Oahu 2023 | Day 1 & 2

Monday December 25th, 2023 - Tuesday January 2nd, 2024

We visited Oahu for 8 days from Christmas through New Years. The trip was filled with hikes, beaches, and food. Documentation of the trip will be split among 4 blog posts. All pictures taken with the Fujifilm XE-4 with the XF 23mm F2.0 and XF 55-200mm lenses.

This post documents Day 1 and 2. The first two days were eventful, acclimating to the warmer December temperatures, humidity, and the relaxed atmosphere. Whether it was the 80 degree days, or the casual floral prints everybody was wearing, you couldn’t help but feel a change in mentality. A stark difference from a busy city like San Francisco.

Day 1 Monday, December 25th 2023:

Flight to Oahu
Punchbowl - National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
7-Eleven
Happy Days Chinese Restaurant

Day 2 Tuesday, December 26th 2023:

Manoa Falls Hike
Off The Hook (Poke)
Leonards (Malasadas)
Ala Moana
The Pig and The Lady
Honolulu City Lights

7-Eleven

The 7-Eleven in Hawaii, much like the ones in Japan, have superior snack options when compared to the 7-Eleven on the mainland. The musubi and various asian/japanese snacks seem more edible than the plain sandwiches and other questionable prepared foods I encountered back when I frequented 7-Eleven in college.

Happy Days

A quick dinner was had in a crowded Chinese restaurant, Happy Days. Restaurant options are limited on Christmas Day as many are closed, but Happy Days happily fed us with classic Chinese food options. The restaurant was vibrant, with loud conversations of families enjoying the night together.

Manoa Falls Trail

Day two began early in Manoa with a hike towards Manoa Falls. The short hike transports you into a lush rainforest with tropical trees covered in opportunistic vines of familiar looking plants. You’ll recognize many of these plants in your local indoor plant shop. The out-and-back trail culminates at the base of the Manoa waterfall, which is now blocked off. The hike can be steep and muddy at parts. Go early to avoid crowds.

Off The Hook

The first poke of the trip was had at Off The Hook, recommended by a local as being one of his favorite spots to get Poke in Manoa. We were greeted with a short line leading up to the storefront door where a display of poke blocks the entrance to keep patrons outside. The patron in front of us was greeted by the cashier by first name, perpetuating a small-town feel. Toppings are included, which enhance the experience by adding texture to an otherwise monotonous mouthfeel. Not sure whether being first played a role, but this was one of my favorite poke spots.

Leonard’s Bakery

Since 1952, Leonard’s bakery has been a popular spot for their Malasadas, a sugary, doughy, Portuguese pastry. Large crowds wait outside the location during the lunch rush, waiting for their freshly fried to order, warm treat. The doughnuts could be enjoyed with different flavored powdered sugars, or filled with custard. The pillowy desserts were delicious, and I still think about them daily.

Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana center is the world’s largest open-air shopping center located in Honolulu.

The Pig and The Lady

Elevated Vietnamese fusion can be enjoyed at The Pig and The Lady. Their Pho broths are flavorful with an enhanced herbal taste. Bowls are filled with large portions of meat.