A Return Visit to Honolulu – Good Friends, Beautiful Views and a Wonderful Dinner
A Little About Honolulu
Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is a city where history, island traditions and modern life all come together. Located on the island of Oahu, it has long been an important centre for trade and travel across the Pacific. Honolulu became the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early 19th century and remains the heart of Hawaii today.
For many visitors, Honolulu means Waikiki Beach, with its golden sand and views of Diamond Head, the famous volcanic crater that has become one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks. There is also Pearl Harbor, a place of great historical significance; Iolani Palace, the former home of Hawaii’s monarchs; and the many gardens, scenic lookouts and cultural attractions scattered around the island.
Of course, one of the nicest things about returning to a place you have visited before is that you don’t always feel the need to revisit the familiar tourist attractions. Sometimes, the best experiences come from discovering something new, especially when you have local friends to show you around!
A Relaxing Morning and an Unexpected Afternoon Adventure
With our return visit to Honolulu, we really didn’t have much planned or many ideas about what to do that we hadn’t already done. We were quite happy to take the day as it came.
As luck would have it, our friends Aaron and Karen from San Diego are currently in Honolulu for a few weeks, looking after Aaron’s aging parents. Something had come up that required them to be here, and they reached out to see what our plans were. They were hoping for a little reprieve from their family caregiving responsibilities, and we were more than happy to help provide an excuse for a break!
Aaron asked us if we had ever stopped at the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout. After thinking about it, I don’t believe we had, so suddenly the beginnings of a plan were coming together.
They picked us up at around 2 p.m., which worked out perfectly. It gave us a relaxing morning and time to catch up on a few things before heading out for an afternoon of exploring with friends.
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout – What a Wonderful Find!
Our first stop was the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, and what a beautiful place this turned out to be!
Perched high in the Koʻolau mountain range, the lookout offers spectacular views across Oahu’s lush windward coast. The mountains, valleys and coastline seem to stretch out forever, making this one of those places where you simply stop, look around and appreciate the natural beauty of Hawaii.
There is also an important piece of Hawaiian history here. In 1795, the Battle of Nuʻuanu took place in this area, when King Kamehameha I defeated the forces defending Oahu as part of his campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
So, along with the wonderful scenery, there is plenty of history to reflect on as you take in the view.
One of the advantages of exploring with Aaron is that he grew up right here in Honolulu. Having someone with local knowledge makes such a difference, particularly when it comes to finding places that might not be on everyone’s usual tourist itinerary.
This was certainly a worthwhile stop, and we were delighted to have finally discovered it!
A Return to Byodo-In Temple
From the lookout, we continued on to the Byodo-In Temple, located in the Valley of the Temples on the windward side of Oahu.
Now, this is a place we have visited a few times over the years, but it is always worth another walk through.
The temple is a beautiful replica of the historic Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan. Set against the dramatic green mountains, with its traditional architecture, peaceful grounds and lovely reflecting ponds, it offers a very different atmosphere from the busy streets and beaches of Honolulu.
There is something wonderfully calming about wandering around the grounds, taking in the scenery and enjoying a little quiet time. Even when you have been somewhere before, it is often worth returning, as there is always something you appreciate all over again.
It was a lovely addition to our afternoon, and another reminder of just how much variety Oahu has to offer.
Dinner at the Original Roy’s
Our final stop for the day was a real treat!
Aaron and Karen had made reservations at a restaurant that, quite honestly, we would never have known about on our own. The restaurant was Roy’s, and this particular location is the original Roy’s.
If you enjoy fabulous seafood and sushi, this is certainly a place worth knowing about!
The food was wonderful, and it was especially nice to sit down together and enjoy a leisurely dinner with good friends. Of course, the company makes a big difference, and after a day of exploring, it was the perfect way to finish our outing.
There was another bonus to this particular location. At this time of year, the sun sets right behind Diamond Head, providing a beautiful backdrop as the evening unfolds. It is hard to imagine a much nicer setting for dinner in Hawaii!
Apparently, if you happen to be staying in or visiting the Waikiki area, there is also a Roy’s there, so it may be worth looking into if you are interested in trying it for yourself.
A Day Well Spent
All in all, it was a very enjoyable day, and one that came together without much planning at all.
We started out with no real agenda, discovered a spectacular lookout we hadn’t visited before, revisited a favourite temple and finished with a wonderful meal at a restaurant we might never otherwise have found.
Most importantly, we had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Aaron and Karen. We know they have a lot on their plates while caring for Aaron’s parents, so it was nice to share a few hours together and give them a little break from their responsibilities.
It is funny how some of the best travel days are the ones you don’t plan too carefully. Sometimes all it takes is a suggestion from a friend, a little local knowledge and a willingness to see where the afternoon takes you.
Another lovely day in Hawaii, and another reminder that good friends can make an already beautiful place even more special!
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