Happy Friday from Oahu. This weekend leans into Easter energy, fresh openings, and a few ways to slow things down before the week resets. Whether you are planning a beach day, chasing egg hunts with the kids, or just looking for one good meal and a reason to stay put, this edition has something for the weekend ahead.
This week: one windward beach worth the drive, four kamaaina deals still live, two new food spots to try, a local business doing it right, and your full Pau Hana weekend lineup for April 4 to 6.
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Kahana Bay: Quiet Water, Long Sand, No Crowds
Kahana Bay is one of those places on the windward side that stays calm when the rest of Oahu does not. The bay sits between Kaaawa and Punaluu, tucked along Kamehameha Highway where the mountains come right down to the water. The sand runs long and flat, the water is usually glassy, and on weekdays it is not uncommon to have the entire stretch to yourself.
This is not the kind of beach you go to for snorkeling or big waves. It is the kind you go to when you want to sit under an ironwood tree, watch the light shift across the Koolau range, and let the morning take its time. Kayaking is solid here if you bring your own, and the shallow water is gentle enough for younger kids who are still figuring out the ocean.
How to do it: pack a cooler, leave the phone in the car for the first hour, and give yourself the full morning. If you pair it with a stop at the Kahana Bay trailhead for a short walk before settling onto the sand, it turns into one of the more complete windward resets available on Oahu right now.
KamaΚ»Δina Corner: Local Deals & Finds π€
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Halekulani (Waikiki)
The kamaaina rate is still live and extended through December 2026. If you want a staycation that feels polished without leaving the island, this remains one of the strongest local offers on Oahu. Book with code KAM.
View the full offer here
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Their kamaaina resident rate page is active, and with Alan Wong's now open inside the property, a staycation here doubles as a dining event. Worth checking the current availability for a spring weekend.
View the full offer here
Aqua-Aston Hotels
Hawaii residents can get up to 30 percent off room rates plus a single room category upgrade and late checkout. Multiple Oahu properties are included, and you just need a valid Hawaii ID at check-in.
View the full offer here
Κ»Ono Picks: Best Food on the Island π½οΈ
Chick-fil-A Kapiolani, Now Open in Honolulu
Chick-fil-A opened its newest Hawaii location on April 2 at 1837 Kapiolani Blvd. It is the chain's largest restaurant in the state to date, and already drawing lines. The space includes dine-in, carry-out, catering, and a dedicated event space for community gatherings. Hours run Monday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Read more here.
What to get: the spicy deluxe sandwich is the move if you want a full meal, or keep it simple with the original and a frosted lemonade.
π Where: 1837 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
Alan Wong's at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Alan Wong's is back. The restaurant opened to the general public on April 8 inside The Kahala Hotel and Resort, and hotel guests with the Legacy of Aloha package can get early access starting now. This is one of the most anticipated Honolulu dining returns in years, bringing back the chef who helped define Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Read more here.
What to get: the full menu details are still being revealed, but if you have followed Alan Wong's career, expect refined local flavors done at a level that justifies the setting.
π Where: The Kahala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu
(If you have spotted a new cafe or eatery opening this week, let us know!)
Support Local: Malama Hawaii Makers Market
Founder story (short): The Malama Hawaii Makers Market started as a way to give local artists, designers, and food makers a dedicated space to sell directly to the community. It now operates across three Oahu locations and features a curated collection of around 150 vendors, all producing work that is designed or handmade in Hawaii.
What they do: The market brings together locally made jewelry, clothing, art, skincare, ceramics, specialty foods, and more. Every vendor is vetted to make sure products are genuinely Hawaii-made, which keeps the quality high and the experience different from a typical swap meet.
Why it matters to locals: This is where you go when you want a gift that actually means something, or when you want to meet the person who made what you are buying. It supports the kind of small-scale creative economy that keeps Oahu's identity distinct and local money circulating on-island.
Link: https://islandofoahu.com/malama/
IG: @malamahawaiimakersmarket
π Where: Multiple locations across Oahu (check their page for the next pop-up date)
Are You Ready to Actually Retire?
Knowing when to retire means knowing what it costs, how long your money needs to last, and where the income comes from. When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Planning Guide helps investors with $1,000,000 or more work through all of it.
Pau Hana Plans: Whatβs On This Week πΆ
Easter weekend on Oahu brings egg hunts, a big new pop-up market, and a few solid reasons to get outside. Whether you are keeping it low-key with the family or looking for one standout plan, here are four things happening between Friday, April 4 and Sunday, April 6.
π£ Haleiwa Easter Egg Hunt, Sat, Apr. 4, 10:00 a.m., North Shore Marketplace
The 3rd Annual Haleiwa Easter Egg Hunt runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Great Lawn at North Shore Marketplace. Free for keiki, and a solid excuse to pair the morning with a Haleiwa lunch and a slower North Shore day.
π₯ 27th Annual West Coast Biggest Easter Egg Hunt, Fri Apr. 3 & Sat Apr. 4, Waianae Intermediate School
This is one of the longest-running egg hunts on Oahu. Friday starts at 2 p.m. and Saturday begins at 1 p.m. at Waianae Intermediate School. If you are on the west side, this is the weekend anchor.
π Wet 'n' Wild Gold & Platinum Egg Hunt, Sun, Apr. 6, Easter Sunday
The hunt starts at 9:30 a.m. sharp with only 24 Gold Eggs and 2 rare Platinum Eggs up for grabs. First 200 keiki through the gate before 11:30 a.m. get a goodie bag. Kamaaina admission is $29.99, and 50 percent off one-day tickets before 11:30 a.m. for residents and military.
ποΈ HONOLULU Magazine Pop-Up Market, Ward Centre
HONOLULU Magazine turned the old Roger Dunn space next to Fat Cheeks at Ward Centre into a curated pop-up with more than 40 local retail and food vendors. Admission is free, or grab a $25 VIP ticket for early entry at 9 a.m. with exclusive discounts.
Mahalo Nui πΊ
That is the full weekend lineup. Whether you end up at Kahana Bay, chasing eggs in Haleiwa, or finally making a reservation at Alan Wong's, we hope at least one thing in here lands right for your weekend.
If you have got a fresh event, deal, or opening we should feature next week, hit reply and send it our way.
Until next Friday, keep living aloha πΊ
