5 Perfect Summer Days by HAWAIʻI Magazine Staff

With summer in full swing, here are five perfect summer day ideas contributed by our own staffers.

There’s no doubt about it: Summer has arrived in the Islands. The days are longer, the weather warmer and beaches and bays are looking all the more inviting. It’s times like this that HAWAIʻI Magazine readers—and staffers, too—dream about. To quell, or maybe spark, your evergrowing sense of wanderlust, our staff has put together their ideal summer days—a mix of sea, sand, good company and comfort foods—that can only be described as “perfect.”

“My friends and I are looking forward to heading to the Windward Side [Oʻahu] to eat and spend the day at Kailua Beach Park. Although it may not be standard beach fare, we always love stopping at Adela’s Country Eatery to enjoy a lunch of fresh homemade pasta and pick up their special purple potato ube Jell-O cheesecake.”

—Kyla Smith, editorial intern

“My perfect summer day is to spend it with my best friend Mia. We usually just drive around the island [Oʻahu] making random stops along the way to take scenic pictures or to enjoy a nice secluded beach. We always make a pit stop at Romy’s Kahuku Prawns Shrimp Hut to get butter garlic shrimp for lunch. You can’t forget the fresh pineapple with li hing while you’re waiting for your order! Then we’ll end our day with yummy dessert from Ice Garden [in ʻAiea]. My favorite is the tapioca chocolate shave ice with mochi balls.”

—Shelley Shiroma, digital media specialist 

“The perfect day would be my family and I cruisin’ around the North Shore [on Oʻahu], finding nice beaches to swim at. Some of our favorite family-friendly swimming stops are Ali‘i Beach Park, Papa‘iloa Beach and Pūpūkea Beach Park. Then stopping by to grab a sandwich from Storto’s (always get the papaya sauce!), and shave ice from Aoki’s. Then we’d end the day at home relaxing and watching a nice family movie together.”

—Kayla Rivera, art director

“When I think of a perfect summer day, it always involves copious amounts of sunshine. I would start with an early-morning surf session in Waikīkī, followed by a malasada (or two) from nearby Leonard’s Bakery. After a leisurely walk around the neighborhood with my husband, son and two dogs, I’d go on a hike with friends, maybe along Kuliʻouʻou Ridge in East Honolulu. After an acai bowl from Bogart’s Café, I’d go home and get dinner ready: a barbecue at our house with friends, playing Portuguese horseshoes and talking story until the sun goes down. Can’t beat that!”

—Catherine Toth Fox, editor

“I’d love to spend the day with my girlfriend at Shark’s Cove [on Oʻahu] again, snorkeling in the main bay and checking out all of the colorful schools of fish. We would also grab lunch on the way down at Beet Box Café, I love the veggie burger there and they make a mean avocado toast. We’d probably wrap the day up at Sunset Beach, watching—of course—the sunset.”

—Kevin Allen, associate editor