Getting ‘Lost’ in Paradise

That’s not the only reason to visit the sprawling grounds of the Kahala Hotel. There’s also a full-service spa, where Yunjin swears by the traditional Hawaiian massage known as lomilomi. She gets it with hot stones. "It rubs away your toxins. It’s like heaven,” she said.

A native of Korea with a thriving career in films and commercials there, Yunjin was quick to locate Sorabol’s in Honolulu, whose Korean dishes she loves — even if it's not up to par with her mother's home cooking. And while she recommends a luau for most visitors, she also points out another way to relish the local entertainment: a magic show performed by John Hirokawa near Waikiki. "I thought it would be really cheesy and touristy. But I was surprised; it’s really fun, if you want to see a magic show."

For the more nature-oriented Emilie, the best way to savor the island’s natural beauty is a day’s drive up its eastern coast.

Visitors might start with a breakfast at the Kahala Hotel, then take the Pali Highway (Route 61) northeast to Kailua, stopping at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout for one of the island’s most breathtaking views. From the idyllic beach at Kailua, you can take the Kamehameha Highway (Route 83) northward up the coast, stopping along the way for a walk to appreciate the seascapes — and to stock up on snacks. “A lot of people set up beautiful fresh fruit stands and shrimp shacks on the side of the road,” Emilie said.

Curling up around the island’s northeast horn on 83, drivers will approach the North Shore, where "Lost" is shot. While the north side of Oahu is crowded, it’s much more laid-back than the hot spots of the south. One place to soak up the relaxed attitude, Emilie suggests, is Haleiwa, a small surf village filled with little shops, cafés and restaurants. She suggests a stop at Jameson’s By the Sea, where both the food and the views come from the ocean. “You can go there and watch the sun set, or if you’re ambitious, watch the sun rise.”

If the Kahala is the jewel of Honolulu, the North Shore’s main hub is the Turtle Bay Resort. “Turtle Bay has a lot of land right there by the beach. It’s a nice, romantic resort — one of your nicer options to stay,” Emilie says. According to Yunjin, Turtle Bay is also where the cast traditionally hosts parties to celebrate the release of "Lost" season DVDs.

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Josh cites some of the same must-sees as Yunjin and Emilie, and he says he likes to spend days off deep-sea fishing in his new boat. But his main dining tip is decidedly plebeian: Giovanni’s Shrimp, a popular vendor in the North Shore town of Kahuku. “It’s this old, beat up, white van parked on the side of the street. They serve the best garlic shrimp scampi.” One caveat: it's heavy on the garlic. “Be prepared,” he said.

It seems that these three — working-class everyman, the nature girl and and the urban sophisticate — haven’t entirely left home behind, even while living in paradise. That’s so "Lost."

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