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Hawaii
Here's my top recommendations of things to do and eat in Hawaii
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107 Places
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Bruno’s 5-star review: So I thought this hike was going to be pretty easy but it wasn't. Stairs and stairs and crowded and the sun beaming on your head the entire time. BUT the breathtaking/postcard views of Oahu are well worth it!! Tips same as everyone else: 1. Parking lot gets full so expect it or get there early same applies to the crowd effect. 2. Wear hiking shoes, some of the slabs are slippery especially ok the way down. 3. Sunscreen, hat, and water recommended. 4. On the way down step side to side and alternate leading foot. 5. On the way up step to the side for folks coming down...alot harder to move when coming down 6. If you have to stop and rest step to the side. 7. It's a free country and you can do whatevs but just know you're loud blasting music is annoying and yiu could simply wear headphones. We met a guy who does this hike every Saturday and Sunday seven times up and down each day! Beast! If you go early there are usually people up there hanging out drinking and dancing. Sweetest tip is that if you hike the pillboxes trail the Ridge leads up to the top of this mountain! Not sure which is easiest but the Ridge is very narrow and probably best for experienced hikers. -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Simply Breathtaking and amazing. Number 1 choice for families in Oahu. Get there early (6-7a) for easy free parking at lagoon #4 (easiest and most convenient). We have small kids so Ko'Olina is perfect for our family, like Waikiki but not crowded. The grass surrounding the beach is soft and posh, bring your umbrella, beach towel, chairs, cooler, snorkel gear and spend the day. Very clean, secure nearby bathroom/showers. You can watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset (hallmark pictures). This beach is very clean, sand feels great, and the water is just right. Plenty of good restaurants nearby. We were surprised by a Hawaiian Monk Seal while swimming in the lagoon. It was awesome to see one so close (and not get bit). They quickly isolated her and got her to safety btw but everyone got a chance to gawk in awe from a safe distance. Our family just had an amazing time. It was the highlight of my mother's visit to Hawaii in spending 30 days here with us and visited almost every beach and cool places to visit while here. Highly recommend it. -
Bruno’s 3-star review: Parking only cost $1 per every person 12 and over in the vehicle (total of $2 for us since our kids are all under 12). There was sufficient parking. Bring water and sunscreen if you plan on shopping a few hours. It seems there are miles of tents, but unfortunately they are all more of the same. We came on a Sunday, maybe Saturday would've been a little better? Towards the back we saw some different options. Ultimately, this doesn't really fit that "flea market" layout we're used to in the US, but it is a great place to come do your shopping for gifts/souvenirs for better prices than Waikiki Beach or the ABC stores. -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Great hike with amazing views. I'm not an experienced hiker and made it up just fine however I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 11. We did bring our girls up without any issues but not to the very top it was too narrow. We got lucky and scored one of the five spots near the start. Initial hike up is a bit of an incline wear hiking shoes and bring water. -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Oh so mandatory to stop in and eat here! Decent prices and super fast service, seating looks limited but when we got our food our fam of five had a table right away. This place was on DDD/Food Network and now we know why ;) It's a super busy spot to eat. It helps if you know what you want to order, soon as you order at the window, food is out in less than 5 minutes!! The lunch plate is definitely the way to go. My favorite here is the mix plate (chick, mahi, and steak w rice n macaroni salad). On Tuesdays and Thursdays they feature the spaghetti w wiener plate which is also Yumazing!! My daughter had the chili plate (which I sampled) and if u like chili def try it out). Their loco moco was really good (although I liked the one from eggs n things better. The Portuguese sausage plate was just okay (the Portuguese sausage def not something Id order again). Their macaroni salad does have a heavy taste of mayo but call me crazy it's amazing!! Everywhere in Hawaii (so far) I've eaten they pour the salt, rice on everything, and they go heavy on mayo and gravy. If you don't like this sorta thing then maybe this isn't the spot for you. If this review helps please let Yelp know, thanks! :) -
