Planning a honeymoon trip in December. Purchased the flight tickets and staying at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel. So what else to do on the island?? Any natives or anyone who's been...please chime in. Tips from the locals would be much appreciated. TIA

 

I'll transfer a copy to Hawaii's regional forum for you.
Hope you have a great time, and congrats on your forthcoming wedding.
C.

 

Swim with the dolphins at the Mandarin. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay. Visit the North Shore at eat shrimp and prawns in Kahuku. Dine at Roys in Hawaii Kai. Visit the Flea Market at the Aloha Stadium. Shop at Ala Moana. Experience China town. I'm pretty sure other Hawaii guys will chime in.

Too bad you guys arent staying at the Turtle Bay Resorts, they have epic settings and sunsets.

 

if you don't mind, what is your age, nationality, and brief overview of your personality.

 

31 yo asian male. I'm a car enthusiast just as well as most here. Wifey drives the G and I drive an S2000. Not really looking to do the "bar" thing while we're there. We own a small business and work 6-7 days/wk so this will be a much needed vacation/honeymoon. Just looking to do some R&R and maybe check some local spots i.e. lounge, restaurants(plate lunch/snow cone). I may pick up a board and see if I still remember how to surf...it's been about 8 yrs.



We considered Turtle Bay. I grew up surfing in FL so I wanted to be close to all the legendary surf spots around the North Shore. Wifey wanted to be close to the shopping/tuorist traps. Oh well...

 

awesome!

i guess the typical tourist adventure tours are suitable. the snorkeling at hanauma bay, the tahitian dancing venues, the dolphin riding at your hotel, sky diving, etc. all you need is one of those "This Week" books you can get at the free stand kiosks all over. there are many great restaurants here, what kind of food do you like? as far as snow cones go, the BEST place is Waiola Shave Ice. NOT Matsumotos. http://www.dakine.net/hawaii/guide/o...shaveice.shtml.

 

I was thinking of Matsumotos...thanks for the insight. Does teriyaki/rice lunch plate ring a bell. Remember reading about it in the surf mags back in the day. Hope I survive the pounding surf...thanks for chiming in!

 

yeah, zippys zip pac, or surf pac is great to eat after surfing. or hit up Rainbow Drive In on Kapahulu, if you're surfing in town. it's pretty geez there, but as with everyting regarding price, it skyrocketed! there are LOTS of great plate lunch places. i'll try to come up with an excel spreadsheet if you will and post back!

 

Wow...that would be awesome! again, thanks for the tips!

novaman

 

matsumotos isnt all that good as far as shave ice goes. i think they've lost their touch...still, tourist love going there. maybe because of all the celebs that have gone there..dunno. IMO the best place for shave-ice is as the Waiola Store.

If you're into the health thing too, Kakaako kitchen makes some good healthy plate lunches.

 

how long are you gonna be here for?

 

7 days

 

Ya! get the triple flavor, Mango, Li Hing Mui and Coconut! Great stuff.

Watch out for the bees though.

 

mitsuken's and sanoyas (sp?) for garlic chicken plate lunches... ono

 

hahahaha! take that to heart!

Sanoya's isnt as good as before. The original cook left. Mitsuken has the best garlic mochiko chicken around!