Travel
Waikiki, O’ahu, Hawaii
Directions
Fly into HNL airport. We recommend using Uber or Lyft instead of renting a car if you are planing on staying in Waikiki for the entire stay, as parking is difficult/expensive and everything within Waikiki is walking distance or a short ride away. If you plan on exploring other parts of Oahu during your time, rent a vehicle.
Where to Stay
Hotels
We have rooms blocked off for wedding guests at 2 hotels along Waikiki. Mention the JJ Blair and Genevieve Davis wedding when you book to get the group discount.
The Royal Hawaiian
2259 Kalākaua Ave,
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-7311
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
120 Kaʻiulani Ave,
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-5811
For more budget-friendly options, we recommend these hotels (we do not have a wedding block for these):
Wayfinder Waikiki
2375 Ala Wai Blvd,
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-4744
Luana Waikiki
2045 Kalākaua Ave,
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 955-6000
Aqua Palms Waikiki
1850 Ala Moana Blvd,
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 947-7256
What to Do
Activities in Oahu
O‘ahu, often referred to as "The Gathering Place," is the vibrant heart of Hawaii. With its mix of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and urban excitement, O‘ahu offers a little something for every style of traveler.
Waikīkī, Honolulu
Surf, swim or sunbathe along the shore. Hop on a catamaran cruise. Take a hike up Diamond Head state monument for panoramic views of Honolulu & the ocean. Watch free hula performances at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound. Enjoy yoga on the beach. Honolulu is the biggest city in the Hawaiian island chain and the most densely populated. Enjoy shopping, dining, and nightlife. Waikīkī is very walkable but you can also use public transportation or rideshare services.
O‘ahu
We recommend renting a car and exploring the island to get out of the touristy side of Waikiki if you are here for a long stay. On the east side, check out white sand Lanikai beach (rent a kayak to explore Mokulua islands), or hike Lanikai pillbox. On the North Shore, stop in the surf town of Haleiwa for shopping, shave ice, or to book a shark dive. Swim in Waimea bay, check out the Waimea botanical gardens, and lunch at the shrimp trucks in Kahuku. Check out the Bishop museum to learn about Polynesian history. We recommend sticking to the North, East, and South sides of the island that cater more to tourists for the best visitor experience and out of respect for the people who live on Island (unless you have specific business).
Inter-island
If you’re interested in checking out some different island vibes, take a short plane ride to visit another island in Hawaii. We recommend Hawai'i Island AKA “the Big Island” or Kauai. On the Big Island, take in the rugged beauty of the Volcano National Park or swim with the Giant Manta Rays (contact Liquid Hawaii in Puako for best experience). In Kauai, enjoy the lush greenery of the “Garden Isle.” Surf Hanalei Bay, hike Waimea Canyon, snorkel Poipu, or explore waterfalls.
Travel Pono
“Pono” translates to goodness, uprightness, morality, correct or proper procedure, excellence, well-being, prosperity, welfare, benefit, behalf, equity, true nature, duty, moral, fitting, proper, righteous, and more.
As guests in this sacred space we want to encourage our visiting friends to travel Pono, with goodness, righteousness and respect towards the local land, animals and culture. Here are a few ways to do so:
Protect the wildlife
When entering the ocean please wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect our fragile coral reefs and ecosystem. Many sunscreens will advertise they are “reef friendly” which is not the same as safe. The only active ingredient in the sunscreen bottle should be Zinc. Genevieve’s favorite brand is “salt & stone,” or “All good” for body, “Little Hands” tinted sunscreen for face (goes on like foundation). If you are not jumping in the ocean, regular sunscreen is A-OK. Enjoy the amazing wildlife from a respectful distance and please do not touch wild animals. To protect our ocean inhabitants, we encourage the use of a reusable water bottle instead of plastic.
Ocean Safety
While Waikiki is generally very gentle, the south side of Oahu can be powerful during the summertime. If you are interested in learning to surf or kite-surf, for the safety of yourself and others around you we highly recommend taking a professional lesson. If you are unclear about ocean conditions, check in with a local lifeguard to see where is safe to swim or snorkel. Do not leave your valuables unattended on the beach. Do not leave valuables inside your car where they can be seen.
Spread Aloha
Many locals who live on Island work in the tourism service industry and it is not uncommon for folks to have 2-3 jobs. Please spread Aloha by being patient and generous with your service staff. Waiters, bar tenders, tour guides, instructors, drivers, valet’s etc wages all partially rely on tips.
Happy Trails
When hiking please stay on trails and do not trespass. There are many culturally sensitive sites that are not meant to be walked over or touched, and can be hard to spot if you don’t know what you are looking at. TikTok or Instagram may recommend closed trails, for your safety and out of respect for the island, stay off closed trails and abide signage.