Driving & Discovering Gay Hawaii Guidebook
Your guide to the best that Hawaii has to offer the LGBT traveler on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island, from budget bargain, to luxury: hotels, resorts. condos, delicious good, great restaurants, world-class shopping and gay bars and gay dance clubs.
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The Hawaii Visitors & Conventions Bureau:
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Driving & Discovering Oahu
BEST HAWAII GUIDEBOOK
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Gay Hawaii:
SOMETHING FOR EVERY BODY
Although not nearly as vibrant as one would expect for the land of the mahu and Capital Of Oceania, Hawaii’s gay community is nonetheless quite alive and kicking, with the most exciting scene, predictably, being in Honolulu.
Honolulu’s gay community was fragmented by the turn-of-the-millenium bulldozing of the gay Kuhio District for the the redevelopment of The “New” Waikiki. From the 1970s thru the 1990s dozens of gay and gay-friendly businesses thrived and a lively street scene pulsated in the much-missed Kuhio District— Honolulu’s gay community of today no longer has such a distinctive a neighborhood to call their own. The effect on Oahu’s gay community is comparable to NYC losing the east Village, or San Francisco losing The Castro.
However, a thriving gay community on Oahu supports diverse businesses and special events throughout the year that keep the rainbow glowing. The Diamond Head End of Waikiki, Kapahulu Ave. adjacent to Kapiolani Park, is the new transplanted gay neighborhood, with world-class gay Queen’s Beach located just a two minute stroll down the boardwalk, and HULA’S Bar and Lei Stand the classic favorite hangout, transplanted from the Kuhio District, and located right across from the park on the second floor of the Grand Hotel on Kapahulu Ave..
Read the latest issue of Hawaii’s ODYSSEY Magazine here, or pick up a paper copy in Hawaii at most any gay establishment to find out what’s happening during your visit.
Neighbor Islands of Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii all have their own gay communities, but like in all rural areas, the gay scene is a lot more laid back and subdued. Gays and lesbians who settle here do so precisely for the quiet atmosphere, and plenty of refugees from mainland urban centers can be found creating a new kind of life for themselves on each of the Hawaiian Islands.
Click on the island link of your choice, above.
GAY HAWAII DEALS
TRAVELOCITY supports the LGBT Community in a big way, and has some special deals for LGBT Travelers.
Thinking Of Swimming Under Cool Waterfalls?
Canada Pharmacy is a good and less expansive source for meds to prevent leptospirosis (from farm and wildife runoff into streams) as well as anti-diarrheals. Read Dr. Alex’s Page to obtain preventative advice.
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QUEEN’S SURF BEACH
The Best Movies To Put You In
A Hawaiian State Of Mind.
Although there are no mainstream movies with gay themes that have been filmed in Hawaii there are some very interesting flicks out there that will set you up the right mood for your Hawaii visit.
Although set in San Pedro California, with its surfer theme it stands as one of the all-around best gay films ever made. From 2007, it follows the journey of a young man from a profoundly dysfunctional family: a sick, pharma-hooked dad, an MIA Mom, a diabolically controlling and manipulative sister, and her lovely but ignored 5 year old son. Twisted Sister has made her surfer brother Zack the surrogate dad to her kid so that she can systematically screw, drug and drink her way through San Pedro’s trailer trash. Surfer Zack gives up his dream of art school at Cal State LA because he fears what will happen to his nephew without him around. Feeling completely trapped, he reconnects with his best friend-from-high school’s gay brother, but Zack’s strong physical attraction to him is stymied by his self doubts and fears of coming out. This is a beautiful film, with great photography, adorable main characters, and a happy ending. Wax your board.
You don’t have to be a female or straight to love this surfer girls on the North Shore flick. Amazing photography, great surfing by the actual actors themselves, and a peek into the rivalry among the racial rainbow of male surfers in Hawaii make Blue Crush a really enjoyable watch. Guaranteed to make you want to take your first surf lesson.
RIDING GIANTS
Riding Giants has awesome spectacular footage of the tow-riders of Hawaii’s most massive waves, with an exciting and very entertaining chronology of the sport. But tucked away in the middle of this terrific flick is a beautiful and touching love story between the amazing-looking Laird Hamilton and his equally beautiful champion surfer Dad, Bill Hamilton, who he picked up at Sunset Beach one day when he was only 7 years old. Vacationing in Hawaii with his single mom, and aching for a dad to call his very own, he spotted his hot prospect, Bill Hamilton, from the water walking by onshore,
and charmed him into playing with him in the water. Then he dragged Bill up onto the sand to meet his Mom. Little Laird successfully engineered the situation into a permanent family unit and a very happy ending, as he and Mom moved to Hawaii to be with his new Surfer Dad. Both dad and son are interviewed on film, and it’s really misty-eyed touching. Laird grew up to become a champion surfer in his own right and marry the gorgeous Gabby Reece. He appears as the clueless asshole in THE DESCENDANTS who was with the wife of George Clooney’s character when she was injured.
