*This is a copy of the Waikīkī Beach Stays monthly mailer (sent out 5 Mar 2023). 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.

Welcome to our wave of new subscribers.

If you’re planning a Waikīkī vacation, you’re in the right place! We send out regular updates on all things Oʻahu, so you can get the inside guide on where to stay, things to do, the best eats and drinks, local events and more. 

For those who missed it on social media, we’ve updated our Free Waikīkī Map 2023. The hotel resort fees and parking rates have been revised and we’ve refined our favorite places to eat and drink including a list food truck locations.

With last month featuring Valentine’s Day, we decided to take one of Waikīkī’s most romantic experiences for a spin! 

Mugen offers a Sunset Champagne & Caviar Hour from the rooftop of the ESPACIO hotel. Enjoy spectacular views over Waikīkī Beach at sunset with a flute of champagne and high-quality caviar served with delicious mochi blinis (similar to mini-pancakes), crème fraîche with a chive reduction and some cured egg yolk.

Even though there were two other couples on the deck, we were nicely spaced out and the experience still felt really special. The service was spectacular and it was a great opportunity take memorable photographs. This 1-hour activity lends itself to Hawaiʻi visitors celebrating a special occasion, like a proposal, an anniversary or birthday. It also makes for a great surprise!

Read on for the latest news from Oʻahu, and don’t miss the Special Offers for tours and activities listed at the end.

Warmest Aloha,
Ash & Keliʻi
[email protected]

NEW ON THE BLOG
Oʻahu Events in March
St Patrick’s Day Events on Oahu
Top 10 Iconic Oʻahu Attractions
Oʻahu Markets Schedule
Free Hula & Music Shows

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

Destination

  • After 47 years, Aloha Stadium (Hawaiʻi’s largest outdoor arena) has closed its doors permanently to make way for the yet-to-be-built Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. The on-site Swap Meet & Marketplace will continue to operate during construction of the new facility (Wed 8am-3pm, Sat 8am-3pm & Sun 6:30am-3pm).
  • A new Hawaiʻi law bans the intentional release of helium balloons, it carries a $500 fine. Helium balloons are one of the most deadly types of marine debris.

Accommodation

  • Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has opened Nanea Lounge in their hotel lobby. Guests and non-guests are welcome to stop by for classic martini’s, tropical cocktails, local and domestic beers, mocktails and live entertainment daily 4-7pm.
  • Wayfinder Waikiki (formerly Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel) has opened with updated guest rooms, suites and public spaces. B-Side Coffee Bar is now open. Lost & Found (tropical speakeasy) and Redfish (restaurant) are coming soon.
HOTEL SPOTLIGHT: Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
Each month we’ll highlight one of Waikīkī’s best hotels.



Lotus Honolulu, has reached #1 Oʻahu Hotel on TripAdvisor! Located in the upscale area of Diamond Head at the east end of Waikīkī, this boutique property overlooks Kapiʻolani Park, just a short walk to the sands of Kaimana Beach. Accommodations span rooms and suites with either ocean, park or crater views and come with special amenities like an Illy coffee maker and coffee pods, bath robes and slippers and a hot pot (upon request). Some of the best reasons to stay here are the free self-parking, wine tastings (Wed-Sun) at on-site world-class restaurant TBD…Hawaii, unlimited use of beach cruiser bikes, access to beach chairs, towels, tennis racquets and balls, and a complimentary yoga class in the park (Sat). If you want to enjoy a more tranquil part of Waikīkī, this hotel is it! Please note, there is a $29+tax resort fee. Check reviews on tripadvisor.com and prices on hotels.com.

Transport

  • Waikiki Trolley, a hop-on-hop-off bus and trolley system, offers 4 routes to explore Honolulu. Travel on the Pink Line (Ala Moana Shops), Blue Line (Coastline/Diamond Head), Red Line (Heroes & Legends) or Green Line (Local Dining/Diamond Head).
  • From 28 Apr 2023, Hawaiian Airlines will resume flights between Honolulu (HNL) and Fukuoka (FUK) in Japan, operating three times weekly. They currently fly daily from HNL to Tokyo Haneda (HND), Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Osaka (KIX).

