News, Updates and Aloha from Oahu

The island of Oahu is beyond thrilled to welcome back visitors as of November 1 in alignment with the State of Hawaii. With the opening of international travel on November 8, fully vaccinated visitors worldwide are invited to return to Oahu's pristine beaches, delicious eateries and unique shopping experiences.

Over the past few months, the Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB), in conjunction with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) and the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), has been hard at work on Oahu's Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP).

“As our island reopens to travelers, we see this time as a unique opportunity to further spread DMAPs message of regenerative and mindful tourism to form meaningful bonds with new travelers and reconnect with those who previously had to reschedule or cancel their vacation plans,” says OVB Executive Director Noelani Schilling-Wheeler.

With the Malama Hawaii campaign, OVB continues to share with island visitors the spirit of aloha — a gift of love, hospitality and education, without the expectation of a reward.

“Oahu has a never-ending list of insightful programs, activities and hotel partners led by cognizant leaders who share the same passion for the Malama Hawaii campaign with us at OVB,” says Schilling-Wheeler. “This campaign is a massive priority for OVB that can help travelers experience new settings and educate them on Hawaii's rich culture and history.”

The olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language) word malama means “to take care of, preserve and protect.” Through the Malama Hawaii program, visitors can enjoy a more meaningful and enriching vacation experience in the Islands — and stay an extra night for free — by participating in select voluntourism activities. For more information on Malama Hawaii and the programs participating partners, visit www.gohawaii.com/malama.

State and County Updates

Hawaii is officially welcoming back vaccinated domestic and international travelers! Because of Hawaii’s remote location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, our communities have made a concerted effort to protect our neighbors and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. While our state has also mandated strict health regulations, these community efforts have helped Hawaii achieve one of the lowest COVID-19 case rates and lowest virus transmission rates of any state in the U.S.

Remaining consistent with entry procedures in place prior to the November 1 reset for travel to the Islands, participation in the State of Hawaii's Safe Travels program is still mandatory for visitors and returning residents prior to their scheduled trips.

Fully vaccinated travelers entering Hawaii from the U.S. and its territories may bypass quarantine without a pre-travel test. Travelers not fully vaccinated wishing to use the pre-travel test to bypass quarantine must have a negative test result from a State of Hawaii Trusted Testing and Travel Partner no more than 72 hours BEFORE beginning the final leg of their trip to Hawaii.

Safe Travels Quarantine Changes – Monday, January 3

• On January 3, Safe Travels Mandatory Quarantine period will be reduced from 10 days to 5 days.
  • For travelers who are currently on 10-day quarantine, if they’ve hit their 5-day “mark” on January 3 or later, they will be released from quarantine after the 5th day. For example, if January 3 is their 5th day, they will be released from quarantine on January 4
• Travelers who arrive on January 3 and don’t have a pre-travel test result or aren’t fully vaccinated, their quarantine period is five days.
  • Day 1 is counted from the day of arrival, i.e., arrives on January 3 -> quarantine through January 7; released on January 8.
  • This affects only domestic travel from the U.S. and its Territories. (Direct international travelers fall under Federal CDC guidelines.)
• Revised COVID positive isolation and quarantine policy – details may be found here: https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-revises-states-isolation-quarantine-policy/
  • Guidelines for COVID-19 positive travelers will change:
    If COVID-19 positive regardless of vaccination status
    • Isolate for at least 5 days and until symptoms are gone.
    • Continue to wear a mask for five days after isolation.
  • If a traveler is still symptomatic on day 5, the traveler is advised to seek medical attention and quarantine until a COVID-19 test can be taken. If it’s positive, isolate in place for an additional 5 days and don’t travel.

Safe Travels Health Questionnaire Changes - Tuesday, January 4

Beginning January 4, the completion of the Health Questionnaire prior to departure will no longer be required. Travelers who wish to be exempt from the 5-day mandatory quarantine must submit the same documentation as is currently required. Once their exemption documentation has been accepted, their QR code will turn green as shown below. The green QR code is a tool to help expedite screening operations. The traveler must still be screened and a green checkmark will appear next to “Screened: Yes” after the screening process is completed. This is what the updated “Trips” page will look like when hotels and rental car agencies check travelers’ exempt status. If a traveler has minors on their Safe Travels trip, those minors must also be exempt in order for the QR code to turn green.

