Between work, underways, duty days and family life, your time on Oahu can fly by. Being stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam is a special time with so much history, culture and food to experience. My family has been fortunate enough to be stationed here three times.
To help you organize your adventures, I’ve pulled together my ultimate Oahu Bucket List. This can also be a great list to share with family or friends when they visit! Be sure to check out our entire catalog of Pearl Harbor content for more ideas!
Whatever you decide to add to your bucket list, have fun, adventure and ALOHA!
Food
Instagram foodie pages, Yelp and local recommendations are all ways to find your favorites
– Malasadas (Leonard’s is iconic)
– Poke (Monarch Poke and Paradise Poke near Pearl Harbor)
– Plate Lunch (Queen St Cafe, Rainbow Drive Inn, Highway Inn)
– Shave Ice (Matsumoto Shave is a staple in the North Shore but also try Kaimana Shave Ice, Island Vintage, Waiola Shave Ice, Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha)
– Korean BBQ (Yummy’s in the NEX, or for sit down and grill-your-own at Gen Korean BBQ House, Sikdorak II, or Million Resturant)
– Zippy’s Chili (Zippy’s)
– Spam Musubi (more on the origins here, our favorite is Mamaya)
– Pork Hash (Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery)
– Butter Mochi (great treat for those who are gluten free)
– Coco Puffs (Liliha Bakery)
– Mochi Donuts (Liliha Bakery, Brug and Kamehameha Bakery)
– Acai Bowl (Sunrise Shack, Da Cove Health Bar & Cafe, Island Vintage Cafe, Nalu Health Bar and Haleiwa Bowls)
– Chocolate Haupia Pie (Ted’s Bakery, grocery cases at the commissary and an elevated version is served at Moku Kitchen and Monkeypod)
– Manapua (Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery or Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory, Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant)
– Loco Moco (Guieb Cafe and Adela’s Country Eatery)
– Garlic Shrimp (Giovanni’s is the most popular in the North Shore but also try Da Bald Guy Food Truck, Big Wave Food Truck and Romy’s)
– Huli Huli Chicken
– Poi
– Mac Salad
– Dole Whip (Dole Plantation, Kokoro in the Royal Hawaiian Center Food Court)
– Pumpkin Crunch (Aiea Bowl’s the Alley)
– Mai Tai ( Moku Kitchen and Monkeypod)
– Bubble Tea (Tea Cafe)
– Korean Fried Chicken (Bb.q Chicken, Vons Chicken of Left Wing)
Hikes
The Facebook group Hiking with Keiki & All Trails great resources for new to advanced hikers
– KoKo Crater Botanical Garden
– Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Beaches
– Bellows
– Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
Adventures
– Snorkeling Excursion at Turtle Canyon
– Kualoa Ranch UTV Raptor & Jurassic Park Tours
– Manoa Raw Honey & Craft Mead
– Manoa Chocolate & Wine Bar Tasting
– Hotel staycation in Waikiki (the Alohilani is my favorite place to stay)
– Afternoon Tea at the Veranda at the Moana Surfrider or The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Museums & Monuments
– Battleship Missouri Memorial
– Pearl Harbor National Memorial
– Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
– Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
– Missing Man Formation at Hickam
Camping & Cabins
– Pililaau Army Recreation Center
On Base
– Hickam Gym Group Fitness Classes & Pearl Harbor Family Fitness Center
– Hickam Gym Massage Therapy & Spa Services
– Mamala Bay Golf Course & Navy Marine Golf Course
– Hickam Bowling Center & Pier Side Bowling Center
– Wright Brothers Cafe 1st & 3rd Friday Rooftop Happy Hour
Keiki Fun
– Kid City
Tips
- Before booking an adventure, stop by your local ITT office for an updated list on ticket pricing and military discounts.
- When purchasing tickets for friends or family with the military discount always ask if the military ID holder needs to be present at time of the event. Typically IDs are not checked with tickets purchased in advance.
- Be sure to follow JBPHH and Great Life Hawaii MWR social media pages to find out about base and local events as well.
For more Pearl Harbor content, click here. Our contributor Cat is currently stationed at JBPHH for the third time. Follow her on Instagram @aloha.mama.cat for more family fun and foodie finds.