Waiola Shave Ice

2135 Waiola Ave corner of Paani Street
Honolulu, HI 96805

Jack H. writes: This is the Waiola's to go to for the very best Azuki Bean Bowl on the island.  Yes, a major secret of this place is they make the ice SUPER-fine - no chunks of hard ice like cheap imitators - makes a huge difference.  IMHO, they seem to do it just a…

Ono Hawaiian Foods

726 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816

Kristina R. writes: Out of fear of retaliation from the loyal-to-the-death locals, I MUST give Ono five stars.  

But if I had a choice, it would still get five stars.  This is awesome, authentic Hawaiian food, served with a smile and some good advice about the raw…

Leonard's Bakery

933 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816

Kristina R. writes: I took a shortcut.  

I just superglued them to my hips...like little balls of cholesterol-laden joy.  

MORE OF ME TO LOVE, DAMMIT.

Waiola Bakery & Shave Ice II

525 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Kristina R. writes: The Mochi Bowl.  DROOL.

There is something otherworldly about this shave ice.  It's not Matsumoto's sweet, and it's not generic Hawaiian tourist fare.  The ice was so fine, it melted upon contact with my sweltering tongue.  I've never had anything…

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort

2365 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Winfield H. writes: Few people would describe Waikiki as serene or peaceful. It is an assault on the senses, a monument to tourism gone amok. The sidewalks are as crowded as those in New York City. There's nary an unoccupied patch of sand on the narrow beach. Buskers…

Costco Wholesale

525 Alakawa St
Honolulu, HI 96817

Keane L. writes: This is the best damn Costco ever. Come if you like find some onolicious local kine grindz like lau lau, saba and sushi roll with real crab, brah.

And I love people-watching by the register, determining their plans based on what they buy...

.

Woman en…

Chef Mavro

1969 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826

Dan V. writes: DISCLAIMER:  I've had the tasting menu at Alan Wong's several times, and not only that...  I was first to review Alan Wong's on Yelp.

After eating at Chef Mavro, I am over Alan Wong's.  Let all the desperate housewives from Duluth and Peoria flock to…

Alan Wong's Restaurant

1857 S King St
3rd Fl
Honolulu, HI 96826

Keane L. writes: Alan Wong's falls awkwardly between Sam Choy's and Gary Danko. It's "business casual," but then it's not. It can be semi-formal, but far from the refinement of Danko (even though the prices are comparable). An elevator and valet-only parking makes it…

Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts

1010 University Ave
Honolulu, HI 96826

Connie C. writes: Sung to Don Ho's classic: http://www.youtube.com...

"Tiny Bubbies (tiny Bubbies)
In my mouth (in my mouth)
Make me happy (make me happy)
Make me feel fine (make me feel fine)

Tiny Bubbies (tiny Bubbies)
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I'm gonna…

One Drop Deodorizer

Honolulu, HI 96805

Mary F. writes: Personally, I use pooping as a tool to decipher where an S.O and I are at relationship wise. No, I don't mean dropping a duce on you. (Not my bag, but I'm not gonna yuck your yum) I mean I use my handy chart of "Stages of Poop" to determine where…

Yanagi Sushi

762 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96813

Jessica L. writes: She used her finger to wipe off my soy sauce dish.
The pieces were cut way too big
Service was terrible
Too much wasabi hidden under my maguro nigiri!

Extra star for excellent Maguro in general

Shirokiya

Ala Moana Center
Honolulu, HI 96815

Kristina R. writes: A Japanese market/department store in the middle of Ala Moana?  PERFECT.  

I went in looking for Pocky, and came out with an arm-full of weird Asian treats and snacks, laden with salt and MSG.  I can't imagine a trip to the Islands without bloating up…

Honolulu Academy of Arts

900 S Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96814

Kristina R. writes: My FAVORITE museum.  They had the most amazing special exhibition on famed woodcut master Charles Bartlett.  He is a world-renowned artist, and I go ga-ga over everything he does.  

Since I know next to nothing about woodcut art, I followed my husband…

Curry House Coco Ichibanya

1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814

Kristina R. writes: After a long day of beating people off of the sale tables at the Ala Moana Center, I started thinking, "Hmmmm...sure could go for a big bowl of MSG today for lunch..." and then VOILA!  The Curry House appeared right before my eyes!  

