SEE ALSO: Best of HONOLULU 2023
Photo: Courtesy Of HiClimb
Best Climbing Gym
In Kaka‘ako, 17,000-square-foot HiClimb earns high marks for its bright, well-kept physical space as well as the variety of offerings for beginners and experienced climbers. The gym features bouldering, top rope and lead climbing walls as well as a climbing school, yoga classes and hosted events. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to evenings, including weekends. Customer Katie Kenny says she joined as a monthly member because of the setup, the friendly vibe and amenities that include a coffee shop, small gym and classes. And she’s a senior content strategist downtown who uses the coworking space that also welcomes her dog, Lily. Kenny appreciates the encouraging environment: “When a woman is trying to climb up for the first time, all the women standing around will cheer her on; it’s very female empowering.” —RD
825 Ilaniwai St., (808) 888-2999, hawaiiclimb.com, @hiclimbhawaii
Photo: Katrina Valcourt
Best Eco-Friendly Surfboard
With all the time they spend in the ocean, the image of surfers tends to be coupled with eco-consciousness. But the surfboard manufacturing process is notoriously toxic, from the foam to the resin. Enter Bizia, which takes invasive albizia, one of the most problematic tree species in Hawai‘i, and repurposes it into surfboards. Owners Joey Valenti (of Albizia Project) and Eric Bello work with shapers, including Dick Brewer and Carson Myers, to create boards made with lengths of albizia. They’re hollowed out and then glued together, inspired by designs from the 1930s, when solid wood boards gave way to chambered ones to lessen their weight. They’re then coated in a more environmentally friendly epoxy than the usual petroleum-based resin. Bizia’s current models include a performance longboard and fish, and each board showcases variations in the natural wood grain and color. —MC
401 N. Cane St., A-2, Wahiawā, (808) 388-3153, biziasurf.com, @biziasurf
Best Golf Course
Reader Pick
With three 18-hole courses—one of which was designed by the Arnold Palmer Design Co.—and stunning ocean views, the golf courses at Turtle Bay Resort have been popular destinations for locals and tourists alike since 1972. The resort hosted the Turtle Bay Championship on the PGA Champions Tour from 2001 to 2008 and continues to offer both challenging and beginner-friendly experiences. Kama‘āina rates and golf packages are available; the putting course can be enjoyed for as little as $20 a day. Looking for training to up your golf game? There’s also a golf academy there. —JS
57-049 Kuilima Drive, Kahuku, turtlebayresort.com, @turtlebaygolf
Best Pilates/Barre
Reader Pick
It can be hard to fit fitness into a busy schedule, but Club Pilates makes it easier with an average of 12 classes to choose from each weekday and a handful on the weekends. The nationwide club’s Ward location, which opened in 2022, aims to help you reach your health goals, whether you’re a novice or a Pilates expert. With a range of classes for people at varying levels—including a free intro class for beginners, plus private training—this fitness club boasts top-of-the-line equipment and instructors who have completed 500 hours of training, so you know you’re in good hands. —JS
987 Queen St., Suite 102, clubpilates.com, @clubpilateshonolulu
Best Place to Buy Pickleball Equipment
On Point Sports Hawai‘i, tucked into the second floor of a Waipi‘o center, is our go-to for pickleball gear. A demo program allows players to try equipment for three days before they buy with a $5 deposit. Since a racket can cost more than $200, customers like Jensen Kim appreciate the hands-on tryout before they invest. Kim works in the physical therapy doctorate program at Hawai‘i Pacific University and plays pickleball after work. He first tried it while attending Pacific University in Oregon. When he returned home after graduation, he started playing with his mom and their friends. “We kind of got addicted, and we’re playing basically five times a week,” Kim says. Customers who buy after they try get the deposit as a credit. Score! —RD
94-1144 Ka Uka Blvd., Suite 13, Waipahu, (808) 680-9900, onpointsportshawaii.com, @onpointsportshawaii
Best Entry-Level Neighborhood Gym
Most of us find our favorite place to work out by experimenting until something clicks. The YMCA of Honolulu stands out for welcoming people of every age, level of fitness, interest and ability to pay. Find keiki swim classes, a weight room, cardio, yoga—chair to vinyasa—and pickleball. The Y works hard to make it easy to belong, says vice president Lisa Ontai. She quotes a new 80-something member: “Everybody was so friendly; I felt so welcome; and I wasn’t intimidated.” The nonprofit began offering some livestreamed classes during the pandemic, and that continues. “Members like having that option to just do the class at home,” Ontai says. A national YMCA 360 program adds access to 1,500 virtual classes from cardio and barre to how to make burrito bowls. —RD
Multiple locations, (808) 531-9622, ymcahonolulu.org, @ymcahonolulu
The Rest of the Best: Reader Picks
Best Bike Shop
Winner: Bike Factory Hawai‘i Inc.
Multiple locations, bikefactoryhawaii.com, @bikefactoryhawaii
Finalist: McCully Bicycle & Sporting Goods
2124 S. King St., (808) 955-6329, mccullybike.com, @mccullybike
Best Campground
Winner: Mālaekahana Beach Campground
56-335 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, (808) 674-7715, malaekahana.net, @malaekahana.bc
Finalist: Bellows Air Force Station Campsites
220 Tinker Road, Waimānalo, (808) 259-8080, bellowsafs.com, @bellowsafs
Best Exercise Shoe Store
Winner: Running Room
819 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 737-2422, runningroom.com, @runningroomhawaii
Finalist: Uyeda Shoe Store
931 University Ave., #105, (808) 941-1331, uyedashoestore.com, @uyedashoestore
Best Golf Course
Finalist: O‘ahu Country Club
150 Country Club Road, (808) 595-6331, oahucountryclub.com, @oahucountryclub
Best Gym
Winner: 24 Hour Fitness
Multiple locations, 24hourfitness.com
Finalist: UFC Gym Honolulu
Multiple locations, ufcgym.com
Best Pilates/Barre
Finalist: The Bar Method Honolulu
2758 S. King St., Suite 206, barmethod.com, @barmethodhonolulu
Best Place to Rent Watersports Gear
Winner: Surf N Sea
62-595 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, (808) 637-3483, surfnsea.com, @surfnsea_haleiwa
Finalist: Snorkel Bob’s
700 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 735-7944, snorkelbob.com, @snorkelbobs
Best Surf Shop
Winner: T&C Surf Designs
Multiple locations, tcsurf.com, @tandcsurf
Finalist: Hawaiian Island Creations
Multiple locations, hicsurf.com, @hicsurf
Best Yoga Studio
Winner: Yoga Room Hawai‘i
1120 12th Ave., Second Floor, (808) 376-0087, yogaroomhawaii.com, @yogaroomhawaii
Finalist: Sun Yoga Hawai‘i
820 W. Hind Drive, #125, (808) 348-2979, sunyogahawaii.com, @sunyogahawaii
