A Local's Guide to Hawai'i

Ey, what's the kama'aina rate?

UPDATED September 2010

Since this post is now the #2 Google search result for "Local's Guide to Hawaii", we're gonna do our part to keep it updated. Since we only get to go home once or twice a year, we'll rely on the advice of our kama'aina friends and family :)
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There are many reasons why Hawaii is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. People are always jealous when they find out Stacy grew up there. But there is so much more to do than just the sun, surf, and sand.

While you could shell out 20 bucks at Barnes & Noble for a guidebook, our friend and bridesmaid, Lindsey, has compiled a written list of things to see, do and eat on Oahu... from a local's perspective!

Map of Oahu
Common Hawaiian phrases

Activities

• Hikes. Hiking is a lot more casual in Hawaii. You can tell if someone is local if you see them scampering up the mountains barefooted or in slippas. Just be careful when it rains – it can get real muddy and slippery.

- Diamond Head Crater - Nice view of Waikiki. But dry and hot.
- Koko Head Crater - Monster steep climb up old railroad ties.
- Makapuu Lighthouse - The more adventurous can brave tidepools on the backside.
- Olomana – Steep at parts, but the view is worth it.
- Maunawili Falls – Easy hike that ends at a small waterfall you can cliff dive from.

• Explore the North Shore and drive around the island - This includes eating at the shrimp trucks, getting shave ice and eating kua aina hamburgers. Visit North Shore (NS), Haleiwa, Sunset Beach, etc.
• Haunama Bay – Famous snorkel spot.
• Bishop Museum - Only if you are interested in Hawaii's history.
• Free movies - At sunset on the Ala Moana Beach certain nights on the week.
• Sea Life Park - Think mini-Sea World.
• Polynesian Culture Center - For a luau and show. More touristy activities if you are interested.
• Kualoa Ranch - How Oahu used to look. Fun activities like ATVing, horseback riding, and seeing movie sets (Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Lost).
• Dole Plantation – Only reason to stop by is for the Dole Whip Floats.
• Surfing/Standup paddle boarding – You can rent boards on Waiks, but watch out for other newbies. A friend got her eye poked out by some kid's board.
• Golf - Private clubs can be pricy, so check out some of the nicer muni courses (i.e. Pali)

What you have to EAT

• Acai bowl –Brazilian superfruit topped with fruit and granola. So good after a surf sesh.
• Apple Bananas - Mini native bananas. Not to be confused with baby bananas!!
• Chicken Katsu Curry - Grace’s Drive Inn has a good one
• Cocoa Puff - Liliha Bakery. This kicks Beard Papa’s ass!!!
• Haupia - A yummy coconut pudding thing. There will be tons of things with this - sweet potato haupia pie, haupia cake, haupia malasadas, etc.
• Hawaiian Sun Drinks - Fruit juice in a can - try passion orange or fruit punch. These bad boys will be everywhere!
• Hurricane Popcorn- Popcorn, furikake, and kaki mochi. A lot of the candy stores will have this or you can buy kits from Long’s.
• Huli huli chicken - Local style rotisserie chicken.
• Kulolo – Traditional Hawaiian taro desert. Mochi-like consistency.
• KaiSeki - Japanese tapas
• Lau Lau- Steamed chicken/beef/pork wrapped in banana leaves served with Poi
• Loco Moco - Hamburger, rice, gravy and egg. And don't forget the Tabasco.
• Malasada - Portuguese donut from Leonard’s Bakery. Haupia malasada is the bomb. Keep your eye out for the Leonard's Jr. malasada truck!!
• Manapua - A huge char sui bao (steamed bun stuffed with pork)
• Mochi ice cream – Bubbie’s has a wide variety of flavors.
• Pipikaula – Marinated dry beef. Helena’s is famous for it.
• Poke - Sashimi seasoned with a special sauce.
• Portuguese sausage - Try it at breakfast one day. You can get it anywhere, but it's really yummy at Likelike Drive-In.
• Shave Ice - Waiola’s (where the locals go) & Matsumoto’s (where the tourists go) are famous for it. We tried Shimazu’s – interesting syrup flavors, but a little too big for my liking (took forever to get to the ice cream!!)
• Spam musubi - You can find anywhere, including 7-11. Try interesting varieties at Mana Bu’s – but go early. They sell out fast.
• Shrimp trucks on the North Shore. Giovanni’s is OG, but other trucks are just as good and cheaper. Spicy is REALLY spicy - even for my high heat tolerance. Just stick to the garlic. Or get a plate of each and mix them together.
• Sugoi's or Mitsuken garlic chicken
• Zippy's chili – Get it over rice. So good.

