Put Away the Tourist Map and Hear Directly From Credit Union Locals About What to do and see in Hawaii

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Given the paradise that is Hawaii and with so many activities available, Credit Union Times decided to ask a few credit union locals advice on attractions or experiences that can’t be missed. Listed below are a few of the best things to see, eat, and experience in Hawaii according to locals in-the-know: Island of Oahu I love the lagoons at Ko Olina! This is a very family-friendly beach, with four sandy bottom, crystal blue ocean lagoons far away from the crowds at Waikiki beach. The 40 minute drive from Waikiki is well worth it!” On the way back to town, stop by the Marketplace at Kapolei and eat at En Fuego Grill. This is the place to experience the best local style gourmet food in a very casual atmosphere. The garlic chicken is to-die-for and if you REALLY want to eat like a local, try their sashimi (raw fish) or poke (raw fish or octopus with seaweed, oils, and spices). Laurie Okawa Moore HCUL Communications Officer For the best pancakes ever, go to Boots and Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen in Kailua. They have a macadamia sauce that is simply the best! Go early to avoid the lines and take cash because they don’t accept anything else. Then cruise around Kailua Town to enjoy the eclectic array of shops or head over to Kailua Beach, which typically ranks as one of the best beaches in the United States. Lesley Makekau HCUL Member Relations Officer Take the H-3 freeway to Kaneohe. The road hugs the side of the Koolau mountains and the view of Kaneohe Bay is awesome. While in Kaneohe, you must eat at Pah Ke’s Chinese Restaurant! Pah Ke’s food is different from most Chinese Restaurants and I haven’t been disappointed yet. We order won ton min, roast chicken, roast duck w/bun, roast meat combo (char siu, roast chicken/duck) shrimp canton, scallop soup, wo gau gee min with gravy, and pork w/sweet sour cabbage. If you like ocean activities, rent a small boat and head out to the Sand Bar in Kaneohe Bay. During low tide, this is a great place to have a picnic – right in the middle of the bay with an incredible view of the Windward coastline. Wendy Kishida HCUL Information Technology Officer Go to Hanauma Bay on the East end of Oahu before 8:30am to avoid the heat and parking woes. Take an orange and a bottled water for sustenance. Bring or rent snorkel gear and spend the morning chasing the colorful tropical fish! Afterwards, head down the road to Koko Marina Shopping Center. Eat lunch at Teddy’s Bigger Burger and enjoy the `50s theme and a great menu of tasty burgers, fries of assorted flavors, and old-fashioned shakes. YUM! Kristine Westmorland HCUL Member Relations Officer The North Shore of Oahu, especially historic Haleiwa Town and scenic Waimea Bay, home of the largest surfable waves in the world – 30 or more feet waves are not uncommon during winter months is something to see. In addition don’t miss aerial fireworks on Friday night, on the beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. Best places to eat range from very casual dining at Giovanni’s shrimp van – parked on the side of the main highway near the Kahuku Sugar Mill on Oahu’s north shore or Sunday brunch at the Prince Court Restaurant in the Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki to fine dining at Alan Wong’s restaurant on South King Street, which is just a few blocks away from the Hawaii Credit Union League office! And no trip here would be complete without experiencing free Pearl Harbor tours of the U.S.S. Arizona memorial and U.S.S. Missouri and taking a leisurely stroll through Bishop Museum to learn more about Hawaii’s history and culture. Dennis Tanimoto HCUL President Stroll the sands of Kailua Beach or Lanikai Beach Park on the Windward side of the island of Oahu. Here, you will find endless white sand beaches. Then have a nice dinner at “3660 on the Rise” and enjoy a blend of European, Pacific Rim and Island Style Cuisine in a warm and casual atmosphere. Located in Kaimuki, just a 15- minute drive from Waikiki and in the same building as HawaiiUSA FCU’s branch! For a menu sample and more information, visit www.3660.com Scott Kaulukukui HawaiiUSA FCU Senior Vice President – Communications Group If you want a great view of Honolulu and you don’t mind a moderate hike, take the trail up to the top of Diamond Head Crater. The breathtaking view should not be missed. Annette Wedemeyer HCUL Bookkeeper BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII When you visit the Big Island of Hawaii, you can see everything from an active volcano to green sand beaches. Best places to see on the east side of the island: Akaka Falls, Volcanoes National Park, and Nani Mau Gardens. Best places to see on the west side of the island: Hulihe’e Palace, Honaunau Beach at the City of Refuge, and Kona Historical Society Tours . For great food, you have to visit Caf 100 – famous for its “loco moco” – a hamburger patty on top of steaming white rice, covered with an over easy egg and brown gravy. So ono! (delicious!) For the best pork chops on the west side, visit the Manago Hotel. For great Japanese food, also on the west side, eat at Teshima Restaurant. Nellie Medeiros Hawaii Community FCU Marketing Specialist ISLAND OF KAUAI The local’s favorite place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks and karaoke is Barbecue Inn in Lihue. You will probably run into a Kauai credit union manager or two having breakfast in the morning or a beer in the evening. If you like adventure, try some all terrain vehicle rides, a helicopter tour, or kayak ride along the Na Pali Coast. For romance, take a boat tour up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto at night. Scot Tsuchiyama Kekaha FCU Manager If you are coming to the Hawaiian Islands, you can’t miss a visit to the beautiful island of Kauai. Our Garden Island is unlike any other and offers an endless treat of breathtaking natural wonders such as the Napali Coast, Waimea Canyon and Mt. Waialeale (the wettest spot on earth). For beach lovers, Kauai offers more beaches per mile of coastline than on any of the other Hawaiian Islands – which means they are never busy. Sometimes you feel like you have the island all to yourself. If you are looking for a place to get away. this is it. And of course visit a few of these local favorites for satisfying your appetite for local food. Local Favorites: Hamura Saimin, TipTop Hotel, Hanamaulu Caf. Fine Dining: Dukes Canoe Club, Gaylords Plantation, Plantation Gardens. Mel Chiba Kauai Community FCU President/CEO When people from Kauai go to Honolulu, we enjoy going to all of the “mainland” stores and restaurants since to us they are a treat! Ala Moana Mall is a must hit spot for trip to the big city. However, we do have a few off the beaten path favorites for local ono grinds! If you want true local treats, find a Leonard’s Malasadas or visit Dave’s Ice Cream for some local Haupia. My favorite place downtown is Palominos. Irving Soto Kauai Community FCU Vice President of Business Development /CUSO ISLAND OF MAUI Since you’re in Hawaii, you must visit Maui. Wake up really early and drive up to the top of Haleakala crater to see the best sunrise. (It gets really cold, so bring a jacket or blanket along with your camera.) The Molokini snorkeling cruise is also great or choose a beach and lay out doing nothing. Then in the evening, you have to see the Ualena show. Best places to eat on Maui if you have the money: Mama’s Fish House, Roy’s, and Kobe Steak House. For very casual and inexpensive fare, try Sam Sato or the Millyard Snackhouse. But the best thing about Maui: hanging out with the Maui credit union folks! Gary Fukuroku Maui County Employees FCU Manager