Category: Hawaii

Taking a North Shore Day-Trip-Oahu-Hawaii

Waikiki is walkable. This is our dilemma. A car is not needed for our stay on Oahu. Parking in Waikiki is scarce, difficult, and expensive. We want, however, to experience some activities beyond Waikiki. Though taking a guided tour is a great option, we’d rather visit sites on our own timeline. Solution, rent a car…
Visiting Waimea Valley-Without Swimming in the Waterfall-Oahu-Hawaii

The sun sparkles between openings in the dense trees. The sky is a vibrant blue. Small cloud puffs float lazily across the sky. The vibrant green, Waimea Valley, rises up on all sides. We set out on the main path. Our first goal, visit Waimea Valley’s most touristic feature, the waterfall. Reading reviews pre-trip, I…
Matsumoto Shave Ice-Hawaii’s Best Shave Ice-Oahu

Though known for my ice cream enthusiasm, I am also a fan of shave ice. While traveling around Hawaii, our plan, try as many icy treats as possible. As I research, I learn no shave ice tour is complete without visiting Hawaii’s most famous shave ice shop, Matsumoto Shave Ice. Matsumoto Shave Ice is located…
Eating At Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck-North Shore-Oahu, Hawaii

We pause. It’s no secret that Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is popular, but this is the longest line for a food truck we’ve seen. Bodies start at the window, wrap around the tables, and then spread along the parking lot’s perimeter. This is one of the top things-to-do on Oahu’s North Shore, and we are in…
Hiking Diamond Head in Hawaii

It’s the reward for hiking Diamond Head State Monument. An awe-inspiring view. The blue water stretches to infinity. A woman lines a group of tween boys against the railing. She works to catch her breath as she exclaims, “Wow, what a hike! Are you guys tired?” One of the boy’s eyes sparkling with wonder, replies,…
Visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial-Hawaii

Pearl Harbor National Memorial, is the most visited tourist attraction, in Hawaii. There are numerous National Park designations, including Historic Sites, Historic Parks, and National Monuments. Visiting a National Memorial, has a distinct feel. Two and half weeks in Hawaii, on three different islands, takes a lot of logistical planning. We need to figure out…
Visiting The Dole Pineapple Plantation-Hawaii

We collapse in the car with a sigh of relief. We knew Hawaii’s Dole Pineapple Plantation, would be crowded, but it was a special level of crowded. Still, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a true, original, Dole Whip. A visit to this popular, Hawaii, tourist attraction, is obligatory, and we are Obligatory…
Visiting Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park-Hawaii

The group of women slip past the sign for Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. The ladies walk the sand path with purpose. Tote bags hang from their shoulders. Blankets are secured under their arms. One woman carries a box piled with interesting cargo. The dense vegetation on either side of the path, opens to reveal a…
Eating on The Big Island-Hawaii

While Eating on The Big Island in Hawaii, we encounter a most genius form of marketing. We are reviewing the menu in Ona Loa Grill’s window. There are two, local, older gentlemen sitting at an outdoor table.“Are you thinking about eating here?”“We are. We haven’t had loco moco yet, so we are looking for a…