Ko Olina Beachfront Penthouse

The Banyan Court beach bar is located at the Moana Surfrider Hotel and Resort, just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Villas and Resort.  The bar sits atop the white sands of Waikiki Beach, providing guests with easy access to the rhythmic movement of ocean waves.

The bar is known for its grilled pupus and tapas menu, in addition to a selection of colorful, tropical drinks. The beachside cocktail selection includes Sangria Rojo, Acai Berry Punch, Bianco Beach Sangria, and a Lilikoi and Coconut Mojito.

Appetizers are served from 10:30 am to 10 pm daily.  Reservations are recommended for parties of ten or more people and can be made online or by phone.  For more information or to make a reservation, check out http://www.moana-surfrider.com/dining/beachbar/ or call (808) 921-4600.

The Pegge Hopper Gallery, located near Hawaii Pacific University about 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, presents Global Caravan now through August 3.  The exhibit features museum-quality carpets from Persia, Turkey, and the Middle East.  The displayed carpets have been gathered by Hakan Ucarer, a collector of rare carpets.

Carpet weaving has a long history in Persia, and carpets have historically been used both for functional and decorative purposes.  Traditional Persian carpets include detailed geometric designs and a rich color palette.

The display is open to the public.  The gallery is open from 11 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 am to 3 pm on Saturdays.  For more information, check out peggehopper.com or call (808) 524-1160.

Duke Kahanamoku Beach is located just off the coast of Waikiki, about 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.  The beach is named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, a renowned swimmer and surfer who represented Hawaii in national and international swimming competitions.  Duke went on to win Olympic medals in 1912, 1920, and 1924.  Today, a memorial statue of the Hawaiian athlete sits on his namesake beach.

The beach itself hugs the coast of Waikiki.  It is a popular destination for surfers and sunbathers alike, and the wide sand offers visitors plenty of space to relax for the day.  Several hotels that line the shore have bars or restaurants that offer a clear view to the water.

The beach is open to the public year round.

The Honolulu Museum of Art, located just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort, will host an exhibit titled “The Hawaii Pictures” through January 2014.  The exhibit features the works of artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams, who both visited Hawaii during their formidable artistic years.  Their works showcase Hawaii’s natural beauty through painting and photography.  Their images capture scenes from around Hawaii, including Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island from 1939 (O’Keeffe) and 1948 and 1957 (Adams).

The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4:30 pm and Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm.  Admission costs $10 for adults and is free for both children and museum members.  For more information, check out honolulumuseum.org.

Chef Chai’s at Pacifica Honolulu is an award winning restaurant located in Honolulu, about thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.  The menu blends traditional Hawaiian flavors with influences from across Asia to create a hybrid palette.  The restaurant boasts of a healthy design featuring fresh herbs and spices rather than excessive butter or salt.  Recommended entrees include a scallop pot pie, housemade tofu in a ginger mushroom broth, and grilled Mongolian lamb chops.

The dessert menu features fresh, locally produced ingredients with dishes such as a pineapple macadamia nut tart, sorbet sampler featuring tropical fruits, and cappuccino mousse cake.

For more information or to make a reservation, check out http://chefchai.com.

The Honolulu Museum of Art, located just 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas in downtown Honolulu, will host Black Painting, an exhibition featuring the works of Chinese artist who were persecuted during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.  During the Cultural Revolution, many artists, academics, and well-educated people were forced to abandon their work.

The black paintings were a rare opportunity for the Chinese artistic community to continue its craft during this period.  Contemporary works featuring this same black ink and reflect the trauma and grief of the revolution period.

Admission costs $10 for adults and $5 for children.  Children ages three and under are admitted for free.  The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4:30 pm and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm.  For more information, check out honolulumuseum.org.

The Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club will host their annual bike race tomorrow, July 7, along the Lanikai Bike Path.  The Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club is the largest racing club in Oahu and hosts several running events each year designed to bring people together, encourage physical fitness, and raise funds or awareness for various philanthropic causes.  The race is 4.9 miles / 8 kilometers long and wanders along Kailua Beach Park.  The track is fairly flat, with a few elevation changes near the end of the trail’s loop.  From the course, runners can enjoy spectacular views over Oahu’s coastline.

The race is open to members and non-members with a registration fee of $5 and $10 respectively.  For more information or to register for the race officially, check out http://www.mprrc.com/raceschedule.html.

Jungle River Mini Golf is an outdoor, family-friendly miniature golf facility located at the Pearlridge Shopping Center, about twenty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.  Jungle River was voted the number one miniature golf course in Hawaii by Star Week readers.

The course itself features colorful obstacles, bright carpet turf, and whimsical animal statues.  Jungle River also organizes birthday and other parties, as well as general large get-togethers for friends and family and periodic fundraisers.  A cosmic golf option is also available after sunset on Fridays and Saturdays.

Regular golfing costs $8, and cosmic golfing costs $8.50.  Jungle River is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 11 pm.  For more information, check out www.jungleriverminigolf.com.

The Honolulu Museum of Art, located just 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas in downtown Honolulu, will host the exhibition Lethal Beauty now through August 18.  The exhibition features samurai weapons and armor ranging in age from the 13th through 20th centuries.  The armor itself is artful with detailed designs and colorful accents.

The 63 featured works were crafted by 30 different artists and showcase the changes in Japanese weaponry designs over the years.  A series of folding screens are also included in the exhibition, which artfully depict images from the Genpei War of the 12th century.

Admission costs $10 for adults and $5 for children.  Children ages three and under are admitted for free. The museum is open to visitors Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4:30 pm and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm.  For more information, check out honolulumuseum.org.