I truly loved this trail. If you are up for a challenge, it is worth every step. It was a great trail for our active and experienced 9 and 14 year old boys, but I would not recommend taking young kids or kids without hiking and creeking experience on this hike. Just know what you are getting into, give yourself plenty of time, and be prepared.

I have mixed feelings about visiting memorials of tragic events with kids.  On one hand, these memorials can do a great job of showing how tragic and meaningful these historical events were and I want my kids to know about and understand the gravity of these events.  On the other hand, it can be challenging when they don’t really “get it” or they act like kids and run around being loud and goofing off when it really isn’t appropriate.  That is what happened to us at the 911 memorial.  Gus was only 5 at the time, and, of course, didn’t really perceive the gravity of the situation.  I, meanwhile, am sobbing after listening to the recordings of the first responders and our two mental states just didn’t go well together.  I have learned a few lessons. 

So, what makes Lanikai so awesome? 1. Extremely fine, soft, buttery sand. 2. A shockingly healthy and extensive protective reef. This was definitely the healthiest reef and best snorkelling we did in Hawaii. Other areas may be better in the summer, but this was our favorite winter snorkelling. 3. The Mokes. These two conical islands about 1 mile offshore add to the picturesque setting. 4. Calm waters. We went on a relatively windy day with choppy 3-5 foot waves on the east shore, but the water at the beach was calm and flat due to the large protective reef. 5. The size. This beach stretches on for half a mile. Even though there were a good number of people there, it didn’t feel crowded because everyone could spread out.

If you have ample resources and can only visit one island: Maui.

If you want to see Hawaii but you are on a budget: Oahu.

If you are into hiking or less developed destinations: Kauai.

If you want to see volcanoes: The Big Island.

Ideally, when planning a trip to Hawaii, I would recommend picking two islands and taking a weekday Southwest flight between the islands if possible. The inter island flights are super easy and cheap and you get the bonus aerial view of the islands. When we come back, I will likely plan 9 days in Maui and 3 days in Kauai to hike the Na’Pali coast. My advice would be to pick one island for a longer stay (7-10 days) and then a second island for a shorter stay (3-4 days) just to hit the high points.

Tips for Maui:

1. Don’t plan on spending only 12 hours there. It’s a beautiful island with so much to see!  Give yourself 10 days.  

2. Allow for plenty of driving time. I really stressed Joey out by packing too much into the day and not accounting for traffic.

3. Visit Lahaina for great food and the largest Banyan tree in the US.

4. Visit Maui between the months of January and March for prime whale watching and perfect weather.  (You can see whales November-May, but January-March is prime viewing.)

5. If you do a whale watching tour with Trilogy and you don’t want to have to climb a moving, slippery ladder in the ocean to board the boat, do the tour out of Lahaina.

6. If you are in a hurry, don’t order a deep fried dessert.

What we liked: Swimming in Yokohama Bay!; Albatrosses; Views of the coast line and mountains

What we didn’t like: The point itself was a little anticlimatic as a destination. The trail was hot and exposed, even at 5:00 PM. Getting locked in the park at 7:00 PM!

I highly recommend visiting Yokohama Bay. It is our favorite beach on Oahu. Combining it with the hike to Ka’ena point before or after is a perfect half day activity.

You can only be at the summit from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

You will be traveling from sea level (if you come from the coast) to 13,803 feet in around an hour. This change in altitude affects everyone differently.  If you have a history of altitude sickness or health problems affecting your heart or lungs, you should sit this one out.  I recommend stopping briefly at the visitor center half way up to let your body adjust to the altitude before heading on.  If you don’t feel well at any point, turn around.

You will need 4 wheel drive due to the very steep and sustained grade of this road. You do not need a car with high clearance.  The road was well maintained and even paved throughout a large portion at the top.

Hawaiians should get more credit for their food. They have a reputation for eating Spam, a canned meat product, and it is true that Spam is eaten with much greater frequency here than in other US states, but I feel like their appreciation of Spam really overshadows their unique and complicated cuisine. Just like the Hawaiian people are a melting pot of Asian, Pacific Island, and American cultures, Hawaiian cuisine incorporates and takes the best from all of these culinary traditions. Mix that up with tons of fresh fish and fresh fruit and you have a cuisine to match the scenery. Hawaiians have also embraced the food truck, the roadside stand, and the divey fast casual joint, so some of the best Hawaiian dishes are found in unassuming digs and won’t break the bank. Here is a sampling of some of the uniquely Hawaiian foods we have tried so far.

The Ho’omaluhia botanical gardens are nestled just south of the Ko’olau mountains on the windward side of Oahu in Kane’ohe. Entrance to the gardens is free and they are open from 9-4 each day. The gardens comprise 6 different areas and a lake that are connected by a dead end road. Each area has a different theme and it’s own parking lot with restrooms and a walking path through the gardens. A few of the gardens are also connected via mowed, grass paths, so that you can piece together your own loop trail. Additionally, there are a couple short trails that meander through the property and are separate from the gardens.

What: Nicely paved walking trail that winds along the rocky shoreline of the southeastern tip of Oahu and ends at a lookout above the Makapu’u lighthouse, a historic lighthouse built in 1909 and still functional today. While the lighthouse may be the main attraction for some, and it is quaint and historic, the real stars of this hike are the AMAZING views throughout the entire hike.

Where: The southeastern tip of Oahu, just past Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach, at the most eastern turn of highway 72.