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Best of Honolulu 2008

Best of Honolulu 2008
Image: Katie Gillett

Outdoors

Aug 13, 2008
Best of Honolulu 2008
Best of Honolulu 2008 /

Readers’ Picks

Best invasive species: Tourists
Runner-up: Liliko’i
Say what?: Coqui frog

Best native species: ‘Alae

Best hike: Manoa Falls
Runner-up: Makapu’u Lighthouse

Best neighbor: Tom Bingham

Best botanical garden: Foster

Editors’ Picks

Best Place to jump off a big rock and not kill yourself
Waimea

Waimea rock is easy to get to, easy to climb, high enough to make you piss yourself and has a landing area large and safe enough for the clumsiest of risk takers. Just to dive off takes some guts, but the true locals really steal the show. If you’re lucky enough to witness these young acrobats (weekends are best), just stand below and watch: They love to ham it up for the camera. Highlights include graceful synchronized back flips and gainers, and dives into the shallowest sections. You won’t get beat up for taking photos, either, so shoot away. Waimea Rock is guaranteed fun and should be on your list of spots to show your mainland guests. You might even be able to convince your mom to jump. –Manny Pangilinan

Best Place to jump off a big rock and maybe kill yourself
Ice Ponds

We’re not gonna tell you the exact location here, for safety—and liability—reasons. A small hint: up the Likelike. The climb to the 40+ft rock cliff is a slippery path past a waterfall, and it’s a puzzle of a climb. There’s also a deadly rope swing on the other side of the pool: Both guarantee a trip to the hospital—if not death—as your reward for a single mistake.–M.P.

Best neighborhood for a run
Manoa

Whether your style is running up steep hills or cruising the straight shooting avenues, Manoa’s got the climate and minimal traffic conditions to make any runner happy. –Daniel Lee Floren

Photo Credit: Laurie Carlson

Best Other Botanical Garden
Ho’omaluhia

We can can’t argue with readers who picked Foster, but we can’t argue with publisher Laurie Carlson’s choice of Ho’omaluhia, either. Wow. –R.C.

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