Hawaii Must Do's??

[ekatiel]

We're heading to Honolulu in October. DH has a conference, and we're taking our two boys (who will be 5 and 7) with us. We're staying a Friday through the next Saturday. DH will be completely free the last two days we are there (we're paying the hotel the last two nights so DH can get some full vacation days). So, he'll be able to hang out with us all day on Thursday and Friday. We'll also have most of the day on Saturday right before we leave b/c our flight doesn't leave until 10pm. We're staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and our boys are currently enamored with Hawaii (they don't even know we're going yet!!), so they'll be up for pretty much anything. What are the must-do's?? Also, what's the best way to save $$? I bought the Hawaii entertainment book when it was $12 a few weeks ago. Since then, I've noticed the Go Oahu Card, too. Does anyone have any experience using this card? Thanks for any input you have! --Katie

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Pearl Harbour....splurge to do a tour of the USS Missori.

We did Diamondhead and I enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center.

 

[stevea20]

My wife and I just completed a Hawaiian cruise and loved the islands.
It sounds like you will be on Oahu only so I would suggest a tour around the island to the North Shore. October may be a little early for the big waves but the beaches are still a sight. Also try to get to the Dole Plantation. They have exhibits, a "Pineapple Maze" and the pineapple soft-serve they have is the same as you get at Adventureland, but with more options. We had a pineapple/vanilla swirl-fantastic!

Enjoy.

 

[Pakey]

Polynesian Cultural Center was our favorite. The other must do is Pearl Harbor/USS Missouri.

 

[merrily]

Attend a luau, learn to surf, take a boat ride, snorkel, hike Diamond Head, visit Honolulu Zoo, check out the sea turtles on the North Shore.

 

[cheerky]

Spend a day at the lagoons at KoOlina. You'll be able to see the new disney vacation club there. Also, eating off the trucks on the North Shore is fantastic. Opal's has the best Thai food and it is very affordable! The sea turtles bathe on the beach on the North Shore. You can also hike to a waterfall where you can swim at Waimea Valley. It's a beautiful hike and not too far. We went to Sea Life Park and the Macadamian Nut Farm. The farm tour was fantastic, narrated by a chief. It includes a boatride on an ancient fishery and you'll see many sites where tv/ movies were filmed. Have the best time!!!

 

[ekatiel]

Great suggestions, guys-- I've been checking them out on the interweb ! I'm thinking we should rent a car for at least 2 days-- one day to go to the North Shore (do the Dole Plantation on the way up, then check out the big waves and the turtles, and then head to the Waimea Valley for a swim under the waterfall), and then one day to do the Polynesian Cultural Center. The parking rate at the hotel is $24 a day , so I don't want to rent a car all week. The other days, we'll stay in town and take The Bus or do tours that will pick us up. Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor are definitely on the list-- DH will likely only be in his conference for half days, so we should have some time to do those. As far as surf lessons go-- do they offer them for children as young as ours (5 and 7)? It sounds like something that would be fun for the whole family. --Katie

 

[pezaddict231]

We went to Oahu last August for our Honeymoon, it is beautiful there! I would recommend a surfing lesson. We used Hawaiian Fire surf school, they will pick you up from your hotel. I liked them because they really focus on safety and they bring you to a beach that has mild waves, great for beginners. There are lessons off Waikiki, but the beach is so crowded it didn't seem very safe to me.

If you will have a rental car, I would also try to go to Lanakai Beach, it is really gorgeous and not crowded at all. It is a 30 minute drive or so, but well worth it.

 

[pezaddict231]

As far as surf lessons go-- do they offer them for children as young as ours (5 and 7)? It sounds like something that would be fun for the whole family. --Katie

Just wanted to say in our group there was a boy that was 4 or 5. He surfed tandem with an instructor. Not sure if that was extra, but the little guy really had a great time and was a much better surfer than DH or I, . His parents were both there taking pics and watching him.

Here is the website:
http://www.hawaiianfire.com/

 

[cheerky]

I suggest getting to Pearl Harbor very early in the morning. They distribute tickets to get to the Arizona Memorial and often run out by 10 or 10:30 in the morning. Also, if you plan on spending a day at the North Shore, the famous Matsimoto Shave Ice is there too. The kids will enjoy that! I also remembered that there is a really fun Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium a couple of times a week. The shopping there is great and very inexpensive!

