stays, overnight camps, and more. It’s a
little off the tourist path, but oh, so worth
the stop!
Beaches and Snorkeling
We have so many favorite beaches!
Poka’i Bay in Waianae is one of our top
choices because it’s a perfect place for
sunbathing, swimming, and stand-up
paddleboarding. We also frequent the lagoons at Ko Olina. Interspersed among
the resorts, these man-made nooks in
the coast are picturesque! The location is
ideal for letting our kids explore in the
calm water. Snorkeling is a popular activity here, but for an even better adventure, and a chance at swimming with sea
turtles and dolphins, we choose snorkeling boat tours! This is a “don’t miss”
activity!
Hiking
We love to hike! Aside from the most
popular choices, such as Diamond Head
Summit Trail, Lanikai Pillboxes, and
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, there are
some less crowded choices on our list of
kid-friendly favorites. The Kea’iwa He-
iau State Recreation Area has Hawaiian
temple ruins (called heiau) and the Aiea
Loop Trail, which is fairly simple and
has great views. There is even wreckage
from a B- 24 plane crash along the way.
In nearby Pearl City, we like the Waima-
no Tunnels Trail. Our girls love going
through the nearly 100-year-old irriga-
tion tunnels next to the path. We always
bring flashlights to navigate the tunnels
(they’re short, but dark) and try not to
hit our heads! For a shorter trip, we enjoy
walking through the bamboo forest to
the Kaniakapupu Ruins, a.k.a. King Ka-
mehameha III’s summer home. Parking
is along the road, and the entrance is un-
marked, but it is worth the effort! What a
remarkable, special place!
There are also many more fun, family-
friendly places in Hawaii, both in Waiki-
ki and beyond! Among them are the
Polynesian Cultural Center, Sea Life
Park, the North Shore, Kualoa Ranch,
Dole Plantation, the Pacific Aviation
Museum, and numerous beaches and
hiking trails. There’s plenty to enjoy and
something for everyone!
Laura Oliveria, her husband Calvin, and
their two kids (ages 5 and 8) live on Oahu,
Hawaii. Laura has been an active participant in her homeschool community,
hosting and joining events and field trips
across the island and spearheading the
creation of a homeschool support group.
More recently, with a focus on bringing
together information and resources for local homeschool families, Laura created the
Oahu Homeschool Mom website and blog.
“We just saw a sea turtle!”
For an even better adventure, and a chance at swimming with sea turtles
and dolphins, we choose snorkeling boat tours!
