Hawaii review and pics [Archive] - NightClubCity.com: New York Nightlife Guide, New York Nightclubs

J. Martin

10-22-2010, 04:45 PM

I've decided Hawaii is the most perfect place on earth, lol. I was definitely polynesian in another life. The lifestyle, the food, the nature,... everything there is just better than it is anywhere else I've been. The honey moon was perfect. Split time between the islands of Oahu and the Big Island. Rented cars and saw all of both, pretty much. The big isle is more my style. Very chill and laid back, although I didn't get a chance to surf at the big island.

I will review in parts.

1) Food - the food everywhere was pretty much outstanding. Our first night in Oahu we went to his Japanese restaurant Kaiwa and had possibly the best Japanese dinner ever. The salad, appetizers, sushi and entrees were all banging. My favorite was this zucchini wrapped in thinly sliced pork.
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We had breakfast and a couple happy hours at this fun bar Moose McGillicutty's. Great omlettes. I had the popeye omelette.
Also had breakfast and dinner once at Giovanni Pastrami's. Had the pastrami eggs benedict for breakfasy which was awesome and the Madison Ave sandwich for dinner, which was tuna salad with thick cut bacon, green chili peppers and jack cheese on grilled sour dough bread. It was phenomenal.
At the La Moan Shopping Plaza, I got a beef Kalbi bowl from this spot called Bangga Bangga. They put thin fried garlic in the rice. Awe4some for Mall food.
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Had dinner one night at Roy's. Had crab cakes, champagne, and escargot for appetizers, as well as this sesame seasoned edamame that was simple but banging. Had this stuffed lobster tail for dinner, and polished it off with a souffle for dessert, that we were actually too drunk to eat at the restaurant, lol.
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J. Martin

10-22-2010, 04:58 PM

Food continued:

Went to Germaine's Luau, which we chose over the Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center based on better reviews and the fact that the Cultural Center didn't serve alcohol. Food was decent, but the shows were awesome. Buffet included Kalua Pork that was a whole pig cooked in the ground, along with a bunch of local favorties including this white jello dessert that was really good, battered Mahi Mahi, and fresh fruits, among other things.
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The International Marketplace in Waikiki has a great varitey of foods in the food court for cheap, including some great Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and Thai spots.

There's a chain called L&L Hawaiian Barbeque that I'm glad is not in NY, because I would be there every day. I ad a honey shrimp with walnuts and wife had a combo that included short ribs, coconut shrimp, fried mahi mahi and something else I forgot. Portions are huge and food was great. They even serve spam and eggs 24/7
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In Kona we went to this post Lu Lu's where I had the best burger ever. Called the "Dick Butkus," it's a 1/2 pound burgere with the normal fixins but covered not with mayo or ketchup, but with peanut butter! It fuckin ruled.
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In Hilo, we had lunch at Ocean Sushi and had the best Sushi for the price you'll find anywhere. The mountain roll, sunset roll and big island roll are off the hook. The gyoza is great, too
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J. Martin

10-22-2010, 05:05 PM

More food:

The Fish Hopper in Hilo was the our favorite place we ate at the whole trip. They have the greatest Oysters I've eaten anywhere (imported from New Zealand). I also had thiscrab wrapped shrimp risotto that blew my mind. Their specialty drinks are also great. I had a Coco-Hops, and wife had the flaming Zombie.516365163751638516395164051641

Forca Barca

10-22-2010, 05:05 PM

That burger with PB looks amazing LOL. All the food does. Sounds like you had a good time.

There's a chain called L&L Hawaiian Barbeque that I'm glad is not in NY, because I would be there every day. I ad a honey shrimp with walnuts and wife had a combo that included short ribs, coconut shrimp, fried mahi mahi and something else I forgot. Portions are huge and food was great. They even serve spam and eggs 24/7

There actually is an L&L downtown on Fulton, but I dont think it's as good as the one in Hawaii.

