365 Things to Do in Hawaii
NEWEST!!!
#11- Maunawili Falls Cliff Jumping
This is a great hike, a little bit of a challenge when it is raining out or had rained. You need some really good hiking shoes or what i saw from the locals they were doing barefoot. The trail is not always marked or the signes are hard to find because they are across the river…
Easiest way to get to Maunawili Falls: Google "Royal Hawaiian (Formerly Luana Hills) Golf Course." When you turn off the highway onto Auloa Road, continue on the road until it forks. Take the left fork onto Maunawili Road. Continue as the road curves and becomes a small lane-less drive. You will shortly see a sign on the left that marks the path to the trail head. Park in front of the houses near the trail head and as always, be respectful of the residents by keeping noise to a minimum, and be sure to pack out all rubbish.
This beautiful hike on Oahu's east side is a quickie on a dry day. Hiking at a brisk pace, it took us about 45 minutes in and 30 minutes out. The clouds overhead made for a pleasant sun-free hike, and there was minimal mud (again, it had been dry the past few days). If you've ever been on a hike in the Kailua area, you know that the foliage is thick, a vivid green and intensely beautiful. Most of the time you're hiking through trees, but toward the end your view opens up and you can see the endlessly green mountains surrounding you.
If you haven't been on a hike in this area, Maunawili is a great start to what will surely become an addiction to exploring this beautiful part of the island. The trail is mostly flat with only a few steeper parts that have been groomed into stairs and packed with gravel to reduce the risk of slipping. The trail can be very muddy in places, even on a drier day, so it would be wise to wear sturdy shoes. Slippers slow you down, and with the mud and ample tree roots your feet will thank you for offering them protection.
It was fun to hike to the falls. On a couple occasions we had to hop over rocks as we traveled back and forth over the very small and very slow-moving creek. The falls is tucked behind a small pool at the end of the creek and it is quite a site to see! It's not a very tall falls, but as you can see from the photos, it's still very entrancing. The water is cool and refreshing. My husband showed off his masculinity by jumping from one of the 40 ft. launching points on either side of the small pool, which he estimated is about 8 or 9 ft. deep. For the height averse, you can swim across the pool, climb up a few rocks and jump off a point that's about 6 ft. high.
Video: Maunawili Falls
#12 – Waimea Bay State Park Cliff Jumping
I have traveled a lot in my day and seen some remarkably beautiful beaches around the world. Waimea Valley with its glittering turquoise waters and pristine beach, Waimea Bay is definitely in my top 10, and is my favorite beach in Oahu.
Relatively un-crowded, and plenty of room to lay in the sun. This beach offers more than enough room to spread out with an unobstructed view of the water. One of our favorite things to do at Waimea Bay was to splash around in the water. The waves are strong and there is a sharp drop-off (the water gets pretty deep pretty quickly!) so be careful, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
Then it's cliff jumping time!
Come-on, you can do it, just suppress that fear of falling and JUMP!!!
I highly recommend spending some time at Waimea Bay if you are visiting Oahu.
Located on the North shore, look for Waimea Bay State Beach Park! Parking can be tough and there is some on the side of the highway, but just wait and someone will go kicking and screaming because they have to go home.
Aloha thrill seekers,
Eric
Video: Waimea Bay Cliff Jumping
#1 - Hiking up Koko Head
This is an EXTREME WORKOUT… Go into Hawaii Kai and coming from Honolulu you're on Kalanianaole Hwy, turn left at the second light on Lunalilo Rd, then right on Anapalau and go to the end. You'll see the baseball fields and the people hiking up past the ball fields
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP1qGwGX2l4
Local Etiquette Hint:
Today class we will be going over some common terms you'll hear on the islands.
First we have Mahalo, means thank you.
A hui Hou, is Until we meet again.
A titta is a hawaiian woman…
#2 – Eating on North Shore
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIWa87T6wZo
Local Etiquette Hint:
More terms… nani wahini is pretty lady.
We eat pupus, and that would be an appetizer.
#3 - Shave Ice on the North Shore
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdhdjigwOhM
Local Etiquette Hint:
Remember the basic rules of the Islands, never use your horn, always let the car slide in ahead of you, (show the aloha) and contact Eric Bricker about your real estate questions!
That's all for now, we're pau! (You can figure that one out)
#4 Palolo Waterfall
This is a great hike!
