Octie Appetie: Hawaii

Showing posts with label Hawaii. Show all posts

16 October 2025

Hawiian Trip for Eleven Days Ten Nights During The Summer With Young Kids

Hawaii is a tropical paradise made up of volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean. Known for its lush rainforest, beautiful beaches and warm aloha spirit. If you're all about beaches and good food, Hawaii is the spot. From the soft sands of Waikiki to the clear, calm waters of Lanikai, there's a beach for every vibe - whether you're into surfing, snorkelling or just soaking up the sun.

And the food? So good. Think fresh poke bowls, juicy pineapples, shrimp from roadside trucks, and comfort food like loco moco and kalua pork. You can grab something tasty pretty much everywhere - even a simple plate lunch hits the spot.

I put all my trip summaries in one place. In this trip, we stayed for 11 days and 10 nights in total. We went with a teenager and a young kid right on the summer holiday over there. If you're curious about the adventures, sights and experiences, you can click the links below to dive into each part of the journey.

Day 1:

Just arrived in Honolulu, so we only spent time around Waikiki and we stayed at Stay Hotel Waikiki. Click here

Day 2:

We had brunch at Helena's Hawaiian Food for some delicious traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Click here

Then we visited Pearl Harbour and had dinner at Pho Saigon. Click here

First time trying donuts from Leonard's Bakery. Click here

Menu D with small poi USD 43.30

Day 3:

We had musubi for breakfast (and for the next 3 days 😄) Click here

Visited Green World Coffee click here, Dole Plantation click here, Giovanni's Shrimp Truck and North Shore click here

Musubi from Iyasume Cafe

Dole Plantation

Day 4:

Early morning beside having musubi for breakfast, we scored another two dozen of malasadas.

Visited Byodo-In Temple then rode on the Jungle Expedition Tour at Kualoa Ranch and had some huli huli chickens click here

Then at night, we had some lava flows and nibbles from Leahi Bar & Grill click here

Clockwise from the left: chocolate, ube, guava, and haupia

Day 5:

Visited Sealife Park click here

Checked in to Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort click here

Day 6 - Day 10:

Honey sea salt croissant from Vavin Dessert Park

This croissant is sitting on my top three the most delicious croissant I had. From the shop called Vavin Dessert Bar, please click here

Waiola Shave Ice click here

The famous local Kona coffee click here

Duke's Waikiki for experiencing local Hawaiian cuisine with an oceanfront view click here

Hilton Hawaiian Village

Part 1 - Room click here

Part 2 - Pools and Lagoon click here

Part 3 - Food click here

Best Western Hotel click here

Extra:

ABC Stores in Hawaii click here

Giant Supermarket in Hawaii (Walmart and Don Quijote) click here

Makai Food Court at Ala Moana Center click here

Palama Supermarket for some good Korean food click here

Royal Hawaiian Center Food Court click here

Thank you for reading my blog! Until the next adventure, take care! 💖

13 October 2025

Best Western The Plaza Hotel Honolulu Airport

Previously:

Duke's Waikiki

If you've ever had an early morning flight out of Honolulu, you know how important it is to stay somewhere close, yet comfortable and stress free. For our recent trip, we booked a night at the Best Western Hotel near Honolulu Airport, and it turned out to be the perfect choice for a quick, convenient overnight stay.

The hotel is just minutes from Daniel K Inouye International Airport, which made it ideal for our early morning flight. What made it even better? A free airport shuttle that runs frequently.

While we weren't expecting luxury, the room was clean, quiet and had everything we needed for a good night's rest.

One of the nice surprises was the outdoor swimming pool. After a long week of exploring the island and before heading back home, it was the perfect day to unwind and enjoy a last bit of Hawaiian sunshine. It's not a resort-style pool, but for an airport hotel, it was a welcome perk.

Another bonus? The hotel is within walking distance to several fast food options - great for a quick dinner or late-night snack. We grabbed a bite from the nearby McDonald's and also some sweets from Donkin' Donuts. The lady there kindly gave us one extra donut as the store was nearly closed.

Breakfast to go

Good bye Rainbow city, til' we meet again

Ultimately, the biggest win for us was the free airport shuttle service. It started running early enough to easily get us to the airport on time and they packed our breakfast to go as well. No stress, no hassle.

Best Western The Plaza Hotel Honolulu Airport

3253 Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu

Ph: +1 808 836 3636

Ps: My blog about my Hawaii trip back in June is now complete! I've put everything together in one summary post (click here) and you can click on the links to read more details, if you are interested. Thank you for reading, y'all!

09 October 2025

Duke's Waikiki

Previously:

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 3 - Food)

If you're visiting Waikiki and want to enjoy local Hawaiian cuisine with an oceanfront view, Duke's Waikiki should be high on your list. Located right on the beach at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, this laid-back yet lively spot is more than just a restaurant - it's an experience. Named after legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku, the restaurant honours his spirit with walls adorned in surfing memorabilia and a chill, nostalgic ambiance that pays tribute to old Hawai'i.

As soon as we walked into Duke's, I can feel a friendly, easygoing vibe that instantly puts you at ease. Duke's staff are friendly, quick and genuinely seem to enjoy what they do.

