Christmas Events Page

Note: Look for a 2011 Christmas Events list coming the end of November.

With Thanksgiving behind us and December just a few days away it's time to think about Christmas.  I have put together a long list of Christmas events and activities here on Oahu.  Some of these activities are things my family and I have done in past years and some I have just learned about, but they are all geared towards children and families.  There are Christmas parades, musical concerts, Christmas train rides, meet and greets with Santa and so much more.

If you know of a family friendly event or activity that is not on the list, please share it in the comments or send me an email.

Happy Holidays!

Aloha Friday: Weekend Events

The Christmas season is here!  Our family's weekend events are going to include getting a tree and decorating for Christmas.  We might also brave the crowds at the craft fair at the Blaisdell.  To get the scoop on the craft fair and other events happening on Oahu this weekend, check out the Weekend Events page.

I'm continuing to work on a Holiday Events page which I plan to post on or before Sunday, so check back for that.  There are parades, tree lightings, Santa sightings, Christmas concerts and more happening in the next few weeks and I'm trying to track down and compile a list of as many of them as I can.

Happy weekend to you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went around the dinner table last night taking turns listing things for which we are thankful.  Our list included big things and little things, serious things and silly things.  We could have gone on longer than we did but bath time arrived and we went on with our evening routine.

Wherever and however you are celebrating this day, I hope you get a chance to spend a few moments counting your blessings.  It always helps me feel happier when I think of things I am thankful for and I bet it will do the same for you.  And of course I hope you get to eat some yummy food too.

Tomorrow will not find me at any retail establishments.  I dislike crowded stores more than I like a good deal.  Instead I will spend some time finishing up my list of family friendly Christmas events and activities here on Oahu so check back for that, hopefully by the weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maui Tacos

Anyone else in the U.S. prefer to eat out the day before Thanksgiving, rather than cook a meal at home while you're also cooking for the big day?  A place our family likes to grab a quick meal on the Windward side is Maui Tacos.

They have a nice selection of burritos, tacos and other items to choose from.  Food can be purchased a la carte or as a meal with beans and rice.  They have a children's menu where meals have one main item, a churro and a drink.  They also have a fresh salsa bar with different flavors and heats of salsa to choose from.  

They have indoor and outdoor seating available.  You order at the counter and the casual atmosphere makes it a perfect stop on the way to or from the beach with a hungry group.  My only complaint is that the menu board is a little hard to read while you're standing in line, but maybe I just need to get my eyes checked again.  

Maui Tacos has a few locations and there is one in, of all places, the airport in Raleigh, NC.  When we lived in North Carolina for a few years we were surprised to see it there and it always reminded us of Kailua.  

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  539 Kailua Road, Kailua, Hawaii, 96734

Hours:  9am to 9pm every day

Directions:  While the address for Maui Tacos is on Kailua Road, the store itself faces Hahani Street.  Coming into Kailua from the Pali Hwy. (which turns into Kailua Road) turn right at the intersection of Kailua Road and Oneawa Street. You'll still be on Kailua Road because it makes a right here too.  A bit confusing, I know.  Go past Whole Foods (currently under construction) and Macy's and when you see Starbucks on the corner turn right on Hahani Street.  Maui Tacos is in the same complex as Starbucks, just a few doors down.

Bathrooms:  The nearest bathroom is in Starbucks.

For more info: Maui Tacos webpage

Scenic Sunday: Rainbow over Waikiki

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

Diamond Head and Waikiki

(Taken with my little point-and-shoot camera.  It's really this pretty.)

To see more photos from around the world, visit Delicious Baby's Photo Friday.

Aloha Friday - Weekend Events

Another week has come and gone and the weekend is almost here.  I've posted information about some of the family friendly events and activities happening on Oahu this weekend.  To see the list click on the Weekend Events tab located at the bottom of my blog's heading.  Have a great weekend!

Lagoon One at Ko Olina

I enjoy the overcast and sometimes drizzly days we get on the Windward side this time of year but they're not always a hit with off-island visitors, especially when one falls on the last day of their vacation.  Solution?  Chase the sun to the Ko Olina Lagoons for a picture perfect beach day.

We went to the first lagoon and had a picnic lunch on the grass by the parking lot.  It was really windy and my son got his exercise chasing the food wrappers that kept escaping from us.  Then we headed down to the beach where there was hardly any wind at all.  Excellent!

