*This is a copy of the Waikīkī Beach Stays monthly mailer (sent out 26 Sep 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.
Mahalo to everyone who has downloaded our new and improved Free Waikīkī Map, and a very warm welcome to all of our new readers! To fill you in, we run The Hawaiʻi Admirer and Waikīkī Beach Stays websites and pop into your inbox every month to keep you up to date with everything happening in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.
Scroll down to discover the latest and greatest destination news – from accommodation, transport and activities, to restaurants, bars, shopping and events.
This month we’ve been working on a revamped partnership with The Real Hawaiʻi, to bring you private touring options on Oʻahu at an exclusive price. Owned by local Dan, this Hawaiʻi small business specializes in creating memorable island adventures that are fully customizable for you and your travel party only (up to six people).
Booking a custom tour on Oʻahu with The Real Hawaiʻi has many perks!
- You can sit back and relax as you’re chauffeured around the island, all of the research and planning has been done for you.
- For foreign visitors, there’s no stress about driving on the opposite side of the road.
- The itinerary is 100% flexible and custom-catered to suit your interests and abilities, at a pace that suits your needs. Only visit the Oʻahu attractions you want to see!
- Having your own personal tour guide means you can tap into a wealth of local knowledge. Learn about Hawaiʻi’s history and culture and gain island insights.
- Save money in overnight parking fees at your hotel. If you rent a car on Oʻahu, expect to pay up to $50 + taxes per car per night for parking.
- Tours include pick-up and return to your accommodation. As an option you can choose the Waikele Premium Outlets drop-off after the tour (you are responsible for arranging a shuttle ride back to Waikīkī, bookable at the kiosk).
- Let a local show-off where they live! Dan’s lead tour guide is Jeffrey, he was born and raised on the big island of Hawaiʻi and moved to Oʻahu in 2010 to attend the University of Hawaiʻi in Manoa.
| SPECIAL OFFER: Waikīkī Beach Stays readers get a 10% discount off The Real Hawaiʻi 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. |
Happy vacation planning! If you have a pressing question about your upcoming trip to Hawaiʻi – simply reply to this email and we’ll do our best to help you out.
Warmest Aloha,
Ash & Keliʻi
[email protected]
Destination
- 343,204 cases of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi to-date. Daily average cases 148 island-wide (103 Oʻahu, 17 Maui County, 10 Kauaʻi, 18 Hawaiʻi Island).
- The Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau offers an Official Visitors Guide to The Hawaiian Islands, it’s a great free resource for travelers.
Accommodation
- Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach has launched a revamped gym FitWaikiki, wellness center Spa Uilani and a new Makana Lani, a Dining Experience.
- Halekulani Hotel has reopened it’s House Without A Key open-air restaurant and added a new shaded pool bar called EARL’s. This is a premier destination for sunset hour with live Hawaiian music and traditional hula performances daily.
| HOTEL SPOTLIGHT: The Surfjack Hotel Each month we’ll highlight one of Waikīkī’s best hotels.  The Surfjack Hotel is a trendy, dog-friendly boutique hotel. Designed in collaboration with Hawaiʻi creatives, this property has a vintage-meets-beach-culture aesthetic. There are over 100 bungalow rooms and one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, catering to occupancy of up to eight guests. Set a few blocks back from the beach, the private balconies come with city views. The ‘Wish You Were Here!’ tiled pool is the hotel’s heart. It hosts an adult swim time (Daily, 6-9pm), live music (Daily, 6:30-9pm) and Aqua Zumba (Fridays, 10-11am). Mahina & Sun’s restaurant and bar have a menu highlighted by local ingredients, and Banks Journal retail shop doubles as a gourmet coffee bar. Currently, stays at The Surfjack Hotel include complimentary off-site self-parking and no amenity fee (subject to change). They also allow a late 12-noon checkout. Need we say more? Check reviews on tripadvisor.com and prices on hotels.com. |
Transport
- Biki Stop #324 Waikīkī (Kānekapōlei & Kūhiō) was installed outside of Lilia Waikīkī. If you plan on using Biki, Honolulu’s bikeshare system, download the BPSC App.
Activities
- With Halloween around the corner, it’s a great time to highlight some of the best ghost tours on Oʻahu guided by Lopaka Kapanui, Hawaiʻi’s famous ghost guy!
- Elvis fans have the opportunity to join Kathleen King’s unique Oʻahu Elvis Tour in Honolulu. Find out why Hawaiʻi loved Elvis, and why Elvis loved Hawaiʻi.
- For a lei making class with a twist, try an Eco Mindful Lei beach workshop including meditation to get into a flow state and making flower lei in a sustainable way.
- Keiki Republic, an indoor playground for children, has opened in Windward Mall.
- For do-it-yourself GPS Audio Tours, download the Shaka Guide Oʻahu app. You can plug your earphones into your cellphone and take yourself on the Heart of Waikīkī Walking Tour. If you’re hiring a car on Oʻahu, check out the self-drive itineraries including the East Oʻahu Shoreline Drive and Grand Circle Island Tour.
- 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
- Camado Ramen Tavern, a modern ramen house, has opened at Waikīkī’s Aqua Oasis Hotel. The menu features noodles, izakaya dishes, cocktails and shave ice.
- Crackin’ Kitchen has resurfaced at International Market Place. Try Hawaiian-Cajun seafood in a fun atmosphere where eating with your hands is part of the experience!
- The Seaside is a cool little seafood and wine spot in Waikīkī. Feast on fresh oysters, New England clam chowder, cioppino, poke and more. Happy Hour is 3-6pm daily.
- Ward Village welcomes three Japanese eateries in the old Nobu Honolulu space – JINYA Ramen Bar, Robata JINYA and LBD Japanese Bar & Lounge.
- On your next visit to Honolulu Zoo grab a bite at eat at their brand new food and beverage facility, Kapahulu Market. Opening hours are from 10am-3pm daily.
- America’s largest interactive murder mystery dinner show, The Dinner Detective, is now playing in Honolulu! Dine at Buca Di Beppo while you figure out whodunnit.
Shopping
- Pop into the new Broome St. General Store, a luxury convenience store at Royal Hawaiian Center. They carry a range of goods with a focus on local makers.
- Keane Eyes Gallery at International Market Place showcases original artwork by Margaret Keane, the creator of “Big Eyes”. She lived in Honolulu from 1964-1991.
- Cariloha has opened a store in International Market Place. They sell sustainable bedding, bath and apparel made from their luxuriously soft bamboo-viscose fabrics.
Upcoming Events
- Don’t miss Waikīkī Block Festivals, fun events held on Kakālaua Avenue: Waikīkī Fall Festival (8 Oct 2022) and Kalākaua Festival (12 Nov 2022).
- 2022 Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival from 11:30am-6pm at the Waikīkī Shell and Diamond Head Greens (15 Oct 2022). With two stages of great entertainment, food, music, community booths and more, itʻs an event for everyone!
- JaRule & Ashanti at Aloha Tower Marketplace (22 Oct 2022).
- 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 17-19 Oct, 16-18 Nov & 15-17 Dec 2022 have a high probability of a box jellyfish arrival event.
- For a comprehensive list of Oʻahu Events by Month, click here.
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