Every year, around the time of our February wedding anniversary, my wife Radhika and I head down to Hawaii to celebrate for a week, as we have for the past four years except for 2021, due of course to the pandemic.
Here’s a sample six-day itinerary of some of our favorite places to explore, dine, shop and play along the way…
Five Days in Oahu: The Ultimate Island Adventure
First, book your nonstop flight to Honolulu out of beautiful Long Beach Airport (LGB) on Hawaiian Airlines. It’s easy and convenient to depart from our own backyard aboard an airline that emphasizes friendliness, quality of in-flight service, unique drinks and delicious food options.
Oahu, the vibrant heart of Hawaii, offers a stunning blend of adventure, relaxation, history, and culture. Whether you crave scenic hikes, pristine beaches, or world-class dining, this six-day itinerary highlights the best of the island.
Day 1: Arrival & check-in at our Oahu resort
Touching down in Honolulu, we hopped into our rental car and headed out to the Ko Olina Resort, https://koolina.com/ about a 45-minute drive from the airport, far enough away to provide a quiet and serene environment, yet just a short return to the fun and nightlife of Honolulu. We got in some pool time and dined at one of the many local eateries nearby.
Day 2: Pearl Harbor & Downtown Honolulu
On our actual fifth wedding anniversary day, we started with a visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm, paying respects at the USS Arizona. Then, we explored downtown Honolulu’s historic landmarks, including Iolani Palace and the King Kamehameha statue. We wrapped up the day with dinner at Azure, a fusion restaurant inside the stunning and historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach. www.royal-hawaiian.com
Day 3: North Shore Adventure
It happened to be Super Bowl Sunday, so the day began with a drive up to the North Shore, stopping at the Dole Plantation for a fresh pineapple tasting and why the best pineapples never leave Hawaii. www.doleplantation.com/
Then it was off to the North Shore to witness surfers tackling monstrous waves at Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay. Hundreds flock to the beaches daily to sunbathe, take photos or shoot videos of these brave surfboarders. For lunch, we grabbed burritos at Kono’s Northshore www.konosnorthshore.com before heading back to Honolulu to watch the big game at Giovanni Pastrami’s. www.giovannipastrami.com
Day 4: Windward Coast & Polynesian Culture
Something brand new for us was exploring the scenic Windward Coast, stopping at Byodo-In Temple https://byodo-in.com/ and the lush Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. The Byodo-In Temple, located at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate or simply appreciate its beauty and history as a non-practicing Buddhist temple.
We then headed back to Honolulu to culminate our trip at our favorite Hawaiian restaurant, Nature Waikiki. www.naturewaikiki.com There are many reasons why this fine dining establishment checks all the boxes. This being our third visit with Owner/Chef Nae Ogawa, who’s Japanese by origin, and trained in both Paris and New York before opening this fine establishment five years ago, when we had our first encounter.
Two tasting menus are offered — a non-veg for ($120) and a plant-based one ($100). A wine pairing (6 pours) is $55. In accordance with Ogawa’s philosophy of supporting the land, she takes pride in featuring her entire menu from the Hawaiian Islands exclusively.
Day 5: Relax & Departure
We savored our last morning on our lanai at the Ko Olina Resort, eating fresh, sweet pineapple, papaya and guava while sipping Hawaiian grown coffee before heading to the airport, bidding a fond farewell to paradise.
From history buffs to beach lovers, Oahu’s diverse landscapes and experiences make it an unforgettable getaway.
