Renee's Guidebook
Shopping
Fresh food flea market every Thursday (~4pm-9pm)! Kona Coffee Purveyors is also a well known Waikiki hot spot! Go to the Lahila (sp?) Bakery and ask for a Hawaiian traditional donut called a “coco puff”!!!
212 locals recommend
International Market Place
2330 Kalakaua AveFresh food flea market every Thursday (~4pm-9pm)! Kona Coffee Purveyors is also a well known Waikiki hot spot! Go to the Lahila (sp?) Bakery and ask for a Hawaiian traditional donut called a “coco puff”!!!
This is a big flea market at which vendors are lined up in front of the Aloha Stadium on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Take a shopping bag and stock up on souvenirs, bathing gear, snorkeling gear and clothing! Oh and FOOD!
130 locals recommend
Aloha Stadium
99-500 Salt Lake BlvdThis is a big flea market at which vendors are lined up in front of the Aloha Stadium on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Take a shopping bag and stock up on souvenirs, bathing gear, snorkeling gear and clothing! Oh and FOOD!
Get your food items and macadamia nut chocolates here! All of the locals do their grocery shopping here… So should you! It’s much less expensive than the other grocery stores in the area.
159 locals recommend
Walmart
700 Ke’eaumoku StGet your food items and macadamia nut chocolates here! All of the locals do their grocery shopping here… So should you! It’s much less expensive than the other grocery stores in the area.
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana BlvdIndoor/outdoor mall for all of your shopping needs
Food scene
Sam's Kitchen
353 Royal Hawaiian AveGarlic steak! That is all…
Marukame Udon Waikiki
2310 Kūhiō Ave.Udon and Tempura everything! Great pricing, as well 🤑
Some of the absolute best food on the island! This location has the best variety, great prices and dessert! And it’s located right on the beach so it’s a win-win!
8 locals recommend
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
1711 Liliha StSome of the absolute best food on the island! This location has the best variety, great prices and dessert! And it’s located right on the beach so it’s a win-win!
Limited hours, huge slices, and a good variety for a literal hole in the wall pizza place that you must experience yourself!
Slice of Waikiki
2211 Kūhiō Ave.Limited hours, huge slices, and a good variety for a literal hole in the wall pizza place that you must experience yourself!
Sightseeing
Take a 2-hour bus ride to see the sights along the way OR rent a car on Turo for the day! Parking is free, snorkeling is amazing and the sunset… one you shouldn’t miss!
42 locals recommend
Shark's Cove
Take a 2-hour bus ride to see the sights along the way OR rent a car on Turo for the day! Parking is free, snorkeling is amazing and the sunset… one you shouldn’t miss!
Check out the famous and historic North shore in Haleiwa for a true Hawaii experience! I recommend renting a vehicle for the day from the Turo app!
273 locals recommend
Haleiwa
Check out the famous and historic North shore in Haleiwa for a true Hawaii experience! I recommend renting a vehicle for the day from the Turo app!
They have an all natural pineapple lotion made with essential oils, for those of us with fragrance allergies! They also have a train ride, a maze and plenty of pineapple soft serve to please even the picky pallet!
179 locals recommend
Dole Plantation
64-1550 Kamehameha HwyThey have an all natural pineapple lotion made with essential oils, for those of us with fragrance allergies! They also have a train ride, a maze and plenty of pineapple soft serve to please even the picky pallet!
While I don’t recommend attempting to swim to the island, this is a must see for your Hawaii sightseeing checklist!
8 locals recommend
Chinaman's Hat Island
While I don’t recommend attempting to swim to the island, this is a must see for your Hawaii sightseeing checklist!
Swimming
Clear water, bathrooms and showers (at the beach park), surfing and SUP
63 locals recommend
Waikiki Beach
Clear water, bathrooms and showers (at the beach park), surfing and SUP
Excellent location for swimming, barbecues and family events! They also have food on site!
27 locals recommend
Ala Moana Beach
Excellent location for swimming, barbecues and family events! They also have food on site!
Night Life
This particular location is located next door and is always happening, from the sounds of it!
6 locals recommend
Play Bar Night Club Waikiki
2310 Kūhiō Ave.This particular location is located next door and is always happening, from the sounds of it!
Neighborhoods
I ended up at the Walmart here at night and it was very empty, dark and not the safest location
South King Street
South King StreetI ended up at the Walmart here at night and it was very empty, dark and not the safest location
Alive! Full of life and ‘aloha’ for singles, couples and the whole family!
231 locals recommend
Waikīkī
Alive! Full of life and ‘aloha’ for singles, couples and the whole family!
City advice
Getting around
The Bus!
Get yourself a HoloCard for an Unlimited day, month or year pass. It’s a great way to see the sites without having to drive and focus on traffic! And unlimited day pass is $5.50 so it’s well worth it! www.holocard.net
What to pack
Footwear
Bring comfortable shoes and expect to do a lot of walking and sightseeing and food tasting in the greater Waikiki area
Getting around
Affordable Car Rental
Download the HUI app for hourly car rentals! Get all of your shopping done for as low as $15 per hour on the car rentals and don’t worry about parking overnight in the street!Download the Turo app on your smartphone to rent a car for the day, since parking is difficult in Waikiki. Average price of a car rental $80 / day for standard vehicles, $200+ for electric or luxury vehicles.
Customs and culture
fruits, vegetables and plant life…
Buy plant life from the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet Marketplace, as some vendors’ products (plumeria branches 🥰) have been preapproved for travelers to take home with them in their luggage. DO NOT attempt to take sand, rocks, plants etc on the plane THEY WILL CONFISCATE! I know because it happened to me and it’s now against the law so ship instead!