There’s plenty of wonder to be found on our lovely island of Oahu beyond pristine tropical beaches and magnificent, rainforest covered mountains—the local cuisine can be just as extraordinary! So, if you’re looking for a place to grab a coffee and fuel up for your day of adventure, or when you’re ready to take a break from exploring the island’s beauty for a bite to eat, make sure to stop by this stellar Kapolei cafe!
563 Farrington Hwy, Ste 101 B, Kapolei, Oahu, HI 96707
(808)-200-5737
Monday-Friday: 6:30 AM– 2 PM Saturday-Sunday: 7 AM—2 PM
You’ll find it tucked into an unassuming shopping center, but don’t let the location fool you—since opening in 2014, My Café has become a favorite casual dining joint of locals and visitors alike. Serving up a mixture of American and Hawaiian fusion fare, you can find plenty of café staples such as pancakes, scrambles, benedicts, paninis, flatbreads, salads, soups, and sandwiches. For something with Hawaiian flare, try the Malasada Style Pancakes—crispy, sugar-coated buttermilk pancakes filled with vanilla custard—or the Kama’aina Fried Rice, with two eggs any style. If you’re feeling like you want to try it all, you can grab a flight of their specialty pancakes, and finish it off with a smoothie to-go!
711 Kamokila Blvd, Kapolei, Oahu, HI 96707
(808)-674-1700
Monday-Thursday: 5 AM—9 PM Friday-Saturday: 5 PM—10 PM Sunday: 7 AM—9 PM
Kalapawai Café and Deli has a charming storefront reminiscent of a vintage market, which is fitting as the company can trace back its origins to 1932 with the original Kalapawai Market. Over the years and various ownership, the 1932 market blossomed into a booming business with three deli locations, including this one in Kapolei, which offers a dinner menu! And better yet, Kalapawai sources ingredients from local farmers and ranchers whenever possible. For something locally caught, try the Blackened Fresh Catch “Po’boy,” or the Spicy Ahi Poke. You’ll also find an impressive menu, with breakfast items and lunch favorites such as deli sandwiches, hot sandwiches, pizza, and salads. For dinner, there’s everything from Shephard’s Pie to Wagyu beef burgers, as well as an extensive wine list and a line-up of local-only premium beers on tap.
4450 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei Commons, Space 530, Kapolei, Oahu, HI 96707
(808)-888-2220
Sunday–Thursday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM Friday–Saturday: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
Founded in 2011 and located in the Kapolei Commons, this fast-casual dining establishment has a bright and modern atmosphere, and a carefully crafted lunch and dinner menu with café favorites and creations that showcase a Pacific-Rim influence. You’ll find a selection of classic dinner fare such as salads, soups, paninis, and burgers, but each item has its own unique flavor and twist. Take for example, the Bulgogi Burger, a Korean BBQ style burger, but with melted American cheese and a kick of jalapeno mayo. La Tour Café also boasts a selection of house-made Bahn-Mi, and Wankapu, a specialty sandwich originating from Japan, served on shokupan, a Japanese, fluffy white bread. And don’t forget to grab one of their signature macarons, and perhaps a cup of espresso to go with it!
At Ola Properties, we specialize in luxury vacation rentals with premier locations, excellently suited for accessing the beautiful beaches and fabulous dining of west Oahu. Our portfolio includes a variety of condos, townhomes, and beach villas, many with stunning ocean views for ultimate relaxation. Contact us to get the planning on your Oahu vacation started today, and we’ll find the perfect vacation rental for you!
If you’re planning a family vacation for this coming fall break, there’s no better place to spend it than in lovely Kapolei. Pack your suitcases and come visit us! While you’re here, you can check out our favorite ways to pass the autumn days with the people we love most and engage in some fun Kapolei activities.
There are tons of places here in Kapolei designed with not just delicious and satiating food in mind, but also for the family dining experience. If you’re a family on the go with lots of activities planned throughout the day, head to Aloha Salads for healthy and cheap eating options and a thoughtfully put together kids’ menu. For something a little more high-end, head to My Cafe, a fusion restaurant that never disappoints. This one is always bound to have something for everyone in the family, whether you want to try the local cuisine, or if you have picky kids with sensitive palates!
Visit Wet’n’Wild Hawaii for an unforgettable day of fun in the sun. The weather is still great this time of year for a trip to a water park, and your kids will have the time of their lives. Check out Coral Crater Adventure Park as well for hours of obstacle-course fun. If you’re looking for an afternoon to fill between other activities like playing on the beach, head over to Fun Factory, where both you and your kids will enjoy playing retro arcade games. If you want to take the kids to do something both educational and exciting on their school break, try the Naval Air Museum.