It's perfect for children but believe it or not, this was the first time I'd taken my kids to the beach at Ko Olina.  I had my reasons for not going there - the long (on the island scale of distance) drive out there, the limited parking, the fact that my kids don't mind the waves on the beaches closer to us, etc.  But like I said, it really is the perfect beach for kids and now that I've been reminded of that we'll go again.  

Why is it perfect for families?  Calm and shallow water with a sandy bottom near shore, nice sandy beach, grass and shade behind the beach, restrooms and outdoor showers.  What's not to like?

There are four lagoons at Ko Olina and they are all man-made.  There is a paved sidewalk that runs behind all the lagoons.  As I said, we went to Lagoon 1 which is where the Marriott's Ihilani Resort & Spa is located.  It's also the lagoon where Disney is building their Aulani Resort and Spa.  A great beach and a beautiful spot.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Directions: To get to Ko Olina, go west on the H-1 freeway.  You will pass Pearl Harbor, the junction with the H-2, the water park and Kapolei.  Take the Ko Olina exit and go left at the top of the off ramp.  This is a gated community but the beaches are open to the public.  At the guard house, let them know you are heading to the lagoons.  The turns for the lagoons will be on your right and marked with signs.  

Parking:  For the first lagoon there are two parking lots.  If I remember correctly they are labeled Lagoon 1A and 1B.  On the weekends the free parking for the lagoons tends to fill up so it's probably best to go early on those days.

Ammenities:  Restrooms and outdoor showers are available.

More info:  Read more about Lagoon 3 at Ko Olina here and Lagoon 4 at Ko Olina here.

Scenic Sunday: Monkey Pod Tree

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

Looking up at one of the trees at Nu'uanu Valley Park

Operation Christmas Child 2010

Update:  If you're looking for Christmas Events on Oahu, check out my Christmas Events page for upcoming happenings.  Operation Christmas Child has ended for 2010 but there are lots of other great activities still taking place.

It's time for Operation Christmas Child!  Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a program that sends shoe boxes filled with toys, toiletries and school supplies to children in developing countries to spread hope, joy and the message of God's love.  It's a hands-on project anyone can get involved in.  Each box is packed and filled by an individual or small group.

I participated in this project with my children last year and they really enjoyed it.  It can be hard to find service opportunities suitable for young children but this one worked great.  It helped them realize that not everyone is as fortunate as they are and it increased their desire to help others.  Click to read last year's post about packing shoe boxes with my kids.

Do it yourself (anywhere in the US and even in some other countries too including Canada and Australia)

If you want to participate in OCC this year, now is the time.  

• National Collection Week is November 15-22, so you have this week and next to pack your box and turn it in.  

• For more information about the program visit the Operation Christmas Child homepage.  

• For a list of drop-off locations near you, visit this drop-off-locations link and enter your zip code.

Bogart's Cafe

Our visitors have headed home but I have a few more stories to share of the fun times we had while they were here.  Bogart's Cafe had been recommended to them and one Sunday morning we all headed to the Diamond Head area to check it out.

Turns out it's a small place located in a strip mall.  It has a couple tables outside and a few inside and a steady stream of customers lined up to place their orders.

What Bogart's lacks in curb appeal and ambiance it makes up for in the food.  Pancakes, omelettes, breakfast sandwiches...very good and very filling.  The banana pancakes my son ordered had bananas baked in them and the bagel sandwich I got looked small at first but kept me full for hours.  

A great breakfast and a perfect location to grab a bite on the way to the zoo or one of the beaches in Waikiki.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  3045 Monsarrat Ave. #3, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

Hours:  6am to 6pm on weekends, 6am to 6:30pm on weekdays

Parking:  There is a parking lot there, though it seems to fill up.  Nearby street parking is probably your next choice, although we were lucky enough to get a spot in the lot so I'm not sure.

Bathrooms:  If you're going with children, this is a big thing to note.  You have to drive to get to a bathroom!  They said the nearest public restroom is at Kapiolani Park, which is a few blocks away.  My husband took our son to a nearby Zippy's instead, but still they had to drive to get there.

My tips:  

• Go earlier than later.  We went around 9am and got tables and didn't have to wait too long.  By the time we left, closer to 10am, the line went out the door and they announced that the wait for food once you ordered was 30 min.  Tables were also getting hard to come by.

• Didn't see any high chairs there.

