This is part 2 of my O’ahu travel guide. If you missed part 1, definitely go back and check it out first. It covers everything you need to know about getting there, getting around, and where we stayed.

For the first half of the trip, we kept things mostly easy and relaxed, exploring Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and the Kāne’ohe side of the island. For the second half, we kicked things up a notch with an early morning hike up Diamond Head, a visit to the North Shore, and some of our favorite things for the entire trip. Let’s get into it!

Table of Contents:

Day 4:

Diamond Head State Monument

This is the most iconic trail on O’ahu, just a 10-minute drive from Waikiki. Because of its proximity to the city, it gets very crowded. A reservation is required and can be made up to 30 days in advance. I booked two entry tickets and one car parking pass. Our entry window was 6 to 8am, with the car needing to enter within the first 30 minutes.

With the heat and humidity, a morning hike is the way to go. We arrived at 6am and parking was easy. When we set off, the sky was still pitch black and flashlights were absolutely necessary. The trail starts on paved road before transitioning to uneven terrain. It’s not too difficult, but good hiking shoes are a must and you’ll want to watch your footing. The path is uphill the entire way, so we took plenty of breaks. The toughest section is the long staircase near the end, which is narrow with no real rest spots, so you’ll feel the pressure to push through in one go. At the top of the stairs is a tunnel, equally tight, before opening up to a lookout point.

From there we were nearly at the top, with a perfect view of the Diamond Head crater and the sun just beginning to rise. A few more stairs lead to an old bunker you can climb into, and by 7am we reached the highest point and the small observation area. It was packed with people watching the sunrise and taking photos, which made it hard to fully soak in the view.

We hiked back down and rested on a bench near the parking lot, which was actually really peaceful. We spotted some beautiful birds and even a couple of mongooses.

Tips: Go as early as possible. It’s cooler and less crowded. Bring a flashlight, wear proper hiking shoes, and carry water. There are restrooms, a souvenir stand, and a water refilling station near the parking lot.

Address: 4204 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816

Brunch: Tanioka’s Seafoods & Catering

After the hike we were starving and craving poke, so we made the drive out to Waipahu for this beloved local spot. We arrived right when they opened at 9am and there was already a line, though it moved quickly. We got two large poke bowls and a poi mochi. The poke was incredibly fresh. The furikake salmon and crunchy garlic ahi were both standouts. The mochi was crunchy and chewy, though a little on the greasy side. There are no tables inside, so we ate in the car. Beyond poke, they have a great selection of hot food including fried chicken, shrimp tempura, and musubi. I heard the sweet potato haupia squares are really good dessert too.

Address: 94-903 Farrington Hwy, Waipahu, HI 96797 

Aulani

After brunch we stopped by Aulani, Disney’s resort on the west side of the island. We were curious and wanted to check it out. The area is spacious and peaceful, and the resort itself is beautifully designed and very open. They have a lazy river, a pool, and the beach right out front. If you’re a Disney fan, you’ll absolutely love it. We walked out to the beach and sat for a bit, then browsed the gift shop and picked up a couple of exclusive Aulani items. We may just have to stay here next time!

Address: 92-1185 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707

Dessert: Waiola Shave Ice

No day in Hawaii is complete without shave ice, and Waiola is as classic as it gets. It’s been around since the 1940s. The ice was soft and light, and the syrup was good. We added vanilla ice cream, which was fine but nothing remarkable. A true Hawaiian institution and worth a visit for that reason alone.

Address: 2135 Waiola St, Honolulu, HI 96826 (2 locations in O`ahu)

After another early morning, it was time for our afternoon rest.

Dinner: Izakaya Nonbei

We had originally planned to visit a yakitori place, but it had permanently closed. We found this izakaya at the last minute and were so glad we did. We snagged a table since we arrived on the early side. The menu had a wide range of dishes, like fried food, meat, vegetables, sushi, and drinks. Everything we tried was delicious. The slow cooked pork belly was melt in your mouth tender and full of flavor, and their signature mushroom and eggplant in butter sauce was a highlight. A real happy accident of a find.

Address: 3108 Olu St, Honolulu, HI 96816

We headed back to the hotel after dinner.

Day 5: 

Breakfast: Honolulu Coffee

This coffee shop is located right in the lobby of our hotel. We shared a Hawaiian latte made with coconut and macadamia nut syrup, along with a few pastries. The Kona chip muffin was particularly tasty. Quick, convenient, and a great way to start the day.