You’ll definitely want to spend some time on the beach together while you’re here. Ko Olina Lagoons is a great option if you have small children since this man-made lagoon quells some of the rougher undertows the ocean has to offer, which makes the waves a little gentler and means you can relax just a little more. Paradise Cove Beach is another good family beach. Harmless wild sea life visits in droves and your kids will get a kick out of it! Explore the lava rocks, kick back on soft white beach sand, and listen to the music of your kids having a blast.
Here at Ola Properties we love when families visit, and we know that the most important part of a family vacation is finding a great place to stay. Get in touch with us today at (888) 737-4188 or (808) 726-2878 and we’ll help you get started.
If you’re looking for a fresh way to make the most of your Halloween this year, look no further than the city of Kapolei. Halloween is an exciting time for us here on the island of Oahu, and it presents a unique chance for you to get involved with the local community. Here are a few Halloween in Hawaii happenings to look out for this year:
It’s a good idea to head to the island early, so that way you can enjoy the entire day of Halloween in Hawaii without spending part of it traveling. If you’re going to be in Kapolei for a couple weeks around Halloween season, make sure to see this monthly hula series celebrating Hawaiian culture and music. It’s a bit of a drive from the heart of Kapolei, but it’s worth it for the exciting induction to the song and dance of Hawaii. Plus, admission is free!
When: Wed, Oct 26 @ 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Ward Village Courtyard, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd
If you come to the island at least a week early, you’ll be able to take part in the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, which offers a collection of events across the month of October. Events on O’ahu include Brews & BBQ or Keiki in the Kitchen Family Sunday at Victoria Ward Park, Life’s a Beach at Ko Olina Resort and more!
When: October 23rd-27th
Where: Various locations on O’ahu
At the very same plantation as the Fall Festival, you’ll find one of the highest voted haunts in the entire country, back again to take more souls! Located in a real haunted village and famous for a reason, this is the experience for you if you’re looking to get the pants spooked off of you this Halloween. Beware if you have kids because this haunt’s scare factor is dialed up to “very scary.” The Haunted Plantation is only for the most brave-hearted of adventurers.
When: October 12th-14th, 19th-21st, 26th-28th & 31st
Where: 94-695 Waipahu St.
If you are bringing kids, then this is the event for you. Want something fun for the kids to do while you explore the island and visit different shops and restaurants? Why not participate in a large-scale trick-or-treating game? Just keep an eye out for the “Trick-or-Treat Here” signs posted at the participating locations.
When: Thu, Oct 31 @ 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: All participating Kapolei Marketplace stores and restaurants
If you’re coming to Kapolei for Halloween this year, it’s time to start thinking about which Ola Properties rental home you’re going to stay in! Just give us a call at (888) 737-4188 or (808) 726-2878 and we’ll help you get started today.
Early September is a wonderful time of year to come and visit us here in Kapolei. The weather is pleasant, the island is alive and thriving, and the three-day weekend that Labor Day affords us is the absolute perfect time to get on a plane and hop over to see us! Kapolei But how can you make the most of Labor Day in Kapolei? Let us help you out with some of our favorite things to do here.
Make Saturday your beach day! Everyone comes to Hawaii for the beaches, so you’ll probably want to head there first. Check out Ko Olina Lagoons for a relaxing morning at a calm beach with calm, crystal clear waters where you’re sure to catch more than one glimpse of colorful sea life. Head to Paradise Cove later on and try snorkeling; this shallow beach with soft sand and rich array of sea life is perfect for it. Since you’re in the area, end your Saturday evening with dinner at Paradise Cove Luau, where you’ll not only enjoy the exquisite flavors of lovingly cooked Hawaiian cuisine, but live performances too, featuring acts like native hula dances and fire twirling.
Head out onto the waves on your Sunday morning with Ocean Joy Cruises to wake up with a refreshing ocean spray that’s better than any cup of coffee. Look out for friendly visitors, like sea turtles, dolphins, tropical fish, and more! For your safety, be sure to follow the instructions of the Ocean Joy crew while on the water. Head down to the Mermaid Caves later, an ethereal place of water-filled caves where the light streams down from above. You can swim into the caves to explore them, and it’s perfectly safe while also feeling surreal and secluded. This will easily be your favorite part of your Labor Day in Kapolei trip.
