40 Amazing Things to Do
Add these to your 2024 bucket list.
Sip Wine at Sunset at the Liljestrand House
It’s not every day you can enjoy the sunset with a glass of your favorite vintage while lounging on a balcony of a Tantalus Drive home designed by celebrated midcentury modern architect Vladimir Ossipoff. The Liljestrand Foundation, which aims to preserve the historic 1952 home, offers two-hour private sunset tours of the place. It’s $900 for a group of 10, or $90 each for 10 to 16 people. Gather a group of friends or co-workers and learn about the inspiring design of this 6,700-square-foot, two-story home, then enjoy a glass of bubbly (it’s BYOB) on the deck with sweeping views of Honolulu below. —CTF
3300 Tantalus Drive, (808) 527-3116, liljestrandhouse.org, @liljestrand_house
SEE ALSO: The Liljestrand House: Honolulu’s Mid-Century Architectural Gem
Indulge in Thai Street Eats
Entering the gates at Wat Thai Buddhist temple in Pearl City is like being transported to the middle of a Southeast Asian jungle. Once inside, you’ll encounter a magical frenzy of aunties and uncles preparing and serving up Thai fried chicken, pork skewers, boat noodles, banana fritters and spicy curries. That’s the surreal scene every Sunday morning, from late July to early October. —TO
96-130 Farrington Highway, Pearl City, Wat Thai of Hawai‘i on Facebook
Be a Charcuterie Hero
Even if you have zero design skills and can’t make much of anything, you’ll come away feeling like a creative genius after attending a charcuterie board workshop at Bubbly & Bleu. I went home with a gorgeous assemblage of cheeses, charcuterie and fruits—and friends who know that I have no aptitude for crafting did double takes when I showed them photos. Not only did I elegantly design a board, including making salami look like rose petals, I learned how to select the right cheeses and charcuterie for future spreads.
Photo: Diane Seo
The sessions, typically held monthly, are led by owners Fred and Cheryl DeAngelo, a warm couple who make attendees feel like they’ve been invited to the coolest intimate dinner party. Before class, we were treated to a glass of bubbly and an impressive charcuterie and cheese spread. The $85 price includes everything you need to make your board (as shown here), which you get to take home with you. —DS
1132 Koko Head Ave., (808) 888-5555, bubblyandbleu.com, @bubblyandbleu
Give ‘Ahi a Break
When it comes to our poke preferences, why does it seem like there’s one fish in the sea? Poke cases abound with options as ‘ono and often more sustainable than ‘ahi. Next time you stop in for a poke bowl, try something made with kajiki, king crab, tofu, California-style with imitation crab and avocado, or even Tamashiro Market’s famous Real Kine Poke with real kine shrimp, real kine crab and real kine scallop. Could one of these be your new favorite? —MT
Buy Local Eggs
If you want to eat local without breaking the bank, consider eggs. They’re high in protein, versatile (think frittatas, shakshuka, chawanmushi) and best of all, fresh. Farm-fresh, even, if you know where to go: In Waimānalo, customers line up early in the morning for OK Poultry’s popular orange-yolk eggs. Shaka Moa Eggs, a family-run business, sells from its farm in Wai‘anae. Solar panels power the operation at Waialua Fresh Eggs and provide shelter for the hens. The oldest egg producer on O‘ahu is Petersons’ Upland Farm in Wahiawā; the same family that started the business in 1910 still runs it today. And the largest producer, Eggs Hawai‘i, is a multigeneration family business, too, with its own retail shop in Kalihi. —MT
OK Poultry, 41-656 Kakaina St., Waimānalo, (808) 259-7832
Shaka Moa Eggs, 87-302 Maliona St., Wai‘anae, (808) 696-3823
Waialua Fresh Eggs, 67-071 Nauahi St., Waialua, (808) 637-2379
Petersons’ Upland Farm, 141 Dole Road, Wahiawā, (808) 621-6619
Eggs Hawai‘i, 419 Waiakamilo Road, (808) 841-7695
Sign Up for a Coffee Subscription
There are a lot of things I love about Grok Coffee, a local subscription service:
- I get to try new beans every few weeks, including from roasters I’d never heard of.
