Aloha and welcome to the gorgeous land of Hawaii. Here it doesn’t get better than the island of O’ahu, the most popular and travelled to, which is home to countless attractions and beautiful sights, including the capital of the state, Honolulu. As you embark on this rollercoaster ride of a trip you’ll experience a luau, a volcano’s eruption, and a historical palace, to name a few! Pack your surfboard and get ready to ride the wave to Hawaii!
As you land on the tropical paradise, make your way towards your luxurious hotel to drop off your bags before your first adventure. The Royal Hawaiian Resort is right on the beach of Wakiki, the most renowned on the island. The resort has a quiet and intimate pool, as well as The Helumoa Playground, which has a pool, a water slide, two whirlpool areas, an interactive fountain area, water chaise lounges, and a pool hut. The hotel also has a resort shop, The Abhasa Spa, and four restaurants, including the upscale eatery, Azure. royal-hawaiian.com
Considering your hotel’s convenient location, your first outing should be to Wakiki Beach. The honey colored sand and the tall blue waves make this area a striking sight! Lay out a towel and catch some rays, or sign up for snorkeling at your hotel to observe some marine life like sea turtles and vibrant fish. After taking your time to relax, get your adrenaline pumping at the nearby Diamond Head State Monument, or as the locals call it, Le’ahi. The monument is a huge crater that first came to be about 300,000 years ago. A volcanic eruption caused ash to spray up into the air, and it was so powerful, that the crater was formed. It’s a hiking adventure that you won’t regret, but isn’t for the faint of heart, as it is a 760-foot hike! If you do make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of the deep blue Pacific Ocean. dlnr.hawaii.gov
For a different type of hiking experience, opt for the scenic Manoa Falls, about 5 miles from downtown Honolulu. To get to the wondrous 100-foot-tall waterfall, you first have to trek through the rainforest on a trail. It’s a captivating and exciting hike, and you will be able to see plenty of wildlife and vegetation as you make your way through. Clips from Jurassic Park were actually filmed in this rainforest, try to spot any locations from scenes you may remember! hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov
Switch up the theme of your first day a bit by taking a break from nature. It’s true, the island is most known for its stunning natural landscapes, but at this next attraction you’ll be able to experience them in a different way. At the Honolulu Museum of Art, check out paintings of Hawaii’s intricate landscapes by many artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe. Masterpieces by Van Gogh, Gaugin, and Picasso are also adorning the walls, adjacent to an impressive Asian art collection, which is regarded as one of America’s best. honolulumuseum.org
Next, pay your respects and learn more about U.S. history at the USS Arizona, the Pearl Harbor monument. On December 7th, 1941, a tragic day arose for America as the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, killing almost 2,000 people, sinking 12 ships, and launching our country into WWII. It’s forever engrained in our minds and history books, and here you can visit the official memorial. A boat takes you to the museum, which is floating in Pearl Harbor, directly over the sunken wreckage of the battleship. From the Assembly Room in the building, you can view the sunken ship from an observatory deck, and then in another area, you can read the names of those lost, as well as watch a documentary on the ship. Once you take a boat back to land, the visitor center offers a bookstore and several other exhibits for viewing. nps.gov
At this point, you should head back to the hotel to change into your classiest outfit. Tonight you will be dining at La Mer, the only restaurant in Hawaii to receive a five-star designation by Forbes Travel Guide. Their menu blends local and tropical flavors with tastes from the south of France. Make sure to try their mouthwatering Duck Foie Gras, Kahlua and Coconut Gelée Raisin Bailey Mousseline, and pair it with one of their superb wines on their award-winning wine list. halekulani.com
The wine was just the beginning of a boozy night in lovely Hawaii! Make your way over to a hidden bar to get your night really started. At Bar Leather Apron, located in a downtown office building, settle down in a dim-lit, sleek environment to sip on out-of-this-world craft cocktails. Order the Mai Tai for an incredible sight as it comes in a smoking tiki statue, perfect to show off on Instagram! barleatherapron.com
Once you’ve started off your night with a calm option, head to the party of the century at Addiction, a nightclub inside the Modern Hotel. 40,000 bright and vibrant lights flash all night as party goers dance to different DJs sets, and you might even see a celebrity or two! Addiction is known to attract A-listers, so be on the lookout as you feel the music! addictionnightclub.com
