Probably the most visited island in the world is Honolulu where millions of people from all over America and Japan stay every year. After they have made their way through the airport, the vast majority will be heading towards the Waikiki area of the island. The attraction of Waikiki is nearly magnetic - the bustle of the busy streets, the long and extended beaches and the rich history of the land soon make the visitors hit the streets. The excitement of discovering Waikiki is so intense that most visitors never escape its imaginary borders. Every year over 6 million visitors miss out of sights, which local residents find most winsome and all of them lie within a radius of 2 square miles of Waikiki.
If you are a visitor who would like to get a taste of Oahu through the eyes of a resident, this article may be of special interest to you.
Magic Island Beach Park - This popular park is located just west of Waikiki, across the street from the Ala Moana Shopping Center. The park includes two beaches, a three mile jogging path, tennis courts, and more. A walk around the park will expose the center of Hawaiian culture - people with large extended families gather around hibachis, spending the day together with a good food and plenty of sun. The beaches are significantly less crowded, so for a great day, grab a barbecue and head down to the beach at Magic Island!
At the top of Makiki Heights Drive there is a tiny museum called the Contemporary Museum of Honolulu where visitors benefit from the fantastic views this place can offer. The relatively small museum offers changing exhibits in its five galleries and after traversing the galleries, visitors can wander out onto the sculpture gardens. 5 acres, includes sculptures as well as places for meditation, and can offer an unforgettable view of Honolulu.
Leong’s Cafe - Many visitors look to a lu’au for more than entertainment especially when they are after some great Hawaiian food. However, if you are looking out to taste some delectable foods cooked in typical Hawaiian style, then you can never miss out on Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. Some renowned cuisine that you get here includes kalua pig, lu’au stew, lomi lomi and more and both the local residents as well as foreign tourists have been frequenting this place for more than 5 decades.
Champion Malasadas - Hawaii has a local dish called Malasadas which have become so entrenched in the everyday lives of Hawaiins that they renamed Fat Tuesday and called it Malasadas Day. The address of this revered and the best bakery is Champion Malasadas, 1926 South Beretania Street. Although a Hawaiian treat, they are in fact Portuguese and are donuts without the hole and they are served with or without your favorite filling.
Honolulu Chinatown - A walk through the streets of Chinatown in like a walk into another time and place. Whether you are looking for dim sum, fresh produce, handmade leis, or the new hip lounge, you are sure to find it in Chinatown. The streets and shops are exotic, offering items not found in a typical American grocery. Guided walking tours are available for this historic district, but often the best way is to simply meander through the streets, stopping whenever your interest has been piqued.
If you are interested in seeing Oahu through a locals eyes, be sure to spend some time outside of Waikiki. Explore all or some of the points of interest as mentioned above and you would know why Hawaii is called a paradise on earth.
