About Town: Oahu
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.com Associate Site Producer
If you've ever been to Hawaii, you know that one week is never enough. So why not follow in the footsteps of the players and extend your tropical vacay to Maui for a few more days by heading about 70 miles across the Pacific to Oahu.
Home of the state capital, Honolulu, Oahu is the Aloha State's most populous island and is brimming with not only beauty but also a few things to keep you busy. So if you're headed to the Sony Open for the PGA TOUR's second week in Hawaii, get ready for a busy schedule.
Before we send you off to work on that do-it-yourself pedicure on the shores of Waikiki Beach, let's get you settled somewhere to relax out of the sun when the Hawaii humidity gets to be a little too much.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE:
High-class Hawaii: If you're going to do Hawaii, you should really do it in style. And the place to hang your hat, and your hula skirt, is the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki Beach. Less than 15 minutes from the course, this five-star hotel has pristine views of the bay in Waikiki including the island's most famous peak, Diamondhead. Beachfront access, a work-of-art for a pool that overlooks the Pacific and plush rooms to float your troubles away make the Halekulani Hotel the only place to stay in Waikiki.
Prepare to pay: As you would expect, a stay at the Halekulani isn't cheap, but it doesn't cost as much as you might think for five-star digs. Depending on your room's view and what time of week you go, you'll pay between $450 and $650 a night to snooze in the Halekulani's sheets. Not too shabby.
Village life: To save a little on your wallet without sacrificing on service, book your stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, also in Waikiki. A four-star hotel, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is about 10 minutes from the tournament and offers spoil-worthy amenities such as the Mandara Spa and the palm-tree landscaped, fresh-blue pools accompanied by unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean.
Prepare to pay: This central-Waikiki Beach Hotel will pleasantly surprise you when you whip out the credit card to book it. You're only looking at about $260-$360 a night for a stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which promises luxury at a lower rate.
Save some moolah for the hula: If the flights to Oahu cleaned you out, then you're probably hoping for a hotel with a slightly smaller price tag. After all, in a location this beautiful, how much time do you plan to spend in your room? The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikiki Beach will also save you money on gas as it's less than 10 minutes from the Sony Open. A three-star hotel, the New Otani Kaimana overlooks the beach and lies within walking distance to Kapiolani Park, not to mention its close views of Diamondhead. Knocking off a few stars won't knock off your ability to have a fabulous time.
Prepare to pay: The average room rate at the New Otani Kaimana runs between $170 and $280 a night, and some rooms offer views of the very same aqua shores that the more expensive hotels boast, so why not take advantage?
Once you've got that vital R&R spot for your trip -- equipped with a TV for those of you who just can't give it up and a suitable bathroom, ladies, for getting that humid-hair frizz under control -- you'll have nothing to do but hit the streets.
SOMEWHERE TO SNACK:
Lounging in the sun, whether you're oohing and ahhing on the golf course or drifting into a Mai-Tai induced sleep poolside, will work up an appetite. So be certain to make a pit stop at any of these Hawaii-licious restaurants.
Day one: For traditional Aloha cuisine and hospitality, your first meal stop can only be the Hula Grill Waikiki. Its beach setting provides one-of-a-kind views to feast your eyes on while you feast your taste buds on fresh fish and local produce with a tropical kick. And for dessert, try the coconut crème brulee -- an island twist on a fancy favorite. If your stomach feels like a bag of rice by the time the check comes, feel free to walk off those extra pounds on the beach as you head home -- or out on the town -- for the evening.
Day two: Hopefully, you'll find time to explore this magnificent island between rounds at the golf course. And if you do, you simply cannot miss one of the shrimp trucks that dot the highways in and around the world-famous North Shore. While some of these trucks have grown into roadside huts complete with tables and chairs, others will leave you with a choice of standing while you eat or chowing down in your car -- either way, the food tastes great. Most trucks offer a plate of big ole' Hawaiian shrimp (usually 10-15 pieces) and a side of rice oozing with one of three flavors: Shrimp scampi, hot 'n' spicy and lemon butter. While any of these three will have you licking your arms to catch the runaway tasty trickles as you peel and eat, my favorite is the hot 'n' spicy. Juicy shrimp drenched in flavor and eaten in the open -- can you think of a better way to satisfy a hunger crave?
Day three: Sushi. Let me know if you've A) had enough of seafood or B) had enough of sushi after my restaurant picks for here as well as last week in Maui, but I can never get enough. And when the fish is this fresh, what could beat the fruit of the ocean? Trust me, it'd be hard to find imported, farm-raised shrimp here, though I don't know why you'd be looking for it. So if you're ready for some more tasty tuna or succulent shrimp, check out Sansei Restaurant and Sushi Bar. From clams to crab to calamari, Sansei serves up sansei-tional sushi and also gives you an excuse to check out one of the island's hot hotels -- its host, the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.
Day four: You can't come to Hawaii without attending a luau. Not only do luaus entertain, offer tropical adult beverages and give you a good reason to wear a lei, they also spoil you with food that's so good, even the most unaccomplished of chefs will attempt to recreate the flavors at home (and trust me, don't be disappointed in yourself when you can't). Of course, you can expect the traditional, underground-baked pig to pick at for dinner, but venture out on the menu beyond tropical pork. The teriyaki steak, or "teri beef" as some places call it will have you 'mmm-'mmm-ing and wishing your plate was bigger. Sweet and tangy sauce, pink and juicy meat -- it's as good as it gets. Seriously. Oh and don't leave before the after-dinner hula show. I hope you're not afraid of fire.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT:
If you don't eat your way to a Thanksgiving-like slumber the whole time you're here, then make sure you hit Oahu's best sightseeing and activity hotpots because there's certainly not a lack of things to do on this island. If you can pull yourself away from the Waialae Country Club for a few hours or just want to kill some pre- or post-play time, Oahu has you covered.
Day one: Pearl Harbor. Whether you're a real history buff or these two words conjure images of Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett, you have to make a stop here during your trip to Oahu. A fairly short drive from downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, Pearl Harbor will remind you to be grateful that you have the freedom to go on vacations such as this. As you take the ferry out to the USS Arizona Memorial, you'll be surrounded by excited tourist chatter, but as you return, you'll likely find yourself amid a more somber mood. The wall inside the memorial with names of all those who fought and lost their lives aboard that ship entrances you. As you stare at the black letters that form the names of people you never knew, a strange calm falls across the room. It may sound odd, but it's a peaceful feeling to pay homage to the fallen men and women who partook in America's only home-soil military attack.
Look out to the side of the memorial into the water, and you will see the easily-identifiable purplish-blue rings of oil dancing on the surface. This oil is still leaking from the sunken USS Arizona, despite the fact that it sank over 65 years ago. At Pearl Harbor, they believe these oil drops are the "black tears" of the ship that went down on the Day of Infamy.
Day two: If you're looking for something a little lighter on the heart than the trip to pay respect at Pearl Harbor, then some retail therapy is probably in order. But I don't mean the Ala Moana Mall. This is retail therapy island style at the Swap Meet. Swap Meets are very popular in Hawaii, but the biggest one takes place at the Aloha Stadium, where you can waste hours walking around and bargain hunting. If you really have to pick up one of those "My dad went to the Sony Open and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" gifts, then this is the place to do it, but keep in mind that there are much cooler t-shirts for sale at the Swap Meet, too. Much of the stalls at the stadium sell hand-made jewelry and souvenirs, and of course, you'll find artificial leis in any and every color you can think of. The Swap Meet is the perfect place to pick up vacation presents for friends and family as well as funky tidbits for yourself. The food at the Swap Meet isn't bad either. They have awesome gyros if you get a little rumbly in your tumbly while milling around the various stands.
Day three: You can't come to Hawaii without seeing a waterfall, so definitely try to make time for a trip to Waimea Falls. It's a little bit of a drive and a little bit of a hike to reach it but well worth the effort. A couple of miles deep into Waimea Falls Park, the waterfall lies at the end of a trail through cultivated tropical gardens complete with their own wandering peacocks. You can swim in the pool below the falls, though beware, the water is icy cold. It also has a reddish tint to it, which is how the falls got the name Waimea -- it means "red water" in Hawaiian. The park area was once inhabited and has several sacred areas, and the pool at Waimea remains a popular spot despite its reputation of being haunted with an ancient spirit. Be careful if you do decide to take a dip though, the rocky edges and bottom of the pool can cause you to slip easily and definitely make diving or jumping in a little on the dangerous side.
Note: Planning a trip to Waimea Falls is sometimes easier said than done. Located on the North Shore, the park often falls under heavy afternoon rain. Most visitors don't realize that this rain is a common occurrence because it gets caught up in the mid-island mountain ranges and rarely makes it to the southern areas of Honolulu and Waikiki. As you can imagine, a three-mile walk to a waterfall becomes much less fun when mist hides the beautiful scenery and torrential downpours soak you to the bone. So check the weather before you go, and if you can, make the trip earlier in the day. If you really luck out with the weather, you'll also have time to check out Waimea Bay on the other side of the road to the park. This crescent-shaped beach draws visitors year-round because of its cliff-like rock in the middle of the sand that juts our far enough into the ocean to leap off of it into the crystal blue below. Watch out for those waves though.
