AAA Destination Guide: Honolulu, Hawaii

Hop on a body board and ride the gentle waves at Kailua Beach, wherethe azure waters also attract kayakers and windsurfers. Brave the crowdson narrow Waikīkī Beach and spread a towel on your little sliver of sandin preparation for catching some serious rays.Stand on the deck of the USS Arizona Memorial and reflect upon theevents of Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese bombers sank the ship, killing1,177 sailors and propelling the United States into World War II. When the surf’s up at Waimea Bay, marvel at the audacity of the surferswho boldly take on the awe-inspiring waves, which can reach heights ofup to 30 feet.Taste unusual foods, listen to the sounds of the barkers and browse themany peculiar goods at the Aloha Flea Market. #Hawaii #Honolulu
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AAA Destination Guide: Official AAA maps,  
travel information and top picks 
AAA Destination Guide: Honolulu includes trip-planning information 
covering AAA recommended attractions and restaurants, exclusive 
member discounts, maps and more.Â Â 
Regardless of where in the world you go, the mention of Honolulu 
conjures similar tropical images: swaying palms, wide beaches and 
rolling waves breaking on the surface of sparkling azure waters. The 
paradisiacal ruminations are in no way hackneyed: You figuratively step 
into a picture postcard the minute you set foot on the island of Oâ€™ahu. 
Although the surf, sand and mild weather 
beckon with irresistible allure, Honolulu also 
thrives as a commercial center in which 
Asia and America interlock fingers. The 
â€œsheltered bayâ€ throbs as the pulse of the 
Pacificâ€”a great place to get thousands of 
miles away from it all without sacrificing 
metropolitan conveniences. Donâ€™t pass up 
the chance to explore the thriving downtown 
area, marked by busy streets, towering 
skyscrapers and a bustling port that juggles 
ocean liners, fishing boats and freighters. Sites around Pearl Harbor 
reflect on the cityâ€™s tragic place in wartime history. 
Both the stateâ€™s capital and its largest city, Honolulu lays claim to being 
the only American city founded by royalty, but thereâ€™s nothing haughty 
about it. A laid-back feel floods the lush oasis, where everything moves at 
a slower pace and â€œmellowâ€ best describes the enviable way of life.  
 
Essentials 
Hop on a body board and ride the gentle waves at Kailua Beach, where 
the azure waters also attract kayakers and windsurfers. Brave the crowds 
on narrow WaikÄ«kÄ« Beach and spread a towel on your little sliver of sand 
in preparation for catching some serious rays. 
Stand on the deck of the USS Arizona Memorial and reflect upon the 
events of Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese bombers sank the ship, killing 
1,177 sailors and propelling the United States into World War II. 
Suit up with fins, a mask and a snorkelâ€”all of which you can rent on the 
cheap from nearby vendorsâ€”and go for a swim with the colorful tropical 
fish in HÄnauma Bay. Lace up your sneakers (or hiking boots) and trek to 
the summit of Diamond Head State Monument, where youâ€™ll be treated to 
spectacular 360-degree vistas of Oâ€˜ahu. 
Play a round at Ko Olina Golf Club, a scenic course distinguished by the 
12th hole, which leaves a beautiful impression with a drive-through 
waterfall just below the elevated tee box. 
When the surfâ€™s up at Waimea Bay, marvel at the audacity of the surfers 
who boldly take on the awe-inspiring waves, which can reach heights of 
up to 30 feet. 
Taste unusual foods, listen to the sounds of the barkers and browse the 
many peculiar goods at the Aloha Flea Market. 
Follow the MÄnoa Falls Trail, a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that traces Waihi 
Stream and winds through the vines, ferns and trees of a rain forest en 
route to the scenic falls. 
Haggle for bargains in Chinatown, where you can find beautiful 
calligraphy, pungent spices, gold jewelry and hand-made lei. 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
2Â 
Essentials Map 
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Honolulu in 3 Days 
Three days is barely enough time to get to know any major destination. 
But AAA travel editors suggest these activities to make the most of your 
time in Honolulu.  
Day 1: Morning 
Bite into the seared poke served with farm-fresh eggs at Sam Choyâ€™s 
Breakfast, Lunch & Crab. Called â€œHawaiâ€˜i soul foodâ€ by chef and 
restaurateur Sam Choy, the fish dish has many variations; often it 
consists of raw ahi tuna topped with soy sauce and sesame seeds, 
though some recipes match shellfish with seaweed, tofu or scallions. Or, 
try a Hawaiian breakfast specialty called loco moco. A hot, gooey heap 
consisting of rice, then meat (traditionally a hamburger patty, but Sam 
Choyâ€™s also offers loco moco platters with fish or pork as well as a 
Essentials Details - Get additional information on AAA.com; 
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1. USS Arizona Memorial   
1 Arizona Memorial Place  
Honolulu, HI 96818  
Phone: (808) 422-0561 
 
