Cheap Deals in Waikiki and Kahuku Oahu

Did you know you could golf on Oahu for $16.50 usd? And as long as you hit the happy hours at the hotels, it can be a reasonably priced vacation.  Not everything is expensive in Hawaii.

Many of my peers have journeyed to the Hawaiian Islands over the years but this winter was my first visit.  Ron took me there to celebrate my 65th birthday, a few months after the fact. It was also the 1 year anniversary of his survival from major heart surgery and a celebration for us being together as a couple for 5 years.

We arrived February 28th, right at the beginning of high season in Waikiki, Oahu.  The Speedi Shuttle Service got us from the airport to the hotel (and back again) for a very reasonable cost of $30 usd return for both of us.  We checked into the Imperial Hotel right downtown Waikiki.  It was a little 80s but the staff were great and it was a 5 minute walk to waikiki beach/ sand/ ocean.  

View from the Deck at the Imperial Hotel

Our room had a kitchenette with a coffee maker and microwave which helped keep the costs down.  I had also packed my smoothie maker for morning shakes. I'm a morning person but my idea of total relaxation on holidays is not having to get dressed for at least 4 hours after I'm up.  Give me my coffee first!

We also had a great view from our deck for my first visit.  It was wonderful being able to see the ocean and sip our morning coffee!

Next door was an ABC store with everything you could imagine needing in the food line. A Denny's restaurant was also attached to the hotel.  I found out later that the person who owned Denny's actually built the Imperial Hotel years before.  The morning after we arrived though, the Denny's closed down for renovations, so no cheap brunches when I was ready to leave the room!

Cable Ceiling Fans at the Shorebird (Outrigger Reef Hotel)

Ron wanted to see if a couple of places were still around after 30 years so we headed out for a walk as soon as we dropped our bags.  It was a trip down memory lane for him. Some of the places he frequented in Waikiki were still there.  We found the Shorebird Beach Bar.... still in the same place but the look had changed completely except for the cabled ceiling fans.  It is attached to the Outrigger Reef Hotel and has become much more upscale.  Even though he couldn’t get his favourite beer there anymore, Primo, we still managed to visit the place 3 times during a 10 day stay because of the atmosphere. 

Ron was on a quest to find more of his old haunts that also carried his favourite beer but he didn’t luck out with either.  The next day we went looking for the Rose and Crown Pub, situated in King's Alley.  It's another place Ron frequented, to the point where he and the bouncer even became friends.  

Island Rock Cafe - King's Alley

The old pub has been renamed and is now the Island Rock Cafe.  I loved the look of the place. The owners have set it up like a vintage 50s Soda Bar with lots of memorabilia. Ron was also happy because they carried Primo beer on the menu.  Since it was only brunch time we decided to return for happy hour one day.  When we did, they were out of Primo beer!

One of the things I really enjoyed in Oahu was the cultural experiences.  A good place to check out the entertainment is the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef. 

There are amazing singers and dancers telling the Hawaiian stories through music and motion.  One night we listened to a young woman sing while she played an 8 string ukelele. There was also a 13 year old who was already selling CDs of his music.  

Ron had an opportunity to talk with one of the local musicians about the different places he used to frequent up island.  The musician enjoyed the reminiscing too and they knew a lot of the same people and places.

The Hawaiian Center, a couple of blocks away from where we were staying, gave free hula and ukelele lessons for anyone who wanted to learn some basics.  I'll take those on our next trip!

The International Market, which had always been a place to take visiting friends to see, and an area Ron frequently talked about, was gone.  Many of the international stalls have relocated in an area just north of the old site but “It wasn’t the same,” Ron said.  The original land, with the giant Banyan tree, was making room for high end stores like Saks 5^th Ave.  The Banyan tree was struggling with age and disease and may or may not make it into the new landscape.

Kalua Nachos at the Tropical Bar on Waikiki Beach

I discovered one of my new favourite foods while in Waikiki.  Pork is on the menu in many restaurants and in many forms.  My favorite preparation was kalua nachos.  The combination of pork and a fresh pineapple relish is awesome, mixed with onions, cheese, guacamole and sour cream.  It was a meal in itself, only $15.95 usd, equivalent to Canadian fare.

Pork, pineapple, and poi are pretty standard food sources on Oahu.  I was aware of pineapple but didn't realize how popular pork was as a food staple.

Roast pork (kalua pork - wild pig) is part of the traditional Polynesian luau celebrations held up island.  The pig is wrapped in banana leaves and buried in a pit with hot coals and is left to cook all day and then served as part of a Hawaiian party.

The jury's still out for me though on things like bacon candy.  I tried it but I didn't like it.  It reminded me of the inside of pork rind that had somehow been rendered right down to something hard.  I remembered the taste but getting it served as a garnish on ice-cream wasn't thrilling!

And poi?  Hawaiian poi is a traditional food staple made from the Taro root.  It is not something I developed a taste for this trip, although it was included in a couple of dishes I tried.  Maybe it will eventually grow on me... or go the way of the bacon candy.

