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By
Michael Thompson
Honolulu is on Oahu, the third largest island in the Hawaiian chain which contains almost 80 percent of the state's population. Always tolerant of diverse life-styles, Hawaii remains a popular destination for queer
travelers, with many gay-owned guest houses, shops, restaurants, and bars.
The island's many attractions include bird- and whale-watching, snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking, volcano-climbing on nearby Hawaii ("Big Island"), and, of course, sunning and the best surfing on
the planet. The awe-inspiring scenery, near-perfect weather, and "Aloha" spirit make for an ideal year-round gay vacation spot.
Oahu's gayest beach, Queen's Surf Beach at the Diamond Head end of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, is the most frequented. A more secluded spot at the base of the light house, off Diamond Head Road, is
an unofficial nude beach. A drive around the island reveals many beautiful vistas and swimming spots. The surfing is good at Makapuu and Sandy Beach on the eastern end, and in the winter at Waimea, Sunset, and
Pipeline Beaches on the North Shore. If you prefer, snorkel among dolphins and colorful tropical fish in Hanauma Bay. Within it's protected waters swim some of the friendliest and most beautiful fish in the Pacific.
If you're coming to the Hawaiian islands, Pacific Ocean Holidays (Joshua Kay at 808-923-2400) can arrange package tours, accommodations, and other travel details. They publish
the Pocket Guide to Hawaii, with maps of the islands and useful tips. For details on bars, accommodations, and about upcoming events such as the Honolulu Gay Film and Cultural Festival, May 26 through June 3.
Two papers serve the community, Odyssey Magazine and Dakine Magazine . The Rainbow Handbook, by Matthew Link, is a valuable resource (on the net. The bars Hula's and Angles
each provide internet access.
Nightlife
Most of Honolulu's gay nightlife is located around Waikiki with it's famous urban beach resort. There are high-rise hotels, shops, restaurants, and a long strip of beach lined body-to-body. You'll find
many peoples and cultures at this ocean crossroads-- from young US servicemen and European, Asian, and North American tourists, to the peoples from these and the many other Pacific islands between Australia and Mexico
and beyond. In the gay clubs you'll meet a good cross-section.
Hula's Bar and Lei Stand (134 Kapahulu Avenue, Waikiki Grand Hotel, 2nd floor) is a beautiful video cruise and dance bar near Queen's Surf Beach with an open-air view of Keolani Park and sunsets over Diamond Head.
They have midnight specials, frequent events, pool, and go-go boys.
Angles (2256 Kuhio), is an extended neighborhood bar with a great lanai (an outdoor patio) overlooking the Kuhio strip. This friendly pub has dancing and a pool and pulls in a diverse crowd. Angles opens
at 10am. Just next door, Fusion (2260 Kuhio) has gender-bending revues and male strip shows on Friday and Saturday nights and becomes the city's hottest dance club around midnight, going afterhours until 4am. On
alternate Sundays, Kid's Club here admits those 18 and over. Venus (1349 Kapiolani) is a dance club with unusually good shows and male strippers on their gay Tuesday nights.
At the Eaton Square complex (444 Hobron Lane) there are three gay attractions. Maxx's Gym (fourth floor) is a great place to meet hot men and get in shape. Open 24 hours, this private men's club
has steamroom, sauna, showers, video theater, play rooms, private video rooms, lockers, and a new sling room. Their well equipped, open-air, gym facility with garden lanai is adjacent. Michelangelo's, (second floor) is a
quiet neighborhood bar, and P-10 (penthouse level), a private men's cruise club, features Hawaii's only totally nude male strip shows.
Accommodations
Queen's Surf Vacation Rentals (888-336-4368), has the only gay owned/operated rooms with an ocean view. Recently renovated, with reasonable rates, they're just minutes walk from the beach
or Kapiolani Park. The Cabana at Waikiki (2551 Cartwright; 877-902-2121) is a gay hotel with comfortable one-room suites just a block from the same beach. Hokondo Hotels and Condos (2556 Lemon) has beach accommodations starting as low as $16/night. In Old Waikiki, there's Hotel Honolulu (376 Kaiolu; 800-426-0766), and Waikiki Joy Hotel (320 Lewers;
800-733-5569).
Dining
Healthy, local foods abound. Besides the fresh fruits-- pineapple, papaya, mango, guava, and coconut-- native fish, such as mahi mahi and a pink snapper, called opakapaka, come recommended. A luau,
or outdoor feast, is the best place to sample such traditional Hawaiian foods as baked breadfruit.
Keo's (2028 Kuhio) and Keoni's (2375 Kuhio) are gay-friendly Thai options, and for Mexican try La Cucaracha (102 Nahua-at Kuhio).
Shopping
80% Straight (1917 Kalakaua) has everything you need in swimwear, underwear, club wear, T-shirts, books, magazines, leather items, and novelties, as well as videos, erotica and pipe and
smoking accessories-- at the best prices in town. Visit Eric and staff, and make this friendly store your one-stop shopping spot while vacationing in Hawaii. For Hawaii's largest collection of gay porn videos, see
Diamond Head Video - Kapahulu (870 Kapahulu).
Local artist Douglas Simonson is famous for his paintings and sketches of the male nude-- particularly men of Polynesian, Asian, Latin, and African descent. A private showing may be arranged. See his
web site to view and buy his work.
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