Make sure to head to Kapolei Shopping Center Monday morning to pick up some cute souvenirs to bring home with you. There are over three dozen shops to browse here, and you’re sure to find something you love. Grab some lunch at the Plantation Tavern, a favorite among locals, whose passion for the culinary arts shows through in the delicious food. After that, check out some of the beaches you haven’t been to yet! Kahe Point Beach Park is one of our favorites, and this is a good place to chill out after an eventful vacation. Walk around the tide pools and lean in close to see the microcosms of sea life house in each little crevice there.
No matter what you plan on doing here in Kapolei, the most important thing will always be finding that perfect place to stay for you and your family. Get in touch with us today at (808) 726-2878 to get started on your Labor Day Weekend vacation today. We offer beautiful rental options and short term rentals in Oahu with a six-night minimum stay; they’re the perfect way to enjoy an extended Labor Day in Kapolei getaway!
The summer sun can be serious business by the seaside. Check out our top five favorite ways to beat the heat:
Papalua Shave Ice is a great place to step out of the sun and enjoy something refreshingly cold. This place is loved by the community and tourists alike. This little kiosk comes with various fruity flavors, and you can even get your shave ice in Kapolei with Mickey ears!
Enjoy a DIY dessert at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt! You pick all the flavors and the toppings, so you can have whatever kind of dessert your heart desires. They offer lots of accommodating special flavors, like nonfat, gluten-free, vegan, and no sugar added.
Longboards is a casual dining experience right on the water. Kick back away from the sun underneath a big shady umbrella in their cute island-style outdoor seating area. You’re so close to the water that you’ll smell the ocean on the breeze, and that’s better than any manmade mister you’ll find in any other restaurant.
There are plenty of ways to cool off temporarily, whether it’s grabbing an ice cream at Menchie’s or grabbing a beer at Longboards, and plenty of beaches to relax on. But if you want a more active way to keep cool on a long vacation day in the summer sun, head down to those cool Pacific waters, the coolest place on the island, and have yourself a full-on island adventure. Take a dolphin snorkel tour with Ko Olina Adventures, or a scuba dive with Trident adventures.
The absolute best way to say no thanks to a particularly warm summer day is to throw on your swimsuit and head down to one of the loveliest shorelines in the entire world. There is a plethora of gorgeous beaches around Kapolei, and it’s just up to you to pick one (or two, or three)! Grab your shave ice and take it down to the waterline! We love the Ko Olina Lagoons, because the landscape offers protection against the heavier ocean waves and the natural undertow, making it a safe and fun option for families to visit. Kahe Point Beach Park is another top pick, with its lively tide pools teeming with small ocean life. If you want a quiet beach with calm waters and hints of wildlife (keep an eye out for sea turtles) Paradise Cove Beach is for you. Whichever beach you go to, you’re sure to enjoy the crystal-clear cooling waters.
Ready for your own Kapolei adventure? The best way to get started on your trip to Kapolei is to call us at Ola Properties today at (808) 726-2878!
With its plentiful beaches, beautiful weather, and friendly locals, Kapolei in the summertime is one of the best island vacations you could ever take. Here are a few Kapolei attractions you’ll want to make some time for while you’re here:
Paradise Cove Beach is a place of wonder. With shallow, crystal clear waters and abundant local wildlife (sea turtles, seals, and tropical fish galore) you’ll be right up close and personal with all the loveliest parts of Hawaii. Once you arrive, you’ll never want to leave, so make sure to clear a whole day for this beach. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Kapolei for a reason.
This traditional-style luau is the perfect way to end a long day on Paradise Cove Beach. Experience a plethora of ancient traditions, including island cuisines like kalua pork and lomi-lomi salmon, a show put on by Samoan fire dancers, local musicians, and hula performers, and even hands-on games that you can participate in.
The Mermaid Caves are for people with a sense of adventure and an insatiable need to explore. It’s not for young kids, because the natural landscape formed by ancient lava flows can be a little sharp and tricky to navigate! Don your swimsuits and head there during low tide, and you’ll be able to explore the network of underwater caves that come and go with the tides. With translucent aqua waters and brilliant sunshine streaming in through the plentiful cracks and crevices and entrances, you’ll find this is one of the most magical places in all of Kapolei. Diving at the Mermaid Caves is recommended for experienced divers only and is at your own risk; remember to stay safe! This is one of the most popular Kapolei attractions for tourists!
