Things to Do on Oahu:Personal Favorites From a Local

Oahu offers more than just the famous Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor. I highly encourage you to adventure out of Honolulu as much as possible, as some of the best hidden gems lay beyond the concrete jungle. In this guide I'll give you suggestions for my favorite cafes, restaurants, hikes, beaches, and other excursions both in Honolulu and other areas!

Start the morning off right in Hawaii

Leonard's Bakery is a right of passage! It's basically tradition to start off any tour with malasadas. They open at 5:30 am, and honestly you'll want to get here early, and if you don't then no worries it's worth the wait. My favorite is the original but if you want some extra flare I'd suggest the Macadamia Nut, Haupia, or Dobash.

If you want some early morning coffee, then head to Island Vintage Coffee (6am), Ali'i Coffee Co' (6am), ARS Cafe (6:30), ALOH Health Bar & Cafe (6:30), and Arvo (8am).

On Your way to North Shore I highly recommend stopping at Green World Farms for free coffee sampling and to take one on the go. They offer the largest variety of travel size coffee to take home. While on this side stop at the Bird's Best, Farm To Barn Cafe & Juicery, Island X Hawaii, or Surfers Coffee

More cafes and coffee hot spots include The Sunrise Shack, Morning Brew, Rise and Grind, and Tradition Coffee Roasters- which offers coffee tastings and tours. This has to be in my top 5 for places for lattes! All located on the Kailua side of island.

Top Cafes for Breakfast

The Hideout is notoriously known for it's lively night life with live music, DJs on the weekends, and their rotating cocktails or signature drinks - however- people sleep on their breakfast menu! Try their Townside Breakfast Sandwich, Salmon Eggs Benedict, or the Buckwheat pancakes.

Sweet E's Cafe, another spot worth the wait. My favorite reason to come here is for the endless refills for ice coffee, I usually have to ask them to stop refilling my cup. You can build your own omlet which comes with fruit, hashbrowns, and toast. I always get a side order of french toast. My bill is surprisingly low everytime, so this is a great spots that won't break the bank and is tasty !

Smith & Kings still has me drooling over their lobster deviled eggs, French Toast Tres Leches, and Lob ster Cake Benedict. Come here for brunch every Saturday and Sunday 9-3.

YogurStory you'll want to definetly join the waitlist before you head over. Just keep in mind to be seated you must have your entire party present. Their Ube Pancakes are a must try in Hawai'i ! Honestly everything on their menu is delicious, so you can't really go wrong with what you pick.

let's skip on past food for now and dive into ...

Recommended Hikes on Oahu

Outside of the typical and touristy hikes like Diamond Head and Makapuu Lighthouse, there are other just as amazing hikes I suggest. I'll offer suggestions ranging from moderately easy to difficult.

Up in the foothills of Waikiki is the Round Top Forest Preserves with roughly 15 trails my suggested ones for moderate beginners are:

• Makiki Valley Trail- 2.6 miles out and back with only 741 ft of elevation gain.

• Pauoa Flats via Kalawahine Trail - 3.7 miles out and back with 764 ft of elevation gain and is estimated to take under 2 hours.

• Do the entire loop under 6 miles and estimated to take 3 hours and 18 minutes, with a collective 1,496 feet of elevation gain.

Manoa Valley is notoriously know for their waterfalls but have you also heard of 'Aihualama Falls Trail or Lua'alaea Falls? Check these out as well while as they add less than 2 hours to check out too.

• Pu'u Pia Trail is another easy going hike that is 2.1 miles out and back with 741 feet elevation gain. There are some simple yet cool valley and city views from this trail and is still rated as a moderately easy trail.

A hike that is super underated is Hanauma Bay Ridge to the overlook and spitting caves. There is a slightly unofficial entrance if you want to avoid paying the parking fees at the visitor center. The official trail is 3.5 miles out and back and is estimated to take less than 2 and a half hours. The views are hard to describe but absolutely stunning.

Seeing the combo of turqouise and a deep blue ocean while looking out at koko head is a unique view here on Oahu.

If you want to really kick things up a notch as we traverse across the valley for additional hiking options, strap on your hikinh boots and take on the Mount Olympus trail*. I highly suggest against going after it's recently rained, otherwise you'll very likely leave covered in mud. If I am being honest my friend and I were 4 of roughly 15 people who were not covered head to toe, and surprisingly barely dirty.

• Wa'ahila Ridge trail is 2.9 miles out and back or 5.9 miles to the peak and back.

• Mano Traverse* is 8 miles and is estimated to take 5 hours and 13 minutes

• But if you want something more moderate stick to the Kalaepohaku Lower Trail which is only an hour and a half with 2.3 miles out and back.

