The first half of our trip we’re spending on Oahu, with our home base in Hawaii’s capital city of Honolulu.

Oahu Harbor - Hawaii - Wanderlusters (750x500)

Honolulu is home to 80% of Hawaii’s population, and Hawaii’s only “classic city” in the sense of having tall skyscrapers and major development. It is felt to be one of the world’s safest cities, but also one of the most overpriced.

The tourist center of Honolulu is Waikiki, a strip of tall hotels, white sand beaches, and crowds of sunbathers and surfers. In the background is Diamond Head, an ancient volcanic crater that dominates the skyline:

Waikiki Beach - View of Diamond Head - Oahu Hawaii - Wanderlusters (750x500)Aerial View Oahu - Hawaii - Wanderlusters (750x500)Waikiki Beach Feet - Oahu Hawaii - Wanderlusters (750x500)

We are spending our days on Honolulu at The Modern Honolulu, a hotel we both love and therefore can’t help but share with you.

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The hotel has a great set of pools and is located right on the beach where we’re enjoying a few days of relaxation.

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We joined their “Friends with Benefits” program, which is free yet provides you with $150 credit to use at any of the hotel amenities, free valet parking (perfect for our tiny red Fiat 500), and your 4th night free! Plus we were welcomed to our room every day with free little treats, like champagne and dessert.

Worth it!

Modern Honolulu Friends with Benefits - Oahu Hawaii - Wanderlusters

This hotel happened to be where we celebrated our engagement – which Shane suprised me with earlier in the day in Oahu.

Engagement Champagne in Oahu Hawaii - WanderlustersEngagement Champagne - Oahu Hawaii - Wanderlusters

We celebrated that evening at Chef Morimoto’s (ie. the Iron Chef) amazing restaurant, followed by a firework show over the beach from above:

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It couldn’t have been a more special day!

Oahu Sunset - Hawaii - Wanderlusters (750x500)

Tomorrow we’re heading out for a road trip around Oahu… we’ll share that with you soon.