Aloha, friends! Just got back from another incredible trip to Oahu, and this time, we made it a point to check out new spots, revisit old favorites, and really soak in the experiences.
Here’s a little rundown of what we did and what we loved:
Day 1: Bishop Museum (+ the 45-min planetarium show all about the art of wayfinding with the use of stars) + Waikiki
Day 2: North Shore day trip + ʻEhukai Pillbox hike + chill at the pool at Romer Waikiki
Day 3: Beach morning + Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden + Polynesian Cultural Center (activities, luau, and night show)
Day 4: Koko Head hike + rush to catch our flight!
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Table of Contents
Polynesian Cultural Center – So Much Better Than Before!
The highlight of our trip! We made our way back to the Polynesian Cultural Center and finally did all the immersive hands-on activities we’d always missed due to lack of time. This time, we got there early enough to paddle the outrigger canoe (worth the wait!) and explore every one of the six island villages properly.
The luau was also a million times better than it was when I first had it in 2015! The new menu did not disappoint! We were so happy to see that they added Polynesian staples like taro, breadfruit, and purple sweet potato for guests to try with a coconut cream sauce. Super local!
You can check out their full luau menu here.
What we love most about PCC is the fact that it isn’t just a 3-hour luau like most others. With the nighttime spectacular, the luau, the interactive cultural shows throughout the day, canoe rides, and hands-on activities, we got over 8 hours of entertainment.
Hands down, the best cultural experience on the island.
Above: We asked for a super-sized sample of the ‘ulu (breadfruit) at the Samoan cooking demonstration. We love it, but it’s so hard to find on the Mainland! (left). The desserts at the luau were the best I’ve experienced at PCC thus far — chocolate chip mochi cookies, chocolate guava cake, haupia tart with kulolo, dragonfruit sorbet 🤤
New Food Finds
This trip was all about discovering new eats, and wow—some serious gems were found. Here are the standouts:
O’ahu Grill – The owner used to be the head chef at Waiahole Poi Factory, so if you love their food but want something closer to town, this is your spot. Same incredible flavors, way more convenient location for Hawaiian lunch plates.
Makua Banana Bread – I swear, this is North Shore’s best-kept secret!! I made it a mission to try five different banana breads on Oahu this trip, and Makua’s won hands down. Moist, flavorful, and everything banana bread dreams are made of. They also have a mochi banana bread that we did NOT get to try but really wanted to (it was out of stock during our visit).
Pipeline Bakery – This is my new go-to for sweet potato haupia mac nut bars. Absolute heaven. Oh, and they have hot malasadas too, which is always a win.
Attractions We Finally Made Time For
Bishop Museum
It took me years to finally visit the Bishop Museum, and honestly, I was missing out big time. This place is packed with fascinating history, and no matter how much you think you know about Hawaii, you’re 100% going to learn something new.
One of the highlights is the Wayfinders exhibit, which showcases the ancient Polynesian art of navigation—using stars, ocean swells, and wind patterns to cross the Pacific. But that’s just the start!
The museum also dives deep into Hawaiian history, from the powerful aliʻi (chiefs) and their sacred kapu system to the significance of traditional tattooing across Polynesia. You’ll even learn about lesser-known Polynesian cultures beyond Hawaii, like the Marquesas and Rapa Nui.
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden
It took us nearly eight trips to Oahu before we finally made it to Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, and wow—what a mistake waiting so long was. This place is next-level gorgeous, with towering mountain ridges that make you feel like you’re in a Jurassic Park movie.
The best part? The park is massive, so even though it’s popular, it never feels overcrowded. You can drive from one scenic spot to another, making it super easy to take in the views!
Hikes We Did On This Trip
This trip, we tackled two hikes—one on the North Shore and one right before heading to the airport (because why not squeeze in one last adventure?).
Ehukai Pillbox Hike on the North Shore was a solid choice for a quick activity during a day trip along the North Shore, with a moderate incline that rewards you with sweeping views of Banzai Pipeline and the coastline below.
It’s not too long (took us about an hour to complete the whole thing and linger at the top), but those uphill sections will get your heart pumping!
For our final morning, we took on Koko Head, leaving our hotel at around 6:45am and starting the actual hike at 7:30 AM. The climb up those 1,000+ railroad tie steps was brutal as always, but with the lack of sun overhead, the heat wasn’t too bad! Anyways, the views at the top made it worth it. It always does!
The real challenge? The clock. By the time we climbed down, we had to rush straight to the airport—but not before making two crucial pit stops.
First, Pipeline Bakeshop for their famous Pumpkin Crunch and Ube Haupia Mac Nut Crunch bars (both completely lived up to the hype). Then, a stop at Zippy’s to grab our traditional airplane meal—because at this point, eating Zippy’s chili rice mid-flight is basically a ritual for me and Papu.
Our New Favorite Hotel?
We tried out Romer Waikiki as our home base for this trip, and thanks to Papu’s first responder discount, we scored some amazing perks: free breakfast, no resort fee, free valet, and even three free beach gear rentals per day. This might just be our new go-to hotel!
That said, Surfjack Swim Club still has my heart—it’s trendy, affordable, and full of charm. Honestly, I can’t decide between the two. Both are insanely cute and well worth staying at.
That’s it for this trip recap! Have you been to any of these places? Let me know what you think!
Planning your own trip to Oahu? Here are a few other guides that may be of use to ya:
