Weekend Events: February 26 & 27, 2011

There is lots of fun to be had this weekend.  You and your family can learn about taro, hear the Royal Hawaiian Band, meet the tooth fairy and improve your origami skills.  If you did all that you'd be tired come Monday and those are just some of the activities and events to choose from on Oahu this weekend.  Head to the Weekend Events Page to get all the details.

Enjoy the last weekend in February!

Whale Watching at Halona Blowhole

If you look closely at the picture above you can see the Halona Blowhole spouting.  I took this picture from Sandy Beach after we finished our kite flying adventure.  

Now I'll show you the picture I got from the blowhole lookout when we had stopped there earlier in the day.  

See it spouting?  Me neither.  The ocean was calm and the waves only got the blowhole going occasionally.  After watching it for ages and ages I gave up on the blowhole (which of course spouted right after I walked away) and did some whale watching instead.  

The calm water made it easy to spot whale spouts and we saw spouts in a number of different directions.  Got to see a whale tail, some pectoral slaps and, best of all, multiple breaches.  I am always amazed at whales and their ability to hurl their entire body out of the water and into the air.  I wished we'd taken our binoculars, but the show was good even without them.

So if you want to see whales from land on Oahu, but don't want to hike up to Makapu'u Lighthouse, try the Halona Blowhole lookout.  I'm wondering why I never thought of this before!

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  The Halona Blowhole is on Kalanianaole Hwy. between Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach.
Directions:  There are other pullouts along this stretch of road but the blowhole is the only one with a large parking lot.  There's a sign at the entrance, so you should have no trouble finding it.
Parking:  Although a nice size, the parking lot does fill up.  Just wait a few minutes and you'll get a spot.  Since it's a lookout there's a lot of turnover in the parking lot.
Facilities:  No restrooms or other facilities here.
Other:  The humpback whale season in Hawaii goes from mid-December to April. • Don't try to hike down next to the blowhole and get your picture taken - a handful of people have been killed doing that.  Please use common sense and stay safe.

Kite Flying by Sandy Beach

Doesn't this photo look idyllic?  A boy and a kite and long afternoon shadows at the end of a beautiful day.

Well, I for one appreciate it when bloggers keep it real, so I will tell you the story behind this picture.  

We are the proud owners of two kites.  One has been in the family 10 years and hadn't been flown for at least 8 years.  The other has been in the family 7 years and had never been flown.  It's a wonder they have survived the sorting and purging I like to do on a regular basis.

Anyway, this past weekend the kites finally saw the light of day and got to fly in the great big sky.  We decided to head to the big grassy field adjacent to Sandy Beach and fly kites with the kids.  We packed the kites, the kids, some snacks, water bottles, a blanket and I can't remember what else into the car and headed off.  

The kids were asleep when we got there so we took a detour and after they'd had enough of a nap to be cheerful humans we parked at Sandy Beach and woke them up.  Then we walked over to the big grassy field and flew our kites.  Well, not quite.  

First there was some whining about having to wait for us to get the kites ready to fly and then some crying and arguing about sharing and taking turns.  Then someone needed to go to the bathroom and someone else wanted a snack (which had to be retrieved from the car).  Thankfully we have grandparents visiting and with the kids outnumbered two to one we were able to actually get the kites launched before the sun went down.  Everyone who wanted to fly a kite got a turn, the kite that collided with a tree was rescued and in the end it was a fun time for everyone and will make a good memory.  

So if by chance you've ever compared yourself to Oahu Mom and wished it was as easy to get out and about with your kids as it appears on her blog please know you're in good company.  I'm the author of this blog and I have wished the same.  But I can tell you that in the end it's (almost always) worth it, so push through the challenges and go fly a kite or see some sights with your keiki.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  There is a large grassy area just inland from Sandy Beach and that is where we flew our kites.  In my previous post you can kind of see it at the right site of the picture.  

Directions:  Sandy Beach is located on the Kalanianaole Hwy. between Makapu'u Lighthouse and the Halona Blowhole, just SW of the intersection of Kealahou Street and the highway.  It's right by the road so it's hard to miss.  Some maps label it Sandy Beach and others call it Wawamalu Beach Park.  

Parking:  There is a lot of parking all along the beach park, though I'm sure it fills up sometimes.  There might also be room to park between the grassy field and the road, but I'm not 100% sure about this.

