This Iconic Waikīkī Hotel Has a New Happy Hour with Sunset Views

There’s a lot to love about the Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikīkī, from its beachfront Hau Tree restaurant with unobstructed ocean views to the laid-back retro vibe that permeates the boutique hotel.

And now there’s one more reason to visit: happy hour.

Last month the hotel launched a new pau hana (which roughly translates to “after work is over” in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi) menu at the lobby bar, boasting live music and some of the most popular bites from Hau Tree at a discounted price.

The lobby bar at Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikīkī.
Photo: Courtesy of Kaimana Beach Hotel

This new happy hour runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays at the bar, which overlooks the glittering sands of Kaimana Beach. (When the hotel restaurant opens at 5 p.m., customers can order off the regular dinner menu, too.)

It’s not a huge area—it can accommodate around 34 people—but it’s open and airy and feels a lot more spacious than it really is. (I mean, the view helps!)

The menu isn’t huge, either, but the dishes are delicious. The plan is to expand the menu, adding items like oysters in a yuzu-Champagne mignonette. Yes, please.

The Kaimana Burger ($20) features a local beef patty, American cheese and the hotel’s Kaimana sauce.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

The Kaimana Burger ($20)—a popular item on the Hau Tree’s regular menu—features a local beef patty, American cheese, house pickles and a slathering of the hotel’s Kaimana sauce. It’s a full-size burger, too, not a slider, and easily shared. (If you’re into sharing.)

The other entrée on the menu is the fried chicken sandwich ($20) with a Gochujang glaze, basil aioli and pickles in a brioche bun. The chicken is crispy without being oily, and if you’re worried about the spice don’t be. It’s there but subtle.

Chips and rainbow caviar at Kaimana Beach Hotel.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Another standout is the housemade chips and rainbow caviar dip ($19), which is the ultimate decadent bar bite. The salt-vinegar-dill chips are crispy and additive on their own. But the dip—chive oil crème fraîche trout roe, tobiko (flying fish roe)—is an instant upgrade. (We added osstera caviar for $20 more.)

Another popular pau hana item is the herbed French fries ($10) topped with Parmesan cheese and rosemary. Perfect bar snack, for sure.

The miso Caesar salad at the Kaimana Beach Hotel.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

One of my favorite dishes, though, is the miso Caesar salad ($16). It features a mix of baby gem lettuce and kale tossed with salty Pecorino cheese and a savory crumble. The miso dressing replaces the anchovy, removing that sometimes fishy taste. I loved it.

You can’t have a proper happy hour with cocktails. The hotel will feature a different local spirit every month, mixing it into unique cocktails you won’t find anywhere else.

Cocktails using Maui-based Fid Street Gin at the Kaimana Beach Hotel.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Last month the menu highlighted Maui-based Fid Street Gin, with cocktails like San Souci Fresca (Fid Street Gin, elderflower, mint, cucumber and sparkling lemonade), Fid 75 (Fid Street Gin, French sparkling wine and lemon) and Gin Gimlet (Fid Street Gin, lime and sugar).

There aren’t a lot of happy hours on the beach in Waikīkī, and this area—on the makai (ocean) stretch of Kalākaua Avenue across from Kapiʻolani Park—is quieter and less crowded. It’s a great spot to unwind and relax—and especially convenient if you’ve just checked into the hotel and want to grab a bite to eat. With a cocktail. With live music. With a sunset view.

“This really is a beautiful space,” says Haʻaheo Zablan, general manager at Kaimana Beach Hotel.

Complimentary valet parking during pau hana. 2863 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, (808) 923-1555, kaimana.com