I had the best time At Waikiki Beach
Disclaimer: Negative Impacts of Tourism
I very recently heard about the vast amount of cries from locals about not wanting to have tourists here and the issues it brought up. Honestly if I was made aware of this before hand, I probably would have travelled somewhere else for now. Which in honestly is my own negligence, as a simple google search would have showed this. (The main research we did ahead of time was on Coronavirus situation and vaccination rates.)
Hawaii has most defentalty been on my “bucket list,” but going out of my own selfish desire isn’t worth the problems that native Hawaiians are going through. So I feel a little weird about putting together these series of blog posts. To echo some of their statements, it has to do with the very foul behavior that many tourist exhibit while visiting this beautiful place, the economical trap that it ensnares on natives, COVID19 and pollution to name a few. Resources poured into tourism and its guests take away from the basic needs of the average local in Hawaii. Tourism also has a direct negative effect on the native people’s environment. Sadly this lists go on and we barely scratched the surface.
I write these posts as I already invested a great deal into the trip. I’ll do my best to show you this beautiful place through my own eyes and experiences. With that said, please do listen to the voice of people that live here. If you find yourself still visiting, please at the very least be respectful, vaccinated, and follow the rules. Here are some links to more information.
“Tourism’s Negative Impact on Native Hawaiians” by Rev. Kaleo Patterson
Americans are flocking to Hawaii, but locals don't want tourists visiting now — and some wish they'd stop altogether - Insider
Waikiki
Waikiki beach has been famous for many years because of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing. Because of him, riding the giant waves became everyone's dream, and Waikiki became a dream destination. From the gorgeous turquoise beach to the stunning Diamond crater, Waikiki beach is the perfect spot!
Apart from the beach, Waikiki’s Kalakaua Avenue offers world-class dining, resorts, shopping, and entertainment. Visiting Waikiki in Honolulu, I enjoyed some of the most delicious meals, toured amazing places and met wonderful, friendly locals. Want to know what was the best part about my trip? Let's find out!
The Waikiki Beach
Due to different environmental factors, Waikiki Beach has broken up into 8 smaller beaches, including the Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach Park, Gray’s Beach, Royal Hawaiian Beach, and several others. But that didn't stop us from lounging under the shade of palm trees, eating great food and enjoying the waves.
From our spot at the beach, you could easily see the surfers riding large and small waves as others enjoyed the soft, warm sand under their feet. The days are mostly bright and sunny but are often marked by a sudden downpour no one expects. While it can be a nuisance, the rainbow that follows more than makes up for it! You can sit back and relax on the beach with soothing music playing in the background and sailboats gently rocking to the currents in the distance, making the atmosphere even more serene.
Where To Eat In Waikiki
Waikiki has an array of restaurants that cater to all kinds of palates and diets. While there are way too many options, I will be telling you the best ones I dined at. So let's dive in!
Aloha Kitchen Waikiki
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Aloha Kitchen is definitely the best eatery in the area. This restaurant has excellent food, extremely accommodating staff, and more menu items that you can try. Not only that, the delicious eggs benedict with lobster and fresh fruit soufflé pancakes will have you returning multiple times! We got the Ono Meal Set, and suffice it to say, I am yet to have a meal as satisfying. Do be warned though, there is usually a long line, so if you want breakfast, get up bight and early. Though even the line is worth the meal.
Dukes
Dukes is a nice tiki style restaurant right in the heart center of Waikiki. Here you can choose to enjoy your meals inside or beach side, along with some live performed music. While our group tried to do less touristy attractive activities, we really wanted to check this place out. Ultimately happy we did. The food here was pretty nice, but I also really loved the drinks. Just like all my other experiences here in Hawaii, though it felt a bit artificial, in a Disney sense, the atmosphere was great.
SURA Hawaii kbbq
Enjoy cooking meals yourself with the Korean style bbq with a touch of Hawaii. Complemented by great taste in music, excellent service. Our group had a great time.
Musubi Cafe Iyasume
The Musubi Cafe is another must-try restaurant when visiting Waikiki. It is also the only restaurant that specializes in rice balls in Hawaii. The Teriyaki SPAM and Avocado Bacon SPAM are some of their most famous dishes. Don't forget to try their garlic teriyaki musubi sauce to add an extra zing to your meals!
Bozu Japanese
We went to this really nice Japanese food place. The food and drinks were fantastic. It had a really nice air about the place.
It is essential to point out that in addition to the ID, most places now ask for proof of vaccination in case you want to dine in. This rule, of course, gave us some added comfort as the COVID-19 protocols are being followed.
