Holoholo - Oahu
About 10 days after the Maui fires we decided that we needed to go to Oahu.
Firstly, everything was feeling really heavy at home. Both my husband and I were suddenly out of work, and we found ourselves getting more and more depressed about our immediate future. Getting off Maui, even for just a couple of days, just sounded like something we really needed to do for our own sanity. Secondly, my husband has never been to Oahu. Anytime I’ve ever mentioned this to anyone the reaction was always, “What?! Like, how?! LOL”. This is primarily because my husband has lived on Maui for over 24 years so the thought that he’s never been to the “Big City” seems almost comical. Not knowing what our future holds currently on Maui, we have no choice but to look into possible alternatives. Oahu seems like the most obvious and practical move if it comes to that. That being said, my husband needed to at least see the place and even more importantly, sit in it’s famous traffic jams so he could at lease envision possibly living there. And lastly, we have really close friends that moved there a few years ago and we had yet to visit them.
So with miles, a place to stay, and way too much time on our hands, it was a no brainer. So off we went and I’m so grateful we did. Oahu is just like I remember it, crowded surf breaks, exhausting traffic, delicious food, clear blue water, dramatic green mountains, and still absolutely beautiful.
Here’s a small look into our four day island hop. We stayed in Manoa Valley and spent most of our time driving the windward side, checking out the north shore, eating way to much food, we even got a quick surf in. A hui hou…
Hilton Waikiki
Isn’t she lovely?
Kailua Beach - Fun fact, my parents got married here in 1972. The day after Richard Nixon was re-elected. LOL
Marugame Udon Waikiki
Happy Opu
Sheraton Waikiki
Ceramics at Don Quijote
Mochi Mochi!
Haleiwa
Summer day at Bonzai Pipeline
Arvo Coffee Shop in Kakaako
Sunset Beach
Donations for Maui fire victims
Favorite Oahu finds - I can only imagine how much we missed, but we’ll be back soon.
Don Quijote in Waikiki - This is the biggest discount store in Japan and they are also found on Oahu. I’m seriously obsessed! Incredible Japanese candies and snacks and really inexpensive but cute ceramics and so much more.
Arvo in Kakaako - Cutest little coffee shop in a cute part of town. Worth a stop.
Morning Brew in Kailua - Another cute coffee shop that we stumbled into. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious too.
Down to Earth in Kailua - Down to Earth is a popular health food store located in several locations around Hawaii but the one in Kailua is so well done. I love grabbing their Summer Rolls or Tofu Musubi for a quick beach snack when I want something easy and cheap.
Guava Shop in Haleiwa - I’ve followed this cute Northshore boutique for years on Instagram and finally was able to see it in person. SO CUTE!! Full of great brands like Acacia, Spell, and Seafolly. Loved everything in there.
Marugame Udon in Waikiki - This is a must visit. My husband is completely obsessed now with Muragame’s huge noodle bowls and large tempura selection. So much so, that we are going there for lunch in 2 weeks during a long layover in town. It’s that good and CHEAP!
Waioli Kitchen and Bakeshop in Manoa Valley - Beautiful but hidden gem with a delicious bakery and breakfast cafe.