J. Martin

10-22-2010, 05:23 PM

More Food:

The fruit in Hawaii is amazing. ON one of the tours we took, they served us a lunch of fresh fruits including pineapple, these star things, papaya, lychees, rasputins (sp?), along with some seaweed rice chips. Awesome.
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Our last night there we had Ramen at this place Ramen Nakamura. As good as Ippudo, imo.
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Before leaving, we hit up Chinatown in Honolulu and grabbed dim sum at Fook Lam. Pretty good, but can't compare to NY Dim Sum, imo.
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Also, if you go, get te Poke anywhere. It's a Hawaiian specialty . Basically it's sashimi grade tuna covered with sesame oil and seeds and sliced onions. It's fuckin awesome, and most places give you a shitload of tuna.

J. Martin

10-22-2010, 05:35 PM

Beaches:

Waikiki Beach is pretty awesome. Huge, water is gorgeous, and waves are perfect for surfing
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Hanauma Bay on Oahu is stunning. Great snorkling as well.

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Kona has some beautiful beaches. Didn't spend much time on the beach there, though, as we did a bunch of activities. Also a lot rockier than Waikiki Beach.
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J. Martin

10-22-2010, 05:45 PM

Tours/Activities:
Surfing was awesome on Waikiki Beach. We also hiked up Diamond Head Crater. About a mile up from the base of the trail, but a cool walk with great sites to be seen from the top. The Greenwell Coffee Tour was interesting. Biggest supplier of Coffee in Kona. The painted church and national Park on Kona are good sights as well.
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J. Martin

10-22-2010, 06:04 PM

Tours/Activities:

Woke up bright and early one morning to head up to Kilauea Volcano to hike the trails to the Volcano craters. Caught an awesome sunrise on the way. Then drove up to Hilo and checked BJ Penn's Gym and saw some great waterfalls around Hilo5169851703517025170151700516995169551696516975 1704

Hit the Kohala Coast and got my yoga on
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Did a snorkling with dolphins tour that was awesome. Got so close you could touch them, but you shouldn't. Tour guide also took us out further to see some short fin pilot whales, where we in advertently ended up swmming with ocean white sharks. One got within 20 feet of me before the captain diverted it's attention so I could slowly swim away. About shat myself underwater, but it was exciting.

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J. Martin

10-22-2010, 06:08 PM

FInally, went skydiving for the first time. Was like the scariest roller coaster ever when you first jump out of the plane, but a sick rush, and if I was ever gonna do it, why not in Hawaii :rockon51730517295172851727517265172551731

On last full day, we drove all around Oahu, and on the North side came across a great state park/botanical graden with a beautiful waterfall.

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Amazing trip. We fully intend to end up living there in the future.

genie

10-22-2010, 08:50 PM

Dancefloorhewa21

10-22-2010, 09:40 PM

You just shit all over my vacation thanks......... womp

MavCunt

10-25-2010, 09:28 AM

MavCunt

10-25-2010, 09:31 AM

Congrats again. So glad to hear your honeymoon was amazing.

No review can ever do it absolute justice. It is simply a place everyone should visit.

We took the cruise around the islands and my favorite part was while on the tenders to the ship the dolphins would swim along side of us.

Could NOT agree more, of course everyone always says HI is amazing, you actually can not put it into words how truely amazing it really is, this is a MUST for everyone, forget all other vacations

J. Martin

10-25-2010, 09:58 AM

Welcome back J and YES you are 100% right Hawaii is def the best place you can EVER vacation to. I am laxzy and did not do a review and post with pictures, but I agree with everything you said and we did alot of the same things as well

We also did the Kilauea Volcano to hike and it was amazing, we hike all over the place and this was great

And we are also in love with the Kona Coast, the women sent me houses for sale the other day, lol

We are planning to go back for our 1 year Next Sept, cant wait

How upset were you when you left, i teared up as the plane took off

Glad your trip went great, too. Congrats on the wedding. Yeah, we were def not happy campers arriving back to a cloudy 50 degree day in Newark, lol.

We are going back next year and hitting Kuwaii (sp?) and Maui, since we didn't see them. Kona and the North Shore of Oahu are some of hte most beautiful places I've ever seen

Mothahen

10-25-2010, 09:59 AM

THis made me miss Hawaii a lot and get back there. I need to hit up the Big Island. EVERYONE you must go to Kauia. You think Oahu was nice go there it is like viewing GOd's work on earth :heart

MavCunt

10-25-2010, 10:06 AM

Glad your trip went great, too. Congrats on the wedding. Yeah, we were def not happy campers arriving back to a cloudy 50 degree day in Newark, lol.

