E Komo Mai
Hawaii seems a robust archipelago, a paradise pinned like a bouquet to the middle of the Pacific, fragrant, sniffable, easy of access yet sophisticatedly multilayered. As the third-largest Hawaiian island, Oahu has a well-deserved reputation as “The Gathering Place". It is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of East and West cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people, fragrant with blossoms, caressed by trade winds, vibrant with the plucking of ukuleles, effulgent with sunshine spanking the water, and with so much more depth to offer. It’s also the fundamental contrast between the ancient and the modern that makes discovering Oahu — from bustling city life to laidback surf towns — so mesmerizing.
Your Travel Concierge!
Meet Kim Jenkins at Island Style Travel!
Kim is our group travel agent and comes highly recommended.
Her services are complimentary to our guests. She can get great rates and help with airfare, cars/jeeps, accommodations, activities, multi-island trips, and partial packages that can offer great value.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact Kim directly. Her contact information is as follows:
Kim Jenkins
808.572.6995
kim@islandstyletravel.net
Island Style Travel, P.O. Box 1078 , Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Four Seasons Room Block
For our guests' convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina (located right next to Lanikuhonua the venue, 5-7 mins walking distance)
Reservation Methods:
1. ONLINE: Booking directly via https://www.fourseasons.com/oahu/ using the webcode 210826KEN.
To access the heavily discounted special group rates, please insert the webcode in the box labeled PROMO before completing your rate search. Please note that webcode is case sensitive.
2. CALL-IN: please call the hotel's Reservation Department directly at 844-387-0308 and indicate group affiliation when making reservations over the phone to receive the special group rates.
3. Reach out to our travel concierge Kim Jenkins at Island Style Travel via email or call and she will take care of the booking on your behalf =)
Some additional value-added for our guests include No Resort Fee, Complimentary overnight valet parking, Complimentary Basic Internet access in guest rooms. etc.
As a gentle reminder, direct reservations must be made prior to July 26th, 2021 to access the group rate. The group rate is available for an additional three nights prior to and three nights after the wedding block dates (08/26-08/28), subject to availability of group-rated rooms at the time of reservation if guests would like to enjoy an extended stay.
Lead with Care & Access to COVID-19 Testing
Whether as a departure requirement or simply for peace of mind, all Four Seasons properties globally can facilitate access to COVID-19 testing for guests. In most cases, testing can be arranged on-property, with a third-party, to ensure a convenient experience. In some markets, availability and regulations prevent on-property testing; in these instances, Four Seasons can facilitate off-site testing for guests. For further testing details & pricing information, please contact the respective hotel directly. For updates as well as complete details about Four Seasons enhanced health and safety program Lead with Care, please click here.
Hiking at Diamond Head
The panoramic, 360 degree views make this hike well worth the modest effort. Hiking to Diamond Head is one of the best free things to do on Oahu!
Learn to Surf
The Hawaiian island of Oahu is one of the best places in the world to learn to surf. Although there are big waves here, some beaches are far calmer and thus well suited to beginners. The best beaches for surfing novices include Waikiki, Haleiwa, White Plains, Ala Moana and Kailua.
View the Turtles at Laniakea Beach
Laniakea Beach is famous for its visiting Green Sea Turtles. They come here year-round, at all times of day, though there is slightly more chance of seeing them basking in the sun during summer – as well as when the water is calmer. Make sure to keep your distance and be respectful near these ancient sea creatures.
Chase Amazing Waterfalls
Oahu is an island that’s seriously abundant in waterfalls. The walks and hikes to get to them range from the very easy route to Manoa Falls to the seven-mile trek to reach Laie Falls. At Maunawili Falls, there’s a deep, freshwater swimming pool to reward your efforts. Other notable waterfalls include Waimea Falls, the Jackass Ginger Pools, Likeke Falls, Koloa Gulch and Waimano Falls.
Go Tropical Snorkeling and Diving
There are opportunities to dive and snorkel all over Oahu, especially during summer when the waters are calmer, with all manner of sea life to look out for.
The state-run Hanauma Bay nature preserve is excellent for families with small kids who want to snorkel in a safe, beautiful environment. Calm, shallow, and regulated by the State, it is home to some of the island’s best coral and sea life, with usually-calm conditions and lifeguards to boot.
