SUMMARY:
Hard to summarize a week in Hawaii, but let's just say we needed another holiday after this one! Lots of hikes, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, and eating. We also took in the culture of the Polynesian Cultural Center and history of Pearl Harbor. Bucketlist destination for anyone for sure! Great mix of active adventures, scenery, wildlife, and relaxation.
Hard to summarize a week in Hawaii, but let's just say we needed another holiday after this one! Lots of hikes, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, and eating. We also took in the culture of the Polynesian Cultural Center and history of Pearl Harbor. Bucketlist destination for anyone for sure! Great mix of active adventures, scenery, wildlife, and relaxation.
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Winter in Southern Alberta get's really old, really fast! After the excitement from Christmas wears off, February is a perfect time to get the heck out and visit someplace warm.
My wife and I, along with one of our closest couple friends, Erin and Brian, flew to Oahu's North Shore for 8 days and stayed in a vacation rental near the Town of Haleiwa. The beach was in sight of our apartment and a 3 minute walk (or usually for me, a 1 minute run).
We love staying in vacation rentals for a few reasons: has more character than a hotel, a lot more comfortable with more space, has all the amenities available as a house - which allows you to cook and save money, usually comes with bonus items like toys, beach gear, etc, and it's nice to split the cost with another couple, allowing you to hang out in the evenings.
We kept to Mountain Standard Time in order to get the most out of our stay, which I highly recommend. We would be out the door by 5 or 6 A.M. each day (which felt like 9 or 10) This would allow us to drive to our first destination in time to watch the sun rise on the way or when we got there, and would also beat the crowds. We'd also be hungrier earlier too, so we'd beat the crowds for food at lunch and supper time.
We packed so much in during the week we were there it's kind of a blur of when we did what, so instead of going through everything chronologically, I'm going to break things up into 4 main categories: Water, Hiking, Sight Seeing, and Food. Click the links below in gold for some more info from other sites we found and some of my videos from our trip!.
WATER:
- Sharks Cove:
Don't be scared by the name. Sharks cove is a perfect place to learn how to snorkel for the first time. There are rocks surrounding the entire place, which makes the water quite calm and there's a huge variety of different types of fish. When we first started walking into the water, we were wondering where all the fish were. It's deceiving though, because as soon as we put our heads in the water, there were dozens of fish swimming all around us!
- Hanuama Bay
This was our first sight to see the morning after we got to Hawaii. We were eager to get going and we'd heard that if you get there early enough, you can get in for free. We got there when it was still dark, and were some of the handful of people who took advantage of that. The previous day we were told that it was closed for the first time that year because of rough water. Luckily it the coast guard decided it was safe enough that day to open. The bad news, however, was that the water was quite murky, which made it difficult to see very far. Also, we were in such a rush to get going, 2 of the snorkels were left at the apartment! We made the best of it and just took turns. We ended up relaxing on the beach quite a bit, away from the crowds, and since we were there so early, as soon as it started getting busy, we'd had our fill and moved on to our next destination for the day!
- Electric Beach
We were told that if you head to this beach early in the morning and swim way out to the end of where the pipe from the electrical plant emits warm water, you'll have a high chance of seeing dolphins! We did as instructed, found the beach, got our gear on, and headed out. There were some other people already heading back to shore. They told us that they'd seen 3 (harmless) white-tipped reef sharks, but no dolphins! Still optimistic (and a bit on edge at the thought of sharks) we kept swimming out. No luck with the dolphins, but we did see a sea turtle and tons of fish swimming around the warm water at the end of the large pipe on the ocean floor. It was a fun adventure nonetheless and it was cool to say that we actually did it.
- Surfing
This was a must to try in Hawaii. We found an awesome deal on Groupon for a private lesson for 4 from Blue Rush Surf School. We met the guy in a parking lot after rushing back from our early morning Kaena Point hike. As we pulled into the parking lot, we saw a tall, blonde, shaggy-haired surfer dude with a beat up truck and surfboards on top, and knew that had to be him! Surfing is a lot harder than it looks! My wife and I regularly wake surf and wakeboard in the summer, but this is not the same, and we struggled. Our friends though, who would admit that they are not the typical athletic, surfer type, were naturals! In fact, Erin never wiped out once the entire time! After the hour lesson was over, my neck and arms were so sore from paddling. If you want to try surfing, I'd definitely recommend doing a lesson first. You'll waste less time, and you'll have more success as well! We also got to watch a Volcom Surf Competition on Pipeline beach! It was so cool just to walk onto the beach with cameras, announcers, and people watching this super popular surf competition.
