Latest posts from our Honolulu expert:
Señor Frogs
With nearly a dozen locations world-wide, Señor Frogs finally hit Hawaii's shore one year ago and has been one of Waikiki's most popular hot spots after 10 p.m. Having recently visited this Caribbean-styled bar and dance club, I must say there is a kitschy appeal to the place and that it is worth at least one visit during your stay on Oahu.
The growing popularity of this block in Waikiki (the intersection of Kalakaua and Lewers) has certainly made this one of the most happening dance clubs around. The ten dollar cover charge is, I guess, a small price to pay for a hearty, good time.
Strangely funny Señor Frogs-themed jokes and tacky Carribean blow-up dolls make for colorful decoration. The bar features drinks served in Señor Frogs plastic yard sticks. Bands usually play on the weekends and are an assortment of local music and tropical, feel-good tunes. It's really no wonder this is a great place to celebrate a birthday, graduation, or the meeting of new friends.
Visit Señor Frogs online at www.senorfrogs.com.
The Boat
In an effort to curb traffic concerns between Kapolei and downtown, Honolulu's bus system decided about one year ago to institute $2.00 public water transportation
between Kalaeloa at Barber's Point and Aloha Tower across from downtown. This has become a humongous hit among tourists on a tight budget. For just two dollars (the same price for a ride on "The Bus"), locals and tourists alike can enjoy a one hour journey along Oahu's south shore on the aptly named "The Boat."
News has it that "The Boat" has received five million dollars for this coming fiscal year to draw more tourists and kama'aina (locals) aboard. With the skyrocketing price of fuel and energy, Honolulu will need as many reasons for tourists to make it across the Pacific for a visit, and "The Boat" is becoming one of those. During whale season it is also likely you will see whales, and the price surely beats the $50 tourists would normally pay to enjoy a dinner cruise.
Refreshments and snacks are sold on "The Boat," and there is outdoor seating as well as indoor, air-conditioned seating. It's a great way to spend a day "stay-cationing" if you're a local or full-on vacationing for real as a tourist.
"The Boat" makes six round trips a day: three in the morning between 6-9 p.m. and three in the afternoon between 3-6 p.m.
Visit "The Boat" online for more information: http://www.trytheboat.com/
Night Surfing
It was about one year ago that I first experienced the excitement of night surfing. The recent swell had caused every break along the south shore to become infested with hoot-and-hollering surf rats eager for an epic ride. In order to avoid the crowd and to watch the special pre-4th of July fireworks, my friend Brian and I ventured out on his extra-long stand-up surfboard for a tandem night surf session.
Arriving on the beach by the Duke statue, small fish were jumping out of the water along the shore. We looked out to see lazy 2-footers rolling in one after the other. The wind was non-existent, the sky cloudless. The moon—just beginning to wane from full—had yet to make its appearance.
“So, hold onto the board and paddle through the wave,” Brian informed me, for this was my first experience tandem boarding and my second night surfing. I settled my belly on the front of the board and Brian settled in behind me, his face looking right at my butt. “And whatever you do,” he continued, “don’t fart. Or if you do, let me know so I can look away.”
We paddled out to Queens at about 8 p.m. and to our delight found the break completely empty. The only light from which to spot the sets coming in was from the hotel and streetlights along Kalakaua Avenue. The ocean drowned out most of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki’s nightlife. Out there in the dark, in the cool quiet, smack-dab in the center of Waikiki’s great long boarding wave as we waited between sets, Brian and I sat up to take in the atmosphere. Our timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Almost never can you surf Queens all by yourself.
“Here comes one,” Brian alerted me. I quickly flopped back onto my belly to paddle forward. The black water in front of me began to taper and the board below us accelerated onto it.
“Stand up!” Brian shouted. I reached my hand back for his and he pulled me up. “We’re going right… now we’re turning left. Now move forward and right again.” Brian instructed us along the waves surface in our night ballet.
Before the night was over, we shared in a few more dances and watched the silent fireworks explode from Aloha Tower.
There is something so magical about night surfing in Waikiki. It’s something everyone must experience at least once in a lifetime.
