Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon in Waikiki

If you are looking for calm water for your kids to play in, consider checking out the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon in Waikiki.  The lagoon was renovated several years ago and is now a giant saltwater swimming pool.  It is surrounded by beach on all sides but the water is circulated and kept clean and the beaches are also well taken care of.  On several sides of the lagoon there are nice grassy areas behind the beach that even have some shady spots from the trees planted there.

The lagoon is located next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village at the eastern end of Waikiki near the Ala Wai Boat harbor.  It is considered to be a part of the grounds of the Hilton but is open to the public.

The edges of the lagoon are extremely shallow and there are no waves here, so it's a great place for children to run and play and enjoy the water.

In addition to wading and swimming, the lagoon is also a popular place to try out kayaking or stand up paddle boarding.  These and other watercraft can be rented from a concession stand at the corner of the lagoon nearest the Hilton.

The only thing I don't like about the lagoon is the sand.  It feels dusty and a bit artificial to me and if you want to build sand castles you'll probably want to head somewhere else.  My kids have never complained about the sand so don't let that one complaint of mine keep you from visiting this spot.

Do it yourself on Oahu
Location:  The Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is located adjacent to the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the Eastern edge (away from Diamond Head) of Waikiki.
Directions:  Get on Ala Moana Boulevard.  Between Ala Moana Mall and the Hilton Hawaiian Village you will turn Makai (towards the ocean) on Hobron Lane.  Then take a left on Holomoana Street and drive until you find a parking spot.
Parking:  After you turn onto Holomoana Street there is a paid parking lot on your right.  There is also free parking along the lagoon on the left and out at the end of the road on the oceanside of the lagoon.  I always check the free parking lot first but if you do end up in the paid lot the rates are very reasonable.
Facilities:  Drinking fountains and I think a water spigot for rinsing off your feet are next to the lagoon.  Can't remember if there's an outdoor shower or not.  There are no restrooms adjacent to the lagoon but the Hilton has restrooms you can use that are just a short walk away.  There's also a snack bar on the lower floor of the Rainbow Tower facing the sidewalk.
More info:  Here's a view of the lagoon from a little different angle.

Scenic Sunday: Driving on the H3

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

H3 heading towards Kaneohe

As commutes go, this one is hard to complain about.  I actually love driving on the H-3.  The scenery is beautiful, the waterfalls on rainy days are breathtaking and the view of Kaneohe Bay when you come out of the tunnels never gets old.  I've been driving this five or six times a week this year.  Our schedule/routine is about to change and I'll be glad for less time in my car but I'll miss my time on the H-3.  

Have you ever accidentally gotten on the H-3?  There's no turning around for a good 10 to 15 minutes, so you're set back 20-30 minutes getting to your destination.  How do I know this?  I've taken it by mistake twice - once in each direction.  Anyone else made this mistake?  Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Memorial Day Weekend: May 28-30, 2011

Most schools are out for the year and Memorial Day Weekend is here so I say that summertime has officially arrived!  To help you enjoy this long weekend I've included Monday events in my weekly list of weekend happenings.  Head to the Weekend Events Page for all the details of both the fun and reflective events to be held this Memorial Day weekend on Oahu.  I hope you have a good weekend!

Teddy's Bigger Burgers

My kids have finally gotten to a stage where taking them somewhere by myself to grab a bite is actually fun for me.  I don't have to get a high chair for my daughter, both kids are reasonably good about staying with me or staying at a table while we order and get our food and the sudden need for a bathroom isn't as much of an emergency as it once was.

I recently took advantage of this new stage and stopped at the Teddy's Bigger Burgers in Kailua with the kids.  Their menu includes salads, several variations on their 'original burgers' and several other sandwiches including options like veggie burgers and fish sandwiches.  They have kid combo options, traditional sides like fries and onion rings and delicious shakes.  Lots of choices and I guarantee you won't leave hungry!

We kept it simple and got burgers and french fries.  Then at the end of the meal, as a reward for good behavior I got each of my kids a gumball out of the giant gumball machine.  I think that's actually their favorite part of Teddy's Burgers.  But even if you need more than a gumball to make you happy, I bet you'll find something at Teddy's that will become your favorite.  Plus you'll be supporting a locally owned business and I don't know about you, but that always makes me happy.


Do it yourself on Oahu
Location:  On Oahu, Teddy's Bigger Burgers has locations in Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Waikiki, Honolulu, and Aiea.  You can also find a Teddy's Bigger Burgers on Maui, in Tokyo and one in Washington.  Check out their webpage (see below) for addresses and phone numbers.
Hours:  10am to 9pm daily (with the exception of the Waikiki location which is open until 10pm Fri-Sun.
Facilities:  As with many fast food places on Oahu, bathrooms in house are not a guarantee.  I'm pretty sure at the Kailua location the nearest bathroom is down a few doors in Starbucks.  Don't know about the other locations.
For more information:  Check out Teddy's Bigger Burgers Webpage for specific locations, menu, etc.

