Probably the most visited island in the world is Honolulu where millions of people from all over America and Japan stay every year. Soon upon arrival, visitors crowd the cabs or buses sent to them by the hotel, and start their journey through the hub of mid town Honolulu and reach their reserved accommodation at a Waikiki hotel. The attraction of Waikiki is nearly magnetic – the bustle of the busy streets, the long and extended beaches and the rich history of the land soon make the visitors hit the streets. The excitement of discovering Waikiki is so intense that most visitors never escape its imaginary borders. With six million visitors annually, you would expect them to want to see the island but most remain within Waikiki’s two square miles.
If you would prefer to see Oahu through the eyes of it’s local population then you need to continue reading this article.
Magic Island Beach Park – Located just opposite to the Ala Moana Shopping Center, this is a very popular attraction lying west of Waikiki. The things that you would find in this park include two beaches, a 3-mile stretch of jogging path and tennis courts, and more. This is a favorite spot for locals too and it is quite usual to see large families gather to eat with each other, enjoying the beautiful weather and their own company. This is a great place for a barbecue and considering the beaches are never overcrowded, it makes for a fantastic sun-filled day.
At the top of Makiki Heights Drive there is a tiny museum called the Contemporary Museum of Honolulu where visitors benefit from the fantastic views this place can offer. The exquisite exhibits in this somewhat small museum keep changing in the 5 galleries and when you have finished viewing these, you could go outdoors for a walk in to the sculpture gardens. 5 acres, includes sculptures as well as places for meditation, and can offer an unforgettable view of Honolulu.
Leong’s Café – Visitors who are hunting for some unforgettable Hawaiian cuisine, treat a lu’au as something more than just entertainment. However, if you are looking out to taste some delectable foods cooked in typical Hawaiian style, then you can never miss out on Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. Some of the dishes, which keep the customers coming back, include kalua pig, lu’au stew, lomi lomi and more and as incredible as it may sound, this place is visited both by locals as well as tourists, for over 50 years.
Champion Malasadas – The local treat called Malasadas are so popular that Fat Tuesday has been re-christened Malasada Day throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The bakery that goes by the name ‘Champion Malasadas’ can be found along South Berertania Street, it is the most famous throughout the island. Anyone that enjoys donuts will like these (even though they do not have a hole) and they come with a variety of fillings or if you prefer, you can eat them without any type of filling.
Honolulu Chinatown – when you take a stroll down Chinatown, you would be transported to another era in terms of space and time. This is like being in a small part of China where you can obtain anything you would expect to find in the mainland Country. The shops and streets are unforgettable, offering goods, which you would never find in an average American store. Though guided walking tours are available the best way to explore this historical site is to walk at your own pace stopping whenever you see something that triggers your interest.
The best way to experience Oahu is to allocate enough time to see outside Waikiki for that is the way locals see it. Move around all or some of the destinations mentioned above and soon you would realize why Hawaii is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.