Our Oahu, curated

The exact list we hand our guests: where we hike, eat, swim and play when the island is ours. Specific spots, honest tips and the fastest way to book each one.

Top hikes

Kailua · 25 min

Lanikai Pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge)

A short, steep ridge scramble to two painted WWII bunkers with the Mokulua islets and every shade of turquoise below.

Best time to goGo at sunrise: you are up in 30 minutes, the light is unreal and parking on Kaelepulu Drive is easy before 7am.

Honolulu · 15 min

Diamond Head Summit

The classic crater climb: switchbacks, a spiral stair through old fire-control tunnels and a 360 view over Waikiki.

Book aheadVisitors need a timed reservation at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Book up to 30 days out and take the first morning slot, before the heat.

East side · 25 min

Makapuu Point Lighthouse

A paved mile and a half above sea cliffs to the red-roofed lighthouse. From November through April this is a whale-watching balcony.

Come preparedBring binoculars in winter. There is zero shade, so go in the morning or the last two hours of light.

Manoa Valley · 15 min

Manoa Falls

A rainforest walk under banyans and bamboo to a 150-foot waterfall in the green valley Hollywood keeps borrowing.

Come preparedIt drizzles here almost daily: wear shoes you can muddy and pay for the lot instead of testing the street parking.

Hawaii Kai · 20 min

Koko Crater Railway

1,048 abandoned railway steps straight up the crater wall. Brutal, beloved and the best sunrise workout on the island.

Best time to goStart before 6:30am or after 4pm. On the bridge section the ties are open underfoot, so keep kids close.

Best dining

The big night

Waikiki

La Mer at Halekulani

French fine dining over the sand at Waikiki's grande dame: the occasion room for the trip's big night.

Dress codeBook a sunset table and dress the part, elegant resort attire with collared shirts for men.

Chinatown

Senia

Tasting-counter cooking that put Honolulu on the national map; the a la carte room is just as sharp.

Leave it to usThe chef's counter releases seats weeks ahead. Tell us your dates and we will chase them for you.

Waikiki

Sushi Sho

Ten seats, one Tokyo master, an omakase people fly across the Pacific for.

Leave it to usSeats vanish the moment they release. The day your stay is confirmed, have us request the counter.

Ward Village

Merriman's

Peter Merriman helped invent Hawaii regional cuisine; this is farm-to-table island cooking without a false note.

Insider tipAsk for the lanai at golden hour and finish with their signature mai tai.

Island flavor, zero fuss

Kalihi

Helena's Hawaiian Food

James Beard-honored Hawaiian food since 1946: pipikaula short ribs, kalua pig and squid luau served without ceremony.

Order thisOpen Tuesday through Friday only. Order the pipikaula, expect a line and thank us later.

Chinatown

The Pig & the Lady

Vietnamese soul food from a farmers-market stand turned essential room; the pho French dip is famous for a reason.

Best time to goGo for a weekday lunch and walk in early; weekend seats book out.

Honolulu Harbor

Nico's Pier 38

Fresh-off-the-auction fish beside the working harbor: furikake ahi, poke and plate lunches done right.

Best time to goLunch is the play; the fish auction next door supplied your plate that morning.

Kahuku · North Shore

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

The graffiti-covered truck that made Kahuku garlic shrimp famous: scampi butter over two scoops of rice.

Order thisLines peak at midday, so go early or late afternoon and order the shrimp scampi plate.

Kaneohe · 5 min from our Panoramic home

Haleiwa Joe's Haiku Gardens

Steaks, fresh fish and mai tais above a botanical valley under the Koolau; the garden view at dusk is unreal.

Insider tipNo reservations: put your name in, then walk the gardens until your table is called.

Sweets & shave ice

Kapahulu

Leonard's Bakery

Hot malasadas since 1952: Portuguese doughnuts fried to order and rolled in sugar.

Order thisOrder them hot, half plain and half haupia-filled; the pink box is the island's favorite souvenir.

Liliha

Liliha Bakery

An old-school Honolulu diner-bakery beloved since 1950, home of the chocolate-frosted coco puff.

Order thisA box of coco puffs disappears fast; grab a counter seat for butter rolls and a loco moco while you are there.

Haleiwa · North Shore

Matsumoto Shave Ice

The 1951 general store whose rainbow shave ice defines a North Shore afternoon.

Order thisGet it with mochi balls and condensed milk, then stroll surf-town Haleiwa while it melts.

Sunset Beach

Ted's Bakery

The North Shore's pie counter: the chocolate haupia cream pie is legend and the plate lunches feed the surf crowd.

Order thisTake a whole haupia pie back to the house; it survives the drive better than your willpower.

Best beaches

Kailua · 25 min

Lanikai Beach

Powder-soft sand and water so clear the outrigger canoes look airborne; a fixture on world's-best-beach lists.

Local etiquetteArrive before 9am, park respectfully in the neighborhood and carry everything out. No facilities is why it stays perfect.

Kailua · 25 min

Kailua Beach Park

Two and a half miles of turquoise with showers, shade and outfitters: the easy all-day base camp.

Insider tipRent a kayak and paddle to the Mokulua islets; the outfitters by the boat ramp sort the landing permits.

Waimanalo · 30 min

Waimanalo Bay

A wide, quiet crescent under the Koolau cliffs with ironwood shade and hardly a highrise in sight.

Local etiquetteA locals' favorite, so keep it low-key. Bellows Field next door opens its stretch to the public on weekends.

Hawaii Kai · 20 min

Hanauma Bay

A flooded volcanic crater turned marine preserve: the island's clearest, calmest snorkeling among reef fish and honu.

Leave it to usReservation only, released online two days ahead at 7am island time and gone in minutes; closed Monday and Tuesday. We will happily set the alarm for you.

North Shore · 55 min

Waimea Bay

Glassy jump-off-the-rock swimming in summer; in winter, giant surf that shakes the sand under your feet.

Make a day of itMake it a North Shore day: garlic shrimp in Kahuku, a haupia pie slice from Ted's and sunset from the point.

Tours & experiences

Our partner · book through us

Keawe Adventures

Private hiking, Pearl Harbor and island days with our favorite local crew, tailored to your group and your pace.

Our partnerMention the code word JENNY when you book and they will know you are our guest.

Kaneohe side · 10 min from our Panoramic home

Kualoa Ranch

4,000 acres of movie-famous valley (Jurassic Park, Jumanji, Kong) ridden by UTV, horseback or zipline.

Book aheadThe Raptor UTV tour is the one. Book a few weeks ahead and take the earliest slot for empty valleys.

Kewalo Basin

Makani Catamaran

Honolulu's sleekest sailing cat: tradewind runs along the south shore with the skyline behind and Diamond Head ahead.

Best time to goThe sunset sail is the keeper, and Fridays often end with fireworks off Waikiki.

Pearl Harbor · 25 min

USS Arizona Memorial

The memorial above the sunken Arizona is quiet, heavy and essential; allow a half day with the museums.

Book aheadBoat tickets are free on recreation.gov but scarce: reserve up to 8 weeks out or catch the next-day release at 3pm island time.

Island loop

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

A loop over the whole postcard: Waikiki, the Koolau knife-edges, hidden falls and the North Shore.

Insider tipAsk about the doors-off option if your crew wants the wind, and fly in the morning before clouds settle on the range.

Consider it arranged

Every table, trail and tour above is something our team arranges for guests all the time. Tell us what you want from the island and we will handle it before you land.

Concierge arrangements are offered as an added service.