Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Places I’m Still Thinking About in Hawaii
17
items 
Tucked in Kāne’ohe on the windward side of O’ahu, this place earns every bit of the hype. The open-air setting, lush surroundings, and fresh seafood make it feel like a true local gem rather than a tourist stop. The kind of meal you keep thinking abo...
Haleiwa Joe's | Explore Fresh Flavors – Visit Today
The bag that actually survived Hawaii. Lightweight, waterproof, and stylish enough to take from beach to brunch — Aloha Collection totes and pouches are the kind of find you didn’t know you needed until you had one. A perfect souvenir that you’ll act...
ALOHA Collection: Shop Splash-Proof® Travel Bags & Accessories
A Waikiki institution named after the legendary Duke Kahanamoku himself. Grab a table on the lanai, order a Hula Pie, and watch the surfers on one of the most iconic stretches of beach in the world. It’s touristy, yes — but it’s touristy for a reason...
Duke's Waikiki
A locals’ favorite that delivers bold, authentic Thai flavors without the tourist markup. The kind of spot you stumble onto and immediately start telling everyone about. Proof that some of the best meals in Hawaii have nothing to do with the ocean.
Red Elephant
Even if you’re not staying here, it’s worth a wander. The sprawling, colorful grounds feel like their own little world right on Waikiki Beach — rainbow tower, flamingos, shops, and all. Catch the Friday night fireworks show if you can. It’s one of th...
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort - Hilton Official Site
A Kailua breakfast institution that lives up to the hype. Known for their famous red velvet pancakes and laid-back island vibes, this is the kind of place that has a line out the door for good reason. Worth every minute of the wait.
Cinnamon's Restaurant
A perfect Sunday morning stop in one of O’ahu’s most beloved towns. Fresh tropical fruits, local honey, homemade goods, and the kind of unhurried, community energy that reminds you why Hawaii feels so different from everywhere else. Pair it with a wa...
Kailua Farmers' Market - Hawaii Farm Bureau
Touristy? Absolutely. Worth it? Also absolutely. The Pineapple Express train tour, the world’s largest hedge maze, and the Dole Whip alone make this a must-stop on the North Shore drive. Embrace it fully — there’s no such thing as too much pineapple ...
Dole Plantation Grille
The North Shore shrimp truck experience is a Hawaii rite of passage, and Jennie’s delivers. Buttery, garlicky, piled-high shrimp served out of a truck on the side of the road — it doesn’t get more quintessentially O’ahu than this. Eat it at a picnic ...
Jenny's Shrimp menu photos - Food Trucks - Yelp
A North Shore legend since 1951. The line moves fast and every bit of the wait is worth it — pillowy shave ice in every tropical flavor imaginable, with a scoop of ice cream on the bottom if you’re doing it right. A non-negotiable stop on any drive t...
Matsumoto Shave Ice
Step inside and feel like you’ve time-traveled to old Hawaii. This tiki bar and restaurant has been a Honolulu fixture since 1957, complete with vintage décor, nautical artifacts, and mai tais that taste like history. The kind of place that doesn’t e...
LA MARIANA SAILING CLUB - Updated May 2026 - Yelp
No trip to O’ahu is complete without a stop at Leonard’s. These warm, sugar-dusted Portuguese doughnuts are as iconic as it gets — get them fresh out of the fryer and try a filled flavor if you’re feeling adventurous. Cash only, no regrets.
Leonard Hot Malasadas
You’ve seen it without knowing it — Jurassic Park, Lost, 50 First Dates — but experiencing Kualoa Ranch in person is something else entirely. The sweeping valley surrounded by dramatic Ko’olau cliffs is breathtaking from every angle. Do a tour, rent ...
Kualoa Ranch
Tucked into the base of the Ko’olau Mountains in the Valley of the Temples, this place will stop you in your tracks. A stunning replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple surrounded by koi ponds, peacocks, and some of the most dramatic scenery on O’ah...
Byodo-In Temple
A roadside stop on the Road to Hana that sounds simple and delivers something unforgettable. Warm, fresh-baked banana bread sold right out of a little stand — the kind of thing you grab on a whim and end up talking about for years. Buy an extra loaf....
Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread
A charming boutique hotel right in the heart of Waikiki that proves you don’t need a mega-resort to have a great stay. Laid-back, walkable, and steps from the beach — it has the kind of relaxed, unpretentious vibe that makes you feel like a local rat...
An Iconic Waikiki Beach Hotel | White Sands Waikiki
A Hawaii institution that locals grew up on. Open 24 hours, serving everything from saimin to chili to their famous napple pie — Zippy’s is comfort food with an island twist. Skip the tourist spots for one meal and eat where kamaʻāina actually eat. Y...
Zippyʻs Restaurants