Activities

  • Ka Moana Lūʻau has moved to a new and improved location at Aloha Tower (a short 10 minutes drive from Waikīkī). This traditional Hawaiian lūʻau features cultural activities, a Polynesian show with hula and fire dancers and a sit-down buffet dinner.
  • Honolulu Downhill Bike & Waterfall Hike Tour is a highly-rated Oʻahu adventure. Take an easy cruiser bike ride in a tropical rainforest setting (with an optional guided hike) and enjoy scenic views above Waikīkī, Honolulu and Mānoa Valley.
  • The LineUp at Wai Kai is set to open mid-March at Hoakalei Resort in West Oʻahu. Amenities include Hawaiʻi’s first deep-water standing surf wave, a 52-acre lagoon for water sports, restaurants, a retail store and more.
  • The US Army Museum of Hawaiʻi has reopened in Waikīkī after upgrades. The museum is housed inside historic Battery Randolph, a former coast artillery fort.
  • Hawaiʻi Convention Center is now home to The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu cultural exhibit by Theater 320 (on the third floor). It includes historic photographs, painted representations of the healers and an 8-minute animated film.

Restaurants & Bars

  • Asato Family Sherbet Truck parks in Waikīkī at 2057 Kalākaua Ave Tue-Fri from 11am-5pm. They sell sherbets (the fruitier cousin of ice cream) in a variety of flavors.
  • Boston Joes Pizza, a gourmet thin crust pizza shop, is one of the first vendors to open in the new Ohana Hale Marketplace located at 1958 Kalākaua Ave in Waikīkī.
  • Maui’s famous Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice has opened their first Oʻahu location on Kapahulu Ave, conveniently close to Leonard’s Bakery (popular malasada shop).
  • Oyster Hale by Crush is a new Japanese restaurant hiding upstairs at 346 Lewers St. They serve raw oysters, oyster shooters, sushi rolls, sashimi, hot plates and more.
  • Double Three Hong Kong Bubble Waffles & Ice Creamery has opened a third store in Kailua town (other Oʻahu locations include Kalihi and the 808 Center).
  • Paradise Poke Hawaii has opened its second shop on Oʻahu in the lobby of the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites in Waikīkī.
  • The Walk In is a speakeasy bar “hidden” behind a walk-in freezer in The Other Side HI, a modern American, vegan and vegetarian diner in Honolulu’s Chinatown.
  • Manoa Chocolate Natural Wine Bar in Kailua recently opened to the public Wed-Sat from 5-9pm. It’s a place to enjoy wine with Hawaiian single origin chocolates!
  • Piggy Smalls in Ward Village closed permanently on 12 Feb 2023. But don’t worry, you can still dine at it’s famous sister-restaurant The Pig & The Lady in Chinatown.
  • Outback Steakhouse in Hawaiʻi Kai permanently closed on 26 Feb 2023. You can still dine at this Aussie-themed eatery on Oʻahu at their Waipio or Kapolei locations.

Shopping

  • Waikiki Market, Waikīkī’s only full-service grocery store, has opened in Lilia Waikiki on the corner of Kūhiō Ave and Kānekapōlei St (formerly the Food Pantry).
  • Go! Toys & Games is now open at the International Market Place. They manufacture and distribute unique plush toys, games, puzzles and novelties.
  • Vibrations is a locally-owned men’s clothing store that just opened at the International Market Place. This retail store brings a colorful take on men’s fashion.
  • Ron Herman Store, a Los Angeles destination specialty store since 1976, has launched in the Moana Surfrider hotel. They stock a variety of exclusive brands.

Upcoming Events

  • Box jellyfish (stinging invertebrates) tend to appear in Oʻahu’s ocean 8-10 days after the full moon. According to Waikīkī Aquarium Box Jellyfish Calendar 15-17 Mar, 13-15 Apr & 13-15 May 2023 have high probability of a box jellyfish event.
  • For a comprehensive list of Oʻahu Events by Month, click here.

Special Offers*

*Subject to change/terms and conditions apply – please refer to Viator for full details.

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

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Ashlee Galea What's New