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HAWAIIANS
What I like about Hawaiians is that they are honest people. Most tour operators don't care what the weather is like as long as they get paid. So I was relieved when I called about snorkeling and other planned activities and learned that they had all been canceled due to the bad weather. They said no experience is better than a bad experience and I couldn't agree more. Amen, brother.

NORTH SHORE
The concierge at the Ihilani suggested that Natalie and I take a drive up to Sunset Beach on the North Shore and witness the astounding 40-foot waves, whipped up by the storm. Not only were the waves massive but all the top surfers in the world were riding them for the O'Neill World Cup. The drive is easy, takes about 40 minutes and the roads are well marked. Along the way, we stopped off at the Dole Plantation (Dole Plantation, 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa; Tel: 808-621-8408). It's a tourist trap but kids (and the Japanese, it seems) love it because there's lots of shopping, the world's largest maze and the Pineapple Express train tour. The only thing that really appealed to me was re-learning how to select a pineapple and the tasty cone of soft serve pineapple ice cream ($4.12).

MATSUMOTO SHAVE ICE
By lunchtime, we were both hungry enough to wait in the long line at Ted's Bakery (Ted's Bakery, 59-024 Kamehameha Highway, Tel: 808-638-5974). We ordered a cheeseburger and a plate lunch but passed on their famous chocolate Haupia cream pie. That's because down the street in downtown Haleiwa is the world famous Matsumoto Shave Ice. While other neighboring stores sell shave ice, there's a reason they have no takers. Matsumoto has been around since 1951 and have an army of high school workers whipping up the fastest, best tasting shave ice you will ever have. Here's a list of their flavors but my favorites are Lilikoi (passion fruit), Watermelon, and Lychee. A small will set you back just $1.75 and a large is only $2. To add a scoop of ice cream at the bottom is just an extra 50 cents. Matsumoto Shave Ice, 66-087 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Tel: 808-637-4827.

OUTRIGGER WAIKIKI ON THE BEACH
Nine miles from the Honolulu airport and smack in the middle of Waikiki (across from the International Marketplace) is the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. If you love the fast pace and crowded action of Waikiki, then this is the hotel you want to be at. The Outrigger On the Beach (there are two Outriggers in Waikiki) has 524 guest rooms and suites and has a contemporary island style. There are only eight hotels on Waikiki Beach and this one has to be the best deal as rack rates begin at $225. Not only that but they don't charge a resort fee and get this … they offer free Internet access and free unlimited phone calls to the U.S. and Canada. Now that's insane but a welcome surprise! And if that's not enough, they provide free water in the fridge, which is the perfect size for leftovers and the in-room safe is large enough to hold laptops. If that's not inviting what is? Oh, did I mention the view of Diamond Head?



OUR ROOM
We were assigned a deluxe one-bedroom corner oceanfront room. It had three balconies and two bathrooms. The only thing wrong with it, besides the pillows being too bulky, was that the water pressure wasn't very strong and the water temperature wasn't piping hot. That was kind of a problem because our room was so cold (the A/C had a mind of its own), that I would jump into the shower to warm up. But who's complaining? When it wasn't raining, we left the patio doors open to thaw out and hear and smell the ocean waves. The Outrigger has a small pool and a tiny whirlpool that's probably germ-infested but why would you venture into them when just a few steps away is Waikiki Beach, the most famous beach in the world? As touristy as Waikiki Beach is, I just love it. I could never ever get sick of the rolling blue waves and the commanding view of Diamond Head. If you don't want to just lie on the beach all day long, there are a wide range of beach activities and water sports.

DUKE'S
Conveniently located in the Outrigger is one of my favorite restaurants in the world; Duke's Waikiki. Yes, it's always crowded and touristy. But it's just steps from the Pacific Ocean and it's so laid back you can wear flip-flops and shorts to dinner. Everything on the menu is tasty and it's reasonably priced, too. The breakfast buffet is so-so and priced accordingly at $14.95. Duke's Restaurant and Barefoot, 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Tel: 808-922-2268.

PLANTATION SPA
On the top floor (the 17th) is the Outrigger's new Waikiki Plantation Spa. It's small but has a killer view of Waikiki. The quiet lounge is on the roof deck, which is designed like a W hotel. I somehow got suckered into having a couples massage and got the Lomi Pohaku -- a fusion of Hawaiian Lomi and Lava Stone (Pohaku). I've got to say: the massage was excellent but there's really no reason anyone should ever get a couples massage. One: You aren't on the same table. Two: You don't see each other. Three: Do you really want to see each other even if you could or do you want to relax? And finally, all you can hear is the other person's masseuse asking questions and adjusting the room the way they like it (turning the A/C up or down, for example.) Unfortunately, the view from the massage room was great but they don't make the most of it. They keep the curtains closed making it so dark, you could just as well be in the basement.

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