NOV 30
2023
Honolulu City Lights, about 40 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas, will be on display at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center grounds from December 2 to December 29. The city’s 50-foot holiday tree and other outdoor decorations are lit nightly at approximately 6:00 PM and remain on until dawn, switching off at approximately 6:00 AM.
Honolulu City Lights will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM and food vendors will be available nightly from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. To avoid the larger crowds, skip the weekends and go on a weekday. This is a great option, as it will get even busier closer to Christmas and the new year.
For more information, visit https://www.honolulucitylights.org/.
NOV 5
2023
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman Ko Olina (a 2-minute drive or 10-minute walk from Ko Olina Beach Villas) is a certified member of Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants program. The program recognizes restaurants committed to making sustainable choices for our ocean so people can dine with peace of mind.
The ocean-friendly restaurants all follow these mandatory criteria:
- Only reusable food ware is used for onsite dining
- Paper straws are provided only upon request
- No expanded polystyrene use (aka Styrofoam)
- No plastic bags are used for takeout or to-go orders
- Single-use utensils, straws, condiments, and other accessory items are provided only upon request
- Beverages are not sold in plastic bottles
- Proper recycling practices are followed
Ocean Friendly Restaurants first launched in 2013 with Surfrider’s Huntington Beach chapter. The program quickly expanded throughout Southern California and Hawaii, becoming a nationally recognized program in 2018. Currently, there are 520 certified restaurants.
For more information about the program and to find an Ocean Friendly Restaurant near you, visit https://www.surfrider.org/programs/ocean-friendly-restaurants.
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman Ko Olina is open everyday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at 92-1048 Olani Street, Kapolei. To book a table or view the menu, visit https://www.monkeypodkitchen.com/dine_ko_olina.
OCT 5
2023
Minasa, a beloved food stall at local events, has opened their first brick-and-mortar about 20 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas. The new store is in Tropicana Square, near the Pouhala rail station.
Minasa’s signature dish is Ube Churros. Three churros are coated in ube sugar with a generous ube drizzle and custard filling. The churros are crunchy and softly creamy with a silky smooth sweetness.
Minasa means “to mix” in the Filipino dialect of Tagalog. Maleko Lagmay says he created Minasa to pay homage to his grandparents, who instilled in him a passion for cooking. There are a couple of staple dishes, others come and go based on what Maleko wants to showcase.
There are four tables that can each seat up to five adults and two counters for two. There’s also the takeout option, which is very popular.
Minasa is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 4:00 PM at 94-866 Moloalo St. D12, Waipahu. For more information, visit https://minasahawaii.com/.
SEP 13
2023
The Aloha Festivals ‘Ohana Event and Royal Court Appearance is less than 20 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas at Ka Makana Ali‘i’s Center Court on Saturday, September 16 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Aloha Festivals has become a state-wide celebration of Hawaiian culture with major events on the island of O‘ahu.
Visitors will celebrate one of the most cherished traditions of Hawai‘i and enjoy hula, music, storytelling, and pageantry that honors Hawai‘i’s ali‘i in a stately ceremony. The Royal Court will don regalia worn only by ali‘i of the highest rank. This year, Aloha Festivals continues to explore our relationship to the land with the theme pili‘āina, meaning “to have kinship with the land.”
For directions to the event, visit https://www.kamakanaalii.com/event/Aloha-Festivals-Ohana-Event-and-Royal-Court-Appearance/2145575945/.
AUG 6
2023
Ko Olina Beach Villas has partnered with Royal Hawaiian Beach Services to offer a multitude of beach services for a relaxing day at the Honu Lagoon. Guests can book ahead to reserve chaise lounge chairs, beach umbrellas, stand-up paddle boards, snorkels, and a beverage bar cooler full of ice and drinks. This service includes set up and disassembly. Multiple day reservations are available at a reduced rate.
Royal Hawaiian Beach Services also offers a traditional canoe ride at sunset. Guests will ride on a traditional double-hull Hawaiian canoe with a cultural evening canoe torch (simulated torch) while enjoying Hawaiian stories and conch “pu” shell blowing. This experience is meant to transcend time and place for one to cherish for a lifetime.
Guests can also book a 90-minute Lei Making Workshop where they can bring back the nostalgia of old Hawaii by celebrating the recognition of love that occurs each time a lei is made, given, and received. This is a most cherished symbol in Hawaii.
For more information and to book ahead, visit https://royalhawaiianbeachservices.com/?page_id=177.
