My Oahu Top 5

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Dreaming of the day you’ll make it (back) to Oahu? Same here. As you build your ultimate Oahu bucket list for the day you go/return, I offer a few of my favorite things to do and places to eat for your consideration:

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  1. Kakaʻako - Home to makers and entrepreneurs with a thriving art scene. Voted “Honolulu’s hippest neighborhood” by Gawker, it’s easy to spend hours there. Start by walking around the neighborhood to explore the murals, then stop at SALT to sample craft brews and an array of fun shops. Don’t forget to swing by Lanohana Estate Chocolate for a sample. Wrap your visit with a meal at Moku Kitchen, which brings a taste of Hawaii’s upcountry farming and ranching heritage to downtown. The roasted vegetable platter never disappoints.

  2. Then, head over to South Shore Market and stop into Eden in Love, my favorite boutique. There’s always something new to discover from clothes and jewelry to home decor and toys for the keikis. I’m obsessed with everything there. And if you see my “I Lava You” card in stock, let me know!

  3. Across the street is one of my favorite Oahu restaurants, Piggy Smalls. Order the fried chicken and pho French dip. Then, save room for the soft serve. The flavors are seasonal and always change. Think caramel and apple or guava and custard swirl. I can’t think of a better way to end a savory meal. Gaaah, I’m missing the flavors of home so much as I write this and am hoping hard that restaurants like Piggy Smalls receive the support and relief that they need to survive the pandemic and reopen when it’s safe to do so.

  4. Stop in for a snack at Leonard’s Bakery, famous for its malasadas - a fried Portuguese pastry. I grew up eating malasadas, and for me, Leonard’s makes the best. My favorite flavor? It’s gotta be their li hing malasadas.

  5. After a day of surfing, there’s nothing better than a bowl of Zippy’s chili over rice or Zip Pac. I’ll sometimes order a Zip Pac to go to bring to the beach (Makapuʻu or Waimanalo are where I went as a kid) and eat it right there. 

What are some of your favorite places to eat or things to do on Oahu?