Vegan in Honolulu

Hawaii’s capital boasts gorgeous beaches, fragrant flowers, and an endless variety of fun under the sun. Escape the cool temps and hop on a plane for a visit to this island veg paradise with former Oahu resident and VN staff photographer, Denise Herrick Borchert.

Paradise in Paradise
A home away from home, you can practically live at Down to Earth natural foods and lifestyle store. With their well-stocked home-and-body-care department, fresh produce, bulk bins and killer deli, you’ll never feel deprived in Oahu. Order your gourmet sandwich at the deli counter (the Down to Earth Burger revitalizes after a long day roughing it at the beach), then do your grocery shopping for tomorrow’s vegan luau by the sea. If you’re not too stuffed, dig into the hot-and-cold food bar and peruse the bakery section, where everything is clearly labeled for inquisitive vegans. The variety keeps you coming back, but you may just want to keep ordering the Indonesian Wrap forever.

Macro Bento
Just a jaunt across the street from Down to Earth, Well Bento is a little hole in the wall that serves a very tasty Macrobiotic Fusion take-out. They make their own seitan from whole wheat, and most of their food is organic and non-GMO. All of the sauces and marinades are vegan, and while the menu itself is not 100-percent plant-based, never fear: they insist the eating is safe for vegans thanks to the specially designated “veggie only” grilling zone. Your big decision will be what flavor to order your tofu … Tamari? Western BBQ? Or Louisiana Style?

Take a Hike
Diamond Head is such a prominent landmark that you can’t help being drawn to it. The best way to experience the famous extinct volcano is to hike the .8 miles from the crater floor to the 760-foot summit. It takes about 45 minutes through numerous switchbacks, a precipitous 99-step stairway, and a narrow spiral staircase, but at the end, not only will you be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of Honolulu and beyond, you will also feel like you accomplished something truly grand.

Snorkel Yourself Silly
Cradled in the crater of an ancient volcano, Hanauma Bay proves to be a world-class snorkeling and scuba-diving spot. This glorious crescent-shaped bay is home to a diverse population of fish and rich coral reef. Now a protected Marine Life Conservation Area, fishing is verboten. To ensure no one touches the living reef or feeds the fish, visitors must watch a nine-minute video before entering the beach—worth every minute for a chance to swim alongside a sea turtle or octopus.

Surf’s Up!
No Hawaii vacay would be complete without a spin on a surfboard. Hans Hedemann’s Surfing School offers private and group lessons at a non-crowded beach in Waikiki. Hans, the prestigious surf school’s owner, was a professional surfer for 12 years and now shares his passion for surfing with the masses. The school provides all the equipment, so just bring your sturdy feet and swim gear. You’ll be hangin’ 10 before you can say aloha.

Zen Out
If you’re looking for a place to soak up some native ambience and enjoy a respite from the Waikiki bustle, take a peaceful stroll through impressive displays of tropical plants and mature collections of orchids at Foster Botanical Garden in downtown Honolulu. You’ll be happy you took the time. Afterward, mosey over to the Chinese Cultural Plaza and hit the amazingly cheap and tasty all-veg dim sum at Legend Vegetarian Restaurant.