Amanee's Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Hawaii Part 2

Aloha friends!

A few months ago, in Amanee's Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Hawaii, I said that my first trip to Hawaii was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on… 

Well, I was wrong. My second trip to Hawaii takes the cake!

I can honestly say that I had the most fun I have EVER had by myself… or with anyone else for that matter! My time in O’ahu and Maui combined the perfect amount of adventure and relaxation. It was liberating. I know some of you have told me that you’re living vicariously through me and I must say, I was truly living my BEST life.

So, sit back, relax, and put your reading glasses on because I’m spilling ALL the tea from my trip to Hawaii. Where to stay, what to eat, things to do, EVERYTHING! This is gonna be a long one— Give yourself at least 30 minutes to read. :)

I arrived in Honolulu on the island of O’ahu on a Friday morning after a six hour nonstop flight from San Diego. I booked my flight with Hawaiian Airlines three months in advance. My window seat in the main cabin was around $240. They even offered each of the passengers a cup of complimentary rum punch before we landed. So nice!

I decided to stay at The Laylow, Autograph Collection in the heart of Waikiki again because it was just so nice and convenient the last time. The room was clean, the staff was friendly and attentive... no complaints! 

This time, my room was on the 15^th floor and I had a view of both the ocean and Diamond Head from my balcony. 

 There was also a snack bar right outside of my door with complimentary coffee, tea, water, and snacks available 24 hours a day. Each morning I stopped for a cinnamon roll or a chocolate croissant. Delicious!

My room wasn’t quite ready when I arrived so I decided to go out and explore Waikiki. I walked on the famous Waikiki Beach and it was just as crowded as the last time. It was Easter weekend so I’m sure there were lots of people there on vacation.

Waikiki Beach is so ridiculously beautiful. I strolled on the sand and took in the sun and the scenery for about two hours. I was pretty tired after my long day of traveling so once my room was ready, I decided to take a “nap” that I didn’t wake up from until the next morning. Ha!

On Saturday morning, my alarm went off promptly at 4:30 a.m... Of course I snoozed it and went back to sleep until 5 a.m. My plan was to get to Diamond Head to watch the sunrise, but I am NOT a morning person and that wasn’t happening.

Once the sun peaked through my curtains and I finally found the energy to roll out of my bed, I got dressed and drove 15 minutes to Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi).

Diamond Head is a U.S. National Natural Monument and Hawaii’s most recognized landmark known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history— Diamond Head was home to Fort Ruger, the first United States military reservation on Hawaii.

Diamond Head is a broad, saucer-shaped crater that spans 475 acres and was formed 300,000 years ago during a single, explosive eruption that sent ash and fine particles in the air. As these materials settled, they cemented together into a rock called tuff, creating the crater, which is visible from the trail in the park.

The trail to the summit of Lē‘ahi was built in 1908 as part of O‘ahu’s coastal defense system. The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. The walk is a glimpse into the geological and military history of Diamond Head.

A concrete walkway built to reduce erosion shifts to a natural tuff surface about 0.2 mile up the trail with many switchbacks traversing the steep slope of the crater interior.

The ascent continues up steep stairs and through a lighted 225-foot tunnel to enter the Fire Control Station completed in 1911. Built on the summit, the station directed artillery fire from batteries in Waikiki and Fort Ruger outside Diamond Head crater. At the summit, you’ll see bunkers and a huge navigational lighthouse built in 1917.

 

Diamond Head is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the year, including holidays. The last entrance is at 4:30 p.m. I arrived at the park around 6 a.m. right as it opened and finished the hike around 8:15 a.m. Entrance is $5 per car or $1 per person if you walk in.

I would definitely suggest getting there early as there are only a few parking spaces and it gets extremely crowded and in addition to that, it gets HOT hiking up the trail. The sun hadn’t fully come out when I began my hike, so it was pretty comfortable, but once that sun came out, I was a sweaty mess.

Also, don’t forget to wear comfortable clothing, bring a water bottle as there isn’t any place to stop for beverages once you get going and PLEASE, for the love of God, wear tennis shoes. I can’t believe I saw so many people hiking in flip flops. I can't even imagine how their feet felt afterwards. I was tripping all over the rocks in tennis shoes.

