Areas to recommend or avoid?

[Pompey]

Hi all,
I've been to Honolulu way back in 93 and I found it to be quite safe. Just wondering if things have changed over the years. Are there any particular areas in Honolulu that tourists should avoid? How about recommendations? I'm planning to just relax and perhaps do some light shopping this time around. Any good and affordable drinking holes in the Waikiki area?

Thanks :)

[Glen Miyashiro]

It's hard to know what you'd want to go to, or avoid, if you don't say what you like and don't like.

[1stwahine]

I love my State. I love the island I was born and live on. Like any other place there are the good and the bad. Oahu is no different. There are various warnings for tourists in brochures, traveling magazines, etc. As Locals - we may find it not dangerous as one such as in your predicament.

To each his own.

If you see an environment that looks shady. Don't venture in.
Common sense.

As for the watering holes. There are many bars in Waikiki. As for prices? :eek: HAHAHAHAHAHA :p

Auntie Alyn ;)

[Pompey]

It's hard to know what you'd want to go to, or avoid, if you don't say what you like and don't like.

In terms of areas to avoid, I was thinking more of safety :p

I like to explore urban areas by foot - mainly for photography and seeing how the locals live.

[Dale]

No go down Chinatown / Hotel Street at night. No even go downtown at night. Too many weird people down there. During the day, no problem, but night time over there ... oh wow ... totally changes!!!

[pzarquon]

Well, it depends. I mean, hey, if you want to see all sides of how locals live, if you're looking for some... interesting sights and colorful personalities, downtown and Chinatown after dark will deliver in spades. And hell, parts of downtown and Chinatown are in an arts-and-culture renaissance of sorts. Just, other parts aren't. Heh.

I wouldn't really blacklist too many areas as "too incredibly dangerous to visit," although that obviously would change drastically if you're walking around with a camera. :p

[1stwahine]

No go down Chinatown / Hotel Street at night. No even go downtown at night. Too many weird people down there. During the day, no problem, but night time over there ... oh wow ... totally changes!!!

Hmmmm...I just came home from spending couple of hours at Kaiser's Emergency Room - Pensacola. I shall return laterz and deal with the above comment. :mad:

Dale, Whack Whacks!

Da nerva! :rolleyes:
(I will be back!)

Auntie Alyn of Chinatown!

btw: I'm fine. I survived again. ;)

[Lei Liko]

Aku Bone Lounge and Grill on the corner of Kona and Pensacola streets, about one block ewa of Ala Moana Center. It's good if you want to stay away from Waikiki tourist traps.

Great live Hawaiian bands as well...Holunape plays Tuesday nights from 7:30-10:00, Pilioha plays Wednesday 8-10, and there's a new Sunday band too...can't remember their name or when they play.

Good pupus and drinks at a reasonable price. Just make sure you go early for parking and a table!!!

[Palolo Joe]

Aku Bone Lounge and Grill on the corner of Kona and Pensacola streets, about one block ewa of Ala Moana Center. It's good if you want to stay away from Waikiki tourist traps.

Great live Hawaiian bands as well...Holunape plays Tuesday nights from 7:30-10:00, Pilioha plays Wednesday 8-10, and there's a new Sunday band too...can't remember their name or when they play.

Good pupus and drinks at a reasonable price. Just make sure you go early for parking and a table!!!
Wow, sounds like a commercial. Guess this is the bar you work(ed) at, then? I like Aku Bone too. Maybe I see you there next time...
:cool:

[Palolo Joe]

No go down Chinatown / Hotel Street at night. No even go downtown at night. Too many weird people down there. During the day, no problem, but night time over there ... oh wow ... totally changes!!!
Brah, when was the last time you were in that area?

If you like go at night, go for First Friday. Get plaaaaaaaaaaany people then.

[GypsyLika]

No go down Chinatown / Hotel Street at night. No even go downtown at night. Too many weird people down there. During the day, no problem, but night time over there ... oh wow ... totally changes!!!

Nah, you just gotta take one personal :D body guard aka Auntie Pupule, az her turf. ;)

[1stwahine]

Juss let me know in advance . I'll give you a personal tour of Chinatown both daytime and nightime! One no tourist has ever seen before! No worry, you will be safe and will get a glimpse into the True Life in which goes on in Chinatown, Honolulu, Hawaii!

As for photography? Our Chinatown has so many wonders and magical opportunities. It is endless.

Let me know if you want the Auntie pUpule Tour of Chinatown!


A recommendation would be to go on a First Night as Palolo Joe suggested in his post. Chinatown has become a mecca of sorts with Arts and Crafts. It is featured on the first Friday of each month. Downtown becomes a packed walking art show as crowds go from gallery to gallery.

We also have night clubs and various entertainment venues. Karaoke Bars and of course our famous Hawaii Theater!