Hanauma Bay on Oahu

We rented a car one day and headed up island to visit some more of Ron’s old haunts.  After a quick stop at Diamond Head we continued on to Hanauma Bay.  It is a beautiful lagoon, still used for snorkeling and diving, but now environmentally protected.  It was a great place, but with a cold front suddenly passing across the island, it was not really a place we spent much time visiting.

We continued north with stops at Sandy Beach and other well-known surfing areas.  The waves, sand, and colour of the water were incredible.  The drive was slow going because of the traffic and only a 2 lane highway, but we enjoyed it.

The Shrimp Shack - up island

One of the things the north end is well known for are the shrimp farms and shrimp trucks.  We stopped at the first one we saw, ready for lunch by then.  It wasn’t a fancy set-up.  We ordered what we wanted from the back of a big van and then I headed for the corner store next to the Shrimp Shack to get our beverages.  Guess what?  The store had Primo beer!  I was happy with a small bottle of California Cab-Sav.  The bill came to $4.25 usd for both of us.

The store clerk remarked, “Are you drinking these outside?”  The plan was to eat at the picnic tables set up by the store so I answered yes.  “The state says you gotta keep it in paper bags then,” she said.  I thanked her and took my finds outside. 

Ron enjoying his Primo Beer in a bag!

We were both excited about doing the bag routine on the side of the highway.  It's amazing what small things can excite baby boomers!  They called his name and we got our food.  

There was something special about sitting on the side of the highway, staring at the ocean, eating delicious shrimp prepared in a truck and drinking booze out of a paper bag.  It was a great new memory for Ron, and me too!

We eventually continued on our journey, heading toward Kuhuku.  Kuhuku was the place Ron spent 9 consecutive winters visiting.  He and some of his buddies rented a house right on the ocean.  He knew the house was long gone but he wanted to share the memories with me.  I had already heard most of the stories but looked forward to seeing the places where the memories took place.

Telephone Pole #33

We found telephone pole #33, Ron’s actual address while he stayed there.  It took a few minutes to walk down to the beach and locate the original home site.  Most of the neighbouring houses had been torn down over the years and the land was now a state park.  I understood why Ron wanted to show me the area.  It was so beautiful and quiet.

After spending awhile soaking in the peace and quiet of the ocean shore we continued on with our journey.  Down the road, we stopped at what had been one of Ron's party places from days gone by.  

Pat’s at Punalu’u is a 1970s condo building that is still rented out to full-time residents and vacationers and situated right on the ocean.  Ron’s memories were of many evenings spent at the lounge, closed down now and in a state of complete disrepair.  He talked about the times when local Hawaiian women tried to teach them how to hula.  No-one was successful!

Our next stop was the Kuhuku municipal 9 hole golf course, again located right by the ocean.  Driving down the local road took Ron by the site of another old local hangout, Yuki’s Bar.  The bar and Yuki were long gone, replaced by a small retirement community. Ron had told me the story about when a hurricane took the roof off Yuki's.  The guys had headed down there for a beer, only to find Yuki's closed. 

"I can't open with no roof," Yuki remarked.  Ron and his friends asked him to line up some tools and and wood and nails and before long they had the roof back on the bar.  Up until then the locals didn't like having them, "haoles" (foreigners), in the bar.  When they found out how the guys had helped Yuki, they welcomed them every time they came in after that.

Checking out Kahuku Golf Club 

The golf course was still there but over the years the green fees had increased.  Instead of a $1.50 per round it now cost $16.50 usd.  I’m sure if the weather had been better, Ron would have suggested we play a round!

We left Ron’s memories behind and continued on our journey.  Neither one of us had any interest in visiting the Polynesian Centre.  We preferred the real Hawaiian music and dancing available to enjoy at many of the local lounges in Waikiki.  

Dole Pineapple

Next we stopped at the Dole pineapple facility.  Tins of Dole pineapple were part of my memories growing up and I was happy to find out a lot more about pineapples. For instance, I didn't realize the fruit grew on bushes on the ground on a perennial plant. There is nothing sweeter than fresh pineapple and I made sure I ate lots throughout the trip.  

Pineapple ice-cream hit the spot too but I'm still looking for pineapple wine to taste!

The drive around most of the island took less than a full day and we were back in Waikiki in time for dinner.  The tour gave me a better idea of what Oahu was all about and introduced me to some of the other culture up island.  

I’m glad we took the time to get away from Waikiki and see the northern part before it was over-run with huge resorts.  A vote the day before we were there had just given the go ahead to allow new mega development in the farming community.

The next couple of days were spent soaking up the sun on the beach and playing tourist at some of the gift shops.  Exactly a week after Denny's closed down for renovations, they reopened so I also got my "cheap" brunch after-all.  I had to look for the "hidden" menu though, with all the really "special" prices!

Sunset from the Shorebird Beach Bar

Our last evening was spent at the Shorebird Beach Bar, enjoying their great buffet.  We went early to get a front row seat for our last sunset and the fireworks the followed.

We were in Oahu for 10 days but I think taking just a week to visit the island is about the right amount of time.  Would I recommend Oahu?  It’s definitely well worth seeing at least once.