Restaurants

Fine Dining

• Alan Wong's - Fancy fusion. Good for a special night out, but for a low key (and cheaper) option, lunch at the Pineapple Room in Ala Moana is just as good.
• Bali by the Sea - Fancy fusion. Plus a view of fireworks over the harbor on some nights.
• Chai's Island Bistro - In Aloha Tower Market Place.
• Hoku's - Good if you like fish.
• Hye's Steak House - My personal favorite .
• La Mer - Fancy French at the bougie Halekulani Hotel.
• Michel’s at the Colony Surf - French preparation using fresh local ingredients. Beautiful view.
• Roy's - The OG hawaiian fusion. Now on the mainland.
• Sam Choy's - Used to be good, but quality and service have gone downhill.
• Sasabune – Omokase sushi. Spin-off of the LA branch.

Casual Grindz

• Bale - Good vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi).
• Boots & Kimo’s – Bomb mac nut pancakes in Kailua.
• Cheeseburger in Paradise – Casual burgers.
• Duke's - Good food and bar scene on the beach. In the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel on Kalakaua.
• L & L – Plate lunches. We have this all over the mainland
• McDonald's - Local version has spam, portagee sausage, eggs and rice for breakfast!
• Nico’s Pier 38 - Cheap, fresh fish plates.
• Pancakes & Waffles – Get the honey butter fried chicken and waffles.
• Pietro’s – Japanese-style pasta.
• Rainbow Drive Inn - Famous plate lunch and slush float.
• Side Street Inn - Crazy huge portions of local style diner food. Try their custom Rogue Ales brew.
• Tenka Ippin – Hawaii branch of Japanese ramen chain. Very thick salty broth. Might want to ask for less salt and get the chicken/pork broth for less viscosity.
• Uncle Bo's - Tasty casual fusion. Also good bar scene.
• The Willows - Old school buffet that includes Hawaiian foods (i.e., poi, lomi salmon, kalua pork, etc).
• Young’s Fish Market – Ono Hawaiian food. Watch out of the 4x4’s (4’ wide x 4’ tall) that order turkey tails in bulk.
• Zippy’s - The Hawaii version of Denny's. They are open all night and famous for their bakery, chili and plate lunches.

Shopping

• ABC store - All over Waikiki - forreals.
• Ala Moana Shopping Center – You name it, they got it. Department stores, luxury brands, chain retailers, surf shops. Home of the MAI TAI BAR!!! Best happy hour!
• Aloha Swap Meet - Sundays at Aloha Stadium. Overrated IMO, but you might find good deals on souvenirs.
• Costco - Does your Costco carry surfboards and poke?? Don't forget your membership card!
• Crack Seed Hawaii - My classmate's crack seed (li hing) store. Lots of Hawaii snacks!
• Don Quixote - Giant grocery/convenience store.
• 88 Tee’s - Vintage t-shirts and Levi’s in Waikiki.
• Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC) - Customizable slippers.
• In4mation - Local streetwear brand.
• Local Motion – Stores all over. Also in stock at Costco.
• Long's Drugs- Has everything! Including cheap and comfortable Local’s slippas.
• Shirokiya - A mini Japanese Department store with lots of neat things, food, etc.
• Town and Country Surf (T&C) – This OG surf brand lives on in Hawaii!
• Wal-Mart - Across from Ala Moana. Will have tons of stuff to bring back for friends and family. They sell cheap 'Locals' slippers.

Nightlife

• Brew Moon- I think on Tuesdays has a DJ
• Koi Sushi Bar and Sake Lounge
• Ocean’s - In Restaurant Row. I think the happening night is Thursday with 1 dollar drinks.
• Osake - Sushi bar and lounge.
• Pipelines - Kinda ghetto, but also has dollar drinks
• Ryan’s – Local version of Gordon Biersch
• Tiki’s - Nice bar scene with food