Facilities:  There are outdoor showers and public restrooms here.  The toilets are the plain metal ones with no toilet seats, but the restrooms had TP when we were there.
Other:  This is a very popular kite flying spot with lots of wind.  Don't let the fact that we got our kite stuck in a tree deter you from this spot.  It's a huge field and if we'd walked out into it a little more instead of staying by the edge that wouldn't have happened.  Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that according to the signs, it's a hang glider landing spot so if some come to land, they have the right-of-way.

Scenic Sunday: Sandy Beach

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

Sandy Beach on the east side of Oahu, 

(with its adjacent not sandy coastline in the foreground)

Check out Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby for more great photos from around the world.

Weekend Events: February 19-21, 2011

I love long weekends and I'm happy another one is here.  I've compiled my weekly list of family friendly weekend events.  I only found a couple of events for Saturday and Monday but there are a number of things to choose from on Sunday.  I think my top pick would be Family Sunday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts but there is also a hula show, a chance to enjoy traditional Hawaiian music and a Koi show to choose from.  Here's the link you need for all the details: Weekend Events List.

As always, if there's an activity or event that I missed that belongs on the list, please share it with everyone in the comments section or on my Facebook page.  Have a great weekend!

Hawaii Five-0 at Kailua Beach Park

I had my first real "Hawaii Five-0 Filming in Progress" sighting last week.  Actually, I guess this was my second, but the first time I saw them film was before the show aired and I didn't know anything about the actors or story line so it didn't mean that much.

When I finished shopping at the Kailua Farmers' Market on Thursday morning I had a little bit of time to kill before Price Busters opened.  I'd heard Hawaii Five-0 was filming on Kailua beach and on a whim I decided to drive to the beach park to see what I could see.  I doubted that was the part of the beach they were filming at, but to my surprise it was.  They were filming right in the parking lot.

I had a busy day already planned so I didn't stay long, but I did get to see a few famous faces.  Since they were at work I didn't feel bad playing paparazzi and snapping their pictures.  Here are a couple pictures of Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) and one of Danny 'Danno' Williams (Scott Caan).  It will be fun to see if this scene makes it into the TV episode.

Enchanted Lake Elementary Calling all Crafters

This post is a community bulletin board type post on behalf of the PTA at Enchanted Lake Elementary School.  They are going to have a craft fair and are looking for vendors.  If you are a crafter and would like a place to sell your products, keep reading.  If you are not a crafter but like to buy crafts, put Saturday, April 2 on your calendar.

When:
   Craft fair will be Saturday, April 2, 2011, 9am to 3pm
   Applications from vendors should be postmarked by March 18th.  After March 18th booth space will cost $60.

Where:
   Enchanted Lake Elementary School, 770 Keolu Drive, Kailua, Hawaii, 96734

Vendor info:
   $50 for 8' table space.  Also requesting $20 raffle item.  First come first served for spaces at the front of the school lanai.  Other space available will be inside the cafeteria and in the grass area behind the cafeteria.  Tables are to be provided by vendors.  Proceeds from the booth rental and raffle items benefit Enchanted Lakes Elementary School PTA to offer free or low cost after school programs or other school needs.

For more info. or to get an application:
   Call or email Amy Price: 808-352-6850, Pohanalani@gmail.com

Scenic Sunday: Lego Man Cake

Scenic Sunday...a little different than usual because this weekend we ate cake.

Sometimes I wonder why I started the tradition of making and decorating a cake for my kids' birthdays.  A tradition of ordering and picking up a cake would be so much easier!  But all in all I do enjoy the chance to be a bit creative and in the end I'm happy with my tradition.  Our son just turned six and this was the cake I made to for his LEGO themed party today.

Weekend Events: February 12 and 13, 2011

In our family we are going to be busy celebrating our son's 6th birthday this weekend, but if you're not busy with birthday festivities then definitely check out the Weekend Events Page.  It has been updated and is full of family fun for this coming weekend.

There will be several chances to hear great ukulele music, an event at the Bishop Museum with reduced rates for military and kama'aina visitors and an interactive event at the Hawaii State Art Museum.  Oh, and a rubberstamp and scrapbook expo for all you crafters out there.  Click here for the when, where, who, etc.

Have a great weekend!

Lanikai Juice in Kailua

Our family enjoys heading to Lanikai Juice for smoothies.  It's also a fun place to take visitors because it's not a national chain, but a place unique to Hawaii.  The smoothies are delicious and many are made with fresh fruit grown right here in Hawaii.  They have smoothies you drink with a straw and smoothies you eat with a spoon and I can say from personal experience that both are worth ordering.

