We traveled to Hawaii for a family wedding. A favorite cousin in Phil’s family was marrying a woman from Hawaii.
We built in a few extra days to explore. We had previously been to Kauai and the Big Island, but the wedding was in Honolulu. Phil had been to Honolulu some years ago and remembered it as traffic-filled and urban, which it definitely is. But in just a short 20-minute drive into the surrounding hills, one can leave the city behind.
We explored and hiked on excellent trails around Oahu. The book “Best Easy Day Hikes Hawaii: Oahu” from Falcon Publishing led us to numerous amazing easy hikes. (We recommend this book.) Each trail had different and amazing views and/or vegetation. The tropical flowers, including wild orchids, captured our attention. In addition to the hikes, we visited the blowhole which is not far from Diamond Head.
We hiked these trails (not in order):
- Diamond Head (Be sure to make reservations well in advance!) – incredible vistas
- Foster Botanical Garden
- Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden
- Manoa Falls/Lyon Arboretum – a hike filled with birds through the forest to a beautiful waterfall.
- Tantalus-Arboretum Trail
- Pu’u Pia Trail
- Judd-Jackass Ginger Pool
- Koko Crater Botanical Garden
- Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail
- We also tried to visit the Nu’uanu Pali–The Old Pali Highway, but the trail is currently was closed.
- Diamond Head (Be sure to make reservations well in advance!) – incredible vistas
On the last day, we visited the Bishop Museum, which has exhibits on Hawaiian and other Pacific Island cultures, explaining how the cultures were intertwined. It explains the history of Hawaii, with an emphasis on America’s illegal takeover of the islands, and honors those who opposed the annexation.
Logistics:
Ilima Hotel: In the heart of the tourist area. This hotel’s clean and comfortable rooms feature kitchenettes and was very was convenient for the wedding events, but in the middle of a very dense tourist center. It is a 3 block walk to the beach, and there are a wide variety of restaurants nearby.
We ate at the Marugami Udon restaurant twice – excellent food, quick self-service cafeteria style, and reasonable prices.