 

[Local_Girl]

I highly recommend the Polynesian Cultural Center because you can learn about a variety of Polynesian cultures (in addition to Hawaiian) in one spot. It can be pricey, but worth it, IMHO. Be sure to stay for the night show...although I haven't seen the current incarnation, it's usually a great show. I DO NOT recommend doing the luau at the PCC however, as I've heard it's less than great. I think there is a luau at the HHV where you're staying, or if you have military connections, there is one next door at the Hale Koa Hotel (military) which I understand is reasonably priced and pretty good. Do some research on the other available tourist luaus if you're interested in attending one. If you decide not to do a luau, you should at least try some Hawaiian food (poi, kalua pig, etc.) for the experience.

I agree with others about Pearl Harbor, it's worth a visit, but you MUST get there very early (before 7am?) or your wait will be long. The movie they show before you take the ferry over to the actual memorial may be a bit intense for 5-7 yr olds. Anyway, be sure to do your research before heading out for PH as there is limited restroom availability there and rules re: carrying bags...you'll want to be prepared.

I agree with renting a car for a couple of days. Even if you don't make it to PCC, you should drive around the island for sure. If you make it to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling, would you look for my wedding band in the sand? I lost it there in '07...

Anyway, hope you have a wonderful trip with your family. I was born and raised there--transplanted to MI--and I really miss it. Enjoy the sun, trade winds, the smell of the flowers, and the beautiful scenery!

 

[carebee21]

I have a son in the same age range as your son and we go to Oahu frequently so here are some suggestions for you, based on our experience....

If this is a once in a lifetime trip, I'd do Pearl Harbor. However, if you're going to come back, I'd skip Pearl Harbor. Although historical, it's boring and hard to understand for kids of that age group. They don't understand what's going on....

And as far as diamond head goes, the hike is fairly mild, however, if your kids don't like to walk, or do the whole, my feet hurt, thing, this would not be the activity for you.

I would recommend the Polynesian culture center and the luau there. It's very fun and educational and most kids really seem to enjoy it. That will take up all of your day. I would also recommend driving aroud the island. If you want, stop at the Dole plantation during your island drive, but I would not make a special trip just to see that. My son also loves going on the Catamarran boats. You can catch them in front of Outrigger and they're usually about $15/person for a 2 hour ride. Depending on the time of the year you go, you can see dolphins out there.

I would also walk through the international market place and let our kids pick out their souveniers. They have lots of fun little knick-knacks.

We tried snorkeling with my son last year when he was 6, and he couldn't get the hang of keeping the snorkle upright and breathing through it. I don't know if that's normal for that age(our tour guide said it was) but that was our experience with that.

When planning, keep in mind that you're in Hawaii. You don't need to plan a whole bunch of things to do. The kids will be perfectly content playing in the sand and swimming in the ocean. Also, there are little beach shacks in front of Hilton Hawaiian Village (HHV) that rent the big ocean bikes, kayaks, and a few other big things to take in the ocean. They're very, very reasonable, so it may be fun to rent one of those and explore. My son loves the bike one and you don't have to peddle out very far to see fish swimming in the water. And the HHV has several nice pools. Let the kids play in the pool while you relax and have a drink

Also take the time to explore the HHV. There's lots of animals: birds, fish, ducks, penguins, parrots. And a lot of shops and restaurants. Also, on Friday nights at around 7-7:30 HHV does a fireworks on the beach display and does fireworks. Have a wonderful trip! You and the kids are going to love the HHV! It's a beautiful resort.

 

[Minnesota!]

http://www.sailmakani.com/ht/index.html?gclid=CISc19zqjakCFcW5Kgodvjr4rA

http://www.sailmakani.com/ht/pdf/Daily Sails 2011.pdf

 

[jsmith]

Pearl Harbor, USS Missouri, USS bowfin
hike Diamond head
if you have a car go over the Pali highway and stop at the Pali look out
eat local food from a local place
get malasadas from Leonards bakery
North shore-hit the shrimp trucks
beach, beach and beach
PCC is amazing and the night show is the best-but skip the luau-the food is not so great.
snorkeling
the Bishop Muesum is a very interesting look into Hawaiian history.