Many thanks to all the posters who have made my research as to dining and things to do so easy. We will be renting a condo on the water in Makaha for about a month. I wonder if someone could share some hints as to shopping in that area, both grocery and other. Also any stands or farms to purchase local vegetables, fruits, orchids, fish? Do you know of local eateries we should try? We will have a car and plan on seeing friends in Waikiki and Honolulu but I was wondering if there was something local we should try. Thank you
PS We did read the warnings and any further information would be appreciated. We are 55+ and this is our 3rd time to Hawaii, but the 1st time to Oahu for more than a day.

For Orchids the best place to ship home from is in between Kaneohe and Chinaman's hat. It is on the mountain side of the road and the second nursery from Kaneohe. There's a big wooden two story home on the grounds.

The stadium swap meet has some fruits etc. Also there are local farmer's markets if you pick up a paper I think they are on Thursday with the big one in Waikiki at KCC on Sat.

Waianea has a Grocery Outlet.

If you drive around to Mililani or Wahiawa there are local places to eat like Phucket Thai or Molly's Smokehouse.

Closest good prices I know about would be in Kapolei. They have a Kmart, Longs, Boston Pizza, Chili's etc.

Iolani Resort and Spa has poolside drinks and lunch or fancier for fancier - Azul's.

If you want to do Chinese and stay close to home (less than 1 hour round-trip), go to Cathay Inn, the only spot worth mentioning along the whole Waianae coast.

Mahalo Island Mom and PakePorkChop. I am sitting here watching the snow accumulate on my back porch and wishing I could be watching the surf. Any other info. you care to share would be appreciated. Mahalo

I think islandmom means "Ihilani" not "Iolani." While you are out there, the Ko Olina Golf Club has a restaurant called Niblicks that is pretty good.


There isn't a ton of stuff out there, though.....at least you have a car so you can go to the North Shore, drive in to Waikiki, etc!

Yes, we plan on doing a lot of driving and this website has been invaluable for ideas. I think that the restaurant you referred to will be another Roys,under renovation now and slated to open soon. Not 100% sure, but think that is what I read. Does anyone know more about this?

I will be staying at the Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Club soon and when the hotel called to confirm my resv, the person mentioned that a Roy's restaurant is, in fact, being built nearby.

Thanks Buzzman, They didn't mention a completition date by any chance for the bew Roys restaurant?

Hi, Lillium. The hotel did not say when Roy's was due to be completed, but she made it sound as if it was already being built out, so it shouldn't be too long. Hope you have a great time!!

I just talked to the people at Roys in Honolulu. They said the projected date for the new restraunt is in May of 2004. Hope that helps.

Thank you Buzzman and Travelmom 13. Our stay will be for one month ending mid March, so we will have to travel to the other Roy's. Can you estimate how far in advance for mid week dinner are reservations required? Thank you again to all the responders to my queries. I am counting the days to our departure to beautiful Hawaii.

I should make clear that Cathay Inn is the only CHINESE restaurant worth mentioning on the Waianae coast (although the other Chinese restaurants may be quite adequate for snacks, soups, or noodles).

One convenient spot that you should check out is the clubhouse at the Makaha championship golf course. The chef there obtained a lot of experience at Sealife Park and pays a lot of attention to his craft.