Hiking the Kahana Valley Nakoa Trail
While there are no glorious waterfalls on this valley hike, the main attractions are solitude, dense jungle and crossing the large Kahana stream. The Kahana Valley (or Nakoa) trail is a relatively short, but moderately difficult loop trail on the northeast side of Oahu in the Kahana state park. First and foremost, bring insect repellent. Kahana Valley is crawling with more mosquitoes and insects than I have found at any other location on Oahu. I... Read More
Top 10 Beaches on Oahu
Waimea Bay Map The home of big wave surfing, Waimea Bay is located on the famous 7-mile-miracle stretch of coastline on the North Shore. The bay has two faces. It can be as smooth as glass in the summer or a violent onslaught of gigantic waves in the winter. Regardless of the time you visit, there is always something to do at Waimea. Whether you’re watching the Eddie Aikau or mustering up the courage to leap from the jumping rock, Waimea Bay... Read More
The Bark Park
If you’re searching for an off-leash dog park in the Honolulu area, look no further than the Bark Park. The park is located here, near the entrance to the Diamond Head state monument. It’s a great place to unwind while your dogs socialize and exercise. The park is entirely maintained by volunteers. They do an excellent job of cleaning the park and keeping the peace. There is a great crowd of (mostly) friendly dogs and owners. In fact,... Read More
Hale Macrobiotic Vegan Cuisine
Organic. Macrobiotic. Vegan. Just when you get use to hearing about one new thing, other food trends start to pop up. As diverse as Hawaii’s food can be, there are still some things which are just starting to make their way into the scene. Hale is Honolulu’s new Modern Macrobiotic Cuisine restaurant. I call it Oahu’s Oasis. Showcasing dishes specially crafted to fulfill your body, mind and spirit, the ingredients used here are grown... Read More
Diamond Head Cove Health Bar
“Healthy” and “delicious” rarely go hand in hand. The Diamond Head Cove Health Bar is an exception to the rule. They serve the tastiest acai bowls on the planet. In case you’re still living in the dark and have no idea what acai is, let me explain. It’s a palm tree berry from the nation of Brazil with the highest antioxidants of any fruit (found so far), not to mention the natural sugar and caffeine for a healthy... Read More
Snorkeling at Shark’s Cove
Shark’s Cove is located here on the North Shore of Oahu and is known as one of the better snorkeling locations on the island. Despite the name, I’ve never seen any sharks at the cove. I have seen plenty of beautiful fish, honu (turtles), eels, taco (octopus), starfish and much more under the water. Humpback whales and Spinner dolphins can even be seen from the shore. Da Scoop What: Beach, Cove Island: Oahu Where: North Shore, Map Surf:... Read More
Halona “Cockroach” Beach Cove
This little “beach” is the location of several scenes in the Adam Sandler movie, 50 First Dates. Technically it’s named Halona Beach Cove, but to the locals it’s known as “Cockroach” Cove. Probably to deter the tourists because I’ve never come across any cockroaches there. Although there is a long and very dark cave that passes under the Kalaniana’ole Highway. There’s no telling what’s lurking... Read More
10 Affordable Eats in Honolulu
Wahoo’s Fish Taco www.wahoos.com, Map Wahoo’s is a hip surf joint with a kind of Mexican and Hawaiian fusion. They serve tacos, burritos, bowls and more, most of which are served with beans and rice. They’re known for their fish tacos, which are quite delicious. They also sell Primo beer and frozen Margaritas for an afforable price. Duke’s Bar www.dukeswaikiki.com, Map If you’re looking for an affordable dining option... Read More
Hiking the Manoa Falls Trail
The Manoa Falls trail is a short hike through the rain forest of Manoa Valley. Personally, I think the hike is more rewarding than the actual waterfall. Depending on the amount of recent rainfall, the falls may be flowing steadily or may be only a light trickle. The trail is a dense jungle environment following the Manoa Stream the entire way. There are plenty of areas to wander slightly off-trail and wade through the stream or hop across boulders,... Read More
Haleiwa Farmers Market
The Haleiwa Farmers Market takes place every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. here at the corner of Kam Highway and Joseph P. Leong Highway on the North Shore of Oahu. The market is small, but boasts a great variety of local foods and goods. The promenade is packed with locals and tourists enjoying everything the market and the North Shore have to offer. It’s a unique experience to Hawaii, and one I would highly recommend to support local farmers,... Read More
