Oahu, Hawaii 2021–2022

Atheena Ben
12 min readApr 6, 2022
This picture was taken right before a pigeon chased me off the balcony…not the highlight of the trip…

Aloha everyone!

It’s been a while since I have written a blog post — almost a year :/ I am back after a reset from a short vacation…well, technically we came back in January but again life got in the way of me sitting down and pouring my thoughts out. So, without further delay…

OAO and I decided to spend our New Year’s eve in Oahu, Hawaii. To be honest, I was not aware of the different Hawaiian Islands and if you were to ask me “where I am going for vacation” prior to us planning this trip, I would have ignorantly said “Hawaii”. A simple Google search showed me that there are 7 Hawaiian islands: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (The Big Island), Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. We were debating between Oahu and Maui (both beautiful on its own), and ended up choosing Oahu. Once confirmed, any down time I had I was either Googling or Youtubing Oahu. There is a plethora of useful information ranging from travel tips to what to pack to where to eat to things to do online. Before I share pictures, I want to stress the fact that both OAO and I prefer relaxed adventures more than turning on our “fight or flight” mode type of adventures. We went on couple of hikes (more like beginner hikes — I watched videos in which parents took their kids or dogs ^.^), relaxed at multiple beaches, and of course tried a variety of restaurants/foods.

We spent 9 days in Oahu (including 2 days of air travel) and stayed at the Alohilani Resort in Waikiki — which is the hub for tourists. We used Wanderlog app for our travel itinerary purposes and All Trails app to understand more about the trails prior to each hike. I highly recommend using Wanderlog app if you love to chart out your vacation plans (or at least have a draft of it).