Now, I'm not…

Jelly's

98-023 Hekaha St
Ste B1-9
Aiea, HI 96701

Kristina R. writes: This place is amazing!  They have comic books, used and new books, records, cd's, dvd's, music equipment, the kitchen sink...pretty much everything under the sun!

I looked in their cases and saw X-Men #1 for $1000.  My jaw dropped through the floor.  …

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa

92-1001 Olani St
Ko Olina, HI 96707

Mimi L. writes: My good friend got married in the gazebo at this gorgeous hotel!  Leading to the gazebo is a small bridge which overlooks the stingray pond...yup stingrays!  I think it's supposed to be a shark pond, but I didn't see any sharks.  In between the…

Halekulani

2199 Kalia Road
Honolulu, HI 96815

Jennifer H. writes: We went to a very posh wedding here.  The food was buffet style it was excellent.  The hall was a little plain so the wedding flowers had to work overtime.  We had a great time at the wedding I would highly recommend this place for anyone that wants…

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

7455 Kalaniana 'ole Hwy
Honolulu, HI 96815

Ed C. writes: Everyone has seen that ubiquitous "evolution" poster in which the fish transforms into a Homo Sapien in stages - "ascending" (as it were) from the watery murk to dry land. That's the "natural" progression of things.

So when I tried snorkeling for the…

Tokkuri-Tei

611 Kapahulu Ave
Ste 102
Honolulu, HI 96815

Liz T. writes: My boyfriend and I came for lunch since it was our first time. Cluttered outside and unpretentious inside, Tokkuri-Tei is another great restaurant I would've missed if it weren't for Yelp. The extensive menu is a bit intimidating but very funny. For…

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

2424 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Mimi L. writes: I didn't stay here so unfortunately can't attest to the quality of their rooms.  However, there's plenty to do for the public at the shops and restaurants and definitely lots of photo opps for us tourists.

The last time I came to Hawaii, I stayed with…

Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond Head Rd
Honolulu, HI 96816

Ed C. writes: Remember that scene in ALIEN when that toothy worm-creature busted through that dude's chest? Can you imagine how that character felt as his chest plate exploded?

Well as much as I loathe to admit it, I thought the same thing would happen to me as I…

The Kahala Hotel & Resort

5000 Kahala Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816

Meng X. writes: You know the Woody Allen joke about the two women at a Catskill mountain resort. One of them says, "Boy, the food at this place is terrible." The other says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions!!"

Well, that's essentially how I feel about this…

Liliha Bakery

515 N Kuakini St
Honolulu, HI 96817

kainanny c. writes: COCOA PUFFS!!!!!!!!!!

sometimes i wake up in a sugary haze with brown pudding filling all over my fingers and a huge chantilly cream mustache just waiting to be licked off. i look down at my cream covered hands. how did i get here? what have i done?

i…

Soon's Kal Bi Drive Inn

898 Ala Lilikoi St
Honolulu, HI 96818

Jane L. writes: Have trouble finding Soon's?  Look for the cloud of smoke and follow your nose...

Meat Jun plate has me hooked.  It's like 2 servings for the price of one.  It is a little on the sweet side along with the sauce.

Take it on the plane and people will be…

Kailua Beach Park

450 Kawailoa Rd
Kailua, HI 96734

Kristina R. writes: I love Kailua.  It's really quite a change from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, and the near-death-beckoning waves of the North Shore.  The beach here is just enough excitement to get my blood flowing, and calm enough to make relaxing on an…

Shiro's Saimin Haven & Family Restaurant

98-020 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701

Kate V. writes: From Japan hails ramen, and Vietnamese are famous for their pho. However, reigning as the top choice among Hawaiians is an obscure, less well-known noodle comfort soup (that is, unless you're FROM Hawaii, in which case this is probably the only…

Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen

119 Hekili St
Kailua, HI 96734

Liz T. writes: After soaking up some UV rays at Lanikai Beach, my boyfriend and I decided to visit this much yelped about place. Even tourists had found their way here for the famous pancakes with macadamia sauce--and you know, Kailua is half an hour out of…

Byodo-in Temple

47-200 Kahekili Hwy
Valley of Temples Memorial Park
Kaneohe, HI 96744

Kate V. writes: True story:

Until I was 16 years old, I lived in Ahuimanu Hills, the subdivision located behind and up the mountain from Valley of the Temples Cemetary and Byodo-In Temple. Growing up, I really had no idea how rare and out-of-the-ordinary it was to…

Waikele Premium Outlets

94-790 Lumiaina St
Waipahu, HI 96797

Smiley W. writes: Why am I here??  Oh, for the heck of "BLACK FRIDAY"!!