My favorite thing about Lanikai Juice isn't just the taste of their smoothies.  I really like that they are a locally owned company and that they do their best to use local ingredients in their products.  According to their webpage, 73% of the fruit they use is grown locally.  I love supporting local farmers and local businesses - especially tasty ones!

This post is part of the Carnival of Aloha over at Homespun Honolulu.


Do it yourself on Oahu
Location:  In the Kailua Square Shopping Center at 600 Kailua Road, Kailua, Hawaii, 96734
2nd Location:  There is also a Lanikai Juice in Kahala.  I haven't been there but the address is: 4346 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
Directions:  Coming into Kailua from the Kalanianaole 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 Cold Stone Creamery, both on you right.  Lanikai Juice will be on your left and the entrance to the parking lot is just past the store.  If you pass it and get to the signal, take a left into the far end of the parking lot and work your way back toward Lanikai Juice.
Parking:  There is a parking lot here.  Sometimes it takes a little while to find a spot but I've always found one.
Hours for the Kailua location:  Weekdays 6am to 8pm; Weekends 7am to 7pm
Other:  There are a few tables outside of Lanikai Juice.  If these are full, there are other tables and benches in the shopping complex that may not be.
On the web:  Lanikai Juice Hawaii

Weekend Events: February 5 and 6, 2011

Trying to find something to do with your family this weekend?  There are a lot fun activities to choose from this Saturday.  There are a couple of Chinese New Year celebrations, the Punahou carnival, a birthday expo and an eco-awareness event all happening on Saturday.  On Sunday, well, I think event organizers must have decided not to try to compete with the Super Bowl, because not much is going on.

Visit the Weekend Events page to get the details on all of Saturdays events and the one family friendly event I managed to find happening on Sunday.  Happy weekend and Go (insert the name of your favorite team playing on Sunday)!

Moanalua Valley Park and Playground

The last time I went to the park in Moanalua Valley (not to be confused with Moanalua Gardens, a completely different place) I didn't have children which means it was more than 5 years ago.  I remembered it as a nice place so I invited a few friends to meet me there today.  The weather cooperated and we enjoyed a picnic lunch, some adult conversation for the moms and lots of running around and playing for the kids - enough that both of mine took a nap when we got home.  If that's not a sign of a successful outing I don't know what is.

The park has a standard playground set and no swings.  The shreds of caution tape on the playground were a little concerning but, although it looked like it had seen better days, I didn't see any major problems with the structure.  The park also has a circuit-training setup and the kids enjoyed playing on that too.

There are beautiful trees in the park, but no shade on the playground itself.  The park has a gentle slope to it and some of the kids had fun running up and down the hill.  At the back of the park is the trailhead for a hike back in the valley, but it has been such a long time since I've been on it that I need to hike it again before I blog about it.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  1857 Ala Aolani Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96819

Directions:  Access to this park is off of the Moanalua Freeway (A.K.A. the 78).  

If you are headed east on the 78, exit at Red Hill.  Go straight at the first stop sign at the top of the offramp (you'll be on Moanalua Rd), then take a left at the second stop sign onto Ala Napunani St. and go under the freeway.  Take a second left at the next stop sign onto Ala Aolani St.  You will pass a golf course on your left and then go through a residential area for about 1.5 miles before the road dead-ends into the park's parking lot.  (When you leave, don't retrace your steps but instead go straight at the intersection of Ala Napunani St. and Ala Aolani St.  This will put you on a frontage road that, if you keep going straight, will get you back on the 78 going east.)

If you are headed west on the 78, take exit 2: Moanalua Valley/Salt Lake/Red Hill.  The road will split and you want to turn right to Moanalua Valley.  You'll then be on Ala Aolani St.  You will pass a golf course on your left and then go through a residential area for about 1.5 miles before the road dead-ends into the park's parking lot.  (When you leave, I believe you make a right turn on Ala Napunani street to go under the freeway and get to an onramp to head west on the 78.)

Parking:  Free parking in the parking lot

Facilities:  There are restrooms which were clean and stocked with TP when we were there.  There is a drinking fountain.  There is a covered lanai type area attached to the restrooms which extends to the edge of the playground.  There are also a couple of nice picnic tables in the park.  Oh, and last but not least there is a basketball court.

On the web:  Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park