 
2. Diamond Head State Monument  
Diamond Head Rd & 18th Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96816  
Phone: (808) 587-0300 
3. Waimea
 
vegetarian option), a fried egg and finally, brown gravy. Although the 
origins of this favorite morning comfort food of Hawaiâ€˜i residents are 
somewhat muddy, itâ€™s generally accepted that the meal was created as a 
mish-mash of American and Japanese cuisines and so named because 
the first person bold enough to sample it had the appropriate nickname 
Loco, or â€œCrazy.â€  
Pay homage to the 3,581 Americans killed or wounded at Pearl Harbor 
on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese launched a surprise assault on the 
U.S. naval base and its Pacific Fleet. After the early morning strike, a 
dozen U.S. ships were either sunken or beached and more than 300 U.S. 
aircraft had either suffered damages or been destroyed.  
Whether you choose to drive or take TheBus (direct routes are Nos. 20 or 
42 from WaikÄ«kÄ« and Nos. 20, 42 or 52 from the Ala Moana Center or 
downtown) to Pearl Harbor, arrive earlyâ€”some 5,000 somber tourists 
visit the area daily. Several sites present artifacts from the battle, while 
interpretive programs and dramatic multimedia displays and films 
document the â€œDay of Infamy.â€ Just offshore is the striking USS Arizona 
Memorial; the white linear structure traverses the final resting place for 
most of the 1,177 crew members who perished after a devastating armor- 
piercing bomb hit the battleship. At the Battleship Missouri Memorial, you 
walk the decks of the â€œMighty Mo,â€ where, in 1945, Japanese 
representatives signed an official surrender agreement ending the 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
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Second World War. Visitors to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and 
Park discover what life was like for the 80 men stationed on this 
underwater vessel, launched exactly a year after the Pearl Harbor attack. 
The park also encompasses a waterfront memorial to World War IIâ€™s 
fallen submariners. 
Honolulu in 3 Days â€“ Day 1 Map 
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Day 1 Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;  
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/Diamonds 
 - GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members 
 
   - Exclusive AAA member discounts available 
1. Sam Choy's Breakfast, 
Lunch & Crab  
 
580 N Nimitz Hwy  
Honolulu, HI 96817  
Phone: (808) 545-7979 
 
2. Pearl Harbor 
 
3. USS Arizona Memorial   
1 Arizona Memorial Place  
Honolulu, HI 96818  
Phone: (808) 422-0561 
 
 
4. Battleship Missouri Memorial   
63 Cowpens St  
Honolulu, HI 96818  
Phone: (877) 644-4896 
5. USS Bowfin Submarine
Museum and Park  
11 Arizona Memorial Drive  
Honolulu, HI 96818  
Phone: (808) 423-1341 
 
 
6. Bishop Museum and Planetarium   
1525 Bernice St  
Honolulu, HI 96817  
Phone: (808) 847-3511 
 
 
 