If you want to adventure a little further but stay within Honolulu then check out the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail* or Wailupe Loop*.

• Wiliwilinui is rated hard and is expected to take 3 hours. The trail begins on a paved road which eventually turns into a dirt path. Towards the end are very steep steps but there are ropes along the way to assist. This is a mostly covered trail but the trees really offer some uniqueness. You'll need to enter through a gated community, and rideshares are not allowed so expect to add an additional 30 minutes.

• Wailupe Loop Trai is 4.6 miles and is 2,326 feet of elevation. You'll want to download the maps to this one on AllTrails.

If you want to feel like an expert hiker and seeking an adrenaline rush then Mt.Olomana Trail (Three Peaks)* MIGHT be for you. This hike comes with a cautionary warning as roughly 8 fatalities have been recorded. So when I tell you you want proper shoes and to avoid attempting after recent rainfall, I am being serious. Most people only ever make it to the first peak before turning around- A friend I was doing this with was afraid of heights, which I learned in the middle of us free climbing up the jagged rocks. It's about 4.8 miles out and back with 1,814 feet of elevation gain if you do the whole thing.

Seriously although this is a cool hike, if there is any rain forecast do not attempt. As you scale the sides of the mountains with the wind brushing against your face and holding on for dear life, the trail eventually turns into a 4th class scramble and rock climbing adventure.

Toning it down several notches, next suggestion is Lanikai Pillbox. This trail is less than a mile and is highly recomended for sunrise, although sunset can be gorgeous too on the right day! The gravel trail makes it more challenging and you'll notice a handful of warning signs on the way up. Just be sure to wear good hiking shoes and you'll be fine.

Flipping over to the West side is Pu'u O Hulu or The Pink Pillbox is only 1.4 miles and 616 feet of elevation gain. There isn't any tree coverage so expect it to be hot, but would be super cool for sunset!

If I am being totally honest all my actual favorite hikes are closed to the public and a bunch may even issue fines if caught doing them, so I can't reveal those here on this blog unfortunately. Subscribe and check back with this blog for more hiking suggestions as I continue to explore this beautiful island I call home!

Secluded Beaches on Oahu

Let's be real, you came to Hawaii to rest and relax. You likely are spending a thousand or more for a week here. If you aren't then good job! However, this is where I tell you that you need to go adventure out to other beaches.

My number one recommended secluded beaches on the island is going to be Mokulēʻia Beach Park. Most days, excluding weekends, is a beautifully scenic costal stretch. Not only have I gone snorkeling and found some of the coolest shells here, but this has to be one of my favorite sunset spots. The peace and serenity you'll get from laying out on this beach is worth the drive away from the hustle and busel of Waikiki. The only con is your feet will get a bit charred looking from all the weekend campouts here, depending on the exact spot.

Lanikai Beach has some of the prettiest turquoise warm water to wade in. When coming here either park down at Kailua beach and walk up the hill or find a nighborhood appropriate parking spot and find a designated walkway down to the beach. While over here stop over at Kailua. I suggest walking further down the beach if you want to get in or find a quiet spot to yourself.

Secret Beach tucked away inside of the Kualoa Regional park past the campgrounds. It's not so intuitive to find this spot. You can also paddle out to Chinaman's Hat on a kayak if you're feeling adventurous and active. Kualoa Ranch offers tours over here which includes a scneic boat ride landing at a picturesque dock.

Although not secluded, a few other significantly less crowded beaches include spots like Kawela Bay, Waimanalo Bay, or Bellows Field Park (open to the public on weekends).

Looking for more adventure?

• Kayak to Moku Nui Island, where you can find a hidden tide pool above the ocean and tucked into the rocks. There's a micro-beach area to rest or tan, and a small rocky border you can explore, although you can't really do a full loop you can explore a decent amount of this tiny island.

• Go Shark Diving on the North Shore, both options to free swim or to try cage diving if you're feeling a bit skeptic.

• Cliff jumping at Waimea Bay. Let a small child humble you as they leap 20-30 feet into the ocean. It's pretty safe just watch others or ask for advice from the locals as to where to stand and jump from if unsure. Obviously jump at your own risk, but there are lifeguards on duty if anything goes wrong.

• Zipline or do an ATV tour at Coral Crater Adventure Park or Kuola Ranch.

• Skydive over the North Shore ocean

• Did you know you can try waterfall repelling?

• Go snorkeling at Shark's cove - don't worry this isn't shark infested water and is generally really shallow water to explore small marine life.

• Snorkeling & free diving via a boat tour at turtle canyon

Feel free to ask questions in the comments below or share your feedback if you enjoyed this blog. Tell me what else you're searching for on your trip to Oahu!

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