Tip: Get here early to avoid the inevitable crowds and bring reef-safe sunscreen.
Head to the Beach
Beaches don’t come more pristine than this! The best beaches in Oahu have white sandy bays with clear, tropical blue water.
LANIKAI
Nestled in the sleepy beach town of Kailua on Oahu’s Windward side, Lanikai Beach is one of Hawaii’s most picturesque and famous beaches. An offshore reef keeps the water calm year-round, offering excellent swimming conditions. Two tiny islands with bird sanctuaries are under a mile from the shore, and can easily be reached by kayak. Snorkeling, windsurfing and sailing are also popular pastimes.
KAILUA
Kailua Beach is just a mile from Lanikai Beach, boasting three miles of clear, calm water and pale sands. Visitors can enjoy using the picnic areas or volleyball court, or perhaps learn how to windsurf.
SUNSET BEACH
Sunset beach is located on Oahu’s North Shore. During the summer, the blindingly blue ocean waters are calm and crystal-clear, making it the perfect destination for swimmers, snorkelers & families, while in winter the rolling waves are a big draw for experienced surfers.
WAIKIKI
Of all the top 5 beaches in Oahu, Waikiki is the most famous worldwide. At two miles long, the white sands consist of sections connected by a boardwalk. Conditions suit surfers and swimmers all year round, while other popular activities include canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding & beach volleyball.
WAIMANALO BAY
Waimanalo Bay’s soft sand beach is almost five miles long, and thus one of Oahu’s largest. This scenic Hawaiian beach is good for sunbathing, bodyboarding, walking and fishing, although rougher waters make it less suitable for swimming.
Explore all the Hawaiian Yums
Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center
Attend a Luau
Pay Respects at Pearl Harbor
Zipline through the Rainforest
Full Day Out at Kualoa Ranch
"Like the lava, Hawai`i’s culture and cuisine have grown, layer by layer, over years, expanding as waves of immigrants have each brought something new to the islands. These ingredients—beef, rice, spam, pineapples, soy sauce, black pepper, and many others—mingled and fused to create the “local style” dishes that are unmistakably and perplexingly Hawaiian." --- Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
The Pig and the Lady
A must-try local gem where the menu melds Vietnamese and Southeast Asian flavors with modern sensibilities. Come for lunch, and you must order the pho French dip—meltingly soft slices of brisket paired with a Thai basil chimichurri and bean sprouts, served with a side of pho broth for dipping. The dinner menu constantly changes, but make sure to finish off with a swirled soft serve, which often comes in funky flavors like black sesame custard and mango sorbet. [$$]
P.S. We've been dying to try out this place after binging Somebody Feed Phil =)
83 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Maguro Brothers
Maguro Brothers’ two locations are hard to find: One is hidden deep inside Chinatown’s Kekaulike Market, the other in Waikiki’s back streets. At either spot, though, it’s all about sashimi platters, donburi (get the king salmon sashimi with uni over rice), and poke by the bowl or pound. The fish quality is excellent, but it’s the outstanding knife work that makes Maguro Brothers stand out. That donburi and poke might be served in a styrofoam box, but you won’t find such beautifully cut fish casually sold to go anywhere else. [$$]
1039 Kekaulike St Ste 113 Honolulu, HI 96817
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
At this no-frills, fluorescent-lit restaurant, you’ll find Hawaii’s classic soul food, which Helena’s has been serving since 1946. It’s based off native Hawaiian staple dishes and those influenced by the island’s waves of immigration up until the ‘50s; a few highlights are kalua pig (smoky pulled pork, Hawaiian-style), Poi (taro milled and thinned into a puddinglike consistency) and Helena’s legendary Pipikaula—meaty short ribs dried and then pan-fried. Cash only. [$$]
1240 N School St Honolulu, HI 96817
Koko Head Cafe
Celeb chef Lee Anne Wong runs this brunch stop paying homage to the Asian influences including Japanese, Chinese, Korean & Filipino with refreshingly contemporary takes, such as a breakfast congee (rice porridge) with pork three ways, cheddar and cinnamon croutons, or miso-marinated fish served with custardy-soft scrambled eggs. [$$]
1145 12th Ave C, Honolulu, HI 96816
Over Easy