7. Indigo Eurasian Cuisine  
  
1121 Nuuanu Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96817  
Phone: (808) 521-2900 
 
Afternoon 
Chow down at family-owned Helenaâ€™s Hawaiian Food (1240 N. School 
St.). Typically buzzing with hordes of famished locals who know exactly 
where to go for simple, authentic Hawaiian cuisine, the small, down-home 
restaurant also has garnered national foodie awards. Order a few 
regional specialties Ã  la carte and create your own pu-pu platter of exotic 
morsels. Sample the fried butterfish collar, poi (mashed taro root), home-
smoked, pipikaula-style short ribs, and creamy squid luau (squid and taro 
leaves stewed in coconut milk). Finish things up with a traditional 
Hawaiian dessert: haupia, a firm, coconut-flavored pudding.  
See what love looks like at the Bishop Museum and Planetarium, located 
just a few blocks away from Helenaâ€™s. In 1850 Bernice Pauahi Paki, 
betrothed to the future king of Hawaiâ€˜i, chose ardor over royalty when she 
defied convention and instead wed American businessman Charles Reed 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
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Bishop. She passed away in 1884; five years later her spouse founded 
the museumâ€”today the stateâ€™s largestâ€”as a memorial to his beloved 
wife. Aside from housing Mrs. Bishopâ€™s personal collection of Hawaiian 
artifacts, the stateâ€™s premier cultural institution also contains preserved 
specimens of ancient birds and a science center where visitors walk 
through a mock volcano.  
Evening 
Make new friends at Indigo Eurasian Cuisine surrounded by intricate 
Asian antiques, glowing paper lanterns and colorful draperies. Share 
some goat cheese wontons, steamed shiitake mushroom and chicken 
bao buns and lobster potstickers while dining next to a waterfall peppered 
by lush tropical plants. Afterward, pair a decadent chocolate torte with a 
lychee martini in the Green Room, one of Indigoâ€™s hip lounge areas. Most 
nights youâ€™ll find a crowd of young professionals grooving to live musicâ€”
from jazz to hip-hop to reggae.  
Day 2: Morning 
Explore downtown Honolulu, where cultural and historic sites are 
clustered together amid gleaming skyscrapers and tall, bending palm 
trees. Walk through the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace to admire its 
vibrant stained-glass windows, or browse the metalwork, oil paintings and 
crafts displayed at the Hawaiâ€˜i State Art Museum (HiSAM). At the â€˜Iolani 
Palace, docents lead you through the countryâ€™s only official royal 
residence; it was here that Queen Liliâ€˜uokalani, the last reigning monarch 
of the Hawaiian islands, was imprisoned in 1893 after being deposed 
bythose in support of Hawaiâ€˜iâ€™s annexation to the United States. An 
accomplished musician and songwriter, she composed about 165 songs 
while confined within an austere room on the second floor of this 
otherwise opulent palace. Today a bronze statue of the revered queen 
stands between the palace and another architectural gem, the Hawaiâ€˜i 
State Capitol.  
Head ma kai (toward the ocean) to Nicoâ€™s at Pier 38, a low-key, 
waterfront eatery where you can savor a hearty, skillfully prepared meal 
for less than $10 thanks to the restaurantâ€™s proximity to a fish auction. 
(Itâ€™s right next door, so whether you come for breakfast or lunch, Nicoâ€™s is 
likely to be packed with ravenous auction workers and fishermen.) Hailing 
from Lyon, France, chef Nicholas Chaize serves up such Hawaiian 
staples as the plate lunch, infusing dishes typical to the locale with a dash 
of French gusto. Early risers might try a three-egg fish omelet or the 
French toast made with sweet bread from a Honolulu bakery. For an 
afternoon visit, thereâ€™s no better choice than the furikake pan-seared ahi, 
though chef Chaizeâ€™s juicy, hand-packed double cheeseburger is hard to 
pass up, even at a place known for its floppingly fresh seafood.  
Afternoon 
Emulate one of Oâ€˜ahuâ€™s most distinctively dressed personalities: Magnum 
P.I. Vibrant Hawaiian shirtsâ€”an essential part of the â€™80s TV sleuthâ€™s 
wardrobeâ€”hang throughout Baileyâ€™s Antiques and Aloha Shirts (517 
Kapahulu Ave.), their elaborate designs showcasing the plants, birds and 
culture of Hawaiâ€˜i. While Baileyâ€™s boasts a selection of more than 15,000 
shirts (you can buy a tacky-tourist polyester top for about $10 or spend a 
few hundred bucks splurging on a more sought-after vintage piece), the 
crammed store also sells everything from early 20th-century Hawaiian 
postcards to Elvis Presley collectibles.  
Now that youâ€™re decked in more suitable island attire, the only logical 
destination is WaikÄ«kÄ« Beach, a 2-mile stretch where sun-burnt 
vacationers lounge along sandy white shores and surfers ply the waters 
waiting for a wicked swell. While you might choose to spend the day 
swimming, building sand castles, or boogie boarding near the Kapahulu 
Groin (a pedestrian walkway extending into the ocean), if thereâ€™s not 
enough time to get down and dirty by the seashore, do a little 
sightseeing. In Kuhio Beach Park off KalÄkaua Avenue, gaze at the 
â€œwizard stonesâ€ of Kapaemahu and try to unlock ancient secrets said to 
be hidden away inside the four boulders. Just east, across from the Hyatt 
Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, place a lei on a monument 
steeped in controversy since its dedication in 1990. Honoring Duke 
Kahanamoku, an Olympic medal-winning swimmer who helped 
popularize the sport of surfing in the early 1900s, the statue depicts the 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
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legendary athlete standing with his back to the crashing ocean wavesâ€”
something a â€œrealâ€ surfer simply would never do. 
Evening 
Sway in your seat (if you can find one) as strolling musicians pluck 
ukuleles and sing old-school Hawaiian songs at Dukeâ€™s at Outrigger 
Waikiki on the Beach. As the sun sets, sip mai tais with your new ohana 
(family) while surveying the colorful, ever-changing twilight mosaic 
dancing above the sea. In the distance the Diamond Head State 
Monument volcanic crater looms over twinkling azure waters where the 
eateryâ€™s namesakeâ€”WaikÄ«kÄ«â€™s favorite son Duke Kahanamokuâ€”
purportedly rode a monstrous 30-foot wave. With its spectacular coastal 
views and an open-air bar classically complemented by tiki torches and 
rustling palm trees, this oasis of a restaurant caters to both tourists and 
locals alike. But no matter where you reside, youâ€™re sure to return to 
Dukeâ€™s for more of its sinfully delicious fare, whether it takes 15 minutes 
or 15 hours to come back for seconds. 
Day 2 Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;Â 
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/Diamonds 
 - GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members  
 
