Ko Olina Beachfront Penthouse

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, located in Waikiki just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort, is hosting an exibit about the Waikiki Beach Boys through December 31.  The exhibit presents a collection of rare photographs taken of Oahu’s surfing community from 1920 – 1940 and a series of vintage posters of the surfers. The collection includes several photographs of renowned surfer and Hawaiian legend, Duke Kahanamoku, as well as other iconic beach boys including Tom Blake, Panama Dave, and Curly Cornwell.

The exhibit is free and open to the public every Monday and Tuesday through the end of the year. For more information, check out http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/resort/waikiki-beach-boys-photo-exhibit or call (808) 923-7311.

The Andrew Rose Gallery, located in Bishop Square in Honolulu, just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort, is currently hosting an exhibition titled “On Paper II”.  This exhibition features the work of several Andrew Rose Gallery artists, including (but not limited to) Wayne Levin, Russell Lowrey, and Debbie Young, who have prepared contemporary works on paper rather than through other media.

The gallery aims to highlight discerning works of both contemporary and vintage art within the Honolulu community and connect individual artists to art enthusiasts, relevant institutions, and a wide network.

The exhibition is free and open to the public on Mondays through Fridays from 11 am to 5 pm.  For more information, visit andrewrosegallery.com or call (808) 559-4400.

Rainbow Watersports Adventures offers group and individual paddle boarding lessons on Oahu’s North Shore, just fifty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.

Paddle boarding lessons include all necessary equipment and begin in stable water.  The qualified instructors teach each participant to control their movements and maintain balance while standing atop the paddle board.

Lessons cost $79 per participant for groups of three or more, $89 per participant for couples, and $99 for individuals.  For more information or to make reservations, check out http://www.rainbowwatersports.com/ or call (808) 372-9304.  Participants must be at least 7 years old and are requested to bring a swimsuit and sunscreen.

Located just off Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa, about 40 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, Blue Water Shrimp and Seafood Co. is one of Oahu’s most acclaimed food trucks.  This food truck serves a range of seafood and non-seafood dishes, including shrimp of course, as well as sirloin steak and pork chops.  Blue Water can also be accessed through back roads leading directly to Waikiki.

Dishes typically cost about $10.  Blue Water is open from 7 am to 10 pm.  Blue Water also offers catering services upon request.  For more information, call (808) 688-8891.

The Pearlridge Farmer’s Market, located at Pearlridge Shopping Center just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, will continue to operate once a week on Saturdays through the end of September.  The market provides shoppers with an opportunity to purchase fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables, as well as house and garden plants, baked bread, and other assorted goodies.  Many farmers present will share and exchange recipes as well as gardening tips or other relevant advice.

Live music featuring notable Hawaiian influences is played each morning to add an additional element of local culture.

The market opens at 8 am each Saturday and closes around noon, though popular items tend to sell out quickly.

Sunset Lanai Lounge is located at Camp Smith, just 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.  Sunset Lanai serves evening cocktails from 5 pm to 8 pm every night and 3:30 pm to 9 pm on Fridays and is located adjacent to the Hau Tree Lanai restaurant at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel.

From Sunset Lanai, guests have a view overlooking Pearl Harbor.  Typically, musical guests perform during prime cocktail hours on weekends.

The most popular cocktail is the Mai Tai, but the lounge also serves $2 Pilsner drafts and free pupus on the last Friday of each month.  For more information, check out http://mccshawaii.com/sunsetlanai/.

The Hawaii Museum of Art will host an exhibit titled “Our World, Our Place” now through the end of October.  The exhibit is based at the First Hawaiian Center in Honolulu, just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.  The exhibition includes scenes photographed around Hawaii, emphasizing nature, culture, and people.  Several shots highlight typical day-to-day neighborhood life.  Several photographers contributed, including Paul Chesley, Eric Yanagi, James Cave, Elisa Chang and Ivan Wentland.

The center is open from 8:30 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, except for bank holidays.  For more information, check out http://honolulumuseum.org/12002-contemporary_museum_first_hawaiian_center.

Orchids Restaurant, located at the Halekulani Resort, offers an elegant Sunday brunch every week.  The restaurant is located just half an hour from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.  It was named best brunch by Honolulu Magazine.

The brunch spread includes Hawaiian, American, and Japanese flavors, with a range of traditional dishes catering to each culinary background.  The menu also includes several specialty teas and locally produced coffees, as well as fresh juices and smoothies featuring tropical fruits native to the island.  An a la carte menu is available.

Brunch is served every Sunday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.  For more information, to check out a menu, or to make a reservation, visit http://www.halekulani.com/living/dining/orchids/.

Visitors to Honolulu have the option of several walking tours around historic Honolulu.  Typically, visitors will begin at ‘Iolani Palace, just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.  The palace was first built in the 1880s and has served as the official residence location for Hawaii’s last two monarchs.

Other top landmarks that are easily accessible in Honolulu include the Aloha Tower, Hawaii Maritime Center, Chinatown, the State Capitol Building, the King Kamehameha Statue, and the Mission House Museum.  There are several resources available with history, context, and maps of top walking routes, such as http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/oahu/honolulu/.