Oahu welcomed the entrance of international travelers on November 8 in conjunction with the reopening of international travel to the U.S. With federal international requirements, U.S. citizens flying direct from an international destination can take advantage of the above exceptions. Please note that tests DO NOT have to be completed with State of Hawaii Trusted Travel Partners under the new international federal requirements, but MUST be done with a State of Hawaii Trusted Travel Partner for unvaccinated domestic travel. Visitors traveling to Oahu must present proof of full vaccination to enter all restaurants and bars and provide a state-approved vaccination card either via hard copy, digital copy or the State of Hawaii Safe Travels app.

Please plan ahead, make reservations accordingly and learn the specific health protocols of Hawaii establishments you plan to visit. As details are subject to change, please visit hawaiicovid19.com/travel for the most current information about COVID-19, its impact on travel to Hawaii, and further updates.

Finally, we are also excited to share with you the latest news and updates from the Oahu attractions, activities, restaurants and hotels in the listings below. We look forward to sharing even more new programs and offerings with you throughout 2022.

Activities and Attractions

Bishop Museum

• The Bishop Museum exhibition Tatau: Marks of Polynesia debuted in November and will run through July 4, 2022. Samoa’s tatau is one of the world’s most distinct tattoo traditions. Featuring photographs shot in a studio and on location in Samoa, Tatau: Marks of Polynesia showcases the work of traditional tatau masters as well as younger practitioners and artists adopting tataus motifs and styles for new media and art forms. The exhibition was curated by master tattoo artist Takahiro “Ryudaibori” Kitamura. It also highlights Samoan tattooing implements curated by Bishop Museum from its cultural collection highlighting items from Hawaii and Samoa. BishopMuseum.org

Hawaii CinemAttractions

• Hawaii CinemAttractions new Chambers Virtual Reality Escape Room allows visitors to plug into alternate worlds, dive into the depths of the ocean, or float in the weightlessness of space. Its premium, full-length virtual reality (VR) escape rooms feature advanced VR equipment and technology designed to create immersive and interactive experiences. Located at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hawaii CinemAttractions also features a retro arcade room and motion and sensory effects cinema featuring a variety of exclusive films. 4dfxhawaii.com

Polynesian Cultural Center

• Continuing its support of culture and community, the Polynesian Cultural Center is presenting its new luau “Onipaa,” a tribute to the final Hawaii monarch Queen Liliuokalani. Luau guests participate in an experience filled with “educational elements Hawaiian culture, spirituality and cuisine.” Polynesia.com

Royal Hawaiian Center

• Royal Hawaiian Center recently reopened its popular slate of complimentary cultural programs and classes, once again welcoming guests looking to learn to play the ukulele, dance hula, weave lauhala (pandanus) or craft lei. The public is also invited to enjoy live Hawaiian music and hula in the centers Royal Grove, Tuesdays through Fridays. RoyalHawaiiancenter.com

Retail and Shopping

Ko Hana Distillers (Buy Local)

• Ko Hana Distillers, makers of Ko Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum, is offering an assortment of premium and unique local goods for the holiday season. The selection includes Ko Hanas Mystery Black Boxes, each containing at least one of Ko Hanas award-winning rums and a surprise collection of goods from Hawaii-based brands.KohanaRum.com

Made in Hawaii Festival (Buy Local)

• The Made in Hawaii Festivals newly launched online marketplace invites shoppers to browse a curated selection of Hawaii-made products from exhibitors participating in the popular annual Oahu event. The festival’s online marketplace offers access to hundreds of goods and products, from Hawaii-made apparel, jewelry, art and home décor to unique local snack foods, seasonings and more. MadeinHawaiiFestival.com

Mahiku Farmers Market (Buy Local)

• A variety of fresh and unique products from local farmers, growers, artisans and food purveyors are always ready for customers of the Mahiku Farmers Market, which happens every first Thursday of the month, from 4 to 8 p.m., on Level 1 of the Banyan Court at International Market Place. ShopInternationalMarketPlace.com

Royal Hawaiian Center

• Royal Hawaiian Center recently welcomed two new tenants. New York City-based lifestyle brand KITH introduced its street-vibe style and edible treats to shoppers at the Waikiki retail and dining center, and Wicked Maine Lobster opened its first Hawaii location in the Paina Lanai Food Court. RoyalHawaiianCenter.com

