2 Days on Oahu

Searching for local cuisine, we pulled over across the street from Sharks Cove at the trailer labelled Sharks Cove Grill.

I was disappointed with my teriyaki tri-tip sandwich. Not very flavorable, it really wasn't what I was hoping for. My husband ordered the Ahi and was also not impressed. It was cooked more than seared, but he said it tasted good. The young woman who took our order was not overly friendly. It appeared she'd rather have been surfing that working.

Limited seating under a canopy and a couple of old picnic tables under the trees gave the place the feel of a surfer hangout. Quaint, but not worth the stop.

I was hungry for Portuguese sausage. Our local hosts recommended Koa Pancake House for breakfast the morning before our flight home. A restaurant where the locals go was a perfect place to get a taste of Hawaii culture.

I ordered eggs over easy, Portuguese sausage and pancakes. My son ordered the french toast, as did my husband. They both said it was excellent. My sausage was spicy and greasy, just as I had remembered it and I savored it. My pancakes were fluffy and very good with the coconut syrup. Maple syrup and and orange syrup were also offered, but the coconut was fabulous.

The restaurant is quite small and was busy on this morning. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. We struck up a conversation with the local family sitting next to us. The stocky Hawaiian had ordered so much food we couldn't help but give him a bad time about it. It was a great experience and we'd definitely go back for breakfast on our next visit.

The weather had been wet and windy before our arrival and the waves at Sunset Beach were still rough, attracting surfers. As a beach full of surf-watchers looked on, a man waved for help in answer to the life guard station's bullhorn request for a sign that he was in trouble.One of the life guards ran down the beach and dove into the surf heading for the overcome swimmer. We were amazed at how difficult the swim was for the life guard. It seemed he was swimming in slow motion.

He finally reached the man and, swimming laterally to a calmer area, was able to bring him closer to shore. Another lifeguard joined him in helping bring the man onto the beach. Everyone clapped and cheered for the lifeguard hero. The rescuers shook hands with the rescuee and each went on their way.

It had been raining for weeks. Our hosts said they hadn’t seen the peaks of the mountains outside their windows for a really long time. We brought luck…the peaks were visible and the sun shined for the 2 days of our visit. But the previous lack of sunshine had kept the ocean water too cool for us. So instead of snorkeling and frolicking in the waves as planned, we did a lot of driving around the island and just walking on the beaches. From Waikiki to Kaneohe to Haleiwa, we stopped at any beach that caught our fancy.

Sunset Beach and Sharks Cove showcased the high surf and crashing waves. Laie Beach Park was peaceful, with soft sand and beautiful rock formations. Waikiki was busy with catamarans coming and going and couples and families playing in the waves. One beach had a couple of rope swings so we stopped and played. Another had beautiful aqua-colored water and we just had to stop and take pictures.

At Diamond Head Lookout, we were able to see whales spouting, surfers waiting for that one great ride, and enjoy the park-like setting on the cliff. Mongoose fought and played all over the hillside, seemingly unworried by all the tourists hanging around.

We would rather have picked one or two spots to snorkel and hang out, but it was enjoyable taking in many of the lovely beaches Oahu has to offer.

Looking for a great place for a Waikiki sunset dinner? The Shorebird at the Outrigger Reef Hotel offers a fun environment with a great view. Order a grill-your-own steak, boneless chicken breast or pork ribs and then help yourself to the all you can eat gourmet salad bar. The salad bar offers crisp salad greens and terrific toppings. Fresh fruit, pasta side dishes and warm bread complete your meal.
Your server brings large plates with your uncooked dinner and explains the ideal cooking technique for your meal. My teriyaki beef kabob with green peppers and onions, medium well, would require grilling 4 minutes per side. The huge grill, with a chef to guide you if needed, is stocked with seasonings and ready for your grilling pleasure. A sense of camaraderie among guests exists as you chat over your outdoor bar-b-que on the beach watching the sunset and the waves.
Pricing is average, ranging from an 8oz ground sirloin beef patty for $14.95 to a 12oz Rib Eye at $24.95. All entrees include the salad bar, which is a meal in itself and can be had for $13.95 with no entrée.