Exploring Oahu Part 2
Windward side aka East Side
“Hawaii has a piece of my heart.”
East Side
The East Side of Oahu or the Windward side has a totally different feel from the Honolulu, downtown Waikiki area. It feels more serene, quiet and calm and that’s because it is. There are not too many bars and no nightclubs on the Windward side. It’s a great place to spend a day at the beach or to go on a good hike. While I don’t have as many food recommendations as I did for Honolulu area, there are still a variety of healthy and not-so-healthy options.
It is called the Windward side for a reason. This side of the island typically gets more rain and more wind from the Ko’olau Mountain range that straddles the island. The good news is that even if the weather isn’t the greatest, you can simply drive to another part of the island, and find sun (usually on the West Side).
There aren’t any hotels on the east side of the island, so if you’re looking to stay, consider using Air B&B or VRBO to find your island getaway.
Food
Whole Foods Kailua – It’s like your Whole Foods but with even better-looking people shopping in it. It’s a good spot to grab poke and beers before you head to the beach.
Cinnamons – great place for brunch – best in Kailua. Their red velvet pancakes are so good. The also have a fried rice omlette that I love.
Cinnamons Fried Rice and Pork Omelette
Beet Box Cafe – (for lunch) Delicious and healthy options. Their Beet Box Salad is really good if you love beets (as I do). Spoiler alert: Since this place has beets in it’s name there are plenty of beet options but also plenty of other options like burritos or burgers.
Grylt Kailua – freshly grilled meats with a side of rice and veggies. Easy, relatively healthy and fast.
Over Easy – great brunch spot. I’m a fan of their Kailua Pig Hash or their Fried Egg sandwich with caramelized onions.
Hibachi – a little hole-in-the-wall spot with a walk-up counter for poke. Poke is pretty good – one step up from Whole Foods.
Kalapawai Cafe (for coffee, snacks or dinner) – This place is special to me because I love to get coffee here and walk to Kailua Beach afterwards. I have very fond memories of doing so over the years, but it’s also great for dinner! Their dinner menu is always changing but you can expect delicious and fresh fish, steaks or pizza.
Bowles Burritos – just plain good old-fashioned Mexican food – which I’m not sure if that’s what most people are craving in Hawaii. Nevertheless it’s a good spot for Mexican, if that’s what you’re craving.
Beaches
Lanikai Beach with the Mokalua Islands (also known as the "‘Mokes’ in the background
Lanikai – probably the most beautiful beach on the island. Calm water and not too deep. The color of the water is light, clear blue and with the two islands, ‘the Mokes,’ in the background creates a vision of paradise. It can be really crowded, so make sure to get there early and parking can also be tricky so make sure to read the posted signage when parking.
You can also rent paddleboards or kayaks in downtown Kailua and kayak out to the two islands or get blow up a floatie and lounge.
Kailua Beach – before Lanikai. Can swim out to Rabbit island (about a mile swim round trip). Also a great all-around beach. Can watch kite-boarders ride the waves if it’s windy
Kailua Beach
Looking at Kailua Beach from Rabbit Island
Looking out at Rabbit Island at sunrise from Kailua Beach.
Bellows Beach – Waimanolo – great beach, fun for body-surfing. They have more waves than Lanikai, but the waves are gentle even when they crash on you. The green mountain range of the Ko’olau is in the background and sets the stage for great views.
Bellows Beach
Camping out at Bellows Beach
The Kaneohe Sandbar – this is a “beach” you can only get to with a boat. It’s a couple miles off the Kaneohe Bay. It’s an incredibly beautiful sandbar – which is about waist-deep at high tide and ankle-deep at low tide. If you can make friends with someone who has a boat, or rent one for the day, this is an amazing place to visit.
Can you spot the turtle in this pic?
The glory of the Sandbar
Hikes
Lanikai Pillbox hike – about 2 mile hike, mostly uphill but is a crowd pleaser due to the views of Lanikai beach and the Ko’oloa Mountain range on the other side.
View from the top of Lanikai Pillbox hike
View from backside of Pillbox hike
Makapu’u Tide Pools – Park at the lighthouse trail parking lot. You will end up doing most of the lighthouse hike. You will come to a spot almost at the lighthouse where there is a poster about whale watching. From there, if you look down you should see a path in the lava rock. Follow the path down about 1/2 mile and you’ll reach the Makapu’u tide pools which are large enough to swim in. The water is crystal clear and this is a great spot for snorkeling for people who are afraid of open water swims.
Crystal clear tide pools
Olomana Hike – Super intense hike – about 8 miles round trip but really cool. There are three peaks to summit and you will be doing some minor rock climbing and scaling using ropes. There are three peaks to submit with each peak getting progressively more dangerous. People have died on this hike so proceed with caution.
I’m still smiling at this point in the hike because I don’t realize the third peak (my end point) is right behind me.
View from near the second peak of Olomana. I’m sitting in a Puka (Hawaiian for hole)
Kualoa Ranch – amazing place where a ton of films have been shot (most recently Jurassic Park). You can rent 4x4s and ride around the ranch, ride horses or go zip-lining. Really amazing stuff.
Four-wheeling through Kualoa Ranch
You really do feel like a T-Rex could jump out at any minute when you’re at Kualoa Ranch
Likelike Falls– A beautiful and serene 4 mile round trip hike through the jungle to a spectacular waterfall.
There is so much to see and do on the East Side of the island, that you could easily just stay here and never go elsewhere. But there is still so much to discover on the West and North shores of the island.
Tune in next week for the final chapter of my Oahu adventures.