Aulani with my 2 Adult Sons

[Orbitz2003]

Detailed ! Looks great !

 

[Skywalker3]

Day 3

This day we were up early to head over to the Windward side of the island. We booked a UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch. this beautiful 4000 acre preserve, has been in the Judd family since 1850. This ranch is in the Department of Interior National Register of Historic Places.

I really think this is a must visit when going to Oahu. You don’t have to do the UTV tour. The Ranch has tour buses that will take you around. They also have horseback riding and zip lining. This is where you see the real Hawaii, the beauty of the island.

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We received such incredible information regarding the history of Oahu, the Hawaiian people and this beautiful preserved land!
Our guides were fantastic.

After the tour we stopped at a very local hidden gem for lunch, Coral Kingdom, located five minutes from the ranch in Kaneohe. It was recommended by YouTuber, Hawaiian Traveler, Sean Kaleponi. His videos are excellent and we tried so many of his food suggestions and places to visit on the Windward side. Hawaii is known for its plate lunches. Get ready to eat plenty of Korean barbecue, Filipino food, and white rice and Mac salad.

Found your fabulous trip report and reading/re-reading to get prepared for our upcoming trip!
So, for the tour, dumb question, but someone in the party is driving the whole time? Do you stop often for the guide to give info/history? and how bumpy, intense is it? We'd have 5 people in our group, looks like it'll hold that many, but really, really concerned this might be too much for MIL. Looks so, so incredible though. Kids want to do this though, DS is 17, DD 20. They said they'd be happy with one of the other tours too, though, so whatever will allow us to experience the beautiful scenery, we'll be good.
I just started watching Sean Kaleponi, he's incredible. So many great tips. I'm currently trying to make a list of places to eat near some of these sites, as I think we'll be mostly doing activities/sites in the AM, then will need lunch before going back to Aulani. Thanks for sharing info/reviews on all the places to eat. Very appreciated,
and thanks so much for the details on all the sites. Like Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens-DD has mentioned wanting to go there, and I want to go to the Byodo-In Temple...just not sure how to work it all in...plan the day, etc. I guess we'll get a better idea and lay of the land when we get there.
Great pictures too!!! thanks for sharing the adventures.

 

[bbn1122]

Found your fabulous trip report and reading/re-reading to get prepared for our upcoming trip!
So, for the tour, dumb question, but someone in the party is driving the whole time? Do you stop often for the guide to give info/history? and how bumpy, intense is it? We'd have 5 people in our group, looks like it'll hold that many, but really, really concerned this might be too much for MIL. Looks so, so incredible though. Kids want to do this though, DS is 17, DD 20. They said they'd be happy with one of the other tours too, though, so whatever will allow us to experience the beautiful scenery, we'll be good.
I just started watching Sean Kaleponi, he's incredible. So many great tips. I'm currently trying to make a list of places to eat near some of these sites, as I think we'll be mostly doing activities/sites in the AM, then will need lunch before going back to Aulani. Thanks for sharing info/reviews on all the places to eat. Very appreciated,
and thanks so much for the details on all the sites. Like Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens-DD has mentioned wanting to go there, and I want to go to the Byodo-In Temple...just not sure how to work it all in...plan the day, etc. I guess we'll get a better idea and lay of the land when we get there.
Great pictures too!!! thanks for sharing the adventures.

First, I think the Botanical Garden inside Koko Crater was much nicer but different.
The other Botanical Garden was massive. You drove from place to place. Where with the Koko you just hiked inside crater.

The excursion on the Ranch. They allow two drivers. Some roads are paved and some off roading but it wasn’t crazy bumpy.
This is the real Hawaii. I believe they offer bus tours through the ranch. They offer a bunch of tours.
This is a must see!!!! The Windward side is a must.
The Leeward side is kind of dull, except for the water and Aulani.

I wish we had more time on the North Shore. My sons were pooped, I think it was the time difference. You’re only gonna get the big waves up there in the winter. But this area is gorgeous and I wish we would’ve had more time there.

Good luck with your plans. Sean’s recommendations for food is basically what I followed.
The one place I wish I went to was Haleiwa Joe’s in Kaneohe in the mountains.
They don’t take reservations. The recommendations are to go when they open at 4 PM and this way you’re there for sunset. All the videos looked incredible. They are known for their prime rib if you have any meat lovers.

Good luck with all your plans. Aloha.

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Day 3

This day we were up early to head over to the Windward side of the island. We booked a UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch. this beautiful 4000 acre preserve, has been in the Judd family since 1850. This ranch is in the Department of Interior National Register of Historic Places.

I really think this is a must visit when going to Oahu. You don’t have to do the UTV tour. The Ranch has tour buses that will take you around. They also have horseback riding and zip lining. This is where you see the real Hawaii, the beauty of the island.

View attachment 896594

View attachment 896595View attachment 896596View attachment 896598

View attachment 896597

View attachment 896599View attachment 896600

We received such incredible information regarding the history of Oahu, the Hawaiian people and this beautiful preserved land!
Our guides were fantastic.

After the tour we stopped at a very local hidden gem for lunch, Coral Kingdom, located five minutes from the ranch in Kaneohe. It was recommended by YouTuber, Hawaiian Traveler, Sean Kaleponi. His videos are excellent and we tried so many of his food suggestions and places to visit on the Windward side. Hawaii is known for its plate lunches. Get ready to eat plenty of Korean barbecue, Filipino food, and white rice and Mac salad.

This looks incredible! You're inspiring me for a September 2026 visit! Thank you for all the details!

 

[bbn1122]

This looks incredible! You're inspiring me for a September 2026 visit! Thank you for all the details!

You are welcome. I wish I had more time on Oahu, but more importantly I would have loved to have visited Kaui for a few days too.

I will definitely be back.

Aloha!