From cozy cafés to family-run surf spots and hidden local gems, Kelia Moniz shows us around her Honolulu — a place where community, creativity, and island rhythm come together in everyday life.
Arvo Café
Morning rituals and island fuel.
Kelia starts her day with a stop at Arvo Café, where coffee art doubles as inspiration. For her, this local favorite captures everything she loves about Honolulu — slow mornings, good food, and a community that feels like family. “It’s my dream to make coffee this beautiful,” she laughs, savoring her daily ritual in the city she calls the most beautiful place in the world.
Honolulu Pawnshop
Style born from the islands.
Just down the road, Kelia takes us inside Honolulu Pawnshop, her family-run clothing label that celebrates the spirit of the islands through bold prints and local sayings — “Welcome to Paradise,” “Don’t touch the turtles.” It’s not just a shop, but a tribute to her roots, creativity, and the place that shaped her love for surf and community.
Moniz Family Surf + Mom's Backyard
Family, waves, and where it all began.
Across the street from the sand sits Moniz Family Surf, Kelia’s family-owned surf school and the heart of her upbringing. It’s where her parents taught generations how to ride waves, and where her brothers still give lessons today.
Later, she winds down at her parents’ backyard — her peaceful escape from city life. “This is my reset,” she says, surrounded by greenery and the quiet hum of home. It’s a reminder that paradise isn’t just a place — it’s family.
Crack Seed Shop
Sweet nostalgia, island-style.
A short drive from Waikiki, The Crack Seed Store is Kelia’s go-to for childhood flavors and local treats. Packed with preserved fruits, candies, and the irresistible scent of nostalgia, this family-run gem is a slice of Honolulu history. “If I could bottle up what this place smelled like,” she says, “your mouth would be watering.”
Off the Hook Poke Market
The perfect poke bowl, perfected.
For lunch, Kelia heads to Off the Hook, a small-but-beloved poke spot that locals swear by. “There’s levels to this poke bowl,” she grins. With just-caught fish, warm rice, and seasonings that sing of the sea, it’s her idea of comfort food done right — fresh, flavorful, and unmistakably Hawaiian.
Hula Mound
Golden hour in paradise.
As the sun dips over Waikiki, Kelia ends her day where it all began — in the ocean. Families gather at Kūhiō Beach for evening surf sessions, kids laughing in the shallows while waves shimmer in the fading light. For Kelia, it’s a daily reminder of why she calls this place home: the rhythm of the tides, the beauty of simplicity, and the joy of being exactly where she belongs.
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