Scenic Sunday: Hua Pala

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

Pyrostegia Venustaor, Hua Pala Vine 

(also known as flame vine, golden shower and orange trumpet vine)

Weekend Events: May 21 and 22, 2011

Looking for family fun on Oahu this weekend?  Check out my newly updated Weekend Events Page to get all the details on Endangered Species Day at Lyon Arboretum, the Waikiki Artfest, the Native Hawaiian Arts Market and Keiki Market Festival, some events happening at the Honolulu Zoo and a couple of concerts by the Royal Hawaiian Band.  As always, feel free to share upcoming events that I missed in the comments to this post.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Lanikai Beach

We've been to the beach three days in a row this week and summer vacation hasn't even started yet.  My kids are pretty impressed.  Just one of the great things about having friends here for a visit!

We started the week with a morning at Lanikai Beach.  This beach, located just outside of Kailua, has some of the finest sand of any beach on island.  With its white sand and the iconic view of the Mokulua Islands (a.k.a. the Moks) it really is a beautiful spot.

The water along the shore is calmer here than it is around the corner in Kailua Bay, making it a nice place for beginning swimmers and beginning paddle boarders too.  I mention the paddle boarding because I got to try stand-up paddle boarding for the first time there and it's definitely something I want to do again.

As with other windward beaches, on windy days at various times of the year there can be a lot of portuguese man-of-war here so keep your eye out for them in the water.  There is coral not too far offshore so take a snorkel and mask and see what you can discover underwater.

Do it yourself on Oahu
Location:  Lanikai is located to the east of Kailua on the Windward side of Oahu.  The beach is not visible from the road but there are several prominent beach access paths off of Mokulua Drive.
Directions:  To get to Lanikai, take S Kalaheo Ave. east.  It will become Lihiwai Road and then Kawailoa Road as it crosses the canal and passes Kailua Beach Park.  You will get to a stop sign and take a left onto Alala Road which will quickly become Mokulua Drive.  The road will split and you will stay to the right on Aalapapa Drive.  This is a one way road into Lanikai and makes a loop with Mokulua Drive which is a one way road out of Lanikai.  Pass the first two streets you come to and then take a left on one of the next roads on your left to head toward Mokulua Drive and the beach access paths.
Parking:  There is only street parking in Lanikai.  To avoid parking tickets, pay close attention to any 'no parking' signs to make sure you are not in a no parking area, pull completely off the road and park in the direction of traffic flow on the side of the road you park on.  The good news is that parking is free here, the bad news is that it can get crowded and hard to find a spot on weekends and holidays.  As always, don't leave valuables in your car.
Facilities:  There are no restrooms or outdoor showers on the beach here.

Scenic Sunday: Honolulu Zoo Hippo

Scenic Sunday...because this picture makes me laugh and is too fun not to share.

Hippopotamus at the Honolulu Zoo

This scenic Sunday post is a little different than my usual but I just had to share this picture.  When we were at the zoo last weekend the hippos both got all the way out of the water, and then one of them struck this pose and I was lucky enough to catch it with my camera.  I think they are funny looking creatures when they are in the water but out of the water they are absolutely hilarious.

This post is part of Photo Friday at Delicious Baby where you can see lots of pictures from travel destinations all around the world.

Weekend Events: May 14 and 15, 2011

Sorry this is late!  Blogger was down for ages and I couldn't update the blog or my Weekend Events Page even though I had everything ready.  I posted the list of Weekend Events on my Facebook page, so those of you who 'like' Oahu Mom on Facebook got to see it yesterday evening.  Speaking of which, if you haven't already done so, now is a great time to join the Oahu Mom Facebook page.  Just click this Oahu Mom Facebook page link and when you get to the page click the 'Like' button at the top of the page.  I would love to have you join my Facebook community!

Okay, weekend events.  There are lots of festivals happening this weekend: an Ocean Awareness Festival, the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival and the Hawaii Book and Music Festival.  Take your pick, or try to get to more than one of them as many of the events are happening on both Saturday and Sunday.  The New Baby Expo is also being held this weekend at the Blaisdell, you can learn more about bamboo at the Hawaii Nature Center or migratory birds at the zoo and you can listen to some great music under the stars in Lanikai.  So much to do, so little time!  Head to the Weekend Events Page for all the details.

Have a great weekend with your family!

Bath and Body Works in Hawaii

Bath and Body Works is open for business here in Hawaii!  I saw it with my very own eyes this week.  The store opened at the beginning of this month and is located in the Ala Moana Center near Macy's.  Happy shopping!

