Oops, no new post since last week's Weekend Events page. You'd think maybe I'm taking a late Spring Break, enjoying time with visiting family and/or doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work on the blog. The answer is yes, yes and yes. In the long run you'll benefit with posts about my latest adventures and a few improvements on the blog but for now, I'm sorry for the shortage of new posts.
Easter celebrations start in earnest this weekend and I have those listed along with other fun things happening on island. In addition to all the Easter egg hunts on island the Bishop Museum is free on Sunday, there's a Scottish Festival this weekend, an Art Festival with lots of hands-on fun and a couple of events hosted by the public libraries. All the details are on the Weekend Events Page.
Have a great weekend!
March 29, 2012
March 21, 2012
March 24 & 25, 2012: Weekend Events
I just updated the Weekend Events page for this coming weekend. I don't know if it's an extra slow weekend or if I just had bad luck finding out about what's going on but the list is a bit on the short side this week. If you know of any events I missed please share them with others as a comment on this post or on the Facebook page.
That said, I did find information about the Prince Kuhio Commemorative Parade, some Easter events and a library storytime. All the details are on the Weekend Events Page.
Have a great weekend!
That said, I did find information about the Prince Kuhio Commemorative Parade, some Easter events and a library storytime. All the details are on the Weekend Events Page.
Have a great weekend!
March 20, 2012
Polynesian Cultural Center Island Presentations
This is the third in a series of posts about the Polynesian Cultural Center. If you missed the first two here are links to Polynesian Cultural Center Activities and Polynesian Cultural Center Canoe Pageant.
Each island village in the Polynesian Cultural Center hosts presentations throughout the afternoon. There is a printed schedule available which also lists "family presentations" for some of the islands which are supposed to be especially family friendly. We never made an effort to make it to these shows and I felt like the regular ones were fun for kids too.
We've been to quite a few of the presentations but not all of them. If you tried to make it to all of the presentations in one afternoon I don't think you'd have time to do many hands-on activities. We like a mix of activities and presentations. In a previous post I mentioned that many of the hands-on activities and experiences aren't operating during the presentation times so plan your schedule accordingly.
Each presentation is a fun mix of entertainment and education. In Samoa we learned about how they get coconuts, cook and make fire. The emcee does his best at island-style stand up comedy and is pretty funny.
Of the shows I've seen, Tonga is my favorite. The emcee there had the whole audience laughing a lot. It was great to watch my son burst into uncontrollable laughter during the show.
Each island village in the Polynesian Cultural Center hosts presentations throughout the afternoon. There is a printed schedule available which also lists "family presentations" for some of the islands which are supposed to be especially family friendly. We never made an effort to make it to these shows and I felt like the regular ones were fun for kids too.
We've been to quite a few of the presentations but not all of them. If you tried to make it to all of the presentations in one afternoon I don't think you'd have time to do many hands-on activities. We like a mix of activities and presentations. In a previous post I mentioned that many of the hands-on activities and experiences aren't operating during the presentation times so plan your schedule accordingly.
Each presentation is a fun mix of entertainment and education. In Samoa we learned about how they get coconuts, cook and make fire. The emcee does his best at island-style stand up comedy and is pretty funny.
The presentation in Fiji had less humor but we learned about making music with bamboo sticks and even got to give it a try ourselves during the performance.
Of the shows I've seen, Tonga is my favorite. The emcee there had the whole audience laughing a lot. It was great to watch my son burst into uncontrollable laughter during the show.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is also famous for its evening luaus and show but due to early bedtimes for our kids we haven't been to those yet. Something to look forward to when they get older! (And if you've been, please feel free to share your experience in the comments.)
With this, and a suggestion to take one of the canoe rides through the center at some point during your day, I am going to end my mini series on the Polynesian Cultural Center. Keep your eyes out for a ticket deal and pay them a visit. It's a fun place to spend an afternoon!
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, Hawaii 96762
Hours: Closed Sundays. Open Mon - Sat beginning at 11:45am. Island tours and village presentations begin at 12:05pm. Island villages close at 5pm except for Tonga and Samoa which close at 5:30pm. Box office closes at 8pm.
Cost: • There are numerous packages available so rather than list them all I'm going to give you a couple links to use. Click here for kama'aina ticket prices. Click here for tourist/visitor ticket prices. • They offer a 20% discount for kama'aina. I believe you need to call ahead to reserve tickets to receive this price. • The PCC also offers an annual pass that pays for itself in a few visits. Even better, this pass goes on sale from time to time so be on the lookout for that promotion.
Parking: $8 per vehicle. Free if you have an annual pass.
Facilities: Restrooms throughout the center. Snack bar open from 11:30am to 6pm. Marketplace with numerous stores and gift shops throughout the center.
Other: • Some of the shows take place in covered amphitheaters but the canoe pageant, canoe rides, some shows and most of the activities take place outdoors so this isn't the best place to head on a rainy day. • Since you'll be outside a lot I'd recommend sunscreen and hats. • They sell snacks there but I usually take a few with me too for convenience.
