Tag Archives: Waikiki

Shopping Heaven – Ala Moana

21 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by in Ala Moana - Honolulu Hawaii

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For me, no visit to Honolulu would be complete without a shopping expedition to this centre. I always arrive in Honolulu with my list of “must do’s” while I am there and close to the top of this list is, Ala Moana Shopping Centre. Ala Moana is much more than a shopping centre, it offers me a great day out

 

Ala Moana
Ala Moana
Ala Moana
Ala Moana
Ala Moana

Ala Moana Centre, commonly known just as Ala Moana, is the largest shopping mall in Hawaii. It has over 350 stores over 4 floors and is usually open from 9.30am to 9.00pm most days. It is easily accessed by bus from Waikiki or the Waikiki trolley pink line which only costs $2 or in fact you can walk it, depending on what part of Waikiki you are staying in.

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Just across the road from Ala Moana Beach Park

Every visit for us to this mall includes stopping for lunch at the restaurant in Nordstrom. Ruscello serves up chic, contemporary Mediterranean and Italian meals. We always arrive early as this popular restaurant fills up quickly for lunch and before long there is a line of folks waiting for tables. After our lunch often we visit the gelato bar just outside Nordstrom for a locally made gelato or sorbet.

 

In ala moana
In ala moana
In ala moana

This mall is enormous. The stores include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s as the major department stores. There are high end designer stores, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Dior, etc as well as the regular mall stores and specialty Hawaiian stores. There is a Long’s Drugs, Foodland grocery store, several food courts and dozens of restaurants.

 

Shops in Ala Moana
Shops in Ala Moana
Shops in Ala Moana
Shops in Ala Moana

On centre stage, each day there are hula shows and live entertainment offering plenty of seating to stop and enjoy the local dance and Hawaiian music.

 

Live Entertainment
Centre Stage

Ala Moana was much smaller when I lived in Hawaii. Over the years, it kept growing. There are shops for anything and everything–just wear comfortable shoes. It is a long walk to cover the length of this shopping centre. With over 350 shops, it can be overwhelming.

 

Ala Moana
Ala Moana
Ala Moana

A visit to Ala Moana is a great experience. Go for the shopping, the restaurants, the entertainment or just to wander around and enjoy this massive beautiful complex. There are lots of places to stop and rest, people watch and there are beautiful ponds with koi fish and many water features. The plants, landscape and flowers are stunning and found everywhere around the complex.

 

Koi
Pond
Plants
Koi
Landscaping
Pond
Koi
Water Feature

Stay an hour or several or spend days here. Young or old, male or female, there is something for everyone.

And, if you are a shopaholic, it will be a heavenly experience.

New Version of the old International Market Place – Waikiki

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Hawaii, International Market Place Waikiki

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Since my last trip to Hawaii there has been a big transformation in Waikiki. The International Market place which is located on Kalakaua Avenue in the heart of Waikiki is now new, upscale and very modern.

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Kalakaua Entrance to International Market Place

I have very mixed feelings about the International Market place now. If you are a first time visitor to Waikiki you may think that the new market place is wonderful with its beautiful open space. And it is. However it has lost its old traditional charm. Thank goodness they have kept the original banyan tree which still dominates and is the main feature. But the old Hawaiian feel and street vendors are gone. I missed the Auntie’s stringing leis and the Hawaiians carving Hawaiian tiki statues. I missed the true international flair it had back in the day.

 

Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree

When I lived in Hawaii, the international market place was often our meeting place, particularly in the evenings and quite often it was where we spent the entire evening. There was always something happening and it was fun and remained like this for years.

 

International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place

However, It is now a beautiful open air environment with high end shops and many restaurants on several levels.

The ground floor has benches and chairs scattered about, so it’s easy to relax and enjoy just being there. Water features are everywhere, which make it feel fresh and calming. There is also a variety of trees, palms, potted plants and other vegetation. At the front near the Kalakaua entrance, you will find a new Don Ho statue where you can take photos with the local legend.

 

International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place
International Market Place

I have fond memories of the old international market place and while I miss the old one, there are certain aspects of the new market place that are simply delightful. It is still a great place to sit and take a break from walking or Waikiki traffic. You will find comfortable seats, lounges and benches on all levels of the market place. Stop and visit Don’s Tree house in the historic banyan tree which was planted in the mid 1800’s.

 

Tree House
Tree House
Tree House

 

 

Stay cool under the Banyan tree
Stay cool

It seems that no matter how hot the day is, it is always cool and refreshing in the market place under the magnificent banyan tree.

