Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6

Welcome Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6, to the last and final part of our holiday on the gorgeous island of Oahu, Hawaii. I had the privilege of flying with my partner to visits my parents, who are living on the island for a few years for work. I can't express just how grateful I am to have been able to experience these incredible moments with the people I love. I hope you enjoy reading!

Day 8 - Pali Puka Lookout, Likeke Falls and Honey Toast!

Pali Puka Lookout

By day eight of our dream-come-true trip, we had gotten into a good rhythm. Wake up, grab something quick for breakfast from the kitchen, and run out the door for the awaiting adventures.

We started this particular day by driving out to Pali Puka Lookout. This is the spot where King Kamehameha I drove his army up the treacherous mountain and forced the opposing army over the edge of the steep cliff to plummet below. YIKES. The Pali Puka Lookout provides a panoramic view of the mountains, the lush valley and the expansive ocean.

From the parking lot of the lookout, there is also a crazy-dangerous hike. It is a tiny path that edges along the super steep cliff. Of course, my parents have hiked it, since they are daredevil adventurers. We decided to save it for next time...

Likeke Falls

Next, it was time for a waterfall! We hiked over, under and through gnarly tree roots, fallen logs and twisted vines to get to Likeke Falls. And we must have timed it perfectly, because we had the waterfall all to ourselves. It is two-tiered, so we climbed up to the first ledge and felt like we were truly in the waterfall! You can reach the falls either from above it or below it. We hiked up about a mile from below the waterfall. It was so amazing to be in the middle of a thriving jungle and playing in the cool water of the falls.

But take caution, because three cars, including ours, got their windows smashed in while we were hiking.

Hidden Art

Along the Pali Highway, my mom pulled off the road by a random old telephone booth. I was like, uhhh... mom...? What's going on?? And she just said to get out of the car and walk behind the fence and into the jungle to see something cool.
Yeah, sure, I'll go into a thick jungle without any clue where I am??

But it actually turned out okay, because there's this vibrant art painted on an old abandoned pumphouse. Who knew something so unique and interesting could be hidden off a highway!

Dinner at Ala Moana Shopping Center & Dessert at Shokuda!

We had a blast walking around the Ala Moana Shopping Center for the second time on this trip. We enjoyed browsing the shops we don't have in Oregon. But most importantly, we hit up the food court, where I ordered delicious bibimbap!

After dinner, we still had room for the best desserts ever - honey toast! We drove to Shokuda and the four of use split two orders of honey toast. We got the chocolate honey toast with a rich fudge sauce as well as the cookies and cream honey toast with caramel drizzle. Even after I was so full that I felt like I was splitting at the seams, I kept eating because it was so freaking delicious!!! Honey toast is one of the best inventions in history. Period.

Day 9 - Snorkeling at Hanaumu Bay, Leonard's Malasadas, Iolani Palace

Hanaumu Bay

Because of the pandemic, Hanaumu Bay shut down. It re-opened after nine months while were were there in Hawaii. And we couldn't pass up the opportunity to (1) snorkel in one of the world's best snorkeling spots, and (2) get to witness the wildlife after having zero human interruption over the past nine months! We saw SO MANY incredible fish! It was hands-down one of the coolest experiences I have ever had the opportunity to partake in.

Leonard's Malasadas!

Ok, if you've never had a malasada, put down your phone or your laptop, get in your car, and drive to the nearest bakery that sells them. Or drive to the grocery store and get the ingredients to make them. You'll be so happy you did, because malasadas are like thick clouds of heavenly fried dough and sugar. And if you visit Oahu, go to Leonard's Bakery and get like seven dozen of their malasadas because they are the bomb. My mouth is watering just thinking about them! And they were the perfect sweet treat after swimming with the fishieees.

Historical Sites Downtown

In the evening, we drove downtown to visit Ali?i?lani Hale, Iolani Palce and Kawaiaha?o Church. We wanted to see a bit of downtown and a few of the historical landmarks before we left.

Ali?i?lani Hale was used in the show Hawaii Five-O as the police headquarters.

Iolani Palace is where Hawaii's royalty resided. However, in 1895, the U.S. imprisoned Queen Liliuokalani in her bedroom in the palace, because she fought against America's attempts to establish their own government on the island.

Kawaiaha?o Church is one of the most unique churches I have ever seen. It is built out of coral! If you were to run your hands along the wall, you'd be able to feel the spiky edges of the coral that comprise the church. It was originally built in 1820, as the very first Christian church on Oahu.

Big Kahuna Pizza

For our last dinner, we got pizza! And not just any pizza. BIG KAHUNA PIZZA, BABY! My family all split a large, with half BBQ chicken pizza and half white pizza with olives. It was so delicious. I'd go back just for the pizza... and literally everything else we ate.

Day 10 - Wet 'n' Wild Water Park

Wet 'n' Wild Water Park

When day ten arrived, we were so stoked! We love water parks, and Wet 'n' Wild surpassed our expectations! They have this one slide called the "shaka" and it's insane. It was probably the scariest and most fun slide because you can reach a speed of up to 31 miles per hour while you feel like you're literally free-falling all alone in your inner tube! They had a couple slides where it was pitch black inside, which was terrifying and thrilling all at once. The wave pool was a blast, and we spent a ton of time on the Tornado, which was like a giant toilet bowl. If you ever go to Oahu, take at least half a day and go to Wet 'n' Wild!

After a fun day at the water park, we went paddle boarding. I didn't take any photos, since I was way out in the ocean trying to keep my balance on the board as the waves came in. It was so much fun! I only fell once, when I was trying to do a bad ass yoga pose on the board.

Day 11 - Leaving Hawaii

On Sunday morning, I made crepes with my Dad. When my sister and I were little, my Dad would make crepes with yogurt and berries every single Sunday. We would put some birthday candles in one of the crepes and sing my mom "happy birthday". Yup, every. single. Sunday. It was honestly the best because we would all cram into bed with my parents and devour delicious crepes. So, to relive those delightful days (and because it was a Sunday), we made crepes.

I said "see ya later" to my cat, Marilyn, the sunshine, and the beaches. Then my parents drove us to the airport and we boarded the plan to come back to Oregon. Now we can't we for the next adventure! Where will it be??

More Travel Posts about Hawaii

Check out Part 1 of our trip, when we landed in Oahu and watched the sunset at Sand Island on Day 1. Then on Day 2, hiked to the Lanikai Pillboxes and went to Waikiki Beach for a swim in the ocean and sunset with pineapple dole whip.

Check out Part 2 of our trip, when we went snorkeling at Shark's Cove, devoured shave ice, toured a few more beaches and watched the sunset at Barber's Point, all on Day 3.

Check out Part 3 of our trip, when we hiked the Pink Pillbox trail, snorkeled with turtles, watched the sunset at Secret Beach, and ate katsu chicken ramen. Then toured the magical Aulani Disney Resort, ate all the goodies from Liliha Bakery, and watched the sunset at Ala Moana.

Check out Part 4 of our trip, when we walked out to Ka'ena Point and saw all kinds of wildlife. Then paid our respects at the USS Arizona Memorial and USS Utah Memorial.

Check out Part 5 of our trip, when we went on an epic raptor tour and a daredevil zipline adventure at Kualoa Ranch. Then watched the surfers catch some waves at the Banzai Pipeline while the sun was setting.

• Best Food on Oahu
• 10 Best Hikes on Oahu
• 6 Best Places for Sunset on Oahu
• Visit Sweet Land Farm on Oahu