- Grok buys quality beans wholesale and keeps prices fair.
- The company works hard to make the operation as sustainable as possible by minimizing packaging. Whole beans come in reusable glass jars with special lids and recyclable paper labels that you return when you’re ready for your next batch.
- It’s a good way to support the local coffee industry. Every Monday, owner and coffee guru Shawn Steiman sends out that week’s selections via email: one grown here and one from somewhere else, both locally roasted, with tasting notes, background info and often fun coffee facts. Subscribers choose how much they want by Friday for pickup or delivery the following weekend. I go for the pickup option from the Kaka‘ako Farmers Market, where Steiman can be found brewing. —KV
(808) 223-0982, grokcoffee.net, @grokkingcoffee
High Tea Oasis
Take a seat at Plantoem’s breezy café, tucked in the back of its serene second-floor shop, and watch the world go by from windows overlooking Wai‘alae Avenue. If you’re up for a bite, try the high tea set for $16 that skips the savory and includes two mini croissants, two macarons and a pastry presented on a tiered stand. Pair it with a pot of tea or maybe a chilled lavender spritzer for a sharable high tea vibe. And yes, bringing home another plant is always a good idea. —CL
3457 Wai‘alae Ave., Unit 203, plantoem.com, @plantoem
Buy Poi From a Lo‘i
On Fridays in He‘eia, a left turn off Kamehameha Highway brings you to the homegrown bounty of Kako‘o ‘Ōiwi. Poi, kūlolo, lau lau, kālua pig, pickled onions—all of it comes from the nonprofit’s lo‘i and fields that stretch toward the verdant Ko‘olau. Drive up and see what’s on offer or better yet, go online and order ahead. If you’re inclined, you can even sign up for a volunteer workday in the lo‘i. —MT
He‘eia State Park, 46-406 Kamehameha Highway, Kāne‘ohe, (808) 741-3403, kakoooiwi.org, @kakoooiwi
Monthly Foraging Tour With Nat Bletter
If you were thinking of making a quick salad for lunch, this is not for you. But if you’re up for a leisurely three-hour stroll in the lush gorges of Makiki and Tantalus, picking wild greens, seeds, fruits and florals until you have enough to eat, then you’ve mosied over to the right place. Nat Bletter, botanist and co-founder of Madre Chocolate, will take you on a walking tour, pointing out the flavorful flora, both underfoot and overhead, that are otherwise ignored and invisible to a lot of us. Bring walking shoes, a baggie, a fork and a plate. You can leave the Costco card at home. Tours have no set fee but are by donation. —JN
Every third Sunday at noon, location sent the day before, bit.ly/hn-urban-foraging
Step Into a World of Sake
The Sake Shop is Hawai‘i’s sole sake specialty retailer and one of only four such shops in the country. Malcolm and Nadine Leong opened in 2010 with a focus on craft brews that they couldn’t find enough of in the Islands. It’s still a mom-and-pop, which may be the best thing about Sake Shop—it means you can get personal recommendations tailored to your budget, drinking tastes and what you’ll be eating with your sake. Or maybe the best thing is the rotation of visiting brewers from Japan who pour samples as they talk story. Not into sake? The shop also carries a growing selection of Japanese whiskies, gins and craft beers. —MT
575 Cooke St., (808) 947-7253, sakeshophawaii.com, @sakeshop
Celebrate Black History Month at HoMA
While attendance wanes at museums across the country, turnout at the Honolulu Museum of Art has increased 70% since 2019, thanks in part to its thoughtful innovations and diverse collections. HoMA’s latest exhibit, Forward Together: African American Prints from the Jean and Robert Steele Collection, showcases works by dozens of notable artists, including Faith Ringgold, best known for her story quilts, and Jacob Lawrence, the first African American artist to have work acquired by The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The collection of 50 prints spans four decades and will be on display through Sept. 14. Be sure to also catch a movie as part of the annual African American Film Festival (Feb. 1–25, tickets start at $12 for members). Museum admission is just $10 for kama‘āina. —KV
900 S. Beretania St., (808) 532-8700, honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
Enjoy the Arts Downtown
The Hawai‘i State Art Museum underwent a refresh in late 2023, getting a new name—it’s now called Capitol Modern—and an expanded roster of offerings. Along with featuring contemporary Hawai‘i art by diverse artists, there are plans for film screenings, dance performances, fashion shows and more. It’s also one of the main venues for the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, which takes place every four years in a different Pacific nation and is scheduled for June after being postponed in 2020. In the meantime, check out the transformed gift shop space, now called Passion on Display. Hawai‘i Theatre for Youth has partnered with the museum to install artwork to create a playful environment for live performances with a forest theme. —KV
