If you’ve ever wondered what an inspiration trip looks like when your mission is to bring the flavors and feelings home, this one is for you. We spent 8 unforgettable days exploring O‘ahu. We floated in Waikīkī with Diamond Head views, chased rainbows at sunset, rode TheBus across the island, and taste tested everything from mochi waffles to shave ice. Along the way we asked our favorite question… is it Replicate-Worthy?
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/-j7tg0w4dsM
Trip Snapshot
- Home base: Waikīkī, walkable to the beach and buses
- Transport: HOLO cards and TheBus for easy island hops
- Mood: Ultra-blue water, snack missions, everyday magic
- What we are bringing back to the studio: mochi waffles, butter mochi, spam with eggs and rice, musubi, shave ice syrups, and more
Day 1. Waikīkī Welcome
Vibe
Touchdown in Honolulu, warm air, palms swaying. We checked into Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and beelined to Marugame Udon for curry nikutama. Then a first float with Diamond Head in view and a soft pastel sunset on the balcony.
Replicate-Worthy
Curry nikutama… yes please. Beach sunsets… some things you only experience in person.
Tiny tip
Cut through the Moana Surfrider courtyard to reach the sand quickly and enjoy that giant banyan tree moment.
Day 2. Kailua Escape
Vibe
Boots & Kimo’s for mac nut pancakes, then turquoise glass at Kailua Beach. Lunch from Hawai‘i’s 7-Eleven… musubi and melon creamy soda forever. Evening comfort at Rainbow Drive-In.
Replicate-Worthy
Spam musubi… absolutely. Rainbow Drive-In mix plate… yes. Mac nut pancakes… fun once for us, a bit sweet.
Tiny tip
Grab Taro Sweetbread rolls at Kailua Safeway for an easy beach snack.
Day 3. North Shore Day
Vibe
Haleʻiwa strolls, Cholo’s for a big burrito situation, then Matsumoto Shave Ice with lilikoi, guava, mango over ice cream and a snow-fine texture. Calm float at Waimea Bay. Late hike on Kapaʻeleʻele Trail for a dramatic Kahana Bay lookout. Dinner joy at Genki Sushi with bullet train delivery.
Replicate-Worthy
Shave ice syrups and that powdery ice… yes. DIY sushi night… yes.
Tiny tip
If you miss a bus at Kahana, the clearing views and palm silhouettes are unexpectedly beautiful… build in wiggle room.
Day 4. Waikīkī All-Day
Vibe
McDonald’s local platter for breakfast… spam, eggs, rice. Hours of ultra-blue water in front of the Royal Hawaiian. STIX Asia Food Hall peek, 88 Tees treasure hunt, 7-Eleven snack safari, Daiso gear run, poi dogs at Hula Dog, rainbow at sunset, and a late Don Quijote spin.
Replicate-Worthy
Spam and eggs with rice… forever yes. Musubi and curry manapua… yes. Hula Dog flavors and technique… yes, we will attempt that inside-toasted bun.
Tiny tip
Those Daiso mesh zipper pouches keep chargers and cables tidy in your daypack.
Day 5. Punchbowl Views
Vibe
Morning Waikīkī swim, Itchy Butt garlic and curry chicken bowls for a picnic, then a steep walk to Punchbowl Crater for sweeping city views and a quiet, moving visit to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Makai Market comfort for dinner.
Replicate-Worthy
Itchy Butt bowls… yes.
Note on solemn sites
Punchbowl is a place to visit in person and reflect… not something we rank or replicate.
Tiny tip
Plan extra time to read the mosaics. It is worth the slow walk.
Day 6. Turtle Coast to Downtown Udon
Vibe
Country Express bus ride to Makaha Beach, mountains framing deep blue water. Sea turtles gliding by… we kept a respectful distance and just watched. Quick windward detour back to Kailua for a late splash. Dinner at Marugame Udon downtown.
Replicate-Worthy
Beef udon and curry nikutama… both yes.
Respect the wildlife
Give turtles space… at least 10 feet… and never touch or feed them.
Day 7. Mochi Morning and Shave Ice Bliss
Vibe
Breakfast at LuLu’s… mochi pancakes with haupia syrup and a spam fried rice that hits all the savory notes. Waikīkī turns ultra-blue for an all-time swim afternoon. Ululani’s No Ka ʻOi shave ice for tropical sweetness. Quick stops at Patagonia and UNIQLO. Kono’s burrito dinner… fine, not our fave.
Replicate-Worthy
Mochi pancakes… yes. Spam fried rice… yes. Ululani’s flavor combo… yes.
Tiny tip
Ask for a window or rail table at LuLu’s for those Waikīkī views.
Day 8. Aloha Farewell
Vibe
A lobby SPAM vending machine sighting sets the tone. Eggs ‘n Things for a strawberry Nutella mochi waffle and a Kalua Pork Eggs Benedict on a toasted taro roll. Waikīkī Market picnic… sushi, musubi, pineapple, and butter mochi that steals the show. Golden hour at the airport with open-air walkways and palms.
Replicate-Worthy
Mochi waffle… yes. Taro roll Eggs Benedict components… yes. Butter mochi… big yes.
Tiny tip
Waikīkī Market is perfect for a last-day sampler you can enjoy on your lanai or on the beach.
What We Loved Most
- Ultra-blue, waist-deep water in front of the Royal Hawaiian… perfect for endless floating and filming
- Bus rides with HOLO cards that turn the island into your neighborhood
- Snack scavenger hunts at 7-Eleven, Daiso, Don Quijote
- Sunsets you feel more than you photograph… and sometimes a rainbow
Replicate-Worthy List from This Trip
Kitchen projects heading to the studio:
- Mochi pancakes with haupia syrup
- Strawberry Nutella mochi waffle technique
- Butter mochi… classic and ube
- Spam and eggs with rice, plus a few seasoning twists
- Spam musubi two ways… classic and teriyaki
- Shave ice syrups… mango, lilikoi, coconut
- Udon comfort bowls… curry nikutama and beef
- Garlic chicken picnic bowls
- Hula Dog inspired build… inside-toasted bun and tropical relishes
Experiences we loved that are best in person:
- Waikīkī sunsets and balcony city glow
- Punchbowl Crater views and memorials
- Sea turtle sightings at Makaha… enjoyed from a respectful distance
Practical Tips We Used
- Tap in with HOLO cards… TheBus takes you to Kailua, North Shore, and beyond without parking stress
- Pack a small beach kit… microfiber towel, reef safe sunscreen, and a zipper pouch for your phone
- Snack smarter… 7-Eleven hot case for musubi, Don Quijote for late-night ice cream pouches
- Shop one small thing… a tee from 88 Tees becomes an instant memory marker
Watch Next and Join the Replicas
Stick around until the end of the video for our full list of replicate-worthy dishes. Then come back as we test and tweak recipes in the studio… mochi waffles, butter mochi, taro rolls, and a few SPAM ideas are up first.
If you love travel, food, and bringing the magic home, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Replicate the Magic. Comment with the Hawai‘i bite you want us to replicate next.
