Oahu is famous for Waikiki and Pearl Harbor, but where do the people who live here really spend their time? Join Host Oneika Raymond as she takes off on a short, but packed road trip around the island’s North Shore, trying the poke at a locally loved shop, discovering ocean conservation efforts at a popular surfing beach, and exploring a lush valley with deep ties to Hawaiian culture. 

We’ll make our first stop for Shoyu Poke at Kahuku Superette, a grocery store run by Tina Lee and her husband Harmon Lee that offers some unique local cuisine. We’ll hear from Harmon Lee about how his wife Tina, a Korean immigrant, created her legendary poke sauce with inspiration from the Korean hot sauce Gojuchang.

After a quick stop at Wili Wili’s Shave Ice Haven, just down the road in Kahuku, we’ll go to Ehukai Beach, and the surfing mecca known as the Banzai Pipeline. Here we’ll meet Ocean Ramsey, freediver and marine biologist. One Ocean Diving, a company she runs with her husband Juan Oliphant, works to promote shark conservation through education and responsible tourism.

The next stop is only five minutes away on Kamehameha highway: Waimea Valley. Ka’ula Diamond is the Cultural Programs Manager of Waimea Valley and she tells us the legend of Kane’aukai, along with the deeper meaning of the greeting, “Aloha.”

The return trip to Waikiki goes past Haleiwa Beach Park, a favorite gathering spot for picnics and big wave spectating, as well as surfing, kayaking and fishing.

To end our trip, we’ll stay at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, on Waikiki Beach. There, we’ll sway to the sounds of live music in the Banyan Courtyard. This is where Harry Owens launched the legendary radio show “Hawaiʻi Calls,” which broadcast across the globe for decades.

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Thanks to our guests on this episode for sharing their stories along the route. Learn more about how to support the conservation efforts of Waimea Valley at waimeavalley.net and with One Ocean Diving at oneoceandiving.com. You can explore more about Hawaii and find the latest travel guidelines at gohawaii.com. And, to find out more about the Moana Surfrider, visit the hotel website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnlwi-moana-surfrider-a-westin-resort-and-spa-waikiki-beach/.

For more about this route — and to get other road trip ideas — visit Marriott Bonvoy Traveler at traveler.marriott.com/road-trips. If you enjoyed this episode of About the Journey, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe.

About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.

To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.