Frommer's Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu

280 Pages·2003·2.448 MB·English

by  Jeanette Foster

Honolulu,
Waikiki &
Oahu
8th Edition
by Jeanette Foster
Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s:
“Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.”
—Booklist
“Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.”
—Glamour Magazine
“Hotel information is close to encyclopedic.”
—Des Moines Sunday Register
“Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.”
—Knight Ridder Newspapers
About the Author
A resident of the Big Island, Jeanette Foster has skied the slopes of Mauna Kea—
during a Fourth of July ski meet, no less––and has gone scuba diving with manta rays
off the Kona Coast. A prolific writer widely published in travel, sports, and adventure
magazines, she’s the author of Frommer’s Hawaii, Frommer’s Maui, Frommer’s Hawaii
from $80 a Day,and Frommer’s Kauai.She’s also a contributing editor to Hawaii
magazine and the editor of Zagat’s Survey to Hawaii’s TopRestaurants.
Published by:
Wiley Publishing,Inc.
111 River St.
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Copyright © 2004 Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys-
tem, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-
copying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107
or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written
permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate
per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers,
MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax [phone]. Requests to the Publisher for per-
mission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc.,
10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, 317-572-3447, fax 317-572-
4447, e-mail: [email protected].
Wiley and the Wiley Publishing logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and/or its affiliates. Frommer’s is a trademark or regis-
tered trademark of Arthur Frommer, used under license. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated
with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
ISBN 0-7645-3720-2
ISSN 1088-5986
Editor: Lesley King
Production Editor: Heather Wilcox
Cartographer: Roberta Stockwell
Photo Editor: Richard Fox
Production by Wiley Indianapolis Composition Services
For information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support,
please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 800-762-2974,
outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993 or fax [phone].
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that
appears in print may not be available in electronic formats.
Manufactured in the United States of America
5 4 3 2 1
Contents
List of Maps vi
What’s New in Honolulu,Waikiki & Oahu 1
1 The Best of Oahu 3
1 The Best Oahu Experiences . . . . .3 9 The Best Luxury Hotels &
2 The Best Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Resorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
3 The Best Snorkeling & 10 The Best Bargain
Diving Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . .14
4 The Best Golf Courses . . . . . . . . .9 11 The Best Resort Spas . . . . . . . . .16
Pampering in Paradise . . . . . . . .17
5 The Best Walks . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
12 The Best Restaurants . . . . . . . . .18
6 The Best Views . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
13 The Best Shopping . . . . . . . . . .19
7 The Best Adventures for
Thrill-Seekers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 14 The Best Spots for Sunset
Cocktails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
8 The Best Places to Discover
the Real Oahu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 15 The Best Oahu Websites . . . . . .21
2 Planning Your Trip to Oahu 22
1 The Island in Brief . . . . . . . . . . .22 6 Tips for Travelers with
Frommers.com: The Complete Special Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Travel Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 7 Getting Married on Oahu . . . . . .46
2 Visitor Information . . . . . . . . . . .31 8 Money-Saving Package Deals . . .48
3 Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 9 Getting There . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
4 When to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Flying with Film & Video . . . . . .53
Oahu Calendar of Events . . . . . .34 10 Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
The Welcoming Lei . . . . . . . . . .38 11 The 21st-Century Traveler . . . . . .59
5 Health & Insurance . . . . . . . . . .39 12 Recommended Reading . . . . . . .60
Don’t Get Burned: Smart Fast Facts: Oahu . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Tanning Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
3 For International Visitors 64
1 Preparing for Your Trip . . . . . . . .64 Fast Facts: For the Foreign
