I’m a huge Blink and after seeing the 2019 Blackpink Hawaii Summer Diary, I was inspired to visit Oahu, Hawaii and follow in their footsteps.
I wasn’t able to do everything they did simply because I do not have Blackpink’s budget. But a few activities were free or nearly free, and that I can afford.
I gathered all the information below from their full-length 2019 Summer Diary video (watch preview on YouTube) and from some of their Instagram posts. Let’s go!
What Island Did Blackpink Go to in Hawaii?
Blackpink traveled to Oahu while filming their Blackpink Hawaii Summer Diary.
Oahu is the most popular Hawaiian island with many tourists visiting each year.
Where Did Blackpink Stay While on Oahu?
Blackpink stayed at The Kahala Hotel and Resort, which is a beachfront resort about 5 miles north of Waikiki Beach. It seems to be in a nice, secluded, more peaceful part of Honolulu, which I’m sure is why they stayed here.
Rooms start at $750 a night and go up from there (suites were $6,000!) so it’s definitely a luxury hotel.
I did not stay here as I unfortunately do not have that much money. But maybe someday, who knows?
Day 1 of the Blackpink Hawaii Summer Diary: Arrival
On Blackpink’s first day in Oahu, they arrived at The Kahala, and are shown eating dinner at a restaurant in the resort, most likely Hoku’s, a fine-dining, multi-course culinary experience. Reservations are required here and prices start at $124 a person for dinner.
They are then shown somewhere else in the resort making plans for the rest of their Hawaiian vacation. Let’s see what Jennie planned for their first day!
Day 2 of the Blackpink Hawaii Summer Diary: Swap Meet, Dolphins, and Surfing
Shop at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
Jennie planned for the girls to wake up at 6 a.m. and leave by 9 a.m. Their first activity of the day? Shopping at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet! This swap meet is open on Wednesdays and weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays it’s open at 6:30 a.m.) It costs just $2 to park.
I did go here on my trip to Oahu and, let me tell you, this swap meet is HUGE. There are SO many vendors, it would take a few hours to walk around the stadium and see everything. People sell a variety of things — souvenirs, clothing, food, drinking coconuts, you name it.
So what did Blackpink do at the swap meet?
- They first bought some saltwater taffy candy, trying the guava, passion fruit, and lilikoi flavors.
- Then they spotted some jewelry and stickers and bought a few cute things.
- They also tried a device to make their voices sound like chipmunks, and each girl bought one for $5.
- Next, they got waterproof temporary tattoos! Jisoo chose a footprints tattoo, Rose got a seahorse “because it is Hawaii,” Lisa chose a sea turtle, and Jennie got a dolphin and a sun tattoo.
- Blackpink was next given a scavenger-hunt-like mission by their team with the winner receiving a special prize. They had to find and buy a pineapple item and make a local say “oh my god” or give them a finger heart. Jennie ended up winning!
Swim with Dolphins
In the afternoon, Blackpink returned to their hotel to do a dolphin encounter experience with Dolphin Quest.
The dolphins live in a lagoon at The Kahala resort, and you can book up to an hour-long session with them. Prices start at $245 a person, and a private booking is $1,125 per group.
Jisoo said the dolphins were the key point of the hotel. They were able to interact with one of the dolphins named Hua, swim with him, and play with him as well.
Surf
The last activity of the day had Blackpink on a boat, riding out onto the open ocean. They traveled with Hawaiian Surf Adventures who gave a surfing lesson on the boat. The girls then jumped off and tried to catch a few waves.
With Hawaiian Surf Adventures, surfing lessons start at $89, and private group lessons start at $650.
Scuba Dive
Lisa went back to the hotel due to motion sickness, but Rose and Jennie stayed on to learn how to scuba dive as Jisoo watched (she decided not to participate after listening to the safety briefing).
They learned how to scuba dive from Reef Pirates Diving, a sister company of Hawaiian Surf Adventures. Costs for this activity start at $145 a person.
While scuba diving, the girls were able to swim with green sea turtles and see a lot of tropical fish.
Days 3+ of the Blackpink Hawaii Summer Diary: Hiking, Sunflowers, and More
Unfortunately, Blackpink’s Hawaii Summer Diary only shows us one full day of Blackpink’s Hawaiian adventure. But we know they stayed a few more days and did more activities based on posts from the girls’ Instagram accounts.
Here are a few more activities Blackpink did in Oahu, in no particular order:
Visit a Sunflower Field
The Waimanalo Country Farms opens their sunflower fields to the public for a few days in July when sunflowers are in bloom. Admission is about $5 a person. Blackpink timed their trip perfectly to be in Oahu during sunflower season.
I arrived in March, so this wasn’t an option for me to do, even though I could afford it!
Hike Manoa Falls
Rose posted a photo of herself in front of Manoa Falls, and I knew I had to go, too. Actually, this hike was the first thing I did when I arrived in Oahu (well, the morning after)!
The trail to Manoa Falls is a beautiful hike in a rain forest, and it’s just outside the city of Honolulu. It’s an easy 1.5 miles and absolutely stunning.
I have to agree with Rose in her caption: This hike is one of the best things you’ll do. Parking is $7. Get there early as spots fill up fast. And be sure to wear hiking shoes as some of the trail is rocky and muddy.
I hope this breakdown gives you some great ideas of what to do on your next trip to Oahu. Perhaps Blackpink inspired you to travel to Hawaii as much as they inspired me.
See my 5-day Oahu itinerary post for even more ideas of what to do on this island.
Map of the Blackpink Hawaii Summer Diary Activities
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Hawaii
5-Day Oahu Itinerary: What to Do on the Most Popular Hawaiian Island
Ultimate 2 Weeks in Hawaii Itinerary: Visit Multiple Islands
7-Day Big Island Itinerary: How to Spend a Week on the Big Island of Hawaii
3 Day Maui Itinerary: What to Do in Maui, Hawaii
Ultimate Guide to Visiting Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Big Island Hawaii
18 Best Things to Do on Big Island of Hawaii
Day Trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Itinerary
12 Things to Do in Haleakalā National Park
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