Hawaii 2015: Attractions/Activities/Shopping

According to  Hawai'i Magazine's "Best of the Best" 2015 Readers' Choice list:

Best Beach for Stretching Out on the Sand 

#2 - Waikiki Beach and Area Beaches (Oahu)

#3 - Hapuna Beach (Kona Coast, Big Island)

#5 - Lanikai Beach (Oahu - Windward or east side)

#9 - Kailua Beach (Oahu - Windward or east side)

Best Beach for Swimming

#2 - Waikiki Beach and Ares Beaches (Oahu)

#4 - Hapuna Beach (Kona Coast, Big Island)

#5 - Lanikai Beach (Oahu - Windward side)

#8 - Kailua Beach (Oahu - WIndward side)

#9 - Ko'olina Beach (Oahu - Leeward or west side)

#10 - Ala Moana Beach (Oahu - Leeward or west side - not far north of Waikiki)

Best Beach for Snorkeling

#1 - Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (Oahu - south of Waikiki)  http://www.hanaumabaystatepark.com/ (shuttle service available)

#5 - Shark's Cove/Three Tables at Pupukea Beach (Oahu - North Shore area)

#9 - Kealakekua Bay& Shoreline (Big Island - south between Kailua-Kona and Captain Cook)

 

If you find you have more to transport home than you have room in your luggage, there is a UPS Store near our Waikiki hotel.  Open until 6:00 pm, it is located 0.5 miles from the Aston Circle Hotel (about a 9 min. walk) heading toward the Honolulu Zoo.

"Best of ..." as ranked by Hawai'i Magazine's "Best of the Best" 2015 Readers' Choice list:

Best Hawai'i 'Ukulele Maker -

#1 - Kamaka 'Ukulele

#2 - Mele 'Ukulele

#3 - Koaloha 'Ukulele

Best Aloha Shirt Brand -

#1 - Hilo Hattie

#2 - Tori Richard

#3 - Reyn Spooner - Store locations: Ala Moana Shopping Center, Reyn Spooner Waikiki (120 Kaiulani Ave) 

#4 - Sig Zane 

# 5 - Kahala 

Best Hawaii Women's Fashion Designer/Brand -

#1 - Tori Richard

#2 - Hilo Hattie

#3 - Manuheali'i

#4 - Blue Ginger

#5 - Anne Namba Designs

Best Hawaiian Men's Fashion Designer/Brand -

#1 - Tori Richard

#2 - Reyn Spooner

#3 - Sig Zane

#4 - Hilo Hattie

#5 - Kahala

Best Place to Buy Made-in-Hawaii Gifts/Products -

#1 - Hilo Hattie

#2 - ABC Stores

#4 - Martin & MacArthur

Best Place to Buy Beach Gear or Water Gear -

#1 - ABC Stores

#2 - Snorkel Bob's

#4 - Hilo Hatties

#5 - Boss Frog's

Best Hawai'i Swimwear Designer -

#1 - Honolua Surf Co.

#2 - Acacia Swimwear

#3 - Mau Girl

#4 - Pakaloha Bikinis

#5 - Pualani Hawai'i

Best Hawai'i Jeweler/Jewelry Designer -

#1 - Na Hoku

#2 - Maui Divers

#3 - Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry

#4 - Denny Wong

$5 - Philip Rickard Honolulu