If you’re really itching for an adventure this summer, clear an afternoon to visit Coral Crater Adventure Park to check out the Zipline Tour and Adventure Tower Obstacle Course. Test your skills and nerve with ziplines that stretch up to 900 feet and 18 different elevated obstacle courses.
This is one of the most exciting water parks you’ll ever visit. Take your time swimming and slip-sliding through all 25 Kapolei attractions, including water slides and a wave pool. These sterile, cool waters will be a welcome change from the warm, sandy beaches. And when you’re ready to go back to the beach, there are plenty awaiting you with open arms! Learn about more fun activities that you can do during your summer vacation to Kapolei.
The only difficult part about taking an amazing vacation like this is getting started. Namely, finding the best place to stay while you’re away. Luckily, Ola Properties has you covered! Get in touch with us today at (888) 737-4188 or (808) 726-2878 to find your dream vacation home so you can kick off your summer under the Kapolei sun.
TRAIL NAME: Aiea Loop Trail
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LENGTH: 4.8-mile loop
FEE: None
WHERE: 99-1849 Aiea Heights Drive, Aiea
If you’re looking for a hike that’s not too strenuous (no rock-climbing, no ropes, no stairs) but immerses you in a lush forest with native trees and plants, consider the Aiea Loop Trail. This pleasant 4.8-mile hike runs along the west side of Hālawa Valley, with views of Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and the Ko‘olau Mountains. Since it’s a loop, you’ll never get bored as each view will be different. At the trailhead, there’s ample parking and there are restrooms at the Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area, a 384-acre park where the trailhead is located. If you want to toughen it up, the much harder, 4-mile Kalauao Trail is located off an S-shaped curve at a junction on the trail. This hike takes you to a popular waterfall with swimming holes. The hike back—it’s entirely uphill—is your cardio workout for the week!
Don’t expect sweeping views of summit like you’d get at the end of one of the popular Ko‘olau trails. What you will get, instead is a birds-eye view of the H-3 Freeway as it intersects the pristine Hālawa Valley. The lookout point where you can see the H-3 comes midway through the hike and can be spectacular.
This is a popular trail for runners (though Mountain Biking is not allowed) so even though they are asked to give hikers the right of way, be aware they may come blasting up behind you, or over the next ridge and can startle you. Watch the weather before planning your hike, as the trail can be quite muddy if it has rained recently and you’ll want to be prepared for that.
The Aiea Loop Trail itself is a relaxing walk through lush groves of lemon eucalyptus, Norfolk pine and native koa and ʻōhiʻa trees. Although it is considered an easy hike, it is long at nearly five miles with some gradual inclines and a stream crossing. Allow about three hours to complete the hike.
The hike is a nice walk but still a great workout and as a reward, The Alley Restaurant (and its lemon-crunch cake) is just down the road three miles away.
Locals tend to shy away from the tourist spots because we go to these destinations for school excursions. So a couple of us decided to go visit the Polynesian Culture Center in Oahu from a tourist’s perspective.
We scheduled our day and transportation so that we could experience everything that the center had to offer without any hesitations and I’m glad that we did. The Polynesian Culture Center is an all-day affair, and the last thing that we wanted was to worry about being tired while driving back. Our day started at 9:30am to stand in line for the bus. We half way expected a chaotic cattle call, but was pleasantly surprised at how friendly and organized everything was. We were advised what was to happen and what we should expect once we got there. This helped to build our excitement.
We chose the Ambassador Luau Package so that we could compare all options, and believe me, I’m glad that we did. It came with a guide AND transportation. The guide was important to us as he helped us to organize our day so that we could make the most out of the time that we were there. There really isn’t enough time to see all the villages in one day, and I wish that we were able to go back the next day to finish up what we didn’t see. The package allowed for us to go back to see anything that we missed the previous day, but we had other things planned for the following day so we really wished that we had known about this benefit. The guide simply asked us about our likes and expectations and helped us to organize our day based on show times of our choices. Fantastic!
The various villages are very authentic. We were especially surprised at how authentic Samoa, Tonga, and Aotearoa were. We were also amazed at the show, HA (Breath of Life). It was both cultural and entertaining. In this arena, you get what you paid for. It’s really hard to see in the cheap seats, they are crowded and full of tall people. It is also much more enriched if you participate, and it is much easier to participate if you’re closer to the stage.