On your second day on the sunny island, rise early to begin your jam packed itinerary! Today, you will visit ‘Iolani Palace for a royal experience! This 10-room historic house was built in 1882 and formerly housed King Kalakaua and his sister, Queen Liliuokalani, the last two monarchs of the island. It’s also the only official state royal residence found in the United States. As you walk throughout the palace, a guide will catch you up on the historical struggle between the royals and the U.S., and how they were finally overthrown to make way to Hawaii becoming a state. iolanipalace.org
Following the exploration of the grand palace, visit another luxurious site at Shangri La, near the Diamond Head State Monument. This is where the American tobacco heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke used to spend her winters, where she filled the home with unique art and furniture from Egypt, India, Morocco, Spain, Syria and Turkey, building up quite the collection. Over 2,500 intriguing objects from the countries are in the home, which is now a museum that art lovers and curious cats alike can walk around. shangrilahawaii.org
After checking out some enthralling art, bask yourself in history and culture by stopping by the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. Over 24 million historical, cultural, and natural artifacts relating to Hawaii and the Pacific reside here, as well as plenty of interactive exhibits, a café, and a planetarium. A three-story hall covers the island’s history, key events, and religion, and the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame highlights important achievements and sports stars from the island. Make sure you also pay a visit to the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, where you can watch a lava demonstration and learn more about the volcanoes! bishopmuseum.org
Quit the browsing and get some action going! Today you will head back out to Wakiki Beach for some surfing lessons! With Ohana Surf Project, you’ll be able to learn the ins and outs of the waves as your instructor covers surfing etiquette, water safety, body positioning, board handling, and more. Once you’ve got the hang of things, hang ten as you show off your new tricks! Group lessons, as well as private, family, and professional are all offered to cater to your preferred experience. Cowabunga! ohanasurfproject.com
Get a second look at the island’s unbelievable nature by going on a journey through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There are five volcanoes in the park, but the main one is Kīlauea, the youngest of the five and the most active, continuously erupting since 1983. Despite being the youngest, it is between 300,000 to 600,000 years old, and rose above sea level about 100,000 years ago. At the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum on site, you can get the best view of the Halema’uma’u crater, which lies at the top of Kīlauea. Luckily for you, you arrived at nighttime, so you will be able to catch a live eruption show! Park rangers will accompany you to the crater, where you will witness lava fireworks and red lava pouring into the surrounding ocean. In addition to the fantastic display, you can also spot plenty of local species at the park like Nēnē (Hawaiian goose), HonuʻEa (Hawaiian Hawksbill Turtles), and ‘Ua‘u (Hawaiian petrels). nps.gov
There’s one more activity you must partake in before leaving the glorious island. At the Polynesian Cultural Center, watch and participate in a traditional Hawaiian celebration at their Ali’i Luau and dinner. As you feast upon Kalua Pork, Poi (A dish made from the underground plant stem of the taro plant), Lomilomi Salmon, Haupia with Toasted Coconut, and more, you’ll be able to savor the delicacies that the local people enjoy every day. The chefs slow cook the foods using ancient methods, and try to stick as closely to custom as possible when designing the menus. As for the luau, well, you’re in for a treat! Dress up in a Hawaiian shirt or a floral dress, throw on a fresh lei, and slide on some sandals to blend in with the crowd in luau wear, and get ready for the show! Hawaiian music will fill the air as girls in grass skirts and leis complete traditional dances and movements, and games will also be a part of the fun like ʻUlu Maika, which is similar to lawn bowling. Sashay your hips and get in on part of the festivities for an unforgettable experience! polynesia.com
After you’re back in your luxe hotel and you’ve packed to head back home, recount the memories you’ve made on this trip! Surely you’ll be back to the magical island, but until then, you’ll have the relaxed, peaceful Hawaiian spirit and attitude to accompany you back to FL! A hui hou!
