Da Kitchen

This is one of our favorite spots that we always go back to and a must for our visiting family and friends from the mainland.This local restaurant was recommended by our good friends from Maui, the Gundersons. This place is very close to Wailkiki (see map below) so after a long day at the beach or hiking Diamond Head, go visit this place for lunch or dinner here. The place is very clean, service is fast and the servers are very nice. For menu or more info, please click here.

side order of Poi

Fried Spam Musubi - onolicious and very filling

My Kai-kai enjoying his favorite meal here - fried mac and cheese in keiki menu

Hawaiian Plate

Da Kitchen

925 Isenberg Street

Honolulu, HI 96826

Hours:

Mon-Sat - 11am -9pm 

Byodo-In Temple

The Byodo-In Temple is located at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It was established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Byodo-In Temple in O'ahu is a smaller-scale replica of the over 950-year-old Byodo-in Temple, a United Nations World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan.

For more info click here

Halona Blowhole

Halona Blowhole lookout point is a few miles away from the Lanai lookout point. The blowhole is formed by the rock formation that spews water out of the blowhole, looking like a water fountain. Being a marvelous sight, it is a big tourist spot in Hawaii. Never climb down the rocks to go close to the Halona blowhole. It is said that Halona is one of the most dangerous currents in the world and there have been several deaths when people went close to the blowhole.

During winter (Oct to March), this is a good spot to see humpback whales as they leave the North Pacific, but we did not see the whales.

This place is also a look out of the gorgeous Sandy beach.

On the right side of the Halona blowhole lookout point is the Halona Beach Cove. It became popular in the movie "From Here to Eternity," hence it is also called the "Eternity Beach". We hiked down the rocks to get there and saw people swimming, snorkeling and fishing in the Eternity beach.

Halona Beach Cove

 

Sandy Beach

Lana'i Lookou

A little over a half-mile past Hanauma Bay as you head toward Makapuu Point, you'll see a turnout on the ocean side with some fine views of the coastline. In winter, you'll have an opportunity to see storm-generated waves crashing against lava cliffs. This is also a popular place for winter whale-watching so bring your binoculars, some sunscreen, and a picnic lunch and join the small crowd scanning for telltale white spouts of water only a few hundred yards away. On clear days, you should be able to see the islands of Molokai and Lanai off in the distance, hence the name.

Address: Kalanianaole Hwy., just past Hanauma Bay, Koko Head, HI, 96825

Kukaniloko Birth Stones

In the middle of a sugar cane field in central Oahu, you’ll find a sacred site – the Kukaniloko birthing stones. The sign at this site says that as many as 800 years ago, chiefs and chiefesses came to this site for the birth of their children. A child born hire was assured high-ranking status.

What to know when you go:

• These stones are located about a 100 yards from the intersection of Highway 80 and Whitmore Avenue. There’s a very small unofficial paved parking area that’s literally off this intersection, directly across the road from Whitmore Avenue. We accidentally passed by the parking area the first time because it doesn’t look like a parking area. It looks more like a farm road. Be careful that you don’t park in the dirt area if it looks muddy. We almost got stuck when we drove off the pavement to turn around.
• Please respect these stones and the people who visit them as they are sacred to the Hawaiian people. You might see someone chanting or leaving an offering, so be respectful of their place.
• There are two distinct sections to this monument.
• The dirt path to the first section of stones is a flat walk of about 100 yards.
• Allow about 20 minutes for visiting this site.
  
  

 

 

Bellows Air Force Station

Located on Oahu's windward coast, Bellows Beach is noted for its clear, azure blue waters, soft white sand and waves ideal for bodyboarding. Many people would consider it one of the prettiest beaches on the island. The beach is backed by rows of ironwood trees, which provide plenty of shade in the afternoons.

Bellows Beach Park Overview

• Beach is a favorite among bodyboarders
• Beach park is located between Inoa'ole and Waimanalo Stream, in front of the Bellows Air Force Station
• Part of the longest stretch of sandy shoreline on Oahu - to the south is Waimanalo Beach
• Watch out for jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-wars on the shoreline, they often get washed up on the beach
• Camping is allowed with a permit, more info here

This was take right outside the cabins.

A view of Waimanalo

A view of Mokulua Islands

Cabins

Hubby and kids attempted to fish but did not catch anything.

Bellows Beach