Waiola’s (on Kapahulu, near Waikiki) has a softer shave ice. Almost like a slurpee-consistency. I found I preferred Matsumoto’s snowball style, with the ice cream and azuki beans (trust me on this!), usually Lychee and Melona . Plus you’re in Haleiwa, which mean you made a roadtrip to a neat surfers town.
Personal preference and all that. Try them both.
And how did I forget Leonard’s Malasadas, JSexton? Get one before you hike up Diamond Head. After the climb, those calories will be gone.
So here’s more eats (for the budget-minded):
Zippy’s chili. We all know Hawaii is synonymous with chili, right? Well, it will be after this. Get it with rice. Then you’ll go home and put rice in your chili all the time.
Get a plate lunch from just about anywhere, especially a lunch wagon. It’s a meat (fried chicken, fried mahimahi, or teriyaki beef) with rice and macaroni salad. For a good variation, try Kakaako Kitchen in Ward Center, a trendy new area. A plate-lunch place with a gourmet touch.
Korean BBQ is also a great plate lunch. Get a Kal Bi or Meat Jhun (the latter is only in Hawaii)… or combo them.
Souvenirs? Go to the huge Wal-Mart by Ala Moana. Yes, Wal-Mart is evil and all that, but not in Hawaii. We love their prices here.
Or hit the big flea market/swap meet at Aloha Stadium on Wednesdays and weekends- all the Hawai’ian crap you’ll ever need, at about 30% of retail!
Hike up to Manoa Falls, stopping at Treetops for lunch first (and free parking)- it’s an old-school Chinese buffet. The hike up to Manoa Falls is rated “easy” at 1.5 miles, but that is a lie- it is a moderate hike, and if it’s been raining (and it is a rain forest) the trail is muddy and a bit treacherous. Our 5 & 7 year olds made it to the falls, but my MIL did not. Good, solid hiking sandals or sneakers are a must (I saw a pregnant gal in flip flops going up ::shudder:: ) and not your best ones- if you misstep and land in a puddle, that red dirt will not come out. Ever.
Worth the hike- it’s a beautiful spot, and a trail continues up for the more experienced hiker.
A friend of mine is going to Hawaii next month and here is an e mail I sent him.
"Buy this guide book http://www.amazon.com/Oahu-Revealed-Ultimate-Honolulu-Revisited/dp/097172797X/ref=sr_1_4/002-8762220-0100025?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177566331&sr=1-4
Oahu Revealed. This is by far and away the best single guide book published for the island of Oahu. It covers Waikiki, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and the rest of the island.
Accept no substitutes, trust me on this.
Other stuff:
Hilo Hatties is a one stop tourist trap for shopping for gifts and stuff. If you simply must have matching aloha shirts, this is the place to go. Several locations the main store is on the road between the airport and Honolulu/Waikiki. (Ala Moana Blvd. if I recall correctly)
On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays there is a swap meet at the Aloha Bowl across from the Arizona Memorial / USS Missouri / USS Bowfin http://www.bowfin.org/website/index.cfm . The swap meet is simply amazing. it will take you at least 90 minutes just to walk through it, and that assumes you don’t look at much.
You can spend an entire day at the Arizona, Missouri and the Bowfin. The Arizona needs no introduction. The Missouri is just about a must see due to its shear size. The Bowfin is a fully restored Baalao class submarine. You get to walk though the entire sub except the conning tower.
On the Sunday afternoon ditch the kids, and take the digital woman to Dukes in Waikiki. Sit on the patio and drink mai-tais and watch the sun go down. Maybe you should add your daughter as a driver, and have her come pick you up afterwards. By the way, make sure you have anyone who will drive listed on the rental agreement. It might cost a couple of bucks, but it is better than having a wrecked car and a pissed off rental company. Check with your personal insurance company and verify that you are covered for the rental car, and then decline the extra insurance.
If the ladies want to go shopping the upscale shopping mall from hell is the Ala Moana center on Ala Moana Blvd. Every store you can imagine. For jewelry check Maui Divers lots of locations and NaHoku (lots of locations the one in the mall is the biggest.)
Dining:
Expensive.
Look for Cheeseburger (formerly Cheeseburger in Paradise) Good burgers. Dukes has great breakfasts. Across the street from the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a 24 hour coffee shop that has good food at a reasonable price. L& L Hawaiian BBQ is a local chain that will about bury you in food and rice for a reasonable amount. Not high class, but cheap. There is a chain of local coffee shops that the locals eat at when they want a meal out. I don’t recall the name, but it is in the guide book. (ETA Zippy’s)
There is a steak house in Waikiki called Hy’s. Absolutely awesome. one of the best meals I have ever had. Save room for desert.
Sam Choy’s is around the corner from Hilo Hatties. Very well regarded. The nice thing about Hawaii is that acceptable dress for the fanciest restaurant is a clean aloha shirt.
Go visit Dixie’s Grill. Two locations one on Ward (Honolulu) the other Aiea which I think is near where you are staying. Way better BBQ than you have a right to expect this far from the deep south. Freaking addicting. I am a BBQ snob and I love this place.
At least once while you are there, go get some local donuts. I think they are called Masalas. About 1 Bazillion calories each, but to die for. look in the guide book for the best place to find them. (ETA Leonards)
With all the great places to eat, if I hear you went to McDonald’s while you were there I will fly to Rockleigh and kick your ass.
Go hike Diamond head.
The North Shore will probably be a disappointment, as the big waves come in the winter.
The resort probably offers snorkeling trips, if you or the kids enjoy sea life this is worth it. If they don’t there are charters available downtown. Check the guide book."