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
FHTE is a black and white classic set in WWII Honolulu, with 1950s TV SuperMom Donna Reed winning an Oscar for playing a hooker and beautiful Montgomery Clift lighting up the screen despite the usual troubled dark pathos that colored his every movie role. Winner of 8 Oscars. Filmed on location on Oahu.
Our Afghanistan Troops Interpret Lady Gaga...
...You Touch My Tra La La...
Tik Tok At The Air Force Academy
We Support Our Troops!
TOP:
THESE ARE JUST 9 OF THE HUNDREDS OF CHOICES OF ARTIST-CREATED DEIGNS AT SHORTOMATIC: BUT WHY NOT UPLOAD A FAVORITE PHOTO OR SKETCH AND WEAR YOUR OWN UNIQUE STATEMENT TO THE BEACH?
BOTTOM:
3 EXAMPLES OF COMFORTABLE, LIGHT, NON-RESTRICTING SURFWEAR AT AUSSIEBUM THAT MAKES MUCH MORE WATER-SENSE THAN THE HUMUNGOUS AMERICAN SURF MANUFACTURERS’ GROUP-THINK “STYLING”
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BORED SHORTS, REINVENTED
Humorous Kilauea
Eruption T shirt!
Manta Ray Tattoo T
1950s Moana Hotel T
The Big Island is Bigger
Get Packin’ For Hawaii: Check out
Diamond Head
Lighthouse
Diamond Head
Beach
In the always valuable for what’s- happening-right-now Honolulu Weekly annual “Best Of” issue for 2011, Oahuans voted Diamond Head Beach as Best Gay Beach, displacing Queen’s Surf in Waikiki.
Click on the Honolulu Weekly cover to browse the not-to-be-missed issue.
To reach Lighthouse/Diamond Head Beach, drive along shore from Waikiki toward Diamond Head, head uphill on Diamond Head Road, and park in the vicinity of the lighthouse. As asphalt pathway descends to the beach. Walk to the right to visit with The Gays, or stay put to watch the windsurfers and surfers do their thing.
Walk to the left to the end of the sand to see famed heiress Doris Duke’s Shangri-La, her hideaway with lover Duke Kahanamoku, the father of surfing. Shangri-La is open for tours.
Locals Vote Diamond Head (aka Lighthouse)
Best Gay Beach
waikiki
Click images to see our latest Hawaii designs for ALL SIZES from toddlers on up: T-shirts, hoodies, sleeveless and more!
DISCOVERINGHAWAII’S exclusive T-shirt designs
As we stroll through any Hawaii Macy's Store men's department, where each surfwear manufacturer has its own boutique, we're struck by the abysmal similarity and dull colors in a clothing item that should be more comfortable, expressive, creative and free and fun than any other: the surfer's board short.
We live in Hawaii and the last thing we want is to be hot, uncomfortable and bogged down. We hang on to 10-year-old loose, lightweight, mid-thigh-length cotton shorts that we bought in Hawaii surf shops before the ultra big, baggy, polyester, huge-pocketed, ugly and uncomfortable styles came into vogue, just biding our time waiting for a return to the sanity of comfort, good looks and unrestricted movement.
In the meantime, we have found some sources for a much more sensible board short at AussieBum, and a terrific website where you can upload your own photo or design and have your one-of-a-kind short custom made, or choose from hundreds of artist-created options.
“HUGE: What People Are Saying” T-shirt:
“It’s Huge!” — “Knows A Thing Or Two” , San Fernando Valley CA
“God, That Thing Smells Awful!” — Mildred B. Periwinkle, Toronto ON
“I Was REALLY Tempted To Touch It,But I Knew I’d Regret It Afterward!”— Madonna from Georgetown TX
“I Ain’t Never Seen Nothin’ Shoot So Far!” — Rosie G. from The Bronx
“When I Saw A Picture In One Of Those Magazines, I Was Sure It Had To Be A Fake! Boy, Was I Ever Wrong!” — Josie from Muncie IN
“Looks Hot!” — Bruce from West Hollywood CA
“Impressive Ejection!” — Former Congressman from Idaho
“My Husband Warned, ‘Cover Your Eyes, Darleen!’”— Darleen H. from West Palm Beach FL
“So Big It’s Scary!” — Mike’s Aunt Lois from Portland OR
“It Blows.” — “Skeptic in Schenectady”, NY
“I Really Wanted To Just Walk Right Up And Poke A Stick At It And See What Happens, But I Couldn’t Get Up The Nerve!”— “Curious” from Elko NV
“Trust Me: It Might Look Pretty, But Keep Away From That Thing If You Know What’s Good For You!”—“Twice Burned” from Madeira Park BC
“Just Thinking About Being So Close To Something Like That Makes Me Sweat!”— Anonymous
“The Bible Warns Us About Temptations Such As This!”— Rev. Peter Cox, Truth or Consequences NM
“Why Is It That Wierd Color?” -A Concerned Citizen, Buffalo NY
