Your Guide to Kapolei on Oʻahu
More than 30 miles west of Waikīkī is Oʻahu’s second city, a growing community with restaurants, boutiques and beaches.
Located about 34 miles west of Waikīkī is Kapolei, deemed Oʻahu’s second city about 50 years ago. The idea was to build up this mostly residential area to shorten the commutes for those who live in Central and West Oʻahu. There are government offices here and, over the years, shopping centers, restaurants and other attractions have opened up, making this neighborhood a true destination for locals and visitors alike.
Ko ʻOlina Lagoons
The lagoons at Ko ʻOlina.
Photo: Getty Images/Douglas Peebles
Along the coast are four scalloped-shaped, man-made lagoons connected by a 1.5-mile seaside pathway. Though the lagoons front resorts like the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, they are open to the public from sunrise to sunset with parking on a first-come first-serve basis. The waters in these lagoons are always calm—great for swimming, snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding—and there are restaurants and shops nearby. FYI: There are no lifeguards here, and you can’t set up tents or beach umbrellas on the sand.
Four Seasons Oʻahu at Ko ʻOlina
The pool view from the Four Seasons Resort Ko ʻOlina
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko ʻOlina/Olivier Koning
The luxe Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko ʻOlina is the perfect escape on Oʻahu, far enough from the bustle of Honolulu but with the upscale amenities and service we’ve come to expect from Four Seasons resorts. The beachfront resort boasts four pools—including a fun one for keiki—a world-class spa, great restaurants, golf and tennis, cultural classes, even a skate camp for kids. Parents can take advantage of the free Camp Koholā, an activity-filled daycare program for kids ages 5 to 12, and unwind with a mai tai in the island’s longest infinity pool, heated to a perfectly comfortable 85 degrees.
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
Photo: Courtesy of ʻAulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
Since 2011, Disney’s Aulani Resort has provided families with unforgettable memories. The resort spans 21 acres along the coastline with unique experiences: snorkel in the private Rainbow Reef saltwater lagoon teeming with tropical fish, shoot down one of the resort’s two slides, dine with Disney characters, enjoy the Ka Waiʻi—a Lūʻau feast with dancing, music and storytelling.
Ka Makana Aliʻi
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Ka Makana Aliʻi is a 1.4-million-square-foot mall with more than 100 stores and restaurants, including local faves Reyn Spooner, SoHa Living and Moani Island Bistro & Bar. The ʻŌlina by Consolidated Theatres is a state-of-the-art luxury cinema with wall-to-wall screens, luxury recliner seating and an expanded café menu.
Camp Pālehua
Catching the sunset from Pālehua on one of Hawaiʻi Forest & Trail’s new Oʻahu tours.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Forest & Trail
Perched on the southern slopes of the Waiʻanae Mountains, above Kapolei, is Camp Pālehua. It’s part of 1,600 acres of conservation and agricultural land, with forests and views of the southern and western coastline of Oʻahu. You can sign up for a self-guided hike—the Nānākuli Overlook trail is 2 miles roundtrip with amazing views of the West Side; the 4-mile roundtrip Puʻumanawahua trail ends at a pillbox overlooking Oʻahu’s south shore—or book a guided hiked to learn more about the moʻolelo (stories) of the area. Reservations are required.
Coral Crater Adventure Park
Photo: Courtesy of Coral Crater Adventure Park
Adventurous kids and adults will enjoy the activities at Coral Crater Adventure Park. This multi-attraction park offers several ziplines, off-road ATV rides and an adventure tower with 18 aerial challenges including a climbing wall, high ropes course and a 50-foot free fall.
Sage Creamery
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The Native Hawaiian-owned Sage Creamery recently opened its first brick-and-mortar in Kapolei, serving high-quality ice cream in creative flavors like ube crinkle cookie, mango sticky rice and strawberry-guava. Whenever possible, it uses local ingredients like vanilla grown in Lāʻie and Kona coffee.
Mad Bene
Eggplant parm sticks (left) and a pesto pasta dish from Mad Bene in Kapolei.
Photos: Catherine Toth Fox
Oʻahu foodies will make the trek to Mad Bene, an award-winning restaurant in Kapolei that serves hearty East Coast Italian fare. (The name is East Coast slang for “really good.”) Popular dishes include eggplant parm sticks, NYC-style brick-fired pizzas, Kona kampachi and pappardelle bolognese with a 12-hour ragu. Cocktails are great, too.
Wet ʻn’ Wild
Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i on Oʻahu.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Kids of all ages—adults, included—will love spending the day at one of Oʻahu’s water parks. Perched on a hill on O‘ahu’s sunny west side, Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i offers a wonderland of water play: two splash-filled playgrounds for children, a lazy river, a wave pool, a simulated surf experience and lots of heart-stopping water slides.
Paradise Cove Lūʻau
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Located on 12 acres of beachfront property fronting the Ko ʻOlina Resort, Paradise Cove Lūʻau is one of the most popular lūʻau shows on Oʻahu—and a great alternative to the ones in Waikīkī. You’re welcome with a mai tai—great start!—and traditional Hawaiian music, as you stroll through the Hawaiian Village and learn arts and crafts or try your hand at Hawaiian games. You can hop in a canoe or watch workers prep the ʻimu (underground oven). After a sunset dinner, sit back and enjoy the show, filled with songs and dances of Hawaiʻi and Polynesia.
White Plains
White Plains in ʻEwa Beach.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Yes, there are beaches in Kapolei! One of the most popular is White Plains, located in Kalaeloa (former Barbers Point Naval Air Station). It’s a big, sandy expanse, with lifeguards, restrooms, showers and lots of parking. It’s a popular spot for surfing, too, and waves tend to be gentle enough for beginners. (Always talk to lifeguards first.) The tree-covered barbecue areas make it a nice place to spend the day.
Kids City Hawaiʻi
There’s so much to do in the 20,000-square-foot Kids City indoor playground in Kapolei.
Photos: Catherine Toth Fox
Kids City Hawaiʻi opened its second indoor adventure parks in Kapolei this year, with multi-level play structures, ball pits, trampolines, slides, pretend play areas and more. Kids love the free-to-play arcade and video games, too. It’s a great place to let the kids run around (burn some energy) or spend a rainy afternoon.
Fighting Eel
The popular local boutique opened a new story in Kapolei Commons.
Photos: Catherine Toth Fox
One of the most popular locally owned clothing lines recently opened its fourth retail location in Kapolei. Fighting Eel is known for its high-quality, easy-to-wear clothing in buttery-soft fabrics for women, men and kids. The boutique also sells home goods, jewelry, bags, even jibbitz (see above).
