Seeking Honolulu blogs

[neeter]

Are there any Honolulu blogs for parents you can recommend? We're going in a few weeks; have been there many times so I'd like to find some hidden gems for kids or family events that might be taking place.

Of course, if not, that's okay because there is always the beach and what not!

Thanks!!

[CAM7]

Love HI! My best friend has lived there for over 15 years now... beautiful place.

Are you just looking for places to see outside of the usual Waikiki stuff? Will you have a car?

Here is a good website for hiking trails. It will give each trail a rating of difficulty...

http://www.backyardoahu.com/

Don't forget to see Hanauma Bay... http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/hanauma_bay.html Even I felt safe swimming there...lol... calm water and lots of fish to see.

And Lanikai is a bit more laid back.... nice shallow waters for younger kids. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches/lanikai_beaches.htm

Also check out Waimanalo Beach Park. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches/waimanalo_beach_park.htm

I'm sure I'll think of more places!

[CAM7]

Also http://polynesianculturalcenter.com/

You can also go to the north shore and watch the big waves!! http://www.northshore.com/

[neeter]

Thanks for these suggestions! Yes, looking for stuff outside of Waikiki. We've been to alot of the usual places, including the zoo and aquarium, Pali lookout. Want to "branch out" to other places...we're planning to go to the Dole Plantation.

Hanuma Bay --- do you think you can see the fish with the naked eye -- I'm not sure my kids are old enough for the snorkel mask yet.

Thanks!!

[CAM7]

You could probably wade out to a few of the rocks at Hanauma Bay and see the fish... you may have to carry a toddler though...

Hey... last time we went we split our trip up to 5 nights on Waikiki and then stayed a few nights on the north shore at Turtle Bay Resort. They have a nice kids pool and their small private beach has calm water. We found a good rate on travelocity... you may want to search on your travel dates to see if they have any specials going!

http://www.turtlebayresort.com/

[new_mommy25]

I could cry. I just typed a really long reply to you and then lost it. :32:

Here is a great food blog if you want to sample the local cuisine. http://onokinegrindz.typepad.com/

You can see the fish at Hanuma Bay without a mask. They are everywhere.

Another great place for kids is the tide pools at Baby Makapuu. You can pick up a fisherman net at Walmart or Longs for about $2. That and a bucket will bring lots of fun for the kids. You can catch fish, sea cucumbers, hermit crabs etc. It's right down the road from Sea Life Park. http://www.lotsafunmaps.com/details.php?locationid=27
FYI, Sea Life Park has a new baby sea lion that is adorable. :love5:

Fun, family friendly things to do:

Go to the top of Saint Louis Heights drive. The true name is Waahila Ridge. There are so many fun places to explore and even wild chickens to chase. My kids think it is a fairy land. There are picnic tables if you want to pack a lunch. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/hiking/waahila_ridge.html

Foster Botanical Garden is amazing, and Queen Liluokalani Garden is tiny but beautiful and has a small waterfall. We like to grab manapua and pork hash at Char Hung Sut in Chinatown and then go to the gardens. http://onokinegrindz.typepad.com/ono_kine_grindz/2005/02/char_hung_sut.html
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/hiking/botanical_garden_trails.html

I also recommend the Koko Head Botanical Garden as a kid friendly hike (you can see it in the previous link). It's about a one mile hike that loops through an xeriscape garden nestled in an extinct volcanic crater.

The Makapuu Lighthouse hike is also pretty kid friendly. It's paved so you can bring a stroller. Go early in the morning because it gets HOT! You can do the hike and then cool off at Baby Makapuu right down the road.

The Honolulu Academy of Arts is amazing. They have the largest selection of Islamic Art in the US, among many other treasures. And the architecture of the building is breathtaking. My kids love it there. If you are visting at the right time you might be able to hit Family Sunday, where they have live music, kids crafts, a scavenger hunt and lots of other great things to see. http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/academy/index.aspx?id=514

The Contemporary Museum is another gem, nestled in the mountains. Besides the amazing museum they also have a gorgeous garden to explore and a yummy cafe. http://www.tcmhi.org/

If you come at the right time you can hit First Friday, which is a big block party in Chinatown. It starts at the Hawaii Art Museum and that part of it is very family friendly. http://www.firstfridayhawaii.com/
http://www.hawaiimuseums.org/mc/isoahu_hisam.htm

I always recommend a tour of Iolani Palace http://www.iolanipalace.org/ and a visit to the Bishop Museum http://www.bishopmuseum.org/

Valley of the Temples Byodo-in temple in the Koolaus is great to explore and a gorgeous backdrop to photos. http://gohawaii.about.com/od/oahusights/ss/byodo_in_temple.htm

Also out on that side of the island is Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, where they do a catch and release every weekend. http://www.alohaparent.com/Events_Calendar/Weekly_Events.html You can buy the wooden fishing poles at Walmart for under $3. Bring a loaf of cheap white bread to use as bait.

And another great garden in the Koolaus is Sentator Fong. The tour is really informative. http://www.fonggarden.net/

To find out what is going on you want to grab a copy of the Honolulu Weekly (free and everywhere) or Friday's newspaper, which contains a detailed guide to what is going on that week. If you buy the Advertiser the insert is TGIF and if you get the Star Bulletin it is HI Life. http://honoluluweekly.com/
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=ENTERTAINMENTFRONT

Here is another community calendar. http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/oahu.htm

Childrens Disovery center is fantastic fun. Go early because it closes as 1pm. http://www.discoverycenterhawaii.org/

Saturday at Kapiolani Community College is the biggest Open Farmers Market. I highly recommend it and you can buy lots of goodies to bring back home.

As you can see, museums and gardens are my family's favorite things to do. But if you want any information on anything else please let me know. I am a lifetime Oahu resident. :)

[ctc221]

You've got a lot of great suggestions! :)

I referenced the food blog mentioned above for local eateries last time we went. Yum!

One beach we thought was really great for little kids was the lagoons at Ko Olina http://www.koolina.com/... very clear water with a lot of little fish, very gentle waves, and not crowded at all. Ko Olina is on the western side of the island... we didn't explore the surrounding area much, but we thought it was well worth the drive from Waikiki and hope to stay at the Marriott there the next time we go.

Have fun!

[neeter]

omg, thank you everyone (but esp to angie) for the great great great ideas and links! i really appreciate them!!!

we went to the ko olina lagoons 2 years ago, i think -- gorgeous! we actually had photos done there...went super early and then had a great buffet at the marriot (i think!)

as for some of the other suggestions, wowie, thanks!! we'd been to some of them pre-kids, like the academy of arts, but didn't think of going now that we have kids. great to know about family sunday!! and lots and lots of totally new ideas -- i'm super excited to start really exploring. thanks sososo much!