Living in Waikiki is, well, many things. Most people we bump into are tourists and there’s an atmosphere of happiness, just being in Hawai’i.
We are also still tourists, exploring Honolulu bit by bit and eagerly devouring its delights. O’ahu, as a whole is so different from Kaua’i, which remains close to our hearts. While O’ahu has a lot of country, Kaua’i is greener, smaller, and more low-key. Honolulu itself, compared to Lihue on Kaua’i, is more urban and Waikiki especially is very, very crowded, on land and in the water. I prefer the quiet places, the slower-pace. I like to visit the busier places, in small doses, for the buzz, the food, and great art exhibitions.
Being a stone’s throw away from International Marketplace, our place is close to the beach and a lot of food options. Cutting through this shopping complex is the quickest way to the ocean. The way is Waikiki Surfboard Alley. Surfboard lockers flank this walk down to the beach. The entrance is inconspicuous, just next to The Cheesecake Factory.
I’d walk down with my Go Pro and reading materials and find a spot for the afternoon, while Wade would do his thing, find his spot in the crowded waters.
Highlight? Swimming out and seeing the turtle. I feel like it’s the same one since it’s around the same place I spot her/him. Not expecting turtles, I was like, “what? Wait a minute.” And dunked my head beneath the surface and sure enough there was the turtle, close enough to see and far enough not to be intruding. Waikiki’s best memory perhaps! I have seen so many more turtles on this island!
Wade usually sees them when he’s paddled way out for the lineup in Kaua’i. And of course he sees them a lot in O’ahu too. He even wrote and illustrated a book about turtle wisdom about respecting the ocean. We just haven’t published it.
Living in Waikiki is pretty trippy. It’s like a bubble. We do love that we don’t have to drive everywhere. Walking around town, we’ve been discovering what some locals call “crazy town”.
Here are some of the places we discovered together on our walking adventures in Waikiki.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel
The “Pink Palace of the Pacific” is an iconic landmark that is hard to miss.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is located in the heart of Waikiki. Its pink Moorish architecture rises from the soft sand, with that beautiful Hawai’ian blue water in front.
The first time I saw this hotel was probably from the beach. Built in 1927, this hotel resorts sits where King Kamehameh I’s home and Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace were.
Coco Palms in Kaua’i, featured in Elvis’ Blue Hawaii, also stood on what was royal grounds in Wailua. Its cultural and environmental significance forms part of the protest against redevelopment.
We were intrigued by the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and one day stumbled onto it walking around Waikiki. We entered by way of the famous shopping street Kalakaua.
The black and white floor, the pinkness of it all, the juxtaposition of the pink and greenery… I also popped into the shops while Wade relaxed. Its Moorish architectural and design details are worth the visit.
Kona Coffee Purveyors
The line at this coffee place is astonishing. At the Kūhiō street entrance of International Marketplace, Kona Coffee Purveyors is always busy. People arrive well before it even opens. I see them on my sunrise walks. Actually there are usually long lines though they do mostly move quite quickly.
Now, finding a seat is another thing. There is inside seating, small tables outside by the sidewalk, and outside its door in International Marketplace, which itself offers a lot of seating areas.
One of our favourite places was the mall’s rooftop. We’d grab a coffee or a smoothie and hang out. Sometimes it’s an onigiri or rice ball from Mitsuwa on the second floor. Don’t loiter! A security guard will come and ask you to leave. It happened to me once when I went to read in an empty area, waiting for the shops to open. Apparently you can only sit at International Marketplace for one hour.
As for Kona Coffee, we checked out their coffee and sweet offerings, braving their lines a couple of times.
I’m not a big coffee connoisseur so I left the review up to Wade. “I get their Kona pour over and it’s good.” So there you have it.
Other coffee places – Honolulu Coffee, Deluca & Dean, and Kai Coffee. I’ve taken my laptop to the last two where there is free WiFi.
And when you’re in Singapore – here’s how to order coffee in Singapore.
Kona Coffee Purveyors International Marketplace 2330 Kalakaua Avenue #160 www.KonaCoffeePurveyors.com
Morning Waikiki Walk
Speaking of sunrise walks… given that the tourists come from all over the world, it isn’t surprising how crowded Waikiki is in the morning. Jet lag?
