When my mom asked me to go to Hawaii as her travel companion a year ago for a work trip, I couldn’t say YES fast enough. She went to explore the islands 35 years ago, but it would be my first trip. Hawaii has been on my bucket list forever, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. My mom, Lisa Pease (owner of Wander & Whimsey Travel Planning: https://www.wanderandwhimsey.com/) has been a travel agent most of my life. I have been very fortunate to travel with her and occasionally with her colleagues for years. Travel is a passion of mine, it is a gift to experience different cultures and regions of the world.
After an easy 9 hour flight, from O’hare to Honolulu we arrived early in the morning and were ready to explore the island. It was a 4 hour time difference from CST in Wisconsin, but a few cups of coffee and I was ready to go! We arrived at the ‘Alohilani Resort (https://www.alohilaniresort.com/) and were welcomed with leis and smiling faces. The large indoor/outdoor lobby was stunning, with various seating areas & the perfect tranquil setting after a long travel day. A jaw dropping 280,000 gallon oceanarium is in the lobby, directly next to O Bar. The sealife is abundant and there are daily feedings at 10:30 and 2:30.
‘Alohilani Resort is in a great location, directly across the street from the stunning Waikiki Beach and Waikiki Bay on Kalakaua Avenue. Hundreds of shops and restaurants are within walking distance, and there is an ABC Store connected to the property for any last minute needs (like sunscreen and an umbrella, which I forgot).
‘Alohilani Resort offers ocean view and ocean front rooms & suites. We stayed in a beautiful suite with a stunning view from our room. My morning coffee on the balcony never felt like real life. During our stay we were able to utilize the Longboard Club. It is an on site private setting with keycard access. We ate breakfast and enjoyed many small plates at the Longboard Club. I dreamed about the acai bowls and couldn’t wait to indulge in one the next morning. Fresh acai & fruit was a treat and my favorite way to start the day. At night, Longboard Club offered charcuterie with an array of international cheese and made to order fresh pasta, by the executive chef. Longboard Club was the perfect gathering point for our group. A place to unwind and connect, while enjoying the private setting either indoors or outdoors.
‘Alohilani Resort offered many restaurants, you can view them all here (https://www.alohilaniresort.com/dining/) but our favorite was the Morimoto Asia Waikiki. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto (https://www.alohilaniresort.com/dining/morimoto-asia/) offers the perfect combo with his asian-influenced cuisine & memorable dining experience. We went for dinner after our long travel day and enjoyed a glass of white wine, paired with roasted duck caesar salad and shrimp pad thai. It was outstanding and the perfect portions to share. If you are looking for a casual dining experience, Momosan Ramen & Sake is also located on site. We had ramen and sticky ribs there for lunch (based on the waitresses suggestion) and were blown away by the flavor and fall off the bone ribs.
‘Alohilani Resort offers a beautiful pool deck with incredible views of Waikiki Beach and Waikiki Bay. It is a destination and the home of SWELL Restaurant and Pool Bar (https://www.alohilaniresort.com/dining/swell-bar/). During the day you can enjoy a cocktail and the vitamin D on the pool deck or under a cabana. While at night you can take in the tropical air while listening to live music played by local musicians.
You’ll also find a spa, fitness center, and IV Lounge & Medspa on site. DRIP HAWAII is a unique experience – a boutique-style Medspa offering wellness through IV drips, vitashots, body sculpting, esthetic treatments, and more!
We were able to enjoy many regions of Oahu. Our resort was located in the largest city on the island, Honolulu, and we spent a few mornings walking the miles that stretch Kalakaua Avenue. During our trip we did multiple day trips and excursions, booked through Compass Tours (https://www.mycompasstours.com/). We spent time visiting the North Shore, exploring Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Preserve, walking the breathtaking Waimea Valley and we even stopped for delicious food at the local food trucks.
Waimea Falls offers exquisite botanical gardens and delightful waterfalls. It is an easy walk (or you can get a shuttle) along the paved walkway to the falls. We found ourselves stopping often to read the names and species along the walk. Once we reached the falls (about 3/4 mile walk) there were lifeguards in the swimming area helping visitors into the water, where you could swim to the falls for a photo opp. There were also buildings close to the falls, which offered privacy for changing. After we hiked to the falls and back, we enjoyed a local farmer’s market on site as well as a restaurant with refreshments.
Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Preserve is a film lover’s dream. It is the home of “Jurassic Valley” where dozens of films were created. Classic blockbusters including: Jurassic Park, King Kong, Hawaii 5-0 and my personal favorite, 50 First Dates. The lush valleys and tropical plants, as well as the breathtaking sites made this day very memorable. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and enjoyable, the amount of island history and culture was remarkable. There are many things to do at Kualoa Ranch, including: horseback riding, zip lining, e-biking, UTV’ing and more. Highly recommend adding this location to your itinerary if you plan to travel to Oahu.
On our final night on Oahu we headed to Paradise Cove for a Luau. Such an incredible, authentic Hawaiian experience. We were greeted with a gorgeous shell lei and delicious mai tai. The sprawling oceanfront was the perfect setting for a picture perfect sunset and an evening full of fun. There were multiple activities set up on the grounds; including games, sports, tattoo stations, the pig roasting ceremony and more. When the sun went down, we enjoyed a wide variety of food and the luau with outstanding singing and dancing in traditional costume. This was my first luau, and certainly won’t be my last if I am able to return to Hawaii someday.
