Free & Fun things to do in Waikiki

Free Movies on Waikiki beach – "Sunset on the Beach" hosts a 30 foot screen and shows family friendly films; food vendors and musicians perform; table and chairs set up but bring your own towel just in case; Satrudays and sundays (check times/dates: http://www.sunsetonthebeach.net)

Free Fireworks (fridays) at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (can be viewed from the beach walk or any part of the waikiki strip)

Free live Hawaiian music in the evenings – Moana Surfrider is my favorite (outdoors under the big banyon tree; grab a drink and sit under the stars). Almost all big chain hotels (e.g. Sheraton and Marriott Waikiki good too) have live music; usually held around the hotel poolside areas.

Free Beach Walk Programs: free Cultural activities and lessons everyday (e.g. learn hawaiian chants, the hula, obake (ghost) story readings and more). ask local hotels near the beach walk for schedule.

Live Hula dancing and Hawaiian Music on the beach: Waikiki (across from McDonalds) put on by the city; just gather around; very informal.

Live Hula Hawaiian entertainers (DFG—Duty Free Gallery; 8:30ish on top level). The show is to "introduce" tourists to different Hawaiian styles of dancing--Polenesian, etc. One of the few places on the island to get French crepes can be found downstairs in the food court.

Waikiki beach – jump into the ocean and take a dive! Need I say more?

Walk on Kalakaua Ave and watch the street performers; browse the high end shops.

Nike runs on Wednesdays at 6pm (meet at the Waikiki Nike Store next to Tiffanys/BR)

Honolulu Festival – (Mid-March); last year was packed with people, the parade lasting until 9 or 10pm

Favorite Honolulu Lunch Spots

By this I mean good places to “lunch.” Great spaces, good food, and nice ambiance; places to meet for a nice afternoon with friends or co-workers.

Downtown (Hawaii State Art Museum)
Pavilion Café (Honolulu Academy of Arts; outdoor)
Mariposa (Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Mall)

Casual Eating & Meeting:
Town (Kaimuki) – healthy, as urban-ish as Honolulu gets

I like the Pineapple Room too (Macys, Ala Moana)

Best Of Hawaii Posts

For friends and family traveling to Hawaii this spring and summer...I've decided to post up some quick highlights of my personal takes on the best places to eat, drink, shop and be in Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. I'll start with Honolulu first!

{Locals and visitors, please feel free to add your comments and suggestions!}

Best place to get “O List” finds – Red Pineapple

I love this store. I think I walk through it everytime I got to Borders at Ward. Red Pineapple is a fun store for ladies (and men) looking for cool things they don’t need but can’t resist but to buy.

You’ll find many items that Oprah lists as her “favorite things” in her O magazine. Cool stain striped shoe bags, patterned foam bag for computer chords, funky tea cups, artsy deck of cards…anything fun, funny, clever and whimsical can be found here.

I had been looking for a long time for a high-heeled shoe door stopper I once saw online. Only stores on the east coast were selling it—then lo and behold, where on the west coast would it be sold but Red Pineapple.

Red Pineapple
www.redpineapple.net
808.589.2733

Coffee Bean vs. Starbucks

Hands down, I’m a Coffee Bean gal. I love grabbing my free copy of the Star Bulletin, sitting on the long leather couch, and logging in to my free one hour internet service-- just enough time to check my email and ease into my work.

What I love about Coffee Bean:

Gourmet styled desserts: Red velvet cupcake, carrot cake, assorted pastries as well as their Hawaiian specialties: Lilikoi Mac Nut Bar, Coconut Pineapple Bread Pudding; Haupia Azuki Bean Brioche.

Art at the Bean - Here in Hawaii, each branch features rotating exhibits of paintings and photographs by local artists. I like this month’s contemporary watercolor pieces by Frances Hill. (www.coffeebeanhawaii.com)

Free ‘Beans: Daily copies of the Star Bulletin, one hour of Wi-Fi access, and samples of three selected teas.

Tea Selection: As someone who doesn’t drink coffee, I appreciate their assortment of hot teas, Ice Blended drinks, and Fru’ Teas infusions. This summer’s special: Pina Colada Ice Blended.

Better Music & Lighting—Light pop-alternative, picture windows and numerous recessed lighting give a spacious open feel. Definitely not loud, dark and sleepy as Starbucks.

Food Selection: Broccoli quiche, pesto pasta, assorted wraps, smoked salmon on bagel and beautifully presented gourmet confections (vs. standard Starbucks sandwiches, salads and muffins and scones). My usuals: Granola and milk (oatmeal with macadamia nuts and coconut shavings), Orzo pasta and Salmon fettuccini. Favorite flavored tea is TBD.

A Feminine Touch—Lightwood panels and furniture, curved architecture and furnishings, and dainty colors and designs of drink mugs and accessories (vs. Starbucks’ masculine bent—dark wood décor, and angular furniture and designed coffee goods). Overall, my theory is that Coffee Bean is catered to the tastes of women and Starbucks to that of men. Let me know what you think.

As a side note, Starbucks has been publicly criticized for their abuse of fair-trade policies and use of imperialistic marketing tactics (e.g. buying out local mom and pops and converting them into chain stores). On the upside, they do use recycled paper products. And in Hawaii they financial support local charities and community organizations.

Best Travel Saver - Portable Luggage Scale

At this past year's family Christmas white-elephant gift exchange, I found myself competing for a much coveted gift—a travel sized luggage scale. Having had the experience of frantically repacking items from my overweight suitcase into my carry-on bag at the airport counter in the French Riviera, I learned first hand how much a portable luggage scale will save you time, hassle, and unexpected airport fees.

Where to get it:
www.travelonbags.com (“Stop and Lock Luggage Scale with Tape Measure) $14.99
www.skymall.com (“Weigh To Go! Travel Scale”) $29.99

Best Camera Store - Samy's in Beverly Hills

A "Disneyland" for professional photographers, Samy's is voted the #1 Camera Store in Los Angeles. With four floors of professional camera equipment, friendly and knowledge staff, and a range of professional services frequented by the Hollywood industry, it's easy to see why. Sammy’s is a great place to go for pro and prosumer enthusiasts.

Inside Scoop: Now through June 15, all Tamrac and LowePro bags are 35% off plus No Sales Tax! Tamrac and LowePro representatives are also on the floor to assist you.

I spent a good hour or two in the store getting ready for my trip this weekend, and walked away with big bags of camera gear. Eager to put my purchases in the trunk of my car, I searched my purse for my missing car keys...then had to stop and chuckle--where else but Beverly Hills does one need to valet their car to simply shop in a camera store?!