Many millions of visitors each year land at Honolulu International Airport expecting a holiday of a lifetime on these islands. Soon upon arrival, visitors crowd the cabs or buses sent to them by the hotel, and start their journey through the hub of mid town Honolulu and reach their reserved accommodation at a Waikiki hotel. This is a exciting area and it has an immediate effect on everyone that goes there as it is full of life. Venturing out in Waikiki can be quite exciting – Waikiki can be so exciting that many visitors never escape its imaginary borders. Approximately 6 million of these visitors miss the very sites that locals find so endearing, remaining within the two square miles of Waikiki.

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

Firstly there is the Magic Island Beach Park, which can be found a short distance from the Ala Moana Shopping Center, and is a very popular Waikiki destination. The park includes two beaches, a three mile jogging path, tennis courts, and more. A leisurely stroll around the park would bring you closer to the essence of Hawaiian culture – where a large family with all the members spends a lively day together amidst delicious food and lots of sun. The beaches are significantly less crowded, so for a great day, grab a barbecue and head down to the beach at Magic Island!

The Contemporary Museum Honolulu – This is located on a ridge at Makiki Heights Drive, and as you drive up the ridge, you see some panoramic views of Oahu, which most visitors usually miss. The relatively small museum offers changing exhibits in its five galleries and after traversing the galleries, visitors can wander out onto the sculpture gardens. Many people visit just to marvel at the gardens and the views that can be experienced from them and, as they are set in over three acres you shouldn’t find them too crowded.

Leong’s Cafe – Many visitors look to a lu’au for more than entertainment especially when they are after some great Hawaiian food. However, if you are looking out to taste some delectable foods cooked in typical Hawaiian style, then you can never miss out on Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. Some of the dishes, which keep the customers coming back, include kalua pig, lu’au stew, lomi lomi and more and as incredible as it may sound, this place is visited both by locals as well as tourists, 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 location details, where this venerated and most popular bakery is Champion Malasadas, 1926 South Beretania Street. Anyone that enjoys donuts will like these (even though they do not have a hole) and they come with a variety of fillings or if you prefer, you can eat them without any type of filling.

Honolulu Chinatown – A walk through the streets of Chinatown in like a walk into another time and place. This is like being in a small part of China where you can obtain anything you would expect to find in the mainland Country. 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 many visitors take guided tours, it is just as easy (if not more so) to wander through the streets, taking in the atmosphere and stopping whenever you feel the need.

In case you are keen to enjoy Oahu the way a local does, spend more time outside Waikiki. 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.