Some new things I did this visit plus some general comments

Question

This was I think my 12th trip so I tried a couple of new things along with the old favourites. I finally made it to the Doris Duke house - what a find - this was an absolutely outstanding place to see. Not only is the house beautiful but the museum is amazing too - it really should be a must see for anyone who is on a trip where they have seen all the "big" sights and want something different to see. I loved it.

I went on an architectural walk that the Architectural Association runs on Saturdays. I wanted to do the Chinatown one but was there on the wrong weekend so did the general downtown one -it was terrific - highly recommend this one too, very informative guide.

I managed to combine this with the Saturday morning Kaka'ako Farmers markets for breakfast -normally I go to the Community college ones near Diamond Head but I tried a new one and these were great.

I usually get a hire car just for one day a do a lap around the island and because the price was pretty much the same, I did a 4pm-4pm hire so it meant I could venture a little further for dinner. I chose Mud Hen Water. This is a great little restaurant with modern Hawaiian food, really recommended. I generally stay at the Ilikai so was just going to park in the parking station above the Red Lobster but decided to try my luck with the open air parking outside the Ala Wai Boat Harbor parking. As it was still relatively early, I scored a spot and got overnight parking for around $8, much cheaper than the parking station. I did notice cars later on in the evening lapping the car park trying to find a spot.

Speaking of cars, I was amazed to see a few of those Tesla tanks around. They haven't made it to Australia. I drive an EV but these cars I find odd LOL

The Friday morning labour protest is still happening at The Modern - I think its been going at least 5 years now - banging of drums etc for around 30 minutes at 7am.

Thankyou to the advice here too for breakfast. I decided to do a clockwise lap of the island this time and the recommendation for breakfast was Anna Millers - this was a great choice. It reminded me a lot of the old Wailea Coffee House. Thanks for this recommendation.

And finally a book recommendation. I bought Honolulu Noir (Chris McKinney ed) while there - I book of short stories by modern Honolulu writers -its a great read

Answer

This visit to Oahu offered a nice mix of new experiences along with familiar favorites. One standout for me was finally visiting the Doris Duke house. The property and museum are exceptional and provide a unique perspective on art, architecture, and Hawaiian history. For anyone who has already seen the major sights, this is a must-visit location.

Another highlight was participating in the Architectural Association's guided walk downtown. Although I missed the Chinatown walk, the general downtown tour was excellent with an informative guide that provided historical and architectural context for the area. It pairs well with exploring local markets.

On Saturday morning, I combined the architectural walk with a visit to the Kaka'ako Farmers Market for breakfast. These markets were fresh and lively, offering a slightly different experience than the usual community college markets near Diamond Head.

Regarding car rentals and exploring the island, I opted for a 4pm-4pm rental which allowed a full day of driving with extra flexibility for dinner. One of my new dining experiences was at Mud Hen Water, a small but excellent restaurant serving modern Hawaiian cuisine. Parking tips: I found the open-air Ala Wai Boat Harbor lot convenient and inexpensive for overnight parking at around $8, as opposed to pricier parking stations near the Ilikai.

Additional observations and minor updates:

There are quite a few large Teslas (“Tesla tanks”) around now, which I found amusing as a visitor from Australia.
The Friday morning labor protest at The Modern still happens consistently at 7am, with drums for about 30 minutes.

Breakfast on my clockwise lap of the island was at Anna Miller’s, which was a fantastic choice and reminiscent of the classic Wailea Coffee House experience.

Lastly, for those interested in local literature, the book Honolulu Noir edited by Chris McKinney is a great collection of modern short stories by Honolulu writers, offering insight into the city’s culture and lifestyle.

Visit Doris Duke House & Museum for a unique and beautiful experience.
Architectural Association downtown walking tour is highly recommended.
Saturday morning Kaka'ako Farmers Market is worth a stop.
Dinner at Mud Hen Water offers excellent modern Hawaiian cuisine.
Parking at Ala Wai Boat Harbor can save money versus local parking stations.
Anna Miller’s is a great breakfast spot, reminiscent of traditional Hawaiian cafes.
For literary enthusiasts, check out Honolulu Noir.

Overall, combining some off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences, local dining, and practical tips for parking and timing made this visit both relaxing and enriching.

Some new things I did this visit plus some general comments

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