Wayfinder Itinerary
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E KOMO MAI O'AHU Wayfinder Itinerary TheHawaiiVacationGuide.com Wayfinder Itinerary Turtle Bay Haleiwa Windward (wet side) Pearl Harbor Kailua Ko Olina Honolulu Leeward Waikiki (dry side) TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction COVID Testing Program: Step-By-Step Video O'ahu in a Nutshell: Video Guide Excursion Days 1. Waikiki Beach 2. Waikiki Adventure 3. Windward Waimanalo 4. Windward Kailua 5. North Shore Country Living 6. Honolulu Seeing the City 7. Leeward Ko Olina Quick Hits Favorite Tours Snorkel Guide TheHawaiiVacationGuide.com Wayfinder Itinerary Aloha! Thank you so much for purchasing our itinerary and entrusting us to help make your vacation the absolute best it can be. We are so excited to share our favorite spots with you. We designed this itinerary to be a grab-and-go type guide. That is, we don’t expect you to do all seven of these excursion days in a row. That would be exhausting. Instead, we hope that if you want to venture out and explore an area one day, our excursion days can help you do just that, without wasting precious time researching. For example, say you really want to see all that the north shore offers. Flip to our North Shore Country Living excursion and follow the guide. We’ve mapped out your day to make the most of your time, get in the best sights, and make sure you’re not backtracking all over the place. Don’t feel like doing a full-day itinerary but you want to know what is the best restaurant/beach/tour in your area? This is where our Quick Hits section comes in. In this section, you’ll find our favorite restaurants, beaches, and snorkel spots in Waikiki/Honolulu, North Shore, and Ko Olina. And don't miss the Favorite Tours section, in case you want to add a little more to your trip. Plus, don’t forget to watch the videos that are included with this guide. And lastly, check out our Snorkel Guide for some advice to help you snorkel safely like a pro. Malama Pono, Erica & Jordan (and Henry & Hattie) Copyright 2021 Gellerholz Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of Erica Gellerman or Jordan Fromholz. This guide is for the recipient ONLY. Wayfinder Itinerary COVID TESTING PROGRAM Step-By-Step Video Questions about the testing program? We walk you through the rules, common questions, how to test with a take-at-home test (Vault Health), and completing the pre-travel forms. We go step-by-step and answer some of our most frequently received questions. Click here or the image to play. If that doesn't do the trick, copy and paste this into your browser: https://youtu.be/AXGpueSiIEw Are you vaccinated? Watch this video on how to upload your vaccination card so you don't have to complete the pre-travel testing program. Copy and paste this link: https://youtu.be/RrZwGxP8lzs Note: this is not personalized advice and you should still consult the official guidance published by the state of Hawaii. Visit their website for up-to-date information. COVID Testing Video Wayfinder Itinerary O'AHU IN A NUTSHELL Video Guide Get to know O'ahu before you get here. We start with a lay of the land so you can familiarize yourself with some basics and then dive into what to expect when you visit different parts of the island. This video will help you pick what excursion days you absolutely have to do. Click here or the image to play. If that doesn't do the trick, copy and paste this into your browser: https://youtu.be/HxrIuY35u_A Video Guide EXCURSION DAYS WAIKIKI BEACH Wayfinder Itinerary WAIKIKI BEACH Waikiki Neighborhood Today we are keeping it local in Waikiki. There’s a good chance you are staying on this part of the island. Let’s shake off the jetlag with the best coffee shop in Waikiki, then head to the famous beach, with all the best 4 1 & 6 things to do and eat in the smallest, big neighborhood in Honolulu. 