- Catamaran Boat Ride
This was a birthday surprise for our friend Erin on our last day in Hawaii. We found a Groupon deal for an hour long catamaran ride off the beach of Waikiki. After spending our holiday mostly around the laid back North Shore, never having to worry about parking, we were in a bit of shock coming to the busy streets of Waikiki. We searched and searched for parking near by and finally had to pay about $40 for a parking garage like 1000 blocks away from the beach and run as fast as we could to catch the boat! Once we were on the boat, we could relax and the rest of the time was awesome! Heading out the ocean was fun as the waves would splash up through the netting. Once we were out there, we had a beautiful view of the skyline of Waikiki and Diamond Head nearby. They even stopped the boat and asked if people wanted to jump off. For some reason they looked at me to initiate the jumping, which I gladly accepted!
HIKING:
- Makapu'u Lighthouse/Tide Pools
So we started doing this hike with the intention of going to the top to check out the Lighthouse. It's a very wide, paved path with a gradual incline with some beautiful ocean views (keep your eyes open for whales). As we started getting closer to the top, I looked to the right, down the steep rocky shore, and waaaay down at the bottom there were people!? I suddenly realized these were the tide pools I'd read about! So we ended up abandoning the rest of the lighthouse hike and began carefully making the descent to the ocean. If I hadn't read about it before, I would've thought it was crazy. There are white arrows marking the best path, which helped out a lot. Make sure you have sturdy shoes on, because it's very rocky and uneven. It deceivingly far, probably took us around 45 mins to get down. We stayed down there for an hour or two, watching the waves crash, covering the tide pools, and causing the blowholes to shoot up every 30 seconds or so. Some little, some huge! There was something very refreshing about it. If you're looking for a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience, definitely check this one out! And yes, we even saw a pair of humpback whales to top it all off!
- Manoa Falls
Some scenes from Jurassic Park were filmed here. That being said, I can see why they chose it. Hiking through a lush, green forest with bamboo, huge trees, and streams throughout was a dream. Finding the parking lot was a bit confusing, but there are many blogs that will point you in the right direction. The actual hike is fairly short and quite easy. Only about 1.6km round trip, so plan for around 2 hours. All ages and skill levels should be fine. We were lucky that it was rainy that day, it added to the whole experience and made the waterfall at the end bigger as well! We also heard good things about the Lyon Arboretum, but it was closed already by the time we finished the hike. Next time!
- Ehukai Pillbox Hike
This hike is an alternative to more popular pillbox hikes around the island, but still really cool! It's also known as Sunset Pillbox Hike and right across the street from Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach). The trail starts from the Sunset Elementary school parking lot. It's a short, somewhat steep, 30 minute hike to the top. It gives beautiful views of the ocean and make sure to be on the lookout for whales, we saw a ton! At the top, there is an old, cement military bunker (pill box) that you can go inside and stand on the top of. We heard that there is another if you go further, but it's on private land, so we opted to stay. If you're already on the North Shore and want a break from the beach, I'd recommend checking this hike out!
- Kaena Point
This was probably one of my favorite hikes of our trip, but you'll want to make sure you have enough time to enjoy it. It's 9.5 km round trip, and you'll spend lots of time checking out the shoreline, looking for shells, critters, and other sea life like whales and seals. We woke up very early in the morning and started hiking when it was still dark. It takes to you along the coastline to the island's most North Westerly point. If you go early, you'll avoid the crowds, which makes it a lot more peaceful. The point at the end is actually an albatross bird sanctuary, so you'll see lots of large white birds resting all over the place. We saw lots of whales along the way as well as a few seals lounging on the beach at the end of the trail. We had to rush back because we had scheduled a surf lesson, so that was a bit stressful. If you're looking for a long, flat hike with lots of wildlife, this is the one for you.
- Kapena Falls
You'll find this trail near the back end of a cemetery in Honolulu. It was pouring rain when we got there and we'd come to the place as described. We thought we were in the wrong place because all we could see was a groundskeeper shop with equipment all over the place. I asked the groundskeeper where the hike was and he told me it was just to the left of the shop. Sure enough, we found the trail and immediately were taken into a lush, green, rain forest with huge boulders and a rushing stream. It was so cool! The hike was not very long at all, less than a km. The falls at the end are more of a steep stream flowing into a large pond. It was one of the smaller hikes we did, but it was a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon in Hawaii!
