When someone mentions the island of Oahu, the first place you probably think of is Honolulu. After all, Hawaii’s bustling capital city is known for its extensive dining, shopping and entertainment offerings as well as for its legendary views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. But there’s so much more to see and do on this captivating island, as I recently discovered.
To prepare for your trip to Oahu and to make the most of your visit, the first thing you’ll want to do is find the perfect place to stay to use as your home base for exploring all this amazing island has to offer. Hawaii Life, a locally owned company and an authority in the Hawaii vacation rental market, offers a wide choice of luxury vacation rentals, not only throughout the island of Oahu, but on Maui, Lanai, Kauai and the Big Island, as well. The company offers both short-term vacation rentals and many that are available for an extended stay. And if during your visit to Oahu you fall in love with the island (which is not hard to do) and decide you want to purchase a home there, Hawaii Life can help you with that, too. The company has been named the top real estate brokerage in Hawaii by Hawaii Business Magazine and by REAL Trends. That means they have the depth of knowledge, insights into the market and experience to help you find the ideal property for your needs.
But seeing is believing, and the Lei Ali’i residence, located on Oahu’s magnificent North Shore, is just one example of the high caliber luxury properties Hawaii Life represents. This private, 6,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath gated estate delivers breathtaking ocean views from every room and is available for monthly rental. The property’s many amenities include a gourmet chef’s kitchen, ultra-luxurious primary suite, and a media room with ultra-plush seating and an extra-large screen. All of the bedrooms are ensuite. Outdoors, there’s a shower, steam bath and ice bath—all just steps from the beach. There’s also a private beachfront fire pit, hand carved from ancient lava rock. To preview all of the vacation rentals Hawaii Life has to offer, and to begin imagining and planning your luxurious Hawaiian getaway, visit vacations.hawaiilife.com.
The North Shore is probably best known for the world-famous Banzai Pipeline, a reef break that can generate waves of up to 30 feet in the winter and attracts surfers from around the world to test their skills and compete here. You can watch them catch these incredible waves from ‘Ehukai Beach Park.
The area is also a great place to get a real taste of Hawaiian culture. Your trip to the North Shore wouldn’t be complete without taking time to enjoy the quiet, laidback vibe of the charming beach town of Haliewa and to explore its boutiques, surf shops, and galleries. You certainly won’t go hungry there. At Haliewa Beach House, you can enjoy surf and turf, pupu platters, colorful cocktails and craft beers, all while enjoying the best dining views on the North Shore. Be sure to check out the famous Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, too, as well as the other popular food trucks in the area and the Banzai Sushi Bar, which has been voted one of Oahu’s best.
Hiking is another way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the North Shore. For an easy day hike, check out the Waimea Valley Falls Trail. It follows a paved path through the sprawling Waimea Botanical Garden and ends at the picturesque 40-foot Waimea Falls. For a more vigorous workout, tackle the ‘Ehukai Pillbox Trail. It climbs the cliffs of Pūpūkea to two World War II-era bunkers that overlook some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Oahu.
To experience another side of Oahu, head to the leeward side of the island, to Ko Olina in the southwest. There, you’ll find the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina ready to welcome you. In the Hawaiian language, Ko Olina means “place of joy,” which gives you an idea of what to expect. This oceanfront retreat not only occupies a white sand beach overlooking turquoise water, but it also offers a wealth of amenities, including two family pools, an adults-only quiet pool, onsite tennis and pickleball courts, the Naupaka Spa & Wellness center and a health club with an outdoor lap pool. Guests at the Four Seasons Oahu Ko Olina also enjoy special privileges at the Ko Olina Golf Club.
The Four Seasons Oahu Ko Olina Resort is also home to the largest Club Lounge in Four Seasons’ global portfolio. Reserved exclusively for guests staying in the Club Room and suite categories, the Club Lounge offers exclusive access to a dedicated Club Concierge, a daily curated breakfast, all-day refreshments, light afterhours d’oeuvres, and premium evening cocktails.
Once you’ve checked in to your luxurious room or suite, a great place to start to relax and unwind is with a visit to five | one | six, the resort’s rooftop bar located on the fifth floor. Here, you can enjoy Hawaiian-crafted cocktails and signature drinks while simultaneously drinking in stunning Pacific Ocean and sunset views. Then for dinner, head to Mina’s Fish House, a beachfront restaurant where James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina offers his unique take on the traditional Hawaiian fish house, and guests can savor the freshest catch on Oahu under the guidance of the world’s first Fish Sommelier. Another great option for cocktails and bites is Mānolo Lounge. Its name is inspired by the Hawaiian word for “sweet water “ which is created when Oahu’s fresh mountain water merges with the salty ocean. The lounge’s menu celebrates Hawaii’s diverse mix of cultures.
To help you work up an appetite for these and the other excellent dining venues at the resort, there are a couple of experiences I highly recommend. The first one is the Private Moananuiakea Voyaging Experience. Led by certified watermen, you’ll take a serene journey aboard a double-hull canoe, an ancient Hawaiian sailing tradition, where you may even encounter humpback whales, dolphins and Hawaiian green sea turtles. If you’re a pickleball fanatic, you can arrange to take private lessons with Roberta Russo, a former world-ranking tennis professional. After your activities, you can unwind at the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Center, a four-level day spa that features indoor and outdoor treatment rooms.
Once you’re experienced all that Oahu has to offer, I think you’ll agree with me that the Hawaiian Tourism Authority has come up with the perfect mantra: Hawaii Stays With You. But you don’t have to take my word for it—it’s far better to discover that for yourself.
