A short (5 min) drive from the resort is Broke Da Mouth Grindz, over in Kapolei. Really good casual plate lunch place - “local” food (Filipino, Japanese, Korean influenced).
Car rental rates vary based on availability - so make sure you get a rate that’s refundable, and then check periodically to see if they go down. We ended up with a convertible at 1 month out, for less than an economy car at 6 months out.
Aulani’s undersold, so at the 7 month mark, you shouldn’t have too many issues finding a reservation - but it does depend on timing - if you’re going during a peak period, that’ll make it a little more difficult.
Unlike others here, I don’t think Waikiki’s so bad. Lots to see and do, everything within a short walk/drive. Certainly more options than the isolated resorts. But hey, I enjoy Kuta as much as Ubud in Bali, and San Francisco as much as Napa in the Bay Area. I also grew up in Honolulu, and don’t have an unrealistic view of the “Real” Hawai’i. If you want the idyllic postcard Paradise, Aulani is probably closer to most people’s views (like Main Street in
Disneyland is the ideal American Main Street). But if you want to experience the real Hawaii, spend a few days in Waikiki too. (Note: when I travel, I like to sit in a cafe with the locals, not just spend my time seeing the sites)
The Diamond Head Farmers Market, shave ice at Waiola Shave Ice, Malasadas at Leonard’s on Kapahulu, poke from Off the Hook Poke Market, Movies on the Beach in Waikiki - these are all things that locals go to even though there are lots of tourists too, and will have a very different feel than the Aulani experience.
If you want specific restaurant recommendations, let me know what criteria you have, and I can put together a bit of a list.
