Honolulu is a bit like any American metropolis. Despite the beaches, palm trees, and perfect weather, there’s traffic, congestion, high rent. Did we mention the crowds? East of Honolulu is East Honolulu. Here’s why it’s a whole different world out there.

For the most part, East Honolulu is residential. There’s a couple of grocery stores, a Pizza Hut, a Zippy’s, a Taco Bell, and a KFC. I don’t know where McDonald’s went.

For the most part. Generally speaking (another way of saying, “for the most part…”), East Honolulu begins around the Kahala area, to the East of Diamond Head. Kahala and the area surrounding Kahala Mall (we are a creative lot here in Honolulu, aren’t we?) is one of Honolulu’s more prestigious neighborhoods.

One of my former bosses retired here, so it must be somewhat pretentious. He is.

Coming from Diamond Head along Kahala Avenue you’ll salivate over the luxurious beachfront properties (although you won’t see that much), and end up at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel.

{embed=“ads/content”}What’s a world class (sorta) hotel doing in the middle of a residential area, you ask? Well, just because. The hotel was built in 1959 and, as with Joan Rivers, has seen more than a few facelifts since then. Still, there’s a charm and luxury at the Kahala Mandarin you won’t find elsewhere in East Honolulu.

Most ‘cause there’s no other hotels or resorts in East Honolulu.

But it’s the best.

Did I mention anything about golf? Right smack next to the Kahala Mandarin is the Waialae Golf Course (somehow attached to the ultra exclusive Waialae Country Club). OK, I know the question. What’s a world class golf course doing in the middle of a residential area?

Surrounding these hugely successful commercial ventures in a sophisticated and exclusive residential area, is the residential area itself. Homes. Condos. Streets. Schools. A mall. Restaurants.

It goes on and on. Eventually you’ll find yourself at Far East Honolulu and Hawaii Kai. This residential area was built along a series of lagoons and canals which find their way to Maunalua Bay—surfing, parasailing, jetskiing.

Here’s where the East Honolulu fun begins.

Just above the mountain which overlooks Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu is Hanuma Bay Nature Preserve.

Hanuma Bay will also have BIG fish, some sharks, a large number of eel…Hanauma Bay is a huge crater which empties into the sea. That created a natural aquarium inside the crater—shallow enough to walk in. Deep and broad enough to attract a gazillion varieties of marine life and fish (which could be consider “marine life” too, but I wanted you to begin thinking about it ‘cause it’s not the same).

Fish is fish. Hanuma Bay will also have BIG fish, some sharks, a large number of eel, a squid or two (small), lots of jellyfish, and the occasional octopus.

See. Marine Life. Just like I said

There’s more to East Honolulu which we’ll cover in a subsequent entry. Kalanianaole Highway (click your heels together and say ‘Kalanianaole’ three times), Halona Blowhole (it sounds nasty, but is worth a trip), and dangerous Sandy Beach.

Summary: Residential life along the beach and mountains overlooking the beach. Definitely high rent district. Surprising number of “attractions” for what is mostly a residential ribbon along the coast East of Honolulu.

Pros: Hanauma Bay, Maunalua Bay, Sandy Beach, Halona Blow Hole, Roy’s Restaurant, deepest blue ocean you’ll find anywhere.

Cons: Residential area, windy and dry.

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