Carolina & Juani

THE MODERN HONOLULU hand-selects outdoor adventure vendors whose levels of service are as discerning as our own. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay (a crater filled with tropical fish and green turtles) and diving uncrowded wrecks, caves and reefs make underwater outdoor pursuits real. Surfing is iconic among Oahu activities, and we’ll be chasing our first waves. Our concierge can also connect us with preferred vendors for jet-skiing, parasailing and fishing If we have another pleasure in mind, all we’ll have to do is just ask!

Naturally, we'll want to taste (and take home) some Kona coffee. We can’t wait to sample and the coveted Hawaiian coffee and take a tour to understand how the island's climate and volcanic soil create the ideal growing conditions for Kona beans. In the Honolulu food lexicon, signature dishes often spin Asian fusion with local produce, including fresh seafood. When the staff directs us to the shrimp trucks, we won’t question. And we look forward to the Hole-in-the-Wall food tour, as its name suggests, the tour reveals the best Hawaiian food done casually.

We’ll submerge 100 feet below the ocean surface – deeper than most scuba divers go – on an Oahu submarine tour and visit with hundreds of fish, coral formations, maybe even a White Tip Reef Shark or one of the largest sunken ships in Oahu waters.

One of the best ways to combine Honolulu’s sleek, urban life with the natural beauty of Oahu and its surrounding waters is to charter a yacht or explore Waikiki by boat tour. We’ll view caves, humpback whales and the Halona Cove from Pirates of the Caribbean on a scenic boat ride. We can request on-boat massages, wine tastings, private scuba dives, off-the-path hiking and private weddings.

Options out on the water abound from a daytime excursion on a 40-foot catamaran or snorkel sail to Turtle Town. We can also take a trip out to Koko Marina to parasail, jet ski, bumper tube, banana boat ride, or defy nature and take flight up to 30 feet above Maunalua Bay by harnessing the power of controlled water pressure. THE MODERN HONOLULU will advise us on boat tours and charters. We can catch the trade winds in our sails with one of the preferred vendors; adventures can take form of a cruise, a private sailing lesson or even a private inter-island sailing excursion.

It is believed that surfing first originated with the ancient Polynesian cultures. Ancient Hawaiians viewed surfing as much more than a hobby; rather they considered it a way of life and an art form. We’ll hope to catch the perfect wave and experience a thrill only the ocean can deliver!

Paddleboarding has its roots in ancient Polynesian culture where riders used paddleboards to move from one place to another. It is a great way to get some exercise while having fun, as well as an excellent way to get around.

The Ocean View Terrace King Rooms will have varying effects on us: Some say the view of the tranquil marina, sparkling pool and mesmerizing ocean, visible from the private terrace, lures to the shore all hours of the day and night. We might find that the sun – or the moon – creates the right light for lingering inside our room longer than usual.

It’s the ideal location to start our day, or to end it. It will be easy to feel drawn to THE GROVE Restaurant & Bar at THE MODERN HONOLULU. Arbors, bougainvillea and hibiscus create a garden allure among the alfresco seating of THE GROVE; lush banquettes and overstuffed wicker chairs beckon us to lounge in the passageway area, an alcove fringed with ferns and palm fronds. Rays of sun and ocean breezes touch the spaces, each with a view to THE MODERN HONOLULU’s Sunrise Pool and yacht harbor just beyond.

The chefs of THE MODERN HONOLULU incorporate locally sourced ingredients into their signature dishes. Seafood is delivered fresh from area waters six days a week. Produce is routinely sourced from the Ho family farm, located nearby on Oahu’s North Shore. Any essential element they can make better – fresher – is made in-house: Breads are baked daily, and salmon is smoked on site.

The chefs of THE MODERN HONOLULU incorporate locally sourced ingredients into their signature dishes. Seafood is delivered fresh from area waters six days a week. Produce is routinely sourced from the Ho family farm, located nearby on Oahu’s North Shore. Any essential element they can make better – fresher – is made in-house: Breads are baked daily, and salmon is smoked on site.

No visit to Hawaii is complete without attending a luau. Initially referred to as ahaaina (aha forgathering and aina for meal) - meaning party or feast, a luau usually consists of live music, foodand entertainment. Centrally located in Waikiki, THE MODERN HONOLULU offers a slew ofpopular luaus to experience from The Polynesian Cultural Center to the Chiefs or Paradise CoveLuau.