March 18, 2012
Scenic Sunday: Sunset Over the Ocean
Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.
March 15, 2012
Easter time on Oahu 2012
With the exception of the one at the Punchbowl, I am not going to include the Easter sunrise and church services that will be happening on island because that's a bigger job than I can take on. However, if you would like to share your church's events please feel free to do so as a comment here or on the Facebook page.
It seems a little too early to wish you a Happy Easter so I'll just say "Have fun making your Easter plans!"
March 14, 2012
March 17 & 18, 2012: St. Patrick's Day Weekend Events
I just updated the weekend events for this upcoming weekend. You can watch a St. Patrick's Day parade and join in on other St. Patrick's Day festivities. It's also another Free Family Weekend at the Honolulu Academy of Arts with lots of fun for the whole family. If none of that sounds interesting to you, never fear, there are more things to choose from. Check out all the details on the Weekend Events Page.
As always, if there's something great I missed please share it with others as a comment on this post.
Have a great weekend and don't forget to wear your green!
As always, if there's something great I missed please share it with others as a comment on this post.
Have a great weekend and don't forget to wear your green!
March 12, 2012
5 Great Spring Break Adventures
Hooray for Spring Break! The morning rush isn't as rushed because the kids don't have to pack lunches or catch the bus or remember their homework. They're home all day! What? All day?! For a whole week?!
Before they drive you nuts, load everyone in the car and head off for some adventures. Make some memories together and enjoy the extra time with your kids! Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Go to the park
1. Go to the park
Pack a picnic and let the kids run off some of their energy. A great park is Kaka'ako Waterfront Park located between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Take big pieces of cardboard for some "sledding" fun on the steep hills there.
2. Act like a tourist
We live in a vacation destination but it's easy to get into a routine and forget that. Join the visitors and take the Ali'i Tour at the Mac Nut Farm. A bus ride, a boat ride, a show, lots of laughs and some learning all in one tour.
3. Go to the beach!
The weather isn't always perfect for the beach this time of year, but if there's sun somewhere it's likely to be at the Ko'olina Lagoons. Plus the lagoons sometimes offer protection from the wind. Sun and no wind, my kind of beach weather!
4. Learn a little history
Punchbowl Cemetery is a place where you can learn a little World War II history, honor fallen service members and enjoy great views of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki.
5. Visit the library
Just because school is out doesn't mean your kids have to completely abandon the books. Head to the library and let them pick out books they want to borrow and read at home. You can also rent movies for $1.
What adventures have you thought of for Spring Break? Leave them in the comments and together we'll create a great idea bank.
Do it yourself on Oahu
You saw all the links in each section, right? Just in case you missed them, here they are again. Click these for more information (including 'do it yourself' info) for each place.
March 8, 2012
Polynesian Cultural Center Activities
This is the second in a series of posts about the Polynesian Cultural Center. If you missed it, here's a link to the first post: Polynesian Cultural Center Canoe Pageant.
The hands-on activities at the Polynesian Cultural Center really make this a great place for kids. The center is divided into different 'islands' and each island village has several hands-on things to try. You can play native games, taste traditional food, take a dance lesson or try your hand at traditional village tasks like fishing or fire making. Here are a few of our favorites:
During show times most of the employees in a village are busy with the presentation and many of the activities are closed. Visit the island village when they are not hosting a show and there will be people there to help you try something new. Fun for kids and adults alike!
The hands-on activities at the Polynesian Cultural Center really make this a great place for kids. The center is divided into different 'islands' and each island village has several hands-on things to try. You can play native games, taste traditional food, take a dance lesson or try your hand at traditional village tasks like fishing or fire making. Here are a few of our favorites:
Learn to throw a spear in Tonga.
Weave a fish out of lauhala.
Challenge your coordination with this game in Aotearoa.
Get inked (with stamps, not needles).
Climb a coconut tree in Samoa. (There's a height requirement for this one)
During show times most of the employees in a village are busy with the presentation and many of the activities are closed. Visit the island village when they are not hosting a show and there will be people there to help you try something new. Fun for kids and adults alike!
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, Hawaii 96762
Hours: Closed Sundays. Open Mon - Sat beginning at 11:45am. Island tours and village presentations begin at 12:05pm. Island villages close at 5pm except for Tonga and Samoa which close at 5:30pm. Box office closes at 8pm.
Cost: • There are numerous packages available so rather than list them all I'm going to give you a couple links to use. Click here for kama'aina ticket prices. Click here for tourist/visitor ticket prices. • They offer a 20% discount for kama'aina. I believe you need to call ahead to reserve tickets to receive this price. • The PCC also offers an annual pass that pays for itself in a few visits. Even better, this pass goes on sale from time to time so be on the lookout for that promotion.
Parking: $8 per vehicle. Free if you have an annual pass.
Facilities: Restrooms throughout the center. Snack bar open from 11:30am to 6pm. Marketplace with numerous stores and gift shops throughout the center.
Other: • Some of the shows take place in covered amphitheaters but the canoe pageant, canoe rides, some shows and most of the activities take place outdoors so this isn't the best place to head on a rainy day. • Since you'll be outside a lot I'd recommend sunscreen and hats. • They sell snacks there but I usually take a few with me too for convenience.
