Honolulu New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Waikiki

8 places

Two nights on the beach for sunset hula, Hawaiian food and midnight fireworks over the water.

• Photo: Edmund Garman · CC BY 2.0

  Waikiki Beach fireworks

  Midnight fireworks launched from a barge off Waikiki, free to watch from the sand along Duke Kahanamoku Beach.

  Tip Bring a beach mat and arrive by 11 p.m.; the sand fills from the Hilton end first.

  DoWaikikiFree1.5 hr11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• Photo: Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Hilton Hawaiian Village

  Large resort on the beach at the west end of Waikiki, right in front of the fireworks barge.

  Tip Book an ocean-view room in the Rainbow or Tapa tower to see the fireworks from your lanai.

  StayWaikiki$$$Dec 30 – Jan 2
• Photo: Seagerthomas · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Royal Hawaiian Hotel

  Pink 1927 Spanish-Moorish hotel on Waikiki Beach, with gardens and a beachfront bar open to visitors.

  Tip Walk through the lobby and gardens to the beach, then have a mai tai at the bar.

  SeeWaikiki$$45 minLate afternoon

• House Without a Key

  Open-air bar at the Halekulani under a kiawe tree, with Hawaiian music and hula at sunset.

  Tip Arrive before 5 p.m. for a table near the stage and the view of Diamond Head.

  DrinkWaikiki$$$1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Helena's Hawaiian Food

  Family-run Hawaiian lunch spot open since 1946, known for pipikaula short ribs and kalua pig.

  Tip Go early; it keeps short hours and closes on some holidays, so check first.

  EatKalihi$60 minLunch Dec 30
• Photo: Arnold Gatilao · CC BY 2.0

  Leonard's Bakery

  Kapahulu bakery open since 1952 that made the Portuguese malasada a Honolulu staple.

  Tip Order them hot; the line moves fast.

  EatKapahulu$20 minMorning

• Rainbow Drive-In

  Plate-lunch drive-in near Kapiolani Park open since 1961, serving loco moco and mixed plates.

  Tip Eat at the outdoor tables or take it to Kapiolani Park.

  EatKapahulu$45 minLunch
• Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Diamond Head State Monument

  Volcanic crater above Waikiki with a steep 0.8-mile trail to old military bunkers on the rim.

  Tip Reserve the first entry slot for Jan 1 and bring a headlamp for the tunnel.

  OutdoorsDiamond Head$2 hrSunrise Jan 1

Destination 02

Kailua & Lanikai

6 places

A slow Jan 1 on the windward side, with calm turquoise water, a ridge hike and an old beach steakhouse.

• Photo: Lukas · CC BY 2.0

  Nuuanu Pali Lookout

  Windy lookout at the top of the Pali Highway with a view of the green Koolau cliffs and the windward coast.

  Tip Stop on the drive over to Kailua; it is often windy and cool.

  SeeNuuanu$30 minMorning Jan 1
• Photo: Tony Webster · CC BY 2.0

  Kailua Beach Park

  Long, soft-sand beach with calm water, a park with showers, and kayak rentals to the Mokulua islets.

  Tip Park here and walk to Lanikai, which has no public parking.

  OutdoorsKailuaFree2 hrMidday Jan 1
• Photo: claralieu · CC BY 2.0

  Lanikai Beach

  Narrow strip of white sand in a residential neighborhood, facing the twin Mokulua islets.

  Tip Use the marked public beach paths between the houses.

  OutdoorsLanikaiFree1.5 hrMorning Jan 1
• Photo: Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0

  Lanikai Pillbox Trail

  Short, steep climb up Kaiwa Ridge to old concrete bunkers with views over Lanikai and the islets.

  Tip Wear shoes with grip; the dirt trail gets slippery after rain.

  OutdoorsLanikaiFree1.5 hrEarly morning Jan 1
• Photo: Robert Linsdell · CC BY 2.0

  Kalapawai Market

  Green general store at the beach road since 1932, now selling coffee, sandwiches and beach supplies.

  Tip Pick up sandwiches here on the way to the beach.

  ShopKailua$20 minMorning Jan 1

• Buzz's Original Steakhouse

  Wood-paneled steakhouse across from Kailua Beach since the 1960s, with a salad bar and grilled fish.

  Tip Go for an early dinner straight from the beach and book ahead.

  EatKailua$$1.5 hrDinner Jan 1