Oahu, Hawaii 2021 (winter) tips, tricks, and must sees

Amid Covid-19, traveling to Hawaii can look different than it has in the past. Here are somethings we learned that may be the same and may be a little different. This is based on our January 2021 trip. See all of our tips, tricks, and must sees!

Masks

Masks are required in the airports and on the plane. This means you put your mask on when you walk out of the car until you get into your car. For some (we were early am flight from WI to Chicago and then a direct flight from Chicago to Honolulu) this could mean 15 hours in a mask. This was for everyone 2 and up, and they very strictly enforced this. You are able to remove them to eat or drink but they encouraged you to pull it down, bite, replace mask, and chew–as we were actually told to do by a flight attendant.

Hawaii has a mask mandate for anyone 5 and up. This is very strictly enforced. Even outdoor events (like the Dole plantation and Pearl Harbor) required you to wear a mask. Masks were not required on the beach, but we always had one on us incase we would need to go in somewhere, there was congestion in and out, and similar situations.

Limited people/capacity

You cannot gather in groups larger than 5 even outside. This is enforced.

Due to the local ordinances, there are limited capacities in many places. In stores, we saw limit numbers on the doors (and it could be as small as 3) and they expect you to look in, count, and wait outside (6 feet apart) if there is no room.

Restaurants will not seat tables more than 5, you will need more tables for a large group.

The luau we attended just opened up at the beginning of January. They had VERY limited seating with great spacing. We did not share a table with someone not in our group. Again, even outdoors, you were expected to wear your mask unless actively eating and drinking, including walks to the bathroom and bar.

Temperature Checks

They took our temperature before we went in just about anywhere. They are contactless and quick, but it is part of the entrance procedure from attractions to restaurants.

Plane

Masks. you wear a lot of masks

Internet. Most flights to Hawaii offer WIFI on the plane. We flew united. WIFI was available, but expensive–since it is for so many hours. I think $27 for the whole flight (each flight) and you cannot switch between devices. We actually went with their subscription option- we purchased the month subscription since it was cheaper and we could have it both ways on all flights. You can switch between devices with the subscription only one device at a time. You cannot stream movies- so I’d suggest downloading those.

Carry On. If you have a rolling carry on, the middle seats overhead bins may not fit them. They just had us move down the line until we found a space.

It is a long ride. No matter where you fly from, it is a long ride. Be prepared for it. I know you see it on paper, but holy cow is it a long ride.

Airport

Food availability seems limited. Our flight did not have a meal. Chicago O’Hare appeared to have a lot of food choices (though reduced) but Honolulu had maybe one or two restaurants/stores open. I would highly encourage you to bring food.

Honolulu Safe Travel check in: We didn’t have to wait long, maybe 15 minutes, but I heard nightmares about 2 hour waits to get out of the airport. You have to present your QR code showing your negative test and your ID before they let you out to enjoy your vacation. All the steps to get your QR code and be allowed in Hawaii with no quarantine, found HERE.

Shoes

One restaurant we went to had a men’s dress code of a collared shirt and closed toe shoes. You may want to have one or two of these options.

I didn’t see any women in heels of any kind. Flip flops or dressy sandals was the most I saw. Hawaiians love to “free the feet.”

Clothes

It never waivers much from 80*. It got to 70* the day after we left and everyone was very cold, but I am told that is rare.

I brought a think cardigan and wore it almost every night as it cooled off and then in air conditioned places.

It rains pretty often, but it is usually short and warm while it happens. Also, if you have rain on one side of the island, go to the other side of the island and its probably not. We packed thin rain coats so if we wanted to be at a site and it was open in the rain, we could still participate.

Ask the locals

We were blessed to go with family/someone living in Hawaii. Because of this, we got to know a lot of the ins and outs and see some of the cool things that others only on the tourist -track would miss. I can recommend some places we tried for food, coffee, shopping if you want!

Parking

Parking is hard and enforced! Make sure you have quarters for the meters, only park where it says (or at least lacks a no parking sign) and only for as long as it says. You will get ticketed. Some beaches are REALLY difficult to find parking by.

Parking is often the side of the road or in tiny parking lots. If given the choice of a car, the smaller the better.

Driving

The roads are tight, there are cars parked on the side, you stop for people on the side even if they are not in the crosswalk to cross, there are many curves and hills, over 5mph can get you pulled over for speeding and cell phone being in your hand is prohibited (and enforced). Lucky for us, cops have blue lights on on top of their cars at all times so they are easy to spot!

Expensive

The cost of living is much higher in Hawaii. A lot has to do with the fact that many of the things have to travel very far in order to get there. Others has to do with the fact the people have to make a profit as well as afford to live in the super high cost of living. Think of how much spending money you need and probably double it. But they do have a Target!

Places we visited and can recommend:

We stayed on Kaneohe Bay Marine base. We cannot offer information on lodging. We also borrowed the family car, so I cannot offer information on renting a car-just on the roads and parking. Being on base, we were able to see their private beaches and airfield, we even were stopped a couple times at the airfield. Its literally an intersection like a train crossing. Alex was in Heaven. Don’t recommend turning down them and driving, though.