Free admission, 250 S. Hotel St., capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern
Join the HIFF Screening Committee
If you’re a film fan, join the Hawai‘i International Film Festival’s screening committee to get an exclusive look at the latest and greatest productions months before the fall festival. Last year, as a member of the committee, I spent four months watching and rating more than 100 short films in my free time. Yes, there are some duds, but also some incredibly moving submissions. I had a really hard time narrowing my list of favorites. As a former video production assistant and film juror, I loved the variety of stories and storytelling methods. One of the best parts is committee members receive free vouchers for the festival. Click here to apply by Feb. 14. —KV
Indulge in Islamic Art
If you’ve never visited Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design, be sure to make your way to the exquisite Kāhala property to see heiress Doris Duke’s personal collection of Islamic art and artifacts. The opulent beachfront estate, built in 1937, was inspired by Duke’s extensive world travels. It’s the United States’ only standalone museum of Islamic art. For art aficionados, this is a can’t-miss site to explore.
The Honolulu Museum of Art coordinates 75-minute tours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at various times. Reservations are required (and the tours fill up fast). Tickets are $20 for Hawai‘i residents, including the shuttle ride from the museum and back. And every first Saturday of the month, kama‘āina, students and active-duty military pay only $5.—DS
Don’t Miss: HapaSymphony
If you love both classical music and music from the Islands, catch a performance of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra’s popular HapaSymphony at Hawai‘i Theatre. Led by Dane Lam, HSO’s new musical director and conductor, the concert series will wrap up its third and best season yet with performances by three of Hawai‘i’s great musical artists, Paula Fuga (March 9), Robert Cazimero (April 20) and Jake Shimabukuro (May 18). —DS
Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., myhso.org, @hawaiisymphonyorchestra
Cosplay at a Con
As a big nerd, I love going to pop culture conventions, and one of the best parts is cosplaying. It’s especially gratifying to go all in dressed up as a favorite character and get recognized by fellow fans. Be ready to take lots of pictures. —AL
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS:
- Kawaii Kon, March 29–31, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., kawaiikon.com, @kawaiikonofficial
- Comic Con Honolulu, Sept. 6–8, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., comicconhonolulu.com, @comicconhnl
- Amazing Comic Con Aloha, rescheduled for Nov. 8–10, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., amazingcomicconaloha.com, @amazingcomiccon
Take a Walking Tour of Historic Honolulu
Old buildings, they have stories to tell. On Saturday mornings, the American Institute of Architects Honolulu leads 90-minute walking tours of historic districts, including Downtown and Chinatown. Along with some architectural history, you’ll hear about hidden courtyards, see where Robert Louis Stevenson and Sun Yat-sen lived, and learn what those weird posts in front of Kumu Kahua Theatre were used for. —MT
Spend a Night at the Theater
If you haven’t caught a show at the newly renovated Diamond Head Theatre, make plans to do so soon. The transformed state-of-the-art performance facility features higher quality sound and lighting, additional restrooms and expanded concessions. There are four remaining productions for the 2023-24 season, including The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (running Feb. 2–18); Kiss Me, Kate (April 5–21), Tootsie (May 31–June 16) and Frozen: The Broadway Musical (July 26-Aug. 11). —DS
520 Makapu‘u Ave., (808) 733-0274, diamondheadtheatre.com, @diamondheadtheatre
Catch Janet Jackson and Nickelback
Honolulu has been waiting for its next blowout concert, and it’s happening this spring, with superstar Janet Jackson bringing her “Together Again” tour to the newly renovated Blaisdell Arena for three nights, March 8, 9 and 10. The five-time Grammy Award winner last performed in the Islands in 2019—the same year she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—so we’re well due for more of her raging dance parties. She’s expected to perform more than 35 of her hits. We cannot wait, Miss Jackson, to be “Together Again” and go on an “Escapade” “All for You” because we “Miss You Much”!