I’m not an avid hiker. Diamond Head was actually the first hike I’ve ever been on and it wasn’t a particularly difficult hike for me. 

BUT I do want to point out that the ground was not level in a lot of places, it got pretty steep at one point, and there are A LOT of steps, so I definitely wouldn’t recommend this for small children or anyone who can’t handle some intense physical activity. This is not for the overweight, faint of heart, or anyone not in excellent physical condition.

At one point, I had to walk through a dark, creepy tunnel and up a bunch of stairs. I felt like I was on the set of The Hills Have Eyes!

The views from the trail were unbelievable. I can’t even put it into words and the photos don’t do it any justice. Also, if you’re afraid of heights, good luck. 560 feet is HIGH.  

Once I got to the top, I just stood there in awe. God is so good.

It was such a struggle getting someone to take a decent photo. This is one of my ONLY issues with solo travel. Selfies just don’t cut it. I had to ask FOUR different people to take pictures of me in the same spot. 

One lady cut the top of my head off, one man took SIX photos of me with my eyes closed, and then another lady didn’t position the camera properly to get the background… It was a task. Shout out to another solo traveler who finally got some good shots. She was the real MVP. I’m investing in a tripod and doing it myself next time!

Once I got back down to the bottom, I stopped for a cup of Dole Whip to cool off. It started to rain (just a sprinkle) a bit on the way down so it was hot and humid. I bet you’re thinking “Dole Whip? Again?” Yes, more Dole Whip. It’s delicious and I can’t help myself! I got mango this time instead of pineapple and it wasn't as good. Pineapple is definitely the winner.

After I finished at Diamond Head, I drove about 20 minutes to Manoa Falls for another hike. Manoa Falls is a 150-foot waterfall that empties into a small pool of water. 

The waterfall is nestled in the mountains of Koolau in a tropical rainforest. Yes, I, Amanee K. Cabbagestalk, hiked through a rainforest all by myself. I wish I had a camera crew following me. It was HILARIOUS.

 I was feeling adventurous… And an adventure is exactly what I got. The hike to the waterfall is about 1.6 miles, takes about two hours, and it costs $5 to park.

As I parked my car, I noticed about a dozen people with easels set up on the lawn of the Lyon Arboretum where they preserve many endangered Hawaiian plant species. They were painting beautiful scenes of the mountains. Now that’s talent!

I began the day with bright light pink and white sneakers on and as I entered the rain forest, I saw people walking back with their shoes COVERED in mud. I stopped and thought to myself “Do I REALLY want to do this?” Well, I did. (And my shoes survived too)

I felt like I was walking through Jurassic Park. The trees were MASSIVE— the sun didn’t even peak through the leaves so it was pretty dark, the ground was wet, muddy, slippery, and no sort of level walkway… At all. I was literally walking on rocks. 

For clarification, this is a "walkway" not a creek and I literally almost fell while taking this photo. You're welcome.

This hike was MUCH more difficult than the first. I tried my absolute hardest to keep my shoes clean... But if you know me, you know that I’m extremely clumsy and I trip over my own feet every five seconds. So, now I had to pay attention to where I was walking and not only try not trip over my own feet but also try not to trip over gigantic tree roots… Fun. LOL. At one point my foot slipped on a rock and I thought I was going down!

I thought that once I went through this treacherous hike, I was going to find this magical waterfall at the end… To my surprise, it was extremely anticlimactic. The water was more like a trickle. A beautiful trickle, though.

Swimming in the pool under the waterfall is highly discouraged because there is a threat of becoming infected with Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause flu-like symptoms, kidney failure, and bleeding into the lungs. No thanks!

When I was hiking back down to the car, two guys said something to me in Hawaiian! I guess they thought I was a local hiking all by myself! LOL!

I had so much fun hiking. I went WAY out of my comfort zone (again), tested my limits, and did things that I would’ve never thought to do all by myself. I’m usually a big beach/pool person on vacation, but if you’re seeking a little more activity, I would absolutely recommend hiking!

Once I got back to my hotel, I was POOPED. I got a full body workout in— Twice. I decided to take a walk outside along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki and there was some sort of street festival going on with vendors selling all sorts of food, jewelry, and items.