Bruno’s 5-star review: If Yelp Had 6 Stars, this place would get it. Definitely in the top 2% of all places I've eaten and reviewed on Yelp. The entire experience here was a rich and exciting that it deserves the same VIP attention of say a Sandals Resort. Everyone should know about Jawaiian Irie Jerk!! If this restaurant were located on the Waikiki strip these folks would be millionaires. But being that it is a whole in the wall, it was featured on Food Network DDDs. As always, Guy Ferri does not dissapoint with his seal of approval for Jawaiian Irie. That being said it is a little hard to find, you actually have to enter the parking lot, as the entrance in through there. Where to start? Well first let's make it known that everything here is Homemade. The owner and waitress gave us a warm welcome, seated us, and treated us like special guests the entire time.. the most welcome I've felt at a restaurant (at least in a long time). Appetizers. The waitress brought us samples of their homeade Pineapple Ginger Brew and Sorrel Christmas brew. I've never had this before it was like a cold apple cider type drink with a spicy kick. Excellent! Jerk chicken wings were just simply amazing, the meat fell off the bone when I picked it up. First time I think I ate wings that right way...like only bones were left on my plate. And I admit I sucked on the bones. And I Licked my fingers, all ten of them. Say Aloha to their Hawaiian picked Sweet Potato fired homestyle chips, goes well together with their version of Guacamole mole mole. Main Entrees: We ordered the Rasta Pasta for the kids but ended up all eating it!! The sauce in this pasta is bar none the bast sauce ever in the history of sauce. I had the jerk ribeye. I can't even begin to describe how amazing all this food was. The yuka in there swimming in that jerk carribean sauce OMG the ribeye was juicy as ever (Did yiu say STEAK?), very tasty and absolutely no griscle just mest and good fat. We also ordered, the jerk chicken sandwich and Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Like all the food made you say "ooh I should order that next time". Dessert. Yes homemade too, pineapple ice-cream, break pudding, and coconut cream pie. Like all of it mouthwatering good. Each piece of food I've mentioned here is worth coming back for just by itself. There were people in there just for the dessert or just the wings etc... On Fridays-Sundays they have live music I've heard it's fun we'll definitely be back to try it out with friends. It's BYOB. YA MON! -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Giving this place five stats for the overall super experience! Our waitress, SIMONE was awesome and is responsible for our great time here tonight. Food and atmosphere is only half the battle...the waitress and Staff have 50 to 100% impact on the experience and whether or not someone will be coming back. I was a little skeptical knowing that the beer would be good but the food might be meh, but I know for sure I'm returning because I had a great time. We sat outside on the covered lanai overlooking the marina, it was awesome. At night they light the Tiki's dim the lights and live music starts at 7p. Happy Hour was great and 3 bucks for a glass of their beer on tap was sweet! Try the sampler if you're unsure it was really cool they have that on their menu. Wish they had a sampler deal to try all the varieties! We had their nachos with beef and it was good, not great but not bad. Same can be said for the rest of the food. Pizza is probably the best it has to offer it was really good I had the Greek pizza. Again loved my experience here hopefully next time it's the same. Crowd vibe was good there were families, groups, and dates. Don't usually get to go on many days nights so I'm really careful reviewing to make sure we set ourselves up for success. -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Best shrimp truck on the island and featured on Food network show Diner, Dives, and Drive inns for their garlic shrimp plate. I recommend the peeled garlic shrimp plate to everyone it is packed with flavor and fresh caught shrimp cooked over big chucks of garlic over white rice. There are several plates not just shrimp I've had the beef plate and they even offer a calamari plate. Everything is so good. Prices are a little high but same as all shrimp trucks on the island. They do however offer a kids sized portion for almost half price and it is still a big portion for my 11 year old who packs a big appetite. Drinks are available in cans both sodas and juices all $1.50 each. Great spot away from the busier shopping there and shaded umbrella sitting. There are flies around though, but that problem is not limited to this place. There are other good shrimp trucks here and I've tried a few of them but I keep coming back to Big Waves because it's my favorite. Everyone we bring here just loves it too! They take cash debit and credit cards. Food is ready in 10 minutes if no line. -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Chiefs Luau was an awesome experience and great way to celebrate our daughters birthday with her friends and family. Purchased tickets with a military discount. We purchased the royal tickets which are supposed to be their top of the line, but definitely recommend the platinum (or whatever the middle package is called). The royal included a "quick tour" of the shark and dolphin tanks which we never saw dolphins; and literally all you do is walk through and see them while everyone else takes a different route straight to pre luau activities. It also seats you in the center (but there's no bad seat there anywhere), and you get table service which was very very slow... I ended up going to get my drinks myself and if you go to the buffet you choose your meal, IMO that's better here. So there it is the royal ticket prices aren't worth it so go middle package, you will get great seats, first in line for the food and drinks, and takes you straight