Address: 100 Holomoana St, Honolulu, HI 96815 (7 locations in O`ahu)

Snack: Mana Musubi

These musubis are closer to Japanese onigiris that are triangle shaped. We picked up teri spam, tuna mayo, and curry tuna mayo. I loved the curry one, which was quite unique. Bryan went for the classic tuna mayo. We heard the purin (pudding) is also worth trying, but didn’t get to it this time. 

Address: 1618 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

Dole Plantation

Located in Wahiawa, about a 40-minute drive from Waikiki, this is a stop I had always wanted to make. I love pineapple, and Dole is such a well known brand. What started as a small fruit stand in the 1950s is now a full tourist attraction with a gift shop, restaurant, train ride, maze, garden, and plantation.

We booked the Shaka Pass for the Pineapple Express train ride at $25 per person, which includes priority boarding and a very short wait. A regular ticket is $15 but must be purchased in person, and the line can stretch to an hour and beyond. The ride itself is about 20 minutes. It’s pleasant but not particularly exciting. We drove through pineapple farms and a few other crops while a speaker shared some history and local culture.

The highlight for us was actually seeing the pineapple plants up close near the gift shop. The gift shop itself was fun, with lots of local products and souvenirs from local artists. There’s also an exclusive Hello Kitty collaboration with some really cute merchandise.

Dole whip is available at the restaurant if you want to try it. Arrive early for easier parking, as it can fill up later in the day.

Honestly, this isn’t a must visit unless you have young kids who would love the train ride, or you’re specifically after a dole whip or some local souvenirs. But it’s a fun enough stop if you’re in the area.

Address: 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786

Lunch: Jenny’s Shrimp Truck

We finally made it to the North Shore, and after hearing so much about the shrimp trucks, we chose Jenny’s. The roads up here are mostly single lane and traffic can be heavy. We arrived around 11am and managed to find parking without too much trouble.

Bryan got the lemon pepper shrimp and I had the garlic shrimp. The garlic shrimp was pretty good and reminded me of flavors from Chinese restaurants. The lemon pepper was a little lacking in heat and slightly overcooked. We’re glad we tried it, but it wasn’t a must in our opinion. We may try some other trucks next time.

Address: 6-532 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Banzai Pipeline

After lunch we continued driving to Banzai Pipeline. We found a parking spot at Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park and walked over to the beach. We didn’t walk far enough to be exactly at the Banzai Pipeline, but we were in the area and got to watch the surfers. The waves were only around five feet at the time, but it was still really cool to watch.

Address: 59-355 Ke Nui Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Dessert: Matsumoto Shave Ice

Another North Shore institution, Matsumoto has been around since 1951. It’s very popular and has a long history, but we have to be honest. The ice here was shaved into larger pieces and packed tightly, lacking the fluffiness of our other shave ice experiences on the trip. The syrups also leaned more artificial, closer to a fairground shaved ice than the craft versions we’d had elsewhere. That said, if you’re on this side of the island and want something cold and refreshing, it will definitely hit the spot.

Address: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Kahala

Right across from Matsumoto is Kahala, one of the most well known aloha shirt brands. Bryan had always wanted an aloha shirt, so we went in. The staff was incredibly friendly and we learned a lot about aloha shirts, like the classic patterns, the craftsmanship, and even some more modern styles. Bryan ended up with a limited edition shirt featuring a matching pattern pocket and coconut buttons. They carry women’s styles too. 

Address: 111, 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 (4 locations in O`ahu)

Ala Moana Center

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at Ala Moana Center. First up was Uniqlo, which carries shirts and tote bags with exclusive Hawaii designs from local brands and artists. Then we headed to Nordstrom, where I had been on the lookout for Coco Moon, a Hawaii baby clothing brand. They had a whole section dedicated to it, from clothing and bags to swaddle blankets, all with the most adorable Hawaii inspired designs. I picked up a few things for my nephew. 

Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. #2950, Honolulu, HI 96814

We went back to hotel for a quick nap. 

Dinner: Tikis Grill and Bar

For our last dinner of the trip, we were in the mood for tropical cocktails and a fun atmosphere, so we grabbed a last minute reservation at Tiki’s. We shared a 1944 mai tai, which was delicious. I especially loved the passionfruit foam on top. The glass was included, so we got to bring it home. For food, we ordered the guava glazed ribs and kalua pig quesadilla. The quesadilla was amazing and incredibly flavorful, and the ribs were pretty good too. We finished with the Maui Pineapple Crème Brûlée, which is served inside a hollowed out half pineapple with pineapple pieces baked right into the custard. The pineapple wasn’t quite as sweet as we hoped, but it was a delightful way to end our dinner.