Best Mai Tai – Under Pink Umbrellas

09 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Lunch on Waikiki Beach

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Sitting proudly on Waikiki beach is the Iconic luxury hotel the Royal Hawaiian Hotel which is affectionately known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific. This bright pink 90 year old regal hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Waikiki and only 2 miles from Ala Moana shopping mall and 9 miles from Honolulu Airport.

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View from Surf Lanai

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Royal Hawaiian
Royal Hawaiian
Royal Hawaiian
Mai Tai

We chose the Surf Lanai restaurant which is in the Royal Hawaiian hotel for our belated birthday lunch celebration.  The Surf Lanai is an upscale outdoor beach-side restaurant serving up casual elegance and specializing in classic dishes and tropical local foods.

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The Surf Lanai offered beautiful views of the crystalline ocean and Diamond Head and a wonderful lunch selection with great service. Our meals were first class.

View from Surf Lanai
View from Surf Lanai
View from Surf Lanai
View from Surf Lanai

When I lived in Hawaii, I worked on the catamaran, the Keipoikai which would have been the mother of this Keipoikai.  I enjoyed fantastic memories of some very memorable days on Waikiki beach.

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Keipoikai Catamaran

 As we walked through the hotel to the restaurant on the beach we went through beautiful rooms with traditional Hawaiian decor. There were very few changes from when I lived in Hawaii. It felt like a step back in time.

 

 

Royal Hawaiian.
Royal Hawaiian.
Royal Hawaiian.
Royal Hawaiian.
Royal Hawaiian.
Royal Hawaiian.

You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to dine here at the Surf Lanai. We drove down from Kailua and took advantage of the complimentary parking. There is also valet parking available for diners at the hotel restaurants.

A walk on the beach after our meal was a perfect finish to a relaxed and delightfully lazy lunch.

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A walk on Waikiki beach

It was such a very special day out for both of us. 

Dukes for Coffee in Waikiki 

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Dukes for Coffee in Waikiki

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We drove down to Waikiki this morning to go to Dukes for coffee and then for swims.

We parked in the car park at the Waikiki shell and then wandered along Kalakaua Avenue towards the Outrigger hotel where Dukes Restaurant is. Dukes is named after Duke Kahanamoku who was a well known Hawaiian surfing legend.

Walking along Kalakaua Avenue

At the restaurant, we were seated at a table on the lanai which is right on the beach, and we enjoyed the wonderful view. 

The coffee is so good, the location perfect and the music is the best. So good in fact that we decided to stay for lunch. A trip to Hawaii for me is not complete without at least a coffee at Dukes. 

View from Dukes. Looking towards Diamond Head

Lunch. Simple and just right

After lunch we walked back down Kalakaua Avenue towards Diamond Head where we stopped at Queens Beach for our swim. The water was crystal clear and perfect.

After our swims we relaxed on the sand, people watching and taking in the gorgeous Hawaiian sunshine. I had almost forgotten just how good this feels.

Another fabulous day in paradise.

Aloha from Hawaii

11 Saturday Nov 2017

Posted by in Kailua Beach Hawaii

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After a short 8 and a half hour flight from Brisbane I arrived in Honolulu. I had almost forgotten how very friendly these people are but was reminded very quickly as I cleared customs and immigration at the airport

My friends picked me up from the airport and we drove to their home in Kailua.

Late in the afternoon Linda and I went for a walk along beautiful Kailua Beach. The perfect way to clear my head and recharge my batteries after the night flight and the time difference.

Kailua is very close to the Ko’olau mountains making the beach and the skies gorgeous.

I

I was fascinated by the kite boarders. We counted at least 12 of them having the best time as the wind was quite strong. It is amazing how high they jump above the water. Kiteboarding is a surface water sport combining aspects of wake boarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and sailing into one extreme sport.

This house is right on the beach. Imagine a Mai Tai sitting here overlooking the beach and ocean at sunset.

Kailua is a town on the east coast of the main island Oahu. This part of the island is known as the windward side of the island. Although it is only about 20 miles from Waikiki it will take about 45 minutes to an hour to drive due to the traffic. Kailua beach is the water sports hub of the area.

I left the beach feeling refreshed and recharged.

Returning to Paradise – Hawaii

03 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by in Hawaii

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Yes I am going back to Hawaii

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I enjoyed Hawaii so much last November that I am returning.

The flight over from Australia to Honolulu is so easy. It is only just over 9 hours flying time which is a pleasure compared to the 26 hour flight to Europe. It is a direct flight, Brisbane to Honolulu. For us Aussies, that is so nice.

So here is a little reminder of what I will be seeing again very soon.

Waikiki Beach
Waikiki

This time I am adding San Francisco to the trip. San Francisco is actually the main reason I am going. When my Hawaii friend Linda learned that I have never been to San Francisco she suggested that we go together some time. Well, now is some time.