We are going back next year and hitting Kuwaii (sp?) and Maui, since we didn't see them. Kona and the North Shore of Oahu are some of hte most beautiful places I've ever seen

Congrats to you as well. Yes my boy moved out to Oahu when we were there, we are going to stay with him a few days then go to Maui

Did you drive to the top of Mauna Kea? Its 13,800 ft above sea leavel, ,you are above the clouds, it was truely amazing. Someone post the pics from my facebook dammit, lol I am blocked at work

My fav snorkle spot was Captian Cooks Mounment (sp)

You can only get there by boat or a 4 mile round trip hike, we hiked and it was amazing

Mothahen

10-25-2010, 10:10 AM

Can someone tell me how to post pics?

rob_in_chi

10-25-2010, 10:17 AM

beautiful pics & again congrats!!

J. Martin

10-25-2010, 10:51 AM

Congrats to you as well. Yes my boy moved out to Oahu when we were there, we are going to stay with him a few days then go to Maui

Did you drive to the top of Mauna Kea? Its 13,800 ft above sea leavel, ,you are above the clouds, it was truely amazing. Someone post the pics from my facebook dammit, lol I am blocked at work

My fav snorkle spot was Captian Cooks Mounment (sp)

You can only get there by boat or a 4 mile round trip hike, we hiked and it was amazing

We did not go to Mauna Kea. Just up to Volcano to see Kilauea. The tour book we got mentioned an unadvertised road on the big Island that had an amazing view of Kona up in the area called the Cloud Jungle, I think. Neat drive with great views along the, way, but the clouds actually obscured the view :booted.

latinaj

10-25-2010, 10:59 AM

great pics! amazing food!!!! so hungry now!
congrats on the wedding!!!!

Greyho

10-25-2010, 12:56 PM

Great review Martin and congrats to you and the Mrs. :heart

Hawaii is just ridiculous and there are no words to describe it. Here are some pics from Kauai and Maui that Fart and I took.

Napali Coast in Kauai
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/napali.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/fallss2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/falls5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/falls.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/hawaiithirdset302.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/view2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/mount.jpg

J. Martin

10-25-2010, 12:57 PM

Those waterfalls look sick, Ho! Cannot wait to go back. I am an island person by blood. I'm thinking fuck the mainland, lol

Greyho

10-25-2010, 01:01 PM

I tell Rob at least once a month that I want to move to Hawaii. LOL

Be a pool waitress in Kauai and he can sell coconut water on the beach. Live a simple life. Fuck this 9-5 rat race. LOL

Old Fart

10-25-2010, 01:23 PM

I can see Martin giving tours, you totally look the part.

Lets start a business there

Greyho

10-25-2010, 01:24 PM

I wonder if there is boating business in Hawaii. LETS GO.

Mathieu

10-25-2010, 01:30 PM

you can always start a ny food business in hawaii, you'll be the only one

.laurenx.

10-25-2010, 01:31 PM

I tell Rob at least once a month that I want to move to Hawaii. LOL

Be a pool waitress in Kauai and he can sell coconut water on the beach. Live a simple life. Fuck this 9-5 rat race. LOL
forget the pool waitress its all about da kine bail bonds

http://www.tvgasm.com/newsgasm/dog-bounty-hunter4.jpg

Old Fart

10-25-2010, 01:34 PM

you can always start a ny food business in hawaii, you'll be the only one

I will sell $15 slices

people in Hawaii want to eat local favorites

J. Martin

10-25-2010, 01:53 PM

I was thinking get certified and be yoga instructor in the morning, tour guide in the afternoon

Old Fart

10-25-2010, 01:55 PM

then you can rip it sick all night long

I miss this view

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/view2.jpg

J. Martin

10-25-2010, 01:57 PM

lol, we were aslepp by 930 every night. no idea what the nitelife is like

MavCunt

10-25-2010, 02:03 PM

then you can rip it sick all night long

I miss this view

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Kris5187/view2.jpg

We can open a pizza and coffee shop, at $15 a slice w/ a $10 cup of Kona coffee, we would be rich