Festivals and Events

Hawaii Triennial 2022 (HT22): February 18 – May 8, 2022

• The Hawaii Triennial 2022 (HT22) citywide art exhibition will be framed around the concept of Pacific Century — E Hoomau no Moananuiakea, interweaving themes of history, place, social activism, environmental change and identity within the context of Hawaii's unique location at the confluence of Asia-Pacific and Oceania. One of the largest periodic showcases of contemporary art in Hawaii, HT22 will be presented across seven exhibition venues on Oahu, from February 18 through May 8, 2022. The 11-week exhibitions venues are Bishop Museum, Foster Botanical Garden, Hawaii Theatre Center, the Hawaii State Art Museum, Iolani Palace, Honolulu Museum of Art, and Royal Hawaiian Center. HawaiiContemporary.org

Kawaii Kon: April 22 – 24, 2022

• Kawaii Kon is a two-day convention celebrating Japanese anime (cartoons), manga (comics) and all facets of Japanese culture. Offering a variety of events and activities throughout the weekend, Kawaii Kon 2022 is scheduled from April 22 – 24 at the Hawaii Convention Center. KawaiiKon.com

Waikiki SPAM JAM^®: April 23, 2022

• The annual Waikiki SPAM JAM® street festival, held on April 23, celebrates Hawaii's love for, of course, SPAM®. The family-friendly event happens in the heart of Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue and features local restaurants offering creative SPAM® dishes alongside entertainment stages and products from Hawaii crafters. The event benefits the Hawaii Foodbank, the state’s largest nonprofit feeding those in need. SpamJamHawaii.com

Lei Day Celebration: May 1, 2022

• As one of Hawaii's most emblematic symbols of aloha, lei — and the crafting of lei — have been celebrated in the Hawaiian Islands on Lei Day, May 1, since 1927. This year, the City and County of Honolulu’s official Lei Day Celebration event will be held, in accordance with tradition, on May 1 at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki, honoring lei and the traditions surrounding it with festivities, including pageants and competitions for lei queen and the crafting of colorful and fragrant flower lei. HonoluluParks.com

Honolulu Triathlon: May 15, 2022

• The Honolulu Triathlon, taking place on May 15, 2022, is an Olympic-distance triathlon beginning and ending at Ala Moana Beach Park, and features a 1.5K swim along the shore, a 40K bike course along Oahu's south shore and a 10K double loop run ending at the parks Magic Island area. HonoluluTriathlon.com

King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade: June 11, 2022

• Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the colorful King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade honors the reign of the Kingdom of Hawaii's first monarch, who united the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. The June 11 parade features brightly decorated floats, energetic marching bands and traditional pau riders representing the Hawaiian royal court on horseback. A hoolaulea (celebration) follows the parade. Hawaii.gov/Kamehameha

Pan-Pacific Festival: June 10 – 12, 2022

• The Pan-Pacific Festival began in Hawaii in 1980 as a cultural exchange between the state and Japan. Visiting participants from Japan were invited to enjoy the familiarity of Japanese music, crafts, traditions and foods, while Hawaii residents and other visitors were offered opportunities to gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese sensibilities and cultural heritage. Today, the festival features events held throughout Waikiki showcasing Japan’s pageantry and includes a hoolaulea (celebration) block party, art fair and hula performances, culminating with a grand parade on Waikiki main street Kalakaua Avenue. The 2022 festival will take place from June 10 – 12. Pan-Pacific-Festival.com

Hotels

Aqua-Aston Hotels

• Aqua-Aston Hospitality recently introduced a new reef-safe sunscreen amenity to its 25+ properties through a partnership with local mom-owned business Little Hands Hawaii. During stays at Aqua-Aston properties, guests receive complimentary access to Little Hands Hawaii's lightly coconut-scented, reef-safe formulated sunscreen, available at hotel front desks. In addition to supporting Hawaii's small businesses, Aqua-Aston is an advocate for Hawaii's oceans and marine life through its #ForOurReef campaign, which educates guests and the community on the impact of coral bleaching. In January, Aqua-Aston will also introduce bulk bathroom amenities in a move away from single-use plastics.

