Honolulu (+ Oahu)

I love the word HONOLULU - it just nicely rolls off the tongue, it’s still kinda exotic, yet familiar. I haven’t been for a few years now, so this is more Bucket “Wish” List than anything - however got to start planning my next trip; SAND, SURF, SUN, BABES + Spam Sushi all beckon… Even though there are some classics on my list that I’m looking forward to revisiting, the food/shopping/culture scene has really exploded over the last few year with lots new to czech out. ALOHA BABY!

I was hoping to stopover here in the Fall on my way to Asia (doesn’t look like its gonna happen however - ah the life of a business owner), regardless - I am seriously missing the “Gathering Place” far too much… sigh.

MY OAHU LIST

its far, however considering the distance - there are a good amount of flights from all over North America thanks to Hawaii’s popularity.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/home.html flies daily from Vancouver, with Calgary flights during the winter only.

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/home.shtml also has daily flights from Vancouver, with flights from Calgary and Victoria in winter.

other than that, all the major US Airlines fly from major Canadian cities via their respective gateways (i.e. United via Chicago, American via Dallas, Delta via Atlanta, etc…)

http://www.hawaiianairlines.com/ offers really fabulous airfares and they are by far the best US Airline (only one still serving inflight meals) however if you are coming from Canada you have to make your way to one of their 11 US mainland stations. (hint: their new NYC, JFK nonstop is the best value per mile going right now).

SLEEP

Aqua Lotus: http://www.aqualotus.com/ (the former W Hotel) was recently refreshed and is going for a Bali meets Hawaii feel/look.

The Modern: http://www.themodernhonolulu.com/ is the first “serious” designer hotel to hit the island, with Ian Schrager (long gone) part of it’s conception.

Renew: http://www.hotelrenew.com/ a 70s era hotel restyled as a clean and simple boutique style.

Stay Hotel Waikiki: http://www.stayhotelwaikiki.com/ is going for the cool budget crowd. and surfers apparently.

Waikiki Parc: http://www.waikikiparc.com/ sister hotel to the 5 star Halekulani Hotel. Location of the famous Nobu restaurant.

EAT/DRINK

Bruno’s Forno: http://www.brunosforno.com/

Kalapawai Cafe: http://www.kalapawaimarket.com/section/cafe/

Kua ‘Aina Burger: http://www.kua-aina.com/ is a cult burger shop on the North Shore that has a GIANT following in Japan.

Lucky Belly: http://www.facebook.com/LuckyBelly

Manifest: http://manifesthawaii.com/ a modern coffee shop

Morimoto: http://www.morimotowaikiki.com/ the iron chef

Next Door: http://nextdoorhnl.com/

Nobu: http://www.noburestaurants.com/waikiki/experience/introduction/

Otto Cake: http://www.ottocake.com/

Romy’s: http://www.romyskahukuprawns.org/

Salt: http://salthonolulu.com/

Sansei: http://www.sanseihawaii.com/

Side Street Inn: http://sidestreetinn.com/

Ted’s Bakery: http://www.tedsbakery.com/

The Dragon Upstairs: http://thedragonupstairs.com/

Tokkuri Tei: http://tokkuri-tei.com/

Town: http://www.townkaimuki.com/

SHOP/STUFF

Fish Cake: http://www.fishcake.us/home.html

Hound & Quail: http://houndandquail.com/

Mojo Barbershop & Social Club: http://mojobarbershop.com/

Thirty Nine Hotel: http://www.thirtyninehotel.com/index_flash.html

TIPS

http://www.toursbylocals.com/honolulu for a historic rickshaw tour thru Chinatown and old Honolulu.

http://fluxhawaii.com/ an arts and culture mag/blog based in Oahu.

ANY ONE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD????? ;-) #thanks

images via our lucidity, sylvia vale, modern honolulu, manifest, surf shack, lucky belly, salt honolulu, fishcake, j. ron chang*

Notes

  1. kotabear01 reblogged this from therealbohemian
  2. migdaliaxo reblogged this from therealbohemian and added:
    I can’t wait to go back!
  3. therealbohemian posted this