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
February 29, 2012
March 3 & 4, 2012: Weekend Events
The Honolulu Festival is happening this weekend. It involves multiple venues, many performances, a parade and fireworks so check it out, I'm sure you'll find something that interests you. There are also a few free concerts, some children's theater and other fun to be had. Check out the details on all these events on the Weekend Events Page.
Feel free to share events I missed with others as a comment to this post and if you find the Weekend Events Page helpful, please tell your friends about it! Mahalo and have a great weekend!
Feel free to share events I missed with others as a comment to this post and if you find the Weekend Events Page helpful, please tell your friends about it! Mahalo and have a great weekend!
February 28, 2012
Fishing at Kawainui Marsh
I don't have much experience fishing, so when friends invited us to meet them at Kawainui Marsh to do a little fishing I thought it would be a great chance for my kids to do something new.Our friends had a basic pole with string and a simple hook on it and they had brought bread for bait. The kids took turns fishing and by the end of our time they had each caught at least one fish.
The fish aren't very big (if you look VERY closely you can see a fish on the end of the line in the above picture) and we tossed them all back in the water.
What an adventure for the kids! They strategized and planned, fished and had fun. Thankfully no one got hooked with the hook and amazingly no one fell in the water!
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: I'm sure there are fish all along the marsh. We went to the mauka (mountain) end of Kaha Street which is off of Oneawa Street. There's a park there and we walked on the sidewalk toward the canal and fished right where the trail behind the marsh begins.
Hours: The park and parking lot at the end of Kaha Street are closed from 7pm to 7am.
Parking: We parked at the parking lot at the park at the end of Kaha Street.
Facilities: There is a porta-potty at the park.
Other: • Read my post about the Trail along Kawainui Marsh. It's a great place to ride bikes or run or walk. • There are lots of ducks here, so take stuff to feed the ducks if that sounds fun to you.
February 27, 2012
Scenic Sunday: Cool Clouds
Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.
I confused my kids one day by pulling over to take a picture of the clouds.
These clouds might mean something to a weather person but to me they just looked neat and unusual.
February 23, 2012
Elephants at the Honolulu Zoo
To learn more about the Honolulu Zoo, read my blog post titled The Honolulu Zoo. To just learn about the new elephant exhibit, continue reading below.
We haven't been doing a good job of putting our zoo membership to use this year but we are trying to change that, starting with a visit a couple weeks ago.
It was the first time we had been since they FINALLY finished the new elephant habitat. They've been working on that project for longer than I can remember. I've heard some complaints about it but I have to say it is 100% better than where the elephants lived before. It always made me so sad to see the elephants in their tiny little space surrounded by concrete and I like their new spot.
The elephants get to walk on the ground now, not just stand on concrete, they have a water feature and they have lots of dirt which they were covering themselves in when we were there. And their new area is much bigger than their old one.
But like I said at the beginning, this new spot for the elephants is a huge improvement over what they had before and I'll enjoy seeing the elephants much more than I did in the past.
On a different topic, the peacocks are aggressive! Beware of leaving small children unguarded, especially if they have food. The peacocks help themselves, and aren't easily chased off. My daughter started the day excited to see the peacocks wandering around and ended by wanting to be picked up whenever one was anywhere in sight.
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: On the corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua Aves. at 151 Kapahulu Avenue, Waikiki, Hawaii
Hours: 9am to 4:30pm daily; Closed on Christmas
Cost: General Admission: $14 adults and $6 for children ages 3-12; Kama'aina/Military: $8 adults, $4 children ages 3-12. (Keep reading for my zoo membership recommendation.)
Parking: The zoo parking lot is adjacent to the zoo along Kapahulu Ave. This lot is metered parking. Memorize your license plate number (or park near one of the pay stations) and then pay with credit card or cash at the pay station. No need to put your receipt on your dashboard, the parking attendants check when your parking is expired electronically using your license plate number. If I remember right, parking here is $1/hr and you can add time remotely using your phone, how cool is that?! You can also park for free in the Waikiki Shell parking lot which is along Monsarrat on the other side of the zoo.