I got a half of pineapple with fried rice and garlic shrimp… It looked better than it actually was. WOMP WOMP WOMP.

After I ate, I sat on the beach and watched a beautiful sunset. I’ve seen some beautiful sunsets in my life and the most beautiful have been in Hawaii.

There was even a hula show going on right behind me so I got to watch a little bit of that too!

Before I made my way back to my room, I stopped at Vintage Shave Ice for a delicious helping of strawberry-mango shave ice. Yum! 

On Easter Sunday morning, I woke up early and journeyed to the North Shore of O’ahu. It’s a stretch of coast about a one-hour drive from Waikiki known for big waves and professional surfing contests at Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and the Banzai Pipeline.

I needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I’m not really a fan of Waikiki Beach because it’s so overcrowded but the beaches on the North Shore are the exact opposite. Peaceful and serene.

The drive to the North Shore was STUNNING.  I read a blog about “Things to do on the North Shore” and the author recommended taking the scenic route— I’m so glad I listened! I didn’t want to risk my life and take pictures while I was driving but I sure wish I had someone with me! Green mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. I even rode past horses and people camping on the beach in tents.

The North Shore is considered to be the surfing mecca of the world. The months between November and February are the best times to see big wave surfing.  The massive waves can sometimes swell up to thirty feet or more—dangerous even for experienced surfers—so always heed warning signs. From May to September, the waves subside, creating a more tranquil atmosphere for surfing and swimming.

I spent the day hopping around to different beaches. They were all along Kamehameha Highway so it was easy to navigate. The beaches were so incredibly beautiful— white sand (that doesn’t stick to you!) and clear blue water. 

I could never get tired of laying in the sun. This is 100% why I’m the darkest I’ve ever been in my life right now— I didn’t even get this tan when I was a little kid running around at camp all summer long. I LOVE IT. I’m a golden goddess. Lol.

My first stop was Sunset Beach/Banzai Pipeline in Pupukea. Parking on the North Shore was absolutely dreadful, so get there early and bring your patience.

Sunset Beach was SO gorgeous and there were less than 10 people on the entire beach. It was so calm and peaceful. I could even hear music from the Easter church service across the street.

After that, I stopped at Pupukea Beach. I only had a few seconds to hop out to take pictures because I left my car parked in front of a driveway. I couldn’t even find a parking spot!

Next, I stopped at Waimea Valley. It’s an important place in Hawaiian religion and includes several historical structures constructed during the time of the Hawaiian monarchy. It’s also home to the Waimea Valley Audubon Center and the Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. 

The garden contains 41 distinct zones, representing 5,000 different types of plants from around the world, including very rare Hawaiian plants and rare and endangered species from around the world. The garden is approximately 0.75 miles with a waterfall and 30-foot-deep swimming hole at the end. In Hawaiian, Waimea means reddish brown water.

There is a $16 fee to enter the botanical gardens. The Waimea Valley is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving/Christmas Day. Just a head's up, there was absolutely no place to park when I got there around noon. But of course, when I left around 2 p.m. there were tons of spots.

The garden was soooo beautiful. It was hot outside, but the walk wasn’t too bad as the trees shaded the pathway. All of the species were meticulously labeled so you knew exactly what you were looking at and where it originated. I even saw a peacock!

The waterfall was my favorite part. (This one was a real waterfall!) I didn’t get in the water because 1) I’m a wienie and I didn’t want to swim by myself and 2) the water was REALLY cold and you had to walk on really hard (and hot) rocks to get to it and I didn’t have swim shoes.

I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting there in the sun watching everyone else. It was so relaxing to hear the water flowing in the background.

My next beach stop was Chuns Reef Beach. It looked like something out of a movie! (Actually, a lot of movies and tv shows are filmed on the North Shore, so there is a possibility that it was in one)

It was sweltering outside so the cool water was a nice refresher.

I had tons of snacks and water in the car, but I was getting pretty hungry so my next stop was the famous Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in Haleiwa Town. All of the blogs say that this is a must-try on the North Shore. The truck looks kind of beat up and the line was wrapped around the truck but it was so worth the wait. I had a delicious plate of shrimp scampi and rice.