Yes, we do have some shady characters as any city does. I'm proud to report that as of this writing the war on Drugs in the area is finally being WON! It was worse before.

I am not going into specifics. That is not the topic of this thread.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f358/1stwahine/birthday254.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f358/1stwahine/Febuary019.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f358/1stwahine/opala045.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f358/1stwahine/birthday248.jpg

Auntie Alyn :D

[Dale]

Brah, when was the last time you were in that area?

If you like go at night, go for First Friday. Get plaaaaaaaaaaany people then.

I work down there and I like get out of there as soon as possible after pau work. That place scary when the sun goes down. Aya!!!

[pzarquon]

You know, Pompey, having a local tour guide as knowledgeable (and colorful) as 1stwahine might actually be a pretty good idea. I'm sure she can help you see and appreciate lots of things you might miss were you to venture around Chinatown on your own.

Hell, 1stwahine, you should consider making it a side business. There is indeed an open-minded class of visitor (or, perhaps, a more pruriently-minded set as well) that actually seek out the kind of "real" portraits of local life that apparently scare folks like Dale. :D

[dick]

I work down there and I like get out of there as soon as possible after pau work. That place scary when the sun goes down. Aya!!!

Maybe 10 or 15 or so years ago the downtown area was "scary when the sun goes down," but not any more. I always thought Kuhio Ave. after midnight or 1 a.m. was a bit more challenging....

[1stwahine]

Hell, 1stwahine, you should consider making it a side business. There is indeed an open-minded class of visitor (or, perhaps, a more pruriently-minded set as well) that actually seek out the kind of "real" portraits of local life that apparently scare folks like Dale. :D

You know, I've been thinking about that for quite sometime. If anything, I wouldn't charge for my services. I would gladly give a walking tour on First Fridays! :D

I'll start something soon. I'll let you all know I when begin. :)

Mahalo Pzarquon! :D

I work down there and I like get out of there as soon as possible after pau work. That place scary when the sun goes down. Aya!!!

I can go there and drink till the bars close. Miss my bus and walk home. Pass Maunakea, Smith, Paauhi, Beretania, Aala Park and reach MWH. No problemo. Nope. Not scary. :p It's all in your imagination. :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn

[Palolo Joe]

It's all in your imagination.
I second that opinion, and agree with Dick... you'll run into more trouble on Kuhio late at night than you would in Chinatown.

[1stwahine]

I second that opinion, and agree with Dick... you'll run into more trouble on Kuhio late at night than you would in Chinatown.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Palolo Joe!

I'll buy you a round if I ever see you in a club in Chinatown! ;)

Auntie Lynn

[Pompey]

When I first visited Honolulu way back in 1993 I thought it was pretty safe. Even went to Chinatown in the evening. I remember going to a bar with my friend and within minutes 2 ladies sat beside us. They probably knew that we weren't regulars and they got all friendly and flirty. Then the question of money came up......they were prostitutes :eek: . They didn't let us go, so we said we needed to get some money first and asked where the nearest ATM was. We then left, got into our rental car and drove away :cool: I thought that was quite exciting :p

Auntie Lynn, I may take you up on the tour of Chinatown. I'm always fascinated by Chinatowns. I'm from Vancouver and we have a huge Chinatown here - next to our skid row. So we're pretty much accustomed to down-and-outers and addicts. They'll pretty much leave you alone unless you're walking down the street with $20 stuck on your forehead. But like someone said above, common sense should prevail when going to an unknown area.

pzarquon, I guess I would consider myself as an open-minded tourist. I've explored massive urban jungles like Tokyo and London. I like to mingle with locals because they can always provide a perspective and insight that is not normally found in a guide book. Back in 93 I did the tourist thing such as visiting Diamond Head, Polynesian Cultural Center, shopping, Hanauma Bay, bus-guided tours, etc. Very enjoyable to say the least. I might return to a few of those areas and take some pictures for my album, http://public.fotki.com/itchome/

[1stwahine]

Pompei, I like look your pic's but no can. :( Go fix um!

As for Chinatown, juss let me know. It would be my pleasure. You wouldn't have to worry about hookers, chronics or the likes. Dey all scared of Auntie Lynn of Chinatown! :eek:

I no lie.

[Pomai]

Backtracking this thread, it appears nobody mentioned the Ala Wai canal or boat harbor yet.

Unlikely as it is, do AVOID falling (or swimming?) in there. :eek:

Read the full HT discussion of that topic here (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=8230).

[Pomai]

Oh, and another thing... AVOID H1 freeway whenever possible. Stay on urban streets such as Nimitz, Beretania, King, Dillingham, Kapiolani and Ala Moana Blvd. There may be more traffic signals, but it still moves faster than our freeway "parking lots".