Hawaii

Laie / North Shore:

Oahu recommendations 

 

Food:

Coconuts Fish Cafe - This is the restaurant I mentioned to you.  However, it's only in MAUI!  Oops!

Seven Brothers - Awesome burger place near BYU Hawaii campus.  Burgers are HUGE!  The Hawaiian one with pineapple on it is delish!

Ted's Bakery in Sunset - the food is alright if you're in a pinch, but go for their CHOCOLATE HAUPIA (coconut) PIE. Buy a whole one so you don't have to go back. Super delicious. We eat it for breakfast. Or you can eat it on the beach across the street while watching the sunset! Cool wall mural to take pictures by.

 

Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa - you MUST get shave ice and you MUST go HERE for it. Don't listen to anyone saying all shave ice is the same. Go to Matsumotos. Stand in line - it's worth it. I get a small with ice cream on the bottom. Get a cup holder. Sit outside on the benches in front of the store and feel how sticky the sidewalk is.

 

Try a shrimp truck. There is one in Kahuku that we always stop at. Giovanni's. It is always parked Kahuku High School. Kind of expensive, but it's very tasty and could be shared for a snack. We always get the scampi - it's full of yummy garlic buttery-ness.

These might be more nostalgic for me and are kind of hole in the wall places, but are good for local food:
L&L's (go to the one in Kaneohe) - Chicken Katsu or Teri Beef - cheap, big portions, a small is perfect.
Fresh Catch - if you're really daring and wanted to try awesome "sushi". It's basically a place full of flavored raw fish.

Papa Ole's in Hauula - local food

Hukilau Cafe in Laie - good for breakfast (or lunch). I think it was on 50 first dates, but this is the real one. Try the banana pancakes.

Roys - a splurge but really really really good. Hawaiian French fusion food. I try to go at least once when I go home. Make a reservation before you go. It's more fancy so you can dress up if you want. Chef is a James Beard award winner. There's also a prix fixe menu so it's really not that expensive considering the quality of food you get. 

 

Duke's in Waikiki or Hula Grill - we like to eat here for lunch when we go down to Waikiki. Chill place.

 

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Waimea Bay - My favorite place on this planet. Jump off the rock.

Pounders Beach - there's a trampoline out in the water you can jump off of into the ocean.

Sacred Falls State Park - Fun for hiking to waterfalls and swimming under them.

Turtle info. 

On the north shore you can go check out the Hawaiian sea turtles. It's hard to explain which beach but if you're headed back to town going all the way north and over to the west, there are usually turtles this time of year chilling on the Laniakea beach. It's past Waimea bay the next few beaches over. There are usually cars parked and you have to slow down while driving but if you happen to see people headed there, you might take 10 minutes for it. It's super cool!