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So you’re staying in Honolulu — that means you’ll have your fill of thrills: snorkeling, hiking, and surfing the waves of famous Waikiki if you’re especially adventurous. But all that adventure is sure to leave you longing for a moment to just cool off, kick back, and relax. To get a taste of Honolulu’s authentic Aloha spirit, but still take advantage of air conditioning, try straying from the comfort of Honolulu hotels and hitting up spots you won’t find in any brochures.
If you want breathtaking views that don’t require trekking up an incline or having the sun beat down on you, check out what’s going on at the historic Hawaii Theatre Center downtown. Built in 1922, it has a gorgeous Art Deco-inspired interior, complete with gilt-edged columns and rococo paintings bedecking the walls and ceilings. The theater hosts big events — plays, concerts, stand-up acts, and even fashion shows — but even if one doesn’t overlap with your trip, you can take advantage of their hour-long tours, which include a mini-concert!
If you’re more interested in shopping than architecture, check out Red Pineapple. The store is a favorite among savvy locals on the hunt for gifts. Inside, you can find Italian and Parisian soaps and hard-to-find Tokyo Milk perfumes, but they also sell a wide range of Hawaiian goodies you can gift to discerning loved ones back home: locally made vanilla cream soda, tropical teas and jams, Kona coffee, and taro chips. If you’re shopping for fashion rather than gifts, there’s also Mahina, a cute Waikiki boutique where you can find trendy, flirty dresses at surprisingly cheap prices. (A tip from locals in the know: If you’re waiting for your table at nearby Yard House, your pager will be in range while you browse the shop.)
Finally, find a respite from the sunshiny heat with some shave ice. Yes, it doesn’t look too different from a regular old snow cone, but don’t let the resemblance fool you. When it’s done right, the ice in shaved ice has a velvety, snowlike texture that makes it better for absorbing flavor — and the flavors are what make it distinctly Hawaiian: think guava, coconut, pineapple, and passionfruit (or “lilikoi” as it’s known locally). To make it even more decadent, most shave ice comes with either a scoop of ice cream or azuki beans — you can also have it topped with a ”snowcap” of sweetened condensed milk.
a hidden Ala Moana oasis with an abundance of homemade syrups, and Waiola Shave Ice, a mom-and-pop-style operation in residential Moiliili, are two spots locals swear by.
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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!
