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Harold Perrineau’s Oahu

Harold Perrineau, one of the castaways on the hit television show Lost, reveals his favourite places on Hawaii's beautiful Oahu

Maybe it’s the leftover superstition from his time on Lost talking, but Harold Perrineau says he’s been lucky in his acting opportunities.

Still, when you find yourself playing a key cast member on one of the most acclaimed shows of the past decade, plus roles in other TV hits like Oz, as well as two of the Matrix movies, you clearly have a nose for the right script.

And Perrineau’s run of luck doesn’t seem to be fading.

“I just signed on to do this movie called The Hungry Rabbit Jumps,” Perinneau says. “It’s an interesting thriller, and plus I get to work with Nicolas Cage.”

But acting isn’t his only pursuit, as his recent quest into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu demonstrates. “I’ll get beaten up a lot on my way to a black belt,” he says, wincing.

Hopefully there won’t be any chokeholds in his newfound passion—he’s also releasing an R&B album this year.

Then there are all the addictive outdoor pursuits he picked up on the set of Lost—canoe surfing being the most acute.

Here are some of his other favourite Oahu activities, discovered and frequented during his three years on the island.

Sightseeing

“The Spitting Cave is a spot everyone needs to see. You hike up these trails, and beneath you are these caves where water comes crashing in—it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the area. Just to see the spray of all those waves and listening to it just takes you over. It allows you to take in the power of nature.”

Beaches

“Sunset Beach is amazing. On the weekends, it’s packed with locals. It feels like you’re family.” A fixture of the North Shore, it’s home to professional surfing competitions—including part of the famed Triple Crown of Surfing—when the winter waves pound Hawaii’s northern coastline.

Eating

“12th Ave Grill has one dish that blows me away. I’m not a dessert guy, but they have something similar to strawberry rhubarb in a single serving dish—incredible—and I loved the macaroni and cheese side dish.”

Hiking

“The elevation of Diamond Head makes it challenging, but the views are out of this world,” Perrineau says of the kilometre-long hike along an extinct volcanic crater. He also recommends a more gruelling option for seasoned hikers.

“The Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail is a several-mile-long hike through beautiful greenery, and requires one member of your party to be a Hawaii resident. It takes hours to do, but you really feel like your legs got a workout when you’re done.” 

Nightlife

“Roy’s is great and a terrific haunt for drinks. [ABC Entertainment Group President] Steve McPherson came to town, so we went there and enjoyed the atmosphere.” The restaurant has expanded its tiki torch-lit empire to the rest of the U.S., but this is the original.