Kailua town was closest to the marine base and where spent a majority of our time. In Kailua, we saw:

Buzz’s Steakhouse
- We went to dinner here our first night. It was delicious food in a fun atmosphere. It is said to be a favorite of President Obama when he is town.
Lanikai Juice
- I got the Pacific Passion and Alex got Lanikai Splash. Both were delicious and really taste like a piece of Hawaii.
Farmer’s Market (Pali Lanes Bowling Alley parking lot)
- We went on a Sunday to the farmers market. There were limits on the number of people allowed in the tents, but there were many wonderful vendors. We got a metal print of a photograph from one of the beaches we visited.
Mothers Bake Shop
- Apparently gaining even more fame from a TikTok video, the bakery with AMAZING baked goods. I got a cruffin and let’s just say it was AMAZING.
Bee & Tea
- I got to experience my first ever Boba Tea, and it was delicious
- The Kailua mural was an amazing recap of all our vacation spots during the week!
Manoa Chocolate
- We got to learn about Hawaii bean to chocolate. We got to try chocolate tea, and a bite of a couple bars. You can do a full tasting by appointment only during the week. The chocolate is amazing!
President Obamas rumored summer home
- (he was in Hawaii at the same time we were-he likes to golf on the Marine Base Golf Course)
- I cannot give you an address, it is one of those things that a local will drive my and tell you is his house.

Coconuts

At a little booth outside the Dole plantation, we got to try a whole coconut water. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was good. Definitely something you have to experience.
They also offered Mexican Corn. We didn’t eat it at that time but my sister in law (local) says that it is a reputable and good one to try it.

Dole Plantation

I would highly recommend the train tour, I really enjoyed learning on that! There is limited seating (a seat between groups) so wait times were a bit longer.
Garden tour was self guided. I learned some, but more on the train tour.
The DoleWhip float in souvenir cup was amazing, but I am not sure I could drink any more than I did in that cup.

Green World Coffee Farm (and coffee shop)

We got to try some coffee from the shop (I got an iced caramel latte) and wander the gardens with coffee plants. Chickens are wandering all over the place. Really neat atmosphere to sit and have coffee right where its grown, and near the Dole plantation.

Byodo-in Temple

Hidden in a cemetery of all the faiths (very cool to see), a replica of the temple in Japan.
Very cool and peaceful experience
Feed the birds and fish with the same food purchased at the gift shop. Birds will eat out of your hand if you hold it open on the bridge. Coi are huge!
Also there are cats all over the place at the cemetery right by it, pretty wild to see. They are everywhere and live there–some have been known to just lie in the street

KaptainKrash Sunset boat tour

Limited people on board
Bring your own drinks
Sushi the dog barks out whales, in our experience! Very entertaining!
We were able to see whales on our tour (winter) but they have other tours more directed towards that.
Beautiful sunset and lights tour. And Alex and Nate liked drinking all the Maui Bikini Blonde beers they packed.

Pearl Harbor

We visited a couple of the smaller museums
We did take the tour to the USS Arizona. It was self guided. Tickets were sold in advance and with the limited seating, it sells out quickly. Sign up very early.
Only clear water allowed.
The signage can give you a lot of history.
Very powerful place to see, highly recommend!

USS Missouri

We got on the navy base to see the USS Missouri. They are very much limiting access currently. We got on as military base visitors- we went and got a day pass with a sponsor with complete background check to be able to so–make sure you sign up early and make sure you know when you have general access.
The self guided tour was full of amazing information.
There were some tour guides posted throughout telling stories, showing things, and getting you excited about the ship.
It took almost 2 hours, I would plan for that.
Nothing but clear water allowed so make sure you hydrate and eat before hand. They do have concessions and water filling stations on the ship.
It was air conditioned in the ship. Built just after Pearl Harbor and used until the early 90’s, its actually where the official end to WWII happened.

Sunset Beach-Pupukea

Known for its surfing in the winter, its waves were extremely large. This was not a great swim beach at all in the winter.
The sand is not a soft sand, being larger pieces. It gets EVERYWHERE when you are taken out at the ankles by a large wave.
The sunsets are amazing.
There is no such thing as a private beach in Hawaii apparently. We were just feet outside a man’s porch. Not a big deal but him letting his dog out to do his business on the beach was unexpected.

Food Trucks

Holy cow, hit up the food trucks! The food is so good!

Kailua Beach

A little wavy, but it is wadable in winter.
We had a lot of fun playing in waves with out fear of being pulled out.
In an area very close to shops and restaurants.
Actually has decent parking in a lot and on the street.

Lanikai Beach

The calmest of the beaches we visited. It is beautiful and has amazing, 2 mountains sticking out just off shore that are very pretty.
There was absolutely no parking lots for this beach and the street was closed for maintenance for miles so we could not stay at this beach long.
In a residential area.
The walkways out the the beach from the road are famous, and amazing themselves.

Germaines Luau

Limited packages available, we went with basic and had an amazing experience.
Due to the limited seating, we got the last table purchasing 2 days in advance, I highly recommend you book these things early.
Due to Covid, they were running a limited menu. It was also not running buffet style, but brought to your seat and they would go get you seconds of ANYTHING you would like.
Again, even outdoors, you were expected to wear your mask unless actively eating and drinking, including walks to the bathroom and bar.

Shrine to the Drowned fishermen (and the cliffs around).