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First date? We’ve got you covered

BYUH students share their favorite spots to get to know their dates

A mapped graphics of the island of Oahu.
Photo by Sugarmaa Bataa

The sporty date

Some students, like Naia Pulotu, a junior from Hauula majoring in marine biology, said going on short hikes is a good first date, “[because] if you don’t get the vibes from the beginning, at least you won’t have to spend five awkward hours with that person.”

A quick look at AllTrails will give you more details and descriptions of these hikes and their length:

  • Sunset Pillbox Trail (about an hour and 30 minutes)
  • Koko Crater Trail (about an hour and 24 minutes)
  • Makapuu Lighthouse (about two hours)
  • Manoa Falls Trail (about an hour and 9 minutes)
  • Hauula Loop Trail (about an hour and 42 minutes)

A sunrise or sunset date

If quality time is your love language, these are some combos to get to know each other and enjoy a beautiful skyline:

Sunrise

  • Watch the sunrise at Temple Beach and have breakfast at Hukilau Cafe
  • Go on a hike to see the sunrise from a different view

Sunset

  • Get ice cream at Angel’s Ice Cream and walk to Laie Point to catch the sunset
  • Grab a poke bowl at Foodland and watch the sunset as you eat
  • Walk around Haleiwa’s shops before going to Haleiwa Beach to see the sunset

The foodie date

Nety Manea, a senior from Tahiti majoring in elementary education, said, “Food is essential. If you are on a date without planning to eat, that’s a really bad idea.” Here are some ideas for where you can take your date out to eat:

  • Orchids Restaurant in Waikiki
  • Stonefish Grill in Haleiwa
  • The Alley in Ala Moana
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa
  • Fasay Thai Wagon in Kahuku
  • Any of the food trucks in Kahuku

A Sunday date

Sunday can be a time to stay spiritually minded while still meeting new people and going on relaxed, peaceful dates. Here are some ideas to get to know someone new on a Sunday:

  • A walk or picnic at the Laie Hawaii Temple
  • Feed the horses along the Maleakahana Bike Path
  • Go for a walk on the beach

The economical date

Teri Fifita, a sophomore from Tonga majoring in biology, said about first dates, “If you can find free yet fun activities or not expensive ones, go for it! It’s just a first date.” Here are some ideas for cheap dates that’ll still be fun:

  • The HUB (free for BYUH students)
  • The Night Show (about $80 per person, but if you go with a PCC work ID it will cost $10)
  • Visit Pearl Harbor and take the USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour (according to recreation.gov, tickets are free but there is a $1.00 reservation fee per ticket)
  • Take a car ride along Kamehameha Highway and sightsee
  • Nuuanu Pali Lookout (parking fee of $7.00 per vehicle, according to dlnr.hawaii.gov)
  • The Byodo-In Temple ($5 per person, according to byodo-in.com)
  • Waimanalo Country Farm ($5 per person for students with ID cards)

An adventurous date

“Date someone who is home and adventure all at once,” mindjournals.com says. Here are some date suggestions to bring out your adventurous side:

  • Crab hunting
  • A sunset cruise in Waikiki
  • Chambers Escape Games in Honolulu
  • Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu
  • The Honolulu Night Market
  • Go on a double date
  • Go on a bike ride together