SIGHT SEEING:
- Polynesian Cultural Center
If you want to really learn about the culture and history of Polynesia and feel like a native, you have to see this place! People from all over the world visit here and is one of the top rated attractions on the island. We loved our time here. Be sure to stay for the night show as well, you won't regret it! Here's a little video of some highlights while we were there. Check out the other's on my YouTube Channel!
- Pearl Harbor
Such a sobering place to visit. The memorials tell stories of every day people and their connection to the war. You'll get taken back to the 1930's and 1940's and learn about the history and events leading up and during the war.
- Haleiwa
Old surfing Town on the North Shore. Lots of cool little shops for food, clothes, and souvenirs. We stayed just a few miles from here, so we visited or drove through quite often. Stores close early, so don't expect do to much shopping after 5:00pm (at the latest).
- Waikiki
Didn't spend a ton of time here, but be prepared to get there early for parking or else pay an arm and a leg. Feels very touristy and like a large city. There's every chain store you can think of. I'd probably describe it like a coastal Las Vegas. Something to see, but I'd recommend staying away as much as possible.
FOOD:
- 7 Brothers
Huge, tasty burgers! Probably one of the best I've ever had. Only 2 locations on the island; one in Laie and one just outside. If you're in that area, plan to eat there!
- Matsumoto's Shave Ice
The go-to Shave Ice on the island (probably more about the name though than the actual shave ice). I don't have much to compare to, but we were actually really impressed with it. Large portion for a reasonable price. We shared the large with ice cream and beans. A pretty weird combination, but actually tastes really good!
- Killer Tacos
This was recommended by Matt, our surf instructor. Huge portions, for pretty cheap, and SUUUPER tasty! We actually went there twice it was so good! That says a lot, because usually I'm one to want to try something new for every meal on holidays. Taco salads, burritos, fish tacos, etc. Good Mexican food!
- Ted's Bakery
We had to try spam while in Hawaii, so this was the place. We got a huge plate lunch, which included the spam, but also teriyaki chicken, shrimp, macaroni salad, and rice. It's a very popular place on the north shore, so try and go during non-peak hours to avoid waiting in line. There's also tons of bakery items to try too (obviously), so save room for dessert!
- Leonard's Bakery
Another popular bakery, this one just outside of Waikiki. We almost missed our catamaran ride to check this place out. It's specifically known for their malasada's (portugese donuts), so you at least gotta try those. They're melt-in-your-mouth, deep-fried, cream-filled, sugar-coated, goodness!
My wife and I, along with one of our closest couple friends, Erin and Brian, flew to Oahu's North Shore for 8 days and stayed in a vacation rental near the Town of Haleiwa. The beach was in sight of our apartment and a 3 minute walk (or usually for me, a 1 minute run).
We love staying in vacation rentals for a few reasons: has more character than a hotel, a lot more comfortable with more space, has all the amenities available as a house - which allows you to cook and save money, usually comes with bonus items like toys, beach gear, etc, and it's nice to split the cost with another couple, allowing you to hang out in the evenings.
We kept to Mountain Standard Time in order to get the most out of our stay, which I highly recommend. We would be out the door by 5 or 6 A.M. each day (which felt like 9 or 10) This would allow us to drive to our first destination in time to watch the sun rise on the way or when we got there, and would also beat the crowds. We'd also be hungrier earlier too, so we'd beat the crowds for food at lunch and supper time.
We packed so much in during the week we were there it's kind of a blur of when we did what, so instead of going through everything chronologically, I'm going to break things up into 4 main categories: Water, Hiking, Sight Seeing, and Food. Click the links below in gold for some more info from other sites we found and some of my videos from our trip!.
WATER:
- Sharks Cove:
Don't be scared by the name. Sharks cove is a perfect place to learn how to snorkel for the first time. There are rocks surrounding the entire place, which makes the water quite calm and there's a huge variety of different types of fish. When we first started walking into the water, we were wondering where all the fish were. It's deceiving though, because as soon as we put our heads in the water, there were dozens of fish swimming all around us!