 
 
Honolulu in 3 Days â€“ Day 2 Map 
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Day 3: Morning 
Get wrapped up in a quilt of sights, smells, sounds and flavors in 
Honoluluâ€™s Chinatown, a community that is resilient (it survived two fires 
and an outbreak of the bubonic plague) and diverse (youâ€™ll notice 
splashes of other Asian cultures, including Filipino, Japanese, Korean 
and Vietnamese). Fringed by N. Beratania, Bethel and River streets and 
the N. Nimitz Highway, the district encompasses ornate temples 
shrouded in musky incense and restaurants bustling with steaming dim 
sum carts. Stroll the area in the early morning, when its many noodle 
factories are abuzz manufacturing udon and ramen pastas. Youâ€™ll also 
see (and smell) Oahu Marketâ€”offering up fresh produce, fish and meats 
much as it has since 1904â€”as it springs to life at the corner of N. King 
1. Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace  
1184 Bishop St  
Honolulu, HI 96813  
Phone: (808) 536-7036 
 
2. Hawaiâ€˜i State Art Museum (HiSAM)  
250 S Hotel St  
Honolulu, HI 96813  
Phone: (808) 586-0300 
 
3. â€˜Iolani Palace  
364 S King St.  
Honolulu, HI 96813  
Phone: (808) 522-0832 
4. Hawaiâ€˜i State Capitol   
415 Beretania St  
Honolulu, HI 96813  
Phone: (808) 586-0178 
 
