Shortly after the dust settled from the holidays, Rick and I took a trip to Hawaii. We visited the islands of Oahu and Kauai. I shared a few pictures from our travels on Instagram and several of you asked for recommendations. I’ll be sharing some of the things we did, restaurants we enjoyed, and any travel tips that might come in handy. Hopefully, this post will help those of you who are planning a trip to Hawaii soon.
Oahu
The first leg of the trip was for business. Rick had a trade show to attend in Oahu and I tagged along. We stayed at the Hilton Waikiki Beach (on the 27th floor!) – the hub of the trade show.
The ocean view from our balcony was beautiful – fears aside, truly something we enjoyed. The hotel has a rooftop swimming pool, a couple of restaurants, and a bar. A quick walk from the hotel takes you to Waikiki Beach, lots of shops, and restaurants.
We rented a car for a day of exploring the rest of the island and I’m so glad we did! The North Shore area is lovely! Lots of surfing and interesting homes. A true “surfer” vibe. If given the option, we would have chosen to stay in the North Shore area rather than Waikiki Beach.
Where We Ate in Oahu
Appetito (Waikiki) – A short walk from the hotel. We were exhausted from a full day of travel and this was perfect for us. Try the pizza.
Lulu’s (Waikiki) – Great views of the ocean in a relaxed atmosphere. The mai tais are great!
Haleiwa Beach House (North Shore) – I had the best poke bowl!
Turtle Bay Resort (North Shore) – A great place to enjoy a cocktail by the ocean.
The view from our house in Kauai.
Friday, we flew to Kauai where we spent the remainder of our trip. Kauai is often referred to as the “Garden Island”. Its lush rainforests, beaches, and great hiking were the perfect place for us to relax and explore.
Hideaways Beach
Our AirBnb was located in Princeville on the northern side of the island. Princeville is a very peaceful area that does not feel crowded or touristy. There was no air conditioning, and I have to say that listening to the waves crash against the shore is the best way to go to sleep. A short walk from our condo led to a private beach (Hideaways Beach). We watched the sea turtles swim in the surf and even caught a glimpse of a whale in the distance.
Helpful Tip
The road that encircles the island does not connect at the Northern tip. In order to get to the other northwestern side, you have to drive south and around the island. This is good to know in advance because the two-lane roads can be slow during peak traffic times.
On the first day, we drove to the other side of the island where we hiked the canyon trail to Waipo’o Falls. I highly recommend this hike! The trail can be slippery at times, so be warned. We saw beautiful views of Waimea Canyon and Waipo’o Falls.
After the hike, we stopped by Kauai Coffee Estate for a tasting and to buy some coffee to take home. We grabbed a casual lunch in Poipu Beach. The Poipu Beach area was much busier with resort hotels and shopping. It is also central to the island and close to the airport.
We spent another day exploring Hanalei Bay. It’s a great place to watch surfing or to learn how. There were lots of fun shops to explore and loads of food trucks. Very family-friendly with several beaches. I loved this area so much and would love to spend more time there if we ever go back.
Kapaa was another favorite stop. Kapaa is a charming historic beachside town located on the Southeast Shore. A variety of restaurants and shopping. Also where we celebrated our anniversary. There is something for everybody in Kapaa!
Where We Ate in Kauai
Merriman’s (Koloa) – A true farm-to-table experience. Delicious food and the best mai tais on the island. They are often booked so make reservations early. I believe there is a Merriman’s on each island.
Aina Kauai (Kapaa) – We celebrated our 32nd anniversary at this amazing restaurant. Nine courses are served using locally sourced food prepared in a Japanese style. They only have two seating times and stay booked so plan accordingly. Highly recommend!
Kountry Kitchen (Kapaa) – A great breakfast spot, but go with an appetite! Try the Mediterranean omelet and the latte.
Hanalei Bread Co. (Hanalei) – This is a very popular breakfast spot! Great coffee, pastries, & bread. Chickens wander in and out.
(sleepy eyes after traveling all day)
Thank you for reading! I hope this post was informative. If I can answer questions or help in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out. XO
