“We Trust Tish Tischer”

Come spend a Saturday morning touring amazing Oahu homes and other places of interest with AIA Hawaii. The Hawaii chapter of the American Institute of Architects organizes a weekly Architectural Walking Tour of Honolulu for $15 a person. An optional tour booklet is available for another $5.

The tour is led by renowned architect and critic Frank Haines, who has slowly developed a personal theory of Hawaiian architecture over the nearly 70 years he’s designed highrises, lowrises and luxury Oahu real estate. Some of his most famous works include Bishop Square and the Prince Kuhio Federal Building. The local community also trusted him to head the project to restore Aliiolani Hale, the majestic home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court.

Be re-introduced to popular Honolulu landmarks, hidden gems and charming Oahu homes by a champion of Hawaiian architecture. Frank will lead you through downtown Honolulu to take in the beauty and engineering finesse of Our lady of Peace Cathedral, Iolani Palace, the Kamehameha Statue and dozens more unique buildings.

The tour begins at 9 a.m. and lasts for two and a half hours. Groups are typically 4-12 walkers. The group meets 15 minutes before departure at AIA Honolulu Center for Architecture, located at 828 Fort Street Mall, Suite 100 in Honolulu.

For more information and to make reservations, call (808) 628-7243, visit the Walking Tours page of AIA Honolulu or email contact@aiahonolulu.org.

Honolulu real estate owners are blessed to live in a great community and be close to the fun and exotic Honolulu zoo. It is home to an astonishing 905 different animals from many tropical regions. Enjoy an exciting afternoon with friends and family at this exquisite park.

It is the only zoo in the area, and those who live on Honolulu real estate get to enjoy it right outside their home. The zoo was first initiated in 1877, mostly to display the king’s birds and horses. The Honolulu property started collecting animals in 1914 and has grown from a small marsh land to the enormous park you see today. It’s a popular destination for both tourists and locals. With their vast collection it isn’t hard to see why.

There are so many different animals to see here. They have everything from elephants, giraffes, Komodo dragons, bears, horses, lions, aardvarks, monkeys, dozens of birds, reptiles, and hundreds more different animals. You will meet creatures from all over the globe at home in this beautiful park.

Visit the Honolulu Zoo for a great day out, see your favorite animals and find new ones here. It is an affordable exotic adventure that all ages will love. Learn about the history of the zoo and about all the incredible animals that call it home. Tickets are only $14 for ages 13 and up and $6 for ages 6-12. There is also a military discount offered. Visit Honolulu Zoo for more information.

The vibrant Royal Hawaiian Center keeps culture alive by providing Mo’omeheu Hawai’i – Complimentary Cultural Programming for locals who live in Honolulu and visitors to the Hawaiian islands. It hosts live entertainment Tuesdays through Saturdays and teaches free courses on Hawaiian crafts and music Mondays through Fridays.

Up to 25 music lovers may strum complimentary ukuleles during a Ukelele Class hosted by professional musicians held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays. Partners switch off giving and receiving traditional lolilomi – Hawaiian massages – during a massage class held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon. Students learn the kui method of making flower leis with seasonal flowers and special lei needles from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Bring a hand-crafted quilt back to your Honolulu home (if you’re lucky enough to live in Honolulu) or pack it in your luggage to remind you of a colorful vacation. The two-and-a-half hour Hawaiian Quilting class begins at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday and focuses on a 19th century Hawaiian applique quilting technique called kappa kuiki.

The Center is located at 2201 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu. To find out about the class schedule, call (808) 922-2299 or go to Mo’omeheu Hawai’i.

Whether you live in Oahu full time or just own Oahu property for vacations, Hanauma Bay is one of the beaches on the island you want to visit. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has been carefully tended since 1990, to help restore the delicate ecosystem. In 2002, the Marine Education Center opened. Beautiful murals decorate the Center. An important mission of the Center is to educate the public about the marine life in the bay and how they can help preserve it. Take time to explore the exhibits and artifacts there.

Friends of Hanauma Bay is a great group to consider joining. The Friends organize periodic beach clean-ups, award research grants for scientists studying coral reefs, and give a cash prize to the student with the best marine research project in the Hawaii Science and Engineering Fair.

Oahu property owners can plan a lovely day exploring Hanauma Bay. Keep in mind that parking is limited, so early arrival is key. The parking fee is $1 per car. Admission is $7.50 person. Children 12 and under are free. Hawaii residents 13 and older with proper identification get in free, too. In the summer, Hanauma Bay is open everyday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Tuesday, when it is closed all day. In the winter, the Bay closes at 6 p.m. Masks, fins, snorkels, and lockers are available to rent. Click here to learn more about this unique marine habitat.

Luke, come to the dark side… and explore Hawaii’s bewitching coastline after sunset with Nocturnal Adventures Hawaii. Nocturnal Adventures is a start-up company experimenting with a whole new way to explore the island of Oahu at night. Take a break from touring Oahu homes and Oahu real estate and cruise the moonlit coast by paddleboard.

Adventures are lead along the coast and through smooth waterways by illuminated expert paddleboard guides. Adventures begin at 6:30pm and go for an hour and 45 minutes. Weather and surf conditions permitting, Haleiwa Glo Sup is hosted on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Firework Fridays are hosted on Fridays (of course).

Guests Oahu homes are welcome to ride tandem if they don’t feel confident to paddle alone – children 8 and under must ride with an adult – as long as the combined weight is less than 320 pounds. Nocturnal Adventures provides paddlers with all the gear they need, and adventurers are encouraged to wear swimsuits and bring clothes to change into. They accept all major credit cards as well as cash and offer discounts to parties of 4 or more.