 
5. Nico's at Pier 38  
  
1133 N Nimitz Hwy  
Honolulu, HI 96817  
Phone: (808) 540-1377 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
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and Kekaulike streets. Another marketplace, its maze of stalls 
overflowing with colorful trinkets, is on Maunakea Street, a thoroughfare 
besieged by stores proffering fragrant, handmade lei. On a busy day, a lei 
shop can easily go through several gallons of pikake (a type of jasmine) 
and tens of thousands of tuberoses, orchids and carnations. Learn insider 
tidbits about Chinatownâ€™s history and architecture by booking a walking 
tour through the Hawaiâ€˜i Heritage Center, (808) 521-2749, or the Chinese 
Chamber of Commerce, (808) 533-3181. 
Honolulu in 3 Days â€“ Day 2 Map 
 
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Afternoon 
â€œWatch out for falling cannonballs,â€ directs a sign at the Foster Botanical 
Garden, located about 2 blocks northeast of Chinatown. Similar in size 
and appearance to a coconut, the fruit of the cannonball tree (Couroupita 
guianensis) hang from vinelike stalks covering the tree trunk. Unlike the 
brown, lackluster â€œcannonballsâ€ that emit an unpleasant smell once their 
casing is cracked, the speciesâ€™ intricate, intoxicatingly fragrant flowers are 
prized and are said to resemble a sacred Hindu symbol. German botanist 
and physician William Hillebrand planted many of the rare and imposing 
trees found on the botanical garden grounds in the mid-1800s. Covering 
about 14 acres, it also is home to dazzling orchids and primitive plants 
from around the world.  
Day 2 Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;Â 
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6. Hyatt Regency Waikiki
Beach Resort & Spa 
  
2424 Kalakaua Ave  
Honolulu, HI  
Phone: (808) 923-1234 
 
7. Duke's  
 
2335 Kalakaua Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 922-2268 
8. Outrigger Waikiki
on the Beach 
  
2335 Kalakaua Ave  
Honolulu, HI  
Phone: (808) 923-0711 
 
9. Diamond Head State Monument  
Diamond Head Rd & 18th Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96816  
Phone: (808) 587-0300 
 
Evening 
Leave the flip-flops behind and indulge yourself in paradise. The top-
notch chefs at Bali Steak & Seafood, La Mer and Orchids will ensure 
youâ€™re well-fed on your vacation, preparing such dishes as hot and sour 
eggplant ravioli, steamed Manila clams and Kobe-style beef with 
bordelaise sauce. No matter where you choose to dine, book early, and, 
of course, request a table with a view. Refined elegance and heavenly 
WaikÄ«kÄ« scenery await you at Bali, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant inside 
the oceanfront Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. La Mer, a 
AAA Five Diamond restaurant, and the Four Diamond Orchids present 
arresting seascapes at the Halekulani hotel. Enjoy a cup of pressed Kona 
coffee with dessert in one of the chic lodgingâ€™s distinctive dining rooms, 
then move to the Lewers Lounge for cocktails and classic tunes.  
Itâ€™s 2 a.m. Youâ€™ve closed down the last bar, when suddenly, you develop 
an inexplicable craving for pancakes. Fortunately for you, the red neon 
sign outside nearby Wailana Coffee House is aglow, beckoning weary 
night owls. Though the menu at the nondescript, 24-hour eatery features 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
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typical diner fare, while in Honolulu, do as the natives doâ€”order (what 
else?) a side of Spam to accompany Wailanaâ€™s fluffy all-you-can-eat 
flapjacks.  
Honolulu in 3 Days â€“ Day 3 Map 
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Day 3 Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;Â 
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/Diamonds 
1. Foster Botanical Garden 
50 N Vineyard Blvd  
Honolulu, HI 96817  
Phone: (808) 522-7066 
 
2. Bali Steak & Seafood 
  
2005 Kalia Rd  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 941-2254 
 
3. La Mer  
  
2199 Kalia Rd  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 923-2311 
 
4. Orchids  
  
2199 Kalia Rd  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 923-2311 
5. Hilton Hawaiian Village
Beach Resort & Spa  
  
