Pearl Harbour for an 8 & 10yr old?

[flinkerfrosch]

One of our things to do while staying at Aulani was to visit Pearl Harbour. Is this a place a 8 & 10 yr old would be interested in? Are they too young? I would love to go, but I'm not sure what to expect for my boys?

Any advice from people with kids around my boys ages that have been would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[pam95]

We haven't been yet, but we are going in June with 8 and 11 year old boys. My 11 year old likes history and is excited to go. Honestly, I think my 8 year old will be bored, but maybe he will surprise me. I booked the Arizona Memorial, and we're going to play everything else there by ear. Hopefully, people who have already been will have some advice based on their experiences.

 

[happymommy]

I think it's great for that age. Maybe do some reading ahead of time, go early, and they may really enjoy the submarine tour (we did it with the self guided audio - my kids enjoyed it a lot, and it killed the time from when we got our memorial tickets until our boarding time). I think they were around that age (we waited a few trips until they were older to do it). Then after we had lunch in Pearl City at our old favorite sushi place on our way back to Ko Olina.

It is a moving experience.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

We haven't been yet, but we are going in June with 8 and 11 year old boys. My 11 year old likes history and is excited to go. Honestly, I think my 8 year old will be bored, but maybe he will surprise me. I booked the Arizona Memorial, and we're going to play everything else there by ear. Hopefully, people who have already been will have some advice based on their experiences.

If you wouldn't mind, and you remember, maybe you could chime back in after your vacation and let me know how it went??
My kids aren't into history either and are more swim, play, beach, etc kinda kids, but I could be surprised??
I need to do some more research, but I think their is a submarine we could tour which I do think they would love to see.
The Arizona Memorial I'm really not sure about?? Maybe too boring for them?
Yes, I do hope others chime in with kids around the ages of ours, and get some hands on experience!

Thanks so much for your input!!

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I think it's great for that age. Maybe do some reading ahead of time, go early, and they may really enjoy the submarine tour (we did it with the self guided audio - my kids enjoyed it a lot, and it killed the time from when we got our memorial tickets until our boarding time). I think they were around that age (we waited a few trips until they were older to do it). Then after we had lunch in Pearl City at our old favorite sushi place on our way back to Ko Olina.

It is a moving experience.

Thank you!!!

Do you buy tickets for the Submarine there? Is it expensive?

Did they enjoy the Memorial? Is their much to see?

Anything else they can do there?

Sorry for the questions lol

Thanks so much!!

 

[pam95]

If you wouldn't mind, and you remember, maybe you could chime back in after your vacation and let me know how it went??
My kids aren't into history either and are more swim, play, beach, etc kinda kids, but I could be surprised??
I need to do some more research, but I think their is a submarine we could tour which I do think they would love to see.
The Arizona Memorial I'm really not sure about?? Maybe too boring for them?
Yes, I do hope others chime in with kids around the ages of ours, and get some hands on experience!

Thanks so much for your input!!

Sure! We're not going until the last week of June, but I can definitely report back.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Sure! We're not going until the last week of June, but I can definitely report back.

That would be great! Thank you.

I just did some quick reading and I do really think my boys would love the tour of the Submarine and the Battleship. I know they're into that stuff. The prices are really good too.

Let me know how it goes for you and your family. Have a wonderful trip

 

[Midoria]

I think it's great for that age. Maybe do some reading ahead of time, go early, and they may really enjoy the submarine tour (we did it with the self guided audio - my kids enjoyed it a lot, and it killed the time from when we got our memorial tickets until our boarding time).

Just seconding the self-guided audio!! They have a different script for children. It's very animated and lively.

 

[happymommy]

Thank you!!!

Do you buy tickets for the Submarine there? Is it expensive?

Did they enjoy the Memorial? Is their much to see?

Anything else they can do there?

Sorry for the questions lol

Thanks so much!!

You buy tickets for the submarine tour there, and I don't think it was expensive (I'm pretty sure the Entertainment Book has a BOGO free coupon). My kids loved it.

They enjoyed the memorial, and it's not too long. The movie they show ahead of time is excellent.

There is a museum that we wandered around. I think we also may have bought a snack or something, but we usually have a small cooler in the car with snacks (be sure, though, to NOT leave anything visible in your car, and put things in the trunk before you go. There are thieves watching for tourists to put things in their trunk after parking).

 

[flinkerfrosch]

You buy tickets for the submarine tour there, and I don't think it was expensive (I'm pretty sure the Entertainment Book has a BOGO free coupon). My kids loved it.

They enjoyed the memorial, and it's not too long. The movie they show ahead of time is excellent.

There is a museum that we wandered around. I think we also may have bought a snack or something, but we usually have a small cooler in the car with snacks (be sure, though, to NOT leave anything visible in your car, and put things in the trunk before you go. There are thieves watching for tourists to put things in their trunk after parking).

Thank you!

Entertainment book? Is this something I would book up in Hawaii?

I know my boys would love the Submarine tour for sure! I think we will do the Memorial, Sub tour and the Battleship.

Thanks for the tips about the car and thieves. I remember reading on here about being very careful. I will make sure to have what's valuable on our person! And I will bring snacks and drinks too!!

Thanks for your help

 

[flinkerfrosch]

You buy tickets for the submarine tour there, and I don't think it was expensive (I'm pretty sure the Entertainment Book has a BOGO free coupon). My kids loved it.

They enjoyed the memorial, and it's not too long. The movie they show ahead of time is excellent.

There is a museum that we wandered around. I think we also may have bought a snack or something, but we usually have a small cooler in the car with snacks (be sure, though, to NOT leave anything visible in your car, and put things in the trunk before you go. There are thieves watching for tourists to put things in their trunk after parking).

