Aloha!  This was my first trip to any of the Hawaiian islands.  I chose Oahu because 2 of my major Hawaiian bucket list items were on this island.  I wanted to see Pearl Harbor and hike Diamond Head.  Here are some of my favorite tips and recommendations for Oahu.

Hotel Stay: Hyatt Regency Waikiki

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency on Waikiki beach.  It’s a great central location. I enjoyed the free outdoor Yoga class that they hold twice per week.  The Hotel gym was also quite impressive with new-looking equipment (I’m sure nobody really used it in the last 2 years.)

Another perk at this hotel was that they had a Farmer’s Market on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Fresh Papaya was my favorite!!

I would definitely stay there again.

Travel Tips

Pearl Harbor Visit

This was one of my main reasons for visiting Oahu so I made sure to get my ticket for the tour about 6 weeks ahead of time.  Tours open 8 weeks ahead of your planned visit date so I advise getting your tickets early especially if you’re going during a high travel season.

I elected to go on a Day Tour where we were given a tour of Punchbowl Crater where all the soldiers who fought in the wars of the Pacific are buried, Pearl Harbor Museum, and the USS Arizona Memorial,

and for a great finish, we got to go on board the USS Missouri where the declaration to end World War 2 was signed by the United States and Japan.

I signed up at Pearl Harbor Tours.  Everything is planned out ahead of time.  They pick you up at your hotel and drop you off. Very hassle-free.

Diamond Head

I took a Lyft to Diamond Head because I found that most convenient but you can also take a taxi as well.

This is more than likely the trainer in me saying this but if you don’t walk very much or do much exercise, then you may want to think seriously about training for your Diamond Head hike.  It was challenging but not that bad if you exercise regularly  There were a lot of stairs, and uneven terrain, and I’m sure it gets warm.

I would make sure to make strength training (especially your butt) a priority before attempting this hike. There were a lot of older adults on the hike and they seemed to be doing well.  I just think that if you’re more deconditioned, you want to prepare at least 6-8 weeks before hiking the summit.

Fave Eating Spots

Fave Place to Get Poke, Foodland

No lie, the best place to get Fresh Poke is the Foodland grocery store.  On my visit, I was lucky enough to be right in front of a guy who used to work there and he gave me all of the tips of the trade.  Here’s a tip:  Ask for green and white onions on top of your poke.

Best Macadamia Nut Latte, Kai Coffee

So what if it is a tourist spot!  I loved it.  True I would not pay almost $7 for a latte except if on vacation.  This was on the bottom floor of my hotel and I made it there every morning.

 Ramen, Momosan Waikiki

Enjoyed the Ramen and Sake at Momosan.  The Ramen wasn’t too salty and had a great flavor!  This is on waikiki beach.

Korean BBQ and Hawaiian BBQ

Wherever you can find a hole in the wall Korean BBQ or Hawaiian BBQ place is the place to go.  I enjoyed going across the street from my hotel to this little Korean BBQ place for breakfast where I had Rice, Eggs, and Portugese Sausage!! So good.

Leonards

My client told me that I HAD to go to Leonard’s but the rule was that I had to walk there. I broke that rule (Who is the trainer here…anyway? LOL) but I wasn’t disappointed!  These are called Malasadas…a type of portugese donut.  I’m not wild about donuts but I LOVED these.  I had the macadamia nut and they were absoloutely FANTASTIC. Hot and not so sugary that you cannot enjoy it.

Diamond Head

One of my bucket list items was to climb Diamond Head Crater.  I was treated to this MAGNIFICENT view of the Crater on my first-morning run in Waikiki.

It’s a challenging climb and I would recommend doing an incline walk on the treadmill and strengthening your glutes before you attempt to climb.

There’s a point where you can take the stairs or an easier route. I chose the stairs.  I had trained and I was ready to meet the moment.  If you’re claustrophobic, then you may not want to take that route because you have to get through a small crawl space in order to get outside toward the top.

The views from the top were breathtaking and photos don’t do them justice.  As I climbed to the top, one of my favorite Israel and New Breed songs came on, “New Season”.  I do believe that I am personally heading into a new season of life which is exciting and like the climb to the top will be challenging but manageable because I prepared and trained.

I will be excited to wear my “I Hiked Diamond Head” shirt.

Traveling while single

I think every person should travel when they’re single. It’s great to spend time with yourself and do what you like to do.  I value my independence and I also have a sense of adventure.  I have never wanted to miss out on traveling because others couldn’t get it together.

Life is meant to be an adventure.  As a single person, what has always irritated me is that people acted like getting married was the Promised Land and that life didn’t begin until that happened.  Forget that…if you’re miserable and not having any fun as a single person, what makes you think that’s going to happen when you get married?  All that will happen is that you will be miserable and drag your partner down with you.

Choose to live the SINGLE AND THRIVING LIFE.

Mahalo!