Honolulu loves breakfast, and few places do it better than Over Easy, a warm, cheery family operation for creative breakfast & lunch made using local ingredients, plus cocktails. Delicate, golden, crispy-edged pancakes are the highlight of sweet dishes, but don’t leave without trying the pig hash with lomi tomatoes and Okinawan sweet potatoes, or the bacon-cabbage broth poured over a bowl of rice and Portuguese sausage. [$$]
418 Kuulei Rd #103, Kailua, HI 96734
Sushi Izakaya Gaku
We've always had a soft spot for Izakaya-style eateries, and this cult-following classic izakaya came highly recommended. Don't let the little-to-no curb appeal fool you. Try the negitoro tartare (with masago, ponzu, green onions, and a raw quail egg), the uni and ikura shooters topped with shoyu jelly, and the house-made tofu. A pared-down menu, including chirashi, sashimi, and sushi platters, is available for takeout. [$$-$$$]
1329 S King St Honolulu, HI 96814
Senia
Elevated Hawaiian & New American menus with imaginative drinks, served in refined surrounds, created by two nationally recognized chefs Kajioka and Rush who met over a decade ago while working at Per Se in NYC. Senia offers a moderately-priced a la carte menu, where humble ingredients like cabbage are elevated to luxury status and bone marrow is served with beef cheek marmalade and tiny house-made Hawaiian rolls. [$$$-$$$$]
75 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96817
TBA
Transportation to and from the wedding ceremony & reception will be provided for guests not staying at the Four Seasons. Please check back shortly for detailed info.
For our guests who plan on renting vehicles for their island visit, it is highly recommended to do so as soon as possible as there's a rental car shortage across the nation and all islands. We also recommend checking out Turo if you are not finding anything through the normal rental companies such as Enterprise, Budget, etc..
Uber and Lyft are readily available from most areas on Oahu. May experience longer wait times (10min+) for areas outside of Waikiki/Honolulu or during rush hour.
Hawaii's Full Reopening Plans (as of June 24th)
Effective July 8, the State of Hawai‘i will eliminate its pre-travel testing/quarantine requirement for domestic travelers to Hawai‘i who have been fully vaccinated in the United States. Travelers to Hawai‘i must upload their CDC issued vaccination record card to the state’s Safe Travels Program website and have that card with them upon arrival in Hawai‘i.
Gov. David Ige also announced that once Hawaii achieves a 70% vaccination rate, all restrictions on travel will be lifted and the Safe Travels program will end.
Traveling to Hawaii
Everyone traveling to Hawaii must register online with their flight info, where they will be staying, complete a health questionnaire, and upload a negative PCR test result or vaccination card if vaccinated in the U.S. on the following site: travel.hawaii.gov/#/ . Please complete the health questionnaire 24-hours prior to your flight. You will receive an email with a QR code that will be scanned by a screener at the airport.
Please refer to this post for detailed steps and processes on what it's like traveling to Hawaii while vaccinated.
Safe Travels Hawaiʻi Program
The State of Hawai‘i Safe Travels Hawai‘i program is a multilayered approach designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 amongst the community from trans-Pacific visitors and resident passengers arriving at airports/ports across the Islands.
The state’s pre-travel testing program requires all non-vaccinated travelers and fully vaccinated travelers who have been vaccinated outside of the U.S. to take a nucleic acid amplification test, such as a PCR test, from an approved testing partner within 72 hours and obtain results before departure to Hawaii.
Please refer to Safe Travels Hawai‘i program for a detailed safe travels overview, pre-travel requirements & Trusted Partners for the Pre-Travel Testing Program.
Lifted Restrictions for Outdoor Activities
On May 25, Governor David Ige issued an amendment to the nineteenth emergency proclamation lifting the mask mandate for all individuals outdoors, effective immediately. Mask wearing is still highly recommended outdoors, when in large groups. The indoor mask mandate remains unchanged.
While the State of Hawaii is aware of the new CDC guidelines, Hawaii’s mask mandate still remains in effect, and the policies/protocols regarding travel to Hawaii still remain in effect even for those fully vaccinated. All individuals, vaccinated and non-vaccinated, are required to wear face coverings over their noses and mouths when in public settings and indoors.