2 Getting to the U.S. . . . . . . . . . .70 Traveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
4 Where to Stay 75
1 Waikiki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Family-Friendly Hotels . . . . . . . .88
What to Do If Your Dream Take a Healthy Vacation:
Hotel Turns Out to Be a Have Your Next Medical
Nightmare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Checkup in Waikiki . . . . . . . . . .97
iv CONTENTS
2 Honolulu Beyond Waikiki . . . . .102 5 Leeward Oahu:The Waianae
3 The Windward Coast . . . . . . . .106 Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
4 The North Shore . . . . . . . . . . .107 6 Oahu’s Campgrounds &
Wilderness Cabins . . . . . . . . . .111
5 Where to Dine 115
1 Waikiki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 3 East of Waikiki:Kahala . . . . . .141
Sunday Brunch at the Waikiki 4 East Oahu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Block Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 5 The Windward Coast . . . . . . . .143
2 Honolulu Beyond Waikiki . . . . .123
6 The North Shore . . . . . . . . . . .145
Family-Friendly Restaurants . . .131
Local Chains & Familiar
Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
6 Fun in the Surf & Sun 147
1 Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 3 Nature Hikes . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Frommer’s Favorite Oahu 4 Great Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152 5 Other Outdoor Activities . . . . .176
2 Watersports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
6 From the Sidelines:Spectator
Experiencing Jaws: Up Close Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
and Personal . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
7 Exploring Oahu 179
Suggested Itineraries . . . . . . . .179 Walking Tour 2: Honolulu
1 Guided Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180 Waterfront . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
2 Historic Honolulu . . . . . . . . . . .182 Walking Tour 3: Historic
Honolulu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
3 Fish,Flora & Fauna . . . . . . . . .190
Walking Tour 4: Kapiolani
Especially for Kids . . . . . . . . . .190
Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
4 Spectacular Views . . . . . . . . . .193
6 Beyond Honolulu:Exploring
5 More Museums . . . . . . . . . . . .195 the Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
Walking Tour 1: Historic
Chinatown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
8 Shopping 223
1 In & Around Honolulu & 2 Windward Oahu . . . . . . . . . . .239
Waikiki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223 3 The North Shore:Haleiwa . . . .240
Oahu’s Vibrant Gallery
Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
9 Oahu After Dark 243
1 The Bar Scene . . . . . . . . . . . .243 3 The Performing Arts . . . . . . . .247
2 The Club Scene . . . . . . . . . . .245 4 More Entertainment . . . . . . . .249
CONTENTS v
Appendix:Honolulu & Oahu in Depth 250
1 History 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250 5 The Natural World:An
2 Hawaii Today . . . . . . . . . . . . .253 Environmental Guide
to the Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . .259
3 Life & Language . . . . . . . . . . .254
4 A Taste of Hawaii . . . . . . . . . .256
Index 262
General Index . . . . . . . . . . . .262 Restaurant Index . . . . . . . . . .270
AccommodationsIndex . . . . . .270
List of Maps
The Hawaiian Islands 5 Honolulu Attractions 184
Oahu 6 Walking Tour—Historic
Honolulu Neighborhoods in Chinatown 197
Brief 24 Walking Tour—Honolulu
Waikiki Orientation 26 Waterfront 203
Downtown Honolulu 28 Walking Tour—Historic
Honolulu 205
TheBus 56
Walking Tour—Kapiolani Park 209
Waikiki Accommodations 80
Eastern Oahu & the Windward
Waikiki Dining 116
Coast 213
Honolulu Dining Beyond
Central & Leeward Oahu 219
Waikiki 124
Oahu’s North Shore 221
Beaches & Outdoor Pursuits
onOahu 148
An Invitation to the Reader
In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels, restaurants,
shops, and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us about them, so we can share
the information with your fellow travelers in upcoming editions. If you were disappointed
with a recommendation, we’d love to know that, too. Please write to:
Frommer’s Honolulu, Waikiki & Oahu, 8th Edition
Wiley Publishing, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030
An Additional Note
Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any time—and this is
especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirma-
tion when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held
responsible for the experiences of readers while traveling. Your safety is important to us,
however, so we encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a
close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.