Next, I had to try another famous spot— M. Matsumoto Shave Ice— another must-try on the blogs. This line was even longer than the last! I ordered peach, mango, and strawberry and I was highly disappointed. I’ve had better shave ice elsewhere. EXTREMELY overrated.

Before I got back on the road to Waikiki, I parked on the side of the water and just took in the view. Hawaii is just so ridiculously beautiful.

I took the highway back to Honolulu and it only took me about 40 minutes. I changed my clothes and quickly jet right back out the door to catch my last sunset in Honolulu. Stunning, as usual.

After the sun went down, I decided to go check out the Ross which was a block away from my hotel. It was quite possibly the best Ross I’ve ever been to... Ever. Their selection was INSANE. I bought three pair of shoes, a bathing suit, a pair of sunglasses, and ELEVEN dresses. I was in heaven. If you’re ever in Waikiki— Go to Ross! You won’t be disappointed!

I also tried an açaí bowl at Island Vintage Coffee Shop. I had the Lilikoi Moana Açaí Bowl with açaí, strawberry, papaya, granola, and honey for $10. It was pretty good! If you’re allergic to nuts, like me, make sure to ask and check the menu because some of the bowls have nuts in them!

 So, that concludes my adventures in Honolulu. I had to work on Monday and Tuesday so no time for fun stuff... “Work” for me consists of driving to different high schools around the island, attending a huge national college fair at the convention center, and talking to potential students, parents, and guidance counselors about UT. Have I mentioned that I love my job? 

One of the schools gave me spam musubi… I wasn’t a fan but it’s a popular snack and lunch food in Hawaii composed of a slice of grilled Spam on top of a block of rice, wrapped together with nori in the tradition of Japanese omusubi.

On Wednesday morning, I traveled from Honolulu to Maui for the last leg of my Hawaiian trip. I flew on Hawaiian Airlines and my main cabin, window seat was $75. (Booked three months in advance) The flight was only about 30 minutes and the seat next to me was empty. Yay!

The last time I did this flight, it was dark outside so I couldn’t see anything but the view was so beautiful! We flew over three different islands. When we landed, I even saw a few Southwest airplanes. They fly to Hawaii now so definitely check them out!

Once I landed, I took the shuttle to pick up my rental car. Switching back to driving a car again after driving a truck for three weeks is awful. Ha!

I booked a room at the Wailea Beach Resort again. It was amazing the last time. Everyone who works there seems so pleasant and genuinely happy to help. The grounds are beautiful and it’s right on the water. What more can you ask for?

When I arrived, I was greeted with a lei and a glass of fresh guava juice. (Can I live here?!)

I’m a Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Titanium Elite Member (because I stay in hotels so much) so my room was upgraded to an ocean view and it was ready hours before anyone else’s in line. Thanks, Marriott!

I even had the cutest hook for my lei that said, “E ka ‘apuni ‘ia ‘oe i kēia mau lei, me ke aloha,” which means “May these leis always encompass you with aloha (love).” One day, my housekeeper hung my one lonely lei in the shape of a heart. So precious.

The bellhop who assisted me with my luggage had a son who went to one of the high schools I was visiting the next day. I gave him my business card and he said he would tell his son to come see me. Networking is everything! He was such a nice guy. As he was leaving, he turned and said, “I bet you’re making your family proud. You’re so young to have such a big job!” Thanks, buddy. I’m trying! :)

The view from my balcony was TO DIE FOR. I just sat outside taking it all in for a good four hours. I even called my friends and my parents on FaceTime so they could experience it too. (Yes, I cried. I’m always crying lol)

After I settled in, I changed my clothes and took a walk on the beach before I went to dinner. I didn’t want to go to a fancy restaurant and spend a whole bunch of money... The restaurants on the property are astronomical—  $30 for an appetizer is NUTS. I walked about five minutes to Island Gourmet Markets. They have all kinds of stuff! Sushi, poke, burgers, sandwiches, beef stew, fried chicken, liquor, groceries… Everything.

I ordered a delicious bacon cheeseburger and curly fries from the deli and picked up some fresh cut pineapple (for my breakfast the next morning), a chicken Caesar salad (for my lunch), some chipotle chicken pasta, and a pound cake loaf all for $31.32.

