As a first time visitor to Hawaii you may be surprised by the popularity of SPAM. Not the annoying email type spam, but the odd ham substance that has to be coaxed out of its can like jello from a mold. If you're not familiar, SPAM is a trademarked canned meat product that is a mixture of pork shoulder, ham, sugar and salt. It was first introduced to the Hawaiian islands by American soldiers during World War II when the manufacturer provided cans to American and Allied troops. Not needing refrigeration made it a portable meat that was useful food source during the war. This was … [Read more...]
Oahu Sunsets
Oahu, Beyond Waikiki Beach
Snorkel at Hanauma Bay Hanauma Bay is one of Oahu’s biggest attractions. It attracts huge crowds of snorkelers, so be prepared to share the water. It is a crescent shaped bay that is partially protected from the open ocean. The clear and shallow waters make it perfect for snorkeling. The fish in the bay are so used to people you will be continually surrounded by them. Watch Free Fireworks On The Beach Near The Hawaii Hilton Every Friday evening the Hawaii Hilton puts on a free fireworks show on Waikiki Beach. It begins at 7:45pm and lasts for approximately ten minutes. You can see … [Read more...]
Catching Waves On Oahu’s North Shore
Visiting Oahu's North Shore is a must on any vacation to the island. This area is home to some of the most epic and dangerous waves in the world. One of the most famous spots is known as the Banzai Pipeline. It can be a little tricky to find, it's located at Ehukai Beach which is north of the little own of Haleiwa between Sunset Beach Park and Waimea Beach Park. Look for Sunset Beach Elementary School on the mountain side of the Kamehameha Highway. The small parking lot for Ehukai Beach is located across the street. You will know if the waves are good, the parking lot will be full. If you … [Read more...]
Good Food While On A Budget In Waikiki
The selection of cafes and restaurants in Waikiki is endless. It seems you wouldn't be able to throw a stick without hitting one. The prices can be high, but if you search around there are some cheaper options to be found. We had ate on a few occasions at the food court of the Ala Moana Mall. The vendors in the large Makai Food Court offer a range of food choices. We had tasty and inexpensive Mahi Mahi burger at the Cheeseburger Factory. At another nearby stall we were able to build our own salads. In addition to the food court there are several restaurants throughout the … [Read more...]
A Rewarding Hike Up Diamond Head Crater
Diamond Head Trail is a hike that really pays off in the view department. There's not many places in the world where you get to hike in a crater and up to its rim. The trail is a winding set of switch backs that takes you to the top of a 760 foot summit. It is considered a moderate climb, something most people can accomplish if you set a slow pace. It takes the average person between 40 to 60 minutes to reach the summit and half the time for the return trip down. There are uneven and rocky sections, so flip flops are probably not the best footwear. … [Read more...]
Pearl Harbour
It Would Feel Like An Incomplete Visit to Oahu Without Seeing Pearl Harbour It is the number one visitor attraction in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor is located on the south coast of Oahu. It is a United States National Historic Landmark. It is famous for being the target of a surprise attack by Japanese fighter planes on December 7, 1941. … [Read more...]
Byodo-In Buddhist Temple
Byodo-In Temple Information And Location The Byodo-In Temple is an exact scale replica of a 900 year old Fuji temple in Japan. It was built in the 1960's to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants that arrived in Hawaii. The entire temple was built with out the use of nails. We enjoyed walking around the grounds surrounding the temple. They were very tranquil and picturesque. There are ponds full of huge Koi Fish. We noticed a few cats sitting around the water edge captivated by them. It was as if they were almost in a trance like state staring at them. Inside the temple is a Buddha … [Read more...]
Honolulu’s Chinatown, Iolani Palace And Aloha Tower
Once you get to this section of Honolulu there are many attractions with in walking distance of each other. You can easily spend half a day or longer depending on what you would like to see in the area. Exploring Downtown Honolulu Website Chinatown Honolulu's Chinatown dates back to the 1800's. Some of the original architecture is still standing today. It's well worth spending a few hours checking out the area. There are many places to eat truly authentic Chinese Food. The open air market is full of exotic fruits and vegetables, and live fish to buy fresh out of the tank. The busy … [Read more...]
Our In Inexpensive Waikiki Hotel and Car Rental
We were ending our stay in Hawaii with a week on the island of Oahu. We used our airmiles to book a stay at the Aqua Palms & Spa Hotel. There are many Aqua hotels in in the Waikiki area, we like the particular location of this one. It was at the far end of the Waikiki area, across the street from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This location is out of the main Waikiki hustle and bustle. It is much quieter, yet only blocks away from the beach, main attractions and restaurants in the area. The staff at the hotel were very friendly and extremely helpful in giving us the information we needed … [Read more...]