I love Hawaii; it’s my happy place. I am excited to share my love of our 50th state. I hope to inspire you to fully learn about and enjoy this Pacific paradise. Oahu is the most populated island of Hawaii and the location of the state capitol, Honolulu. The island has various regions to visit: Honolulu…
Oahu
Koko Head Cafe island brunch house with dumplings
Koko Head Cafe is Chef Lee Anne Wong’s love letter to brunch. Part of the Kaimukī neighborhood of Honolulu, this friendly neighborhood café features daily dumplings. When you enter Koko Head Cafe, it has a laid back neighborhood feel. We enjoy sitting at the bar so we can reflect on the daily dumpling (“Dumplings all…
Valley of the Temples Byodo-In Temple Oahu
Valley of the Temples Byodo-In Temple is a beautiful Buddhist temple on the Windward side of Oahu. This iconic site is nestled below the Ko’olau mountains and is a beautiful symbol of the Japanese influence in Hawai’i. The Byodo-In Temple is part of the Valley of the Temples memorial park near Kaneohe. It opened in…
Haleiwa Beach House fresh North Shore local dining
The Haleiwa Beach House is a recent addition to the North Shore food scene. Hale’iwa is the main town on Oahu’s North Shore and was a favorite retreat of Queen Lili’uokalani. The Beach House is a renovation of the old favorite Jameson’s, not far from the famous Rainbow Bridge over Anahulu stream. The modern, gorgeous…
Honolulu Chinatown a charming afternoon
Honolulu Chinatown is a cultural treasure for the capital city of Hawaii. Chinatown is an exciting blend of the old and new, with amazing food, shopping, and the best neighborhood for leis in the city. People from China came to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. Many became merchants as they moved on from…