as well as the beer.
Kona Brewing Company

Azul's at the J W Marriott in KoOlina in Oahu is pricey but the lobster bisque was memorable as well as the service.
Azul Restaurant & Dining JW Marriott Resort, Oahu Hawaii

The magic/comedy/dinner show on Maui was one of the most enjoyable evenings of entertainment I've ever had. WARREN and ANNABELLE'S | Official Website

Chez Paul is great French Food on Maui.
Chez Paul Restaurant Maui - FIne French Food & Unique Cuisine.

Dondero's in the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort is a must for Italian food.
Kauai Family Restaurants, Hawaii Hotel Dining & Poipu HI Resorts - Grand Hyatt

I second your choices for Chez Paul on Maui and the Kona Brewing Co. I haven't been to Chez Paul in a while, but the last time I was there I had the Olowalu Shrimp that was to die for. At that time, they had only 2 sittings for dinner. There is a Kona brewing Co. right in Koko Marina which is right next to my gym walking distance to my house. I don't go there much, though. But, it is very good and they have some very good entertainment on certain nights.

[tabbyc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tabbyc]

Kona Brewing Co. Oahu

Sit at the bar and ask for Kim the bartender.
She is a great girl from Colorado.
Usually a quiet place during the day with a great view of the marina and the beautiful houses on Mariner's hill.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

This thread made me do it....I blame all of you

I just came home with my plate lunch from Ono Hawaiian BBQ, We have an L & L here but it's a lot further drive.

BBQ chicken and short rib combo, 2 scoop rice, 1 scoop mac salad. Yum.

It will have to do until I can get back to Hawaii.

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

The places that I like.

Kauai


Hamura Saimin Stand

Address:

2956 Kress St, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone:

(808) 245-3271



Oki's Diner
Address: 3125 Kuhio Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 245-5899
http://www.hawaiibid.com/okidiner/


Keoki's Paradise
Address: 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr, Koloa, HI 96756
Phone:

(808) 742-7534

BocaBum you might like Hamura Saimin they make there own noddles.

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

Maui

For local food: Aloha Mixed Plate - Lahaina

Old Lahaina Luau

For Take out: Honokowai Okazuya & Deli

Honokowai Okazuya Maui Restaurant

Honokowai Okazuya & Deli was originally opened by a chef from Mama'a Fish House - one of the best restaurants on Maui. Although he no longer owns it, the new owner has been faithful to the concept of generous portions of gourmet food at take-out prices. Don't let the appearance of this place and it's strip mall location fool you - this is the best combination of food/price on Maui. It's perfect for a picnic or to take back and eat on your Lanai.

Lahaina: Kimo's


Mama's Fish House

Welcome to Mama's Fish House Restaurant and Inn - Maui, Hawaii

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

BocaBum you might like Hamura Saimin they make there own noddles.

Dale,

I've been there multiple times and I love it. It's a must do whenever I go to Kauai. Cheap and good. Just the way I like it.

Hamura is like the ramen you get right outside of the train stations in Tokyo. Very good and reasonably fast unless it is busy.

Yotteka-ya is a sit down restaurant. The broth they make is very special and the key differentiator. They brew it for over 10 hours.

Since you like Hamura, you probably will like the wonton-min at Fatty's in Waikiki.

Jim

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

Dale,

I've been there multiple times and I love it. It's a must do whenever I go to Kauai. Cheap and good. Just the way I like it.

Hamura is like the ramen you get right outside of the train stations in Tokyo. Very good and reasonably fast unless it is busy.

Yotteka-ya is a sit down restaurant. The broth they make is very special and the key differentiator. They brew it for over 10 hours.

Since you like Hamura, you probably will like the wonton-min at Fatty's in Waikiki.

Jim

Jim

Next time I am in Waikiki I will try Fatty's thanks.

Dale