Other Great Guides for Your Trip:
Frommer’s Hawaii
Frommer’s Hawaii from $80 A Day
Frommer’s Kauai
Frommer’s Maui
Frommer’s Portable Maui
Frommer’s Portable Big Island
Frommer’s Star Ratings,Icons & Abbreviations
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality,
value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system.In country, state,
and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices
and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (rec-
ommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and
regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star
(highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature iconsthat point you
to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from
tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
Finds Special finds—those places only insiders know about
Fun Fact Fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their trips
more fun
Kids Best bets for kids, and advice for the whole family
Moments Special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
Overrated Places or experiences not worth your time or money
Tips Insider tips—great ways to save time and money
Value Great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviationsare used forcredit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
Frommers.com
Now that you have the guidebook to a great trip, visit our website at www.frommers.com
for travel information on more than 3,000 destinations. With features updated regularly,
the site gives you instant access to the most current trip-planning information available.
At Frommers.com, you’ll also find the best prices on airfares, accommodations, and car
rentals—and you can even book travel online through our travel-booking partners. At
Frommers.com, you’ll also find the following:
• Online updates to our most popular guidebooks
• Vacation sweepstakes and contest giveaways
• Newsletter highlighting the hottest travel trends
• Online travel message boards with featured travel discussions
What’s New in Honolulu,
Waikiki & Oahu
T
he minute you step off the plane, the WHERE TO STAY The old Waikiki
incredible dramatic beauty of Hawaii— Marc Hotel has been sold to new own-
the deep sapphire ocean, the vivid blue ers, and has undergone a $1.5 million
sky, the verdant green valley, and the makeover. It recently opened as the
rainbow tropical vegetation—make the Bamboo, 2422 Kuhio Ave. (& 800/
journey to these floating isles of paradise 367-5004 or 808/922-7777; www.
worthwhile. But the 50th state is con- aquabamboo.com), in the heart of
stantly improving on what Mother Waikiki, a block over from the Hyatt
Nature (or as we say in Hawaii, Pele, the Regency Waikiki. The 91 rooms range
volcano goddess) originally built. from studio to one- and two-bedroom
The island of Oahu, where the units with kitchenettes and full
famous Waikiki Beach and cosmopol- kitchens. Rates run from $145 to $265
itan city of Honolulu are located, is a (with deep discounts available on the
lot easier to get to these days with Internet).
more direct flights from the mainland Another “new” find is the Magno-
than ever. Lots of new attractions have lia at Waikiki, 2566 Cartwright Rd.
blossomed in the past year, everything (at Kapahulu Ave.; & 808/985-
from improved old favorites to brand 7488). Just a short walk from the
new excursions under the sea, over the beach, this two-story oasis provides
sea, and even on dry land. If you have one- and two-bedroom units with all
ever dreamed of coming to Hawaii, the comforts of home: huge living area
now is the time. with TV/VCR, CD, soft, comfy furni-
PLANNING YOUR TRIP Getting ture, complete kitchen, separate din-
to Hawaii has never been easier. Aloha ing area, firm beds, and outside sitting
Airlines (& 800/367-5250 or 808/ areas. Extras include a big Jacuzzi tub
484-1111; www.alohaairlines.com) and on-site laundry facilities. All for
now offers direct service from Hon- just $150 a night. For more informa-
olulu to Oakland, Orange County, tion, contact Hawaii’s Best Bed &
and Sacramento, California; Vancou- Breakfasts, & 800/262-9912; www.
ver, Canada; and Las Vegas, Nevada. bestbnb.com.
A new website to help you plan WHERE TO DINE A new restau-
your vacation to the islands is www. rant to add to your culinary list: Little
hawaii.com. The step-by-step planner Village Noodle House, 1113 Smith
includes information about travel St. (Chinatown; & 808/545-3008).
deals, lodging, transportation, book- The food here is “simple and healthy”
ing activities, tours, attractions, maps, (their motto) and authentic Chinese
and exchange rates. Also included are (Northern, Canton, and Hong Kong
local events, cultural activities, and style). Yes, there is take out, but even
news, plus the latest on the weather, more unique (for Chinatown) they
surf conditions, and Hawaii’s history. have parking in the back!