*This is a copy of the Waikīkī Beach Stays monthly mailer (sent out 6 Nov 2022). 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.

This month we’d like to share our top three dining recommendations for first-time visitors to Waikīkī. These restaurants are icons of our seaside neighborhood.

Every malihini (visitor) should visit Duke’s Waikīkī on the sands of Waikiki Beach at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. This iconic tiki-style dining room and barefoot bar is dedicated to Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian surfing legend. They offer a great Buffet Breakfast ($23 pp) and tasty lunch and dinner menus. One of the most popular items is Kimo’s Original Hula Pie, a dessert with a chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, toasted mac nuts and whipped cream. And let’s not forget the cocktails, we love the Coconut Mojito, POG Cocktail (passionfruit, orange and guava juice alcoholic slushie) and Lava Flow (pineapple juice, strawberries, coconut and rum). Dine on a Sunday from 4-6pm for Duke’s on Sundays, an epic evening of singing and dancing to Henry Kapono and his band. Make a reservation for Duke’s Canoe Club Waikiki on the OpenTable app. $$

Waikīkī was lucky to gain Liliha Bakery‘s fourth location on the Grand Lanai (3rd Floor) of the International Market Place. This is Hawaiʻi’s beloved full-service bakery and coffee shop since the 1950s. The menu features local-style options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We love brunch here, their Hot Cakes are the best on the island. It’s also a great place to try Hawaiʻi’s Loco Moco (hamburger steak, eggs, and gravy over rice) and the Carved Prime Rib (from 11am) is popular, too. The bakery is separate, at the entrance of the restaurant, and you can purchase sweet treats at any time (even if you’re not dining in). They are famous for Puffs (Coco Puffs, Green Tea Puffs, Chocolate Cream Puffs, Cream Puffs) and rightfully so… they are divine. Do not leave Waikīkī without trying them! They don’t accept reservations, it’s best to arrive in-person and put your name down for a table. $$

Open for dinner only, Roy’s Waikiki is the perfect place to sample fresh Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine – a culinary movement that began in Hawaiʻi in 1992. Twelve local Hawaiʻi Chefs, including Roy Yamaguchi of said Roy’s, introduced this distinct food to highlight Hawaiʻi’s historical influences and range of ethnic flavors. The cuisine utilizes fresh homegrown ingredients like beef raised on Big Island ranches, vegetables grown in Maui’s volcanic soil, and seafood caught in the Pacific Ocean. We suggest starting with Roy’s legendary sushi and sashimi, follow by a classic dish from ‘the Sea or the Land’ and end with the melting hot Chocolate Soufflé with raspberry coulis. Make a reservation for Roy’s Waikiki on the OpenTable app, and if there’s no availability try Eating House 1849 (Roy’s other restaurant in Waikīkī). $$$

If you’d like to discover more places to eat on Oʻahu, follow us @oahueatsguide.

A hui hou (until we meet again)…

Warmest Aloha,
Ash & Keliʻi
[email protected]

Destination

  • 362,834 cases of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi to-date. Daily average cases 165 island-wide (113 Oʻahu, 10 Maui County, 10 Kauaʻi, 24 Hawaiʻi Island).

Accommodation

HOTEL SPOTLIGHT: Hilton Hawaiian Village
Each month we’ll highlight one of Waikīkī’s best hotels.



Hilton Hawaiian Village is Waikīkī’s only true resort spanning 22-acres – it’s overwhelming for some and a dream come true for others! The variety of accommodations are next-level with rooms and suites located over several towers: Rainbow, Lagoon, Kalia, Tapa, Diamond Head, The Aliʻi, plus the Grand Islander and Grand Waikikian vacation clubs. There are plenty of retail stores on-site including Wini Jewlery (the place to shop for Hawaiʻi Five-O merch) and lots of eateries like Tropics Bar & Grill (the nachos are good to share). Swim in up to five pools and slide down Waikīkī’s longest waterslide (23.5 m/77 ft). You’ll also find two wedding chapels, a garden Starlight Luau, award-winning Mandara Spa and nightly entertainment at Tapa Bar. Resort activities take place daily from morning exercise classes to Hawaiian cultural activities. Don’t miss the free fireworks show every Friday at 7:45pm, this tradition has been launching from the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon for over 30 years! One downfall of staying here is the 15-minute walk into Waikīkī proper, but it’s an oceanfront stroll so you can’t really complain. And don’t forget to factor in the Resort Charge of $50 + tax per room per night and Parking Fees from $57 + tax overnight. Check reviews on tripadvisor.com and prices on hotels.com.