Still, seeing the sunrise is worth dodging the crowds and meandering walkers.
Lots of places are also opened for breakfast. Kona Coffee Purveyors is one and I sometimes grab a coffee for Wade on my way back home.
Japanese Food
Moving to Honolulu, we were most excited about Japanese food. There are plenty of choices. Our favourite is Furusato which is just across from the Duke Kanahamoku Statue.
Here’s our post about Furusato.
If you like Japanese sweets and treats, head to International Marketplace. Here’s our post on our favourites from Mitsuwa. Chestnut cake!
Maguro Spot
Maguro Spot is known for its poke bowls.
Just three blocks up from Furusato is this small sushi spot. Seating is very limited. The two-seater tables outside were empty when we went off-hours.
Most people I saw grabbed their food to go. The beach is just a few blocks away-can’t beat the view or the vibe.
Maguro Spot 2441 Kūhiō Avenue magurospot.com
Marugame Udon
Another spot that’s always packed is Marugame Udon. Their lines go down the block. After a sit-down once, we ordered pick-up afterwards. It’s definitely a faster way to get food from Marugame Udon.
Made-to-order handcrafted noodles makes a fresh meal. You have options to add tempura, croquette, tamago (egg), etc. I also love that there are broth choices aside from pork.
If the lines are too long, there are a several food options in the same courtyard or across the street at International Marketplace, even aside from the food court. The top floor is full of restaurants.
Marugame Udon 2310 Kūhiō Avenue www.Marugameudon.com
Sweets in Waikiki
Donuts, shave ice, pastries, boba, ice cream, non-dairy sorbet, Dole Whip, Japanese candies…there is so much to try and enjoy in Waikiki.
Ice Monster
Taiwanese shaved ice.
Next to Starbucks just down the street from International Marketplace is Ice Monster. It has these delicious mango desserts that I love.
Mango is my go-to so I haven’t tried the other flavours. I probably would keep getting the mango though. Called baobing this is not shave ice which is Hawaiian. It’s shaved ice. It’s different.
Ice Monster 2255 Kūhiō Avenue www.ice-monster-hi.com
Matcha Cafe Maiko
Their menu is based on green tea. I tried a couple things and my go-to is the parfait, Maiko Special. I usually get the matcha though sometimes when they have specials I like I get a mix. The Maiko Special has ice cream as a base, with matcha chiffon cake, chestnuts, and mochi. Tasty and rich.
Matcha Cafe Meiko 2310 Kūhiō Avenue #143 www.matchacafe-maiko.com
Il Gelato Hawaii
Just a short walk down from International Marketplace is this gelato place. There are actually a few locations in Waikiki. We like taking the walk to the corner location at Kūhiō and Royal Hawaiian Avenue.
We have tried so many flavours, as the tasters you get free, in cones or cups, or bringing home a small tub. My favourite is coconut. It’s not always available, though, and then I get coffee or one of the fruit sorbets.
Il Gelato Hawaii 2229F Kūhiō Avenue www.ilgelato-hawaii.com
Mitsuwa
It’s hard to talk about sweets without mentioning Mitsuwa, a Japanese grocery store in International Marketplace. I love going there. I love Japanese stores.
Mitsuwa has ready-to-go cooked and processed meals, sushi, onigiri, produce, sauces, Japanese alcohol, and a lot of imported candies. They also have, from time to time, Chestnut cake.
This is a must-visit for people who’ve never been to Japan or anyone missing Japanese foods.
Mitsuwa International Markeplace 2330 Kalakaua Avenue #250 www.Mitsuwa.com
We’ve tried many more eateries and restaurants in Waikiki, including Surf N Turf Tacos (2310 Kūhiō), Paia Fish Market (2299 Kūhiō), and a few outlets at the Food Hall in International Marketplace, to name a few. Wade’s parents also got food from Musubi Cafe Iyasume (2427 Kūhiō), which pleasantly surprised them.
The key to eating in Waikiki is timing to avoid the crowds. Unless you like that.