Every Girl Traveling
to Oahu, Hawaii
HAS TO DO These 15 Things
Every Girl Traveling to Oahu, Hawaii
HAS TO DO These 15 Things
When I went to Hawaii, I was lucky enough to go with my good friend who is a local! She showed me all that the island had to offer! Plus, we were there for a wedding so I got to be fully immersed in the culture! It was an experience unlike any other and I am excited to share it all with you! If you are a girl looking to travel to Hawaii, these are the things you HAVE TO DO while you are there! Make sure you make the most of your time in this paradise!
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- 1 - Learn The Culture
Think of Hawaii as sacred ground. It is one of the few places I have been to where you really feel in touch with nature. To me it was like the islands were speaking to me. It is just one of those places that you will find yourself just standing there in awe of what you are seeing. Maybe it’s a double rainbow or the smoke from the active volcano, it will be different for everyone but I guarantee something will strike you in awe.
That being said, make sure you do all you can to respect the culture. Hawaii is one of those places that the locals try to keep it as they found it. There is a lot of controversy right now of people coming in and buying out land lots and claiming beaches as their own to the point they put up fences to keep the public out, even though every beach in Hawaii is a public beach. So, just be aware and respectful.
An easy way to learn about the culture, is actually on your flight. (I assume you will be flying down on Hawaiian Airlines.) They do a great job of exposing the culture to people who think Hawaii is all grass skirts and luau shirts. They talk about some of the history and some of the language you may hear while there.
While you are visiting, expose yourself to the culture off the resort as much as you can! It will really give you an inside look to why locals see the islands as so sacred.
- 2 - Go to a Swap Meet
My friend took me to the one in Halawa, Hawaii inside the Aloha Stadium. It’s a flea market that will have any kind of souvenir you can think of. Forgot your bikini or need a beach towel? They’ve got those here too!
There is over 400 vendors here in this open aired experience. They charge a small admission to enter, but it’s so worth it.
I saw all sorts of fun trinkets and sampled some amazing foods. This is THE SPOT to go if you are looking to shop on a budget!
- 3 - Eat Poke From Tamura's Market
There are a few around Oahu. We went to the one in Wahiawa. When I say they have the BEST POKE EVER, everyone comes here just for the poke!
I suggest getting a quart of it and taking some with you. We had some for lunch almost every day I was in Hawaii. I don’t really like tuna and salmon but I was pleasantly surprised because it is so fresh it has almost a marshmallow texture.
Also try the smoked fish. Overall, I liked the Smoked Marlin the best and then Fresh Ahi Island Spicy Poke or Fresh Ahi Masago, and ate it every day. They also have cooked foods like Whole Cooked Scallops, Garlic Chicken, and all sorts of other yummy stuff.
- 4 - Get Snacks From 7 Eleven
They have all kinds of snacks you will only find in Hawaii, but here were my top picks from what I tried!
- Musubi – These are mostly made with spam, but they come in all kinds of flavors. They make for the perfect beach snack.
- Slurpee’s – Try or Mix all kinds of tropical flavors you’ll only find in Hawaii. Lilikoi tends to be the favorite.
- Manapua – These are all kinds of different meat patties.
- Kulolo – This is only for the adventurous. It’s a sweet that kind of tastes like a mochi but it has a thicker texture too almost like a fudge. I wasn’t a fan, but had to try it because where else will I ever get to!?
- Macadamia Nut anything. Mauna Loa was my favorite brand.
- 5 - Go to a Shaved Ice Shack
Shaved ice is not how it is here on the “mainland.” It is shaved so fine that it is almost creamy! They have all kinds of tropical flavors. My favorite was the Lychee but my friends all love the Guava. And don’t forget you can blend flavors, most of the time you can add three or so.
Don’t forget to top it off with Condensed Milk! Trust me!
- 6 - Head up to the North Shore
The North Shore of Hawaii is going to make you feel like you are a tiny human. When you see the size of the waves here, it will really remind you just how vast the ocean is! Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach are where most of the big surfing competitions you see on TV are held.
