Hawaiian Adventure

HAWAIIAN ADVENTURE oahu, friendship, memories

by: Kristy Hernandez

One of my favorite destinations is Hawaii, and my most recent trip to Oahu was full of exciting adventures, thanks to my dear friend Shanna. She has become a connoisseur since moving to Hawaii a year ago and picked some great locations for us to enjoy. Some of our excursions included snorkeling, hiking, and attending a luau with amazing sunset views. Here are some hot spots that are on my personal “Hawaii Highlights” list. Waikiki is the island’s tourist district. It has massive hotels, designer stores, delicious restaurants, and beautiful photo ops with Waikiki Beach as the backdrop. Some restaurants to lookout for are Hula Grill, RumFire and Duke’s. These are all beachfront with incredible views, drinks, and food. A high point was taking beautiful waterfall pictures at Kuhio Beach Park. Another hidden gem near Waikiki is the Kaka’ako. It is a lively urban center in Honolulu with colorful street art, unique dining, and shopping experiences. While in Kaka’ako, we strolled the streets, took pics with unique art, and dined at Moku Kitchen – a hip restaurant that brings Hawaii’s rich upcountry farming and ranching heritage to downtown Honolulu’s urban lifestyle. It was excellent! Snorkeling in Waianae was amazing! Even if you are a beginner snorkeler, you will have a great time. The water is calm, making it easy to view the pods of dolphins, coral reef, tropical fish, and magnificent sea turtles! Just remember, no matter the situation, always respect the local wildlife. Doing so ensures your safety and the safety of the animals as well. The Lanikai Pillbox Hike was filled with adventure. This is a moderate hike that took about 1.5 hours, roundtrip. It is best to do this hike as early as possible,

because there is no shade, and it tends to get hot midmorning. This hike is well-worth the trip, as it is one of the most picturesque views of the island. Make sure to take some good hiking shoes – the terrain is rough and un-paved. You will also want to bring a bathing suit to enjoy Lanikai Beach afterwards! It is ranked as one of the best beaches in the world with white sand and aqua-blue waters. It is gorgeous and was a peak of my trip. Paradise Cove did not disappoint with their 5-star traditional Hawaiian Luau. We enjoyed a wonderful evening filled with delightful cuisine, exciting activities and phenomenal entertainment overlooking a spectacular Hawaiian sunset. This was an unforgettable experience and highly recommended. Hawaii is filled with beauty and endless adventures. When you visit, remember to step out of your comfort zone, pack the essentials, rent a car, wear sunblock, and explore with a friend!