Facilities: The zoo has restroom facilities in several locations. They have a couple of places to get food and drinks including the Kapahulu Market. There is a gift shop by the main entrance.
Other: A zoo membership is worth purchasing and will save you money even if you only visit a handful of times in a year. You can find membership info and even join online here.
More info:
We haven't been doing a good job of putting our zoo membership to use this year but we are trying to change that, starting with a visit a couple weeks ago.
It was the first time we had been since they FINALLY finished the new elephant habitat. They've been working on that project for longer than I can remember. I've heard some complaints about it but I have to say it is 100% better than where the elephants lived before. It always made me so sad to see the elephants in their tiny little space surrounded by concrete and I like their new spot.
The elephants get to walk on the ground now, not just stand on concrete, they have a water feature and they have lots of dirt which they were covering themselves in when we were there. And their new area is much bigger than their old one.
The electric fence to keep them in definitely takes away from the possibility of this looking like a natural habitat. Talk about a heavy-duty electric fence.
But I didn't find it to be near as ugly as the chain link fence they've put up to keep people away from the electric fence. I thought that was kind of an eyesore.
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: On the corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua Aves. at 151 Kapahulu Avenue, Waikiki, Hawaii
Hours: 9am to 4:30pm daily; Closed on Christmas
Cost: General Admission: $14 adults and $6 for children ages 3-12; Kama'aina/Military: $8 adults, $4 children ages 3-12. (Keep reading for my zoo membership recommendation.)
Parking: The zoo parking lot is adjacent to the zoo along Kapahulu Ave. This lot is metered parking. Memorize your license plate number (or park near one of the pay stations) and then pay with credit card or cash at the pay station. No need to put your receipt on your dashboard, the parking attendants check when your parking is expired electronically using your license plate number. If I remember right, parking here is $1/hr and you can add time remotely using your phone, how cool is that?! You can also park for free in the Waikiki Shell parking lot which is along Monsarrat on the other side of the zoo.
Facilities: The zoo has restroom facilities in several locations. They have a couple of places to get food and drinks including the Kapahulu Market. There is a gift shop by the main entrance.
Other: A zoo membership is worth purchasing and will save you money even if you only visit a handful of times in a year. You can find membership info and even join online here.
More info:
on Oahu Mom; Honolulu Zoo Webpage, 808-971-7171
February 22, 2012
February 25 & 26, 2012: Weekend Events
It's a short and sweet list this week, but there are a few fun things happening on island this weekend so check out the newly updated Weekend Events Page for the scoop on family friendly fun. If you know of events I missed, please feel free to share them in the comments on this post or on my Facebook page.
February 21, 2012
Ice Palace Hawaii
Taking our kids to the Ice Palace has been on our bucket list and we finally made it happen. An upcoming school field trip motivated us to get it on the calendar so our son would have some experience under his belt before he went with his class.
It felt odd to put on long sleeves and long pants and get out sweatshirts, socks and mittens when it was a beautiful warm day outside but when we got into the Ice Palace we were glad to have our warm clothes on. We got our skates and got ready to head out onto the ice. (Sounds easy but with a 3 and 6 year old it took a little bit of time to get shoes changed, sweatshirts zipped up, mittens on, bathroom trips made, mittens back on, etc. - but I don't need to tell that to you that, if you're a parent then you know how it goes!)
One end of the ice rink is sectioned off for beginners and they have little walker-type things to use in this area. This makes it much easier to help a beginning skater without ending up with a back injury yourself and it also helps them gain a bit of independence sooner than they would without it.
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: 4510 Salt Lake Blvd. #B6, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818 in the Stadium Mall Shopping Center
Hours: Check their website (linked below) for current public skating hours.
Cost: $8.90 for every skater, includes skate rental. No charge for parents who are there to chaperone children but will not be skating.
Parking: Free parking in the adjacent parking lot.
