Who doesn’t love a stopover on the way to or from an overseas snow holiday? Take your pick of tropical islands with Hawaiian Airlines new direct flights from Honolulu to Salt Lake City for Utah skiing.
The most iconic destination in Hawaii is Waikiki, the hotel lined beach with azure waters and white sandy shore not far from Honolulu airport. The perfect place to lay your ski boots while you get in some shopping, surfing, swimming, dining and sun rays before hitting the snowy peaks.
A few days in Hawaii always make sense. Here’s five “must-do’s” for those in Waikiki, Oahu to entice you.
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Head to the skies for a helicopter tour
If you do one thing while on any of the Hawaiian islands, do this. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offer a series of island tours from the sky. The 50 minute Blue Skies of Oahu will set you back US$399 but trust us, you’d book it again in a heart beat. It was the best hour of my Hawaiian life.
The chopper takes off over Pearl Harbour, the Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri and heads inland north over Nuuanu Valley rainforest, Sacred Falls and along the North Shore. Expect Birds Eye views of Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Waimanalo Beach and the coral formations of Kaneohe Bay.
2. Go shopping
Even with the exchange rate, I found some seriously impressive bargains while in Honolulu. Avoid the high prices of Kal?kaua Ave and head to Nordstrom Rack (1170 Auahi St) out past Ala Moana. There is a Rack in Waikiki but I think this one is way better.
I scored some Isabel Marant boots from this season reduced from USD$1200 to USD$150 (and the only pair there was in my size, so clearly meant to be). The store also had Chloe boots that didn’t fit me, no matter how many pairs of socks I put on. Weirdly I bought some Hunter snow boots for the next leg of my journey to Park City.
You can also get a bus (or uber) to Waikele Premium Outlets which is about 15 minutes from the airport. I didn’t make the trek but if I had I would have saved up to 50% off brands such as Armani, Calvin Klein, Furla, Lacoste, Levis, Vans and Tory Birch.
The Ala Moana (I did go) is worth a visit. A giant open air shopping centre open 10.00am to 8.00pm seven days a week with every shop you and your crew will desire. The kind of place where Cartier sits alongside Crocs.
I’m a sucker for a department store so headed to Nordstroms, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and then hit up Saks Off 5th Avenue for some seriously discounted Stella McCartney sunnies. But you could lose yourself for hours amongst Golden Goose, Abercrombie & Fitch, Alexander McQueen, Gap, Madewell, Uniqlo and Moncler.
3. Chow down on Japanese American fusion
Trust me when I say I thought long and hard about the one restaurant I really wanted to go to while on a three day stopover.
I settled on Nami Kaze, a Japanese American fusion by local legend Jason Peel. He’s a passionate chef and business owner who cares deeply about community and passing on culinary knowledge, and boy does he have some having worked at Hawaii’s most iconic restaurants before opening Nami Kaze in an unassuming port setting at Pier 38.
I handed over my dining experience to Chef and was thankful I did as I dined on lobster chawanmushi (braised lobster with truffle ankaki sauce) Hudson Valley foie gras torchon with a pepper crumble, Mrs Cheng’s Tofu Salad from the island’s famed Mrs Cheng’s Tofu Factory with natural and non-GMO products.
All this followed by pastry chef Beverley Luk’s take on lemon meringue.
4. Blow yourself away with Cirque du Soleil
The world’s most magical entertainment group, Cirque du Soleil, have taken up residence in OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel and boy is it fun. Experience the stories of Hawaii with ‘Auana and Cirque du Soleil’s trademark crazy acrobatics and music.
You’ll be mesmerised as the show takes its life on stage and within the audience with lights, music and acrobatic talents you didn’t know existed. Rollerskates, giant water bowls and death defying spinning wheels will blow your logical mind and imprint upon your heart. All this presented with a serving of ancient story telling.
5. Sunset sail on the White Lotus boat
The captain of the Vida Mia brings the magic to this luxury yacht, featured in White Lotus (remember when Jennifer Coolidge spread her mum’s ashes overboard?).
With a penchant for Frank Sinatra, Burt Bacharach and Sammy Davis Junior, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped back into a 1970s sunset party as you cruise the ocean waters off Waikiki with Diamond Head as a back drop. Put your feet up on the front teak deck and spot dolphins playing or lounge on the back deck bar with a Mai Tai and ceviche while watching the mountain backdrop behind Waikiki go by.
Choose from morning coffee cruise, sunset cruise (our pick), a dinner cruise or go for a private charter.
*The writer travelled as a guest of Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaiian Tourism
