Around the Ala Moana Center, the world's largest open-air shopping mall. Foodland Farms flagship, Side Street Inn Ala Moana on Hopaka and the Sushi Sasabune omakase room.
Sushi Sasabune in Ala Moana Honolulu is the omakase-only sushi counter chef Seiji Kumagawa opened in 1996, building its Hawaii-mae style around as much local fish as possible.
Signature: Omakase nigiri course, Local Hawaiian fish
Order: There is no menu, only omakase. Trust the counter; the Hawaiian fish sequence is the point.
Tip: Six-seat counter, parties of six max. No substitutions, no soy on the rice; the chef directs every bite.
Sushi Izakaya Gaku on South King is the long-running Japanese izakaya in Honolulu with sashimi, robata grill plates and the cult-favourite buta no kakuni pork belly.
Signature: Daily sashimi, Buta no kakuni, Izakaya small plates
Order: The chef's sashimi selection and the buta no kakuni braised pork.
Tip: Reservations open one month ahead. Order the day's specials board first; chef cuts the best fish for early diners.
Side Street Inn Ala Moana is the 1992 Hopaka Street original in Honolulu from the late Colin Nishida, the off-duty chef pupu room behind Ala Moana Center where pan-fried pork chops and kim chee fried rice built the cult following.
Signature: Pan-fried pork chops, Kim chee fried rice, Pupu plates
Order: The pan-fried pork chops and the kim chee fried rice.
Tip: Group-friendly portions; come with at least four. Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30.
MW Restaurant in Ala Moana Honolulu is chefs Wade and Michelle Karr-Ueoka's modern Hawaiian room of mochi-crusted fish and oxtail soup dumplings, opened after years at Alan Wong's.
Signature: Mochi-crusted local fish, Oxtail soup dumplings, Kona kanpachi
Order: Mochi-crusted local fish and the oxtail soup dumplings to start.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday, dinner only. Pastry chef Michelle's desserts merit a separate course; book the dessert tasting.
Side Street Inn Ala Moana is the original 1992 Hopaka Street bar in Honolulu from the late Colin Nishida, the off-duty chef hangout known for pan-fried pork chops and kim chee fried rice in a no-frills sports-bar room behind Ala Moana Center.
Signature: Pan-fried pork chops, Kim chee fried rice, Spicy fried chicken
Order: Pan-fried pork chops with kim chee fried rice; share among four.
Tip: Open Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30. Bring four people minimum; portions are family-size.
The Republik on Kapiolani Boulevard in Honolulu is the city's premier concert and events venue since 2012, the room touring electronic, indie and hip-hop acts route through on the Oahu stop.
Tip: Box office Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 13:00 with a $2 per-ticket service fee. Doors at 20:00 most nights; 21+ for headline shows.
The District on Kapiolani Boulevard in Honolulu is the 21+ nightclub run by The Republik's team, with bottle service tables, DJ-led dance floors and karaoke rooms upstairs.
Tip: 21+ at the door, ticketed weekends. Friday and Saturday 22:00 to 02:00; reservation-only on big-DJ nights.
Anna O'Brien's on South Beretania near UH Manoa in Honolulu has booked punk, rock, metal and reggae shows since 1969 in the upstairs club room with a downstairs pub of darts and pool.
Tip: Shows most weekends and weeknights. Comedy University on Wednesdays. Mug Club membership is a deal for regulars.