2005 Kalia Rd  
Honolulu, HI  
Phone: (808) 949-4321 
 
6. Halekulani 
  
2199 Kalia Rd  
Honolulu, HI  
Phone: (808) 923-2311 
 
7. Wailana Coffee House 
  
1860 Ala Moana Blvd  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 955-1764 
 
Restaurants 
If you can visit only one memorable restaurant in Honolulu, then make La 
Mer the one. In the beautiful Halekulani Hotel, the second-floor spot 
offers stunning ocean views, including glorious Hawaiian sunsets when 
the place opens. Men must wear a jacket; loaners are provided for those 
underdressed. Island flavor infuses fabulous French dishes, such as 
basil-stuffed ruby snapper with crispy skin in exotic, rich sauces. For 
something more traditional, choose the flavorful filet of beef. Finish your 
meal with an outstanding dessert presented on an elegant cart. 
Chef Mavroâ€”the only independently owned restaurant not associated 
with a hotel to hold AAAâ€™s Four Diamond Award since 2001â€”flourishes 
under the hand of Frenchman George Mavrothalassitis, who worked in 
many top spots in France and Hawaiâ€˜i before opening his own easily 
accessible restaurant just outside of the WaikÄ«kÄ« area. For a memorable 
experience, try the three-, four- or six-course dinners with optional wine 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
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pairings. Succumb to the temptation of a signature dish: award-winning 
onaga (red snapper) baked in Hawaiian-sea salt crust, Hudson Valley 
foie gras and Hawaiian lobster in vanilla-coconut sauce. Such exotic 
flavors as lemon grass, rosemary and Madras curries enhance each dish, 
and extraordinary desserts are made fresh daily. 
Travel past the airport to the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina, 
where youâ€™ll find award-winning Azul, a wonderful formal dining room. 
Appetizers include foie gras, grilled scallops and crab cakes, in addition 
to outstanding antipasti selections. After 
your palate is primed, savor grilled beef 
tenderloin, jumbo tiger prawns or roasted 
rack of lamb. Two chefâ€™s prix fixe menus 
pair with an impressive wine selection 
noteworthy for its interesting Italian and 
Spanish choices. 
Locals with big appetites for good food and huge portions love laid-back 
Sam Choyâ€™s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab. In an industrial district outside of 
the WaikÄ«kÄ« area and near the famed Hilo Hattie store, the warehouse-
style restaurant showcases varied local favorites: freshly caught crab, 
lobster and shellfish, hearty steaks, pork and beef ribs, chicken and even 
Spam (a Hawaiian staple). Expect a fun, busy spot thatâ€™s great for 
families. Try Samâ€™s Big Aloha Beer, which is brewed on the premises. 
Award-winning restaurateur Sam Choy produces best-selling cookbooks 
and has his own TV cooking show. 
Only one restaurant in Honolulu truly serves some of the best â€œHawaiian 
foodâ€: Ono Hawaiian Foods. The tiny restaurant occupies a nondescript 
strip mall just outside the WaikÄ«kÄ« area. Locals eagerly line up outside, 
some with their own wine in hand, as this place has no liquor license. 
Most Ono (â€œdeliciousâ€) dishesâ€”such as Kalua pig, chicken and long rice 
and laulau (pork and taro tops steamed inside ti leaves)â€”come as 
combination plates for less than 10 bucks. Poi takes some getting used 
to, so you might want to instead consider rice. Check out the take-out 
menu if you donâ€™t have time to wait for a table. 
The name Don Ho evokes wonderful Hawaiian images, and thatâ€™s why 