Didn't want to spend too much time on shopping at HI nor wish to add my luggage weight as well.  Therefore, we set our time for one hour here and took a glance of the whole place.  However, I still…

Sheraton Waikiki

2255 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96805

.elin f. writes: Thoroughly enjoyed our recent 5 nights/ 6 days stay at the Sheraton Waikiki.  Found a great deal online for $179/night and was pleasantly surprised at check-in to find out we were upgraded to an ocean front room with view of Diamond Head and the…

Coco Ichiban Curry House

1960 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96805

Liz T. writes: I don't enjoy Japanese curry, chicken katsu, or cheddar cheese separately, but when this place puts them together--over a bed of white rice--everything feels right in the world during the 20 minutes it takes me to clean my plate.

Everything comes with…

Gyu-Kaku

1221 Kapiolani Blvd
# 105
Honolulu, HI 96814

Aaron I. writes: Yes it is true this place will remind you of yakiniku style Japanese dining.  Great assortment of beef to choose from filet mignon to harami skirt to tongue to kalbi with 3 shoyu based sauces to choose from with Kirin on tap, hmmm!

You will smell like…

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

2259 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Jim W. writes: Always pink, always beautiful, always a class act and hard to follow.

Yes, I have stayed here several times till I got to the point that I needed a bit more "gayness" in my stays in Honolulu.

This is the best hotel on the island, in my point of view.…

Garlic Restaurant Ninniku Ya

3196 Waialae Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816

Liz T. writes: This isn't a hole in the wall, it's a slit in the tent (literally). The makeshift dining area outside is garlicky and smokey, which is how I like my steak but not so much my hair after sitting there for a few hours. Come casual or leave in your silk…

Bishop Museum-Main Campus

1525 Bernice Street
Honolulu, HI 96817

Gourmet G. writes: Established in 1889, this was designated the State Museum on Natural and Cultural History in 1988. The four-story lava-rock structure houses an amazing collection of cultural artifacts, historical publications, and photographs and films, in addition…

Mitsu-Ken

1223 N School St
Honolulu, HI 96817

Darin I. writes: Two words: Garlic chicken.  Worth the long lines and agonizing struggle to find parking.  It's totally ono and to die -- and possibly kill -- for.

The neighborhood (Kalihi) is fine if you look and/or are "local."  But if you aren't, that's another…

Hawaiian Music

Honolulu, HI 96826

Gourmet G. writes: You only have to hear the lovely renditions of such classics as "Over the Rainbow" and "Mona Lisa" by the late Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole once to realize there's a lot more to Hawaiian music than Don Ho and "Tiny Bubbles." Nine years after his tragic…

The Well Bento

2570 S Beretania St
Ste 204
Honolulu, HI 96826

Kristina R. writes: BEFORE LUNCH:  
Healthy, vegetarian-macrobiotic, inexpensive, and fabulously delicious plate lunches and bento boxes in Hawaii?  

Ye-ah ri-ght...and I just rode a UNICORN over from RAINBOW WORLD with my OOMPA LOOMPA FRIENDS, Boom Boom and Snickers.…

USS Arizona Memorial

1 Arizona Memorial Place
Honolulu, HI 96818

Keane L. writes: If you don't think this place is at least interesting, then you're either too young or too stupid.

The remains of the the USS Arizona Memorial can be seen from a viewing platform built above it. You browse a museum and watch a video, then ride a…

Phuket Thai Restaurant

1960 Kapiolani Blvd Ste 109
Honolulu, HI 96826

Cynthia A. writes: I don't like that they only serve single portions of Tom Yum soup.  What if I want a whole big bowl?