Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St Louis - Honolulu, HI

Honolulu's nickname, "The Gathering Place," reflects the role of the city in Oahu. The culture of Honolulu has been largely influenced by foreigners, particularly Asians who migrated to the area for work, and even more so by missionaries. Hawaii's ethnic blend and strong identity against a difficult history of colonization creates a highly nuanced culture. The 1941 bombings of Pearl Harbor changed Hawaii significantly, and the Arizona Memorial remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii.

The spirit of Aloha is a guiding value for Hawaiians, as residents seek to build bridges between the island's very diverse residents, along with the high influx of tourists. The Hawaii Festival takes place in Honolulu each March to educate and entertain through performances, food and arts and crafts, reflecting the identities of Hawaii's residents and visitors from around the world.

Diamond Head residents who prefer healthier cuisine patronize Diamond Head Cove Health Bar. Cooked with fresh, local ingredients, the breakfast acai bowls and fish wraps for lunch have made The Cove a local favorite. Be sure to try the kava, an ancient Polynesian drink that is relaxing and pain-easing. Local performers love The Cove, so stop in for the live music on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 8 to10 p.m.

Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill appetizers are just plain "ono" (delicious). When you pull up to this local hot spot on Kapahulu Avenue and see an older building with a paid parking lot in back, you might be skeptical. But go inside, and take in the sleek, modern interior, and when you finally get a table (hint: make a reservation), the food is more than impressive. Uncle Bo's has earned rave reviews for boca-rota, which is cheesy garlic bread topped with strips of prime-rib, sautéed mushrooms and more cheese. Other divine dishes include Six Little Piggies, with crispy pork belly and sweet Maui onion jalapeño salsa, and the Kalua pig fried rice. Many people never get to the entrées, but if you do, try the SOS, a seafood mélange in creamy sauce.

In Diamond Head, you are close to countless nightlife spots catering to locals and tourists looking for everything from a casual evening to a rowdy all-nighter. Hula's Bar & Lei Stand on Kapahulu Avenue offers the best of both worlds. It hosts an open mic on Mondays, music and dancing on the weekends and daily drink specials. Kapahulu is in the heart of the nightlife district, so once you are ready to move on, you can easily hit a few more places before heading home.

The Diamond Head area is quite walkable, and many errands can be accomplished on foot. There are bike-friendly trails and some bike lanes, mainly near parks and recreation areas. It is illegal to ride your bike on the sidewalk.

The H1, Oahu's largest highway, is easily accessible from this neighborhood. Make sure to give yourself extra time during commuting hours as traffic gets backed up. Taxis are readily available close to Waikiki, otherwise you may want to call one of the many local cab companies, including Johnny Cab and Flat Fares Hawaii. Uber is also a popular option in Honolulu.

Bus #2 services this neighborhood, which takes you into downtown Waikiki for $2.50. From there, you can transfer to buses traveling all over Oahu. The buses often run late, and frequent stops make short distances lengthy. Many people prefer a bus-bike combination (you can put your bike on the rack in front of the bus) for the health and economic benefits and to avoid parking stress in the city.

Many wonderful area parks give Diamond Head residents plenty of options for recreation. If you want to work on your fitness, head to the Bryan Clay Exercise Park where you can run, walk and bike the trails and use free outdoor fitness machines. For a more extensive hike, nothing beats Diamond Head, the infamous state monument with a picture-perfect view. In addition to solid shoes, sunscreen, water, and a hat, bring $1 for each pedestrian and $5 for each car.

If you're not quite up for hiking Diamond Head but want a spectacular view of the city skyline, drive to Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park. Go earlier in the day, as picnic tables fill up fast.

For an all-around park for activities, visit Kapiolani Park, which is equipped for archery, soccer, softball, tennis and rugby. The park is adjacent to the Honolulu Zoo and down the block from Waikiki Beach, so you can visit those popular attractions as well. Concerts, cultural festivals, and races take place regularly at this park. Metered parking is available, and your on-leash dog is welcome on the medial strip. For a list of dog parks, refer to the Hawaii Humane Society page.

Honolulu residents experience world-renowned quality of life, and as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Cost of living in Hawaii is roughly 75 percent higher than the U.S. average overall, largely due to import costs and pricey real estate. The average rental cost is $1,355. The cost of living in the Diamond Head area is on par with the Hawaii average.

Gas is 55 percent higher than the national average, and expect to pay around $5 for a beer at a local bar.

For your standard grocery needs, head to the nearby Safeway, which has a reliable stock of grocery and drugstore items for reasonable prices. If you long for organic foods, visit Kokua Market Natural Foods, and shop for spices and fresh produce.

There are at least nine farmers markets in Honolulu alone, each one providing local produce and plenty more. The largest is the KCC Market, across from the Diamond Head entrance, where prepared foods and local crafts are plentiful. Tourists swarm the market on Saturdays, so go on Tuesdays instead. The Saturday morning Kaka'ako Farmers' Market is smaller and takes place at the Ward Warehouse. Hosting more locals than tourists, this market strikes a balance between produce and other local products. A night market takes place in the Kaka'ako neighborhood on the third Saturday of every month to celebrate the city's best artists, musicians and chefs. To view a comprehensive list of Honolulu farmers markets and reviews, visit the Hi5 Hawaii guide.

Kahala Mall Center covers all your general shopping needs, providing a Whole Foods, Macy's, Longs Drugs and movie theater. Check errands off your list quickly with the variety of services in one place, including several salons, dry cleaners and a dentist. Additionally, you can shop for clothes at stores like Ross or browse the latest entertainment wares at Fun Factory or GameStop.

For more upscale shopping, head to Ala Moana Center. This open-air mall offers complimentary valet parking and a lush setting to browse Jimmy Choo, Tiffany & Co., True Religion and handcrafted goods from the kiosks at T&C Surf Designs and Hula Lehua.