The currents are really strong up here so just be careful. But, if you know how to swim and are adventurous, there are plenty of cliffs to jump off of with the locals!
Keep an eye out for Clark Little. He is a surfer turned photographer who has an amazing gallery. He gets right up under the waves to take the most amazing pictures!
- 7 - Visit the Dole Plantation
OK, I had no idea pineapples grow from the ground! I soon found out!
There is no admission to go and visit the visitor’s center at the Dole Plantation. We didn’t take a tour while we were there. You see the plantation’s fields as you drive up.
I will admit that I went a little crazy shopping here! They had some really cool things. I mean, just imagine anything pineapple and they have it here!
You can also get freshly squeezed pineapple juice!
- 8 - Eat at Famous Kahuku Shrimp Shack
All the locals RAVE about this spot. It has the best shrimp ever. My favorite was the Tempura Shrimp! They also give you SO MUCH food it is enough for two to share!
- 9 - Check out Waikiki
Parking is EXPENSIVE here so your best bet is to park in the lot next to Duke’s. The restaurant is named after Duke, ambassador of ALOHA! Duke Paoa Kahanamoku is a world famous surfer and athlete who has won so many Olympic Medals over his years it is hard to count!
When we went to Waikiki we got a discount if we ate at Duke’s. I’m not sure after Covid if that is still a thing, but it is the best place to park regardless. It was also fun to go somewhere where you can learn about such an amazing individual who exemplified the culture of Hawaii all over the world.
Waikiki is the Soho of Hawaii. There are a ton of shops with name brand shopping. The beach here, is honestly the best beach to swim in in Hawaii! The water is really shallow and you can walk really far out without worrying about any rip currents.
Waikiki is also home to the original International Market Place. The streets are scattered with plates that tell the stories of culture and celebrities of Hawaii’s history.
- 10 - Hawaiian Pasteries
While you are here, there are a few pasteries you need to try that you won’t find anywhere else! Long Johns and Malasadas!
You will be able to find these scattered around Oahu. We often had them for breakfast or a late night snack. The Rainbow Delight Cake was also a fav. If you’re feeling adventurous try poi.. no comment lol.
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11 - Spam
(Hear me out)
Trust me on this one! Spam is not how we know it on the mainland! Hawaiians make spam like I’ve never had it before!
Fried spam was my favorite thing ever! My friend made it for us most days for breakfast! We’d have spam and grits. It was soooo good! If you see it on a breakfast menu, that’s the one you have to get! Go to a little mom and pop restaurant for the best experience!
- 12 - Hawaiian Coffee
Lion’s Coffee is a local’s favorite in Hawaii! There’s something about it that will make you buy a bunch to bring back home with you!
And you guys know me, I had to stop at Starbucks to check it out. They have some awesome tropical styled prints!
If you get the chance, definitely check out some local coffee shops! Kona coffee is a popular brand to use as well. My favorite is the Vanilla Macadamia flavored coffee!
- 13 - Turtle Cove
This is an amazing area!
If you like turtles, this is a must travel spot! The Green Sea Turtles will come up onto the beach and rest. You won’t believe me, but we even swam with a seal that came to hang with us!
- 14- Wear a Flower
Let me just tell you, Hawaiian women are so beautiful! They are so feminine! My friend showered me in flowers while I was in Hawaii!
She greeted me with a Lei! She also told me when we would go out it is fun (as a tourist) to wear a flower on my right ear if I am single and on the my left if I am taken. At the time I was dating someone so I had it on my right.
The scents of Hawaii are also breathtakingly feminine. My favorite scent was the Plumeria.
- 15 - Go for a Luau
These parties are so much fun and definitely worth donning that Hawaiian shirt for! There are a number of locations that have them so just look for the best one around where you are staying. If you are staying at a resort, chances are you will have a Luau night!
The dancing is going to take your breath away! You may even see some fire work and fire dances! But, my favorite part was the pig roast!
I hope you all get to enjoy Oahu, Hawaii as much as I did! If you get the chance, go ahead and Island hop! There is so much to see in Hawaii and each Island has it’s own charm.
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