Canadian rock band Nickelback is also coming to Blaisdell Arena for one show on March 1. Formed in 1995, the group broke through in 2002 with its single, “How You Remind Me,” which became the No. 1 song in the United States and Canada. —DS
777 Ward Ave., ticketmaster.com
Get Your Hands Messy at a Ceramics Class
I’m a huge fan of local ceramicist Lauren Shin’s pottery line, Norae Ceramics, so when she started teaching classes out of her Kāne‘ohe home studio, I couldn’t sign up fast enough. I love that you can take a single class, which is a lot less intimidating than the multi-month courses most O‘ahu studios offer, and you come away with two wheel-thrown pots. Shin handles the trimming, glazing and firing and you can pick up your creations one month later. —BT
$150, noraeceramics.com, @studionorae
SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Studio Norae’s Wheel Pottery Class
Photo: Andrea Lee
Craft Your Own Jewelry
If you take pride in wearing one-of-a-kind accessories and enjoy design and craftwork, the Gem Studio jewelry-making workshop checks these boxes. Choose a gemstone and work through all the steps of silversmithing to transform it into a custom piece of jewelry. —AL
From $55, International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., thegemstudio.com, @gemstudio.hawaii
Make Lei at the Ossipoff Cabin
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill lei-making class. It’s lei-making with one of the most epic views on the island, 2,500 feet above sea level at the Ossipoff Cabin on Pālehua Ridge. Designed by renowned midcentury modern architect Vladimir Ossipoff as a personal retreat, the Japanese-style cabin offers a sweeping bird’s-eye view of the Wai‘anae Coast. Add to that instruction by Island-Boy owner Andrew Mau and Paiko owner Courtney Monahan and you’ve got quite a special experience. Both the haku and wili styles of lei po‘o are featured, with class size capped at around 13 people. —BT
Tour Moku O Lo‘e in Kāne‘ohe Bay
Moku o Lo‘e, commonly known as Coconut Island, has a storied history that many locals may not know. In the 1930s, Christian Holmes II bought the island from Bishop Estate, dredged the lagoons and added lowlands, more than doubling the island to 28 acres. He had his own zoo with donkeys, monkeys, a giraffe and a baby elephant. After his death in 1947, oil magnate Edwin Pauley bought the island, and the animals were moved to the newly opened Honolulu Zoo. In 1951, Pauley established a marine lab on the island that’s still there today. You learn all this as you walk around the world-class facilities and research labs on a tour run by the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology. The small group tour runs about two hours and takes you around the island, past lagoons filled with hammerhead sharks and a touch tank with feather duster worms, tiger cowrie and sea urchins. Cost is $10 for adults and teens, $5 for children ages 5 to 12. —CTF
(808) 235-9302, himb.hawaii.edu/visit/walking-tours, [email protected]
Take a Doggy Day Trip
Shelter pups need all the love we can give. I live in a place that doesn’t allow pets, but I can still do my part by hosting a doggy day trip ($25) with one of the pups from the O‘ahu SPCA. Your buddy comes ready for adventure with a bag containing a towel, treats, water and poop bags. The rest is up to you: You can take your new friend home for playtime and snuggling or go for a romp around the neighborhood. Whatever you choose, it’ll be a mental health boost for both doggo and hooman. —TO
823 Olive Ave., Wahiawā, (808) 754-1519, oahuspca.org, @the_oahu_spca
Catch Fish in Wahiawā
If you want to try fishing, there’s a spot in Wahiawā where you’re just about guaranteed to catch something. Ali‘i Agriculture Farms near Whitmore Village has ponds of freshwater tilapia, catfish and prawns that are open for fishing year-round. For $20, you get a pole and bait to catch and release. If you hook something particularly tasty, pay by the pound and take it to the food truck for cleaning and cooking in the style of your choice. —TO
