The island is hiker’s heaven, and we don’t pretend to list all of the Best Oahu Hikes. This collection consists of various trails that can be done by folks with average hiking abilities, some more demanding than others. All of them are fun to do while on vacation in Oahu, to get more intimate with Oahu and bring home amazing photos to last a lifetime! Each of our Best Oahu Hikes has a link to a personal narrative with photos…
Look through our list of Recurring Events on Oahu and select those you’d like to attend during your visit to the island. From street to museum settings, organised by local businesses, entrepreneurs and volunteers, those Oahu events will entertain and nourish the body and soul. Annual Made in Hawaii Festival Each August on Statehood Day Weekend, Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall and Arena, Honolulu The annual Made in Hawaii Festival features nearly 400 exhibitors who showcase food products, books, gifts, apparel and…
If you’re as familiar with 1993’s Jurassic Park as I am, then you’ll know that Hawaii is no stranger to prehistoric monsters. It’s also home to filming locations for The Lost World Jurassic Park (1997) and Jurassic Park III (2001) – the second and third films in the series. More recently, though, 2015 blockbuster Jurassic World was also filmed in Hawaii. In fact, the fourth film covered more Hawaiian ground than any of its predecessors. And while the new park doesn’t last long once…
Lanikai Pillbox Hike is an easy, pleasant and beautiful trail, located in the prestigious neighborhood of Lanikai, on the east side of the island of Oahu. It’s also known as Kaiwa Ridge Trail. Lanikai means “heavenly sea”, and this scenic trail depicted exactly that: clear blue ocean with the iconic Mokulua islands as its backdrop. From the start of the hike to the second pillbox is 0.6 mile. People usually turn around at the second pillbox, however, it is possible…
Hawaiian shave ice (note: ‘shave’, not ‘shaved’) is a delicacy that is nostalgic to locals for its duo of artificial flavored syrups and brightly colored plastic flower cups. It was brought to the islands by Japanese immigration workers in the 1900s. And was it the perfect match to Hawaiian warm weather! Today you can find anyone from old-timers to children crowding eagerly around store fronts to enjoy this delicacy. Soft and powdery hand shaped domes infused with colorful sections of flavor are…
Ever wanted to zipline through Hawaiian jungle, ride a horse or ATV through jungle trails and movie sets? What about tasting locally grown grass fed beef? Kualoa ranch is a great place to see and enjoy while on Oahu! Just 24 miles from Honolulu on the North-Eastern shore (Oahu Winward Coast) off of Hwy 83 / Kamehameha Hwy. Kualoa Ranch has a lot to offer for tourists and locals alike. This is the world’s most famous private nature reserve, with…
Hawaii is known for some amazing natural sites. Among them are the waterfalls of the Honolulu Watershed. The two most popular waterfalls accessible to tourists on Oahu are Manoa Falls and Maunawili Falls. The trails are maintained by the city and county of Honolulu, so they are safe, but also rocky and wet. It is Hawaii and rain can happen anytime, from a drizzle to a downpour. So be prepared for rain anytime you hike in Hawaii. Related: What is…
In 1993’s ground-breaking Jurassic Park, tourists are pitted against genetically-engineered theme park dinosaurs. But if there’s something visually-striking about the movie besides its special effects, it’s the alluring backdrop. The remote island setting may be fictional, but its lush valleys, rugged mountains and majestic coastlines are very real. Along with the bestselling novel on which it’s based, Jurassic Park is set in Costa Rica, but it was actually filmed in Hawaii. Various filming locations included Oahu’s Kualoa Ranch and Kauai’s…
I like my life simple, with challenges. Same reason that I like Koko Head Trail, located on the island of Oahu; it is a simple, straight upward, and a challenging hike. It was an automatic choice for me to take my friend to when she came to visit me. Koko Head Trail, also known as Koko Crater Trail, is located inside the Koko Head District Park at 423 Kaumakani St, Honolulu, HI 96825. It is a short ten-minute drive from…
On my first visit to the island of Oahu I had a rough plan of what experiences, hikes and sites I would like to take part in while vacationing. I knew that I wanted to make hiking a priority and I’m so glad that I did. Whether the hike ends at a waterfall (Laie Falls Trail) or with a spectacular view from a trek to somewhere high above (Kaiwa Ridge Trail), each hike will give you a whole new perspective…