*This is a copy of the Waikīkī Beach Stays monthly mailer (sent out 23 Mar 2024). Click here to subscribe for future editions.

Welcome to Waikīkī Beach Stays monthly mailer, the best place to keep up to date with everything happening on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.

Easter in Hawaiʻi is just days away with Good Friday taking place on 29 March and Easter Sunday on 31 March. Oʻahu pulls out all the stops to make this occasion memorable. If you’re visiting the island this Easter, check out these highlights.

Bunny Bash at SALT (31 Mar): An egg-citing event in the Kakaʻako neighborhood (15-mins drive from Waikīkī) featuring a spring-themed photo station with the Easter Bunny, Easter tunes, spring balloon art, make-and-take crafts and spin-to-win prizes.

Gold & Platinum Egg Hunt at Wet’n’Wild Hawaiʻi (31 Mar): There’s an Easter egg hunt starting at the park 9:30am, along with early access to Keiki Kove slides, the Lil’ Kahuna Beach area and Hawaiian Waters wave pool. The first 200 kids (under 12) through the gate (while supplies last) will receive an Easter goodie bag.

Easter Brunch & Dinner Buffets at Hyatt (31 Mar): The Buffet, a buffet restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach & Spa, is hosting an incredible brunch and dinner buffet on Easter Sunday. The menu is mouthwatering and includes a hot and cold buffet line, a carving station, fresh seafood and Easter-themed desserts.

Click here for the full list of Easter events on Oʻahu.

Warmest Aloha,
Ash & Keli‘i
[email protected]

P.S. For those new to this monthly mailer, welcome to the ohana! To fill you in, we run Waikiki Beach Stays and The Hawaii Admirer websites.

NEW ON THE BLOG
Oʻahu Events in April
Oʻahu Events Calendar 2023-24
Hawaiʻi Federal & State Holidays
Getting Around Oʻahu
Oʻahu Private Touring

TRAVEL RESOURCES
Discount Hawaiʻi Car Rental
Do-It-Yourself GPS Audio Tours
Baby Gear Rentals
Buy a US Sim Card
Free Waikīkī Map

Destination

  • Cirque du Soleil is heading to Hawaiʻi! The world-renowned artistic performers have teamed up with OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel to host a bespoke show starting in late 2024. Sign-up for updates here.
  • Honolulu Zoo was recently voted one of the nation’s Top 5 Zoos by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. The vast animal kingdom, located inside beautiful Kapiʻolani Park is home to around 900 species.
  • Good news for visitors heading to Waikīkī’s beaches in the near future. Local authorities are planning to introduce personal lockers to help keep belongings safe and secure while you swim, surf or soak up the sun.

Transport

  • Hawaiian Airlines has unveiled its new flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The new aircraft has local culture woven into its design, capturing the beauty and heritage of the islands. The first passenger flight departs from HNL-SFO on 15 Apr.
  • Hawaiian Airlines plans to increase flights between Honolulu and the following U.S. cities: Austin, Boston, Pago Pago and Las Vegas between May and Sep 2024.
  • Delta is going to launch a new winter season nonstop service from Boston to Honolulu starting from 21 Nov 2024 until 30 Apr 2025. Tickets are available now.

Accommodation

  • Aqua-Aston have made changes to their Waikīkī hotels and resorts with room refreshes, updated amenities and elimination of single use plastics.
  • The Trump International Hotel has rebranded to become the Ka Laʻi Waikiki Beach. The 462-room hotel, 38-story building near Fort DeRussy Beach Park features a wellness and fitness center, infinity pool and sundeck.
  • Hilton Grand Vacations has re-started its timeshare construction on the former King’s Village Site. When complete, Ka Haku by Hilton Club will span 32 story’s and comprise a mix of 84 studios and one and two bedroom suites.
  • Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa opened in Feb 2024 in the Ala Moana neighborhood. The luxury 5-star hotel comprises 187 guest rooms and 112 residences, each with spectacular ocean, mountain or city views.
HOTEL SPOTLIGHT: Waikīkī Resort HotelW
Each month we’ll highlight one of Waikīkī’s best hotels.

Waikīkī Resort Hotel is ideally placed to enjoy everything that Waikīkī has to offer. It’s a great value hotel with a welcoming vibe suited to solo travelers, couples, families and groups. Stay in spacious rooms, studios, suites or 1-2 bedroom penthouse suites with décor inspired by Hawaiian landscapes and folklore. Guests can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast in the hotel (make your own Belgian waffles) or you can dine at ʻIlima Café, a casual eatery with good value dishes (try the Ilima Loco Moco or Omelettes your way). Surf Bar on the lobby level offers craft cocktails, local food and a lively atmosphere. The hotel also has an outdoor pool and deck for soaking up the sunshine. Don’t forget to add a Resort Fee of US$42 + tax per day and parking at US$40 per car per night. Check reviews on tripadvisor.com and book direct on hotels.com.