5 2 3 RESERVATION SCHEDULE No reservations required PACK PARKING Sunscreen If driving into Waikiki, head to the Honolulu Zoo Beach towel parking lot for $1.50 per hour (4-hr max) or free Sun-protective clothing parking at the Waikiki Shell, along Ala Wai Blvd Sunglasses (the canal), or Ala Wai Boat Harbor area (max 6- hrs). Arrive early as parking in Waikiki is challenging. INITIAL DRIVE TIME From Airport: 20 minutes (get directions here) From Ko Olina: 40 minutes (get directions here) From Turtle Bay: 75 minutes (get directions here) Waikiki Beach Day OVERVIEW Waikiki Beach Day STOP 1: COFFEE SHOP 831 411 Nahua St, Honolulu, 96815 Google Maps directions STOP 2: WAIKIKI BEACH Price: $10-$15 per person Hours: closed Sun and Mon, Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI opens at 7 am Google Maps directions Tip: try their pour-over with a Price: free papaya bowl Time There: 2 to 4-hours (it’s your beach time!) STOP 3: LUNCH AT RAINBOW Tip: get there by 10 am to pick your DRIVE-IN favorite spot 3308 Kanaina Ave., Honolulu, HI STOP 4: SHOPPING AT Google Maps directions INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE Price: $10 a plate 2330 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI Reservation: walk-up window Google Maps directions Tip: take a Biki Bike here! Price: mid to luxury retail shops Tip: check-out shops on Kuhio Ave for good deals STOP 5: SUNSET DRINKS AT THE MOANA SURFRIDER’S THE BEACH BAR STOP 6: MARUKAME UDON WAIKIKI 2365 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 2310 Kuhio Ave. #124, Honolulu, HI Google Maps directions Google Maps directions Price: $20 cocktails / $10 beers Price: $10 to $15 a person Reservation: walk-in only Reservation: walk-in only, order online available for takeout or delivery Tip: there is a line but it moves fast Waikiki Beach Day IN-DEPTHWaikiki Beach Day STOP 1: COFFEE SHOP 831 Start the fight against jet lag by grabbing a world-famous Kona coffee. Coffee Shop 831 is the closest thing you will find to a North Shore coffee shop in Waikiki. Surfing competitions on the television, 100% Hawaiian and organic coffee, and for those coffee aficionados, try their signature pour-over. To fill you up, grab a smoothie, croissant breakfast sandwich (The Hula Boy), a papaya boat, or acai bowl. It is off the main drag but it's worth the walk. Take your coffee and breakfast to the beach to enjoy. The surfers will be out there for you to watch. Stop 1 Alternative: Eggs ‘n Things If you are craving more than coffee and paninis then hit up this famous breakfast spot. Serving up classic, comfort breakfast eats since 1974, come here if you are craving a big breakfast with diner coffee on the side. The place is small so there may be a wait. You can also take it to go as the beach is across the street. Plates are $10.50 to $15.00 Get directions here STOP 2: WAIKIKI BEACH Waikiki Beach is a bit of a misnomer. While Waikiki Beach is at the center of it all in front of the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue, the 2-mile stretch of gold-sand is composed of 8 beaches. Our favorite section of the beach is from the Royal Hawaiian to Duke’s statue. The full beach starts at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west side (Ewa Side) and goes to Queen Kapi’olani Park on the east side (Diamond Head Side). The sand is interrupted by erosion at the Sheraton Waikiki. Each beach section is slightly unique with the surf break, size of beach, activities, and views. The center near the Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider hotels has a little bit of it all. Soak up the sun, jump in the waves, and enjoy pupus (appetizers) and drinks from the bars lining the shore. Enjoy the most famous beach in the world. Tip: The crowds do come to Waikiki Beach so arrive by 10 am for your pick of a spot. If you wish to have more social distancing, head to the far ends - Kahanamoku Beach in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Kapi’olani Beach Park in front of Queen Kapi’olani Regional Park are more secluded. Waikiki Beach Day IN-DEPTHWaikiki Beach Day STOP 3: LUNCH AT RAINBOW DRIVE-IN Located in the Kapahulu neighborhood at the base of Diamond Head (Le’ahi), is a locals favorite. Walk-up to the window and order a classic Hawaiian plate lunch with two scoops rice and mac salad. Sure you can sub-out for fries and coleslaw but why would you come all this way? Classic plate lunches include loco moco, mahi-mahi plate, Portuguese sausage with two eggs, and so many more. Just look for the rainbow-neon sign. Rainbow Drive-In is a mile-walk from central Waikiki Beach so hop on a Biki Bike, the turquoise rideshare bikes, hop in an Uber or the bus, or take the 20-minute stroll. Stop 3 Alternative: Kono’s Northshore - Waikiki Located in the center of Waikiki is a walk-up window on the end of a building. Look for the surfing pig. Kono’s is a famous North Shore restaurant featuring 12-hour slow-roasted kalua pork. They dish it out in burritos (aka, bombers), bowls, bagels, wraps, and sandwiches. $11 burritos Get directions here STOP 4: SHOPPING AT INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE Waikiki is known amongst the islands for its shopping.