Travel tips for Hawaii - Page 2

Gemini Cricket · 01-23-2008, 12:00 PM

O'ahu:

I say rent a car and take a trip around the island. This is one of my favorite things to do. Drive from Hawaii Kai towards Kaneohe right around the island up to the North Shore and stop when the road stops. Many tourists do not get to see this but it is highly recommended. There are many places to pull over, take pics and then jump into the water.

A word on swimming and jumping in the water: if you don't see any local people in the water and only toursits, it's a pretty good indication that there is a reason for that. Be warned that the undertow at Hawai'i beaches can be pretty strong. Watch out for Portuguese Man O' War jellyfish... they're sting-y.

For Hawaiian food, I recommend Ono Hawaiian Food in Kapahulu. It's a hole in the wall but it's wonderful. There is also Hawaiian Food in Ala Moana shopping center in one of the ugliest food courts ever created. That place is called The Poi Bowl. (And if you want good Chinese food, go to Patti's Chinese Kitchen in the same ugly food court.) Try poi at least once, don't be a poi hater.

Spend a couple of hours in Waikiki and that's it. It's gross, touristy and lame. If you go to the Cheesecake Factory there, you may see a waitress that looks like me. It's my sis.

If you want a good plate lunch go to any one of the L&L Drive-Ins that you encounter. But for an awesome plate lunch, go to Rainbow Drive in in Kapahulu.

If you must, go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It's wonderful. Although I myself do not support that place with my money, it's a cool romp. The evening show is quite good.

Get shave ice from Matsumoto's in Haleiwa. It's good. If the line's too long, go to Aoki's... it's pretty much the same there.

For hiking, I recommend the Diamond Head trail, Makapu'u trail and a trail that takes you into Koko Head Crater.

I don't know a whole lot about the shows and luau-type events, but there are a number of them. If you want just a mellow time with good Hawaiian music, go to Chai's in the Aloha Tower Marketplace. They have live performances while you eat. Robert Cazimero is there on Tuesdays, I believe. He's great.

If I think of more, I'll let you know.

Snowflake · 01-23-2008, 12:28 PM

Aw, dammit, now I want Chicken Katsu, GC. I blame you for introducing me to it! deep fried goodness......

Alex · 01-23-2008, 01:04 PM

Chicken katsu, fortunately, is very easy to come by in San Francisco. If I hadn't given up chicken for this year I'd now go over across the street and get me some.

It is interesting that I don't really care for authentically Hawaiian food (what little of it I can eat) but absolutely love everything Hawaiians did in perverting the foods of other cultures (such as chicken katsu).

Snowflake · 01-23-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Chicken katsu, fortunately, is very easy to come by in San Francisco. If I hadn't given up chicken for this year I'd now go over across the street and get me some.

It is interesting that I don't really care for authentically Hawaiian food (what little of it I can eat) but absolutely love everything Hawaiians did in perverting the foods of other cultures (such as chicken katsu).

True, I am a few short blocks from Japantown, for starters. Alas, out of town guest from germany tonight, so I expect we'll be dining elsewhere or at home depending on how he feels (he's driving from Redding after having spent a week in a cabin in the boonies).

Gemini Cricket · 01-23-2008, 01:17 PM

Yes, the Chinese food in Hawai'i is different from the Chinese food in California and Massachusetts.

And sticky Hawaiian style rice is way better than all other rices. (Rices? Is that a word?)

RStar · 01-23-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Try poi at least once, don't be a poi hater.

Too late!

But I'll give it another try....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

(Rices? Is that a word?)

Rici?

Thanks everyone! There are some great tips here!

I'm excited! I like the idea of driving around the Island. And I may go to Pearl Harbour, we did have family stationed there.

Gemini Cricket · 01-23-2008, 05:08 PM

Sunscreen
Water
Mosquito repelent (while hiking)

Do not bring back any lava rocks home with you. It's bad juju.

DreadPirateRoberts · 01-23-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Sunscreen
Water
Mosquito repelent (while hiking)

Do not bring back any lava rocks home with you. It's bad juju.

If you find any idols, don't forget to return them to the ancient Hawaiian burial grounds

innerSpaceman · 01-23-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Do not bring back any lava rocks home with you. It's bad juju.

Cue Brady Bunch music.

Gemini Cricket · 01-23-2008, 06:22 PM

Laugh not. For these stories will rock you.

01-23-2008, 12:00 PM	#11
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	O'ahu: I say rent a car and take a trip around the island. This is one of my favorite things to do. Drive from Hawaii Kai towards Kaneohe right around the island up to the North Shore and stop when the road stops. Many tourists do not get to see this but it is highly recommended. There are many places to pull over, take pics and then jump into the water. A word on swimming and jumping in the water: if you don't see any local people in the water and only toursits, it's a pretty good indication that there is a reason for that. Be warned that the undertow at Hawai'i beaches can be pretty strong. Watch out for Portuguese Man O' War jellyfish... they're sting-y. For Hawaiian food, I recommend Ono Hawaiian Food in Kapahulu. It's a hole in the wall but it's wonderful. There is also Hawaiian Food in Ala Moana shopping center in one of the ugliest food courts ever created. That place is called The Poi Bowl. (And if you want good Chinese food, go to Patti's Chinese Kitchen in the same ugly food court.) Try poi at least once, don't be a poi hater. Spend a couple of hours in Waikiki and that's it. It's gross, touristy and lame. If you go to the Cheesecake Factory there, you may see a waitress that looks like me. It's my sis. If you want a good plate lunch go to any one of the L&L Drive-Ins that you encounter. But for an awesome plate lunch, go to Rainbow Drive in in Kapahulu. If you must, go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It's wonderful. Although I myself do not support that place with my money, it's a cool romp. The evening show is quite good. Get shave ice from Matsumoto's in Haleiwa. It's good. If the line's too long, go to Aoki's... it's pretty much the same there. For hiking, I recommend the Diamond Head trail, Makapu'u trail and a trail that takes you into Koko Head Crater. I don't know a whole lot about the shows and luau-type events, but there are a number of them. If you want just a mellow time with good Hawaiian music, go to Chai's in the Aloha Tower Marketplace. They have live performances while you eat. Robert Cazimero is there on Tuesdays, I believe. He's great. If I think of more, I'll let you know.
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01-23-2008, 12:28 PM	#12
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Aw, dammit, now I want Chicken Katsu, GC. I blame you for introducing me to it! deep fried goodness...... __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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01-23-2008, 01:04 PM	#13
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Chicken katsu, fortunately, is very easy to come by in San Francisco. If I hadn't given up chicken for this year I'd now go over across the street and get me some. It is interesting that I don't really care for authentically Hawaiian food (what little of it I can eat) but absolutely love everything Hawaiians did in perverting the foods of other cultures (such as chicken katsu).
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2008, 01:17 PM	#15
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Yes, the Chinese food in Hawai'i is different from the Chinese food in California and Massachusetts. And sticky Hawaiian style rice is way better than all other rices. (Rices? Is that a word?)
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01-23-2008, 05:08 PM	#17
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Sunscreen Water Mosquito repelent (while hiking) Do not bring back any lava rocks home with you. It's bad juju.
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01-23-2008, 06:22 PM	#20
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Laugh not. For these stories will rock you.
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