We decided to start the morning with a hayride and save pumpkin picking for later so we wouldn't have to carry our pumpkins around the whole time. We got our tickets and joined the line. We had to wait for a bit and the water and granola bar I had in my bag kept the kids happy while we waited.
I'd seen a sign that said you could take the hay ride out to the self pick corn area and sure enough, the first stop on the hay ride was a corn field. We decided to get off and soon we were in the middle of a corn field with a big bucket to fill.
Our daughter decided she'd rather hang out on Daddy's shoulders than pick corn but our son was excited to find big ears of corn and twist them off and drop them into the bucket. We filled our bucket and headed back to pay for it and get back on the hay ride.
The next stop on the hay ride was a pumpkin patch but we decided not to get off there. It seemed like it would be easier to get pumpkins closer to the parking area than balance pumpkins, bags of corn and kids on the hay ride.
The pumpkin fields closer to the entrance weren't as green as the ones farther out but there were still pumpkins actually attached to the vine in addition to the ones they set in there to replenish the fields. Our son had fun hunting for the perfect pumpkin. Our rule was that he had to be able to carry the one he picked. Our daughter wasn't interested in the pumpkins but she had fun sitting and playing in the dirt. Go figure!
Speaking of dirt, it was very dusty out there. Don't wash your kids or your car before you head to the pumpkin patch, you'll just be wasting your time!
There are bouncy houses and a few carnival type rides for little kids but we skipped those and instead had shave ice and then headed home. A good time was had by all!
Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: 91-1440 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Hours: 8:30am to 5pm Saturdays and Sundays through October 30
Cost: Cash only! No checks or credit cards and no ATM there. $1 admission (children under 2 are free). I think the hayride was $1 per person too. After that it depends on how much you purchase. We spent $8 on pumpkins (one medium size, two small ones) and $10 for a bucket of corn. Snacks, shave ice, bouncy houses and rides are all additional fees.
Parking: The parking is in one of their fields and it's dusty!
Facilities: • They have porta-potties and a place to rinse off your hands. • In the main area there are tents with carpet or chairs under them so you can take a break in the shade if you need to. • There are food and drinks available for purchase including chips, soda, water, grilled corn, hot dogs and shave ice.
Other: Thankfully there was a nice breeze blowing when we were there but the pumpkin patch can get hot! I'd recommend taking water, wearing sunscreen and hats and trying to avoid going in the middle of the day. We didn't take a stroller but it looked like people who had strollers with small wheels where having a hard time with them. It looked like a jogger stroller or wagon would work better.
More info: Aloun Farms Pumpkin Patch 2011
7 Comments:
I think we may try the waimanalo one this year, just to try something different.
last two times we went to aloun it was soooo hot and humid and we just left covered in dirt. LOL!
but the hayride was fun for the kids!
It definitely can get super hot at Aloun farms! We were lucky and had a bit of a breeze this time.
My son has a field trip to the Waimanalo pumpkin patch next week and I'm going as a chaperone so I'll get to check that one out too.
Have fun at whichever one you go to!
You should ask the owners of Aloun Farms how they feel about exploiting slaves while you're there...
Anonymous - As I mentioned on my blog at this time last year, when charges were pending against them we did not patronize their establishment. Now that the charges have been dropped, while some questions may remain unanswered, I'm going with the "innocent until proven guilty" standard of the justice system and hoping that the powers that be are monitoring them closely and will take them back to court if there is any exploitation of workers on their farm.
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/aloun-farm-criminal-case-thrown-out-of-court/123
Perhaps but let's remember the victims in this case have no rights in the US, they do not speak English, and well basically they are SOL. I am all for enjoying life with children and having faith in humankind, but let's also be fair and just to all and take a stand for justice. Inequity is on the rise in the world and there are more and more victims everyday, and nothing justifies it. Turning a blind eye only delays justice and accelerates the damage. It is too simple to say that we can all do what we can get away with selfishness until we are proven guilty, we have a responsibility to nurture justice in our relationships and in society. We have a responsibility to demand justice and equitable treatment from our fellow human beings.
http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/slaverya21stcenturyevil/2011/10/201110108583163675.html
Anonymous - I am glad to hear you want to take responsibility to nurture justice and I thank you for sharing the link. I think we have the same goals, just different ways of trying to accomplish them. f you have more to say on this topic, please feel free to send me an email. You can find my address on the 'Contact' page. -Lisa
Oops!! Should be 'if you have more' not 'f you have more.' Sorry 'bout that.
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