Savoring The Island: A Taste Of Hawaii With Tours By Locals

Forbes

7 days ago

If you've ever been planning a trip and thought, 'I want to do what the locals do,' you're not alone. While TikTok remains a popular search engine for millennial travelers and younger generations, many are now opting to follow the advice of residents rather than travel influencers. Travelers crave local tour guides and authentic connections over cookie-cutter itineraries. That's where Tours by Locals comes in—an excellent platform offering authentic travel experiences led by people who genuinely know their home turf.
In a survey of over 1,000 global travelers, conducted by Tours By Local, locals emerged as the second most trusted source for travel recommendations. Friends and family were the first. This high level of trust in local advice reassures travelers, signaling a more profound cultural shift that extends beyond who we ask for advice. It reflects how travelers want to feel: immersed, connected, and free to explore like a local, not a tourist. The survey also revealed that:
In the second part of my mini-series about my family's trip to Hawaii, I'm excited to share how we utilized Tours by Locals to savor one of the most delightful aspects of any adventure: the food.
So, How Does Tours By Locals Work?
The platform is designed to cater to your unique travel needs. It relies on its team of recruiters to select the very best guides worldwide. Once a candidate meets the criteria and reference checks, they are allowed to post their tours and profiles on the site. To date, there are over 5000 phenomenal guides in more than 170 countries! Once you find a tour that suits your needs, you contact the guide directly to book, pay, and customize your tour, ensuring a personalized and exceptional experience.
Our Food Tour Around Honolulu
As a travel writer (and frequent traveler), one of the best ways to connect with and learn about a culture is through food. You'll have the opportunity to learn about how it's made, its origin, how it's prepared, and how it's used beyond traditional methods. With it being my family's first time in Hawaii, combining history, sweeping views, and authentic food was a no-brainer.
Our anticipation for the upcoming food tour was palpable. We had chosen a 4-5 hour tour, and our guide, Alex, reached out to us shortly after booking to confirm plans, pick-up time, the number of passengers, and outline the route. His question about anything specific we wanted to do during the tour added to our excitement. The drive along the coast, with its breathtaking views of waterfalls and enjoyable stopping points like Halona Blowhole, The Makapuu Lookout, and Pali Lookout, only heightened our anticipation. Let's break down the food stops!
Since its establishment in 1952, Leonard's Bakery has been a beloved institution, delighting both locals and visitors with its delectable breads, pastries, and sweet treats. Their most famous offering, the malasadas, also known as Portuguese donuts, is a testament to their culinary excellence.
It's a simple concept: fried dough tossed in sugar, but it's pretty darn good. You can get them filled with creams or custards. We had our treats plain as well as vanilla or chocolate-filled. We attempted to stop by the physical store, but the line was out the door and wrapped around the building. Instead of waiting, Alex went to the mobile pop-up, and these tasty delights were in our hands in less than 10 minutes.
Of course, a food tour isn't complete without something of substance. For that, Alex drove us to Waimanalo for a stop at Ono Steaks and Shrimp Shack. This little yellow building with hand-painted lettering is a place that can't be missed. Not only because the bright color beckons you from the road, but because it's an absolute 'if you know you know' kind of establishment. You won't find a lot of bells and whistles, but you will find a perfect bite to eat and a truly authentic, no-frills experience.
In fact, we had drained our phone batteries capturing so many pictures and videos of the scenery along the way, so we didn't have a chance to snap a photo of the food ourselves. We had an order of fish tacos – perfectly portioned and seasoned. It does have a hefty portion of mango salsa and slaw–we removed some of it. However, both were flavorful and complemented the fish well.
We also received an order of garlic shrimp, which consisted of just steamed shrimp tossed in fresh garlic and butter. And, coconut shrimp. It was all delicious. If you want, grab your food to go and head to the beach across the street!
Manoa, a bean-to-bar chocolate factory located in Oahu, specializes in Hawaiian chocolate. Their tasting and tour options are a journey of excitement for your taste buds. Our experience, arranged by Alex, was a chocolate education and tasting session. This included learning about the sourcing and production of chocolate, as well as sampling a variety of 5-7 unique flavors, each more exciting than the last, along with a cacao tea service.
Another beloved establishment is Waiola Shave Ice, a neighborhood gem that has been serving the community since 1940. They started at a local corner store and now specialize (since 1978) in a unique Hawaiian treat, shaved ice, using just five (base) flavors: strawberry, banana, blue vanilla, cherry, and grape. Their authentic yet straightforward offerings are a true reflection of the local food culture. You can enjoy your shaved ice in your vehicle, while walking around the neighborhood, or on the bench outside. As we were leaving, a tour bus of fifty or so passengers pulled up, all showing so much excitement to get a taste.
This Was One Of My Family's Favorite Activities
The food tour was a hit for my family. Especially my younger girls. During our drive, Alex, a seasoned Hawaii resident with over 20 years of experience, regaled us with fascinating facts and local lore about the Islands. He even pointed out The Obamas' house and the hospital where he was born, adding a personal touch to our journey. His recommendations for the remaining days in Oahu were invaluable, making our trip even more memorable.