Exploring Oahu: 5 things not to miss
A Hawaiian vacation comes only once in a life time; at least, that’s what I thought.
I had visited Oahu with my brother in 2013 on a bucket-list trip that included swimming with dolphins, hiking the infamous Diamond Head volcanic cone and a road trip to the North Shore, at the suggestion of fashion designer Tory Burch.
It was wonderful. But I never imagined Hawaii would call me back to its calm, blue waters and relaxing beaches.
Hawaiian travel has been experiencing a boom, with a record 9.3 million visitors last year, 5.7 million of those in Oahu alone. That number may increase after recent acts of Mother Nature. Flooding affected much of the island of Kauai, and a volcano erupted on the big island of Hawaii, spewing lava. Oahu remains virtually unaffected by nature’s wrath.
On a recent visit to Oahu, I got the chance to kick back and explore more of its natural beauty. If you’re thinking of making a trip, here some things not to miss.
Luau and dinner show at the Royal Hawaiian
I spent my first few nights at the legendary Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort (rooms start at $385) on the beach in Waikiki. The iconic pink Art Deco hotel opened in 1927 to welcome guests traveling by ship to Hawaii. On Monday and Thursday evenings, the resort offers Waikiki’s only oceanfront, sitdown dinner show in the Hawaiian feast tradition called Aha’aina. I was mesmerized by the super-toned men and women who danced in traditional grass clothing, twirled fire batons and sang sweetly underneath the stars. It was a perfect way to kick off a week on Oahu.
Plumeria Beach House at the Kahala Hotel & Resort
With such serene views everywhere, dining outside is the absolute norm in Oahu. For breakfast, I drove to the Kahala Hotel & Resort to enjoy the oceanside Plumeria Beach House, an open-air, all-day restaurant. Its outdoor terraces are ideal for breakfast, a casual lunch or cocktails. Try the fresh papaya juice and Brazilian acai bowl with lehua honey, then work off the calories with a brisk, oceanside walk around the resort.
Doris Duke’s Shangri La
Shangri La is another of Burch’s favorites, so I had to see for myself.
First, a little history: In the 1930s, late American tobacco heiress Doris Duke, in her 20s then, built Shangri La on five acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head. She had fallen in love with the island during the final stop of an around-theworld honeymoon and decided to stay. The mansion, which was her home and private retreat, is now a museum and cultural center with a breathtaking view and Islamic art that Duke collected from her travels.
From room to room, Shangri La offers a spectacular sensory treat with rich colors and textures. Everything speaks to Duke’s love of art and culture. Her bedroom was inspired by India’s Taj Mahal and features a bed-andbathroom suite that replicates the patterns of a 17th-century tomb. The Mughal Suite has marble inlay work made in India and commissioned by Duke in 1935.
Visitors can take a 15-minute shuttle from the Honolulu Museum of Art to Shangri La. Tickets are $25.
Dinner at Baku Waikiki
Baku Waikiki, which is in the International Market Place in Honolulu, specializes in Japanese fare. Dishes are created in the open kitchen on a robata (around the fire) grill, which uses a special type of charcoal at more than 800 degrees to give food a rich, smoky flavor. Try the black cod with miso glaze, pickled onion and ginger shoots or the wild mushroom Kamameshi Pot with truffle and herbs.
Ko Olina’s Four Seasons Resort O’ahu
Visitors often overlook Oahu’s west side, just half an hour from downtown Honolulu; it’s more remote than the bustling Waikiki. But luxury and serenity await in the little town of Ko Olina, which means “place of joy.” I felt an immediate connection. This lesser-known oasis was once considered a sacred place by Hawaiian chiefs, and it’s also the site of the new five-star Four Seasons Resort, which had a $250 million renovation in 2017. It has 370 rooms, ocean views, waterfalls, koi ponds, tennis courts, a too-diefor 35,000-square-foot spa and more. The resort sits next to the 10-acre sacred property, Lanikuhonua oceanfront, which is protected by a spiritual guide named Auntie Nettie. The Four Seasons has a deep respect for the area and had Autie Nettie bless the resort before it opened. I was among those who stood in the tranquil waters to receive a blessing from the spiritual leader. She cradled my head and softly said a prayer of renewal. That feeling is one of the many reasons visitors return to Oahu.