680 Whitmore Ave., Wahiawā, (808) 690-0558, fishingfarmshawaii.com, @aliifarms
Release a Butterfly
Paradise Monarchs pops up at farmers markets and events around the island, offering the rare, heartwarming experience of seeing a monarch butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. My mom, a proponent of feng shui, says seeing a butterfly is a sign of good news to come. —AL
Paradise Monarchs, $35 for a butterfly chrysalis box, paradisemonarchs.com, @paradisemonarchs
Look Above
For a closer look at the celestial wonders above, Stargazers of Hawai‘i offers free and paid events throughout the year. The organization brings its telescopes and astronomy experts, so you not only see more, but learn more too. At a free event, I saw Jupiter and Saturn and even got a high-def photo of the moon on my phone with the help of a telescope operator. —AL
Escape the Scenario
Escape rooms bring the thrills of movies and video games to life with themes ranging from prison breaks to art heists to Stranger Things. Team up to gather clues, piece them together and find the codes and keys you need to make your getaway before time runs out. —AL
- Breakout Waikīkī, 227 Lewers St., Suite 112, $36, (808) 926-1418, breakoutwaikiki.com, @breakoutwaikiki
- Chambers Escape Games, 550 Halekauwila St., Unit 201, $36–$48 kama‘āina, (808) 215-9170, chambershawaii.com, @chambershawaii
- Hawai‘i Escape Challenge, Pearlridge Center, Wai Makai, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea, $28–$34, (808) 379-0952, hawaiiescapechallenge.com, @hawaiiescape
- Room With a Clue, 1130 N. Nimitz Highway, Suite B295, $34, (808) 797-8147, roomwithaclue.com, @roomwithaclue
- Scaventour, various locations around Waikīkī, $29, (808) 373-6869, scaventour.com, @scaventour
- The Escape Game Honolulu, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2404, $42.99, (808) 736-3834, theescapegame.com, @theescapegame
SEE ALSO: Escape Right Here on O‘ahu
Race for a Cause
The annual Hawai‘i Pacific Health Great Aloha Run takes place Feb. 19 with everyone from competitive runners to casual walkers taking part, and racing for a great cause. Now in its 39th year, the event has generated more than $17 million for more than 50 charitable local organizations and the military. It was named one of the 100 Great Road Races by Runner’s World magazine. Some 12,000 participants typically take part in the 8.15-mile foot race that starts at Aloha Tower and finishes at Aloha Stadium. There are divisions for elite runners, age groups, wheelchair and hand-cycle competitors. —DS
$40–$85, greataloharun.com, @greataloharun
No More FOMO—Get Your Pickleball Game On
You probably know a few folks who have joined the cult of pickleball and can’t stop raving about how fun and life-changing it is. I didn’t understand the allure but was curious, so I attended a series of introduction to pickleball classes offered by the O‘ahu Pickleball Association. Taught by former racquetball champion turned pickleballer Eddy Rogers, the four weekly lessons at Diamond Head Tennis Center—which include an intro to the game and an explanation of the rules—had me dinking and flabjacking in no time and were well worth the $75 cost. Along with the newbie sessions, there are classes available for all levels and private lessons. —DS
Commission a Bespoke Jade Bracelet
At Jade by Nikolai’s Kaimukī studio, Nikolai Tsang crafts slabs of Burmese jadeite into everything from pens and whistles to amulets and charms. But it is her jewelry, intended to be worn and lived in, that is most sought after among those who know the power of the living stone. It has become tradition around Lunar New Year (this year falling on Feb. 10) to visit her studio with friends to create bracelets that offer protection, balance and fortune.