Day 1: Wednesday December 29, 2021— Welcome to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Welcome to Alohilani Resort.
We got the diamond head/beach view — Amazing! Thanks OAO😍
A mirror selfie is a must…Extremely jetlagged and leaning to each other…I would have slept on the floor at this point…
Restaurant — Momosan near Alohilani Resort. Kakuni Bao — Braised pork belly inside steamed buns.
Spicy Dan-Dan Noodles. This was amazing.
Also got some Eel Cucumber Roll
And some Popcorn Shrimp
Walked a bit around and had some dark chocolate gelato. Don’t remember the place. We went back to the hotel and slept for 14 hours.
Day 2: Thursday December 30, 2021 — fresh off the sleep mirror selfie. Ready for Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail hiking.
The drive to the trail. The drive had many lookout points. I mean look at this…
OAO enjoying the view. Well technically he is looking at me…
We then drove to the hiking place. Hiked for 45 minutes. Easy hike, it has paved pathway so you can hike in white sneakers. Reached the trail end and the view is breathtaking.
Needed some sugar. Tried the most famous Leonard’s Bakery for their famous malasadas.
Trying to be an “Instagram Influencer”…
We tried the malasada with haupia (coconut) filling and chocolate filling. Loved the coconut filling one.
After the 10 seconds of insulin rush, it was time for real breakfast. We went to Island Vintage Coffee which was very TikTok popular. I ordered Island Style Plate which has local Portugese sausage, over easy Waimanalo eggs, asparagus, sprouted rice, furikake, shoyu, and papaya. One of the best papayas I have had since Kerala.
OAO ordered the Crab Scramble— which has wild-caught Blue Crab, three eggs, green onion, organic mixed greens, breakfast potato, papaya, lemon-jalapeno aioli, and toast. This toast which has cranberries and walnuts is one of the best bread I have ever tasted. I really need to bake it one of these days…
Also a side of Portugese sausage because more protein…?
Then in the evening, we went to Tantalus Lookout-Puu Ualakaa State Park. It’s a scenic lookout featuring striking views of the Diamond Head volcano cone & the Waikiki skyline.
Like I said…it definitely is a scenic view!
We ended Day 2 with dinner at Onoya Ramen. OAO thinking a little too hard to come up a better sign.
Admiring my really short nails…?
The “spicier” the better ^.^
And I always order Tonkatsu/Miso/Laska…ALWAYS…I have to have extra corn too😆
Ended day 2 with some drama…anyone watched this show?
Day 3: Friday December 31, 2021. Started the last day of the year at Island Club and Spa. I am only smiling for the picture.
Tried some cane sugar juice. Not a huge fan and I definitely regret spending 13 dollars :/
For lunch, we headed to Off the Hook Poke Market. This was a friend’s recommendation and it did not disappoint.
We got the Spicy Ahi and Cold Ginger Ahi on a bed of rice. Amazing.
We also got the Hawaiian Style Ahi on the side as well.
Also some Spicy Salmon Inari. We devoured it.
Then we went to Lanikai Beach for some down time.
There is always time for a selfie…
Peaceful…but it started raining…
The sky shouldn’t be cloudy😪
Snacking before getting ready for NYE party. We went to Momosan again.
We went to Foodland and grabbed a bunch of “snacks”. This one is a version of pineapple cake.
I think I was eating papaya every other day. It was just so fresh! :D
Got ready for NYE party. We had to wear matching outfits ^.^
We had tickets booked for Rock-a-Hula Show at the Waikiki Royal Hawaiian Theater.
OAO all dressed and prepped to celebrate NYE.
Starter — Lobster. The food was not that great :/
Entree — Salmon etc etc…again the food was not the best.
Dessert — meh okay :/
THE SHOW…worth the money! The performers were so passionate and played all their parts with so much enthusiasm. You should definitely check out their performances.
Michael Jackson…Is that you…?
Ended Day 3 with drama and junk food.
Oh and we got a fortune cookie as a New year’s gift! I am not sure why OAO is holding the cookie like a newborn baby…
Day 4: Saturday January 1, 2022. It was raining, so we slept in. And for lunch we went to Kono’s — again another popular Youtube/TikTok choice.
Sipping on coffee and watching the rain as we wait for our order.
I got a Chuns Bomber — which is slow roasted pulled kalua pork and bacon. Chefs kiss.
Since it was raining still, we pretty much just stayed in bed and watched reality tv. Oh and snacking on sweet Maui onion rings…
In the evening, we headed to a complimentary jewlery making lesson at Kolohe at the Alohilani Resort.
Look at all the pretty colors ❤
We decided to make a bracelet.
In progress…
Voila :)
Love it. Thanks OAO ❤
Ended the night with room service and reality shows.
Day 4: Sunday January 2, 2022. Happy Official Anniversary OAO ❤
Walked around the neighborhood…
And took photos of trees…
Headed out for lunch — but first a mirror selfie
We went to Chengdu Taste — recommendation by Alice Sun. Ordered Mapo Tofu — my favorite!
We also got Szechwan Bandit Chicken with Chinese Herbs.
Also Wonton with Red Chili Sauce.
If you want to taste best Sichuan food in Oahu , HI— then you must definitely visit this place.
Had to end our meal with some boba from Tea Home😉 We headed home. Went to church — St. Augustine by the Sea for Sunday evening mass.
Went to Waikiki Beach to watch sunset.
Sunset w/ my sunshine…yes, I can be cheesy…
Beautiful
Zoned out
For dinner, we ended up ordering from Bangkok Chef. We were both too tired to get dressed and go out.
Our family sent us the sweetest baked goods from JJ Squared Bakery ❤ So ended the night with sugar rush and slept peacefully…
Day 5: Monday January 3, 2022. Another rainy day…
