Cool Places to Visit in Hawaii

Island Cuisines

• One of the best ways to enjoy Hawaii is tasting the food of the cultures that populate the islands. Duc's Bistro Restaurant, making culinary waves in Honolulu, headed by restaurateurs Duc Nguyen and Ming Nga Vu, serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine where entrees include steak saigon, lamb curry, breast of duck Grand Marnier, Vietnamese braised fish and peppercorn prawns.

  Duc's Bistro
  1188 Maunakea St.
  Honolulu, HI 96817
  808-531-6325
  ducsbistro.com

  For sushi lovers, Hakone provides an assortment of presentations to please the fishy palate. Located at Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki, Hakone presents such items as Ika Shiokara (salted marinated squid), Mozuku Su (seaweed in vinegar), Hiyayakko (cold tofu with ginger) for appetizers, a vegetarian dinner (salad, vegetable tempura, and vegetable main), Japanese Bento Box dinner and an assorted sushi dinner by Chef Masami Shimoyama.

  Hakone
  Hawaii Prince Hotel
  100 Holomoana St.
  Honolulu, HI 96815
  808-944-4494

  For those interested in romance, Michel's Restaurant, also in Honolulu, provides oceanfront fine dining along with sunset views. The menu includes Michel's signature tableside flambe of Lobster Bisque, Escargots Bourgogne, Hawaiian Bouillabaisse, Steak Diane, Cherries Jubilee and Strawberries with Foie Gras.

  Michel's at the Colony Surf
  2895 Kalakaua Ave.
  Honolulu, HI 96815-4003
  808-923-6552
  michelshawaii.com‎

Hawaiian Shaved Ice

• To cool off, Hawaiians have "shaved ice" not to be confused with "snow cones." Shaved ice is actually sliced ice not crushed where flavorings can be distributed and absorbed evenly over the cone. On Oahu, Island Snow can provide cool relief to the burning palate.

  Island Snow
  Kailua Beach Center
  Kailua, HI 96734
  808-263-6339

  Matsumoto Shave Ice, located in Hawaii's North Shore, has been providing shaved ice to visitors since 1951.

  M.Matsumoto Store Inc.
  Noriko Matsumoto
  66-087 Kamehameha Highway
  Haleiwa, HI 96712
  808-637-4827
  matsumotoshaveice.com

  On Kauai, Hawaiian Blizzard presents a variety of flavored shaved ice (e.g., passion fruit, pineapple, green tea, lychee, mango, lemon) to patrons for almost twenty years.

  Hawaiian Blizzard
  4-1105 Kuhio Highway
  Kapaa Shopping Center
  Kapaa, HI 96746
  hawaiianblizzard.com

  For 25 years, located also on Oahu's North Shore, Aoki Shave Ice provides homemade syrups, shaved ice, and snacks to surfers, locals, and visitors alike.

  Aoki's Shave Ice
  66-117 Kamehameha Highway
  Haleiwa, HI 96712
  808-637-7017
  aokishaveice.com

Traditional Hawaiian Luau

• One of the "coolest" of the Hawaiian traditions is coming together for a celebration, feast, or welcome ceremony. Food is wrapped in leaves (luau) for preparation. In Maui, visitors can take part in such feasts with the Old Lahaina Luau where guests are first greeted, take part in removing the ceremonial pig (Kalua Puaa) from an earthen oven, and treated to Hawaiian chants and dancing and food including pork, steak, fish, chicken, vegetables, rice, sweet potato and fruits.

  The Old Lahaina Luau
  1251 Front St.
  Lahaina, Maui, HIi 96761
  800-248-5828
  oldlahainaluau.com

  On Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center presents Rainbows of Paradise, a performance of songs and dances on Hawaiian canoes, and Ha: Breath of Life, a pageant of Hawaiian culture, customs and songs, in addition to the traditional luau. Luau offerings include pork, Tahitian Poke (raw fish with lemon and coconut cream), Lomilomi salmon (crumbled fish with tomatoes and onions) and Pipi Kaula (salted beef).

  Polynesian Cultural Center
  Reservations Department
  55-370 Kamehameha Highway
  Laie, HI 96762
  800-367-7060
  polynesia.com

  For more than 20 years, Paradise Cove has treated many guests to their luau on Oahu. Guests can learn about Hawaiian arts and crafts at the Hawaiian village and participate in net fishing as part of the luau festivities. Along with the traditional luau fare, Paradise Cove also entertains guests with Hawaiian and Polynesian songs and dances on its seaside setting.

  Paradise Cove
  92-1089 Alii Nui Drive
  Kapolei, HI 96707
  800-775-2683
  paradisecove.com

Surf Bays and Beaches

• If you have dreamed of surfing huge waves, Hawaii has plenty of locations to watch and learn. On Maui try Jaws, Fleming Beach Park, Maalaea Pipeline, or Kahului Harbor. When on Kauai, Hanalei Bay, Anahola Bay and Kalihiwai Point may provide excitement. Oahu's Banzai Pipeline, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach draw many visitors. On the "Big Island" of Hawaii, Banyans, Kealakekua Bay, Hilo Breakwall and Kohala Lighthouse attract many surfers and surf watchers.