Should you happen to find yourself visiting the piece of paradise that is Hawaii for New Years, make sure you look beyond its clichés of sun, sea and surf.
For example, not many visitors know about Kailua’s A Cup of Tea, a delightful little tea room that will take you back to the prim and proper ways of the Victorian era. With its pink wallpapered rooms and accents of lace and crystal, this dinky little nook will have you forgetting that palm trees and beaches are at your doorstep. Here you can enjoy freshly baked scones with lemon and ginger curds, and savour a fragrant cup of tea from the wide selection of over 30 different tea leaves. Also offering an à la carte menu, this is the perfect place to stop for a light lunch. 407 Uluniu Street, Suite #101, Kailua, 808.230.8832.
For an outdoor activity that is a far cry from the usual tourist fishing charters, make sure you book an appointment with angler Coach Duff, who will teach you all the tips and secrets of Hawaiian bonefishing. This is definitely something the boys (and girls) will enjoy, and can be pursued in water depths ranging from anything from 8 inches to 8 feet. Although bonefish are usually caught for sport, in Hawaii they are also eaten, and can be enjoyed grilled or within fish cakes.
Hawaii is known for its volcanoes, and one truly unique way of bringing home a fragment of this Hawaiian characteristic is by picking up Malie’s Lilikoi Lemongrass Face Tonic. Containing pure spring water from the slopes of the Haleakala volcano, this product is packed with organic lemongrass and the native lilikoi, which will revive, restore and soothe your complexion. As a souvenir, it certainly beats those tasteless fridge magnets.


