SEP 8
2012
Part of the Alan Wong restaurant series, the Pineapple Room is located in downtown Honolulu, just 30 minutes from Ko Olina. Restauranteur and culinary innovator, Alan Wong manages several restaurants around the world and acts as a driving force behind the annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival.
The Pineapple Room is designed to combine plantation elegance with ethnic Hawaiian flavors. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, favorites on the menu include the Kiawe Grilled Kalbi Short Ribs and the Pineapple Room Burger, featuring a unique avocado salsa.
For more information or to check out the menu, visit http://www.alanwongs.com/node/175.
SEP 4
2012
The second annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival will take place this weekend at the Modern Hawaiian, Halekulani (Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort and Spa), just 30 minutes from Ko Olina. The festival will feature world-renowned chefs, culinary personalities, and spirit producers for a weekend filled with good food, good wine, and good conversation. Many of the dishes featured will emphasize fresh, local ingredients ranging from fruits and vegetables to meat to seafood.
Events will begin on Thursday, September 6 and last until September 9. For more information or to purchase tickets, check out www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.
AUG 31
2012
Rainforest to the Reef, a tour led by Oahu Tour group, is a bike, hike, sail, and snorkel adventure that takes you across Oahu. The tour begins in a tropical rainforest in Manoa Valley, about 30 minutes from Ko Olina. A narrated nature hike is designed to introduce you to the flora and fauna characteristic of Hawaii. Afterwards, the tour takes a brief mountain bike ride and a sail off Waikiki and Diamond Head. Depending on the weather conditions, guests have the option to snorkel and swim.
Tours begin at 9 am. Tickets cost $159.95 for adults and $99.95 for children and can be purchased online at http://www.oahutours.net or by phone at (888) 848-0733.
AUG 27
2012
Pearl Harbor, the site of the infamous attacks by Japanese military in 1941, is a large US naval base located in Oahu. Just thirty minutes from Ko Olina, visitors typically begin at the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center before taking a guided tour or solo visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri Battleship, and Pacific Aviation Museum. The somber memorials stand as a testament to the 2400 American troops killed and 1200 wounded.
Ferries to the USS Arizona leave regularly from 8 am to 3 pm daily. Tickets are limited, so check out www.pearlharboroahu.com if you’re interested in making a reservation. Guided tours generally range in price from $69.99 to $119.99 per person.
AUG 24
2012
This weekend, August 25 and 26, the Ala Moana Park about 30 minutes from Ko Olina will host the annual Greek Festival. In addition to traditional Greek food and drink, such as gyros, baklava, and ouzo, the festival will including Greek dance and musical performances.
The festival will last from noon to 8 pm and 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Admission costs $3 for adults. Children under 12 and active military are admitted for free. For more information and a performance schedule, check out www.greekfestivalhawaii.com.
AUG 21
2012
House Without A Key, the informal outdoor lounge at the Halekulani Hotel and Resort, is located just 30 minutes from Ko Olina. This casual space serves as a gathering spot for visitors and locals to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cocktail hour as they watch the ocean’s waves cascade into the shore. The signature mai tai is especially popular at the House Without a Key and pairs nicely with a summer sunset and live local music.
The restaurant is open from 7 am to 9 pm. For more information or to check out a menu, visit www.halekulani.com/living/dining/house_without_a_key/.
AUG 18
2012
Marks Garage in downtown Honolulu, about 30 minutes from Ko Olina, is hosting the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival through September 2. Henry VIII is playing through August 24 and will be followed by performances of Richard III. The annual festival is designed to celebrate the magic of Shakespeare’s poetry and prose and engage community theater with several classic plays.
Tickets vary from $10 to $20 depending on the day of the show and can be purchased online at http://www.hawaiishakes.org/. Check out the website for showtimes and details.
AUG 15
2012
Oahu is home to many beautiful beaches, and one of the most recognized is Sandy Beach. Sandy Beach is located near Halona Blowhole about thirty minutes from Ko Olina and is open to the public year round. This beach is famous for strong winds and waves, so swimmers and snorkelers need to be careful and stay wary of the current. However, the shoreline is wide, so this is an ideal beach for spending the afternoon, sunbathing, people watching, and general socializing.
Sandy Beach Park can be accessed from Kalanianaole Highway.
AUG 12
2012
Every Monday, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, about 30 minutes from Ko Olina, hosts a Royal Luau. The festivities are designed to commemorate Helumoa, the recreational area that belonged to Hawaiian royalty. The modern vignette dinner show includes a “Aha ‘Aina” feast, luau, and hula performance. With Waikiki beach in the background of each performance, the weekly show is scenic and celebratory.
Tickets cost $169 for non-guest adults and $159 for guest adults. Children’s tickets cost $97 for non-guests and $89 for guests. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/dining/ahaaina/.
AUG 9
2012
Sam Choy’s, Breakfast, Lunch, & Crab features island favorites and all-American dishes. Located near Honolulu International Airport, about 30 minutes from Ko Olina, the menu includes hearty signature breakfast specials, seafood platters, locally flavored sandwiches and burgers, and a range of creative appetizers. The restaurant is also a brewery, so locally brewed beers are available.
To check out the menus and restaurant hours, visit www.samchoyhawaii.com. The website’s events page also details upcoming, themed dinners, such as A Night int he Philippines or the Brewer’s Dinner.