God i need to go back NOW

Mathieu

10-25-2010, 02:05 PM

We can open a pizza and coffee shop, at $15 a slice w/ a $10 cup of Kona coffee, we would be rich

God i need to go back NOW

Don't forget the 8$ garlic knots

Old Fart

10-25-2010, 02:05 PM

I would want to live like in 50 first dates, off the beaten path and have very little to do with tourists.
How I can make a living would come to question but I would accept a simpler life, a small pick up and a moped and I would be set, have my 55" television outside with a tarp over it and a wireless connection so I can keep in touch with NCC and I would be good to go

Greyho

10-25-2010, 02:09 PM

:heart Cheeseburger in Paradise :heart

On Oahu.

MavCunt

10-25-2010, 02:11 PM

Kenichi Pacific was prob the best meal I have ever had in my life

Maybe we can open a place and HO can be the chef

J. Martin

10-25-2010, 02:12 PM

the Dick Butkus from Lu Lu's on Kona. 1/2 pound burger with all the fixins, lathered with a thick layer of peanut butter. Heaven :spitfall :hungry

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MavCunt

10-25-2010, 02:15 PM

the Dick Butkus from Lu Lu's on Kona. 1/2 pound burger with all the fixins, lathered with a thick layer of peanut butter. Heaven :spitfall :hungry

51776

cool place, i went there for football at 7am, sdflasdkgjdfagsdf

nothing like a mai tai in the morning

Swftmcnsty

10-25-2010, 02:57 PM

I will sell $15 slices

people in Hawaii want to eat local favorites

How much for a slice, small soda and garlic knot?

Old Fart

10-25-2010, 03:04 PM

How much for a slice, small soda and garlic knot?

$22.50, but it is a REALLY good garlic knot

MavCunt

10-25-2010, 03:10 PM

$22.50, but it is a REALLY good garlic knot

but only if you aren't black can you have the pizza

Swftmcnsty

10-25-2010, 03:14 PM

Fart- Can you hold an NCC contest to name your pizzeria?

Old Fart

10-25-2010, 03:16 PM

lets not crap up Martin's thread............................. or else the VACATION MODERATOR might have to step in

MavCunt

10-25-2010, 03:19 PM

lets not crap up Martin's thread............................. or else the VACATION MODERATOR might have to step in

xcv/,kbjxcvbnsfbklbfg

Swftmcnsty

10-25-2010, 03:35 PM

lets not crap up Martin's thread............................. or else the VACATION MODERATOR might have to step in

If I get my first infraction in the Vacation forum, after never stepping foot in here, well I'll just be at a loss for words

ShaE

10-25-2010, 03:53 PM

gorgeous pics and congrats again on the wedding...:)

Mathieu

10-25-2010, 11:54 PM

lets not crap up Martin's thread............................. or else the VACATION MODERATOR might have to step in

your such a prick LOL

no infractions to anyone, this section of the board is the getaway, smiles only

bodhithsava

10-26-2010, 09:54 AM

Amazing photos Martin, thanks for sharing. Hawaii & Tahiti are my favourite places to visit :heart

J. Martin

10-26-2010, 12:01 PM

Amazing photos Martin, thanks for sharing. Hawaii & Tahiti are my favourite places to visit :heart

Never been to Tahiti, but would love to in the future.

Hard2Believe

10-26-2010, 01:38 PM

J. Martin

10-26-2010, 01:54 PM

We did the second part of our honeymoon in Kona. It def was awesome, we stayed at the Four Seasons-Hualalai. I still need to put up a review and pics from our honeymoon. Your pics look awesome though, I wish I could have done more activities but my wife is more of the lay around at the pools and beach kind of person which I don't mind that much either.

The Four Seasons must have been insanely beautiful

I would be fine with chillin poolside. luckily, wife is not, lol. We were up before sunset most mornings. Was awesome. Rented cars and got to see most of both islands. Kona especially was where the rental came in handy

antknee

10-26-2010, 03:21 PM

such dope pics....i can totally see myself living there.