his name is on Don Hoâ€™s Island Grill. Photographs of the legend with 
celebrities evoke memories, and he shows up unpredictably for special 
concerts. The tropics come alive in a fun setting bedecked with bamboo 
ceilings, a thatched roof and fake palms. Make a meal from pupu platters 
loaded with such appetizers as ribs, crab cakes, calamari and Chinese 
pot stickers. To try nearly all of it, spring for the Don Ho sampler. Also 
worth consideration: pizza, veggie taro burgers, a wonderful assortment 
of sandwiches and a combination plate with tasty poke (salad with nuts, 
seaweed and ahi tuna), lomi salmon, pork and, of course, poi. 
Just outside the WaikÄ«kÄ« area is one of Hawaiâ€˜iâ€™s longtime favorites, Alan 
Wongâ€™s Restaurant. Long showered with raves and awards from locals 
and media alike, this place gives you a great taste of Hawaiâ€˜i Regional 
Cuisine from a daily changing menu. Innovative dishes employ the 
freshest locally grown produce and Pacific Ocean ingredients. Menu 
listings marked with a pineapple designation are signature dishes. Diners 
can order a la carte, but for the most memorable experience, opt for a 
menu tasting with or without wine pairings. The dining room can get loud 
in the popular spot; call ahead to request a quieter table. 
When the flagship Royâ€™s opened in 1988, chef Roy Yamaguchi was 
hailed as the first chef to mix European cooking practices with fresh 
Asian and Pacific Rim ingredients. Some called it â€œEurasian,â€ but 
Yamaguchi preferred â€œHawaiian fusion.â€ The chefâ€™s restaurant 
conglomerate now includes 22 eateries in the continental United States, 
six in Hawaiâ€˜i, three in Japan and one in Guam, but everything started 
here. The specialty is seafood, but excellent choices also entice die-hard 
meat lovers. You canâ€™t go wrong with a signature dish or the big-time 
value in the three-course prix fixe menu. The casually upscale dining 
room features a glassed-enclosed exhibition kitchen as well as exquisite 
views of Diamond Head and Maunalua Bay. 
Since 1944, The Willows has soothed guests in a magnificent one-acre 
oasis of verdant gardens with native flowers and waterfalls. After being 
closed for seven years, itâ€™s back serving locals and tourists a scrumptious  
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
9Â 
Restaurants Map 
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buffet lunch and dinner. Load your plate with fresh salad or try prime rib 
from the carving station. If neither tempts you, try unlimited seafood from 
the seafood station or items from the sushi bar. Dinner buffets include 
one whole crispy-skinned suckling pig and dessert, which might include a 
create-your-own treat from the sundae station or any of an assortment of 
fresh island fruits, pies and cakes. Those who take the time to try this 
well-kept secret wonâ€™t be disappointed. 
Top food magazines have sung the praises of Keoâ€™s in Waikiki, perhaps 
the best known Thai restaurant in Hawaiâ€˜i. Devoted followers crave such 
tempting and unusual choices as the signature â€œEvil Jungle Prince,â€ 
which brings together fresh basil, red chilis, coconut milk and a choice of 
shrimp or chicken on a bed of cabbage. Saladsâ€”such as roast duck, 
crispy calamari and green papayaâ€”can make a complete dinner by 
themselves. Right in the heart of the WaikÄ«kÄ« area, Keoâ€™s is easy to find 
and also serves daily American breakfasts. 
Restaurants Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;  
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/Diamonds 
1. La Mer  
   
