๐
Morning โ Girls Pick One!
๐ Option A: Hit the Waves โ or โ ๐ Option B: Hotel Pool Chill
๐ Option A โ Surfing + Board Rental
Both girls already know how to surf โ so this is a pure fun session, no lesson needed. Rent boards right on Waikiki Beach, one of the best beginner/intermediate breaks in the world. Star Beachboys (4.8 stars) and Kahu Surf School (4.9 stars) are both right on the beach โ just walk up and rent. Opens 6:30am, no reservation needed for rentals.
~$20โ30/hr per board ยท Walk to beach๐ Option B โ Hotel Pool + Lazy Morning
After a big week of activities, sometimes the best thing is just hanging at the hotel pool with zero agenda. Let the girls decompress, sleep in, grab a late breakfast. You have a Suntory teppanyaki dinner to look forward to โ save the energy for that. No cost, no planning needed.
Free ยท Sleep in ยท No rush๐ฎ Chinatown Lunch โ You Pick When You Arrive
๐ฎ Both are open Monday โ decide when you get there, no pressure
HK Cafe (Hong Kong Cafe)
Cantonese Cha Chaan Teng ยท Maunakea St
Authentic Hong Kong-style cafe that passes the real test โ reviewers born in HK say the milk tea and brisket noodles are as legit as anything in Kowloon. Cute retro interior. Staff speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Opens 8am, closes 7:30pm Mondays.
Must order: Brisket tendon noodles + HK milk tea (get it hot)๐ (808) 200-5757 ยท 1113 Maunakea St
Lee Ho Fook Restaurant
Cantonese ยท N Beretania St (Asian Cultural Center)
29-year-old family-run Cantonese noodle shop. The owner has been running this place for nearly three decades โ regulars come back every visit. Homemade fish ball soup, chow mein, wonton noodles. Affordable, generous portions. Hidden gem that most tourists walk right past. Opens 10am Mondays.
Must order: Wonton noodles + fried fish balls๐ (808) 536-6077 ยท 100 N Beretania St
Your Day at a Glance
| Time | Stop | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | ๐จ | Hotel Breakfast Holiday Inn Express Waikiki ยท No rush today |
Low-key morning โ eat at the hotel, no alarm stress. This is your only truly free day this week. Let the girls decide over breakfast whether they want to surf or hang at the pool. |
| 9:00 am โ 11:00 am |
๐ |
Morning Activity โ Girls' Choice
Waikiki Beach OR Hotel Pool
|
If surfing: Walk to Waikiki Beach (~10 min), rent boards at Kahu Surf School (4.9 stars, 1,717 reviews) or Star Beachboys (4.8 stars). Both are walk-up rentals, no reservation needed. ~$20-30/hr per board. Both girls know how to surf so just let them go! You and Vivi can watch from the beach with shave ice ๐ If pool: Hotel pool, zero agenda, pure chill. Leave for snorkeling around 10am. |
| 11:00 am | ๐คฟ |
Snorkeling โ Ala Moana Beach Park
Snorkel Bob's ยท 700 Kapahulu Ave ยท Opens 8am
Gear Rental ~$9โ35/wk
|
Uber to Snorkel Bob's first โ best gear rental on Oahu, 4.6 stars, fast in-and-out service. Weekly rental is the best value even for a day. Then Uber to Ala Moana Beach Park โ calm, clear, protected lagoon. Great fish, easy entry, no boat needed. Free beach, free parking if you have a car. Allow ~1.5 hours in the water. Snorkel Bob's opens 8am so you could even grab gear in the morning before the beach activity. ๐ Snorkel Bob's: (808) 735-7944 |
| 12:30 pm | ๐ฎ |
Chinatown Lunch โ You Decide!
