Friday, May 7, 2010.
Ceremony begins at 5:00pm.
Reception to follow.
Rooms start at $520+
As a budget line of hotels, rooms start at $80+
Also try their other hotels in Waikiki at http://www.aquaresorts.com.
$90+ Amazing hotel if you're in a military family!
Links to rates and eligibility.
$100+
A slight walk to Waikiki Beach, but comfortable accomodations and close to Ala Moana Shopping Center.
$130+
Part of the Best Western chain, though location faces the somewhat gross Ala Wai Canal.
$155+
Nice luxury hotel facing the harbor. Close to Ala Moana Shopping Center. Good Sunday brunch too!
$160+
Also try their sister hotel (right next door), the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber
$195+
Great location - across from Waikiki Beach!
$200+ (look on web site for deals)
A Waikiki institution - fireworks every Friday night! The hotel is comprised of several buildings, but Rainbow Tower is the main postcard attraction. Scenes from "Baywatch" filmed here.
$300+
Another Hawaii institution. It's pink! Right on the beach, attached to Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
$300+
An Oahu classic, "The First Lady of Waikiki." Located on Waikiki Beach.
If you've ever wanted to sip a Mai Tai on the beach, this is the place.
$425+
Excellent service and luxury hotel. Rachel Ray stayed here.
$25+ (shared room rate)
Can't beat this, if you don't mind a few roommates!
This famous beach stretches from Ala Moana all the way to the zoo, with splendid views of Diamond Head. Next to surfing, Mike's favorite thing to do in Waikiki Beach is sip a mai tai at Sheraton Moana beach bar.
If you want to learn surfing, check out the stands run by local beach boys next to the Police Station (across from Hyatt Regency hotel). For flea-market style shopping, try the International Marketplace (on Kalakaua Ave. across from Waikiki beach, close to Outrigger Waikiki hotel).
North Shore, or Haleiwa as the locals know it, is a must-see if going around the island. This little town contains the best shave ice on the island, surf shops, art galleries and is conveniently located close to some of the most well-known pro surfing spots like Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach.
Best place to go snorkeling, guaranteed tropical fish sightings. You may even spot a sea turtle, or "honu" in Hawaiian. There is an admission fee ($5 pp) for non-Hawaii residents. Check the schedule beforehand to make sure they are open (closed one day of the week), and if driving, get there early to park before they fill to capacity.
The historical landmark of the Japanese bombing in World War II. Free ferries take visitors to the Arizona Memorial, which floats atop a sunken battleship. Very humbling experience, to this day families throw leis into the water to honor those who gave their lives that day.
If you are looking for an activity to take the entire day, visit Polynesian Cultural Center. It's like a theme park (without the rides) featuring the Polynesian islands, such as Samoa or Tonga. To end the day, you can opt in for the huge luau, complete with roast pig and firedancing/hula show. Book directly through PCC's website at www.polynesia.com. Bus pickup from Waikiki is available.
May not be an attraction, but definitely worth visiting - biggest outdoor mall in the country. Food court is highly recommended. Great place to pick-up gifts to bring home or even basic travel necessities. Within walking distance from the mall are 2 other shopping favorites for locals: Ward Centre and Wal-mart (not just any Wal-mart, they carry macadamia nuts and Hawaiian souvenirs).
Great family diner serving up local food and American classics like burgers or meatloaf. If you have someone to share with, spring for the baby-back ribs (serves at least 2) with a side of the kim chi fried rice. Located in Ward shopping complex by Ala Moana, one of several locations on the island.
Best conveyor belt (kaiten) sushi place I have been to in my life! Although it has finally made its way onto the mainland, you can't beat the fresh raw seafood in Hawaii. Pick sushi plates off the moving belt, and depending on the color of the plate, the price varies. Located in Ala Moana 2nd floor, one of several locations on the island.
Shrimp farming became a huge deal in Kahuku when Giovanni's shrimp truck started serving up fresh shrimp. To this day, Giovanni's still delivers delicious plate lunches of garlic shrimp (highly recommended) or hot & spicy shrimp if you can handle it (warning: no refunds so you have to be sure about the spicy shrimp). They may not be using fresh Kahuku shrimp anymore, but a couple of nearby stands still do. In any case, it's the original, noted by many a local as "THE white shrimp truck" with Giovanni's spelled onto the car, don't be fooled by imposters! Located on the north end of Oahu in Kahuku, keep an eye out on the left when driving down Kamehameha Hwy from Haleiwa.
If you want to eat like Hawaii people do, you have to order one of these overflowing plate lunches from this casual sit-in or to-go joint. Typical selections are chicken katsu (fried breaded chicken cutlet) or loco moco (hamburger patty with eggs and gravy on rice). All plates come with 2 scoops rice & 1 scoop macaroni salad, you must request a substitution of rice if you don't like mac salad. Located in Ala Moana street level, one of many locations throughout the island.
If you feel like having Chinese dim sum, go at lunch. It will require traveling away from Waikiki into Chinatown, so only attempt if you have a car. Locals pack this place at lunch on the weekends. Located in Cultural Plaza, Chinatown.
Best shave ice on the island (or snow cones as mainlanders call it) with 60 years of history. Be a real local and order it with vanilla ice cream and "azuki" sweet red beans. SO ONO! On the walls of the store are photos of celebrities proudly displaying their shave ice cones, including Adam Sandler and Tom Hanks.
Eat right next to a huge aquarium, and you might even be lucky enough to watch divers feed the fish or hold signs in the water that say "Happy Birthday" or "Will U Marry Me?" Typically open for dinner, but you can catch the Aloha Friday buffet at lunch every Friday, which is so yummy that locals pack the place. Make reservations if you want good seating by the window. Located in the Pacific Beach Hotel on Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki.
Known for its delicious chili (or spaghetti with meat sauce if you don't like beans) and local comfort food (saimin, fried chicken). Located in Sears food court, one of many locations throughout the island. Other locations open late and serve the crowds coming out of clubs or bars.
From the airport take a taxi to your hotel for $35+ one-way or hop on the Roberts Bus (giant bunny on the side) for $9/person.
If you're renting a car from here, make sure the car rental place is inside the terminal.