Let's talk about the star of the show - the food. Duke's menu blend fresh island ingredients with traditional Hawaiian and Pacific Rim flavours, and they do great job of keeping it authentic while still approachable for all palates.

We were there for the lunch buffet. I clearly aimed for their galbi and poke. Just eating these two already worth it with the price we paid. Their galbi was amazing, poke was fresh and crumbed prawns were surprisingly delicious too. Having them with some broccoli salad and some sort of pineapple pickles was the best combination on a plate.

These are the top items from buffet menu for me personally (maybe this was my 3rd plate already)

Not part of the buffet menu but so many reviews say that you should get is their hula pie. We were extremely full, so we missed this but apparently, it's that iconic.

Duke's Waikiki might be a bit touristy, but it is popular for a reason. It offers solid local dishes, great drinks and one of the best beachfront dining experiences on O'ahu. Whether you're visiting for the first time or a local treating yourself to a night out, it delivers a genuine taste of aloha with every bite.

Also, if you could grab a table on the patio and you'll be dining with a front-row seat to Waikiki Beach. Come during sunset for a seriously postcard-worthy scene and Diamond Head glowing in the background.

Duke's Waikiki

2335 Kalalaua Ave, Honolulu

Lunch for an adult USD 33 (around AUD 50), for a kid USD 17 (around AUD 25.80)

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Best Western The Plaza Hotel honolulu Airport

07 October 2025

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 3 - Food)

Previously:

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 2 - Pools and Lagoon)

If You're staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, you might find that everything you need, especially when it comes to food - is right there at your fingertips. We're talking big meals, tasty snacks, cool drinks, and sweet treats, all without ever leaving the hotel grounds. Seriously, we spent the entire days enjoying all the food options without stepping outside the property - and we never got bored.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is massive and so is its culinary offering. With more than 20 restaurants, cafes, bars and quick bites scattered across the resort, you can find just about any type of cuisine - from Hawaiian plate lunches to Japanese, Italian, American classics, seafood and even gourmet grab-and-go.

BBQ classic wings with ranch sauce USD 25 (around AUD 37.80)

Montague's all meat large pizza USD 36 (around AUD 54.40)

On one evening, after a full-on swimming in the pool and beach, we needed a meal with big carbs. If you do know me, I like in-room dining, there is no option here but what we did, we bought as takeaway and enjoyed them in our room. Works the same. We grabbed a large pizza from Round Table and it hit the spot - crispy crust, cheesy goodness, and just the right amount of sauce.

For something more local and hearty, we tried Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood. Their plate lunches are everything you'd hope for - rice, salad and generous serving of flavourful protein. Their crumbed fish was especially mouthwatering and the portions were big enough to satisfy even the hungriest beachgoer.

Fish & chips USD 18 (around AUD 27.20)

Sirloin steak plate lunch USD 20 (around AUD 30.20)

Hawaiian guava chicken USD 17 (around AUD 25.70)

When the Hawaiian sun starts heating things up, it's time for dessert. We popped over to Diary Queen (DQ) and grabbed some ice cream. There's just something about a cold DQ Blizzard that makes your day feel 10x better. Whether you're into peanut butter, fruity or classic soft serve, it's a great pick-me-up after a swim or walk along the lagoon.

Throughout the resort, you'll find restaurants and snack shops like ABC Store is one of them, perfect for grabbing a quick bite or refreshing beverage. Whether it's a morning coffee, an afternoon smoothie, or a tropical cocktail to sip by the pool, the Hilton Hawaiian Village has it covered.

Staying at Hilton Hawaiian Village isn't just about the beach or the pools - it's about having everything you need, right at your feet, especially when it comes to food. You'll never run out of delicious options. So, go ahead, stay in your swimsuit, enjoy your day in paradise and let the food come to you. No car needed, no reservations required (in most cases) and zero stress. Just great food and good vibes - all day long.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu

Ph: +1 808 949 4321

Check in: 4pm and check-out: 11am

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Duke's Waikiki

02 October 2025

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 2 - Pools and Lagoon)

Previously:

Paina Lanai Food Court in Royal Hawaiian Center, Honolulu

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is undeniably one of the biggest and most iconic resorts in Waikiki. This massive resort that truly lives up to the "village" in its name. With its sprawling layout and beachfront location, it offers plenty of attractions - the man-made lagoon was definitely a highlight for us. The lagoon is calm, kid-friendly, and perfect for paddleboarding, aqua cycling or just relaxing. We also enjoyed the hotel guests pool with waterslide, which was a great bonus for the kids and parents alike.

The resort has a lot going on, and it's great if you're looking for energy and action. There are shops, restaurants, bars and activities all within walking distance. It's almost like a mini city.

However, the size of the hotel also comes with downsides. It often felt overcrowded, especially in common areas and the lack of visible security made it easy for non-guests to access hotel pool, which was a bit concerning. At times, it felt more like a public space than a private resort. For the price point, we expected more in terms of service - small details like no kid's club and no complimentary coffee (something we appreciated at The Stay Hotel) made us feel the value could be better.

It's a fun and vibrant place to stay, especially for families, but it may not be the best fit if you're seeking peace or exclusivity. The overall value felt more about volume than value.