Best of HONOLULU 2022: The Best Services on O‘ahu
Take a class, sing your heart out onstage or get your hair done at our 84 top picks chosen by readers and editors.
SEE ALSO: Best of HONOLULU 2022
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Best of Fitness and Outdoors: 20 Ways to Get Out and Play
Best of Shopping: 21 Winners on Our Must-Buy List
Best Food and Drinks on O‘ahu: Picks by Editors and Readers
Best Celebrations and Getaways: Readers Choose Their Top 6 Places
Photo: Courtesy of fishschool
Best Place to Spark Creativity
Far more than a café plus cool home design store, fishcake’s “fishschool” is where creative types or those wanting to become creative types can expand their artistic repertoires. Among recent offerings: a photography workshop on “sun printing,” a ceramics class where attendees made perfect pinch pots, a comic book drawing course and basket weaving lessons. Tucked into this hip Kamani Street space is a clay studio offering memberships or monthly passes to use its throwing wheels, glazes and kiln. —DS
307C Kamani St., fishcake.us, @fishschoolhawaii
Photo: Getty Images
Best Mobile Car Washing
Kaimukī’s Rod Um has spent his adult life working with cars. While employed at a popular dealership, Um decided to build a business around car detailing in Kailua, a virtual desert for car maintenance. Now, as Mr. Carwash Hawai‘i, Um operates as a mobile car washing and detailing service. With a knack for people and an eagle eye for details, Um is quickly making a name for himself in a competitive market. All over O‘ahu, clients have been known to buddy up with neighbors to have him wash multiple cars, a sort of car wash pool. Talk about cleaning up the neighborhood! —MB
(808) 722-2911, mrcarwashkailua.com, @mrcarwashhawaii
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Best Barbershop
Reader Pick
It’s a rare barbershop these days where a customer without a reservation can do a walk-by to see if it’s crowded and then, even if it is, pull up a chair for some conversation. But the conviviality of Paul Ta, wife Tracy, and other stylists at Paul’s Barber Hairstyling is matched by that of their wide variety of customers, from retired executives to entire families, women and children, even a pro baseball player when he’s home. The Norman Rockwell ambiance and reasonable prices ($16 men, $20 women) fit low-key casual Monsarrat Avenue. Reservations are recommended, but if the mood strikes, go try. If you strike out, grab a latte at nearby ARS Café. —DW
3118 Monsarrat Ave., (808) 734-3336
Illustration: Getty Images
Best Live Band Karaoke
If you’ve ever wowed the crowd at karaoke night and thought, man, this would be even more epic if you were backed by a real band, you’re not alone. The folks at Kaka‘ako cocktail bar WorkPlay were singing the same tune, which is why they introduced a live-band karaoke night to their mix. Every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m., you can get up on stage and show off your vocal skills alongside a professional band, featuring musicians on keyboard, guitars and drums. The sheer number of chart-toppers you can choose from clocks in at an impressive 225-plus and runs the gamut from Journey and Boyz II Men to Kalapana. A tip: To ensure your moment of glory, head down early to snag a slot on the sign-up sheet. —BT
814 Ilaniwai St., (808) 457-1322, workplayhi.com, @workplayhi
Illustration: Getty Images
Best Specialty Foot Massage
Our feet take us where we need to go and, with 26 bones, 19 muscles and 15 pressure points in each one, they deserve special attention. Lucky for us, several Honolulu businesses specialize in foot massage/reflexology. We couldn’t visit every Honolulu massage place, so we checked ratings and got recommendations for those that specialize in feet and are located outside of Waikīkī. Of those, we tried the top-ranked spots that provide 30-minute sessions of hands-on care. Oasis Spa’s foot reflexology is a step ahead. The friendly therapists use firm pressure, organic creams, hot towels and what we can only describe as mad skills that leave every centimeter of your foot examined, prodded and pampered, while you sip hot tea. —RD
1441 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 415, (808) 979-9000, oasisspahi.com
Illustration: Getty Images
Real Estate Firm
Reader Pick
“Throw a rock, hit a Realtor!” says one local Yelper, who then goes on to single out Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty for its role in several transactions as buyer and seller. For 10 straight years either a Best Of or runner-up, the company has five offices on O‘ahu and more than 200 employees and licensed agents. “A clear strong corporate culture has been a key to the growth and success of our company,” says CEO/owner Myron Kiriu, who founded the company 18 years ago. “Our agents and support staff are client-centric and they put the clients’ needs ahead of their own.” —DW
Multiple locations, betterhawaii.com, @betterhawaii
The Rest of the Best: Reader Picks
Best Adult Day Care
Winner: Central Union Church Adult Day Care & Day Health Center
1660 S. Beretania St., (808) 983-5910, arcadia.org/central-union, @arcadiafamilyofcompanies
Finalist: Live Well at Iwilei by Kāhala Nui
888 Iwilei Road, Suite 105, (808) 218-7777, livewellhi.org, @livewellhi
Best Auto Detailer
Winner: 2020 Auto Detailing
3375 Koapaka St., Suite I-525, (808) 792-7579, 2020autodetailing.com, @twenty20_autodetailing
Finalist: McKinley Car Wash
1139 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 596-2609, mckinleycarwash.com
Best Auto Insurance Company
Winner: State Farm
Multiple locations, statefarm.com, @statefarm
Finalist: Geico
Multiple locations, geico.com, @geico
Best Automotive Repair
Winner: Lex Brodie’s Tire, Brake & Service Co.
