O/T Hawaii with a Family?

[seashellmom]

I can't speak for what to do, but what ever you do DON"T TRY THE MANUA LOA Chocolate Covered M academia Nuts! Those things are highly addictive and you will need to bring back several bags with you. Trust me on this one!

Anyways have a great time. Try to snorkel, enjoy the pearl harbor memorial, and the culture center!

Oh and bring me back a case or two of the above mentioned food!

I second that, especially the Caramacs that have caramel in them. I have one box left and know once I open them, they will be gone in a flash!

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is awesome and Pearl Harbor is a must!

 

[traviesojmt]

We spent Christmas on Oahu with our DS14 and DD7. Someone mentioned the Tropical Nut Farm. We LOVED the tour there. You will think I am crazy when you first see the very old dilapidated bus that you will board, but our guide was very funny. We would stop and get off periodically while our guide would let us try various fruits that grow there. It is a very entertaining tour. A plus is the free macadamia nut samples and coffee samples in the store.

We enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center. The show at night was very good. I am torn on the whether to recommend the guides. We did pay extra for the guide. While they were full of good info, I felt that it actually slowed us down. We wouldn't use the guides again if we went back.

My children both loved going to the beach and trying paddle boarding.

Also, Makapu'u Lighthouse is a relatively easy hike and leads to a beautiful view. The path is paved and strollers are allowed. It is about 2 miles and only uphill 1/2 way. LOL It does often depend on time of year, but we were able to see quite a few whales during that hike.


Wanted to add my personal addiction: I brought back untold number of Macadamia nut hershey kisses. OH MY GOODNESS, Hershey's kisses with macadamia nuts in the them. We got back in January and I still have a drawer full.

 

[somcgregor]

Wanted to add my personal addiction: I brought back untold number of Macadamia nut hershey kisses. OH MY GOODNESS, Hershey's kisses with macadamia nuts in the them. We got back in January and I still have a drawer full.

Perhaps we should start a support group for those who love the macadamia nuts from Hawaii (whether in Hershey Kiss form or chocolate covered)

 

[jstbcuz]

We've been twice!! These were the highlights from our trip........tho we didnt have kids with us.

Paradise Cove Luau
Pearl Harbor
Dole Pineapple Plantation
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Punchbowl Cemetery

I highly reccommend some sort of tour around the island. You will see more of the beauty of the island than you will in Honolulu. The first time we went we rented a car and drove around the island to the North Shore, etc. Lots of beaches and pulloffs to stop at. The second time we went we hired a limo service to take us on a tour........they knew all the places to stop at and things to tell about. They have a beach at the North Shore that just has a lot of turtles laying around on it. We spent probably 30 minutes walking on the beach watching them.

Good luck in your planning!

 

[traviesojmt]

Perhaps we should start a support group for those who love the macadamia nuts from Hawaii (whether in Hershey Kiss form or chocolate covered)

The only problem is that you have to admit you have a problem before you can begin to solve the problem. I do not want to be cured from my addiction. They are WAY to good to give up. I might need the support group though when my stash is finally gone. That will be a very sad day.

 

[Wis2InTink]

My daughter lives 2 blocks from the Hilton HV and I've visited 3 times this past year. They have fireworks on the beach every Fri. night. We took the tour at Disney's Aulani resort last Sept. All beaches in Hawaii are public but finding parking can be a challenge. Sometimes you can eat something at a hotel and they will validate your parking ticket.
A favorite tour is to drive up the middle, stop at Dole P.P. for some Dole Whips and head to Haleiwa on the north shore. There is a family friendly park; beach on the left of the harbor with a nice parking lot, and life guards. We liked to sit and watch the many (20+) sea turtles pop up their heads, watch the surfers and listen to the ocean. Sigh.
If you go to the Polynesian C. Center, continue north to the Turtle Bay resort. Beautiful hotel and beach. We'd have lunch at the beach restaurant (validate).
My husband bought 3 cases of choc. c. mac. nuts (Sam's Club) and we had to purchase a duffel bag($20) at the International Market Place(cheap souvenirs - esp. T-shirts!)

 

[ekatiel]

I bought the Hawaii entertainment book last night while they were on sale for $12 . It's got coupons for the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Paradise Cove Luau and the Dole Plantation. Hopefully, there will be some retaurant coupons in it that we can use, too. I'm leaning towards skipping the luau at the cultural center (just doing the tour and the night show), and then doing the Paradise Cove Luau. I'm SO excited . We haven't told the kids yet-- we'll wait until DH's conference plans are all ironed out and we've bought our plane tickets. They are going to be SO excited! --Katie