So of course you will be hearing from me from Hawaii and San Francisco, with lots of photos.

 

The Perfect Holiday – in Hawaii

08 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in Hawaii - Waikiki

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I am now home after a perfect holiday. Why perfect?

Firstly, I was in Paradise. And, it was just such an easy holiday.  It started with my flight from Brisbane to Honolulu which was very good with excellent flight staff.

I achieved everything on my “bucket list”, and the weather was perfect.  I caught up with friends who I had not seen for many years and I enjoyed every single day.

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One of the items on my bucket list was to spend a day in Waikiki.  So off we went to Waikiki for the day. It was only a 30 minute drive from Kailua to Waikiki.  We found an all day parking at the Waikiki shell which is at the Diamond Head end of Kalakaua Ave.  We then strolled along this famous strip, stopping in to many stores along the way.

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 Around mid morning, we decided to stop for coffee “on the beach” so went in to Dukes Waikiki which is a legendary spot in Waikiki in the Outrigger Hotel. We were shown to a table in the bar which was right at the beach.  Over our coffees we watched the many activities on the world’s most famous beach.  The service was excellent, the location perfect and the coffee pretty good.

After coffee, we strolled along the  beach and walked on the water’s edge, and then walked in to the Sheraton where we found some great shops where we did a little retail therapy.

We were so impressed with Dukes that we decided to return for lunch. Dukes is one of the best places along the beach to have a mai tai and a good meal while looking at a fantastic view of the beach. Yes, I had a mai tai. It just felt like the right thing to do at the time and it was stunning. Dukes is a great way to experience all that Waikiki has to offer. The food is good, sensibly priced and the service was friendly and attentive.

 

Later in the afternoon we dropped by the beautiful Moana Hotel for an afternoon drink. The Moana is from a bygone era with all the modern upgrades. Located in the centre of town with absolute beachfront and an outdoor restaurant.  It is like a grand lady, with rich timber floors and antique architecture. A very nice treat that I can highly recommend.

From the Moana, we headed back to the car and drove “home”

Every day for me while in Hawaii was special and then to top off a perfect holiday,  on my departure, was my introduction to using Sky cap.  Sky cap, for those of you who have not heard of it, is a kerb side check in at the airport.  So from where I was dropped off by my friends, I had a 2 metre walk to the friendly staff at Sky cap. They took my luggage and with my ticket and passport they had me checked in with boarding pass in about 2 minutes. I was then free of luggage to do whatever I wished. It was the fastest, easiest check-in for me, ever.  Usually I stand in line to check-in for a very long time even when I arrive to the airport 3 hours early.  If you ever have the opportunity to use Sky cap, do so, they are almost too good to be true.  Just remember to give them a small tip.

The return flight was a daytime flight so not quite as good as the night flight but still excellent service and great staff.

 

 

 

 

Aloha from Hawaii

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Hawaii, Honolulu

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Only a 9 hour direct flight from Brisbane is Honolulu.

Yes, I am back in beautiful Hawaii.  As many of you know this is where my passion for travel began. I came to Hawaii on a vacation and stayed 11 years. Yes, many years ago I fell  in love with these beautiful islands which was Very easy to do.

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It has been a very long time since my last trip and certainly well overdue. Although I am now a tourist, this trip is not about being a tourist but in fact catching up with friends and doing the local things.

The weather is simply perfect. The sun is just as hot as ever but with the trade winds blowing the climate is just right.

Since arriving a few days ago my feet have barely touched the ground.

My first day included lunch at a local style restaurant where we enjoyed the very famous Mahi Mahi which is a local fish. Although it has been many years since I lived here,  I felt quite at home sitting in this little restaurant.

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From  there it was a walk along Kailua beach looking over to Kaneohe.

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I spent a morning on my favourite beach on the south side of the island, Sans Souci, which is just along from Waikiki. Sans Souci Beach is paradise at the foot of Diamond Head.  There is plenty of free parking if you get there early enough. I always enjoyed the walk along the wall on the waterfront which leads to little private beaches where you can swim in crystal clear clean clean water. There is a park for picnics or barbeques, lots of space for playing etc and also showers and toilets right by the beach.

I spent a day at my favourite shopping centre, Ala Moana, which is a shopaholic’s paradise with many different types of retailers and a great selection of eateries. You can easily catch a bus to here from Waikiki beach.

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Another special day was church with my friends. This church, in Kaneohe,  I thought, was very unique as it is on a golf course, and so very picturesque with the Ko’olau mountains as the back drop and views of the ocean in the distance.

Kailua and Kaneohe are on the windward side of the main island Oahu and about 30 minutes drive from Waikiki  or Honolulu via the Pali highway. A delightful escape from the hustle and bustle.