for the pre event activities which are more fun. Your welcome. So the food really depends on your taste but the majority of plates at the table were empty. Oh yeah, the tables are long wedding style tables you do not get your own table. If you don't like it then use one of your tickets and get a mai tai or too to relax. Now onto the real review, the luau... which was entertaining and awesome. The only luau with a breathtaking ocean view in the background. An amazing show you really just have to experience it. I couldnt tell you the difference between other luaus in Oahu as this was and have nothing to compare it with. What I liked the most about it is that they definitely brought the Aloha, from the activities, hula dance activity, the actual show and integrating the audience and a little comedy. Biggest highlight for us is they honored all the birthdays and anniversaries. We came here for our daughters birthday so it was really nice they took time to sing happy birthday to all the birthdays in the audience. She also got to go up on stage and dance as part of the show with her friends (along w/ other kids). An unexpected surprise was when they honored couples celebrating their anniversaries... we were all called on stage as the Chief praised marriage and importance of family values... and to our surprise we got to dance under the stars. My wife and I hadn't danced together since our trip to Jamaica three years ago so it was really nice for us. Anyhoo I'm posting pics and vids thay will help this review. -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Say it ain't so there's a military discount? Word! Thanks :) if you've been on this island and you haven't had rice musibi, pineapple ice-cream, rice, local plate, beef teriyaki, Loco moco, fresh ahi, shrimp truck, and a MALASADA from Leonards then you're not eating Hawaii right! I don't think anyone can make it home smelling this fresh hot goodness w/o breaking down and stuffing their face. All you need to know is that you have GOTTA try it! Hot doughy Portuguese donuts (malasadas) filled [or not] with custard, coconut, or chocolate cream. -
Bruno’s 5-star review: Teddy's! I think I love you! Especially at this Hawaii Kai location it's my favorite spot with plenty of outdoor seating and just great atmosphere. As soon I opened the door my inner fatboy was going crazy! That menu has so much flavor and variety to choose from but hurry cause the line moves quick. So I ordered the Hangover burger. It was their 9oz burger topped w cheddar cheese, lettuce tomato, mayo, spicy sauce, special sauce, hashbrown, onion ring, pastrami!!! This burger was big, it was juicy, it required two hands to handle the monstrosity of YUMAZING ingredients just ready to burst your mouth and taste buds with flavor and demanding, at least two bites before placing it back down for a quick break. I wish they had a man vs food challenge here I'd take it all day. I mean, if you're not careful one could easily inhale it. Foodies you know what I'm talking about. But you have to put it down so you can scoop up some of the garlic butter French fries!!! Where has this been all my life? Are you kidding me! Amazing crisp chubby fries bathing...no marinating, in butter and garlic topped with Parmesan cheese at that not too hot but just right temperature that makes you wanna skip the ketchup altogether. Thirsty yet? I settled for a fountain drink but If I had room I'd try their peanut butter and jelly shake!! Man what a place to have a fat day!! Hands down best burger spot on the island. Fatboys...you got what I need. -
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Bruno’s 3-star review: Booked a party for our daughter's 8th birthday with Gunstock Ranch with the Paniolo Pavilion Package, Lawn Games, and added their "All About Horses" package. The good was that everyone had an excellent time and enjoyed the ranch, the animals, and the overall experience. Plenty of room for the kids to run around freely, loved riding the horse, and the horse brushing and painting were a hit! We had around 25 kids, 40-45 total people in our party and the party lasted 3 hours (which was just enough). Some of the things I did not like were the following: -The playground was run down -People who were there to ride trails kept cutting through our party to wash their hands and trying to get in the petting zoo (which leads me to my next gripe). -Our Staff member who was supposed to be assisting was missing in action almost the entire time; I had to keep going asking different people for assistance -There was a ranch dog there...that kept coming over. I love dogs, but some of the kids were afraid of the dog, and even after we asked the staff the dog ultimately kept coming back and nothing was done. -We paid a lot of money for one hour worth of "All About Horses", but in fact it only lasted 30 minutes. -We had more people than planned show up, when I asked for an additional horse (for the horse ride) I was first informed there weren't any available, and then when there were only 30 minutes left they offered one, but would add $25 for late notice! Like I said, everyone had an excellent time. The things I listed above is because hey when you pay $500 for an event you expect it to be perfect, otherwise it wouldn't be a business deal right? Definitely recommend the Pool Pavilion Package as opposed to the Paniolo!!
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