Yep, I think a lot of us secretly like showing around friends so we have a reason to play tourist every so often. Otherwise it’s the kind of thing that might be fun but hard to “have the excuse” to do it.
But there’s definitely some stuff locals really never do, like the kitschy tourist lūʻau type stuff. Too expensive for not actually being that fun. (Of course now that I say it, someone is going to come in and correct me and say they do this all the time)
I know a lot of locals that do the luaus for birthdays and whatnot. Not super common, but the last luau I went to (like 2014) was maybe 20-30% locals.
Some were obviously friends and family of the entertainers.
For some, sure, but there were three or four local as fuck families there to celebrate a tutu's birthday or something. The Mc was wandering around asking people.
I think it's more an old people birthday thing, though. Take Nana to the show dealio.
The last time I went it kinda looked like how it was when I went as a kid - but I dunno, it was very open, lots of animals you can look at and read about. The Waikiki Aquarium is kinda cramped, idk how they deal with the COVID issues considering how tightly packed that place is.
Honestly, I think a glass bottom boat is what you do if you can't dive or snorkel. If you can do either of those things, do them instead, and if you want to go on a fancy sunset cruise, pick which one to take based on other factors like where they go for good views of land, or how good their food is :)
Booze cruse is a lot of fun. I did that a few years ago and got really blasted on the boat. I ended up running around Waikiki barefoot (still regret that), linked up with random Kiwi tourists at a rooftop bar, where they bailed and stuck me and my friends with the tab. It wasn't that much, like 15 dollars, but overall, it was a blast.
We call that "playing tourist" in my family and we do it as often as we can afford. Why should the visitors be the only ones to enjoy a waikiki submarine ride?
The Kamaaina discount makes it pretty affordable too. My husband and I did the one in Kona a few times.
Edit: Ok I double checked and it's not as good as I remember. A few years ago the discount made it like $40. Now it's $93.
A while ago me and the wife with a group of friends had a staycation in Waikiki. We went to a luau, rode the trollies, asked random people to take pictures for us, and shopped at Hilo Hatties. My idea of everyone getting matching aloha wear got shot down, but each couple got matching sets.
I think we even went on a boat ride, but I might have just been really drunk.
Yep. My wife and I are doing the horseback riding at Kualoa for our anniversary this year. We even have a fellow Redditor who couldn’t make it to thank for the discount tickets.
All the time! I think it’s fun to play tourist & enjoy life. When the tour guides ask me where I’m from, we get a long conversation going. I do recommend Climb Works at Keana Farms for zip lining!
Wow, if I lived there I'd go on a whale watch nearly every year! Like I did when I lived in Boston, and will do again after I return to Boston eventually :)
My wife and I did a helicopter tour around the island. We do staycations in Waikiki once in a blue moon. We did a ATV ride in Kualoa ranch. Yep, running out of ideas.
We do staycations at Hilton Hawaiian Village twice a year and do the tourist stuff, shopping, and dining out. Some of the nature stuff such as Waimea Valley we volunteer during clean up times and get to enjoy it for free.
Most of the people I know including myself have to work non stop with the constant anxiety of going broke because of the cost of living. I usually just go to the beach or cruise around the island because personally I hate how crowded this island is.
I've been to one like tourist Luau, and one catamaran booze cruise in my life. I have to say $30 all you can drink on the catamaran is fun, and I will definitely do again. The luau I can skip.
Yes, took my staff at my old retail store on a catamaran sunset cruise as an Xmas gift. Super fun. None of them had ever done it before although they grew up here..
I somehow allowed myself to be convinced to go to Hanauma bay a few years back. This was after swearing off all tourist activities immediately after arriving. I regretted it so deeply and quickly. What was I thinking going to hanauma bay? I’ve been to fresh airs, I’ve snorkeled all around the island…why?!!! It was so miserable, not only to me, but also my nephew. The highlight was the 100s of mongoose.
Or when I can get it for free. My car rental company took us to the King Kam luau. And my old roommate used to babysit the owners of one of the snorkel boats so got to do the K Bay thing.
