Although an International destination, Honolulu is frequented by mainly Americans and Japanese and each year millions visit here. Once they have made their way through the airport they will catch a cab and make their way past downtown Honolulu towards Waikiki. It won’t take long to discover why Waikiki is so popular when you see all the busy streets and marvel at the history contained here. This area is so full of things to do that many visitors never discover any other part of the island, contained as they are within Waikiki’s imaginary confines. This area is only approximately two square miles but it is amazing how it captures visitors attention so that most miss parts of the island that the locals find so wonderful.

For those travelers interested in seeing Oahu through its residents’ eyes, please read on.

Magic Island Beach Park - Located West of Waikiki this can be found not to far from the popular Ala Moana Shopping Mall. Although it is called a park, it does in fact, contain three beeches, a substantial (3 miles) jogging path, plus tennis courts and many other attractions. A walk around the park will expose the center of Hawaiian culture - people with large extended families gather around hibachis, spending the day together with a good food and plenty of sun. Since the beaches are comparatively empty, to get the maximum of your holiday, simply organize a barbecue and move on to the beaches of Magic Island.

The Contemporary Museum Honolulu - This small museum is located high on a ridge at Makiki Heights Drive and the drive up the ridge offers amazing vistas that would otherwise be missed by most Oahu visitors. This small museum is still large enough to contain five galleries and beautifully sculpted gardens to enjoy. This is the place where you appreciate the museum most because the garden stretches for about 3.

Leong’s Café – Visitors who are hunting for some unforgettable Hawaiian cuisine, treat a lu’au as something more than just entertainment. However, if you’re interested in real local style Hawaiian food, you can’t beat Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. As a favorite for plate lunches, kalua pig, lu’au stew, lomi lomi, and more, locals have been visiting this cafe for over 50 years!

Champion Malasadas - there is a local treat that originated in portugal called Malasadas which has become so popular that they even renamed Fat Tuesday to Malasadas day. The bakery that goes by the name ‘Champion Malasadas’ can be found along South Berertania Street, it is the most famous throughout the island. Although a Hawaiian treat, they are in fact Portuguese and are donuts without the hole and they are served with or without your favorite filling.

Honolulu Chinatown – Walk through the lanes of Chinatown and you start thinking where am I, and what era am I in? Irrespective of what you are looking for, Chinatown can offer dim sum, fresh produce, handmade leis or the ultra modern lounges. Unusual and interesting produce and products can be purchased here, most of which you would be hard pushed to find in a normal American grocery. While you could always take a guided walking tour of the place the wisest thing to do is to go for a walk by yourself, walking leisurely and only stopping to see something, which tickles your areas of interest.

The best way to experience Oahu is to allocate enough time to see outside Waikiki for that is the way locals see it. There are many places to visit but those mentioned above are well worth the effort even though there is so much that makes Hawaii a special destination.