*This is a copy of the Waikiki Beach Stays Monthly Mailer (sent out 6 Nov 2022). Click here to subscribe for future editions.

Welcome to the November edition of our Waikiki Beach Stays e-newsletter.

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

Every malihini (visitor) should visit Duke’s Waikiki 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. $$

Waikiki was lucky to gain Liliha Bakery‘s fourth location on the Grand Lanai (3rd Floor) of the International Market Place. This is Hawaii’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 Hawaii’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 Waikiki 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 Hawaii Regional Cuisine – a culinary movement that began in Hawaii in 1992. Twelve local Hawaii Chefs, including Roy Yamaguchi of said Roy’s, introduced this distinct food to highlight Hawaii’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 Waikiki). $$$

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

A hui hou (until we meet again)…

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

NEW ON THE BLOG
Oahu Events in November
Thanksgiving Events on Oahu
Oahu Markets Schedule
Free Hula & Music Shows
100+ Things to Do in Waikiki

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

DESTINATION

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

ACCOMMODATION

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



Hilton Hawaiian Village is Waikiki’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 Alii, 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 Hawaii 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 Waikiki’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 Waikiki 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.

TRANSPORTATION

ACTIVITIES

  • We encourage all Waikiki 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 Waikiki 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 Waikiki coastline, toward Leahi (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 Oahu Cruises & Sailing options, click here.
  • Kualoa Ranch, on Oahu’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 Waikiki and entry to Pearl Harbor National Memorial, including boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial.
  • Resort Pass enables you to book day pool passes, spa experiences and hire cabanas at Waikiki’s most luxe resorts – no need to pay the big bucks to stay there!

RESTAURANTS & BARS

  • Sacred Art Tattoo & Coffee Bar is Waikiki’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 Kakaako 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 Waikiki.
  • Chick-fil-A has opened it’s first Oahu location at Ala Moana Center. Their popular sandwiches focus on chicken made from breast meat, breaded by hand.
  • Hawaii’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 Hawaii, 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii-inspired Christmas ornaments at The Waikiki Christmas Stores, on Waikiki Beach Walk and next to the Moana Surfrider.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Broadway in Hawaii 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 Oahu’s ocean 8-10 days after the full moon. According to Waikiki 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 Oahu Events by Month, click here

SPECIAL OFFERS*

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

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Waikiki Beach Stays readers get a 10% discount off The Real Hawaii 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

SHOP HAWAII STYLE

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Image Credit: Shutterstock/Mikela Bond

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