- Hanuama Bay
This was our first sight to see the morning after we got to Hawaii. We were eager to get going and we'd heard that if you get there early enough, you can get in for free. We got there when it was still dark, and were some of the handful of people who took advantage of that. The previous day we were told that it was closed for the first time that year because of rough water. Luckily it the coast guard decided it was safe enough that day to open. The bad news, however, was that the water was quite murky, which made it difficult to see very far. Also, we were in such a rush to get going, 2 of the snorkels were left at the apartment! We made the best of it and just took turns. We ended up relaxing on the beach quite a bit, away from the crowds, and since we were there so early, as soon as it started getting busy, we'd had our fill and moved on to our next destination for the day!
- Electric Beach
We were told that if you head to this beach early in the morning and swim way out to the end of where the pipe from the electrical plant emits warm water, you'll have a high chance of seeing dolphins! We did as instructed, found the beach, got our gear on, and headed out. There were some other people already heading back to shore. They told us that they'd seen 3 (harmless) white-tipped reef sharks, but no dolphins! Still optimistic (and a bit on edge at the thought of sharks) we kept swimming out. No luck with the dolphins, but we did see a sea turtle and tons of fish swimming around the warm water at the end of the large pipe on the ocean floor. It was a fun adventure nonetheless and it was cool to say that we actually did it.
- Surfing
This was a must to try in Hawaii. We found an awesome deal on Groupon for a private lesson for 4 from Blue Rush Surf School. We met the guy in a parking lot after rushing back from our early morning Kaena Point hike. As we pulled into the parking lot, we saw a tall, blonde, shaggy-haired surfer dude with a beat up truck and surfboards on top, and knew that had to be him! Surfing is a lot harder than it looks! My wife and I regularly wake surf and wakeboard in the summer, but this is not the same, and we struggled. Our friends though, who would admit that they are not the typical athletic, surfer type, were naturals! In fact, Erin never wiped out once the entire time! After the hour lesson was over, my neck and arms were so sore from paddling. If you want to try surfing, I'd definitely recommend doing a lesson first. You'll waste less time, and you'll have more success as well! We also got to watch a Volcom Surf Competition on Pipeline beach! It was so cool just to walk onto the beach with cameras, announcers, and people watching this super popular surf competition.
- Catamaran Boat Ride
This was a birthday surprise for our friend Erin on our last day in Hawaii. We found a Groupon deal for an hour long catamaran ride off the beach of Waikiki. After spending our holiday mostly around the laid back North Shore, never having to worry about parking, we were in a bit of shock coming to the busy streets of Waikiki. We searched and searched for parking near by and finally had to pay about $40 for a parking garage like 1000 blocks away from the beach and run as fast as we could to catch the boat! Once we were on the boat, we could relax and the rest of the time was awesome! Heading out the ocean was fun as the waves would splash up through the netting. Once we were out there, we had a beautiful view of the skyline of Waikiki and Diamond Head nearby. They even stopped the boat and asked if people wanted to jump off. For some reason they looked at me to initiate the jumping, which I gladly accepted!
HIKING:
- Makapu'u Lighthouse/Tide Pools
So we started doing this hike with the intention of going to the top to check out the Lighthouse. It's a very wide, paved path with a gradual incline with some beautiful ocean views (keep your eyes open for whales). As we started getting closer to the top, I looked to the right, down the steep rocky shore, and waaaay down at the bottom there were people!? I suddenly realized these were the tide pools I'd read about! So we ended up abandoning the rest of the lighthouse hike and began carefully making the descent to the ocean. If I hadn't read about it before, I would've thought it was crazy. There are white arrows marking the best path, which helped out a lot. Make sure you have sturdy shoes on, because it's very rocky and uneven. It deceivingly far, probably took us around 45 mins to get down. We stayed down there for an hour or two, watching the waves crash, covering the tide pools, and causing the blowholes to shoot up every 30 seconds or so. Some little, some huge! There was something very refreshing about it. If you're looking for a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience, definitely check this one out! And yes, we even saw a pair of humpback whales to top it all off!
- Manoa Falls
Some scenes from Jurassic Park were filmed here. That being said, I can see why they chose it. Hiking through a lush, green forest with bamboo, huge trees, and streams throughout was a dream. Finding the parking lot was a bit confusing, but there are many blogs that will point you in the right direction. The actual hike is fairly short and quite easy. Only about 1.6km round trip, so plan for around 2 hours. All ages and skill levels should be fine. We were lucky that it was rainy that day, it added to the whole experience and made the waterfall at the end bigger as well! We also heard good things about the Lyon Arboretum, but it was closed already by the time we finished the hike. Next time!
