This year, I put together a list of my go-to spots the places I always return to, the ones I stumbled into by accident, and the little beaches where I hide from the world for an hour.

If you’re headed to O‘ahu soon (or just need a mental vacation), I got you. 🤙🏽

There are far worse ways to close out a year.

EATS

Pig and The Lady

There are two places I cannot leave O‘ahu without hitting — and this is one of them. Vietnamese comfort heaven tucked in Chinatown.
Reservations are limited, but I’ve always had luck calling last-minute. Last year I slid in with a 20-minute warning (solo perks).

My usual play:

• Chicken wings — citrus peanut + house sauce = elite combo

• Fresh oysters

• Whatever else your heart desires

They changed the menu recently, so I’m actually hyped to go back this week and see what’s new.

Pig and The Lady

Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors

Listen… some of the best poke you’ll find on the island is in the back of this liquor store.
Not sure if all the locations have the poke set-up, but this specific one? Flames. Trust.

Tamura's

Off The Hook Poke Market

My second non-negotiable. Freshest poke on the island IMO. There isn’t always seating, so grab your bowl and walk a block to Morning Glass Coffee grab a drink and grab a seat in one of the outdoor tables, good vibes, perfect combo.

Off The Hook

Kono’s Northshore

There’s a few locations but whenever I head to Kailua Beach Park, I scoop something here first. The BBQ guava bowl? ELITE behavior.

Kono's

Ono Seafood

Another strong poke option — no notes. Just go.

Ono Seafood

Foodland

The simplest truth: you can never go wrong with a poke-and-rice combo from the local supermarket in Hawai‘i. The one i’m tagging is in Ala Moana - because it’s close to Waikiki - but all of them work.

Foodland

Fresh Catch Kapahulu

Chicken katsu. Poke. Ahi tuna. The whole lineup is chef’s kiss.

Fresh Catch

Musubi Cafe

Quick snack heaven.
I’m partial to the teriyaki spam, but honestly I’m here 90% of the time for the onigiri. Another one with a few locations - this is the one that is the most convenient for me.

Musubi's

Honolulu Cookie Company

C’mon. Go off. Get the box. Bring it home. Regret nothing.

Cookie Co

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

If you’re headed to the North Shore, this is an easy checkbox.
Is there better garlic shrimp? Yes.
Is there more history in this spot? Also yes.

Shrimp Truck

PLACES TO VISIT

Banzai Pipeline

The Florence Pipe Pro runs Dec 10–20. If you want to see pro surf competition, this is your chance. But surf competitions are tricky — they can call it off morning-of if conditions are bad. Check the WSL site.
Even if there’s no comp, you’ll probably still catch some pros practicing. Also while you’re there check out Banzai Skate Park

Pipe

Crouching Tiger Trail

Steep, slippery, technically “closed” (quotes intentional)… but locals still go, and the views are worth it.
Bring good shoes and better judgment.

Trail

Kahana Bay Beach Park

Right below the trail - super chill, very low-key, perfect recovery spot.

Kahana Bay Beach

Kalama Beach Park

Another quiet, peaceful option. Minimal crowds, great vibes. Heads up though - low parking spots available. But it’s one of my favorite places to watch the sunset on the island. Go to Kalapawai Market and stock up on your snack for the evening and enjoy the sundown.

Kalama Beach

Kualoa Regional Park

Mountains straight out of Jurassic Park. That’s basically the selling point — and it’s a strong one.
A few miles down is Waiāhole Poi Factory, where you can get traditional Hawaiian comfort food.

I get the combo:

• Laulau (pork + butterfish in taro leaves)

• Kalua pig
  Unreal.

Kualoa Park

Aloha for now. If you need me, I’ll be somewhere between a shoreline, a sunset, and holding a bowl of poke. 🌺🌴🤙🏽

so without further ado… let’s eat.

i’ve been coming to Eugene, OR for a minute now—and with USAs starting this week, figured I’d drop a few of my go-to spots. yes, we all know what’s near campus. no, this list isn’t that.

this is for when you want to eat slightly better than stadium food and maybe pretend you’re on a wellness retreat (with wings and pizza, obviously).

☕️ coffee plant roaster

why? Because sometimes you just need a mango smoothie bowl and a breakfast burrito that doesn’t taste like cardboard.

You’ll find:– açaí bowls– mango smoothie bowl (elite)– pastries– pretty great breakfast sandwich and burrito– surprisingly good quinoa bowl (lunch edition)

coffee rating: 7/10. Sometimes they go a little heavy on the oat milk. But hey, I’m here for the meal, not the brew. Also a quiet vibe, which I love.

the older I get, the more I appreciate a healthy meal on the road—or my body starts asking me questions I can’t answer.

📍 located

🍕 hey, neighbor! pizza house

this is where most of my money goes.

and i say this as a New Yorker with a self-proclaimed Bourdain-level perspective on pizza: this spot is legit.

my go to -orders:– pepperoni pizza – if you know, you know: ezzo pepperoni = god-tier

– margherita – clean and classic, fresh basil makes all the difference

– (she’s my) cherry pie – Sweet/spicy/salty—surprisingly crushable

– insalata caprese – i order this just to pretend i’m eating a salad, don’t @ me

if I go missing during the meet, start your search here.

📍 located

☕️ meraki coffee co.

this one’s small, cozy, and cool if you’re up early. gets packed quick later in the morning.

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