A new Hawaii travel mindset is emerging that blends familiar comforts with fresh discoveries. Instead of choosing between nostalgia and discovery, travelers are doing both. It’s reshaping how we experience the islands by layering fresh experiences onto familiar favorites.
Revisiting favorites on Oahu while finding the unexpected.
Oahu is a perfect example of how this shift is playing out. Certain experiences never get old—hiking Diamond Head, walking through Iolani Palace or catching a Waikiki sunset. These places are timeless, offering a sense of place and familiarity.
But with each visit, we also push ourselves to explore something new. Recently, that meant staying at a brand-new hotel instead of opting for a known favorite. We also sought out Oahu restaurants that were new to us, spent a day in Chinatown, and explored West Side beaches with stretches of sand that felt fresh and unfamiliar despite being part of an island we’ve known for years.
Chinatown keeps the past alive and the memories of immigrants who passed through.
While Waikiki is beautiful, with many new buildings, we miss some of the older places that offered charm. You can still find some old Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village with its historic Rainbow Bazar. But this trip, we ventured out of Waikiki and spent more time in Chinatown than in years. And honestly, it’s been nothing short of incredible.
The energy here is electric—whether wandering through historic streets lined with open-air markets, browsing traditional herbal medicine shops, or stumbling upon modern boutiques that blend old and new, low and high end. The Chinese New Year parade stood out, with lion dancers weaving through the streets, firecrackers echoing in alleyways, and a crowd fully immersed in the celebration.
Food, of course, was at the heart of our experience. Between standout meals at Okims and Pig and the Lady, we found ourselves drawn to hidden gems serving everything from roast duck to fresh-baked pastries. And even a quiet escape to Foster Botanical Garden felt like a Chinatown moment—just steps from the bustle, yet a world away. It’s clear that Chinatown isn’t just a stop on an itinerary—it’s an essential part of Honolulu’s evolving story and one we’re eager to keep exploring.
Westside beaches on Oahu instead of Waikiki.
Instead of driving up to the North Shore, we headed out to Ko Olina and explored the many beaches above the resort area to where the road ends. You’ll find Keawaula Beach pictured as our lead image.
Oahu’s westside beaches remain some of the most breathtaking and least-visited stretches of sand on the island. It’s only an hour from Waikiki. Driving past Ko Olina and beyond the usual tourist haunts, we found wide, golden beaches framed by the dramatic Wai‘anae mountains, with far fewer crowds than Waikiki or Lanikai. This is also the area that Brother IZ called home and where the Makaha Sons formed their musical group.
Places like Makua Beach and Keawaula Beach offer a glimpse of untouched Hawaii, where the ocean sparkles in deep blues and greens, and honu (sea turtles) often rest along the shore. These beaches feel worlds away from Honolulu’s hustle, making them a must for anyone willing to explore beyond the well-worn paths.
La Mariana Sailing Club instead of Nico’s.
We are still fans of Nico’s, and usually, that’s our first stop after we leave HNL. On this trip, the flight from Kauai was delayed; by the time we left the airport, Nico’s was about to close. As we drove close to Sand Island, Rob suddenly remembered a Facebook friend who had recently shared photos of La Mariana Sailing Club. We decided to stop there instead.
La Mariana Sailing Club felt like stepping into a different era—one that’s rapidly disappearing in Honolulu. This legendary tiki bar did not disappoint. It’s an authentic relic of mid-century Hawaii, with bamboo-lined walls, vintage Polynesian décor, and a laid-back atmosphere that starkly contrasts Waikiki’s polished resorts. Sipping on Mai Tais we enjoyed a menu filled with nostalgic Hawaiian-American dishes. It’s easy to see why this place has remained a favorite since 1957. There’s nothing else quite like it left. We’ll have a full review soon, but for now, we can say this: La Mariana is the real deal if you’re looking for a slice of old Hawaii.
This shift is shaping travel beyond Hawaii.
This mindset—layering new discoveries onto familiar places—isn’t just happening in Hawaii. It’s influencing how we plan our travels around the world.
We’ll soon be heading to London, Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland, and the island of Madeira. This approach is shaping how we experience each destination. London is a city we know well, yet we’re trying to explore areas we haven’t spent time in before. Lauterbrunnen is familiar in some ways but still offers plenty to uncover. Madeira will be completely new, expanding our perspective further as we travel to the Hawaii of Europe.
Later this year, we’ll return to Tahiti, a place we’ve loved for years, but we will also visit Bora Bora and include the Cook Islands for the first time. This mix of old and new is what keeps travel fresh.