2199 Kalia Rd  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 923-2311 
 
2. Chef Mavro  
  
1969 S King St  
Honolulu, HI 96826  
Phone: (808) 944-4714 
 
3. Ono Hawaiian Foods (FYI) 
726 Kapahulu Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96816  
Phone: (808) 737-2275 
 
4. Alan Wong's Restaurant  
  
1857 S King St, 3rd Floor  
Honolulu, HI 96826  
Phone: (808) 949-2526 
 
5. Roy's  
  
6600 Kalanianole Hwy  
Honolulu, HI 96825  
Phone: (808) 396-7697 
6. The Willows  
 
901 Hausten St  
Honolulu, HI 96826  
Phone: (808) 952-9200 
 
7. Keo's in Waikiki  
 
2028 Kuhio Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 951-9355 
 
8. Duke's  
 
2335 Kalakaua Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 922-2268 
 
9. Chart House Waikiki  
  
1765 Ala Moana Blvd  
Honolulu, HI 96815  
Phone: (808) 941-6660 
 
10. 3660 On the Rise 
  
3660 Waialae Ave  
Honolulu, HI 96816  
Phone: (808) 737-1177 
 
Inside the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, Dukeâ€™s arguably ranks as the 
stateâ€™s busiest restaurant and bar, drawing capacity crowds no matter the 
time of day (breakfast, lunch or dinner) or the occasion. Named in honor 
of surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, this popular watering hole on 
WaikÄ«kÄ« Beach overlooks the spot where Duke caught his biggest wave. 
Highly recommended seafood preparations, including flavorful fresh fish, 
set you up for hula pie, billed as â€œthe dessert that the sailors swam 
ashore for.â€ The shareable treat piles macadamia nut ice cream, 
chocolate fudge, whipped cream and more nuts on a chocolate cookie 
crust. 
For more than 30 years, knowledgeable diners have supported the Chart 
House Waikiki, where fresh island fish and seafood serve as the basis for 
such dishes as bouillabaisse, pan-seared herb-crusted ahi, prawns  
DestinationÂ Guide:Â HonoluluÂ 
10Â 
 Restaurants Map 
Get maps and turn-by-turn directions using TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com 
sautÃ©ed in Szechuan chili oil and spiny lobster tail. Carnivores salivate 
over juicy roasted prime rib of beef and filet mignon. Oenophiles will find 
Italian Pinot Grigio to Californian Cabernets among the more than 100 
selections. End your meal on a sweet note with bananas Foster, New 
York-style cheesecake or the signature mud pie: three layers of 
chocolate, coffee and vanilla ice cream with decadent fudge in an Oreo 
crust. 
Talented chef Russell Siu, who also owns the wonderful 3660 On the 
Rise, pleases the on-the-go crowd with healthy, budget-priced breakfasts, 
lunches and dinners at Kakaâ€™ako Kitchen. Donâ€™t expect anything fancy at 
warehouse-like Kakaâ€™ako, which serves good home-style cooking on 
polystyrene plates. For less than $10, you can nosh on fried rice with egg 
or a seared ahi tuna sandwich with soy-wasabi butter. Other good 
choices are meatloaf and five-spice shoyu chicken. Tasters shower raves 
on the amazing bread pudding, but you canâ€™t go wrong with a brownie or 
guava bar either.  
Restaurants Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;  
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/Diamonds 
11. Azul  
  
92-1001 Olani St  
Kapolei, HI 96707  
Phone: (808) 679-0079 
 
12. Sam Choy's Breakfast,  
Lunch & Crab  
 
580 N Nimitz Hwy  
Honolulu, HI 96817  
Phone: (808) 545-7979 
13. Don Ho's Island Grill  
 
1 Aloha Tower Dr, #193  
Honolulu, HI 96813  
Phone: (808) 528-0807 
 
14. Kaka'ako Kitchen  
 
1200 Ala Moana Blvd  
Honolulu, HI 96814  
Phone: (808) 596-7488 
 
Attractions 
In a city with dozens of attractions, you may have trouble deciding where 
to spend your time. Here are the highlights for this destination, as chosen 
by AAA editors. GEMs are â€œGreat Experiences for Members.â€  
Island aliâ€˜i (chiefs) loved its beautiful beaches, coconut palm groves, 
exotic foliage and spectacular vistas, all things celebrated in the Honolulu 
areaâ€™s many natural attractions. Hike three quarters of a mile to the 760-
foot-high summit rim of the Diamond Head State Monument volcanic 
crater, where youâ€™re treated to a birdâ€™s-eye view of natureâ€™s splendor. 
For other dramatic panoramas, venture to the Nuâ€˜uanu Pali State 
Wayside and Puâ€˜u Ualakaâ€˜a State Wayside. Kamehameha the Great 
scored a decisive victory in the conquest of Oâ€˜ahu at Nuâ€˜uanu Pali, a 
1,200-foot-high gap between 2,000- to 3,000-foot cliffs. Winds on the 
perch can approach gale-force strength, so hold on tight to anything 
youâ€™re not willing to lose. A popular picnicking destination, Puâ€˜u Ualakaâ€˜a 
(which translates as â€œrolling sweet potato hillâ€) affords views from 
Diamond Head clear across to the Waianae Range. 
For more up-close-and-personal encounters with nature, wander through 
the 14-acre Foster Botanical Garden, which began in 1853 and now 
comprises 4,000 species of tropical trees and plants from all over the