Best Things to Do in Waikiki? - Tiki Travel

K Koitiki Tiki Socialite Austin Joined: Jul 03, 2007 Posts: 250	K Koitiki Posted posted on Tue, Aug 16, 2011 1:13 PM Thoroughly enjoyed my time on Oahu. Spent half the trip on the North Shore in a VRBO beachfront lauhala mat lined surf shack in the Bonzai Pipeline area. (You know you are in a true surf shack when the house wifi network is named "bongpipe"). If anyone is interested I can give you the VRBO# for this place. Snorkeled, cavorted with sea turtles at Turtle Beach, swam under a waterfall at Waimea Valley, drove to a temple ruin that technically should require a 4WD vehicle, and visited the Dole Plantation and the Polynesian Cultural Center. The North Shore has little in the way of restaurants and nightlife which thankfully preserves the rustic natural beauty of the area. A quick drive into Hale'iwa provided some excellent shave ice at Matsumoto's and Aoki's. We also enjoyed a nice meal of fresh fish wrapped in ti leaves and a good Mai Tai at Hale'iwa Joe's Seafood Grill. Arriving in Waikiki after four days of laid back North Shore was a shock. It is a hustling, bustling international shopping mecca. After I re-adjusted to city life I fell a little in love with the parts of Honolulu and Waikiki that didn't involve shopping, except Bailey's Aloha Shirts! On another shopping note, be advised that a Lonely Planet guide book lists a vintage Hawaiiana store called Island Treasures that was in the International Marketplace but is now closed. Also be forewarned that many places shut down early here. Bands play early and many bars close at 9pm. Even the hotel pools inexplicably close at 7pm. Gotta love the conversation I had with the pool staff. Me: "Why does the pool close at 7?" Staff: "It gets dark." (Not really until after 8, and the wonderful invention of electricity makes it possible to light thigs after dark!) Me: "What are the kids supposed to do?" (Even tho mine is a teen, there are a MILLION little kids here.) Staff: "Go shopping." Hahahaha. What tiki cravings I didn't fulfill at the Polynesian Cultural Center were more than satisfied when Phillip Roberts graciously whisked me around Waikiki on a tiki walking tour. The International Marketplace alone was filled with so many hidden gems it was like a treasure hunt. I loved Phillip's stories about how it used to be and what used to be where. Things I would not have known just walking around by myself. We enjoyed hearing Alan Akaka and his Islanders at the Moana Terrace as Dobrolic suggested (basic pool bar, but decent Mai Tai, good Tropical Itch and good music), Pisco Sours at Tiki's, Longboards and Li Hing Mui (a sweet and salty powder to rim the glass) Margarita at Arnold's and chatting with one of Phillip's friends who'd been on the island many years. He had a local TV talk show. He said there used to be seven nightclubs in the International Marketplace and as a local celeb he had the run of the place. A playboy's dream come true! He also said Martin Denny played his show many times, often filling in as a solo piano act when a booking fell through. Mahalo Phillip for the great tour and mahalo for all the work that went into your book. Folks, if you haven't picked up a copy of Waikiki Tiki, do it now! Phillip has been on the island for 20 years and amassed a collection of vintage and contemporary photos that make for a mind-boggling presentation of tiki eye candy in the vein of Sven's Book of Tiki and James' Big Stone Head. La Mariana was great. I heard that recently there was an improvement in the food and drinks and can honestly say we enjoyed both, and the atmosphere of course. One unique decor piece I esp. loved was the "chandelier" of many fish floats together in a big fishing net. They have a gift shop with lots of Gecko mugs and LM tees. Can also recommend the House Without a Key bar we voted the best Mai Tai we had on the island. Will try to post a few pics when I have time. Getting ready for the Texas Tiki Round-up!

Thoroughly enjoyed my time on Oahu. Spent half the trip on the North Shore in a VRBO beachfront lauhala mat lined surf shack in the Bonzai Pipeline area. (You know you are in a true surf shack when the house wifi network is named "bongpipe"). If anyone is interested I can give you the VRBO# for this place.

Snorkeled, cavorted with sea turtles at Turtle Beach, swam under a waterfall at Waimea Valley, drove to a temple ruin that technically should require a 4WD vehicle, and visited the Dole Plantation and the Polynesian Cultural Center. The North Shore has little in the way of restaurants and nightlife which thankfully preserves the rustic natural beauty of the area. A quick drive into Hale'iwa provided some excellent shave ice at Matsumoto's and Aoki's. We also enjoyed a nice meal of fresh fish wrapped in ti leaves and a good Mai Tai at Hale'iwa Joe's Seafood Grill.

Arriving in Waikiki after four days of laid back North Shore was a shock. It is a hustling, bustling international shopping mecca. After I re-adjusted to city life I fell a little in love with the parts of Honolulu and Waikiki that didn't involve shopping, except Bailey's Aloha Shirts! On another shopping note, be advised that a Lonely Planet guide book lists a vintage Hawaiiana store called Island Treasures that was in the International Marketplace but is now closed.

Also be forewarned that many places shut down early here. Bands play early and many bars close at 9pm. Even the hotel pools inexplicably close at 7pm. Gotta love the conversation I had with the pool staff. Me: "Why does the pool close at 7?" Staff: "It gets dark." (Not really until after 8, and the wonderful invention of electricity makes it possible to light thigs after dark!) Me: "What are the kids supposed to do?" (Even tho mine is a teen, there are a MILLION little kids here.) Staff: "Go shopping." Hahahaha.

What tiki cravings I didn't fulfill at the Polynesian Cultural Center were more than satisfied when Phillip Roberts graciously whisked me around Waikiki on a tiki walking tour. The International Marketplace alone was filled with so many hidden gems it was like a treasure hunt. I loved Phillip's stories about how it used to be and what used to be where. Things I would not have known just walking around by myself. We enjoyed hearing Alan Akaka and his Islanders at the Moana Terrace as Dobrolic suggested (basic pool bar, but decent Mai Tai, good Tropical Itch and good music), Pisco Sours at Tiki's, Longboards and Li Hing Mui (a sweet and salty powder to rim the glass) Margarita at Arnold's and chatting with one of Phillip's friends who'd been on the island many years. He had a local TV talk show. He said there used to be seven nightclubs in the International Marketplace and as a local celeb he had the run of the place. A playboy's dream come true! He also said Martin Denny played his show many times, often filling in as a solo piano act when a booking fell through. Mahalo Phillip for the great tour and mahalo for all the work that went into your book. Folks, if you haven't picked up a copy of Waikiki Tiki, do it now! Phillip has been on the island for 20 years and amassed a collection of vintage and contemporary photos that make for a mind-boggling presentation of tiki eye candy in the vein of Sven's Book of Tiki and James' Big Stone Head.

La Mariana was great. I heard that recently there was an improvement in the food and drinks and can honestly say we enjoyed both, and the atmosphere of course. One unique decor piece I esp. loved was the "chandelier" of many fish floats together in a big fishing net. They have a gift shop with lots of Gecko mugs and LM tees. Can also recommend the House Without a Key bar we voted the best Mai Tai we had on the island. Will try to post a few pics when I have time. Getting ready for the Texas Tiki Round-up!

Post #602714 by Koitiki on Tue, Aug 16, 2011 1:13 PM