How this shift could impact Hawaii’s tourism industry.
As more travelers embrace this approach, Hawaii’s tourism industry may need to adapt. Visitors aren’t just repeating the same vacations but looking for a balance between nostalgia and discovery.
Hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that recognize this trend will likely be the ones that thrive. The ability to offer both familiar comforts and new, exciting experiences could be key in keeping visitors engaged.
This new way of traveling has made our experiences in Hawaii—and everywhere we go—more meaningful. If this shift continues, it could reshape how people travel to Hawaii and engage with destinations worldwide.
What are some of the new places you discovered on Oahu?
All photos taken by Beat of Hawaii
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
When you went to Ko Olina, where did you park? We live nearby, in Makakilo, but haven’t even tried to go to Ko Olina in ages because parking is such an issue.
As for Madeira, be sure to take a ride on a sledge. It is so much fun!
Hi Wendy.
We were able to park at the nearby cultural park. And thanks for the sledge recommendation, which looks like a lot of fun!
Aloha.
Aloha, BOH!
Glad to see you are going to the Cook Islands. Hopefully you are going to Aitutaki. We spent a week at the Pacific Resort Aitutaki in 2023 and fell in love with the island and the people. Hope to go back this year!
Years ago each member of my family went to the Dole Plantation out on H1 on the way to North Shore. I paid to plant a pineapple seed plant in black tarp designated by a numbered X. My experience left me with a bond or connection to the land and island. Go to the local outdoor BBQ outfit just south of Sunset Beach. Visit a Shrimp truck along the way. Locals don’t care for Waikiki. It’s just like downtown. I took a BBQ tour out of Kaneohe bay to a sandbar out in the bay and played volleyball. Just wish I could see the pineapple plants progress years later. Maybe they need to update all the people with a photo for the paid service if customer leaves contact information. But I guess that would be too much to ask for. Bishop Museum is another great experience. Visit,shop Waikiki at night.
Whst’s to love? Traffic congestion, limited parking, increase in homelessness a d soaring prices doesn’t sound like paradise to me. Personally I think they went too far with commercials. I think they would’ve been better of fixing the infrastructure of the island, roads, beaches (including bathrooms, clearing away overgrown vegetation etc. Instead they turned our island into a commercial tourist trap. Sadly, our Aina will never be the same.
As someone who has come to the islands semi-regularly since 1991 (my brother lived in Honolulu from 1990 until he passed in 2017), Honolulu/Waikiki are not Hawaii. As for the westward beaches, that is the “Haole Go Home” Forbidden Zone, my brother would never even consider going there when we would trek out to the North Shore. I prefer a much different Hawaii experience – give me the wide open spaces of my beloved Molokai any day.
Get the most value for that rental car:
Get out and explore!
We try to get away from our condo base every other day and find something new to experience.
Sometimes a new activity or tour, sometimes a new dining opportunity, etc.
On Maui, the wildfires that destroyed Lahaina forced us to explore other interesting spots and find new favorites. Kula in upcountry is full of new found joys on Maui.
More visitors exploring new places could be great, but if those spots aren’t protected or managed well, it could just lead to overcrowding in different areas. What’s the plan for that?
Hawaii is changing, but so are travelers. People want more than just a resort experience now.
You can call it a “new reality” if you want, but to me, it just feels like more restrictions and higher prices. Not the Hawaii I fell in love with.
Visitors are looking for more than just a place to sunbathe—they want culture, history, and connection. Hawaii has a chance to redefine itself beautifully, but it needs to be careful not to price out the very people who keep coming back seeking what it has to offer.
We just visited Oahu and barely set foot in Waikiki—found incredible local food spots, some hidden beaches, and even a quiet hike with virtually no one around. This “new” Hawaii is exactly what we wanted and needed after so many visits! You hit the nail on the head.
We have stayed in Ko’olina area for over 10 years when we visit. Our go-to have always been the west side beaches. Love a trip or two to Yokohama Bay and other beaches along the way. Mostly have the beaches to ourselves during the week days. Never had a problem with the locals.
I’ve been coming to Hawaii for 30 years, and every trip feels a little different. Some changes are good, but some make me wonder if the island spirit is getting lost in the shuffle.
I love Hawaii and have been there a few times. The last time I visited Hawaii was two years ago and found prices on just about everything to high. Condo prices push the average wage owner out and many attractions that used to be free now have a price tag even parking to enjoy a beach. Hawaii is pricing themselves out of an average persons stay.
These are the things vast majority of tourists do. Also, Chinatown is more often slow paced or even dead through most days. That’s a good thing for people who don’t like crowds.