I'll start around Ko Olina. It's a private resort area with the Four Seasons, Aulani, and the Marriott on the beachside, and shops and restaurants and a golf course on the other side. There's one road that runs through the resort area with mature monkeypod trees lining the two sides.
- ABC Island Country Market - in the shopping area cross from Aulani - a somewhat more upscale convenience store version of the ubiquitous ABC Stores you'll find in Waikiki. Good for picking up small things on the go, but if you need to do some more serious shopping and have access to a car, Target and Costco are just a few miles up the freeway in Kapolei before Aulani.
- Island Vintage Coffee - in the shopping area cross from Aulani - Fantastic açaí bowls! We love the Lilikoi (Passionfruit) Moana Bowl, which has fresh local papaya (the Mexican stuff doesn't compare). Their poke bowls are are pretty good too. We'll also pick up coffee and matcha lattes here, since there are no Starbucks within walking distance.
- Eggs 'n Things - in the shopping area cross from Aulani - really popular breakfast and brunch spot - I've been to the one in Waikiki, but not in Ko Olina. I love their pancakes.
- Monkeypod Kitchen - really popular restaurant across of Aulani from, I guess you could say local celebrity chef Peter Merriman - some good deals at happy hour (3:00 pm - 5:30 pm & 9:30 pm - 11:00 pm)
- Even though you're not staying at Aulani, you can still dine at Aulani's onsite restaurants and bars. (Only Makahiki and 'Ama 'Ama take reservations 180 days out.) Makahiki is a buffet style restaurant with character breakfasts every morning, and character dinners on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays. Mornings, you'll get your picture taken with Mickey, and you'll see Minnie and probably Pluto. Dinners are hosted by Donald, with Stitch, and usually Goofy or Chip & Dale roaming around. 'Ama 'Ama is an upscale sit-down restaurant with views of the beach and lagoon. You can get some Dole Whip from Ulu Cafe.
- The Hawaiian Railway Society operates train rides on Saturdays and Sundays from Ewa, through the Ko Olina resort area, ending at Kahe Point west of Ko Olina. You can hear the whistle of the train from island view facing rooms at Aulani on the weekends. The train stops at Two Scoops, in the shopping area cross from Aulani for riders to buy some ice cream.
- There are luaus at Aulani and at Paradise Cove.
- There's also a cove that's accessible through the Paradise Cove parking lot (across the street, oceanside, from the Four Seasons) where you can occasionally spot sea turtles and monk seals (but stay clear of them). Bring some snorkeling goggles and you'll see a lot of fish too.
- On your way to Aulani from the airport or back from "town" (Honolulu/Waikiki), make a detour at the Waikele Shopping Center for some hot malasadas (Portuguese-style fried sugar donuts). Leonard's, which sets the standard for malasadas, has its original bakery location in Kapahulu (right off of Waikiki) but has a food truck that's more conveniently located for Ko Olina-bound folks in the Waikele Shopping Center parking lot.
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