Multiple locations, lexbrodies.com, @lexbrodiesoahu
Finalist: Kaimukī Auto Repair
3375 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 737-1718, @kaimukiautorepair
Best Bank
Winner: First Hawaiian Bank
Multiple locations, fhb.com, @fhbhawaii
Finalist: American Savings Bank
Multiple locations, asbhawaii.com, @asbhawaii
Best Barbershop
Finalist: Vintage Barbershop Hawai‘i
1157 Bethel St., (808) 888-2068, vintagebarbershophawaii.com, @vintagebarbershophi
Best Chiropractor
Winner: Global Health Chiropractic
677 Ala Moana Blvd., #914, (808) 521-9686, globalhealthchiropractic.com
Finalist: CARE Chiropractic
590 Farrington Highway, #521, Kapolei, (808) 376-0300, mycarechiropractic.com, @care_chiropratic
Best Cooling and Air Conditioning
Winner: Pristine Air Conditioning
2045 Lauwiliwili St., Suite 1102, Kapolei, (808) 227-4566, pristineairconditioning.com
Finalist: Aloha State Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Inc.
1727 Colburn St., (808) 842-0095, alohastaterefrigeration.com
Best Cosmetic Surgery
Winner: Dr. Shim Ching, Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery Inc.
1401 S. Beretania St., #888, (808) 585-8855, drshimching.com, @shimchingmd
Finalist: Honolulu MedSpa
1650 Liliha St., Suite 102, (808) 528-0888, honolulumedspa.com, @honolulumedspa
Best Credit Union
Winner: Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union
Multiple locations, hawaiistatefcu.com, @hawaiistatefcu
Finalist: Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union
Multiple locations, hawaiiusafcu.com, @hawaiiusafcu
Best Day Spa
Winner: Elizaveta Neginskaya Signature Brows & Beauty Studio
627 South St., Suite #3, (808) 797-5757, en-beauty.com, @signaturebrowshawaii
Finalist: Heaven on Earth Salon & Day Spa
1050 Alakea St., (808) 599-5501, heavenonearthhawaii.com, @heavenonearthhi
Best Dry Cleaner
Winner: Hakuyosha Clean Living
Multiple locations, hakuyoshacleanliving.com, @hakuyosha_hawaii
Finalist: Aloha Dry Cleaners and Laundry
Multiple locations, alohadrycleaning.com, @alohadrycleaners
Best Employment/Staffing Company
Winner: Altres
967 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 591-4900, altres.com, @altres_inc
Finalist: HiEmployment
745 Fort St. Mall, #124, (808) 695-3974, hi-employment.com, @hiemployment
Best Eyelash Extensions
Winner: Studio Genesis Hawai‘i
1136 Union Mall, Suite 402, (808) 683-6812, @studio___genesis
Finalist: The Beauty Room HI
Multiple locations, thebeautyroomhi.com, @the_beauty_room_808
Best Financial Adviser
Winner: Edward Jones
Multiple locations, edwardjones.com, @edwardjones
Finalist: First Hawaiian Bank
Multiple locations, fhb.com, @fhbhawaii
Best Gas Station Convenience Store
Winner: 7-Eleven Hawai‘i
Multiple locations, 7elevenhawaii.com, @7elevenhi
Finalist: Hele
Multiple locations, helegas.com, @helegas
Best General Contractor
Winner: Atlas Construction
2222 Kamehameha Highway, (808) 951-9500, atlasconstruction808.com, @atlasconstructionhawaii
Finalist: Graham Builders
1144 Young St., (808) 593-2808, grahambuilders.com, @grahambuildershawaii
Best Hair Removal
Winner: Honolulu MedSpa
1650 Liliha St., Suite 102, (808) 528-0888, honolulumedspa.com, @honolulumedspa
Finalist: European Wax Center
Multiple locations, waxcenter.com, @europeanwax
Best Hair Salon
Winner: Satori Salon and Spa
9A Maluniu Ave., Kailua, (808) 261-5000, satorisalonspa.com, @satorisalonspahi
Finalist: Dada Spa, Salon & Café
410 Atkinson Drive, (808) 683-8015, dadahawaii.com, @dadahawaii
Best Handyman Service
Winner: Pacific General Contractor
1687 Pensacola St., #605, (808) 488-2900, blue-pacific-general-contractor-llc.business.site
Finalist: Kama‘āina Handyman
(808) 393-1163, kamaainahandyman.com
Best Hardware Store
Winner: City Mill
Multiple locations, citymill.com, @citymill
Finalist: Hardware Hawai‘i
Multiple locations, hardwarehawaii.com, @hardwarehawaii
Best Home Painter
Winner: Bernardo’s Painting
94-716 Lanikūhana Ave., Mililani, (808) 384-0864, bernardospainting.com, @bernardospainting
Finalist: David’s Custom Roofing & Painting Inc.