• Use the a la carte menu to order for kids.

Scenic Sunday: Pali Lookout View of Kaneohe

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

Kaneohe, Hawaii as seen from the Pali Lookout

For more pictures from around the world, visit Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Aloha Friday: Weekend Events

I haven't found many family friendly events to share for this weekend.  Either I'm looking in the wrong spots or it's just a quiet weekend - a short break between fall/Halloween festivities and the busy-ness of the Christmas season which will soon be here.  

But if you want to take your 8-12 year old to a LEGO event at Borders or watch a hula show with your family, then check out my Weekend Events page for more information on those activities.

Happy weekend!

Pineapple Express Train at Dole Plantation

The Pineapple Express is a cute train at Dole Plantation that takes you on a 20-minute tour complete with narration and music.  Big kids and adults can learn about the history of pineapple in Hawaii and everyone can enjoy the train ride and the sights along the way which include pineapple fields, harvesting equipment and a variety of tropical plants.

My daughter and I went to Dole Plantation last week with our off-island visitors and took a ride on the Pineapple Express.  I think it was the first time she'd been on the train there and she was excited.  Most of the time she wanted to sit on the bench next to her friends but she sat in my lap part of the time too and definitely seemed to enjoy the ride.  

She and I didn't get a chance to get any Dole Whip because after the train ride it was time to go pick up my son at school.  So much for pretending we were on vacation like our friends, but it was a fun morning adventure.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  Dole Plantation is located at 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, 96786

Directions:  Take the H-2 north.  From here there are a couple ways you can go.  I think the most straight forward is to take the Wahiawa Exit and drive north through town.  A few miles past Wahiawa you'll see the Dole Plantation on your right.

Hours:  9:30am to 5:00pm

Cost:  $8 for adults, $6 for children 4-12 yrs, $7.25 for Kama'aina & Military, free for childen 3 yrs and younger

Tips:  Check Dole's website for printable coupons for the train ride (and other Dole attractions).  They also have them in their brochures and various visitor magazines.  Most coupons say "off of a regular priced admission" so I don't think the coupons and kama'aina rates can be combined.

Hula Pie at Duke's in Waikiki

Having visitors from the Mainland (or anywhere for that matter) can really disrupt life.  Nap times and bedtimes are thrown off, normal routines are all messed up; if they're staying in Waikiki coordinating schedules can be challenging and we spend a lot more time on the road than usual, if they're staying with us our house is more crowded, hot water is in shorter supply...you get the idea.  But the flip side is that having visitors is a great reminder that I live in paradise and it motivates me to get out and enjoy this travel destination I call home.  I run fewer errands and I get to the beach more.  I do less laundry and I eat more shave ice.

Heading to Duke's with the family on a school night just for dessert?  Not going to happen...unless we have visitors staying in Waikiki who we want to get together with.  And that is how we found ourselves in this lovely spot last week...

...eating this delicious dessert.

I posted before about brunch at Duke's.  I could have mentioned hula pie in that post but 1) I only blog about things as I do them and I didn't have Hula pie with my brunch and 2) Hula Pie deserves its own blog post.  Yep, it's that impressive. 

First of all, it's big.  For our table of 5 adults and 4 children the waitress recommended just 3 slices of pie and that was plenty.  The ingredients are simple enough: chocolate cookie piecrust, macadamia nut ice cream, chocolate fudge topping, macadamia nuts and whipped cream.  But the taste is delicious and the setting, especialy if you get to sit down by the beach under the tiki torches, adds to the experience.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  Duke's is located in the Outrigger Waikiki hotel at 2335 Kalakaua Avenue

Parking:  Duke's validates parking at Ohana East.  To get there, go down Kalakaua Avenue.  After you pass the International Marketplace on your left and the Outrigger Waikiki on your right, take a left on Kaiulani Ave., another left on Kuhio Ave. and a left into the first parking garage you come to.

My tips:  If you are just there for dessert let the host or hostess at the front know.  If wait times are long they may offer you the option of eating at the bar or checking for seats on the beach level (my personal favorite anyway).  If you can't find a place to sit in a reasonable amount of time you can get it to go.  We did that once and enjoyed our dessert on the beach in front of Duke's.

For more info: Official webpage for Duke's

Note:  To our past, current and future visitors - getting to hang out with you and live like tourists for awhile is worth any chaos you add to our lives.  Just so you know.