Facilities: There are restrooms here as would be expected. They also have lockers for rent and quite a few arcade type games. There is a snack bar where you can order pizza, hot dogs, nachos, fountain drinks and other basic fast-food items. There are bleachers, tables and chairs and an area upstairs for birthday parties.
Other: It's hard to remember when it's 80° outside, but it's cold inside the Ice Palace so dress accordingly. Don't forget to take socks and if you have mittens take them too! • It's also helpful to take cash or small bills (they have a change making machine) if you plan to use the lockers. • Have feet measured if you're not sure what size of ice skates to get. The skates don't correlate directly with regular shoe sizes.
More info: Call 808-487-9921 or visit the Ice Palace Hawaii's website
It felt odd to put on long sleeves and long pants and get out sweatshirts, socks and mittens when it was a beautiful warm day outside but when we got into the Ice Palace we were glad to have our warm clothes on. We got our skates and got ready to head out onto the ice. (Sounds easy but with a 3 and 6 year old it took a little bit of time to get shoes changed, sweatshirts zipped up, mittens on, bathroom trips made, mittens back on, etc. - but I don't need to tell that to you that, if you're a parent then you know how it goes!)
One end of the ice rink is sectioned off for beginners and they have little walker-type things to use in this area. This makes it much easier to help a beginning skater without ending up with a back injury yourself and it also helps them gain a bit of independence sooner than they would without it.
Don't let the exterior of the Ice Palace keep you from paying it a visit. My son loves the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover" and that applies to the Ice Palace. Here's the outside:
Here's the inside
Beginners can skate in the rest of the rink too, but the little walker devices have to stay in the area designated for them. Our kids wanted to venture out into the big part of the rink after awhile and had fun making their way around the big loop.
The Ice Palace was a fun family outing for us. We skated until the kids were ready for a break and then got pizza while the Zamboni cleaned and resurfaced the ice. Then we skated some more until we were all ready to go. We turned in our skates, put on our slippers, took off our sweatshirts and mittens and headed out into the beautiful Hawaiian sunshine. I love winter in small quantities and a morning at the Ice Palace was a perfect amount of winter for me!
Location: 4510 Salt Lake Blvd. #B6, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818 in the Stadium Mall Shopping Center
Hours: Check their website (linked below) for current public skating hours.
Cost: $8.90 for every skater, includes skate rental. No charge for parents who are there to chaperone children but will not be skating.
Parking: Free parking in the adjacent parking lot.
Facilities: There are restrooms here as would be expected. They also have lockers for rent and quite a few arcade type games. There is a snack bar where you can order pizza, hot dogs, nachos, fountain drinks and other basic fast-food items. There are bleachers, tables and chairs and an area upstairs for birthday parties.
Other: It's hard to remember when it's 80° outside, but it's cold inside the Ice Palace so dress accordingly. Don't forget to take socks and if you have mittens take them too! • It's also helpful to take cash or small bills (they have a change making machine) if you plan to use the lockers. • Have feet measured if you're not sure what size of ice skates to get. The skates don't correlate directly with regular shoe sizes.
More info: Call 808-487-9921 or visit the Ice Palace Hawaii's website
February 19, 2012
Scenic Sunday: Kailua Bay
Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.
Kailua Bay as seen from Kaiwa Ridge on the Lanikai Pillbox Hike
This post is linked to Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.
February 16, 2012
January 18, 19 & 20, 2012: Weekend Events
President's Weekend is here and there are lots of family friendly activities and events happening this weekend. You and your family can watch a musical, visit the Great Aloha Run's Fitness Expo, take a tour at Kualoa Ranch, go on a guided Reef Walk, head to the Free Family Sunday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, go to a family dance party and more. Like I said, there's a lot happening! Check out the Weekend Events Page for all the details.
Even though the list is long this weekend, I'm sure I missed an event or two so feel free to use the comments to share other events with our Oahu Mom ohana.
Have a great weekend!
Even though the list is long this weekend, I'm sure I missed an event or two so feel free to use the comments to share other events with our Oahu Mom ohana.
Have a great weekend!
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