Transport

Activities

  • We encourage all Waikīkī visitors to board a catamaran and head out-to-sea for a relaxing outing with spectacular views. Here are three cruise options we like and why.
    • Sunset Boat Cruise (Swim & Sail): Unlike most sunset sails this tour gives passengers the opportunity to stay on-deck OR jump off into the Pacific Ocean for a swim. 2-hours duration, departs from Ala Wai Boat Harbor.
    • Waikiki Turtle Snorkel Adventure: Take a trip to Turtle Canyon, a snorkel site where Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles congregate. This tour conveniently departs straight off Waikīkī Beach (whereas most other tours depart from harbors outside Waikiki). 2-hours duration, departs from Waikiki Beach.
    • Sunrise Breakfast Cruise: This memorable cruise takes you out along the Waikīkī coastline, toward Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) as the sun comes up. It’s the only breakfast cruise that actually prepares the food fresh onboard during the cruise. 1½-hours duration, departs from Kewalo Basin Harbor.
    • For more Oʻahu Cruises & Sailing options, click here.
  • Kualoa Ranch, on Oʻahu’s North Shore, runs a 90-minute Hollywood Movie Sites Tour. See where Jumanji, Jurassic Park/World, Fifty First Dates and Magnum P.I. were filmed. It’s the perfect stop on a day trip, just book your spot ahead of time.
  • Book this tour to Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial to guarantee your return transportation from select hotels in Waikīkī and entry to Pearl Harbor National Memorial, including boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial.
  • Resort Pass enables you to book a day pool passes, spa experiences and/or hire cabanas at Waikīkī’s most luxe resorts (no need to pay the big bucks to stay there!). Holiday Inn Express Waikiki is new to the site and offers hotel room day passes, too.

Restaurants & Bars

  • Sacred Art Tattoo & Coffee Bar is Waikīkī’s newest tattoo parlor with a difference, it doubles as a café serving coffee, smoothies, açaí bowls, toasts and sandwiches.
  • Aoki Teppanyaki at Hilton Hawaiian Village is a fun dining experience where chefs prepare dishes on an iron-plate grill in front of patrons in a fiery, dramatic display.
  • Aloha Beer Co. has opened The HI BRAU room as a sophisticated speakeasy inside it’s Kakaʻako brewery on Friday and Saturday nights only, 6pm-12am.
  • For breakfast ($35 pp), weekend brunch ($65 pp) and weekend dinner ($75 pp) buffets, try the new Makana Lani, on the 2nd Floor of Alohilani Resort in Waikīkī.
  • Chick-fil-A has opened it’s first Oʻahu location at Ala Moana Center. Their popular sandwiches focus on chicken made from breast meat, breaded by hand.
  • Hawaiʻi’s first 85ºC Bakery Cafe is open at Ala Moana Center. “Sweeten Your Life” with their coffee, cake, tea, bread and macadamia nut tarts (exclusive to this shop).
  • Sadly Modo Hawaiʻi, a mochi-donut shop in Mitsuwa Marketplace, has closed. You can still try these specialty donuts by heading to Dukes Lane Market & Eatery.

Shopping

  • House of Mana Up is a retail experience worth a visit at Royal Hawaiian Center, they include food, fashion, home, beauty and art products from Hawaiʻi makers.
  • Toys “R” Us has opened in Macy’s Ala Moana. It’s a fantastic place to shop for kids stuff and features a life-size Geoffery (giraffe) photo opportunity for families.
  • ‘Tis the season to shop for Hawaiʻi-inspired Christmas ornaments at The Waikiki Christmas Stores, on Waikiki Beach Walk and next to the Moana Surfrider.

Upcoming Events

  • Broadway in Hawaiʻi presents Hamilton (7 Dec-29 Jan 2023) and CATS Let The Memory Live Again (13-18 Jun 2023)
  • 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 16-18 Nov & 15-17 Dec 2022 and 14-16 Jan 2023 have high probability of a box jellyfish event
  • For a comprehensive list of Oʻahu Events by Month, click here.

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