- Ehukai Pillbox Hike
This hike is an alternative to more popular pillbox hikes around the island, but still really cool! It's also known as Sunset Pillbox Hike and right across the street from Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach). The trail starts from the Sunset Elementary school parking lot. It's a short, somewhat steep, 30 minute hike to the top. It gives beautiful views of the ocean and make sure to be on the lookout for whales, we saw a ton! At the top, there is an old, cement military bunker (pill box) that you can go inside and stand on the top of. We heard that there is another if you go further, but it's on private land, so we opted to stay. If you're already on the North Shore and want a break from the beach, I'd recommend checking this hike out!
- Kaena Point
This was probably one of my favorite hikes of our trip, but you'll want to make sure you have enough time to enjoy it. It's 9.5 km round trip, and you'll spend lots of time checking out the shoreline, looking for shells, critters, and other sea life like whales and seals. We woke up very early in the morning and started hiking when it was still dark. It takes to you along the coastline to the island's most North Westerly point. If you go early, you'll avoid the crowds, which makes it a lot more peaceful. The point at the end is actually an albatross bird sanctuary, so you'll see lots of large white birds resting all over the place. We saw lots of whales along the way as well as a few seals lounging on the beach at the end of the trail. We had to rush back because we had scheduled a surf lesson, so that was a bit stressful. If you're looking for a long, flat hike with lots of wildlife, this is the one for you.
- Kapena Falls
You'll find this trail near the back end of a cemetery in Honolulu. It was pouring rain when we got there and we'd come to the place as described. We thought we were in the wrong place because all we could see was a groundskeeper shop with equipment all over the place. I asked the groundskeeper where the hike was and he told me it was just to the left of the shop. Sure enough, we found the trail and immediately were taken into a lush, green, rain forest with huge boulders and a rushing stream. It was so cool! The hike was not very long at all, less than a km. The falls at the end are more of a steep stream flowing into a large pond. It was one of the smaller hikes we did, but it was a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon in Hawaii!
SIGHT SEEING:
- Polynesian Cultural Center
If you want to really learn about the culture and history of Polynesia and feel like a native, you have to see this place! People from all over the world visit here and is one of the top rated attractions on the island. We loved our time here. Be sure to stay for the night show as well, you won't regret it! Here's a little video of some highlights while we were there. Check out the other's on my YouTube Channel!
- Pearl Harbor
Such a sobering place to visit. The memorials tell stories of every day people and their connection to the war. You'll get taken back to the 1930's and 1940's and learn about the history and events leading up and during the war.
- Haleiwa
Old surfing Town on the North Shore. Lots of cool little shops for food, clothes, and souvenirs. We stayed just a few miles from here, so we visited or drove through quite often. Stores close early, so don't expect do to much shopping after 5:00pm (at the latest).
- Waikiki
Didn't spend a ton of time here, but be prepared to get there early for parking or else pay an arm and a leg. Feels very touristy and like a large city. There's every chain store you can think of. I'd probably describe it like a coastal Las Vegas. Something to see, but I'd recommend staying away as much as possible.
FOOD:
- 7 Brothers
Huge, tasty burgers! Probably one of the best I've ever had. Only 2 locations on the island; one in Laie and one just outside. If you're in that area, plan to eat there!
- Matsumoto's Shave Ice
The go-to Shave Ice on the island (probably more about the name though than the actual shave ice). I don't have much to compare to, but we were actually really impressed with it. Large portion for a reasonable price. We shared the large with ice cream and beans. A pretty weird combination, but actually tastes really good!
- Killer Tacos
This was recommended by Matt, our surf instructor. Huge portions, for pretty cheap, and SUUUPER tasty! We actually went there twice it was so good! That says a lot, because usually I'm one to want to try something new for every meal on holidays. Taco salads, burritos, fish tacos, etc. Good Mexican food!
- Ted's Bakery
We had to try spam while in Hawaii, so this was the place. We got a huge plate lunch, which included the spam, but also teriyaki chicken, shrimp, macaroni salad, and rice. It's a very popular place on the north shore, so try and go during non-peak hours to avoid waiting in line. There's also tons of bakery items to try too (obviously), so save room for dessert!
- Leonard's Bakery
Another popular bakery, this one just outside of Waikiki. We almost missed our catamaran ride to check this place out. It's specifically known for their malasada's (portugese donuts), so you at least gotta try those. They're melt-in-your-mouth, deep-fried, cream-filled, sugar-coated, goodness!