Curious? Still in the dark? Send Nocturnal Adventures Hawaii a message at nocturnaladventureshawaii@gmail.com or call them at (808) 233-9472. Happy paddling!

Come visit Sharks Cove Grill, a beautiful, mostly-outdoor Haleiwa property overlooking the ocean that’s super popular with the locals who live in Haleiwa. This bite-size eatery’s food is the perfect mix of local tradition and international flavors and has been featured in Lonely Planet’s guide to the North Shore. It’s vegetarian and kid friendly, too.

Start your day off with a taro bun breakfast sandwich and acai berry bowl. Only breakfast items are served until 11am – except smoothies, which are served all day. One of the most popular smoothies amongst local surfers is Banana Protein, which is packed with peanut butter and soy milk.

Go out for a swim and come back for lunch. Try the delicious Paumalu Chicken Salad made with Oriental peanut dressing and a Fresh Ahi Sandwich. Return for the Dinner Special – two skewers (we suggest the pine nut pesto Shrimp and the Tri-Tip Steak) with Shark Gove Grill’s 1000 Mile Curry and Fresh Vegetables. And for dessert, grab an ice-cold frozen Snickers bar.

In case you aren’t familiar with the North Shore or don’t live in Haleiwa, Sharks Cove Grill is located at 59-712 Kamehameha Hwy and is open seven days a week from 8:30am to 8:30pm.

Come see the real Hawaii at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum at 1525 Bernice Street in Honolulu, just a half hour from the Whitmore Village home of your dreams. Bishop Museum is a world-renowned cultural and scientific hub that houses extensive collections on Hawaii and the other Pacific Island cultures. Many of the collections are interactive and open to the public and displayed in beautiful multi-story galleries.

About 35,000 students from Honolulu, Whitmore Village and nearby areas attend field trips here every year – just one of the perks your children will be able to appreciate after you purchase your Whitmore Village home. The museum hosts daily tours of the collections, galleries and gardens. Planetarium shows and lava melting demonstrations also run all day. Previous short-term exhibitions included exhibits on island basket weaving and dinosaurs.

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 9am to 5pm and is closed on Christmas. There’s plenty of free parking. General Admission is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors 65 and over, $14.95 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and under. Reduced admission is available for groups and for visitors with Hawaii State or military IDs and their guests.

After a day on the beach who’s not ready for an elegant evening out? Leave the kids at your Oahu home with a sitter and enjoy an adult-only evening filled with jazz music and candlelight. Located in the acclaimed Halekulani Hotel, known to Oahu real estate locals as “House Befitting Heaven”, Lewer’s Lounge is the prime spot for a little romance.

Enjoy tasty appetizers and sip fine wine while sounds of jazz fill the air. Lewer’s Lounge features contemporary and traditional cocktails, and even a few exclusively created drinks conceived by renowned Head Barman Colin Field. Recognized by Forbes as “Best Barman in the World”, Colin will no doubt mix you a drink to remember. So whether slowly savoring a Strawberry Basil or Sunset Martini, or delighting in a more classic drink such as an Old Fashioned or Whisky Smash, Lewer’s Lounge is the perfect setting for an intimate evening out or a good time with friends. After drinks indulge in a decadent Lemon Meringue Crisp or other richly flavored dessert served in the lounge.

Oahu real estate owners remind you that this is a dressy establishment, and Lewer’s Lounge does have a dress code. For this date night, leave the beach wear at the beach! For reservations please call (808) 923-2311 or click here for the entertainment schedule and more information.

Beach lovers calling Kailua real estate home can tell you that the perfect place to enjoy a guided kayak tour is Kailua Sailboats and Kayaks Inc. With a focus on conservation of the environment, this company focuses on safety, education and preservation through recreation. Located on Oahu’s eastern shore, the experienced and friendly staff at Kailua Sailboats and Kayaks will help you schedule a kayaking tour or assist in your rental needs for all kinds of ocean fun if you are a do it yourselfer. This team of adventurers will paddle you through Kailua’s vibrant clear blue waters to a variety of area islands, many environmentally preserved. Be prepared to see sea turtles gliding through the waters as you kayak past bird sanctuaries and living coral reefs.

Both guided and self-guided tours are available, and package options include snorkeling, lunch and even a massage. Kailua real estate residents can tell you that Kailua Bay is the optimum place to kayak. The beauty of the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters will take your breath away. So, whether you are a kayaking expert living in a exotic Kailua property or a first time adventurer visiting Oahu’s pristine Kailua Beach, Kailua Sailboats and Kayaks Inc. is the perfect place to meet all of your needs. To schedule your kayaking adventure go to kailuasailboards.com.

A great adventure for anyone living in North Shore homes is to take a day (or several!) to experience the Polynesian Cultural Center. It's open Monday through Saturday, from noon to 9 p.m. Its location at 55-370 Kamehameha Highway makes it convenient to North Shore real estate.

Six authentic villages showcase six different Pacific Cultures. Get to know Hawaiian culture better. Or travel to Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, or Aotearoa. Each village has several presentations throughout the day. You can learn to cook the Samoan way, over an open fire using sticks, stones, and leaves. Practice important skills like fire starting. Challenge your friends to a canoe race or spear-throwing competition. Or take a break and get to know Oahu on a canoe tour.

Be sure to plan on staying for the evening's luau. This includes a delicious dinner of traditional Hawaiian meats, as well as spectacular performances and entertainment. Don't miss the current incredible show "Ha: Breath of Life". It tells the founding myth of Polynesian culture, of Mana and Lani, his beloved. The show includes special effects, songs, and dances.

To find out more about the adventures awaiting residents of North Shore homes, visit polynesia.com. Choose the package of village activities and luau entertainment that suits your interests. Book your tickets online at least 10 days in advance to receive a 10% discount.