HK Cafe OR Lee Ho Fook ยท ~10 min Uber from Ala Moana
|
Uber to Chinatown (~10 min from Ala Moana Beach). Pick whichever feels right when you arrive โ HK Cafe for authentic Hong Kong cha chaan teng vibes (brisket noodles, milk tea) or Lee Ho Fook for homestyle Cantonese wonton noodles. Both are on the same block essentially. Budget ~$12-18/person for a very satisfying lunch. |
| 1:30 pm | ๐๏ธ |
Explore Chinatown + Maunakea Marketplace
Maunakea St ยท Hotel St ยท N King St
|
Wander Chinatown after lunch โ one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Honolulu. Maunakea Marketplace has local vendors, fresh tropical fruit, leis, and imported Asian goods at great prices. Art galleries, local boutiques, and food stalls line the streets. Very photogenic. Allow ~45 min to browse at your own pace. Safe during the day, lively atmosphere. |
| 2:30 pm | ๐ง |
Waiola Shave Ice
2135 Waiola St, Honolulu ยท ~10 min Uber from Chinatown
|
One of the best shave ice spots in all of Honolulu โ super smooth, finely shaved ice with classic Hawaiian flavors. Opens 11am. Must-order: azuki beans + mochi + ice cream base. Ask for less syrup if you don't want it overly sweet. The haupia and POG flavors are fan favorites. Dairy-free option available โ
โ skip the ice cream base for Venya if she's with you. Closes 6:30pm Mondays โ plenty of time. |
| 3:00 pm โ 4:30 pm |
๐๏ธ |
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd ยท ~5 min Uber from Waiola
Free Entry ยท Closes 9pm
|
Largest open-air mall in Hawaii โ 1.5 hours is the perfect amount without rushing. Great mix of local Hawaiian brands, international retailers, and department stores. Vivi and the girls will love it. Local picks: Aloha Exchange, Reyn Spooner, Manaola for unique Hawaiian fashion. Food court available if anyone wants a snack between stores. |
| 4:30 pm | ๐ฟ |
Hyatt Farmers Market
Hyatt Regency ยท Kalakaua Ave ยท Mondays 4โ8pm
Free Entry
|
Right next to Ala Moana โ easy walk over. Fresh local honey, tropical produce, prepared foods, local crafts. Totally relaxed, great local vibe. You arrive 30 min in so everything is fully set up and buzzing. Browse until around 5:30pm then head back to hotel to freshen up for dinner. ๐ก Great spot to grab local snacks or gifts to bring home |
| 5:30 pm | ๐ฟ | Back at Hotel โ Freshen Up Holiday Inn Express Waikiki |
Walk back to the hotel (~10 min from the market) or short Uber. Shower, change into something nicer โ you're going to teppanyaki tonight! Restaurant Suntory has a refined atmosphere, so dress smart casual. |
| 7:00 pm | ๐ฅฉ |
Restaurant Suntory โ Teppanyaki Dinner
2233 Kalฤkaua Ave B307, Royal Hawaiian Center ยท ~10 min walk
|
The crown jewel of the day โ authentic Japanese teppanyaki right in Waikiki. Chef cooks steak, shrimp, salmon, and vegetables right in front of you on a steel grill. Set menu ~$85/person (teppan set) includes panko shrimp, veggies, and salmon. Strip steak is ~$60 and comes with rice, miso soup, and breaded prawns. A5 Wagyu upgrade available. The dining room has aged wooden panels inspired by Suntory whisky barrels โ feels like Tokyo. Opens for dinner at 5:00pm, closes 9:30pm. โ ๏ธ BOOK RESERVATION NOW โ (808) 922-5511 ยท Thanksgiving week fills fast ๐ Royal Hawaiian Center, 3rd Floor, 2233 Kalฤkaua Ave |
| 9:00 pm | ๐๏ธ | Back at Hotel ~10 min walk from Restaurant Suntory |
Walk back along Kalฤkaua Ave after dinner โ beautiful evening stroll. Early night โ Aulani day is tomorrow and you want everyone rested and excited! ๐บ |
Tips & Reminders
โ ๏ธ Action Items
- Book Restaurant Suntory NOW โ (808) 922-5511, reserve for 7pm for 4 people
- Pick up snorkel gear at Snorkel Bob's early โ opens 8am, in and out fast
- Waiola Shave Ice closes 6:30pm โ don't miss it after Chinatown
- Helena's Hawaiian Food is CLOSED on Mondays โ don't go today
๐ Beach + Snorkel Tips
- Kahu Surf School is 4.9 stars โ walk up any time, no reservation for rentals
- Snorkel Bob's weekly rental is best value even for just one day
- Ala Moana Beach Park lagoon is calm and protected โ great for snorkeling
- Apply reef-safe sunscreen before snorkeling โ required in Hawaii
๐ฎ Chinatown Tips
- HK Cafe opens 8am โ Lee Ho Fook opens 10am (go to HK Cafe if arriving early)
- Both spots are cash-friendly but cards accepted
- Maunakea Marketplace: haggling is ok on loose goods and souvenirs
- Chinatown is safe during the day โ vibrant and walkable
๐ฅฉ Restaurant Suntory Tips
- Smart casual dress โ not a flip flops and board shorts kind of place
- Teppan set (~$85) is the sweet spot โ don't need the $240 Wagyu unless you want to splurge
- Ask for the teppanyaki room specifically when booking โ chef cooks in front of you
- Located inside Royal Hawaiian Center, 3rd Floor โ follow the signs
Key Contacts
๐ฅฉ Restaurant Suntory
(808) 922-5511
Royal Hawaiian Center 3F
Reserve for 7pm, 4 people
๐คฟ Snorkel Bob's
(808) 735-7944
700 Kapahulu Ave
Opens 8:00am daily
๐ Kahu Surf School
(808) 277-4555
2450 Prince Edward St
Walk-up rentals, no reservation
๐ฎ HK Cafe
(808) 200-5757
1113 Maunakea St #101
Opens 8:00am Mondays