Put the Polynesian Culture Center on your family’s “To Do” list. Since this will be an all-day affair make sure you schedule it at the beginning of the vacation so that you give all the attention you want to, to make the best of this activity. Don’t skimp on the price as the better packages give you more options and flexibility, including transportation, a guide, and a chance to come back the following day if you choose to.
Through a variety of different package options, the center offers:
Have more questions about the Polynesian Culture Center in Oahu or other activities to do on your next visit? View all the great things to do on Oahu or just ask us!
While at Just Tacos this past Tuesday for Taco Tuesday, three of us decided to hike the Ka’ena Point Trail on Saturday (perhaps after a beer….. or two). Jack & Mike, who do a lot of our maintenance work, as well as myself, agreed to meet at 7:00 AM to get an early start. As happens in our business, an AC repair came up on Saturday morning so we didn’t get to the trailhead until about 9:30.
The trailhead is at the West end of Yokohama Bay, (which, by the way has a beautiful beach) and there is plenty of parking. There are restrooms and showers near the beach, but no facilities along the trail, so you should keep that in mind. The State’s website says the hike is 2.4 miles each way. According to my Fitbit, I would say the total walk, including around the Point and nature preserve was about 5.5 miles round trip. Timewise, you should allow an hour for walking each way and perhaps another 30 minutes at the end of the trail. The trail is relatively flat, except for a couple of areas where the trail had washed away and we had to climb up some rocks to an improvised trail for a length of approximately 50 yards. The day we hiked, the trail was dry except for a few places where 4×4’s had cut deep ruts that held water from a prior rain, so there was no water or mud to walk through.
Most people we saw were wearing “athletic” shoes and they seemed to be getting along fine. I don’t recommend wearing those hiking shoes you bought 10 or 12 years ago and left in the closet since then. This is what I did and you can see the sole of one of them stuck in the mud above. I walked a good bit of the return trip with no soles on my shoes as they fell apart, but it was OK as long as I watched what rocks I stepped on. I took a half liter bottle of water with me for the hike; I’d recommend taking a second one as it gets pretty warm on the hike. As stated previously, we got started later than planned so the sun was higher in the sky and a good bit hotter. I lathered up with sunscreen before starting out but did not take any extra with for a second application. Mistake! Take extra sunscreen with you. I was hurting that night and the next day from the sunburn and everyone in the office got a kick out of it.
When you get near the end of the Ka’ena Point hike, there is a high fence protecting the animals in the nature preserve from predators. There is a door that is unlocked and you can walk right through. The nature preserve is where you can see numerous protected species of birds such as Shearwaters, etc. At the point, there is an old military pillbox, a lot of lava rock, and numerous tide pools which people were swimming in. Another hiker told us there was a Monk Seal on the beach, but we weren’t able to locate it. I suppose it had finished sunning itself and moved back into the water.
Overall, this was a good hike and one I hope to make again. Perhaps next time, I’ll go in the from the North Shore side to see how the trails compare.
Larry O.
Aloha Pumehana. If you are reading this article, you are likely looking for some true relaxation while coming to stay with us here at Ko Olina on Oahu.
First, you should know that regardless of where you are staying at Ko Olina, all of these Ko Olina yoga spots are walkable. So grab your yoga mat, coffee, champagne, or favorite book and walk out. We suggest leaving the car keys and the cell phone at your Beach Villa or hotel room. These moments are all about YOU!
This may not be the quitest place but it’s surely a great spot to just let the mind wander. There are several benches you can sit and receive the Hawaiian mana from Mauka to Makai. To get here you walk down the paths near the lagoons to the very Southern Lagoon (Lagoon 4). Keep heading south until the land narrows. Find your zen spot and enjoy!
This is my personal favorite. If you are standing at the front gate to Ko Olina look north along the train tracks, follow them up a couple hundred yards and keep your eyes toward the Ocean. You should see plenty of places to plop down your mat and zen-out. This is also a great place for a private glass of champagne with your significant other.
Take a look at the map below. You’ll see the lagoon in front of the Four Seasons. Along the North end of the lagoon, there are a few trees out on the point. This is an excellent place to have a shady and relaxing time no matter what time of day you choose for your Zen moment.
Remember, your Hawaiian vacation is… A VACATION ;). It’s OK to take some time alone, away from the normal buzz of the cell phone and workflow of the week. These are just three of our favorite places to relax at Ko Olina. There are plenty of beachfront Ko Olina yoga sessions offered by the Hotels so if you want a more structured experience just ask the concierge or give us a call and we can help.
Aloha!