There are around 100 islands making up the
Hawaiian group. Of the eight main islands, Oahu is the most popular and
Waikiki Beach, on the south shore of Honolulu, is where everyone heads. Once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, it opened up to lesser beings with the first hotel, Moana Surfrider, in 1901.
Waikiki stretches from Ala Wai Canal to Diamond Head, and says "aloha" to visitors from around the world who arrive to relax on the beach, shop, dine and be entertained at one of the many hotels.
There is more to the area than that, including Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Pali Lookout, Pearl Harbor and fantastic nightlife. And Sophie Monk checked out some of the highlights on a visit to Honolulu, particularly for girls looking to have the perfect island holiday.
Surfing
A young man on his way to the Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games gave surfing demonstrations at Waikiki and is credited with the birth of modern surfing. Duke Kahanamoku then went on to amaze Australians with exhibitions at Manly Beach, beginning what is now a national obsession. The Duke has been immortalised with a 5m bronze statue on Waikiki Beach.
Hans Hedemann Surf School
Sophie took part in a Hans Hedemann surfing lesson included in her Girls' Getaway package with the Waikiki Parc Hotel.
Hans is a born-and-bred Hawaiian and is the instructor to the stars, including Cameron Diaz. He's won endless world titles and conquered the most famous breaks. It's not something beginners pick up immediately, but in two hours, Hans will do his best to have you standing up and heading back to the beach on a wave. Lessons are great fun and there's every chance you won't be able to wait to get back on a board.
Waikiki Parc Hotel
Right in the heart of Waikiki and steps away from the beach, Waikiki Parc Hotel is a chic boutique property with 297 rooms. It has tropical interiors, ebony hardwoods, beautifully lit glass walls and bold works of art.
Its rooftop pool, Parc Blue, has divine views along the beach and at night lights up with fire pits. Twice a week guests enjoy a cityscape wine mixer and dive-in theatre entertainment.
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is a world leader in innovative Japanese cuisine, blending classical techniques with exotic flavours. His restaurant, Nobu Waikiki has a full-service sushi bar and private dining area. It's one of the most popular dining experiences in Honolulu.
While it's an easy place to stroll, why not take up Waikiki Parc's offer and borrow their Lotus sports car? It's an option in the Girls' Getaway package and once you've mastered which side of the road you need to be on, it's a breeze. Traffic moves fairly slowly so you can spot places you might want to return to, and see where the shops are!
Royal Hawaiian Center
The Royal Hawaiian Center is located in the centre of Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue. Its four levels have more than a 100 shops and restaurants and you can easily spend an entire day there. Allure Swimwear, Bebe, Fendi, Hermès, Cartier, Apple and LeSportsac are there with plenty of others, and of course, a grand choice of places for snacks, full meals and maybe a tropical cocktail.
Something different at the centre is being entertained by and invited to join in ukulele playing, Hawaiian massage and hula lessons. Put on a grass skirt and move those hips hula-style and you will know you are definitely in Hawaii!
Temperatures hover around 31°C year-round and the surf is high in winter, between November and March.
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Location
Waikiki on Oahu, one of the Hawaiian Islands.
Cost
Waikiki Parc Hotel has three-night Girls' Getaway packages starting at $1010 twin-share. Additional nights are around $250. Breakfast and a dinner at Nobu are included, as well as your choice of a surfing lesson, one-hour Spa Halekulani spa treatment or 24 hours of exploring Oahu in a Lotus sports car. Daily rental rate for a Lotus is around $195 plus tax. GPS navigator and mobile phone are included.
Hans Hedemann Surf School demonstrations start at 9.30am every day, followed by a two-hour lesson. Lessons range from around $75 for groups to $150 for private lessons.
Hawaiian Airlines has Aloha Fares to Honolulu from:
- Sydney $1107
- Melbourne and Brisbane $1287
- Adelaide $1447
- Perth $1607
Available for travel between November 1 and December 9, 2010, and February 1 and March 31, 2011. Conditions apply.
Prices correct at November 4, 2010.
For further information
Hawaiian Airlines
Ph: 1300 669 106
www.hawaiianairlines.com.au
Waikiki Parc Hotel
Helumoa Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
United States
Ph: + 1 808 921 7272
Fax: + 1 808 923 1366
www.waikikiparc.com
info@waikikiparc.com
Royal Hawaiian Center
2201 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815-2582
United States
Ph: +1 808 922 2299
www.royalhawaiiancenter.com
Visas: Most Australians do not need a visa, providing they have a machine-readable passport with at least six months' validity after the departure day, have a round-trip non-refundable ticket and do not intend to stay longer than 90 days. Australians need to complete a pre-travel authorisation at www.cbp.gov/esta.
Electricity: 110V to 115V at 60Hz. Outlets take two parallel, flat prongs. Australian visitors will need a US adapter and converter.
Time zone: Hawaii is GMT -10 hours.
Currency: The American dollar.
International dialling code: +1.