She made my bracelet (approximately $100) by first mapping my natal chart, pinpointing my Chinese zodiac and element to guide the charms and colors I needed to bring balance in the year ahead. I selected the silk cord and beads, then watched as they were strung together and blessed, a bespoke process from beginning to end. In a few days, I received a piece I’ll never want to take off. Now, I get to watch the jade deepen in color as I move through life’s highs and lows. —TO
4348 Wai‘alae Ave., #298, (808) 228-2732, jadebynikolai.com, @jadebynikolai
Have Your Aura Photographed
It could be the premise for a thrilling adventure flick—a mystical vintage camera, handed down after 25 years of portrait work, that captures a subject’s vibrational energy in its photos. But that is exactly how Jenelle, aka the Auracle, came to possess her AuraCamera 6000, one of only 100 of the ’70s-era cameras ever made.
Her unexpected choice for a studio locale, a small yurt named Lil’ Yurty, makes the experience even more unique. Inside, you place your hands on a silver plate equipped with Ayurvedic meridian acupressure sensor points. The energy expressed is captured on dead-stock peel-apart Fuji film. Once developed, it reveals a glow of colors that the Auracle interprets, providing insight into navigating current and future events. —BT
$90, theauracle.co, @theauracle.co
Shop for Vintage Furniture
Let’s face it, on O‘ahu, we’re all shopping the same few furniture stores. So, for something that stands out from the crowd, your best bet is to go vintage. Here are a few of our favorite spots, plus a couple of newbies worth checking out. —BT
- VNTG Inc., 99 N King St., @vntg_inc
- Consignment Center, 1901 S. King St., @hawaiiconsignmentcenter
- The Vintage Hawai‘i, 43 S. Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawā, @thevintagehawaii
- Hawai‘i Mid Century Modern, @hawaii_modern
- Hound & Quail, 1156 Nu‘uanu Ave., @houndandquail
Attend a Piercing Party
Earring stacks are having a major fashion moment and one of the coolest ways to get in on the trend is via jewelry label Love Me Knots’ new piercing parties. The local brand hosts them at its lovely Kaimukī showroom—you can shop its latest collections, including a stylish array of 14-karat gold flat-back piercing earrings, and enjoy snacks and libations with friends while you wait for your turn with a professional piercer. —BT
$30, lovemeknotshi.com, @lovemeknotshi
SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Love Me Knots’ Piercing Party
Daycation at a Waikīkī Pool
Rise above the stresses of life with a dip in a pool, a light book and maybe a boozy slushie. Kama‘āina can play tourist, too, and without booking a room. Instead, buy a day pass to one of the handful of hotel pool decks in Waikīkī. The passes include pool access, unreserved lounge chairs and towels; some hotels include access to fitness centers and more. Day passes at ‘Alohilani Resort and Prince Waikīkī, for instance, each cost $50, and both offer access to outdoor pools, hot tubs, showers and complimentary self-parking. —TO
Go Inward
Achieving inner peace may seem like a daunting add to your 2024 bucket list, but you can start calming your mind and being more mindful at the weekly guided meditations inside the Great Hall of Mu Ryang Sa Temple, a beautiful Buddhist sanctuary tucked deep in Pālolo Valley. All are welcome to join the Broken Ridge Meditation Group, whether you’re an experienced meditator or new to spiritual practices.
