Oahu, the Gathering Place, is the Hawaiian island that offers something for everyone. Whether you prefer bustling beachfront streets, world class shopping, countryside seclusion, or all of the above, Oahu has it. If you’ve never been to Hawai'i, this is a great place to start. Explore secret spots and hidden gems below.
Whether staying at the North Shore’s Turtle Bay Resort (is it worth it?) or visiting the property for the day (here’s how) curiosity eventually strikes as you ask yourself “what’s after Turtle Bay Resort?”. There are two different ways to approach the answer to this question. The easy route is to assume that you’re referring to what you’ll find when …
Continue reading
Malasadas may be of Portuguese origin, but the pastry became a go-to delicacy in Hawaii soon after they were introduced in 1878 by laborers from Madeira and the Azores. That’s the extent of the history lesson today. After all, you already know what they are given that you’re searching for the best malasadas in Waikiki. It wasn’t that long ago …
Continue reading
Visitors most often inquire about safety when it comes to Waianae and Makaha on the west side of the island. It’s a justified question. However, given the legends and lore surrounding the northernmost region, a number of prospective tourists are asking “is the North Shore of Oahu safe?“. Yes, it is. That being said, there are some things you need …
Continue reading
The North Shore’s Waialua has the iconic Sugar Mill and its surrounding shaper studios. Haleiwa Town has lots of shopping and dining. Pupukea has Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach. But what about the North Shore’s most eastern community? What’s there to do aside from spending the day at Turtle Bay Resort? Whether planning a day trip or you’re shacked-up in …
Continue reading
There is no shortage of hotels and resorts on the most visited island of the Hawaiian archipelago. However, despite having a minimum of 71 properties and 27,318 units available per annum there isn’t much to differentiate them from one another when it comes to your particular tastes. Instead, you’re online and searching “unique places to stay Oahu” because you desire an …
Continue reading
Obscured from view from Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku on the North Shore of Oahu, is what may be the purest definition of a hidden gem. Malaekahana is a beautiful crescent moon shaped beach that is camouflaged by slight hills, brush, and trees. The sand is a powdery beige and the water is the color you expect from an isolated island …
Continue reading
You’re on a whirlwind cruise through the Hawaiian Islands and the ship is scheduled to dock at Pier 2 or Pier 11 on Oahu for 36-hours or so. You’ve got time to explore, but you don’t want to venture too far from the comforts of your floating hotel. You can obviously type “what’s near honolulu cruise ship terminal” and watch …
Continue reading
Two of the best known resorts on Oahu are on polar opposite sides of the island. It’s their respective renown that constantly pits them against one another, even though they couldn’t be further apart. This leaves visitors from around the world confused about which they should choose for their next vacation. Thankfully, you’ve come to the one homegrown resource that …
Continue reading
Kualoa Ranch on the windward side of Oahu has a total of 17 tours. Some are great, while others can be done without paying a penny. The most popular among them is unquestionably the 2.5 hour Jurassic Adventure Tour. Also known as “Jurassic Valley”, the private nature reserve has served as the primary film location for the Jurassic Park franchise …
Continue reading
There’s no place like the North Shore of Oahu. The seven mile miracle wraps up everything that our guide to authentic Hawaii experiences is all about. We have created guides for how to spend a day on the North Shore with or without a car and have dedicated the same for visiting surfers. But what makes the North Shore so …
Continue reading
As your guide to authentic Hawaii, we have made it our mission to support local artisans. However, not all of their wares are found in Oahu’s best galleries. Some are functional works of art that connect people to activities on the island, including those that immerse us in the ocean. Given that you’re online and searching “body surfing hand planes …
Continue reading
Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki Beach? Overcrowded. Waialae Ave in Kaimuki? Overrated. These are two prime examples of Honolulu strips that the Hawai’i Tourism Authority wants to send you to. But there is one unassuming road around the bend of Waikiki that you must spend an afternoon exploring – Kapahulu Avenue. What’s on Kapahula that makes it Honolulu’s most underrated thoroughfare? …
Continue reading
There’s a reason Oahu is one of the most popular places on the planet for proposals, betrothals, weddings, anniversaries, and vow renewals. The island is about as romantic as it gets. However, when people perform an online search for the most romantic places on Oahu they are inundated with Top 5 lists of restaurants, resorts, and pre-arranged tours. Forget all …
Continue reading
The digital world we live in allows us to pack up and work from pretty much anywhere in the world. For the most part that’s a good thing, but it also means we can’t escape our responsibilities when on vacation. The days of setting “out of office” email alerts no longer fly, no matter where you’re flying to. That said, …
Continue reading
You’re coming to Oahu with a plan to get married. You’ve already chosen the right hotel, but when it comes to the nuptials, you have something else in mind. You’re forgoing the hassle and expense of getting married within the gates of a 5-star resort. Instead, you’re opting for the simple perfection of a beach wedding. Doing so is also …
Continue reading
We’re not one to pull punches when it comes to recommending, and not recommending, accommodations on Oahu. We also realize that hotel and resort comparisons can be a contentious topic. Even more so when assessing kid friendly options. Theoretically any large resort with waterslides, three-wheeled aqua-cycles, pedal boats, and onsite children’s wear is tailor-made for parents with tots in tow. …
Continue reading
Secret Island is a hidden peninsula on the windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe. It’s obscured from view by the vegetation that lines the section of Kamehameha Highway, and is deemed inaccessible (to the public) due to its location on the other side of the Moli’i pond. Subsequently, you have likely heard that the only way to get to the …
Continue reading
To be honest, there’s not a lot to do in Makaha for the average visitor. However, curiosity gets the best of those who have seen and done it all on Oahu. Then there’s those who have fallen in the Ko Olina trap and quickly search of an escape, knowing that the island’s wild west is next door and begging to …
Continue reading
If you can afford it, the new and improved Turtle Bay Resort is worth it. However, not everyone can or wants to spend over $700 a night for a standard room, no matter how beautiful it is. That said, you’ve heard great things and have seen all of the movies that were filmed on the property. As a result, you …
Continue reading
Whether it started with Hawaiians or with the Tahitians who originally populated the island, Oahu is the birthplace of surfing as the world knows it. So there must be a dedicated surf museum in Honolulu, right? There was once an official Honolulu Surf Museum (established in 2009) at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel but it closed its doors a few short …
Continue reading
“I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve.” (George Bernard Shaw) With the inception of digital navigational systems, lighthouses may not be as altruistic as they were during George Bernard Shaw’s time. That said, they do continue to serve, even if in a purely aesthetic and historical sense. …
Continue reading
You’re vacationing in the birthplace of surfing. It’s only logical to stay in a hotel that conveys your affinity for the culture and lifestyle. That said, there is no longer a cookie-cutter version of what defines a surfer. The Spicoli-esque image was tossed out with the dishwater years ago. Without a pigeonhole how can we be sure that what’s good …
Continue reading
This is another article that we might ruffle a few feathers with. The first was in regards to the best coffee shops on Oahu, but that topic was debatable in a playful kind of way. Answering a question about visitor safety on the other hand is always contentious. Still, we didn’t shy away from when women across the world asked …
Continue reading
Some people come to Oahu in search of souvenirs. Others comb through the island’s best art galleries to find the perfect artisan craft for their wall or mantle. Then there are the old souls, those who connect with items that have history and carry the mana of an era before. Are you among the latter? Certainly so, as you’re here …
Continue reading
YAHglobal 
