Today here at Curious Affairs we are purposefully ignoring the recent unannounced hiatus of “The AB Remainders” and proceeding without comment to announce a slight deviation from the usual content of this featured column to present our list of Oahu’s Top Ten Absolutely Not To Be Missed Sites, Events, And / Or Activities For The Potential Visitor. Think of this as one final, unofficial “Lonely Planet“-esque guide to the island; as gentle suggestions from one who has lived here for ten years, to hopefully make one’s time spent on The Gathering Place infinitely more memorable than a cheesy Polynesian Cultural Center luau would make it; or, as it actually is, a self-imposed penance for not dragging a dear friend to each of these places when she visited several weeks ago.
Wow. That was exhausting. I forgot how annoying I have always found it to write in the first person “Royal We”.
Anyway, yes, without further ado or any more extravagant run-on sentences, what follows are my picks for what no visitor to Oahu should miss during their sojourn on the island. I have purposefully attempted to stay away from the more typical travel guide fare to include those things not usually found there (although obviously I realize this is not the case in all instances); hopefully, I have succeeded.
And should you have additional ideas along the same lines, please definitely leave a comment with your suggestions, so that I and other interested readers may benefit from your wisdom!
Now. Shall we?
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ONE: Flash & Matty Boy’s Legendary Skyline Parties. Honolulu boasts many successful parties, and an equal number of party promoters, but none can compare, in my opinion, to Flash & Matty Boy’s events, particularly the twice-monthly “Skyline”. Set high atop the heart of Waikiki in Sheraton Waikiki’s Hanohano Room, the party provides panoramic views of Waikiki outside, as well as panoramic views of Honolulu’s Beautiful Ones inside. Well-known for its cutting-edge DJs, its guests’ classy attire, and insanely low-priced yet high-end vodka cocktails, “Skyline” is a party you will not want to miss. (Bonus points for you should you happen to stumble into “Skyline” for one of its themed evenings, e.g., The White Party, The Black Party, Heaven And Hell, etc.) Should you want the V.I.P. treatment (and why wouldn’t you?!), Flash & Matty Boy definitely make it available to you, to make an already fabulous soirée that much more fabulous. [Special Note: Ultra-swank dress code generally strictly enforced, even and perhaps especially for those on the V.I.P. list. Photo Credit: F/M Present.]
TWO: The Lanipo Trail Hike. Everyone hikes up Diamond Head Crater. [snores] Boring. All right, perhaps not boring, but would you not rather hike a trail that provided you even more of a challenge and even more stunning vistas to behold? I thought so. This is why you should check out the Lanipo Trail, “a grinding out-and-back ridge hike with more highs and lows than than the Beckhams and Brangelina combined”. The seven-mile hike, which is considered “Intermediate / Advanced”, takes one along the Mau`umae Ridge all the way to, if one follows the trail to its terminus, the summit of the Ko`olau Range. The views of the valleys and mountains, Ka`au Crater, and the entire island of Oahu, really, are well worth the effort that the trail demands. Click the title link above for more information, video, and directions to the trail head at the very top of Maunalani Heights. [Photo Credit: Terenceweis's Flickr.]
THREE: The Byodo-In Buddhist Temple. Located in the back of Oahu’s peaceful “Valley Of The Temples” is the Byodo-In Buddhist Temple, a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In in Uji, Japan. The temple grounds are nestled in what in my opinion are the most tranquil surroundings on the island, so it is worth a visit for that alone, but one may also visit the nine-foot Lotus Buddha and five-foot, three-ton brass Peace Bell inside the temple, the smaller Meditation House also on the grounds, or simply feed the koi fish in the two-acre koi pond. [Special Note: This is a religious area; please be respectful and quiet while in the Valley of the Temples. Remove your shoes before entering the temple. Most Awesome HDR Photo Credit: Shayan (USA)'s Flickr.]
FOUR: The Pu`u O Mahuka Heiau (a.k.a., “The Hill Of Escape”). This heiau, or Hawaiian temple, is one of the better preserved heiaus on Oahu, covering over five acres of a North Shore hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was considered a powerful place for the kahuna, and one of two places where wives of the ancient chiefs gave birth; it may also have been used for human sacrifice. I have written about this place in this blog several times, so suffice it to write this time that this is a rather humbling place, with a rather spectacular view of the ocean. [Special Note: Heiaus are sacred to the Hawaiian people and should be treated with the utmost respect. Do not move or remove anything from these sites. Do not climb or walk on the rock walls and platforms. Photo Credit: My Flickr.]
