Travel Oahu - Explore Hawaii like the Locals!
Michelle Linden
Every year millions of visitors from Japan, mainland USA and beyond land
at Honolulu International Airport ready to begin their vacation in paradise.
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. The streets are filled
with foreign languages, throngs of tourists are dressed in their beach best, and
the beginning of surf history can be seen at the end of the street. Waikiki can
be so exciting that many visitors never escape its imaginary borders.
Approximately 6 million of these visitors miss the very sites that locals find
so endearing, remaining within the two square miles of Waikiki.
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 - the family.
Large extended families gather around hibachis, spending the day together with a
good food and plenty of sun. The beaches are significantly less crowded, so for
a great day, grab a barbecue and head down to the beach at Magic Island!
The Contemporary Museum Honolulu - This small museum is located
high on a ridge at Makiki Heights Drive. The drive up the ridge offers amazing
vistas that would otherwise be missed by most Oahu visitors. The relatively
small museum offers changing exhibits in its five galleries. After traversing
the galleries, visitors can wander out onto the sculpture gardens. This is where
the true glory of the museum is revealed. The 3.5 acres of sculpture and
meditative gardens are open to the public and offer some of the most amazing
views of Honolulu.
Leong's Cafe - Many visitors look to a lu'au
for more than entertainment; they are after some great Hawaiian food. However,
if you're interested in real local style Hawaiian food, you can't beat Leong's
Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. As a favorite for plate lunches, kalua
pig, lu'au stew, lomi lomi, and more, locals have been visiting this cafe for
over 50 years!
Champion Malasadas - The local treat called
Malasadas are so popular that Fat Tuesday has been re-christened Malasada Day
throughout the Hawaiian Islands. One of the best and most famous bakeries is
Champion Malasadas located at 1926 South Beretania Street. These light
portuguese hole-less donuts come with and without filling and are absolutely
worth the effort in getting them!
hawaii travel tourism
Honolulu Chinatown - A walk
through the streets of Chinatown in like a walk into another time and place.
Whether you are looking for dim sum, fresh produce, handmade leis, or the new
hip lounge, you are sure to find it in Chinatown. The streets and shops are
exotic, offering items not found in a typical american grocery. Guided walking
tours are available for this historic district, but often the best way is to
simply meander through the streets, stopping whenever your interest has been
piqued.
If you are interested in seeing Oahu through a local's eyes, be
sure to spend some time outside of Waikiki. Stop by some or all of the spots
listed above and see some of what truly makes Hawaii special.
For more
information and photos of Oahu, check out our Lanikai Beach site
and our Honolulu
Chinatown site and our
Travel Photo Gallery.
About the Author
Michelle is a travel, art, and architecture buff who has recently moved to
Seattle after living in Honolulu, Chicago, Gloucester Massachusetts, and Delft
Netherlands. In between studying and working in design, she dreams travel and
works to help others compare and select vacation options via the Your Life Passion
Website! Plan your Hawaii vacation. All Hawaii
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