Honolulu Smart Splurges

Fresh takes on luau staples like smoked hamachi and suckling pig more

W Hotel Honolulu Diamondhead; 2885 Kalakaua Ave.; Honolulu, HI; 808-922-3734; www.w-dhg.com

Satisfy luxury tastes with dinner at La Mer, which begins with a glass of Champagne, a fitting...more

The Island Spirit takes pride in its knowledgeable crew and personalized service. Between six and 16 passengers are treated to iced cappuccinos and light health snacks as they wait to snorkel amid the complex coral systems, dolphins, manta rays, monk seals, and green sea turtles off Oahu's leeward coast, with 60- to 100-foot visibility and waters that never dip below 76 degrees.

In 1887, Queen Kapiolani and Princess Liliuokalani (the last Hawaiian monarch) attended Queen Victoria’s Jubilee in England, where the two were presented with gold bracelets upon which their names were cut out and enameled in black. They were so taken with the gifts that upon returning to Hawaii they reproduced such bracelets for the rest of the court. This forged a tradition of commemorating anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays with these handmade keepsakes. For 35 years, engravers of Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry have incorporated symbols of Hawaiian culture, such as the plumeria and hibiscus, into these bracelets.

In existence since 1900, the Honolulu Symphony is the longest-established orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. Under the direction of the esteemed Andreas Delfs, the symphony collaborates with musicians from the around the world, such as violinist Cho-Liang Lin, to bring music written by the likes of Brahms and Wagner to life.

For nearly fifteen years, Alan Wong has taken Hawaiian regional cuisine to inspiring levels,...more

Besides the standard mai tai and shell lei greeting, Oahu's newest luau on the rooftop garden at the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort offers some appealing twists. Upon arrival guests can engage in hula lessons, get temporary Polynesian tattoos, or simply kick back with a mai tai. The huge buffet includes traditional Hawaiian luau offerings (like kalua pig and poi), as well as local favorites like huli huli chicken, Portuguese sausage, rice noodles, ahi poke, and Molokai sweet potatoes. After dinner, the Polynesian performers put on a mesmerizing show with a four-man Samoan fire-knife dance finale. The cost is $95 per adult, $47.50  per child ages 4-11. Luaus are held Sunday through Thursday, weather permitting.