This week, we're sharing an Unpacked episode that explores one of Hawai'i's most iconic beaches: Waikīkī. AFAR senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers—who heads up all our hotel content—has a deep familiarity with the beach. Her mother is from Hawai'i, and her parents (both in the hospitality industry) actually met while working in a hotel. She played on Waikīkī as a kid, but she's always seen it as a kinda shiny, glitzy place—a place that seems a little, well, inauthentic.

So on a recent trip to O'ahu, she met with four different locals who helped her see a new side of Waikīkī.

Meet this week’s guests

Jennifer Flowers, AFAR senior deputy editor 

Misty Thompson Tufono, executive vice president of Tihati Productions

Dylan Ching, vice president of operations for TS Restaurants, which includes Duke’s Waikīkī

Aunty Luana Maitland, director of cultural experiences at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort

Bonga Perkins, world-champion longboard surfer

Resources

Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.

Read Jenn’s story about the cultural experiences she had on Waikīkī.

Check out the Royal Hawaiian and its luau, run by Tihati Productions.

Explore the menu at Duke’s Waikīkī. 

Discover the cultural center at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort.

Watch Bonga surf! (And check out his surfboards.)