FIVE: Snorkeling / Scuba Diving At Shark’s Cove. One of the most memorable experiences I had on Oahu was during the autumn of 2006, when my roommates kidnapped me for a day of snorkeling at Shark’s Cove on Oahu’s North Shore. Accessible from March through October when the sea is calm, this stunning reef cannot even be seen during the high surf of the winter months. The unusually clear water and the underwater tunnels of the reef are perfect for exploring the lush marine life in the cove’s waters. One may even be lucky enough to spot a turtle. (Or a white-tipped reef shark, but they won’t bother you if you pay them the same respect.) Top off the day with a stop for a huge plate of shrimp from the famous Giovanni’s Aloha Shrimp Truck, and you have a day on the North Shore made in Heaven. (Or Paradise.) [Special Notes: Due to the sharp coral and rock formations, shoes should be worn at all times; the ocean drops off to about 25 feet at the end of the reef; and observe but do not disturb the marine life. Photo Credit: Phil Hilfiker Photography / PhilH's Flickr.]
SIX: The Ka`ena Point Trail Hike. Unfortunately, HawaiiWeb does not profer a very lush description of this hiking trail to the westernmost point of the island of Oahu, which I think is a shame, for it is a beautiful hike that ends in a breathtaking, almost spiritual place. “Ka`ena” may be translated as “the heat”, and this is no joke, as the rather lengthy trail is generally bereft of the trade winds that grace the rest of the island, and the sun is usually merciless. But the scenery and native plants and birds specific to this region of the island are well worth the heat. What’s so spiritual about it? “Some ancient Hawaiian folklore states that Ka`ena Point is the ‘jumping-off’ point for souls leaving this world” (via its Wiki). [Special Note: Bring lots of water; and, although the point may be accessed from either the north side or the south side of the island, the south approach is recommended. Photo Credit: Super-Structure's Flickr.]
SEVEN: Kaneaki Heiau. Again, one of Oahu’s best restored heiaus, Kaneaki Heiau is located on the Waianae Coast near Makaha. The temple, built in the 17th century, is in the center of Makaha Valley, and was originally dedicated to Lono, the god of agriculture. Full historically-correct restoration was accomplished by the Bishop Museum, which added two prayer towers, a taboo house, a drum house, an alter, and images of gods. Pili grass from the Big Island and ohia logs were also used. Although situated in the back of a valley instead of perched on a precarious North Shore cliff, The Kaneaki Heiau is every bit as breathtaking as The Pu`u O Mahuka Heiau mentioned earlier. [Special Note: Heiaus are sacred to the Hawaiian people and should be treated with the utmost respect. Do not move or remove anything from these sites. Do not climb or walk on the rock walls and platforms. Photo Credit: Jmcd303's Flickr.]
EIGHT: A Savory Brunch in Chinatown’s Maunakea Marketplace Food Court. Metromix Honolulu’s concise review phrases it perfectly: “Absolutely no pretensions — like the crowded, noisy kitchen in your grandmother’s house just before Christmas or New Year’s.” Pick up a cheap plate or bowl of whichever of a myriad of cuisines you may be craving, and make a stop for a fantastic coffee at the coffee cart just outside on your way to a spot in the courtyard, and you have the makings of a sublime culinary experience in the heart of Downtown’s Chinatown. [Photo Credit: 'Ono Kine Grindz.]
NINE: ARTafterDARK At The Honolulu Academy Of Arts. Should you be lucky enough to have scheduled your visit to Oahu in time for the final Friday of the month, you are virtually required to take in whatever festivities the talented and creative party-throwers of ARTafterDARK have planned for their monthly event that occurs from six to nine in the evening at The Academy. Composed of a dynamic group of young volunteers dedicated to exploring the arts, the group’s evenings are always a vibrant mix of themed music, exhibitions, food, and drinks, and are only $10 for non-members (free, should you happen to be a member). [Photo Credit: Sakara Blackwell.]
TEN: A Beach. Any Beach. At Sunset. At Midnight. With Someone You Love. Or All By Yourself. It will be one of the most wonderful evenings you have ever experienced. I promise. [Photo Credit: My Flickr.]
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