Do this right after you go to the Buddhist Temple, you're going to park just beyond the temple to go on the hike. (Buddhist temple is #7)
Not hard at all and the waterfall in this video is one of 7… The terrain is easy, good for kids, and beautiful. We even followed a guy that hiked in all the way (guessing 1.3 miles) with bare feet. The day wasn't too hot but I don't think this would be a bad hike in the middle of the day. There were lots of Guava to eat along the way, but bring your water or filter. Have fun!
Directions from Honolulu:
You're on the Mauka side of H-1 and you'll go up 10th to a right on Waimao to the end. GPS 2700 Waiomao and go past it to the parking lot. When you get to the parking area you'll have to go straight on the road (driveway) and walk around the gate and you're on your way…
Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn3lElAY0Ag
#5 Portlock Spitting Cave
The Portlock spitting cave is a great place to just sit and relax. The water goes into the cave and comes shooting out with vengeance. The spitting obviously is better with a high tide but I've never looked up the tides before going there because it's a beautiful place to be even if the cave isn't spitting. We can sit for hours and watch the waves hit the rocks. Bring a nice lunch or pupus and watch the sunset over Diamondhead.
Directions:
Head into Hawaii Kai on Kalanianaole Hwy and just before Hanauma bay take a right on Lunalilo Home road then left on Poipu, left on Lumahai and go to the end. You'll see the trail (short and somewhat steep) just before the culd-a-sac on you right. GPS 6 Lumahai road.
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLvM1hFXb1U
#6 Cromwell's Pool in Black Point
This is a "Locals" hangout so you're probably not going to blend in with your sunscreen and mai-tai with the umbrella sticking out of it. Try a heineken, you'll fit in much better. All kidding aside, the crowd here is usually very young and as with most of the local people here on the islands "very friendly" The pool is virtually wave less and the wall is nothing to be scared of jumping off. It couldn't be more than 10-11 feet. Seriously – you'd have to try to get hurt.
The directions are on the video, have fun!
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bivePQWSNY
#7 Korean Buddhist Temple
Breath taking, unique, and ornate!
This is one of the coolest places I've ever seen. You don't have to be a Buddhist or of any religion for that matter to be moved by this place. The feeling you get when you walk around the grounds is pure 'peace' This is one place I never would have put on my list if I were only here for a week, but after seeing it, I definitely would. Bring someone to share it with or at least your camera…
Someone else wrote:
"As I exited my vehicle, my mouth dropped. I was so excited to run around this enormous playground as a teenager would during Black Friday at the mall. As I walked in I'm still stunned of the architecture and this temple being here.
Be sure to check out two of my favorite parts of temple. On the far right hand corner are hundreds of miniature monk statues and on the far lower left corner are these 4 feet tall ceramic container filled with kimchee."
The Palolo Korean Temple is a wonderful zen environment that offers great meditation. Develop inner peace and reduce stress through insight meditation; 4-6 p.m. Saturdays; Broken Ridge Korean (Buddhist) Temple, Palolo Valley; its free; 395-7749.
Directions:
You're on the Mauka side of H-1 and you'll go up 10th to a right on Waimao to the end. GPS 2700 Waiomao. Look to your right and you'll see where to turn and go ahead and drive into the steep driveway and park.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j9k0LPCjaw
#8 Kahuku Farms Roadside Fruit & Veggie Stand
You want fresh, this is the place. If you're from the mainland or somewhere not-so-tropical, you might not have tried the little bananas called "apple bananas" try-um… the smaller the better. The coconut in the ziplock bag is delicious (if you like coconut) but you probably already figured that out right.
Don't expect the prices of that coop farm stand in Ohio, just smile and enjoy you fresh fruits. If you want free fruit go on #4 Palolo waterfall hike, there's a lot of guava to eat along the way.
Of course there's a video, what do you expect us to do – sell real estate all day and night? We must play too!
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z2GhpSjjrY
#9 Hanauma Bay
Going to Oahu without going snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is like going to Disneyland and not going on Space Mountain. This is one of the worlds best attractions for a vast varity of sealife. The parking and addmission is cheap, the movie is somewhat entertaining and the hike down to the beach is short.
Get out there and watch the fish and look for groups of people together in the water, they're probably watching a sea turtle. (don't touch)
Head out of Honolulu toward the fantasticly – increadibly – awesome Hawaii Kai (I live there) and pass Lunalilo road (you're on Kalanianaole Hwy) and contine up the hill and you'll see the entrance on the right. Pretty crouded on weekends and the parking lot may be full.