I was surprised by how much we loved our meal here. Out of all the restaurants we tried, this’s the one that best represented the blend of American and Hawaiian flavors, and sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy our food with a gorgeous ocean view.

Address: 2570 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

I love these cookies. They’re buttery, crumbly, and honestly hard to resist. I’ve even had them shipped to my home before. I prefer the bigger ones. The texture is more delicate. My favorites are anything with macadamia nuts, especially the chocolate dipped ones. The pineapple shortbread is outstanding too. These make perfect gifts for family and friends. 

Address: 2552 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (10 locations in O`ahu)

We headed back to the hotel to pack and get some sleep.

Day 6: 

We woke up to find that our flight had been delayed by an hour, which I was actually happy about. We took advantage of the extra time and decided to explore Waikiki a little more before heading to the airport.

Breakfast: Kona Coffee Purveyors

First stop was this famous coffee shop specializing in Kona coffee. They’re equally famous for their pastries. When we arrived, the line was incredibly long. After a couple of minutes, one of the employees came out and announced that anyone purchasing coffee beans or merchandise could check out at a separate counter with only a couple of people in line. And you could order coffee and food there too. Since Bryan always loves to try different coffee beans, we were able to skip the long line entirely.

We ordered an iced Kona cold brew, a chocolate banana almond croissant, and a black sesame Kouign Amann. The coffee was decent, but the pastries were out of this world. Crispy, flaky, and packed with flavor. We wished we had ordered extras.

Address: 2330 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

Snack: Musubi & Bento IYASUME

This tiny musubi shop is just a short walk from the coffee shop. We popped in to grab a few for the plane ride. The shop is so small you can barely fit three people inside. I can’t quite remember everything we got, but there was at least one egg spam in the mix. Perfectly seasoned, savory and satisfying.

Address: 334 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (7 locations in O`ahu)

Light Lunch: Ono Seafood

For our last meal in Hawaii, we wanted poke. We chose Ono Seafood because it opens early at 9am, which worked great with our timeline. We both ordered the Hawaiian style ahi. The fish was fresh and tender, but surprisingly spicy. I’d probably try a different flavor next time. The shop is small with a few outdoor seats, and parking is tight, so plan accordingly.

Address: 747 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

We headed back to the hotel, picked up our luggage, and made our way to the airport. I successfully brought the musubi on the plane, though customs did stop to ask about them when they went through the scanner, which gave us a good laugh.

Other Points of Interest: 

Iolani Palace 

Built in 1882 by King Kalākaua, Iolani Palace served as the official residence of the Hawaiian royal family. It’s the only official royal palace in the United States and a significant landmark in Hawaiian history. There are guided tours to walk you through some of the rooms and offer a fascinating look at the history, politics, and culture of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It’s on our list for next time.

Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum is one of the most important cultural institutions in Hawaii. It houses millions of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to Hawaii and other Pacific island cultures, making it one of the most comprehensive collections of Polynesian cultural history in the world. If you’re interested in diving deeper into the history and heritage of the islands, this is a must visit.

Our Favorites: 

And that’s a wrap on our O’ahu trip! We were so sad to leave and head home. Every local we met was incredibly friendly, and we had such a joyful time with so much good food. Compared to Maui, O’ahu is no doubt much bigger, but also more crowded with heavier traffic at times. It’s something worth keeping in mind when planning your trip. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider staying outside of Waikiki.

If I could change anything, it would be the pace. When planning the trip, I assumed that since we were used to the Los Angeles time zone (3 hours ahead of Hawaii time zone), waking up early wouldn’t be an issue. But that was not the case. Too many early mornings combined with the unfamiliar heat and humidity made it a little rough on us both physically and mentally. Next time, I’d opt for a slower and more relaxing itinerary rather than trying to pack in so many tourist spots.

Would we go back? Absolutely. There is still so much we didn’t get to see, and O’ahu has a way of making you feel like you’ve only just scratched the surface. We’ll be back.

If you missed Part 1, be sure to head back and check it out. It covers everything you need to know about getting around, where we stayed and the first few days of our stay.

>>> Read Part 1 <<<