On Thursday, I went to visit high schools around the island. I went up a mountain to a side that I had never been before and the views were so amazing. The campuses of these high schools were so beautifully manicured!

On the way back to the resort, one of the counselors told me that I should drive all the way to the end of the island because the sunset is amazing from there. It was TERRIFYING. I felt like I was off-roading. 

I was in the middle of what I’m assuming were lava fields, the roads were only wide enough for one car so you had to be careful not to hit anyone going over a hill, and every time I went over a hill thought I was gonna drive off the side of a cliff! I couldn't believe there were houses back there.

Then I saw a sign that said watch out for deer… How did deer get to Hawaii? (My Bahamian friends laughed at me when I asked if there were deer in the Bahamas… SEE! There are deer on islands! LOL.)

Anywho, needless to say, I didn’t stay until the sun went down. I was not driving through that craziness in the dark. Please note, there are no pictures of the drive because I was sitting straight up over the wheel, holding on with both hands, screaming my head off. I even turned my music down so I could concentrate. I'm sure I looked just as hilarious as it sounds. Lol.

On Friday, I attended a fair at one of the high schools in Maui and I got to see some of my favorite students and counselors. It’s so amazing that I get to form these relationships with students on the other side of the world. A lot of schools don’t travel as extensively as we do and it really does make a difference! 

After the fair, I was craving ice cream and I realized I was near an ice cream parlor that I stopped at on my last trip. I had no idea what it was called and I didn't feel like pulling over to read my last blog post so I just went for it... And found it! My sense of direction is impeccable. I also had an early dinner at a restaurant in the same plaza. 

 On Saturday, I woke up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise, but it was still dark so I went back to sleep. The sunrises in Hawaii are equally as beautiful as the sunsets. I’m not a morning person but I set my alarm every day to catch the sunrise over the ocean. I was so spoiled. If I opened my curtains, I could even see it from my bed.

My flight wasn’t until 9 p.m. that evening so I had the entire day to relax. I packed my suitcases and left them with the bellhop. I still had access to all of the resort’s amenities so I planned to spend the entire day at the pool.

I walked to the grocery store again and picked up some fruit for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and some snacks for the day. I only spent $20. Good thing because drinks at the pool were $20 for ONE! Thankfully, I had complimentary tickets for two free mai tais!

I got to the pool around 9 a.m. One of the perks of traveling solo is that you can squeeze in at the pool next to all of the couples who leave seats in between them. I got a prime spot right in the front row. Perfect for tanning AND people-watching.

Random thought: There was a CRAZY amount of pregnant women staying at this resort. Babymoon central! Literally every other woman I saw was pregnant.

As the day went on, I rotated from my stomach to my back to get an even tan, to the pool for a swim, to the bar for drinks. It was glorious. I even saw a couple of humpback whales out in the ocean!

I left around 3:30 p.m. to go get changed. The resort has an arrival/departure lounge with showers so that guests can have someplace to go to change and freshen up before their room is ready or before their flight leaves. Such a nice touch!

I was pretty frugal this entire trip, so I treated myself to a nice dinner at the Monkeypod Kitchen. I ordered the exact same thing I had the last time I was there— Grilled ahi with jalapeño mashed potatoes and a Game of Thrones themed drink. For dessert, I had strawberry cream pie. I ate every last bite. Everything was SO GOOD and I was STUFFED. A perfect ending to a perfect trip.

Well, that’s all, folks! Hawaii owes me NOTHING. I had the best time. I did pretty much everything that I wanted to do. If I had more time, I definitely would have went snorkeling again. Check out Amanee's Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Hawaii for more details!

I’m so extremely blessed and thankful to be able to travel to beautiful places for work, meet amazing people, and change lives along the way.

Feel free to leave comments and questions below. I love interacting with you all! And please share with your friends and loved ones through social media! Let’s expand the #AmaneeTravels family! It takes A LOT of time and effort to write and edit the content for these posts. I greatly appreciate it! :)

Mahalo Nui Loa!
(Thank you very much!)

Aloha!

-A.


P.S. If you're interested in #SoloTravel, check out Amanee's Ultimate Solo Travel Guides: Hawaii and Disneyland!