Day four: Once the tournament has ended, you'll need a way to unwind and soak in that Hawaii lifestyle before you head back home to Monday through Friday 9-5. And what better way to relax than with a boat, a sunset and a rum-based cocktail? In Waikiki Beach, you have endless choice when it comes to selecting a booze cruise. On the western stretch of the beach, you can barely go for a walk along the sand without tripping over a catamaran. So booking a sunset booze cruise won't be a challenge, but make sure you snag a catamaran with netting between the blades. Lying on the net while the surf splashes you from beneath, the sun warms you from above and a fruity drink takes care of the rest makes a glass-bottom boat trip seem like a day at the office. You'll get to see Waikiki from the water and sail around both sides of Diamondhead for a view of Oahu that can't be beaten. And then there's the sunset. In shades of pink, orange and beautiful, the sun paints that blue-Hawaiian sky with gold as it sets over silhouetted mountains to the west of the bay. Simply breathtaking.
If you're not much of a drinker or would rather have a meal with your daiquiri, a dinner cruise might be more up your alley. Just as easy to book as the booze cruises, dinner atop the Waikiki waters lasts around two hours and is also available at sunset.
STICKING AROUND?
Just as a trip to Maui last week could not possibly be crammed into 96 hours, Oahu needs more time, too. If you have a few days before or after the tournament to nose around and have some fun, then do it. Coming all this way and not sampling as much as Hawaii has to offer just makes no sense.
Hanauma Bay: Grab your flippers and snorkel and get ready to spend hours under the water instead of on the beach. This world-famous reef is teeming with fish, and you've never seen anything like this before. Unless you are some kind of fish fanatic, I guarantee you will see flippers and fins that you never imagined existed. You can easily pass away half a day between the coral and the water's surface watching as multicolored schools dart past you or single inquisitive fish linger in the recesses of the reef to check you out. Some of the fish are so big, you'll be startled, and if you're really lucky, you'll get to see a turtle in its natural habitat. Take an underwater camera because your memory and your words will not be fit to describe what you see down there. And the funny thing about Hanauma Bay is that when you arrive at the beach, you'll see bodies in the water from one end of the bay to the other, but when you're propelling yourself an inch above the coral in search of water wildlife, you probably won't see another soul. It's as though the ocean magically expands when you're down there. It's just you, the fish and miles of blue.
While Hanauma Bay is absolutely and positively worth the trip, be prepared for a few warnings about a snorkel trip here. First, you must sit through a video about the bay, its dangers and the delicate environment you are about to invade. Second, always snorkel with a diving buddy. Going under alone can lead to accidents, and no one will be there to spot you in trouble amongst the hundreds of flippers kicking at that water. Plus, it's easier to wander way out into the bay than you might think -- you lose sense of direction very quickly when you're below the surface and following the fish. And finally, not only are you not permitted to touch the coral, you really won't want to. The reef is super sharp in some areas and, unfortunately, the water can also be super shallow. Many swimmers come out with scratches on their knees and bellies from accidentally skimming too close to the coral when the water became too low to swim safely, and if you have sensitive skin, those scratches will swell up like welts. But don't be discouraged by the warnings; snorkeling at Hanauma Bay will be like nothing you have ever done.
Waikiki Beach: Most people book a hotel in Waikiki when they take a trip to Oahu, but with all of the other sights to see and activities available on this island, they forget to take advantage of the beautiful beach in front of them. Take a day to bask in the sun and dig your toes into the sand. And if beach lounging sounds a little boring to you, then hit the water. From peddle boats to banana boats, there's plenty to do at Waikiki Beach. And when that sun starts to dry you out, stop at a Shave Ice stand for the best snow cone you will ever have. Every sweet flavor you can dream up is available with shave ice, and you can even mix and match your syrups to come up with your own delicious ball of flaky snow.
Take a break from the beach and wander around the streets of downtown Waikiki, which are laden with haute-couture shops as well as tacky souvenir stands. And if you get hungry, you won't have to walk far to find a restaurant to your liking. Trolley buses run all day all over the place if you get tired of walking, and if you see a guy strolling about with parrots on his arm, stop a moment and pay him to let you hold them. Sure, it's a tourist trap, but it's still really cool -- just so long as they don't poop on you.
And before you get back on that plane to head home, be sure to say mahalo for a wonderful stay.
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