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Ask a Local Oahu Expert

• Need to find a store for shoe shine in Waikiki? (1)
  • frank answers -- Unfortunatley there are no stores that offer shoe shining in Waikiki, however, just 5 minutes outside Waikiki at the Macy's Ala Moana Shopping Center, there is a shoe shining shop next to the Men's shoe department. Check with your hotel's laundry department as well, many times they offer complimentary shoe shining. Aloha!
• Where is a saimin restaurant in Waikiki? (1)
  • frank answers -- Great saimin at Mac 24 located at the Waikiki Prince Kuhio. The "Sumo Saimin" is huge!
• i want to have a "luau for 2" sent to my parents in their hotel for their anniversary. any ideas/ (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- If they are staying in Waikiki, I would suggest the Waikiki Starlight Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (808) 941-5828. If on the north shore or Ko Olina, I would suggest Paradise Cove (808)842-5911.
• Where can I buy a wooden aumakua souvenir? (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- I would recommend trying the Native Books/Nau Mea Hawaii store in Ward Warehouse. 596-8885
• We have car-want to drive a quick tour of the coast. Like to end up at outlet mall-starting from the Modern hotel. Suggestions? (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- Aloha! I suggest a nice drive along the North Shore of Oahu starting in Haleiwa and up the coast to Sunset Beach. You will back track a little to Waikele Outlets but the tour is relatively short (approx. 2 hrs w/out traffic) and is very scenic.
• Who has good quality European pastries in Waikiki/Honolulu? (1)
  • alohacowboy answers -- Aloha! I like Saint-Germain Bakery. They have several locations within the Waikiki/Honolulu area. Please refer to their website for locations: http://www.stghi.com/stores.htm A little further out, I like Café Laufer http://www.cafelaufer.com/
• Can I bring back papayas to California? (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- Aloha! Yes, but only if properly treated for Fruit Flies. I suggest purchasing them through Tropical Fruit Distributors (Dole) 847-3234. They also sell treated pineapples.
• Children friendly restaurants in Waikiki? (1)
  • frank answers -- Hula Grill Waikiki in the Outrigger Waikiki has a great children's menu. Also Sansei Seafood & Sushi, they also have a special keki menu! For a buffet, Oceanarium is popular with children mostly in part due to the large aquarium which is in the middle of the restaurant!
• Want to eat American Thanksgiving Dinner, do you have a list of restaurants in Waikiki that will serve Thanksgiving Dinner? (1)
  • frank answers -- There are many restaurants which will be serving traditional Thanksgiving dinners, a few of my personal favorites would be Orchids at Halekulani Hotel, Wolfgang's Steak House, or for something more casual, Hula Grill at the Outrigger Waikiki, Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber (more casual)or Tiki's!
• Is there a glass bottom boat tour in Waikiki? (1)
  • alohacowboy answers -- Aloha! The only glass-bottom boat on Oahu operates in Kaneohe. Call the Coral Queen at 235-2888 to reserve. For a view of the undersea world in Waikiki, take a ride on an Atlantis Submarine.
• any waikiki banks open on saturday? (1)
  • frank answers -- The Waikiki Branch of Bank of Hawaii is open from 9:00AM - 1:00PM!
• Is there a shuttle or trolley to Pearl Harbor from Waikiki, near Ala Moana Center? Thank you. (1)
  • alohacowboy answers -- Aloha! Yes please check out this website's SHUTTLE section under the TRANSPORT tab.
• any waikiki book store? (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- The closest bookstore to Waikiki is Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the Ala Moana Center. They are open daily from 9am-11pm. (808)949-7307
• good baby sitter (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- Aloha! We recommend Aloha Sitters 808-861-7294. They have qualified, reliable and experienced sitters. Interview sitter prior to service.
• Want help to find a charter boat to Kaneohe sandbar?Cost?how many hours? (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- Aloha! Captain Bruce runs a private charter out to Ahu O Laka, more popularly known as the Kaneohe Sandbar. It runs Mon-Sat and is about 3hrs for $700 (up to 6 pax) 922-2343. You could also rent kayaks and take the 45 min. paddle out.
• where to buy a hawaii 5-0 tv show tshirt? (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- Aloha! Walmart on Keeaumoku St. has the men's style 5-0 shirts for sale. 955-8441
• Penny smashing machines in Waikiki and Ala Moana? (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- Aloha! Check out this website... http://pennycollector.com/AreaList.aspx International Market Place in Waikiki and Ala Moana Center has them in their food court area.
• cab fare from waikiki to airport (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- Cab fare from the middle of Waikiki to Honolulu International Airport averages about $36.
• Times of pearl harbor (1)
  • @HawaiiConcierge answers -- The Arizona Memorial Visitor Center is open daily from 7am-5pm. Tours are offered from 8am-3pm and are very popular so anticipate lines. The USS Battleship Missouri is open daily from 8am-5pm. The Bowfin Submarine Museum hours are 7am-5pm daily. For more information on these attractions, please refer to this website's SIGHTSEEING section.
• baby sitter (1)
  • alohacowboy answers -- Aloha! Check out the list of babysitters in the SERVICES section of this website. Do make reservations at least a day in advance if possible.