Aloha Good People
The first week of March 2020, before the world changed to this pre-zombie apocalypse that we now find ourselves living in (trust me this blog isn’t about doom and gloom, but I’ve spent 8 years of my life watching the walking dead, so roll with me), I had the chance to visit O`ahu. O`ahu is the third largest Hawaiian state, its name means “The Gathering Place”, and it’s capital Honolulu, is the most visited city within the Hawaiian islands.
To best experience O`ahu I suggest spending 7 - 10 days exploring the landscape with a mix of accommodations and activities in both the town and country. If my title didn’t give it away, this blog will focus on the town or better yet the city aspects of O`ahu.
Honolulu is a city lover’s dream, a beach lovers playground, sprinkled with loads of hawaiian culture, eclectic nightlife, amazing cuisine, and neighborhoods with unique identities. I was in heaven. Waikiki effortlessly blends the beach vibes with city chic swag for an experience that can only be had here. Grab a bite at Duke’s as you peer over Waikiki beach. Take a shopping stroll along Kalakaua Ave, as they have stores that rival the luxe brands found on Chicago’s magnificent mile or Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive. While you’re here grab a Kona coffee from Honolulu coffee, or get a bite and craft flight (beer) from the Maui brewing company to tease your palate.
Art and culture reign supreme in Honolulu. For culture enthusiasts trips to Iolani Palace and the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum should not be missed. The bishop museum also has a curated exhibit hall that changes up frequently, so every trip to the destination will yield something new to explore. Street Art is not to be missed in the Kaka`ako neighborhood. Each February they host Pow Wow Hawaii, where street artists come and paint beautiful murals on neighborhood buildings. Even if you miss the festival, the art lingers on these buildings for a year for your enjoyment.
Venture over to SALT - a unique art, dining, shopping and entertainment venue. While here savor the local flavor. Grab a hand pressed waffle cone filled with fresh made unique flavored ice cream from the Butterfly Ice Cream Shop. Explore the craft breweries, coffee shops, and boutique shopping experiences that you can only have here.
If you can’t tell by now, I loved the mix of beach, culture and city vibes found throughout Honolulu. I didn’t even scratch the surface of what I experienced, and I think the deliciousness of the food I ate deserves its own blog. Stay tuned as we travel throughout the country of O`ahu, you don’t want to miss it.
Comments