96-1217 Waihona St., Pearl City, (808) 833-1633, davidsroofinghi.com
Best Home Security Service
Winner: Alert Alarm Hawai‘i
3210 Ualena St., (808) 521-5000, alertalarmhawaii.com
Finalist: Ring
Best Landscaper
Winner: Hapa Landscaping
3514 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 732-4272, hapalandscaping.com, @hapalandscaping
Finalist: Steve’s Gardening Service Inc.
(808) 676-9166, stevesgardening.com
Best Live Music Venue
Winner: Blue Note Hawai‘i
2335 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 777-4890, bluenotehawaii.com, @bluenotehawaii
Finalist: Moani Island Bistro & Bar
91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, (808) 670-2638, moanikapolei.com, @themoanihawaii
Best Locksmith
Winner: Salz Lock and Key
3012 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 734-6557, salzlock.com, @salzcorp
Finalist: Anong & Son Lock & Key
648 Pepe‘ekeo St., (808) 277-9342
Best Luxury Car Dealer
Winner: BMW of Honolulu
777 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 597-1225, bmwhawaii.com, @bmwofhonolulu
Finalist: Servco Lexus Honolulu
650 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 290-7794, servcolexus.com, @lexushawaii
Best Mani/Pedi
Winner: Lavish Spa & Nails
Multiple locations, lavishspanaillounge.com, @lavishkapolei and @lavishkahala
Finalist: Onyx Nails Wax & Lash
590 Farrington Highway, #165, Kapolei, (808) 200-5600, @onyx_kapolei
Best Moving Company
Winner: Island Movers Inc.
4397 Lawehana St., (808) 832-4000, islandmovers.com
Finalist: You Move Me Honolulu
821 Cedar St., Unit B, (808) 379-3850, youmoveme.com/us/honolulu-movers, @youmoveme_honolulu
Best Pest Control Company
Winner: Kīlauea Pest Control
Multiple locations, kilaueapest.com, @kilaueapestcontrol
Finalist: Pest Tech Hawai‘i
2007A Waterhouse St., (808) 784-2847, pthlife.com
Best Place for a Massage
Winner: Satori Salon and Spa
9A Maluniu Ave., Kailua, (808) 261-5000, satorisalonspa.com, @satorisalonspahi
Finalist: Spa U‘ilani
520 Keawe St., (808) 312-4485, spauilani.com, @spauilani
Best Plumbing Service
Winner: Steve’s Plumbing & A/C Service
96-1225 Waihona St., Unit A, Pearl City, (808) 215-7860, stevesplumbinghawaii.com
Finalist: T&C Plumbing
(808) 456-2429, tncplumbing.com
Best Real Estate Firm
Finalist: Coldwell Banker Realty
Multiple locations, coldwellbanker.com, @cbrealtyhawaii
Best Retirement Community
Winner: Arcadia Retirement Residence
1434 Punahou St., (808) 941-0941, arcadia.org, @arcadiafamilyofcompanies
Finalist: Kāhala Nui
4389 Malia St., (808) 218-7001, kahalanui.com, @kahalanuihi
Best Roofing Company
Winner: Kapili Roofing and Painting
94-221 Leonui St., Waipahu, (808) 621-7663, kapiliroof.com, @kapiliroofingpainting
Finalist: David’s Custom Roofing & Painting Inc.
96-1217 Waihona St., Pearl City, (808) 833-1633, davidsroofinghi.com
Best Solar Company
Winner: RevoluSun
660 Ala Moana Blvd., #220a, (808) 748-8888, revolusun.com, @revolusun_smarthome
Finalist: Alternate Energy Inc.
96-1276 Waihona St., Suite 114, Pearl City, (808) 842-5853, alternateenergyhawaii.com, @aeihawaii
Best Storage Company
Winner: Hawai‘i Self Storage
Multiple locations, hawaiiselfstorage.com, @hawaiiselfstorage
Finalist: Public Storage
Multiple locations, publicstorage.com/self-storage-hi-honolulu, @publicstorage
Best Travel Agency
Winner: Panda Travel
1017 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 734-1961, pandaonline.com, @pandatravelhi
Finalist: Vacations Hawai‘i
1585 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 900, (808) 591-4777, boydvacationshawaii.com, @boydvacationshawaii
Best Urgent Care
Winner: Straub Urgent Care
Multiple locations, hawaiipacifichealth.org/Straub, @straubhealth
Finalist: Queen’s Island Urgent Care
Multiple locations, queens.org/urgent-care-hawaii, @qhshawaii
Best Veterinarian
Winner: Kaka‘ako Pet Hospital
815 Queen St., (808) 592-9999, kakaakopethospital.com, @kakaakopethospital
Finalist: King Street Pet Hospital
2016 S. King St., (808) 951-7777, kingstreetpethospital.com, @kingstreetpethospital
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