Sorry for the dirty lens, buy a house from me and I'll get a new camera! www.ericbricker.com
Hanauma Bay Video… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSH6yEn1wAg
#10 Halona Blow Hole
The Halona Blow hole on the island of Oahu is the quickest sight seeing you'll ever find. This is truly a 10 minute stop! Just pull into the parking lot, walk over to the viewing platform, watch the wave come into the underground cave, the water shoots through the hole in the top and you're done.
Coming from Honolulu, you'll go past Hawaii Kai on Kalanianaole Hwy and just past Hanauma bay will be the Halona Blow Hole.
If you have some time and want to take the easy & short hike down to a semi private cove and get in the water or just lay on the beach, check it out while you're there.
Sorry about the video of the blow hole, it was a very low tide and it's pretty lame. Higher tides are sure to make it worth the stop.
Halona Blow holw Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=Ou7lObUErBI
#11- Maunawili Falls Cliff Jumping
This is a great hike, a little bit of a challenge when it is raining out or had rained. You need some really good hiking shoes or what i saw from the locals they were doing barefoot. The trail is not always marked or the signes are hard to find because they are across the river…
Easiest way to get to Maunawili Falls: Google "Royal Hawaiian (Formerly Luana Hills) Golf Course." When you turn off the highway onto Auloa Road, continue on the road until it forks. Take the left fork onto Maunawili Road. Continue as the road curves and becomes a small lane-less drive. You will shortly see a sign on the left that marks the path to the trail head. Park in front of the houses near the trail head and as always, be respectful of the residents by keeping noise to a minimum, and be sure to pack out all rubbish.
This beautiful hike on Oahu's east side is a quickie on a dry day. Hiking at a brisk pace, it took us about 45 minutes in and 30 minutes out. The clouds overhead made for a pleasant sun-free hike, and there was minimal mud (again, it had been dry the past few days). If you've ever been on a hike in the Kailua area, you know that the foliage is thick, a vivid green and intensely beautiful. Most of the time you're hiking through trees, but toward the end your view opens up and you can see the endlessly green mountains surrounding you.
If you haven't been on a hike in this area, Maunawili is a great start to what will surely become an addiction to exploring this beautiful part of the island. The trail is mostly flat with only a few steeper parts that have been groomed into stairs and packed with gravel to reduce the risk of slipping. The trail can be very muddy in places, even on a drier day, so it would be wise to wear sturdy shoes. Slippers slow you down, and with the mud and ample tree roots your feet will thank you for offering them protection.
It was fun to hike to the falls. On a couple occasions we had to hop over rocks as we traveled back and forth over the very small and very slow-moving creek. The falls is tucked behind a small pool at the end of the creek and it is quite a site to see! It's not a very tall falls, but as you can see from the photos, it's still very entrancing. The water is cool and refreshing. My husband showed off his masculinity by jumping from one of the 40 ft. launching points on either side of the small pool, which he estimated is about 8 or 9 ft. deep. For the height averse, you can swim across the pool, climb up a few rocks and jump off a point that's about 6 ft. high.
Video: Maunawili Falls
#12 – Waimea Bay State Park Cliff Jumping
I have traveled a lot in my day and seen some remarkably beautiful beaches around the world. Waimea Valley with its glittering turquoise waters and pristine beach, Waimea Bay is definitely in my top 10, and is my favorite beach in Oahu.
Relatively un-crowded, and plenty of room to lay in the sun. This beach offers more than enough room to spread out with an unobstructed view of the water. One of our favorite things to do at Waimea Bay was to splash around in the water. The waves are strong and there is a sharp drop-off (the water gets pretty deep pretty quickly!) so be careful, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
Then it's cliff jumping time!
Come-on, you can do it, just suppress that fear of falling and JUMP!!!
I highly recommend spending some time at Waimea Bay if you are visiting Oahu.
Located on the North shore, look for Waimea Bay State Beach Park! Parking can be tough and there is some on the side of the highway, but just wait and someone will go kicking and screaming because they have to go home.
Aloha thrill seekers,
Eric
Video: Waimea Bay Cliff Jumping
I'm working hard to find the best things for you to do on Oahu. I try to get you the inside scoop, the places kept kind of a secret by the locals. So when you go there as a tourist, read the my "Local Etiquette Hints" and of course be respectful. But if you're smart enough to find this awesome website – you already knew that!
EJB
Still working hard to find you the best things to do in paradise…
Stay tuned!