J. Martin

10-26-2010, 05:07 PM

such dope pics....i can totally see myself living there.

we should open a beach cafe/body shop/yoga studio. First of it's kind, lol

Hard2Believe

10-26-2010, 05:47 PM

The Four Seasons must have been insanely beautiful

I would be fine with chillin poolside. luckily, wife is not, lol. We were up before sunset most mornings. Was awesome. Rented cars and got to see most of both islands. Kona especially was where the rental came in handy

We will most likely be going back in the near future, and I definitely want to go to the Hilo side. We were there a day before the Ironman competition, so tons of people biking through Kona. Best part for me was swimming with the sea turtles. They are everywhere.

Old Fart

10-26-2010, 05:59 PM

you cant touch the sea turtles!

Swftmcnsty

10-26-2010, 09:37 PM

you cant touch the sea turtles!

Can I touch Lisa Turtle?

MavCunt

10-27-2010, 08:27 AM

We will most likely be going back in the near future, and I definitely want to go to the Hilo side. We were there a day before the Ironman competition, so tons of people biking through Kona. Best part for me was swimming with the sea turtles. They are everywhere.

I was in Kona the weekend before, so i saw all the prep, those people are nuts, then I was there the day after the ironman as well

Hilo is nice, but there is not a TON to do, its very built up, it almost looks like home in regards to all the retail stores and malls they have, just alot nicer

:heart Island Lava Java in Kona for breakfast

Hard2Believe

10-27-2010, 08:56 AM

I was in Kona the weekend before, so i saw all the prep, those people are nuts, then I was there the day after the ironman as well

Hilo is nice, but there is not a TON to do, its very built up, it almost looks like home in regards to all the retail stores and malls they have, just alot nicer

:heart Island Lava Java in Kona for breakfast

Well we got to Kona the Sunday before the Ironman and then left the day before, so we were probably there at the same time then. Shit is crazy what they do, we saw some guy in the airport when we were leaving with his arm in a sling, he said he broke his shoulder training for the swimming portion, wave kicked his ass, and he was headed home to the Netherlands. What a waste for this poor guy. Did you see all the Donkey Crossing signs on the road, I asked a cab driver and he said there are wild donkeys....hahaha. Something about they are there from the military a long time ago, used them to haul shit around before vehicles became the main use, and they just let them go on the island way back then.

MavCunt

10-27-2010, 09:05 AM

Well we got to Kona the Sunday before the Ironman and then left the day before, so we were probably there at the same time then. Shit is crazy what they do, we saw some guy in the airport when we were leaving with his arm in a sling, he said he broke his shoulder training for the swimming portion, wave kicked his ass, and he was headed home to the Netherlands. What a waste for this poor guy. Did you see all the Donkey Crossing signs on the road, I asked a cab driver and he said there are wild donkeys....hahaha. Something about they are there from the military a long time ago, used them to haul shit around before vehicles became the main use, and they just let them go on the island way back then.

Yes the donkey signs and I also love the "Entering Tsunami evacutaion zone"

Hard2Believe

10-27-2010, 09:44 AM

Yes the donkey signs and I also love the "Entering Tsunami evacutaion zone"

Did you hear anything about the ghost stories up on Saddle Road? Another cab driver was telling us about the ghosts up there. Then my wife takes a bunch of the lava rock to bring home with us and thankfully she asked her friend who lives out there and works at the Four Seasons if it was ok to take on the plane, and she says how its very bad luck to take lava rock, something about your family getting ill and how people always send it back to her after they have taken it.

MavCunt

10-27-2010, 10:19 AM

Did you hear anything about the ghost stories up on Saddle Road? Another cab driver was telling us about the ghosts up there. Then my wife takes a bunch of the lava rock to bring home with us and thankfully she asked her friend who lives out there and works at the Four Seasons if it was ok to take on the plane, and she says how its very bad luck to take lava rock, something about your family getting ill and how people always send it back to her after they have taken it.

I also heard its very bad to take any black sand back as well

antknee

10-27-2010, 11:28 AM

we should open a beach cafe/body shop/yoga studio. First of it's kind, lol

slash car shop as well. :agree sign me up!

Old Fart

10-27-2010, 11:39 AM

I got the impression that the locals are not that vain in regards to their cars, or their boats

Funjen

10-27-2010, 12:43 PM