Halekulani

• Halekulani's iconic poolside restaurant, House Without A Key at Halekulani, is now open nightly, featuring live Hawaiian music with hula performances, small bites and signature cocktails from 5 to 8:30 p.m. halekulani.com

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

• Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resorts’ new Night on Us package offers guests staying four nights the fourth night free. The extra night allows guests more time to enjoy the resort’s 22 acres of oceanfront property. Hilton Hawaiian Village guests can choose from five spectacular towers for their stay and enjoy the use of five swimming pools and a unique saltwater lagoon ideal for stand-up paddling, kayaking and other water activities. With an abundance of dining options, guests can also taste the delicious diversity of Hawaii cuisine on property. HiltonHawaiianVillage.com

The Laylow, Autograph Collection

• The Laylow hotel’s signature restaurant, Hideout, is launching a new menu aimed at delighting visitors hungry to sample cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Hideout is also debuting six new hand-crafted cocktails and two mocktails. Visitors looking to learn the craft of Hawaiian lei-making and its importance to Hawaiian culture can participate in classes at The Laylow every Friday. And on Mondays, guests are invited to grab the ukulele in their room and head to Hideouts fire pits for an instructor-led lesson. HideoutWaikiki.com

The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club

• The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club recently unveiled its new collaboration with the online marketplace Society6 with a new penthouse suite offering guests what it calls “a shoppable experience.” The hotel's Society6 Suite is filled with local art available for in-suite purchases through The Surfjack Collection. The suite, like the entirety of the hotel, is pet-friendly, allowing guests to vacation with their furry friends. The Society 6 Suite is open for reservations, which start at $400 per night. Surfjack.com

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa debuted its multimillion-dollar comprehensive reimagination in August, introducing a new single-acre pool and amenity deck with two pools and a new open-air restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The beachfront resort also offers completely refreshed guestrooms and suites with private balconies, a modernized open-air lobby, its Royal Kaila Spa and culturally focused guest programming. Marriott.com

Malama Oahu

Alaksa Airlines

• Alaska Airlines, in partnership with local Hawaii non-profit travel2change, is furthering the connection between travelers to Hawaii and the aina (land). The partnership, which was announced on November 8th, makes it easier for travelers to find and participate in authentic educational and cultural experiences during their Hawaii visit. The streamlined booking process provides travelers with a variety of Malama Hawaii partners to choose from. Travel2Change.org

Biki

• Hawaii bikeshare system, Biki, offers Oahu residents and visitors an ideal way to commute, navigate and explore Honolulu while lowering their carbon footprint. Launched in 2017, Biki’s nonprofit parent Bikeshare Hawaii has since introduced more than 130 Biki self-service stations across Honolulu, maintaining a fleet of approximately 1,300 bikes. Renting a Biki bike is easy, and each features comfortable seats and maneuverability making for smooth and pleasant rides. GoBiki.org

Gunstock Ranch

• Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Gunstock Ranch invites guests to “walk in the footsteps of Hawaiian royalty where the wind whispers, the birds sing and the earth lives.” Visitors can experience the ranch and forest in a variety of family-friendly ways — including horseback rides, off-road experiences, and walking and hiking tours — winding through mountain trails, tunnels, caves and breaking into ocean views of Windward Oahu. Guests can complete their experience by planting their very-own legacy tree in the ranch’s Hawaiian Legacy Forest. GunstockRanch.com

Kakoo Oiwi

• Kakoo Oiwi is a community-based nonprofit organization, based in the ahupuaa (land division) of Heeia on the island of Oahu, dedicated to the restoration, education and perpetuation of native Hawaiian agricultural practices and values. A Malama Hawaii partner, Kakoo Oiwi shares the teachings of old Hawaii with visitors and hosts educational workshops and community-involvement workdays. KakooOiwi.org

Kualoa Ranch

• Kualoa is a 4,000-acre private nature reserve and working cattle ranch on the island of Oahu, which guests can explore via several daily tours, including a Jurassic Valley Zipline, Hollywood Movie Sites and Ranch Tour, ATV Raptor Tour, Horseback Walking Tour, Ocean Voyage Adventure, Fishpond and Garden Tour, beach activities, and even a new Food Tour. More than 50 movies and TV series productions have been filmed at Kualoa over the years, including “Jurassic World” and “Jurassic Park,” “50 First Dates,” “Godzilla,” “Kong: Skull Island” and the ABC series “Lost.” Kualoa.com

Sustainable Coasts Hawaii

• With Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, help maintain the beauty of our beaches and coastlines by participating in a beach cleanup. Guests can remove debris and microplastics, and record their progress on datasheets. Register for small group cleanups online or borrow DIY beach cleanup kits to host a self-directed cleanup. SustainableCoastlinesHawaii.org