Led by experienced instructor Gregory Pai, the sessions from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays will bring you to higher levels of self-awareness through the cultivation of mindfulness. The Vipassana meditation is followed by a short reading and a dharma talk by Pai. There is no fee, although donations are accepted. —DS
2420 Halela‘au Place, muryangsatemple.com
Release Stress with a Scalp Massage
Like so many things, the Japanese take the art of grooming to the next level, and it’s a whole event when you also book a head care package at Men’s Grooming Salon Sky in Kaka‘ako. Stresses of the week melt away as your barber focuses on pressure points and massages your scalp, neck and shoulders. Sessions run from 15 to 45 minutes ($30–$70). —TO
665 Halekauwila St., C-103, (808) 523-3333, skysalonhawaii.com, @mensgroomingsalonsky.hawaii
Roll Away Tension
Illustration: Christine Labrador
Pain be gone at this specialized rolling class ($15 a session), led by Anthony Chrisco, creator of the Fascianator, a roller that, as its name suggests, eliminates tight fascia. During the hourlong session, Chrisco demonstrates proper form and movements to relieve muscle tension for improved balance, flexibility and lymphatic drainage. While there, purchase your own Fascianator, then download the e-manual and get rollin’ at home. —CL
Various locations, thefascianator.com, @the_fascianator
Take Up a Hot + Freezing Cold Challenge
“Taking the plunge” has new meaning in Honolulu with the arrival of contrast therapy, a wellness trend that involves going from a searing hot sauna to an ice-cold plunge bath to relieve inflammation and release feel-good dopamine. I tried the contrast therapy at both Hawai‘i Move Lab and Studio 7 Hawai‘i, two wellness businesses that opened in 2023, and enjoyed an exhilarating rush during both visits.
While Hawai‘i Move Lab offers an infrared sauna and a cold plunge that dips to about 45 degrees, Studio 7’s sauna was a traditional wooden structure that uses heated stones and water, and its plunge was even colder—36 degrees! Why would anyone in their right mind subject themselves to such extreme temperatures, you wonder? Because it trains your mind to be resilient and heals you. My first time in the cold plunge lasted a mere 20 seconds, and my body ached. Now, I’m able to stay in for three minutes or longer in a Zen state, and my lingering lower back pain has melted away. —DS
- $70 for 50 minutes at Hawai‘i Move Lab, 1353 Dillingham Blvd., (808) 445-7438, hawaiimovelab.com, @hawaiimovelab
- $70 for 45 minutes (15% off first session) at Studio 7 Hawai‘i, 3144 Monsarrat Ave., studio7hawaii.com, @studio7hawaii
Enjoy Purrfect Encounters
Studies have shown petting a cat releases feel-good hormones, but if you’re not able or ready to adopt, visiting a cat café may be the next best thing. The cafés on O‘ahu provide 50 to 60 minutes of playtime with adorable felines. And if you fall in love, you can bring a new furry family member home from all the cafés aside from Cat Café Moff. —AL
- Hawai‘i Cat Café, $21 for 1 hour, 415 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 744-3192, hawaiicatcafe.org, @hawaiicatcafe
- Popoki + Tea, $17 for 50 minutes, 3424 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 425-4131, popokiandtea.com, @popokiandtea
- Pounce Hawai‘i, $20 for 1 hour, 839 Queen St., (808)-594-3168, pouncehawaii.com, @pouncehawaii
- Cat Café Moff, $28 for 1 hour, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 808-2044, moff-usa.com, @catcafemoffwaikiki
- Toe Beans and Dreams Adoption Café, $15 for 50 minutes, 98-199 Kamehameha Highway E8, ‘Aiea, (808) 488-7369, toebeanshi.com, @toebeanshi
SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Cat Café MOFF
