Maui weather

We are heading to Maui for the weekend and I thought I should check the weather before I finish my packing. What was I thinking I would find? Apparently it's too early in the morning for me and I wasn't thinking.

When I read the forecasts I had to laugh. Here is what I found. I quote from accuweather: "variable clouds with a couple of showers," "partly sunny with a shower in the area," and "partly sunny with a passing shower." Basically some sun and some showers, mixed in an unknown amount at unknown times. I knew that!

Waikele Outlets

It was time to get some new pants for my boy. For girls it's okay when their pants get too short. I guess there is an in between length that is a little awkward where it looks like they're outgrowing them, but wait a couple months and if they still fit at the waist they can be added back into the wardrobe as capris. For boys that trick just doesn't work. So I took the kids to Waikele for a little shopping this week.

I don't think either of them considered it a fun adventure, but my boy now has PJs that fit and long pants to replace the ones that were turning into capris. My girl didn't need anything but I did buy hair bows to go with all the awesome hand-me-down clothes that are overflowing from her dresser.

I used to be able to do marathon shopping at outlet malls but now with two kids tagging along two or three stores is about the limit. This time I went to Carter's and OshKosh. The mall also has Children's Place, Gymboree and Tommy Hilfiger Kids outlet stores. Maybe I'll get to those next time I go. And one of these days I may even leave the kids home and buy some clothes for me!

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  94-790 Lumiaina Street, Waipahu, Hawaii  96797
Directions:  Take the H1 west heading towards Kapolei.  After the H1-H2 merge, take the Waikele/Waipahu exit (exit 7).  At the end of the off-ramp take a right onto Paiwa Street.  At the signal, take a right onto Lumiaina Street.  At the first signal on Lumiaina Street take a left into the outlets.
Hours:  Regular stores hours are Mondays-Saturdays from 9am to 9pm and Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Check their webpage for extended holiday hours.  They are closed on Christmas.
Parking:  Free parking located both in front of the mall and behind the mall.
Facilities:  Drinking fountains and bathrooms located in two locations at opposite corners of the mall.  One is in the back section of the mall next to Saks Fifth Ave. Off 5th and the other is in one of the front sections near the Converse store.
Other:  Not much to eat within walking distance, so I take snacks for the kids when I go. Also, if you take some coins you can use the coin-operated ride-on toys as a bribe, er... I mean reward. :)

More info:  Check out the homepage for Waikele Premium Outlets to get a complete list of stores.

Happy shopping!

Aiea Loop Trail

I love hiking loop trails! There's just something about not having to turn around, not having to go back up hills you've gone down and vice versa that I really like. Yesterday we hiked Aiea Loop with some friends and visiting family. It was our first time on the trail with kids and they did great. Our boy found himself a walking stick, declared himself the leader and led us around the loop.

Our girl rode in the backpack where she practiced new words, ate snacks and even took a nap. This is how she fell asleep. It looked uncomfortable so we cushioned the strap with a clean diaper and continued hiking.

There are usually some great vistas on this trip but the vog (basically smog from the volcano on the Big Island) was bad so we enjoyed the close-up scenery instead. Much of the trail is in the shade and there are a lot of beautiful trees to see.

We came across some wildlife while we were hiking. A couple of feral pigs were rooting around next to the trail and we caught a quick look at them before they ran off when our boy scared them when he gasped in surprise.
With our boy in the lead our pace was very leisurely and somewhere along the second half of the loop we realized we needed to pick up the pace or our cars were going to get locked in when they closed the gate at 6:45. The hike ended with our boy riding piggy-back and all of us doing our best to keep up a good pace without slipping or tripping in the dark. We made it back to the cars happy and tired and out of the park before the gates closed.

Do it yourself on Oahu:

• The trail begins and ends in the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area which is at the top of Aiea Heights Drive.

• Many people park at the second lot at the top of the hill which is closest to the trail head. We like to park in the first lot after you've entered the park and driven past the Heiau. This is closer to where the trail ends. It lets us start with a walk up to the top parking lot rather than having to do that at the end of the hike when we are more tired.

• This loop is about 5 miles long. If you don't have time to do the whole loop, going out a ways and back still makes for a very enjoyable hike.

• Roots, some downed trees and places where the trail is narrow and steep on one side do not make this a stroller-friendly trail, but mountain bikers like to ride it and it's a well maintained hiking trail.

• This trail can get very muddy in places, so might not be the best choice after a big rain.

• There are bathrooms at both ends of the trail.

Chinatown

Over the holiday weekend we decided to go to Chinatown to look around. We've been there a number of times to eat at various restaurants and last year we went to the Chinese New Year parade there, but we realized we'd never just gone to wander.

We meandered through some of the stores and saw lots of fresh produce and fresh seafood.

Some was even more fresh than this and was still swimming around in the tanks. Came across a lot of food items I wouldn't know what to do with, but if I'm ever cooking Asian food and need to find an ingredient I definitely will know where to go shopping!
When the kids got tired of shopping we walked along the canal for a bit to break things up for them.
Then we went in a few more stores. One sold beads and jewelry and both kids wanted to touch everything in the store. Miraculously we made it out of there without breaking anything, whew! Another store we went in was filled with all kinds of cooking utensils and when my current wok wears out I have my next one picked out.
Challenged our boy to get the ball out of this lion's mouth, then we talked about how it was made. The teacher in me getting him to learn through exploration I guess.

I've tagged this post as a free activity because there is no charge to walk around Chinatown, but we didn't leave with as much money as we arrived with. I bought some bananas and papayas, canned gluten (tastes better than it sounds or looks) to use when I make stir-fry and lettuce wraps, and a little bit of jewelry at the bead store. Oh, and we paid $2 for parking. It was a fun cultural experience, just 30 minutes from our back door.

Do it yourself:

• I don't want to label Chinatown as unsafe during the day but I was glad my husband was along for this outing. We didn't have any problems or anything weird happen but I just felt more comfortable having another adult with me. My recommendation would be to go as a family or invite a friend to join you.

• Location: Along the west side of downtown Honolulu.

• Parking: There are some open lots as well as a number of parking garages in Chinatown. We parked in a garage along Maunakea with an entrance between Hotel and King Streets. They have special weekend and holiday rates. During the week it might be less expensive to park in one of the open lots. We saw one on Maunakea and I know there are others.

• Markets: In addition to the stores you can see from the street, there are a couple of marketplaces that are interesting to stroll through. Maunakea Market is between Hotel Street and N. Pauahi Street in the block closest to the canal and Kakaulike Market is between King Street and Hotel Street in the same block.

• Produce: Lots of fresh, local produce at great prices!