Activities

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Waikīkī Beach Stays readers get a 10% discount off The Real Hawaiʻi custom and private tours. Simply add ‘waikikibeach’ to the ‘Enter your Discount code here’ promo box when booking on the website – therealhawaiitours.com. A minimum of two passengers are required. LEARN MORE

Restaurants & Bars

  • Three Oʻahu eateries made Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2024 – Onoya Ramen in Kapahulu, O’Kims in Honolulu and Adela’s Country Eatery in Kāneʻohe.
  • Mara, specializing in Mediterranean dishes, is the signature restaurant inside the new Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa. Other dining options on-property include the Sway Bar & Grill poolside eatery and the LAMILL Coffee Co. cafe.
  • STRAITS is a new-ish restaurant in Ward Entertainment Center known for serving delicious Singaporean cuisine hosted in a lively dining environment. Sample sashimi and oysters, try their origami butterfish or the signature dish, Hainan Chicken.
  • Shokudo Waikīkī (an izakaya) has opened on Royal Hawaiian Ave, Wed-Sun 5pm-1am. The signature item is a build-your-own hand roll set with your choice of ikura, uni, maguro, hamachi, hotate or mentaiko with rice, nori, wasabi and soy sauce.
  • Popular ice cream shop Il Gelato has opened a flagship store in Waikīkī on Lewers St. They serve coffee, gelato and breakfast items. Their mint choc chip gelato and açaí bowls are getting rave reviews!
  • Join sushi expert Chef Ogame for an omakase experience like no other at Sushi Ogame. The new eatery inside Kūhiō Ave Food Hall is open Thu-Sat for dinner, with 16 courses costing $125 (very affordable for this style of meal in Waikīkī).
  • If you’re a fan of tacos and gourmet sliders, try Pit Stop Hawaiʻi. They started out as a food truck in Waikīkī but have moved into a physical space at 2411 Kūhiō Ave.
  • Franks & Fries Hawaiʻi is a new hot dog shop in Waikīkī. They make artsy New York-style loaded hot dogs. Try the “Classic” starts from as little as $5, or the “Ringer” served with chopped onion rings, Hawaiian BBQ and ranch sauce.
  • Waikīkī has a new burger joint, HiBurger. Burgers are made to order, the ingredients are high-quality and the patty is juicy and thick (like double a normal size patty). Burgers are priced between $15-20 each but the burger is a complete meal.
  • Ribs & Broth Waikīkī has opened in STIX Asia food court in Waikiki Shopping Plaza. As the name suggests, they serve ribs, broth and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Feast anytime between 11am-10pm daily.
  • Waikīkī’s Hy’s Steak House is closed until May 2024 for renovations. Thankfully, in the meantime, you can still get your weekly fix at their Sun and Mon “pop-up” restaurant at La Vie dining room at the Ritz Carlton.
  • In Feb 2024, Hawaii’s first Paris Baguette opened on Bishop St in Downtown Honolulu. With 200+ rotating menu items made fresh daily, ranging from patisserie to sandwiches and baguettes, you’re sure to find a treat to tantalize your taste buds!

THIS MONTH WE SAY GOODBYE TO…

  • One of Honolulu’s most talked about venues The Gallery Waikīkī is the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort on Kalākaua Ave closing in its current location on 30 Mar. They hope to re-open in a new location this summer.
  • After 10 years, Cinnamon’s at the ʻIlikai in Waikīkī has closed. The original Cinnamon’s Kailua remains open with a new breakfast menu and dinner service.
  • Kalo Hawaiian Food is now permanently closed according to Google, although no official announcement has been made.
  • The Seaside Waikīkī seafood and wine bar had their final night of service until further notice on 12 Mar.
  • Dylans Candy Shop on Kalākaua Ave in Waikīkī will cease to trade at the end of March, after four years. The café/store, which offered shave ice, gelato, shakes and candies was the brainchild of Dylan Lauren, daughter of Ralph Lauren.

Shopping

  • Honolulu Cookie Company re-opened its doors at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort after extensive renovations. Now Oʻahu’s largest location, it features two stations where you can create their own personalized cookie boxes.
  • Locally owned kid’s and women’s clothing retailer Sweet Honey Hawaiʻi has launched inside Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort in Waikīkī.
  • Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC) and O’Neill have partnered to open a flagship store on Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī. The O’Neill store caters to a global community of travelers, surfers and adventurers with unique clothing and accessories.
  • Fendi opened at the Royal Hawaiian Center on 1 Mar. The fashion house, selling iconic branded leather goods, clothing and accessories, joins other designer stores in the locale such as Harry Winston, Hermes, Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co.

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