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!

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.

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.

Gyu-Kaku

On a recent date night my husband and I went to Gyu-Kaku where we enjoyed uninterrupted conversation and had fun checking out a new (to us) restaurant.  We discovered not only is it a good place for a date night but our kids would like it too and we can't wait to take them there.

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