Local Honolulu: Magic Island Sunset (Ala Moana Beach Park), Kaka'ako Street Art & Ward Village

Walk (or hop on a bus or trolley for five minutes) across the Ala Wai Canal bridge at the western edge of Waikiki to enter the Honolulu locals love: the calm 100-acre expanse of Ala Moana Beach Park & Magic Island, open-air Ala Moana Center, and the warehouse mural district of Kaka'ako.

1. Ala Moana Beach Park & Magic Island ('Aina Moana)

Created in the 1930s with a dredged channel and protective outer coral reef, Ala Moana Beach Park is where Honolulu families barbecue, swim laps and paddle outrigger canoes:

• Why Families Swim Here: the outer reef blocks ocean swells along its half-mile crescent of golden sand, creating a wave-free swimming lagoon with lifeguards, shade trees and over 1,000 free parking spaces.
• Magic Island Peninsula at Sunset: jutting half a mile into the ocean at the eastern end of the park beside the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor is the green peninsula of Magic Island ('Aina Moana). Its tip holds a stone-walled swimming lagoon for children, and because the peninsula looks back across the yacht harbour toward Waikiki Beach and the full profile of Diamond Head, it is the premier sunset viewpoint on the south shore.

2. Ala Moana Center & Kaka'ako Street Art Murals

1. Ala Moana Center (1450 Ala Moana Blvd): across from the beach park spans the largest open-air shopping centre in the world, with over 350 shops and 160 dining spots cooled by trade winds and koi ponds. Watch the free daily afternoon Hula Show at Centerstage, pick up fresh poke at Foodland Farms supermarket on the Street Level (Ewa Wing), and try pastries, ramen or musubi at the Makai Market Food Court or Liliha Bakery.
2. Kaka'ako Murals (Worldwide Walls) & SALT at Our Kaka'ako: walk or ride a Biki bike 10 minutes west into the warehouse district of Kaka'ako. Every year since 2011, international and Hawaiian artists paint over 100 building-high colourful murals along Cooke, Mother Waldron Park, Auahi and Pohukaina Streets, including works by Kamea Hadar. Stop for Kona coffee or craft beer at SALT at Our Kaka'ako (691 Auahi St).