More info: Polynesian Cultural Center Canoe Pageant
March 7, 2012
March 10 & 11, 2012: Weekend Events
Looking for family friendly events and activities on Oahu? I just updated the Weekend Events Page for this coming weekend. If you know of events I missed, please share them with others as a comment here - especially for Sunday since I couldn't find much going on then.
I hope that, rain or shine, you have a great weekend with your family!
I hope that, rain or shine, you have a great weekend with your family!
March 5, 2012
Polynesian Cultural Center Canoe Pageant
For years I skipped the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) thinking it was just an expensive tourist trap but I've changed my mind. Yes, it's a tourist trap and yes, it can be expensive, but it's very well done, entertaining, educational and a great place for a family outing.
There is so much to do I'm not going to try to fit it all in one post. So here is the beginning of a short series of posts on the PCC.
Every day at 2:30 all eyes turn to the lagoon for the Canoe Pageant. It's a parade on the water featuring dancers from the various cultures represented at the PCC. The parade is fast-paced enough for little explorers but slow enough for adults to soak up and enjoy. There's great music and it's a fun change of pace partway through the afternoon.
A lot of the seats for the parade are in the sun, but if you stake out a spot early you can get one in the shade. Before the parade starts a canoe will come by with ice cream for sale. If you're wanting to have dessert while you're there this is a great time to enjoy it. You can also send part of your group off to get shave ice for everyone and enjoy that while you wait.
The canoe pageant happens in two locations simultaneously, the lagoon in front of Tahiti and the lagoon in front of Samoa, with half the boats starting at one end of the lagoons and half of them starting at the other. We've watched it in both locations and on the Samoa side it seemed the boats spent a little more time in front of you, but we enjoyed both spots.
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, Hawaii 96762
Hours: Closed Sundays. Open Mon - Sat beginning at 11:45am. Island tours and village presentations begin at 12:05pm. Island villages close at 5pm except for Tonga and Samoa which close at 5:30pm. Box office closes at 8pm.
Cost: • There are numerous packages available so rather than list them all I'm going to give you a couple links to use. Click here for kama'aina ticket prices. Click here for tourist/visitor ticket prices. • They offer a 20% discount for kama'aina. I believe you need to call ahead to reserve tickets to receive this price. • The PCC also offers an annual pass that pays for itself in a few visits. Even better, this pass goes on sale from time to time so be on the lookout for that promotion.
Parking: $8 per vehicle. Free if you have an annual pass.
Facilities: Restrooms throughout the center. Snack bar open from 11:30am to 6pm. Marketplace with numerous stores and gift shops throughout the center.
Other: • Some of the shows take place in covered amphitheaters but the canoe pageant, canoe rides, some shows and most of the activities take place outdoors so this isn't the best place to head on a rainy day. • Since you'll be outside a lot I'd recommend sunscreen and hats. • They sell snacks there but I usually take a few with me too for convenience.
March 4, 2012
Scenic Sunday: Panda Cupcakes
Scenic Sunday...because these are too cute not to share.
My son vetoed my big party plans and homemade cake tradition. Instead he wanted just a few friends over to play tag and he wanted cupcakes. I reminded myself it was his birthday and went with it. When he wanted to help decorate the cupcakes I again reminded myself that it was his birthday, resisted my perfectionist tendencies and went with it. I think they turned out cute, and with more personality than they would have had if they were perfect.
March 2, 2012
Gyu-Kaku
The unique thing about Gyu-Kaku is that each table comes with a little grill and you get to BBQ some of your own meal right there in the middle of your table.
You can grill veggies, chicken, seafood, pork and/or beef. They have a variety of marinades to choose from and great dipping sauces too. In addition to the food that you grill you can order a variety of appetizers, noodles, bibimbap and soups that are prepared in the kitchen.
To end your meal, you can choose from a number of desserts including s'mores. We chose a desert from the kitchen but I know when our kids are with us we'll do the s'mores and they'll love roasting marshmallows over the grill.
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: There are currently 3 locations in Hawaii:
Windward Mall: 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy F1, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Kapiolani Location: 1221 Kapiolani Blvd., #105, Honolulu, Hawaii
Waikiki Location: 307 Lewers Street, Honolulu, Hawaii
Hours:
Windward Mall Location: Lunch from 11am to 4pm, Dinner from 4pm to 11pm
Kapiolani Location: Lunch from 11:30am to 3:30pm, Dinner from 3:30pm to 12am
Waikiki Location: Lunch from 11:30am to 3:30pm, Dinner from 3:30pm to 12am
Cost/Menu: Here's a link to the Gyu-Kaku Menu
Parking:
Windward Mall Location: Free parking in mall parking lot.
Kapiolani Location: Free parking on first and second floor of parking structure for up to 3 hours with validation. Street parking also available after 6:30pm.
More info:
Windward Mall Location: 808-744-2157
Kapiolani Location: 808-589-2989
Waikiki Location: 808-926-2989
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