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  On Level 2 near Macy's in the Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI  96814

Hours:  Mon-Sat 9:30am to 9pm; Sun 10am to 7pm

Online:  Bath & Body Works Hawaii

Phone Number:  808-946-8020

Makapu'u Tide Pools Shoreline Hike

We've hiked to the Makapu'u Tide Pools by heading up toward the lighthouse and then down the other side, but a few weeks ago we made an attempt at getting there by the shoreline route.  Yes I said attempt and yes I'm going to blog about a hike we didn't complete because I think hiking is about the journey as much as the destination.

We parked in the lot for the Makapu'u Lighthouse but instead of heading up the paved path we immediately veered off to the right on a trail that heads to the ocean.  There are a couple trails that go toward the shore and they all get you to basically the same spot.  With all the rain we've had this winter and spring that part of the island is extra green now.





When we reached the shore we headed around the corner to the left.  Any trace of a trail quickly disappears here.  There's a bit of bouldering to be done and a tiny bit of rock climbing as well.  At one point I turned around to see my husband had taken off the hiking backpack and it was being handed down a steep section with our daughter in it!  Yes, a few places on the hike are a little tricky but most of it is just walking over rocks.

We enjoyed the view of the ocean and the waves pounding on the rocks as we hiked.  We did our best to stay on the inland side of the tidal shelf in case any extra big waves came crashing in.  It was windy and probably high tide so not the best time to be hiking here but we were careful.

There were a few places where we had to time the waves right to get around certain spots without getting wet.  Those areas made me nervous.  I've known of people who have been swept to their deaths in similar situations, so I kept our son nearby and kept a close eye on the ocean and we kept our daughter in the backpack the whole hike.

All was well until we got to a spot with a big tide pool.  Just before we headed down to the pool a big wave came in and washed clear across the pool.  Had we been hiking down there when that happened it would have been a little sketchy.  That, and the fact that a couple groups of hikers we met said it was worse around the corner convinced us we'd gone far enough for the day.  We declared a snack break and all the kids ate while a few of the adults went on just a little farther.  While we sat there we didn't see any more big waves come in, but we had nothing to prove and decided to be safe.



All in all it was a fun afternoon and we all want to head back and try the hike again, but next time we'll do it at low tide on a day when the ocean is calm so we can safely make it to the blowholes.






Do it yourself on Oahu
Location:  The Makapu'u Tidepools are located on the east side of Oahu between Hanauma Bay and Waimanalo.  The parking lot for this hiking area is between Sandy Beach and Makapu'u Beach.
Parking:  As mentioned in the post, you can park in the lot for the Makapu'u Lighthouse trail.  When the lot fills up, people park along the road leading to the parking lot.  As always, do not leave valuables in your car.
Facilities:  There are no facilities here; no restrooms or drinking fountains.
Safety:  If you choose to take this hike, you do so at your own risk.  I cannot overemphasize the need to use caution when hiking along the ocean, here or anywhere.  I would highly recommend checking the tide and surf reports before making this hike.  Even under the best of conditions, keep an eye on the ocean for rogue waves.  If you feel unsafe, turn around!
Other:  I cannot recommend this hike for all children, but I can tell you about our group.  The two year olds in the group were carried the whole hike, the five year old in the group was carried at a couple of spots but the rest of the kids, ages 6 to 12, hiked the whole thing on their own with just a little help with some of the bouldering.  One of the kids did the whole hike in slippers, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend that.
I would recommend taking cell phones, water and snacks.  Wear sunscreen and, unless you're really good in slippers, wear comfortable reef walking or hiking shoes.
More info:  Related posts on Oahu Mom:  Hiking to Makapu'u Lighthouse and Hiking to Makapu'u Tidepools (the up and over route)

Scenic Sunday: Diamond Head in Winter

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

Diamond Head on Oahu, Hawaii as seen from Magic Island

All the rain we got this weekend made me think of this picture.  In the wet winter months the slopes of Diamond Head are green, making it look even prettier than it does the rest of the year.

Visit Photo Friday at Delicious Baby to see more pictures from around the world.

Mother's Day Weekend: May 7 and 8, 2011

Better late than never?  Hope so!  Just posted my list of family friendly events and activities happening here on Oahu this weekend.  Lots of fun to be had on Saturday and a number of options for celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday.  Find all the details and related links on my Weekend Events Page.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas and special aunties out there!

Busy Month!

Is it just me or is May busy?  My calendar is looking jam-packed this month with end-of-school activities, visiting friends, celebrations, miscellaneous appointments...you name it, it's probably on my calendar somewhere this month.  Bear with me as I get my schedule figured out.  I'm determined to keep blogging regularly but it's taking a little more advanced planning than it usually does.

How do you make time for what's important to you in the midst of chaos?

Scenic Sunday: Cup of Gold

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

Solandra Hartwegii, commonly called 'Cup of Gold'

The neat thing about this big flower (bigger than the palm of my hand) was that I didn't see it in a store or even a botanical garden but just growing wild along a trail we hiked last weekend.  There were a lot of them and they were beautiful!