JUN 26
2023
The North Shore Chamber of Commerce hosts their second annual Haleiwa 4th of July Fireworks and Car Show Festival for 2023 about 40 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Activities throughout the day include a vintage car show, food vendors, live musical entertainment, hula, fire knife dancing, keiki (kid) activities, food eating contest, and more. The fireworks show starts at 8:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit https://haleiwajuly4thfestival.com/.
JUN 4
2023
The Byodo-In Temple is located at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park about 40 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas. It is a non-practicing Buddhist temple which welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate, or simply appreciate its beauty.
It was established in 1968 to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Byodo-In Temple in Oahu is a smaller-scale replica of the over 950-year-old Byodo-in Temple, a United Nations World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan.
Inside the Byodo-In Temple is a 18 ft statue of the Lotus Buddha covered in gold and lacquer. Outside is a three-ton brass peace bell. Surrounding the temple are large koi ponds and lush Japanese gardens set against the towering cliffs of the Ko’olau Mountains. The gardens are also home to wild peacocks, black swans, turtles, frogs, and other animals. The beautiful grounds include a large reflecting pond, meditation niches, and small waterfalls.
The Temple Grounds are open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily. General admission ranges between $2 and $5 (kids and adults). For more information, visit https://byodo-in.com/index.htm.
MAY 3
2023
50 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas, Waimea Valley is an area of historic cultural significance on the North Shore. The valley, being an important place in Hawaiian religion, includes several historical structures including stone terraces and walls constructed during the time of the Hawaiian monarchy.
Waimea Valley is a historical nature park featuring 52 themed botanical gardens and is the home to over 5,000 documented types of tropical and subtropical plants including native Hawaiian plants and globally endangered species. The garden valley is approximate 0.75 miles (1.21 km) in length, with a small waterfall and swimming hole at the valley’s hind end. Swimming is allowed when the weather permits.
Waimea is always a hub of community and cultural activities featuring local artisans, educational programs, and many scheduled activities. Moon Walks are a popular monthly activity from May to October. Once a month, visitors experience a unique opportunity to walk the Valley’s main corridor to the waterfall under the moon. Guests experience the unique sites and sounds of the Valley by night and learn about the mahina (moon).
The valley is open from 9 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday. For more information about scheduled events and admission prices, visit https://www.waimeavalley.net/.
APR 2
2023
35 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas, Makua Beach is one of the most secluded spots on Oahu. This undeveloped and never crowded white-sand beach is backed by the Waianae Mountain Range.
Most Oahu visitors never see this beach, because no tour buses go here. After the small town of Makaha, the development soon ends, there aren’t any other buildings, and the road narrows. This is quite a remote beach. There are no toilets, food trucks, or buildings. There are trash cans and spots to park on the side of the road. That’s one of the reasons this beach is so special. It still feels wild and free. Make sure to bring enough food, water, and gear for your time at the beach from towns you pass along the way.
From November to April, there is some excellent surf on this side of the island, perfect for expert surfers. Unlike many Oahu beaches, Makua Beach is not protected by an offshore reef, so the waves can get really high and the currents strong. The ocean bottom drops off quickly here, so swimmers should stay close to the shore. Fishing and bodyboarding are popular activities on calmer days. There are no lifeguards or facilities here.
The sand on Makua stretches for about half a mile. You can explore this beach by taking a walk. Along the beach, you’ll find tide pools, beach breaks to surf or bodyboard, and you may also encounter some wildlife along the way.
In the morning, be on the lookout for the dolphins that swim a few hundred yards off the shore. Besides dolphins, you may also see sea turtles and whales breaching in the distance (during the winter season). Be sure to carry your binoculars.
From Ko Olina Beach Villas, follow signs for Waianae and merge onto HI-93 W (Farrington Hwy). Take HI-93 for 15.9 miles. There will be signs for Makua Beach. You will notice a gate on the left-hand side of the road. Drive through the gate and onto the dirt road that parallels the beach. There are many pull offs along the road, so choose a parking spot wisely and head out onto Makua Beach.
MAR 4
2023
A short 10-minute drive from Ko Olina Beach Villas, Wet’n’Wild Hawaii will be celebrating Keiki Fun Day on Monday, March 19, 2023.
In addition to all of the fun little ones already have at the water park, they can also interact with storybook prince and princesses, mermaids, magicians, jugglers, stilt walkers, face painters, balloon twisters, and more! There will also be live entertainment from Uncle Wayne and the Howling Dog Band.
For more information about times and ticket prices, visit https://www.wetnwildhawaii.com/event/keiki-fun-day/.