We went for a drive to the West side of the island. We wanted to try Countryside Cafe. Unfortunately most of the items “ran out”, so we just grabbed coffee. Honestly, we did not understand how a cafe runs out of half the items by 11:00 am…
We then drove for another hour to North Shore.
We decided to try another famous Hawaiian food joint — Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. Cash only.
Tried the Garlic Shrimp. Doused in butter and garlic.
Look at that pool of butter at the bottom…
Random photo of nature…
Sunset Beach, North Shore
Another beach selfie w/ OAO
Clumsy…
After spending the whole day at beach, we headed to Hawaiian Style Cooking Classes led by Linda.
Our work area😀
Wish I was able to take the apron home…
First task — cut avocado
This is what I did during WFH for 2 years…
Fry up some spam
Sautee mushroom
Fry eggs
Look at that skill…
Look at my OAO’s concentraion…and skill…
Ingredients ready for Deluxe Spam Musubi
Stopped to see this beautiful sunset outside Linda’s house
Deluxe Spam Musubi — 1 of many
Coconut Prawns is up next
All fried and ready for consumption…
Next up Poke…
OAO listening to instructions to cut fresh tuna
Sliced and ready to be prepped
Parts of herbs and tools…
Look at that spread😁
Cheers to coconut mochi. Definitely recommend doing a cooking class if you love to experiment with cultural cuisines. We definitely enjoyed it.
Day 6: Tuesday January 4, 2022. Started our day with leftover deluxe spam musubi.
NO RAIN after three days. So we are definitely hiking today.
Driving to North Shore.
Saw this on our route to the hiking path
Here we are. Ehukai Pillbox Hike.
The rain during the past three days made the hiking path in to a mud pile.
So I fell maybe three times…
But the view was definitely worth it…
Like I said, the view was definitely worth the fall
Even OAO agrees — about the view not me being clumsy and falling…
Of course…
What a Pillbox look like…These were used as observation stations during WWII.
After our hike, we had lunch/dinner at Gen Korean BBQ House. Another place you should definitely check out. One of this is red wine infused pork belly — interesting flavor…
Ended the night with a bollywood movie😄
Day 7: Wednesday January 5, 2022. Starting the day with a mirror selfie.
This is not a post card. This is Kualoa Ranch. Breathtaking.
Excited for our 2 hour ATV Raptor Tour.
Beyond beautiful…
Look at the happy driver…❤
Look at his happy partner😉
And here we go…
And we enter…
Most scenic drive ever…
They high on grass…
Drive…
And we stop to look at the beauty…
More driving…
En route…
We passed by multiple film locations…
I like the VIEW😉
No words…
Peaceful
Not that peaceful…
Home…?
…Movie locations?
Keep Driving…
Scenes from WWII
The cow seriously judging OAO’s driving skills…
Oh man…
Cue Jurassic Park theme music
I wonder if the people in front of us knew how many pictures I took of them driving…
Beautiful…
I could be in the next Jurassic Park movie…End of tour.
We then headed to Chengdu Taste for the second time because it was that good. Sauteed Beef with Onion.
Wonton with Pepper Sauce (Numb Taste)
One of the Chengdu Special Dishes — Toothpick Lamb with Cumin. Amazing!
We then headed back to our resort. Wanted to spend our second last day at the rooftop bar — Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar.
We are ready to relax with some pina colada and whiskey…
Awww Bakes ❤
Pina Colada and then Wine…?
Had to grab some late snack w/ OAO.
Day 8: Thursday January 6, 2022. Headed to Paradise Massage & Spa with some groupon deals.
Got a deep tissue massage and was ready to sleep the whole day…
For brunch/lunch — we went to Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant. Another recommendation by Alice Sun. Check our her Instagram for easy recipes😃
Well alright then…
Shrimp, Shrimp & Chives, Shumai
Shrimp Pancakes
Spareribs in black bean sauce…one of my favorite!
Steamed beef balls
Mochi rice with dried scallop and chicken
After that, we walked around Duke’s Marketplace. We ended up bargaining, well OAO did and got some souvenirs.
Got some mango slices and lychee. The fruits are just so fresh.
And leftover egg tarts from dimsum.
Watched the sunset from the balcony…
Ordered room service…
Ended the last night with the pineapple cake from Foodland.
Day 9: Friday January 7, 2022. Last day before we head to the airport. The only thing in our agenda besides packing is to try the acai bowl…
Back at the Island Vintage Coffee. Starting with Lilikoi Moana Bowl — that’s local organic honey on top which is perfecto.
Turkey Avocado Panini with roasted purple potatoes.
Breakfast Plate. Ahhh, that cranberry walnut bread again! It’s just amazing.
Walking back to the resort…
Soaking in this view one last time…
Duty free shopping…
Headed back…

Whew…that was a lot of photos…I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip. We had a great time, even though it rained three days.

I am listing a bunch of places we wanted to check out but couldn’t because it was either raining or we just wanted to sleep in and relax a bit more…

Beaches/Parks: Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, Kailua Beach Park, Kakaako Street Art, Kaneohe Sandbar.

Desserts/Bakery: Jay’s Cafe & Bakery, Liliha Bakery, Manoa Chocolate Hawaii, Matsumoto Shave Ice, Morning Brew, Musubi Cafe IYASUME, Waiahole Poi Factory, Waiola Shave Ice.

Hikes: Ka’ena Point Trail, Koko Crater Railway Trailhead, Lanikai Pillbox, Maili Pillbox.

Restaurants: Alicia’s Market, Da Cove Health Bar and Cafe, Haleiwa Bowls, Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens, Kahuku Farms, Kalapawai Cafe & Deli, Ken’s Fresh Fish, Marukame Udon Waikiki, Morimoto Asia, Ono Seafood, Rokkaku Hamakatsu, Sushi Murayama, The Sunrise Shack.

Let me know in the comments below if you ever visited any one of the other Hawaiian Islands — we would love to hear about it!😀

Mahalo,

A, Ben.

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