Bodysurfing at Makapu'u Beach
We call it “Hangover Sunday” and, hungover or not, my friends and I have established a water sport tradition: we wake up as early as possible on Sunday morning, drive to Makapu’u Beach, and drink a beer (or two) before jumping in the romping surf for at least a full hour of bodysurfing enjoyment. Indeed, Makapu’u Beach is world-famous for its perfectly bodysurfable waves, but to my friend and me it means so much more.
Ask anyone in Hawaii where to go if you want to surf without a board and, unless they want you to break your neck or get scratched up on the coral reef at Oahu's other two bodysurfing spots, Sandy's and Point Panic, Makapu’u will top the list.
There's a little bit of skill and, in bigger surf, equipment that must be used to avoid injury when bodysurfing. At Makapu'u, you should begin bodysurfing at the eastern edge (the more protected side) of the beach. Start shallow enough that you can still push off the sandy bottom. To avoid crashing into the rocks, you will want to catch the wave to your left, so get a good push off the sea floor and direct your body to the left as you stick out your left arm to direct you. Keep kicking even after you've caught the wave. On big days, rubber fins are necessities for bodysurfing. Locals do not wear swimming goggles--ever--to bodysurf. It’s actually considered uncool.
Surfboards are strictly prohibited during lifeguarding hours (8 am - 5 pm every day), so body and boogie boarders have the beach all to themselves for most of the day!
Get out there and have fun!
To get to Makapu'u Beach, head east on H-1 and the Kalanianaole Highway. The beach on your right, across the street from Sea Life Park. There is free parking all day, as well as free public bathrooms and fresh water showers.
Hiking Guide: Maunawili Falls
Deep in the valley along the mystical Pali Highway and Ko’olau mountains is a fantastic waterfall that you can swim in and jump into from ten or twenty feet up. The trail has recently been upgraded, making it a quick and easy hike. Ten minutes past the top of the waterfall, you will find a natural slide that you can slip and slide along for a little extra fun.
Make sure the fall is full of water and that the pool is deep enough before you jump from the twenty foot spot. From the Falls is another trail leading to a different part of the valley, but this route is not recommended, as it is long (about five miles) and not scenic.
This hike takes just two hours round trip. From the Pali, turn onto Auloa Road and head into the valley. Park on the residential street of Maunawili Road and follow the signs through a few backyards that lead to the Maunawili Falls trail.
Hiking Guide: Kuliou'ou Ridge Trail
A real local favorite of mine that is quickly becoming a visitor must-do is the hike to Kuliou’ou Ridge. The trek starts at sea level from the back of Kuliou’ou Valley. Follow switchbacks leading up the mountainside until you notice the vegetation change from tropical trees to pine and finally to steep red dirt cliffside. The end of the trail has one of the most rewarding vistas on the island, as you are able to see both the south side of Oahu and the east side from Hanauma Bay and Rabbit Island to Kailua and the Mokulua islands.
There is a picnic table a little more than halfway up the trail, which makes for a really pleasant snack stop before continuing to the top of the ridge. Be sure to bring lots of water, as this hike is a bit strenuous compared to other hikes on the island.
This hike takes four hours round trip — three if you’re fast. From town, drive along the Kalanianaole Highway, taking a left on Kuliou’ou Road. Drive all the way into the valley. Park at the end of Kala’au Road. The trail begins from the cul de sac.
Hiking Guide: Makapu’u Tidepools and Lighthouse
What was once the little-known lighthouse on the rocky eastern coast of Oahu has now become one of the most well-trodden yet wonderfully rewarding hikes on the island. Many visitors choose to hike from the the parking lot along the paved path to the lighthouse and back. There are, however, two worthwhile detours, both of which take add an extra hour to the hike. The first are to visit the pillboxes scattered on the hillside, which will give you a sense of the effects of Pearl Harbor and Hawaii’s current role as a Pacific port of call. The second leads you down the steep, rocky path to several tide pools you can swim in and blow holes that make for entertaining flying objects by the water’s edge. During the winter, from November through April, be on the lookout for whales, who find the Makapu’u Lighthouse an especially nice place to breech.
This hike takes two hours round trip, plus two hours for the additional detours. Take the Kalanianaole Highway past Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach. Parking is available on the right hand side, just before the hairpin curve leading to Sea Life Park.