Background:
The world shut down for travelers in 2020 for good cause, a pandemic we did not fully understand. My full-time job had me spending most of the year working COVID response efforts, which resulted in working many 10-12 hour days (sometimes longer). I desperately needed a break to recharge, but wanted to stay within the United States. On a whim one Sunday morning in early spring 2021, I browsed travel offers and booked a trip for 2 arriving in Honolulu for 10 days. There wasn't a rental car to be had online, so we knew we would be relying on Uber and any excursions I might find to get around the island. Sometimes spontaneous adventures can be the best!
Hotel:
Despite being last minute, we were able to secure a room at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach Hotel with an ocean view with Club Access. "What is Club Access," you might ask...Guests have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast at the exclusive Longboard Club. Here is where I fell in love with Hawaiian açaí bowls and had one every morning with my coffee. In the evenings, you also can enjoy wine cruvinet with 16 varietals, draft beer, and light snacks.
Activities:
My husband wanted an adrenaline packed trip, adventurous is an understatement. For me, I grew up watching Jaws as a kid and for years was afraid to take a bath as a small child because I thought he would pop up through the drain, ha! I'm also not a fan of heights, like the drop to the floor and faint while looking down any distance kind of fear. Give me a snorkel and drop me off the side of a catamaran, and I am back on the boat within 10 minutes out of breath from panic. But, it's Hawaii. I told myself to conquer my fears and plan an amazing trip that my husband would love.
The list below includes every excursion booked for this trip with short description.
Catamaran Cruise: We sailed in the morning to a location where spinning dolphins gather and finished with snorkeling. Loved this half day excursion, but the water was choppy making visibility low. Somehow, I pushed through my fears of being a shark treat and stayed in the water long enough to watch a turtle swim right behind my husband! Please be careful not to touch or harass the turtles in Hawaii, they are very protected and you can get fined!
Private Helicopter Doors-Off Tour: Yes, you read that right. I had one hand with a death grip on my seat, and the other holding my camera for photos. Terrified more than I anticipated, but I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life! The pilot kept trying to ask me questions, but I was too scared to let go of the seat and push the talk button, lol. We were lucky that day, because the rental car company had cancellations from people not able to enter the island, so we grabbed a fantastic deal on a rental after our flight to help us enjoy more of the island independently.
Shark Cage-Diving: Yep...another adrenaline inducing experience, but one that I am so glad I did. The tour company was on the northern side of the island. They charter you out to the diving area where a cage is already in the water. When it was my turn to climb in, the boat crewman talked to me to calm my nerves. For those that know me, you know I'm a rule follower and like structure. So, he obliged with my request and repeated rules and instructions to distract me while getting in the cage. He was patient and he must have thought I was crazy, but it worked!
Sunrise Photography Day Tour: The professional photographer picks you up at 5:00AM from assigned locations (our hotel was one of them). From there, you travel to a quiet beach where he teaches you tricks of the trade with photography equipment (iPhones, Androids, DSLRs, or whatever you bring). What I loved most is that our guide took us to photographic locations around the island, beat the crowds, showed us places most tourists don't think to visit, and took photos of you with your group or travel companion as a bonus. This prepared us for the following day where we revisited several locations, hiked to a waterfall, and watched the sunset on a beach that was not crowded.
Additional Stops:
Leonard's: Get here early to find a place to park and be ready to wait in line. Their signature malasadas - these fluffy Portuguese-style donuts are an absolute delight! Whether you prefer them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or filled with luscious custard, chocolate, or even tropical fruit flavors like guava or passion fruit, Leonard's has got your foodie hearts covered!
Bailey's Antiques & Aloha Shirts: This store deserves a visit while on the island. It is a mecca for celebrities and travelers alike with over 15,000 items in stock at any given time. From hand-made unique shirts, vintage/rare garments, new and foreign selections, there is something for everyone seeking to take home their own small piece of the Aloha spirit. We met the owners while there and I really enjoyed our chat. My husband purchased this Aloha shirt that had Godzilla and Mothra on it. He still gets compliments to this day when he wears it. He checked eBay just this month and his shirt is worth $200 more than what he paid for it in 2021!
Green World Coffee Farm: If you do make a visit to the Dole Plantation (we did not as we saw the plantation from the helicopter) or fancy a drive around the island, this small coffee farm sits on 7 acres of land. You can buy plenty of merchandise while waiting for your espresso bar purchase or snacks. You can't get fresher Hawaiian coffee than this. The photographer brought us here and it was so delicious that we purposefully went back on our own later in the week.
7-Eleven: I'm sure you may be perplexed at why I'm recommending a convenience store. Well, the island locals will tell you to buy the best masubi on the island here! spam masubi is an authentic Hawaiian food that is made of 3 ingredients: grilled spam, white rice, and wrapped in dried seaweed.
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