We couldn’t leave for Maui until we explored Diamond Head. This attraction was at the top of my list and I really wanted to experience the hike with my mom. This historic National Monument is approximately 1.6 mile hike round trip and categorized as moderately strenuous. We were able to get into the park early in the morning (you will need reservations, can be booked online) and before it got too hot. At the trailhead you can read the history of the crater and the military significance. As we started our journey from the trailhead to the summit we met many people, mostly families enjoying the hike. The trails are a combination of paved concrete, asphalt, rock, stairs, and there was rugged & wet, steep terrain at times. A pair of good, non-slip walking shoes or hiking boots would be ideal. The hike from trailhead to summit and back took us about 90 minutes, but there are many rest points and benches along the way if you want to take a break and enjoy the sites. Once to the summit, the panoramic views of Waikiki are exquisite. It was a truly magical experience and a must see when on Oahu.
From Oahu, we took a quick 30 minute flight to Maui. We stayed at OUTRIGGER Kaanapali Beach Resort in Lahaina (https://www.outrigger.com/hawaii/maui/kaanapali-beach-resort-hotel). The hotel is rich with Hawaiian culture. Offering lei making, hula lessons, and Hawaiian language classes. The location was incredible, located directly on the Kaanapali Beach. The beach offers white sand and crystal clear water. The beach is lined with resorts, but it wasn’t overcrowded or too busy at all. Only a short stroll down the boardwalk is Whalers Village, full of restaurants and shops. Grab breakfast, lunch or dinner while dining in the open air.
Our first night in Lahaina we took the short walk to Whalers Village and had dinner at Leilani’s on the beach. This open-air restaurant was delightful. We sat on the 2nd story and enjoyed the ocean views. We both had a glass of white wine, paired with a salad and the catch of the day.
When my mom asked if I wanted to island hop to Maui I said “Yes please, can we watch the sunrise at Haleakala?” Her immediate response was “do you know how early we have to get up?” Well, we booked it and she wasn’t wrong. We had to get up at 2am to meet our tour at a neighboring resort, it is a 3-3.5 hour drive from Lahaina. But, it was incredible! The drive to Haleakala National Park included a lot of twists and turns (just a side note if you easily get carsick) and many slept on the bus. Once we got to the park we were given thick, warm parkas to wear from our tour guide. We also wore our own jackets, gloves, hats, & lots of layers. Once the light started to hit the horizon we could see the Mars like atmosphere around us. It felt like we were on another planet. The park ranger came outside of his post and answered questions, and extended the invite for anyone to come inside if they wanted to learn more. The sunrise was worth the wait, it felt like time stood still as we were flooded by the many colors coming over the horizon.
After our Haleakala Sunrise Tour we went back to the hotel for a quick bite to eat at the restaurant on site, Maui Brewing Company. Then we headed to the marina for an afternoon of snorkeling. The waters weren’t too choppy so the captain informed us we would be heading to Molokini, about a 45 boat ride. We were hoping we would hear this, Molokini is known for coral reefs and a variety of fish. It did not disappoint, we spent about 2 hours snorkeling and then the staff provided a quick meal before we headed back to the marina. After our long day we headed to Merriman’s Kapalua for dinner and it was outstanding. From the moment we walked in we felt the fun atmosphere. We arrived about 10 minutes early and enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio. There was a local man playing live music in the restaurant and it was so much fun. At one point, the entire dining room was standing up and dancing, which we were later told was not a normal occurrence, but I am glad we were there for it! The food was also outstanding, we enjoyed delicious seafood and finished with carrot cake. If you will be traveling to the area make sure to get reservations. We were lucky, but later found out from the locals that it can take months to get into Merriman’s.
Our final two days on Maui were all about exploring the island. We booked the Road to Hana with Compass Tours. It was a great way to see the iconic Hana highway, which stretches 64 miles, connecting Kahului to Hana. We had a private tour and our guide was delightful. We had many stops along the way, including: the rainbow eucalyptus trees, multiple lookouts, waterfalls, lava tubes, trails, historical sites, market stands, state parks, beaches and my favorite – Wai’anapanapa State Park. Wai’anapanapa State Park is the home of the black pebble and black sand beaches. We walked for miles and explored the picturesque beaches, trails, and water caves. We could have spent a full day here, it was incredible. We also stopped at a local food truck area for lunch. Everything looked delicious, it was hard to choose just one entree. We decided to order a few options and share. On our trip back to Kahului we stopped at Turtle Bay. Our guide said it was a must see, and he wasn’t wrong. As we walked from the parking lot to the beach we quickly noticed the large rocks on the beach were actually turtles sunbathing on the sand. It was incredible to see, and there were dozens of onlookers enjoying the view with us. If you are traveling to Maui, Road to Hana is a must do.
While in Maui, staying in Lahaina, we drove past the devastation from the fires everyday. It was heartbreaking to see the miles of devastation. Most areas are covered with tall walls put in place for privacy. It was also unbelievable to see how quickly some areas and homes are being rebuilt. The spirit of the community is fierce, and incredibly strong. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with the Maui community.
If we had a few more days I would have loved to island hop to Kauai. Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle” because it is covered in mainly tropical rainforests. The canyons and trails make it a hiking destination for the outdoors lover. I am hopeful someday I will return to Hawaii and enjoy even more islands, in the sun.
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