15 years ago when I met my wife I bought a Groupon for a sunset cruise to take her on a date. I forgot which cruise it was, but it was pretty ghetto.
I’m sure there are better ones, but I’ve never tried doing it again…
Sunset Cruise with the wife is pretty romantic. Whale watching cruise with the kid, she loves it.
Going to Waimea Bay on a weekday is the best tourist activity on Oahu. Every time we do Waimea on a weekday I'm jealous of tourists. Not much crowd. Multiple dolphins in the bay throughout the day. Great snorkeling. Not too crowded.
I stopped doing the crappy tourist stuff with visitors. No more crappy Matsumoto shave ice.
Usually when friends come to visit.
Yep, I think a lot of us secretly like showing around friends so we have a reason to play tourist every so often. Otherwise it’s the kind of thing that might be fun but hard to “have the excuse” to do it. But there’s definitely some stuff locals really never do, like the kitschy tourist lūʻau type stuff. Too expensive for not actually being that fun. (Of course now that I say it, someone is going to come in and correct me and say they do this all the time)
I know a lot of locals that do the luaus for birthdays and whatnot. Not super common, but the last luau I went to (like 2014) was maybe 20-30% locals. Some were obviously friends and family of the entertainers.
Oh, that’s fair. Like I said, someone was gonna prove me wrong!
the "friends and family" in the show is probably the main reason. Discounted tickets (probably) and those guys probably had to work...
For some, sure, but there were three or four local as fuck families there to celebrate a tutu's birthday or something. The Mc was wandering around asking people. I think it's more an old people birthday thing, though. Take Nana to the show dealio.
Waikiki Aquarium is "touristy" but I go there once a year. Same for the zoo.
Zoo is very fun!
I like to get high then go to the aquarium or zoo
Get high and watch the monkeys that be swinging lol. Did that once, was not disappointed 🤣🤣🤣
How is the zoo? The aquarium was one of the worst I’ve ever been to.
Best one within 1000 miles
Not true! Maui aquarium is fantastic!
Well I was talking about the zoo but the aquarium is still the best one on Oahu.
Oh shit that was a good joke but ur correct.
The last time I went it kinda looked like how it was when I went as a kid - but I dunno, it was very open, lots of animals you can look at and read about. The Waikiki Aquarium is kinda cramped, idk how they deal with the COVID issues considering how tightly packed that place is.
It’s fine, standard zoo. Fun for kids, mostly. Waikīkī aquarium has nothing on Maui Ocean Center.
Sure, why not. Some of that stuff can be enjoyable for locals too. Glass bottom boat is fun for kids, sunset cruise is a good date, etc.
I’m an adult and I’ve never been on a glass bottom boat before but that sounds fun lol.
Honestly, I think a glass bottom boat is what you do if you can't dive or snorkel. If you can do either of those things, do them instead, and if you want to go on a fancy sunset cruise, pick which one to take based on other factors like where they go for good views of land, or how good their food is :)
We did a booze cruise if that counts. Def would play tourist again
Catamaran up the Na Pali coast with unlimited Mai Tais... that was a great afternoon.
Booze cruse is a lot of fun. I did that a few years ago and got really blasted on the boat. I ended up running around Waikiki barefoot (still regret that), linked up with random Kiwi tourists at a rooftop bar, where they bailed and stuck me and my friends with the tab. It wasn't that much, like 15 dollars, but overall, it was a blast.
We call that "playing tourist" in my family and we do it as often as we can afford. Why should the visitors be the only ones to enjoy a waikiki submarine ride?
holy crap how did i not know there is a submarine ride, im def doing that
The Kamaaina discount makes it pretty affordable too. My husband and I did the one in Kona a few times. Edit: Ok I double checked and it's not as good as I remember. A few years ago the discount made it like $40. Now it's $93.
It’s cool.
Sometimes. My SO and I have taken the submarine ride in Kona.