One more thing...I remember reading that we should do Pearl harbour on a Sat or Sun? Is this because of traffic? Would a weekday be a bad idea? I have 2 Saturday's and 2 Sundays while at Aulani, so going on a weekend wouldn't be an issue at all.
Also, is Leonards Malasadas Bakery close to Pearl Harbour?

 

[happymommy]

I would choose a weekend if I could, and yes, to avoid traffic.

Malasadas - he has a truck at the outlet mall (on the way back to Ko Olina). We've never bought them (even after living there) - not that into fried dough but many love it! I actually have read some love the ones at Aulani better!

I'd do the swap meet instead on the way back; it's just minutes away (but bring water - it is hot!). Best way to get souvenirs! Cheap tees, homemade things like soaps and jams. I never have bought baked goods (in the heat, no way). Good towels, pareos, literally anything and it's super fun. You can cool off with a shave ice or something there too. Tees are typically like $3 each.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I would choose a weekend if I could, and yes, to avoid traffic.

Malasadas - he has a truck at the outlet mall (on the way back to Ko Olina). We've never bought them (even after living there) - not that into fried dough but many love it! I actually have read some love the ones at Aulani better!

I'd do the swap meet instead on the way back; it's just minutes away (but bring water - it is hot!). Best way to get souvenirs! Cheap tees, homemade things like soaps and jams. I never have bought baked goods (in the heat, no way). Good towels, pareos, literally anything and it's super fun. You can cool off with a shave ice or something there too. Tees are typically like $3 each.

I have read about the swap meet, but didn't have much info, so thank you!! We will definitely check it out! I always get a towel from every place I've been lol and some t-shirts are always nice too.
We will go on a weekend We have so many things planned, so I'm trying to figure out what should be weekend outings and what can work during the week.
Do you happen to know the times we should avoid in the am & pm for traffic? You're a wealth of info, so I hope you don't mind me asking.
A lot of places we're going involve driving everywhere (we will have a rental) ie: North Shore, Waikiki Beach, Dole Plantation, Hanauma Bay, etc etc...
We will try the Aulani Malasadas, and go from there! That's great Aulani has them. We all will love to try one.

Thanks again for all your info! I've learned a lot already

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

Sure! We're not going until the last week of June, but I can definitely report back.

I took my son last February and he was only 10. We spent day plus there. The sub, Missouri, The Arizona and that last day the aircraft museum across the the bridge. He was interested in it because he read the scholastic series I survived..... There is one I survived Pearl Harbor

 

[jodybird511]

I was just going to say the same thing--we read the I Survived Pearl Harbor in anticipation of the visit, to give some background. My son was just 7 at the time of the visit, and he really enjoyed it. We also prepped with some talk about the importance of being appropriately reverent, as it is a memorial site. My son enjoyed seeing some of the aircraft around the area and also liked the submarine tour.

 

[Felicis]

We visited from New Zealand with a school group, ranging in age from my daughter who was 2 at the time, to 13 year olds. Even without the patriotic connection there, as we are from another country, it was an incredibly moving experience. I imagine with the county connection it would be very easy to give context for the children. Our children certainly felt moved by it, I can't imagine anyone not.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I am going this summer, but I remember going to Pearl Harbor when I was within your boys age range. I was someone growing up who was fascinated with history in school, and that is the one place I told my parents I wanted to go to. So, for me, it was a very neat experience, and I can't wait to go back after all of these years in a couple months as an adult. I'ms sure it will be a completely different experience as an adult. I think it is a must-do, and it will be a great experience for your boys. If they don't know much about Pearl Harbor, I would try somehow to find a way to give some sort of insight that way they know what happened there in advance (book, documentary, etc.).

 

[happymommy]

I have read about the swap meet, but didn't have much info, so thank you!! We will definitely check it out! I always get a towel from every place I've been lol and some t-shirts are always nice too.
We will go on a weekend We have so many things planned, so I'm trying to figure out what should be weekend outings and what can work during the week.
Do you happen to know the times we should avoid in the am & pm for traffic? You're a wealth of info, so I hope you don't mind me asking.
A lot of places we're going involve driving everywhere (we will have a rental) ie: North Shore, Waikiki Beach, Dole Plantation, Hanauma Bay, etc etc...
We will try the Aulani Malasadas, and go from there! That's great Aulani has them. We all will love to try one.

Honestly I've never done Hanauma Bay since moving away; it is a long drive from Ko Olina area, but if you do go, check days that it's open (I think currently it is closed one day a week). I'd go super early to avoid traffic (same goes for Diamond Head, which I've never done!). Like 6am or 7am (but 7am you'll hit traffic). I think there is limited parking as well, so getting there early means you'll get in. You could combine Hanauma Bay with a drive around the east tip and up to Kailua then back down through the H3.

Another day you could go to Dole (overpriced souvenirs, I don't shop there) for the train ride or maze, then up to North Shore.

Traffic is heavy heading into Honolulu in the morning and back starting in the late afternoon.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Honestly I've never done Hanauma Bay since moving away; it is a long drive from Ko Olina area, but if you do go, check days that it's open (I think currently it is closed one day a week). I'd go super early to avoid traffic (same goes for Diamond Head, which I've never done!). Like 6am or 7am (but 7am you'll hit traffic). I think there is limited parking as well, so getting there early means you'll get in. You could combine Hanauma Bay with a drive around the east tip and up to Kailua then back down through the H3.

Another day you could go to Dole (overpriced souvenirs, I don't shop there) for the train ride or maze, then up to North Shore.

Traffic is heavy heading into Honolulu in the morning and back starting in the late afternoon.

Thank you again! Great advice and help

PS...Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesday's which is great to know!