What’s so special about Hawaii? Isn’t it just another Singapore (read: sunny tropical island nation) in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? That’s what I thought of Hawaii until I set foot on Oahu, the capital of the 50th state of the United States.
Well, Hawaii is not just another state in the United States. Its location is a big factor that sets it apart from the continental United States. In addition to its unique flora and fauna, it is also a melting pot of diverse cultures, warm and friendly locals, and a huge variety of cuisines.
Explore the most bizarre movie sets
Kualoa Ranch Jurassic Park Icon – Things to do in Honolulu
Movie lovers won’t want to miss the next nature preserve. If you’ve seen movies like “Game of Thrones: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Jurassic Park,” “Kong: Skull Island” and “Godzilla,” you’ll likely recognize the iconic mountains of Kualoa Ranch. The upcoming movie Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was filmed there, too!
Take an eco-adventure on one of the most exotic movie sets, where you can pose for photos on the logs used in Jurassic Park or stand in one of Godzilla’s tracks.
Kualoa Ranch Bunker – Things to do in Honolulu
There is also a World War II-era bunker that has since been converted into an exhibit hall for various movies filmed at Kualoa Ranch, decorated with used props and movie posters. Visitors can choose from 10 tours to explore Gurrani Ranch by all-terrain vehicle, horseback or by comfortable bus.
Gurrani Ranch and Nature Reserve*
Open daily from 7.30am to 6pm
*Access with the purchase of a tour package only
Watch the whales play in the ocean without entering the open sea
Located in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is no stranger to marine animals such as seals, sea turtles, sharks and even whales. If you’ve ever been on a whale watching tour, you know how arduous it can be to navigate into the open ocean just to see some whales flipping their fins.
On Oahu, with patience, you will be able to see whales from any beach, lookout point or anywhere facing the coast. We managed to spot some whales spouting water from their air holes at Guraney Ranch. You can also see them from Waikiki Beach.
Customize your own Poke Bowl
Custom Poke Bowl – Things to do in Honolulu
Poke bowls are a recent trend in Singapore – a bowl of rice topped with a thick slice or cube of raw fish. While most poke bowl restaurants in Singapore market the poke bowl as a health food, in Hawaii, it’s really just a fish salad served with rice.
Foodland’s Tuna Ahi – Things to do in Honolulu
At Foodland (a supermarket chain in Hawaii), you’ll be dazzled by the variety of poke available. Besides being much cheaper than the poke bowls you can buy in Singapore, you can even customize your own poke bowl with California Roll Ahi, Spicy Ahi, Kochujang Ahi, and more! My favorite poke is Kochujang Ahi, where the Korean spices bring out the deliciousness of the tuna without overshadowing its freshness.
Witness a tuna auction outside Japan
Tuna Auctions – Things to do in Honolulu
The Honolulu Fish Auction is one of the few fish auctions in the United States where restaurant brokers bid on fresh tuna (bigeye and yellowfin tuna). The auction begins at 5:30 a.m. each morning, and you’ll see brokers crowding around and studying samples of gutted tuna neatly arranged on trays on the floor.
Fish Auction with Chef Mavro – Things to do in Honolulu
We visited the auction with Chef Mavro, Chef George Mavrothalassitis, Chef of Casual Fine Dining. Hawaiian restaurateurs like Mavrothalassitis get a fresh supply of fish from this auction.
Unlike the Tsukiji Fish Market or Osaka Central Fish Market in Japan, the Honolulu Fish Auction hosts an English-language auction on Saturday for curious locals and visitors.