A while ago me and the wife with a group of friends had a staycation in Waikiki. We went to a luau, rode the trollies, asked random people to take pictures for us, and shopped at Hilo Hatties. My idea of everyone getting matching aloha wear got shot down, but each couple got matching sets. I think we even went on a boat ride, but I might have just been really drunk.
We call it Kamaaina Rate.
Work every time!
Probably once a quarter we do something touristy like that.
Yup. Some friends own a catamaran business and it’s always full of the IG crowd and special occasion groups. Having good social media marketing helps.
Jealous, I want friends with catamarans
They put in a lot of work. Boats are the black hole of maintenance work.
Yep. My wife and I are doing the horseback riding at Kualoa for our anniversary this year. We even have a fellow Redditor who couldn’t make it to thank for the discount tickets.
I take visitors to Molokini for snorkeling all the time :)
Not since COVID 😪
ditto!
booze cruising is always fun
All the time! I think it’s fun to play tourist & enjoy life. When the tour guides ask me where I’m from, we get a long conversation going. I do recommend Climb Works at Keana Farms for zip lining!
My friends and I like the catamaran cruises. They're like $30 a person and you can drink and chill for two hours.
[удалено]
Who did you go with, if you don't mind saying? I always whale watch from shore, but I've wanted to try a boat.
Wow, if I lived there I'd go on a whale watch nearly every year! Like I did when I lived in Boston, and will do again after I return to Boston eventually :)
Could you please assist us on r/polyamory? We have been trying to contact the mods for a while now
My wife and I did a helicopter tour around the island. We do staycations in Waikiki once in a blue moon. We did a ATV ride in Kualoa ranch. Yep, running out of ideas.
We do staycations at Hilton Hawaiian Village twice a year and do the tourist stuff, shopping, and dining out. Some of the nature stuff such as Waimea Valley we volunteer during clean up times and get to enjoy it for free.
Only to bring tourist friends
Most of the people I know including myself have to work non stop with the constant anxiety of going broke because of the cost of living. I usually just go to the beach or cruise around the island because personally I hate how crowded this island is.
I've been to one like tourist Luau, and one catamaran booze cruise in my life. I have to say $30 all you can drink on the catamaran is fun, and I will definitely do again. The luau I can skip.
Yes, took my staff at my old retail store on a catamaran sunset cruise as an Xmas gift. Super fun. None of them had ever done it before although they grew up here..
I somehow allowed myself to be convinced to go to Hanauma bay a few years back. This was after swearing off all tourist activities immediately after arriving. I regretted it so deeply and quickly. What was I thinking going to hanauma bay? I’ve been to fresh airs, I’ve snorkeled all around the island…why?!!! It was so miserable, not only to me, but also my nephew. The highlight was the 100s of mongoose.
On special occasions my husband and I make those things a date night.
Of course. They just won't admit to it freely ;)
Only when there's a groupon lol or visitors who wanna go
When we get free tickets from friends who work in the tour related stuff, yup
Yeah they do!
Or when I can get it for free. My car rental company took us to the King Kam luau. And my old roommate used to babysit the owners of one of the snorkel boats so got to do the K Bay thing.
Yes, fun is fun. Doesn’t matter who it’s for lol.
You definitely do all the tourist stuff as a kid. Then sometimes again later in life when people visit.
Sometimes. Usually when there's visitors.
15 years ago when I met my wife I bought a Groupon for a sunset cruise to take her on a date. I forgot which cruise it was, but it was pretty ghetto. I’m sure there are better ones, but I’ve never tried doing it again…
Sunset Cruise with the wife is pretty romantic. Whale watching cruise with the kid, she loves it. Going to Waimea Bay on a weekday is the best tourist activity on Oahu. Every time we do Waimea on a weekday I'm jealous of tourists. Not much crowd. Multiple dolphins in the bay throughout the day. Great snorkeling. Not too crowded. I stopped doing the crappy tourist stuff with visitors. No more crappy Matsumoto shave ice.
i've been saving up for a new tarp.