Restaurants

Barefoot Beach Café

• Barefoot Beach Cafe is open again with dine-in service and nightly live music from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and additional afternoon performances on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’d like more social distancing, the cafés Picnic in the Park happens Fridays and Saturdays, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., allowing you to bring your own beach chairs and blankets to enjoy local food, music and sunsets. BarefootBeachCafe.com

International Market Place

• International Market Place recently welcomed two locally-owned restaurants, Moani Waikiki and Skybox Taphouse, to its open-air, third-level Grand Lanai. In addition to the new restaurants, locally-owned vintage clothing boutique South Shore Studio, art gallery DeRubeis Fine Art and jewelry workshop Gem Studio recently joined the center's curated collection of retailers. More stores are slated to open through the end of the year. ShopInternationalMarketPlace.com
• Enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, Honolulu’s iconic Liliha Bakery opened its newest location in November at the International Market Places Grand Lanai. The restaurant is the local eatery’s fourth Honolulu location. Liliha Bakery has built a loyal following over its 71 years in business and is known for serving up tasty local cuisine and unique bakery items like Coco Puffs and poi mochi donuts. Liliha Bakery is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. LilihaBakery.com

M by Jeremy Shigekane

• Chef Jeremy Shigekane reopened his new restaurant M by Jeremy Shigekane this past summer, retiring its former moniker, M by Chef Mavro. Guests of the restaurant experience modern Hawaii French bistro dining, exquisite five-course tasting menus, and unique Bar M craft cocktails and mocktails highlighting local farms and purveyors. MbyJeremyShigekane.com

Original Magoos Pizza

• Original Magoo’s Pizza — which offers a menu of island-style pizzas, subs and chicken — is opening a new location in Honolulu neighborhood Kaimuki. The new location features dine-in service, a full bar and all of Magoo’s classics, including its Famous Combo Pizza and Hot Ham and Mushroom Sub. In addition, Magoo’s will offer a pasta menu exclusive to the Kaimuki location. Magoo’s vegan pizza was voted 2021 Best Veggie Pizza in Hawaii by Peta.org. OriginalMagoosPizza.com

Pounders

• Pounders restaurant at Hukilau Marketplace at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) has a new executive chef. Chef and TV personality Graham Elliot is back home and at the restaurant’s helm, with a vision of Pounders being an extension of the PCCs many learning opportunities. One example of this is a display of various types of fruit allowing Pounders guests to not only experience new tastes but see what, say, guava actually looks like or feel the rough firmness of fresh-picked breadfruit. Elliot grew up on Oahu and attended school in Ewa Beach. His Hawaii homecoming at Pounders includes a redesigned menu utilizing local-grown ingredients and elevated food experiences throughout the PCC. HukilauMarketplace.com

Misc

Alaska Airlines

• Planning a trip to Oahu this winter? Alaska Airlines has made it easier than ever to make the most of your time in the air with a simpler, quicker inflight entertainment portal that works with any of today’s mobile phones, tablets or laptops. Visitors flying to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines can now enjoy streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi, allowing guests to work more efficiently or stream their own content. AlaskaAir.com

Consolidated Rent-A-Car

• The Hawaii Department of Transportation opened the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (Conrac) facility at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. The $377 million project hosts rental services for Alamo Rent A Car, Avis Car Rental, Budget Rent A Car, Dollar Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National Car Rental, Payless Car Rental, Sixt Rent A Car, and Thrifty Car Rental. Shuttle service is available for travelers arriving to transport them to the five-story state-of-the-art facility. The Conrac is designed to improve the efficiency of operations and customer experience at Hawaii's busiest airport. hidot.hawaii.gov

Hawaiian Airlines

• Just in time for the holidays, Hawaiian Airlines is offering travelers more options to reconnect with family or take a Hawaii vacation with additional nonstop flights between the islands and the U.S. West Coast. To meet anticipated holiday demand, the carrier is expanding once-daily service between Honolulu (HNL) and Seattle (SEA) and San Francisco (SFO), as well as between Kahului, Maui (OGG) and Los Angeles (LAX). HawaiianAirlines.com

Hawaii Convention Center

The Hawaii Convention Center is welcoming guests with industry-leading protocols for meetings and events, including the implementation of health and safety technologies, new food and beverage options, revised layouts for socially distanced gatherings, and extensive staff training. The center has also developed new virtual meetings packages to offer guests the convenience of attending meetings remotely. HawaiiConvention.com