Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 151

expensive, but it's worth every penny. The gourmet chocolates made in Hon-
olulu include Italian and Hawaiian biscotti, boulder-size turtles (caramel and
pecans covered with chocolate), truffles, chocolate-covered coffee beans, and
jumbo apricots in white and dark chocolate, to name a few. There are also tinned
biscuits, European candies, and sweets in a million disguises. Hint: You pay
dearly for them, but the dark-chocolate-dipped macadamia-nut clusters are
beyond comparison.
The reigning queen of bakers is Cafe Laufer, 3565 Waialae Ave. ( & 808/
735-7717; p. 107). Nearby, old-timers still line up at Sconees, 1117 12th Ave.
( & 808/734-4024 ), formerly Bea's Pies. Sconees has fantastic scones, pumpkin-
custard pies, and Danishes. One more unforgettable bakery is Mary Cather-
ine's, 2820 S. King St. ( & 808/946-4333 ), across from the Hawaiian Humane
Society. It's a great place for quality cakes and European pastries.
TOYS
Oahu has plenty of the same chain toy stores (K·B Toys, Toy-Rrific, Toys 'N Toys,
and Toys “R” Us) that you can find at home (most likely at cheaper prices!). For
cute Hawaii-themed stuffed animals, look for Nani Stufs, like a Hawaii Nani
Bear or Hawaii Parrot, at the Nani Makana, Iwalei Business Center, 501 Sum-
ner St. off Nimitz Highway, Honolulu ( & 808/537-6937; http://shop.store.
yahoo.com/foreverflorals/hastan.html).
10 Entertainment for the Whole Family
Most of Hawaii's entertainment occurs when the sun is shining—playing in the
ocean, hiking to waterfalls, pedaling down mountain trails. In fact, the sunset
itself is part of Hawaii's entertainment. It's a time to stop and celebrate the end
of the day and watch the sun slowly sink into the Pacific. On Friday and Satur-
day at 6:30pm, as the sun casts its golden glow on the beach and surfers and
beach boys paddle in for the day, Kuhio Beach, where Kalakaua Avenue inter-
sects with Kaiulani, eases into evening with hula dancing and a torch-lighting
ceremony. Take the kids to this free and thoroughly delightful weekend offering.
Start off earlier with a picnic basket and walk along the oceanside path fronting
Queen's Surf, near the Waikiki Aquarium. (You can park alongside Kapiolani
Park or near the zoo.) There are few more pleasing spots in Waikiki than the
benches at water's edge at this Diamond Head end of Kalakaua Avenue. A short
walk across the intersection of Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues, where the sea-
wall and daring boogie boarders attract hordes of spectators, takes you to the
Duke Kahanamoku statue on Kuhio Beach and the nearby Wizard Stones. Here,
you can view the torch-lighting and hula and gear up for the strolling musicians
who amble down Kalakaua Avenue every Friday from 8 to 10pm. The musicians
begin at Beachwalk Avenue at the Ewa (western) end of Waikiki and end up at
the statue.
For other nighttime entertainment, check out the two local daily newspapers
or Honolulu Weekly for the latest listings. Unfortunately, there are no discount
ticket outlets for Hawaii productions. With the exception of “hot” rock concerts
and very successful Broadway shows on tour, most tickets can be purchased once
you arrive on island.
THE BIG VENUES
The largest big venue is the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu
( & 808/527-5400; www.blaisdellcenter.com). This catch-all venue hosts a vari-
ety of events, from major rock concerts to Hawaii Lion Dance Competition to