Lunch at the beach. Gloomy today.
Grabbed a burger at the beach even though it was overcast. Still warm enough to sit outside and watch the surf — actually nice to have some space for once.
Midnight Barefoot Beach Walk
A late night walk along the beach under the stars. The sand was still warm from the day. Just the waves and a few stars breaking through the clouds.
Morimoto's was closed — back at Suntory for omakase
Was going to get a duck at Morimoto's but it's closed until May. Ended up back at Suntory for my last expensive meal. Sake Halibut skirt nigiri is the best thing I didn't know existed.
Maguro Bros — Tuna Belly & Ahi Poke for $16
Another stay-in night on the balcony. The Maguro Bros guys are straight from Japan, take-out only, and they grind real wasabi. Sixteen bucks for tuna belly and poke this good is a small miracle.
Kailua Beach on the east side of Oahu
Drove over to Kailua. Town is fine — kind of a moneyed quiet — but the beach itself is a different story. Powdery sand, soft turquoise water, and a long crescent that just keeps going.
Suntory has a restaurant here — Hakushu 12 is $14 a pour
Suntory distillery from Japan has a restaurant here. Hakushu 12 is only $14 a pour — Vegas wanted $40. Better food than Duke's, full sushi bar, and the whiskey list is the best in town.
Maui Brewing Company Happy Hour
They have twenty beers on tap but, honestly, none of them blew me away. Cold flight, decent pretzel, breezy patio — fine for an hour.
Walked to Diamond Head, hiked the top, walked back to Waikiki
Skipped the Uber and walked the whole loop from the hotel to the crater rim and back. Brutal in the sun on the way up, but the view from the top of the trail makes the sweat make sense.
Hula Grill Happy Hour — much better views than Duke's
Pineapple cocktail. Fish tacos. Same beach as Duke's but a floor up — quieter, prettier, and you can actually hear the person across the table from you.
Another fish lunch at Paia Fish Market — grilled Opah with fries
Another fish lunch at Paia Fish Market. Grilled Opah with fries — clean, smoky, lemon-bright. The kind of meal you remember more than the fancy ones.